It Feels Like the Book of Acts is Happening
There I was, walking down the road, following my GPS to the creek. I reached a gate that blocked where my GPS was pointing me. I now had to decide if trespassing was worth it or not. Now you have to understand, it would just be a little bit of trespassing. There was clearly no one home, I had a fishing pole in my hand, I had heard great things about this creek, and I really love fishing and rivers and creeks and water and…
In the middle of the Bible there is a book called Ezekiel. In the middle of Ezekiel there is a description of a glorified version of Israel. In the middle of the glorified version of Israel there is a temple, and out of the middle of the temple there is a river flowing into all the world. What happens next is incredible.
“The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.” —Ezekiel 47:8,9
Yes, yes, and yes! Salty becomes pure, swarms of living things appear where there was only dry desert, and dead things begin teeming with life. That is what the Spirit of God brings into the life of a believer.
And this is what seems to be happening around Living Streams these days. The testimonies of the Kinetic missions trips have been about new and renewed life. The people joining our church family through the Explore Group show signs of stirring, awakening and life. The stories of supernatural physical healings, practical needs being met, and extraordinary generosity, all indicate the Spirit of God is flowing like that Ezekiel stream in our fast-paced desert city context. It feels like the book of Acts is happening all over again—and we are just one little church family among many thousands more. Alleluia!
When you combine that with the purity of vision, direction, and unity our leadership and congregation is experiencing, I get excited that the Spirit of God that sets our feet dancing and fills our hearts with cheer has much more in store for us. The truth is, these tastes of life we are experiencing now are only appetizers and previews of the fullness of life God has planned for all those who are faithful to follow after Jesus.
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And then proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art"
I hope that, whatever your circumstances, you will spend some moments today in prayer, inviting the Spirit of God’s guidance and perspective into your routine. And as you do, I pray you will experience the life, purity and flourishing that God desires for you and yours.
See you Sunday,
David
P.S. Let me know if you want to hear what happened next in my creek trespassing dilemma.