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“All glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever.” Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT
Looking at the physical culmination of Project: Renewal, you can’t help but pour out to God praises of thanksgiving and awe, seeing the ‘infinitely more,’ when just six months ago it was an only vision on paper. “Infinitely more than we might ask or think…through all generations…” Over three years ago, this was our earnest prayer of looking ahead, seeking God’s leading. It was for Israel too, when before crossing the Red Sea into the Promised Land, Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” “Infinitely more,” because that tomorrow is TODAY! In the Old Testament, Nehemiah was sent by God to rebuild/renew the city of Jerusalem. The first half (chapters 1-6) tells about the rebuilding of the walls. The second half (chapters 7-13) tells about the rebuilding of the people. Taken together, the two halves teach us that the inside matters even more than the outside. There is a warning in all of this that we must not miss.
The outward success of ‘renewal’ is never the final measure of any church or any Christian. If the inner walls are not ‘renewed daily,’ the outer walls will mean very little. The building is NOT the church. We are!
So celebrate with us on January 20, God’s “Infinitely more” in gratitude to all the workers, the leadership of First Companies, the incredible sacrificial work of our own people with physical ‘renewal.’ Knowing true, eternal impact ‘through all generations,’ will be a daily renewal of our hearts in God’s word and work.
Andy Stanley said, “The church is most appealing when the message of Grace is most apparent.”
How? “His mighty power at work within us…”
Appealing with a stunning renewal of facilities, but apparent because Grace is seen through the constant daily renewal of our hearts in Authentic Relationships through Genuine Community seeking to Reflect Christ.
“Infinitely more” is just the beginning.
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