JUST WHEN OUR HALLELUJAHS got a little tired … GOD GAVE US a new
song! This is my personalized version of
an awesome quote I read today. It seemed
to be the perfect description of our most recent journey through these past 12
months, so my heart is thankful to the anonymous author!! On one amazing Sunday morning, Elevation
North was birthed, and a new journey began.
Someday we need to write a book about all the stepping stones we’ve
walked on over the past years. First, a
bit timidly. Then, a lot boldly. Mostly, with excitement and passion. Only a few times did we glance in the
direction of disappointment and despair.
That’s when our hallelujahs got a little tired. Then God grabbed us by the hand, picked us up
and set us down on solid rock and prompted us to sing His tune. It was a song of praise and victory! He reminded us that HE is the Solid Rock! Re-energized, we just could not help but keep
on humming it over and over. Sometimes
softly, but mostly we wanted the whole world to hear! Worship and gratitude definitely
lifted us above the changes as we got bounced around from here to there, and
God helped us sing our way to each new place.
And just when there was seemingly NO place for our church to go to, God
presented us with a building to rent that came with an opportunity for
purchase. What a daunting word for a
church still small. Could it be
possible? To human eyes, it looked like
it could never be a reality. But, when
you KNOW the call that God has placed in your heart – you know you should not
look at God-things through your own eyes.
You make your way closer to Him until you can see through HIS eyes. It is then
that you begin to see the reality of what your heart knows but until now has only been a dream. And a far-away one, at that! This is when divine reversal begins to
take place. Instead of living like
“seeing is believing” – God helps you understand that “believing is
seeing!” First, we had to BELIEVE. And when we finally did that, putting our
belief into action as led by God, our faith became more child-like than ever
before. And we could finally see what
God was seeing. We just simply believed
what God was placing in our hearts: THIS
WAS THE TIME! THIS was the time for COMPLETION! We took God at His Word. We believed that every Word He said is
true. We declared His Word over the
purchase process. We received every amazing gift of funds and encouragement that
He brought to us out of precious sources that we would not have anticipated –
with humble, grateful hearts. We began
putting into practice the spiritual authority God has told us is ours. We began putting Satan in his rightful place: the position of defeat. And we moved forward. What had taken such a long, long time (nearly
a year and three banks later who jumped on board to help and then just as
abruptly pulled the pending loan out from under us) . . . SUDDENLY began to
turn around and take shape! God sent a knowledgeable
man of God our way on March 9th and for the first time, we experienced
real hope again. We knew this man was
sent from God as an unmistakable answer.
This man became the connection between us and a new bank on our scene –
and somehow we knew this was “the one”!
It was just a matter of time now.
Oh yes, more hurdles were flung in front of us, but we took authority
over each one and told Satan we meant business and we would no longer receive
anything he would try to bring to us in any way, shape, or form. We’d had enough of his strongholds and
heartlocks. He would not be allowed to
run interference any longer. On Sunday,
May 3rd, we claimed 2002 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN as GOD’S PROPERTY and the upcoming bank
closing as GOD’S COMPLETION! With ongoing prayer and fasting and moving in
the authority that is ours, the long-awaited day came! Thursday, May 7th, on the National
Day of Prayer, a few of us sat around a large table in a large bank conference
room. We did not really need all that
space, but I am convinced that God wanted us to experience an abundant measure
of His peace and His power that day. And
believe me, that room was FILLED with an unshakable sense of God’s presence and
His peace as we signed all the necessary documents to make 2002 Austin Road a
permanent place of worship for Elevation North!
No more moving, no more searching for a church home, no more tired
hallelujahs! We will move or build only
when God bursts us at the seams and we can hold no more of His blessings there
and have to make room for more!!! The day
is fast approaching when we will no longer be able to share the gospel of Jesus
Christ. And only what is done for Christ
will last! This transaction was
necessary. God did His part to make it a
reality. Now we ask each of you the
question that we’ve already asked ourselves:
“What will we do now?” Don’t
answer anything little or small. Answer large
with much faith! God’s Word says that He
uses the weak to confound the wise, and I believe that if we will choose to see
through the eyes of Christ, we will stand in awe at what God has in store for
Elevation North! Use us, dear Lord; use
us, we pray! For YOUR honor and for YOUR
glory! Now let’s give God the million or
so thank you’s that He so deserves! Thank You, Lord, for getting us in the right
place before You in order for us to receive Your miracle! May we never forget what YOU have done IN
THIS PLACE … IN THIS TIME! We join our
voices in proclaiming loudly a most beautiful HALLELUJAH SONG sent straight to
the Throne of God! Truly, there is no one like
OUR God!
REMEMBER . . .
“Praise and
glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for
ever and ever. Amen!”
~ Revelation
7:12
Joyfully Serving Our God . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
YOU ARE INVITED!!!
LARRY & GLORIA LUNDSTROM
will be at ELEVATION NORTH
this Sunday, May 17, 2015
this Sunday, May 17, 2015
at 10:00 a.m.
(2002 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN)
Larry and Gloria, of Sisseton, SD, have traveled the U.S. and Canada
for over 40 years. Together, they share a heart for families -
and especially, families in crisis.
Their inspiring, yet transparent message is life-changing,
and brings hope for everyone listening.
Larry's and Gloria's unique style of music, humor, and down-to-earth ministry,
make their presentation of the Gospel very real and powerful
in today's world of uncertainty and brokenness.
Make plans now to attend and bring a friend with you
so that their life might be touched as well!
A freewill offering will be taken,
and ministry resource materials will be available.
SEE YOU THERE!!!
