Friday is here

Dealing with change has been the theme of the day. As we prepare for 2 families to move to other places, we also prepare for new families to come and join us in the ministry that God has for us.

Let me share my philosophy on this whole deal.
1. Send them with your blessings and as a missionary of your church. Scripture says in Matthew 28:18-20 that we are to be discipling everyone. Well what does that mean? Discipling someone means to help them move one step closer to Jesus. Sometimes you have the opportunity to help folks move several steps closer, sometimes you only have a chance through brief encounter to move someone one step closer.
If a person is part of your church, help them to move at least one step closer to Jesus then if God moves them on, cheer them on as they continue in that journey. Also pray for two things. 1. pray for God to bring them a person who will help them move another step. 2. Also pray that the one leaving you is able to help some other person move one step closer to Jesus.

2. Obedience starts with a step of faith. This applies to the person leaving and to the church who is staying. We as the church body need to encourage faith and obedience in those who are being led to somewhere else but we also need to live obediently by letting them go. We have had several families leave to go serve other places, I hate to see them go but I know that God has much in store for us here, I also know that God will supply the resources that are needed to fulfill the mission. So with those two bits of knowledge I look forward to who God will bring to help with the mission. It never fails! God brings new folks who have new gifts and a chapter of excitement begins.

It would be a horrible things to teach on obedience and faith and then get upset at folks for following God in faith and obedience.

I already see it happening. I just got off the phone with a family that is moving to our area soon and is looking forward to being a part of the ministry here! Whew God you already have the pieces lined up! Way Cool!

This is what the prayer of Jabez is all about! We have the boundaries of our influence and our hearts expanded. We have relationships with dear friends literally around the world!
The funny thing is I'm writing this while listening to the Parachute Band song God You're Amazing. No coincidence!