Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

According to a recent poll, the church in America is growing rapidly and thoughts of a “post-Christian” America are just not true.  People who never went to church or went only occasionally are now signing up as official members in growing numbers across the nation.  Well over half of Americans are connected to the church in one way or another.  My friend, that’s a clear majority!

In my own part of the world, southwest Florida, churches that fervently declare the old-fashioned Gospel of the Bible are the ones that are flourishing.  Those congregations that entangle themselves in politics or even social issues alone (good though they may be) are declining.  Jesus promised us His power to fulfill His divine redemptive mission on this earth; therefore, the mission is possible by His Spirit.

Church growth is not rocket science.  Decades ago, I heard Dr. Robert Schuller teach three principles I have never forgotten.  He claimed that every pastor and church leader needs to be able to answer these questions:  1) What in the world am I trying to do here?  (A recent poll indicated that 90% of church leaders cannot clearly articulate the vision of their church.)  2)  How in the world do I plan to do it?  3) Why in the world do I do the work?  Decades ago, in this church we clearly concluded and stated what our church goals were.  Then we prayerfully and painstakingly laid out the plan of how we believed Jesus wanted it done.  Through very hard work, fervent prayer and vision we have seen miracles of every kind.  Post-modern, indeed!  This is the day of the Holy Ghost!

Prayer:  O God, may our church faithfully reflect Thy majesty, compassion and wisdom.  Empower us by Thy precious Holy Spirit to do your work on earth, occupying until you return.    Amen.

Leviticus 20:24  “You will possess their land; I will give it to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Israel has been my “home away from home” since 1971.  The first trip there was still two years away from the infamous Munich Olympics massacre, offering entre to the shadowy and bloody world of terrorism.  I am often asked if I worry about safety in the Holy Land. Frankly, no.  We are all well cognizant of the dangers that face the world today; however, I refuse to cower in the corner when there is so much living to do.

Some of my life’s greatest adventures have come in Israel.  I think of climbing into the ancient guard tower in the Jericho ruins, believed to be the oldest man-made structure on earth, even predating the pyramids by thousands of years.  I remember that tiny open-sided helicopter that whisked me from one end of Israel to the other, our feet hanging out as we swept over Nazareth, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem.  I often reminisce about the prayer meeting with the Greek Orthodox priests early one morning in the cave of the nativity in Bethlehem.  I can still hear the laughter ringing from my friends on Yehuda’s wooden boat as we filmed a documentary in the middle of the Sea of Galilee.  And I positively drool when I remember a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Jerusalem where I was taken late one night by my friend David Assael, where the bread is “to die for.”  I think often of the late night dinners with Palestinian friends overlooking the Herodian and the tiny village of Tekoaha.

Life is so fulfilling and rich!  But not if one shrinks into the shadows of presumed safety. Yes, life can offer danger in many cloaks.  But somehow it’s realized more often by the fearful.  God’s love casts out all fear, my friend!  So enjoy living.

Prayer:   O God, by the word of Thy mouth, strike all fear from my life.   May I walk in joy and the security of knowing you.   You promised life abundant!   And you have delivered it to those of us willing to reach for it.   Thank you.   Amen.