Crestwood Church Blog

At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them.
Isaiah 49:8-10

God is always willing to bless us, he is forever wanting to touch us with his goodness and gives us what we ask for. Sometimes what we ask for is of God, but the timing is not right. Other times we may ask for something but in reality we are not ready for it. In both situations, God in his sovereignty chooses not to give at that time. But at just the right time when our heart comes into line with the Father's, blessing occurs.

Now we know this is true as individuals, but we rarely apply this to the body of the church. What if we, as a church, were to say "Lord, we are ready, whatever it takes, we are available!" We are giving God the permission to have his way with us. God doesn't need our permission, because he is Almighty, but he chooses to wait for our response.

In the church in Laodicea, Jesus stands at the door of their hearts, knocking and waiting for a response, waiting for permission to allow him to enter. This verse from Isaiah 49 is to the entire assembly of Israel, therefore it's not only for us as individuals. In this verse the Lord is promising us his protection, but also giving us the authority to take our community into the blessing of God.

Through you I will re-establish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, 'Come out in freedom,' and to those in darkness, 'Come into the light.' They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare. They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun will not reach them anymore. For the Lord in his mercy will lead them; he will lead them beside cool waters.

Let's declare to him as one people "we are ready". Let's invite the Lord to do whatever he wants to do!

Labels: Church, Crestwood, Growth, Mission

posted by Andi - Sunday, 4 February 2007, 21:45
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