ARE YOUR EARS AWAKE? LISTEN. Those are words taken right from my Message Bible as I was reading the Word this morning in the first several chapters of the book of Revelation. With all that’s going topsy-turvy in our world these days, I could hardly put it down. The relevancy of the long-ago written message seemed even more urgent and timely for today. I had to run to work early this morning for a short cash-office shift on my day off, and as I was driving home I could see that the sunshine and high temps of yesterday were but a memory and today’s skies were painted by a brush dipped in drab grays with a touch of blended white. The forlorn look was dotted with clouds that looked a bit angry and upset as they twirled and churned following a downpour from the sky’s watering can. But … my eyes were drawn to the one and only bright spot in the entire atmosphere. There was a circle of light that was piercing through the morning dinginess and no matter where I looked as I drove, my eyes kept coming back to the light. Of course, I could have easily chosen to focus on the 99 percent of gray in the sky … but because of the Light living in me, I was naturally drawn to the light of the sun. It seemed as if God was saying, “Run to the Light, My Light! Follow the Son, My Son!” You see, there is no darkness so thick that the sun cannot peek through. And there is no Darkness so impossible to penetrate that the Son cannot burst through with His brilliant Light. Light always trumps darkness. In the end times, though, we have been warned that people will be blinded and will pursue their evil ways. They will love darkness rather than light. And if we, the church, are not careful and discerning, we will also become blinded to what God wants us to see. And we will become hard of hearing in the spiritual realm. Why else would God say more than once to us in the first part of Revelation, “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” That’s not just a suggestion – it’s an instruction. Christians: those of you who call yourselves by Christ’s Name, are you listening? Are we really listening as we stand on the global threshold of the last days about ready to be ushered into Heaven and the holy presence of the Living God? There is so much that we need to know, so much we need to be wise about. There is so much we need to be doing – as we are about our Father’s business. Our lives need to be marked with an unprecedented urgency to reach the lost – because as real and wonderful as Heaven is … Hell is just as real and even more horrendously awful than we can ever imagine. What is God trying to get across to us in the first part of this book that records His message to the seven churches? Can we be nonchalant about our faith? Can we leave the preaching of the message of Christ’s soon return to someone else? Can we choose to not invite others to make the choice that can gift them with Heaven and spare them from Hell? If we choose to have a heart like our Father’s – then the answer on all three counts is a resounding “NO!” In these chapters God tells us who He is … the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the God who is, the God who was, and the God who is about to come. The God who is Alive! Forever! He tells us He sees what we’ve done, all our hard work, and how we’ve kept on and didn’t quit. Yet He sees how some have lost their first love – Him! And He tells us to turn back to Him and not to fear anything, including anything we will suffer. He warns us to stay on guard and not quit – even if the cost is our life. He reminds us of the Crown of Life that He has awaiting those of us who hang in there believing! And again He tells us to LISTEN. To listen to the Spirit blowing through the churches. He’s aware that we live under the constant shadow of Satan’s evil, and yet we continue on claiming our power in the Name of Jesus and never denying that precious Name. He sees. He knows. He understands what we’re going through here on this earth in 2011. While He sees our love and faith and service and persistence, He also sees what we do for appearance only, and ulterior motives will only bring His disappointment and wrath to us. God doesn’t mince words when it comes to what He expects of us as His children. He tells us, “Up on your feet!” And He calls us back to Himself, to a life energized with participation and action that will bring His Kingdom to this earth. If we stand true and prove our worth, then this is what Jesus promises to us, “Conquerors will march in the victory parade, their names indelible in the Book of Life. I’ll lead them up and present them by name to my Father and His Angels.” Wow, what a moment in eternity … being presented by our name … to the King of Kings and His Angels! He even says that He will make us ”a pillar in the sanctuary of God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City – the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven – and my new Name.” Can you believe it?! I have no tattoos on my present body – but God is going to write on my glorified body … even His new Name! What an honor to bear the inscription of His Names on my very body! To that goal, may we ever keep our ears awake and be listening! May we listen to the Spirit blowing through the churches! Precious Holy Spirit … blow through Elevation North! We’re listening!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- LIVING IN THE POWER OF THE LIVING GOD … that’s what we experience each Lord’s Day at Elevation North! He has so much to offer us, His children … so it’s just natural that when we come together to worship and honor Him that we reach out in faith believing and take everything that He says He has for us! We were thrilled to bless our moms with a special message and beautiful roses on Mother’s Day ~ we appreciate each one of you so much!
- BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to Mitch who celebrates on May 12th; and to Isaac who will be celebrating his birthday on May 17th! We so appreciate all you do for Elevation North, Isaac! May God bless both of you young men and continually shape you into warriors for Him!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, MAY 15TH: 10:00 A.M. - WORSHIP & PRAISE – to our God on high! Come with your hearts prepared for an awesome time in His presence, setting all else aside and focusing on Who He is, hungry and thirsty for MORE of Him! Pastor Doug will be preaching a powerful message straight from God’s Word, and you won’t want to miss it! Your hearts will be encouraged and uplifted as we sing the songs of faith and bow before Him in prayer! Plan now to invite someone to come to church with you – this may be their day of invitation to come to Christ and begin a new life in Him!
- 11:15 A.M. – SPECIAL VISIONARY CHURCH MEETING to pursue the building opportunity we have – with prayer and planning. We will be sharing financial details of our present treasury status, as well as financial obligations for the building, all couched in the desire that God’s will might be done for Elevation North here on earth as it is done in Heaven!
- NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 22ND: 10:00 A.M. – WORSHIP & PRAISE / 11:15 A.M. – KINGDOM CONNECTION TIME
- WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE in October – remember to be inviting family and friends to this special event!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- WHAT A PRIVILEGE to be sons and daughters of God, to pray for each other, to believe in faith for the answers! This week, let’s intercede in prayer for Sean, one of our teenagers who will be having brain surgery on the 18th. We are trusting God for a safe and successful surgery with miraculous results, all for His glory! Pray also for Hazel whose sister passed away this week, for comfort for her and all the family. Continue in prayer for all of the other known needs – as well as many unspoken. God KNOWS THEM ALL, and He loves it when we ask of Him! And we will exalt Him and give Him the glory!!!
- REMEMBER . . . “Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” ~ Samuel Smiles
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
