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Passing the Torch and Finishing Well

What an awesome time we had this past weekend as we came together for our Renewal Weekend. We were trusting God for a great time of renewal and refreshing and a fresh encounter with God. God blessed us with beautiful weather and great attendance, and it was a very special time in the life of our church.

I enjoyed bringing the message that God had for us on Sunday morning about Elijah passing the mantle of leadership to Elisha.  We have some wonderful adult leaders in our church; they have a great love for the church and wisdom to share with the younger adults who are emerging as the next generation leaders.  We have a bright future here at Wilmer, and our older adults got to pray with and affirm the spiritual gifts of our young adults on Sunday night.

It was a very moving service Sunday evening, as we came together to reflect on the weekend and testify of God’s grace upon us. Renewal Weekend was a special time that will be remembered for the rest of our lives, and we trust God that the fresh touch we received from this encounter will continue to bear fruit for generations to come.

When the Church Comes Together

It was a joy to share with the church on Sunday what God desires to do in every New Testament church. In Acts chapter 4, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and stands up to the religious authorities who want to silence him. In every generation there is a threat to the sharing of the gospel. The threat comes from government, political, cultural and religious groups who want to silence the church. The enemies of the gospel want the church to be silent and retreat behind closed doors.

For too long the response of the church has been to be silent, to stop openly sharing the gospel and to retreat behind closed doors. The church as a whole has feared the threats of society, law suits and offending the culture. The church often times is in full retreat. That was not how the church in Acts 4 responded.  They prayed in verses 24-30 that God would look at those who threatened the church and that God would grant the church boldness to stand up and proclaim the gospel with power.

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."" Acts 4:29-30 https://www.bible.com/59/ACT.4.29-30

God heard their prayer, gave them boldness and poured His grace out on them. He brought the church together and used it wonderfully to accomplish His purpose in Jerusalem.  

In our church, we are praying for a tremendous Renewal Weekend that will take place March 31^st through April 2^nd.  We are trusting God to bring His church at Wilmer together and give us direction and boldness for the future. May God accomplish His purpose in Wilmer and the surrounding area, and use our church to do it.