MIDWEEK CONNECTION
That’s why we believe our gatherings are so important right now. It’s about much more than just assembling to hear an inspirational message. We are gathering to receive instruction and impartation that will prepare us for perilous times.
Do you ever wonder why God has united us? We don’t think it is a coincidence that God has brought YOU to this ministry.
If you get an opportunity, please go back and look at the vision the Lord gave us as a practical way to restore, renew and rebuild hearts and homes. You will see that the Urban Life Family Center is much more than a local church assembly.
When you see the vision, you will be surprised to learn that for each area, God is already assembling people who have a passion for that particular outreach. We have those who love to cook and have a heart for hospitality. We have those who are already working with young women. We have one who loves working on cars. We have those who have experience with young people. We have those who can teach sewing. We have those who have a real soft spot for helping us feed hungry students. We already have those who have a heart for children.
Could it be that God is supplying the personnel for this vision and as the personnel come together, He will open the door for the facilities?
We no longer try to make things happen. Right now, let’s just see what He does in our own hearts and homes as He prepares us to minister to other hearts and homes. All we know is that He is bringing the right parts to supply this Body with what it needs.
Ephesians 4: 16 ….from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
I was recently talking to another pastor who was expressing his frustration that his church members would not participate in their own ministry’s efforts because they were going out to volunteer and help other ministries in their city that were older and bigger.
He called a meeting and told everyone that they must appreciate and honor the place that God has called them and not become awestruck with what other churches are doing. They must stay focused on the place where God has called them. Otherwise they will be out of order and forcing God to send someone else to take their place or send their leader to another city where the people will rally around him to do the work of the ministry.
When Jesus called the disciples, He called them to BE with Him. He didn’t call them to DO anything at first. So right now, we’re just learning how to BE with Him, get to know each other, and not do a whole lot. Like the disciples and like that pastor’s members, we are called together first.
I saw one pastor post on Facebook that he couldn’t live if he couldn’t preach. Well, we don’t feel that way. We know we can live without preaching and teaching. However, we know couldn’t live if we couldn’t BE with the Lord. We really don’t need a ministry in order to be fulfilled. We no longer need to be busy to have self-worth. All we need is the presence of the Lord and the fellowship of our brothers and sisters. Out of these two things, flows ministry and service. Out of these things, flows the camaraderie for spiritual warfare.
So we wrote all of that to say, let’s keep coming together to get more equipping. Be patient. God is getting us ready for what He has called us to do in this community.
Some of you are so accustomed to being busy that Urban Life’s current strategy might have you feeling like you’re not doing anything. But please recognize that God doesn’t want you busy working. He wants you to get accustomed to waiting and receiving in His presence; learning how to recognize His voice. The life of worship doesn’t begin with serving God. The Life of worship begins by losing your self in the presence, purpose and will of God.
