Philadelphia

The first time I read the book of Revelation -- the Revelation of Jesus Christ -- I thought that my church fit the Philadelphia model. I really did. The second time, I thought the same thing, and nothing has changed my mind to date. Tonight at our Word on Wednesday summer bible study, that comparison was made by another, so I feel like a sort of confirmation occurred.

My church, Central Tabernacle in Edmonton, Alberta, has gone through five years of some trials and tribulations, really, with the planning and implementation of a move to the northwest corner of the City of Edmonton. As is common in this type of situation, some doubts snuck in to the church. Why was it taking so long to sell the property? It is soooooooooo hard to persevere in some circumstances, that is for sure. And there is a very real enemy that just loves to sow and then feed on doubt -- oh, when I think about it, I just wish we could all be like the portrayal of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane from Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and STOMP on that snake. I know how much I wish I was more like Jesus in this regard.

Anyway, Philadelphia persevered, and so have we, though our struggle is not over. The lesson tonight was that perseverance may mean not playing it safe when troubles come on. That is not a time to lay back and play it safe, but to be bolder for Christ.

My prayer for my church tonight is that we don't play it safe. I pray we don't become in any complacent, but instead become eager for more. The Lord has blessed our move in a BIG way, and walking with the Lord is FUN and exciting. I pray that we make the most of the opportunity we have to come into a relatively newly developed area of the city and invite our neighbors with our faith and our love to become a part of our family. I pray that we are sensitive to those needing and seeking God and that we understand that there are no mistakes -- people in our church, in our lives, in our sphere of influence are there for a reason. I pray we are as forgiving as we have been forgiven. I pray that people all over this new community come to experience the love that I and many others have been shown at Central.