Dear Family and Friends,
The Lord said to me in the strongest terms: ‘Do not think like everyone else does. Do not fear ANYTHING except the Lord Almighty. He alone is the holy One. If you fear Him, you need not fear ANYTHING else.’ Isaiah 8:11,13 (NLT)
I’m learning to check my spirit by those verses. In every situation God wants His children so secure in His grace, power and purpose that the one thing we fear is losing His presence in our life? Fear nothing else.
Put a name to your biggest fear. Jesus asks: what is its name? Name it. Stop for a minute and name your fear.
The Lord Almighty says: Release that fear to Me—I’ll handle it. Fear nothing but losing Me.
Raise that kind of life up to 30,000 feet. Picture an entire community of single adults, couples and families living Isaiah 8:13 as the internal reality which guides our interactions and thought life! There’s a vision!
Now, let’s consider where we are going, and your part in it. Remember—we have two big rocks:
BE the Church. BUILD the Church. Building Homes and our Home-base of Light!
The local church is Jesus’ one building project on earth. He says so (Matthew 16:18).
Nothing is more potent from His perspective than the local church when the local church is working right.
So He lays out His building plan for every local church in Acts 1:8:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses—
first in Jerusalem (your home town), then all Judea and Samaria (our region) and to the ends of the earth.
Big Rock #1: BE the Church (living as Spirit-filled witnesses by focusing on 5)
- Read your Bible and Pray: Gather fresh Manna from Jesus daily.
- Have a Friend, Be a Friend: Enjoy community. Help create it.
- Serve: Help others as a ministry to Jesus. Watch what happens to your heart!
- Invest and Invite: Share with a seeking friend the ups and downs of your God-journey.
- Do the next right thing: Stay available to God.
Big Rock #2: BUILD the church in terms of our Jerusalem home-base.
This means our tithe in support of our ministries and mission; then finding our part in following God’s heart to our future, giving sacrificially to participate in this unique God-story.
Remember: each $135 is another square foot of our facility. Over one third is already finished.
As you fulfill or begin your pledge, picture how many square feet of our facility God will build through your faithfulness; and imagine crossing the finish line. That calculation inspires me. I’m praying every man, woman, teen and child at Damascus Road has the joy of partnering with God for multiple square feet—from a few to hundreds—as we trust, then stretch our faith in a faithful God. Next week come to either:
- Fireside chat #1: Monday, March 3 in Frederick at Paul and Jeannie Foss’ home.
- Fireside chat #2: Thursday, March 6 in Mount Airy at Jerry and Michelle Rader’s home.
One of these evenings is for you as you determine your part (you definitely have one) in following God’s heart to our future; or for a vision-refresher update along the path to fulfilling your pledge commitment from a year ago.
This Sunday, March 2 we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.
You can definitely prepare by examining your vertical and horizontal relationships. Do this by:
- Searching your heart and seeking awareness of idols, rebellion, independence, ingratitude, etc. toward God and receiving His forgiveness, grace and strength anew (whoever is forgiven much, loves much).
- Asking God to search your heart for sinful attitudes toward others, i.e. unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, strife, hate, etc. and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to repentance and reconciliation.
- Consider Jesus. Remember the difference His love has made in your life and pray for the joy of salvation to be fresh and new and transforming again.
- Come ready to encounter God.
See you Sunday.
Much love, Richard
