Jesus’ Word to You When Dread Approaches

I love the living, active, grace (ability) that comes from the Holy Spirit to prophesy to each other. 1 Corinthians 14:3 reads, “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” For me, it’s all about building up, stirring up, and cheering up.
There is a dread creeping in on the world due to COVID-19. But, there was and is a MASSIVE network of people and communities united and connected in Jesus across that same space. We are one in the Spirit and we are united in Christ’s glory and love (John 17:20-26).

Today, I declare Jesus’ prophetic word to stir us up again. He still shows up when the thick clouds of dread creep in on our communities. He says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (Matthew 5:14-15)

We have a powerful advantage of hope with which we can bless people who come into our place and space today. We don’t need to hoard it. It actually increases the more we share it. That advantage is the living word of the Lord. The light that will drive away dread is actually the living presence of God released in us and through us as we choose a grateful, thankful attitude.
No matter what threats arise (real or just hype), Jesus’ word over us is, “You are the light of the world.” Be bold in love, genuinely encourage people, and trust Jesus to shine more and more through you.

In Christ, you are a blessing!

Coming Clean…

Yesterday I met with a group of men and women who serve as pastors in the Saint John region. It was a gathering of the Greater Saint John City Ministerial.

I was completed captivated as I listened to our guest speaker, Jack Ferguson, of PEI.  Here is a very rough recording of his talk, “We Have to See It Here”.  It is about an hour long. It is conversational and focused on the group that had gathered there. Please take the time to listen to it so that you can catch God’s heart in it and please scan to the end of the audio so that you can witness the prayer that we all prayed together as we came out and came clean before the Lord.

As Jack shared absolutely incredible stories of the blind, deaf and mute people being healed, the dead being raised and thousands giving their lives to Jesus in small, humble villages in Mozambique, my heart was captured.

He spoke it out again and again, “It is about the power of love in action! And we have to see it here.” I agree!!

Jack also hammered away with truth about working with God as He builds the House of the Lord in our region. Our hearts burned as Jack spoke.

But, it is far too easy to sit in on a God appointed meeting and just observe the beauty of what God is doing and then walk away doing nothing about it. So, I want to come out and come clean about this here today. Here is the prayer that I and this group of pastors prayed together on Sept 22, 2011 at All Saints Church in Saint John, New Brunswick:

 Lord Jesus, I thank you for granting me a new opportunity to serve You. I repent of the areas in my heart where I allowed division and self interest to guide my actions. Jesus, I want to see your glory… even to abide as did Moses in Your sacred presence, Master. I consecrate my heart without regard to divisions to your sacred service. Before you I sanctify myself and my church before you to build the House of the Lord in my city. Amen