God Makes a Difference in Grace Bible Church

Folks who have been part of a church for a while will understand the feeling relayed here.  Going to church business meetings can be about as much fun as hitting your thumb with a hammer.  And the advantage of hitting your thumb is that you don’t keep hitting and hitting.  It probably ought not be that way, but seems to be the nature of such meetings.  Many churches have shifted the focus to a celebration of what God has done over the year rather than just details of a financial kind.  I like that. 

Grace Bible Church in Pryor just held an Annual Celebration.  Since I am the Pastor and had the opportunity to put things together I went with the celebration idea.  I wanted to celebrate the gathering of people God has collected at Grace Bible Church.  I wanted to call all those in the church to celebrate our great God.  I wanted those in the church to celebrate what God has done.  I wanted all those in the church to celebrate one another and what God is doing with and through them.  And now with the event completed I celebrate mission accomplished. 

God is doing His work among people and churches around the world.  He works in a variety of ways and with many surprises.  I thank God for what He is doing.  It is His kingdom.  It is Jesus’ who is building His church.  It is by the work of the Holy Spirit.  And I am glad He included Grace Bible Church.  Evaluated by the world’s standards by the way GBC is nothing.  It is not in a major metropolitan area with large crowds at multiple services.  It hasn’t even caught the interest of locals.  It is a church people easily pass by on their way to Wal-Mart.  But God from on high doesn’t evaluate by the world’s standards.  His ways are not our ways.  Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.  And God has manifested Himself at Grace Bible Church. 

Jesus tells a story, "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field." Matthew 13:44

That is so true of the Kingdom, and it relates to God’s work at Grace Bible Church as well.  There is great treasure in God’s manifestation, His truth, His work in people’s lives.  Often the treasure isn’t seen.  It’s walked by.  It’s missed.  It’s assumed there is nothing of value there.  But the treasure is there.  Some find it and have great joy. 

I celebrate what God is doing.  I am thankful I get to see Him at work.  I appreciate the people He has chosen to bring together and work with. 

People say it isn’t good to boast (then they do it anyway).  God says there is something that should be boasted in.  Take a look:

This is what the LORD says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!   Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NLT)

I want to boast in the Lord and that He has allowed us to know Him.  Let the celebration continue!