Do Not Lose Heart!

As we unfold the Life's Healing Choices campaign, I am feeling like a general in a war-room. I see the map in our narthex and get excited. There are over 32 colored dots scattered over this region. By connecting these dots, you can see a near perfect 15-20 mile radius surrounding our campus. Every Tuesday and Thursday we are bringing the battle out to the enemy. Communities are witnessing cars streaming into their streets and parking at homes that are epicenters of community change. The war for the Jersey Shore is on!

We need to see what is happening spiritually. Open our eyes Lord and let us see what YOU are doing! I am thrilled to learn of first-time guests coming into our small groups. Yet, even if there are no "new faces," we collectively are a "new face" to this community. The buzz that is created by our presence is significant. Combine that with the prayer and spiritual life that is bearing down on this block of land is incredibly significant. We are opening new land for the glory of God. We are God's Army moving forward and taking the land. I think of Joshua of old. As the leader of Israel, he continually had to encourage the people to not fear and to have courage.

He also had to admonish the people to not give up or become discouraged. Beware Church! There is an enemy to our souls. There is a principality that will not surrender the land without a fight. Do you know how simply the enemy can stop us? How many of us are going to have "bad days" on either a Tuesday or a Thursday? How bad will traffic be on those days? You can almost count on it. What can go wrong will go wrong. If the enemy can stop you, he is determined to do it.

Let's not be ignorant of his tactics. Let's not give in. Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor 4:1 Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

The apostle went on to say in 2 Cor 4:16-18 THE MESSAGE

16 So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 17 These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. 18 There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

See beyond the immediate struggles. There is more here than meets the eye! We are going to see eternal, long-lasting change. Those mountains that have stood over you for years are going to be smashed, but we have to endure the battle.

I encourage you to move forward in faith and do not lose heart. We will receive a reward, IF we faint not.