Sunday Reflections |
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Wow! To God be the glory! Amazing! Incredible! Praise God!
Just some of the verbal responses to Sunday’s announcement of financial commitments to our “Now Is The Time” campaign:
$981,556
When we began this campaign five months ago, we felt like Abraham when it says in Hebrews 11:8 that “By faith Abraham…obeyed and went… even though he did not know where he was going.” We began this journey not sure just where it would take us, and not clear as to how we were going to get there. We did believe that God had led us to the decision to remain in this location of downtown Wichita. We did believe that God was calling us to be more intentional about ministry outside the walls of our building. We did believe that God was ready to help us move into an exciting new future of ministry in the city. It was time for us to do like Abraham, who by faith “obeyed and went.”
We have prayed a simple prayer the last five months: “Lord, what do you want to do through me?” We give God glory for the answer received last Sunday, a result of so many RiverWalk households responding to God’s whisper and nudge.
Sunday was one of the great days in the 106 year history of our congregation.
Now we turn our attention to the use of these funds in expanding our outreach in the downtown community, and upgrading our facilities for more effective ministry. We will be announcing some “next steps” in early January; there will be opportunities for more RiverWalk members to be involved in helping us turn dreams into reality.
Five months ago we went out, not entirely clear as to where we were going. Last Sunday we experienced the blessing of faith that dares to embrace the truth of Ephesians 3:20, 21: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Immeasurably more than ALL we ask or imagine…to Him be glory!
5 Comments
And we still don’t know where God is leading us, Rick. We may think we have some of an idea, but if we really believe that God is able to do immeasurably more, we also believe that we haven’t a clue where this is going, and we just “hang on” for the ride of our collective lives!
The ride of our lives indeed! We must guard against closing our minds (imagination) to what God wants to do through RiverWalk Church of Christ.
Again – Praise the Lord! Prayer continues to work, even for GrPa_K. I have some confessions to make. 1) I do not like to be told how to pray. I overcame this and prayed anyway and I know it helped in my decision to want to be a part of this opportunity. So Buffy, I thank you for encouraging me with your thoughts and expressions. 2) Robert and Bob, I thank you for making yourselves available to get input from all of us, and your patience and kindness shown me as I questioned the process early on. 3) For whatever reasons, what I thought I was hearing (as bad as it is – but I will not blame my ears) led me to think early on that this was yet another Building (bricks and mortar) Project and that turned me off real fast. Rick, I thank you for pressing on by continually telling us for the last several months that this was not a “bricks and mortar” emphasis. Your words and continued prayers by all eventually nudged me. I am joyful about this.
GrPa_K, thanks for sharing your thoughts. No question as to the power of prayer…this campaign is exhibit “A” of that truth. Prayer helped open the hearts of many of us individually, and collectively we have been reminded again as to what happens when a community of faith prays together for God’s direction. I appreciate all those who, like yourself, “prayed through” their initial reluctance, concerns, and objections in order to listen for God’s voice. We have some exciting opportunities in front of us at RiverWalk!
Congrats!!! I’ve been to many churches over the last couple of years and I’m always amazed at the honesty and sincerity of your congregation. Whatever your “next step (s)” are I’ll continue to pray with and for everyone at Riverwalk.