HOPE

My heart is overflowing this morning with hope and anticipation. During my time in the presence of the Lord this morning I could sense the Spirit depositing a renewed strength of hope, perseverance, and anticipation. God's plans for His creation includes His plan to finish what He has begun in us. All of us know that truth based upon the promises of the Scripture but the enemy of our soul seeks to take that away from us as we walk through times of challenge and difficulty. Each of us have faced those attacks of the enemy but we have also seen those moments in which "God has arisen and the enemies have been scattered." I am thankful for those moments and times in my life and I am sure that you feel that same feeling of appreciation and thankfulness. Each of us must focus on where we are going and not where we have been. Today is a day of victory and triumph over the enemy of our soul. Let us rejoice in our Savior and King. The service at Lakeside last night was awesome. From the very beginning of the meeting there was a call from the Spirit to exalt and lift up the name of Jesus. The special music as well as the Worship Team led us in responding to the call. The Lord reminded me this morning that the church can not become captured by the culture of the world. We are not here to please the attitude and spirit of the culture but we are here to please God who has called us out of death into the life of the Spirit. I want to resist the influence of the culture and offer myself to God with a sincere heart of praise and adoration. I want to point people to Jesus Christ and let them know that He is still the answer to the needs of their life. Last night we witnessed several people who decided to step out of their comfort zone and follow the leading of the Spirit into a fresh commitment to the plans and purposes of God. Will you be willing to leave the comfort of yesterday's experience with Christ and experience Him today? The journey is exciting, enjoy your walk with Christ!