I once heard a message titled “The Prodigal Generation.” It made the point that there are two approaches to ministry and outreach based on this parable. The way of the loving father and the way of the older brother. The way of the Pharisees (Luke 15:2 “…he eats with sinners…”) and the way of Jesus.

Number of Commitments: 146
Amount Pledged: $1,191,530
Amount Received: $578,739

When you read Genesis 27:1-2, Isaac is at a point in life where death is near. One way he dealt with uncertainty was to take care of his family. Because of his age he decides to pass on the blessing to his eldest son. This blessing was a practice of his culture and a final step a father takes before facing death.

How do you face uncertainty?

I wonder how a person with no belief system deals with challenges in life. Where do these individuals turn to and find relief? For the Christian, being in a position of uncertainty is the greatest place to be. In this position you are completely dependent on God. And with God, all things are possible.

As the construction of the new sanctuary is in its final stages, let us not forget we depend on God. Today the news speaks of inflation and how we are in a recession. We may be challenged in meeting our faith promises, but we depend on God as we remain faithful to our pledge. The process of completing, moving in, and beginning anew is tiring, but we depend on God for the strength we need to work through these wonderful times. The days ahead are filled with uncertainty, but we depend on God for He is faithful.

As I write our west entry into the new facility is being opened up. The finishing work is happening throughout the new facility. Our projected date for our first service is May 18th. On Sunday, April 20, we will dismiss our services early and make our way into the new sanctuary and write on the floor (before the carpet is installed) promises from God’s Word and names of individuals whom we are believing God for regarding their salvation.

This is an exciting time in the history of Meadowbrook, but I want to be sure that we keep before us that a building is a tool to facilitate ministry; not a ministry itself. In the movie, “Field of Dreams” Shoeless Joe tells Ray, “If you build it, they will come.” We cannot rely upon a building to bring people in.” I’m certain there will be some interest in our community regarding the new building, but we cannot think this is our “tool” of evangelism. We trust the building will only add credibility to an invitation from a friend of Meadowbrook. If anything, a new facility is a call to step up our outreach efforts, not relax and think outreach will now simply happen because we have a new and larger building. Everyone needs to take personal responsibility for outreach.

What do you think?

In Acts 1:3-12. Verse 11 it says, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven.”

The disciples spent three years with the greatest teacher our world has known. Their last 40 days together are spent with Him teaching about the Kingdom of God. His last words are “Go into all the world…” and “you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” You’d think they’d get it, but they don’t. After Jesus has ascended, the disciples find themselves staring up into the sky. They stand there, without moving, as the command to “Go!” still rings in their ears.

I have to ask myself, after 2000 years, has anything changed? Does the church still find itself looking into the heavens while the call to reach this world goes unheard? Are we more concerned about reaching a final reward than inviting others into that experience? We’ve been entrusted with the greatest message the world has known. What are we doing to reach our world?

As we prepare to transition into our new expansion here at Meadowbrook, the question still remains, are we heeding the teachings of Jesus, and “Going into all the world….being His witnesses?” My prayer is that as we see the construction of our facility coming to a conclusion, that we can also see the people we have been praying for, sharing with, and building relationships with…..come and be His disciples with us. May our “Faith always remain Under Construction”

I was just in the new facility last night and things are getting pretty exciting. The stage is nearly completed, the sound booth has been constructed, paint is going on the walls, and you can see where stage lighting and speakers will be going. It got me thinking about the presentations that will be shared in the new sanctuary. I also am thinking about the people that will one day be coming to hear the message of Jesus Christ in that newly constructed facility. Even though we will have a new building with great technology to help us share the message, one thing for sure is that the message is same – eternal life through Jesus Christ. Nothing “new” to us who have been a part of the family of Christ for some time, but it will be new for people who have never heard the Great News but will come through our newly installed, glass doors. It is exciting to think of the people who will come to Jesus in this new worship center. How many new names will be written in the book of life because of the construction of this new facility? How many people will be baptized in the nearly finished baptismal tank? How many tears will wet the carpet at the front of the stage as people come to receive prayer for their lives and families?

I hope that you have been able to focus on these things as you have prayed and given for the sake of this expanded facility. It really is the reason we have pressed forward to do it. We will have our first service in the sanctuary in just a few weeks! Let’s commit every service to the Lord in prayer!

As spring arrives this Thursday we will begin to see things come to life. The trees will begin to grow leaves, grass will turn green, and flowers will bloom. How fitting that our new building is doing the same thing. The drywall is up and being painted, the ceiling is being installed in the sanctuary, and furniture and equipment is ordered and waiting to be delivered. The process is amazing to watch.

Consider Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Every year we watch the dead of winter evolve into the life of spring. This is God’s design. As we continue to place our trust in God through Jesus Christ, we will see the completion of our sanctuary to God’s glory.

Number of Commitments: 146
Amount Pledged: $1,191,530
Amount Received: $537,590

I’ve been reading in Numbers the past few days during my devotions. Numbers gets a bad wrap because of it’s name. Sure, the first few chapters deal with numbers, but the Hebrew name, “In the Wilderness” is actually more descriptive. It’s one of my favorite Old Testament books. Anyway, yesterday I read from chapter 20 when Moses strikes the rock at Meribah in order to provide water for the people. Verses 2-5 say:

There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and said, “We wish we had died in the LORD’s presence with our brothers! Did you bring the LORD’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, figs, grapes, or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

This whole situation amazes me. These are people who saw firsthand how God delivered them from Egypt. Plague of frogs, anyone? Locusts? Hail? Death of every firstborn? What about when Moses raised his staff and God parted the Red Sea? Ring a bell Israelites? What about the fact that everyday you go out and pick up Manna to eat? Remember the mountain where God met with Moses? What about a few chapters prior to this when the ground opened up, swallowed Korah and his family and then closed up again?

You’d think that these experiences would be somewhere in their minds….Yet, the Israelites find something to complain about. They quickly forget about the great things God has done for them and begin to hold a massive pity party. Unfortunately, this happens today, too.

Sometimes, we as people, lose sight of what’s important. Usually that simply involves us turning our attention to ourselves. I need this. I want that. Gee, those figs in Egypt were good. This sad, shortsighted view of life refuses to look at the big picture. It refuses to remember the past or to realize that there is hope for the future. Somehow we’ve got to get past ourselves, our expectations and our wants. After all, the universe doesn’t revolve around me. May God remind me daily of the blessings He’s poured into my life, so that I don’t put my focus on anything other than Him. May my faith remain “Under Construction”!

A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. “Mom and Dad, I’m coming home, but I have a favor to ask. I have a friend I’d like to bring home with me.” “Sure,” they replied, “we’d love to meet him.” “There’s something you should know” the son continued, “He was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.” “I’m sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live.” “No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us.” “Son,” said the father, “you don’t know what you’re asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can’t let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He’ll find a way to live on his own.” At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn’t know, their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don’t like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren’t as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.

Thankfully, there’s someone who won’t treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into His family, regardless of how messed up we are. That person is God, who sent His Son to die on the cross for all of the unlovable people that He saw had no hope without Him. As I read this story, I am challenged to forever be thankful for a loving God who loves unlovable me! May we at Meadowbrook Community Church be challenged once again to Love God Completely and Love People Unconditionally.