What Is God Up To?

I had a great conversation with one of our vocalists tonight after rehearsal. We were talking about how there is a feeling in the air of anticipation, that something big is about to happen. Week after week we see new faces in both our services. And many of them are coming broken, with problems, addictions, baggage and all kinds of stuff. Praise God they're coming here! They sense that something is going on and they feel like God may be able to do something with their lives and help them.

We see it every week from the platform. As a pastor, I know more than I should. I konw many of the hurts, pains and stuggles that people are dealing with. But that in itself is a blessing for me. Now, I don't tailor a service for anyone person except the person of Jesus Christ. Yet week after week we hear people say, "I don't know why anyone else was here today. The music and the message were just what I needed. It was awesome!" My response...it WAS OUR AWESOME GOD!

Any pastor who 'tailors' a service to one person or group of people would be nuts. I am simply trying to hear what God wants to do each week. And we don't always get it. But the times that we do are increasing at an alarming rate. That tells me that He has something in store for us.

For all you FBC people, let me ask you a direct question. If God is up to something and about to do something amazing, are you ready to step in and be a part? Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort zone to make room for those not yet here? Are you willing to see what God has in store for us, and specifically for you? What will you do to make it happen?

Here's what needs to be happening NOW:

1. If you attend the 11 am service, STOP! Move to the 9 am service to make room. If someone is going to check out church, studies show they will overwhelmingly come to a service that starts around 10 or 11 am. Anything else is too early. Set your clock and make the move. What's it going to cost you, really? Stop making excuses.
If we don't start making room, we will need some volunteers to stand at the door at the 11 am service and offer this greeting:
"Thank you for coming to MY 11 am service. We're full now, and I don't want to change for you, so go home and go to hell! Have a nice day!"
Just being real...

2. When God blesses us with these people, we'll need some more people to accommodate them in many, many areas. Where are you serving? Notice I didn't say LEADING? Just serve. You can find some opportunities THIS SUNDAY AND NEXT SUNDAY following both services on the patio next to the Worship Center. There will be several 'service opportunity' postings available for you to look at, and people to answer your questions. SECRET: Most service opportunities don't require more than one service time a month! Some even just 1 HOUR A MONTH!

3. Pray for your leaders, all of them! We need to hear CLEARLY what God is up to and what He wants to do with us and all the folks He wants to send our way. We are being bombarded left and right with attacks and 'challenges' of all kinds. Pray especially for Pastor Bill as He listens for what God wants communicated to this crowd.

Thank God for what HE is doing, and how He is doing it! Lift up a song of praise and shout HIS name! He is in control and He is gearing up for something KING LIKE!

I'll see you in church, worshipping Him and serving Him!