First Church of the Nazarene

We have made the devil angry.  There are new names written down in the Lambs Book of LIfe after VBS this last week.   Children prayed to receive Christ!  The church leadership has already begun in earnest seeking God for direction in what is next for LCFCN.  We are taking active steps to implement what we believe is God's direction for us to fulfill the Great Command and Great Commission.  This month your board and staff will be traveling to two different churches to examine the models of 2nd worship service and church planting.  The board will also be exploring a local church that has successfully gone to two services because of the growth they have experienced.  

 

So much looks big, scary, uncharted territory for us and yet we know God desires us to move forward making disciples.  We don't have all the answers yet and we may even have failed attempts, but that is not the end even if that happens.  We need to pray for our eyes to be opened to see what God has, who He needs us to engage, and how He desires for us do it.  I would rather fail trying than subsist in mediocrity because we were unwilling to take risks.

 

This will entail allowing God to take a look at us, to speak to us individually, and our cooperation with what God is asking of each of us to do to fulfill our part of His purpose.  This means praying some dangerous prayers,  prayers like the one found in Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! ²⁴  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

"Lead me in the way everlasting"...that phrase is not a phrase of selfishness, not a phrase indicating short-sightedness, not a phrase pushing my personal agenda.  This is a phrase actively seeking God, He is everlasting.   This is a phrase of discipleship, God is the one leading.  This is a phrase of holiness, Jesus is "The Way".    If you are willing to pray this dangerous prayer, obey the leading of the Lord, then you will have your eyes opened and Jesus will take you and this church (you are His Church), to places you cannot begin to fathom.   

 

Get ready...The devil is not happy, and already, several families in our church are experiencing his attacks, distractions, and problems to try and get us off of the task of making disciples.  Let us pray dangerous prayers and allow the Lord to open our eyes to see that there are more with us than with the enemy.   

2 Kings 6:15-17 (NLT)  

Pastor David