Be Reconciled To God!

"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Praise the the Lord for reconciling himself to us. He who knew no sin was made sin for us! What an unbelievable gift-what an exchange-that we might become the righteousness of God! May we, as a result, bring this message of reconciliation to a needy, dying world! Lord, may we be found worthy ambassadors of your message!

Last week was full of wonderful provisions by the Lord, in the form of scheduled meetings, (less scheduled) divine appointments, financial support for my position, ideas and opportunities for outreach, growth in knowledge of the Word and how to preach the Word, and overall joy for all of this! One of the most exciting parts of this past week was a meeting that Joel and I were able to attend together. We met with Robert Record (who is heading up a medical clinic and community center in Woodlawn, both currently under construction/renovations) and Tracy Hipps (head of Mission Birmingham) to explore Woodlawn. During this time, we heard the exciting vision and heart of the medical clinic and the community center, met several great leaders at Woodlawn High School, and were introduced to the InterFaith Family Homeless Shelter (the only homeless shelter in Birmingham that provided facilities and means for whole families). It was so exciting to make these connections and see the Lord allow us to get our foot in the door. Tonight I am attending a community meeting at Woodlawn High School, so pray that the Lord will open the door for more relationships and discernment in how we can use this to advance his Kingdom.

Pray this week that the Lord will continue to teach each of us what it means to be part of the Body of Christ: What it means to be part of a community of believers that challenges, encourages, teaches, corrects, loves each other as themselves. What it means to reach out to the local community around us, as the hands and feet of Christ's Body- to love the unlovable, to be pushed outside of our comforts, our normal lifestyle, our own wants and desires and schedules. What it means to preach the Gospel so fervently that we determine to know nothing but Christ and him crucified. What it means to learn to die to self, to be crucified with Christ, that we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. What it will mean to live as New Creations- to be messengers of reconciliation! Lord, we ask you to teach us to know and be these things for Your Kingdom this week- that it may be on earth, as it is in Heaven!