My wife, Jan, had one of those notable birthdays a few years ago and I wanted to arrange a surprise birthday party. She's not easily surprised but I persisted with the help of the family and friends.
I let her know we would spend the day on the shore of Lake Michigan (definitely her “happy place”), then return to our family home, Haven. Along Haven’s two-track drive, different family members and friends stepped out from the woods to surprise her holding custom signs made just for her. The surprise was a success!
In Isaiah 43:19, God asks a question,
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
This question still rings true today.
Do we perceive God’s new thing today?
God is the same and continues to reveal himself and empower us to fulfill his mission in unexpected, unpredictable, even unimagined ways. We may be surprised, and he just might provide some “signs” along the way of how he is leading and working.
New things spring up when we pray with purpose. I’m enjoying a growing friendship with John, a businessperson who is one of many leading a PROOF (Praying on Offense) group in his church. The prayer is simply 1-3-2. Choose 1 place (work, school, etc.), identify 3 people in that place and pray 2 things — “God, what do you want me to know? What do you want me to do?” Then obey with fearless humility!
They’re consistently amazed at God’s open doors in their “place” and encouraged by others in their prayer groups. I get to hear John’s stories firsthand — doors open as a family grieves a teen’s suicide, a hardened biker becomes spiritually interested, homeless people are touched by unexpected generosity when someone having everything is still empty. God is doing new things and inviting us to join in!
Wesleyans are being Spirit empowered to transform “lives, churches and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ” as they listen to God, obey the Spirit’s promptings and love others well. Let’s read their stories!
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