Word for Today /Do You Want Your Church to Grow? (1)

[ladylovesJesus]

Do You Want Your Church to Grow? (1)

'...And the Lord added to the church daily...' Acts 2:47 NKJV

God doesn't mind your church having a small congregation. What He objects to is your church having a small vision, for that limits what He can do through you. The story's told of a tourist visiting a small English village. He asked an old gentleman, 'Is there anything special about this place?'
The old man smiled and said, 'Yes, you can start here and go anywhere else on earth.' In Acts chapter 5 verse 28 the New Testament church was accused of '...filling Jerusalem with your doctrine...' And in chapter 17 verse 6, Paul and Silas were accused of '...turning the world upside down...' What impact!

God has a plan for church growth and you have a part to play. You are called to: invite others. You say, 'Isn't that my pastor's job?' No, your pastor is a shepherd. Shepherds don't give birth to sheep; sheep do that. When was the last time you brought someone to church?

If you discovered a cure for cancer or Alzheimer's, wouldn't you share it?

Jesus said, 'A certain man gave a great supper and invited many and sent his servant...to say to those who were invited, Come, for all things are now ready.' (Luke 14:16-17 NKJV) When the invited guests started making excuses as to why they couldn't come, 'The master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.' (Luke 14:23 NKJV)

Note the words 'compel them to come.' Pick them up in your car, arrange breakfast before church or lunch afterwards. Get creative, but whatever you do, bring them to church!

written by Bob Gass

 

[rag4aCrown]

Blessings in the Lord Jesus;
The Lord adds to the church daily when the church is on fire for God. God's Spirit draws. The sheep keep waiting for the shepherd to feed and water them victuals worthy to feast on.
If the shepherd is not on fire; how does he expect the flock to be? Hum.... quit depending on the little shepherd and rest upon the bosom of the Shepherd. Amen.
When Jesus is in your heart, you can not wait to tell somebody. Amen.
Hearts are not on fire for God; they do Him, like they do the world; just getting by.
While witnessing for the Lord today, a lady was stirred in the spirit and asked me, "what church do you go to?" I said, "I don't go to a house made with hands unless God sends me. I go to Jesus Christ, who is the Church. He is the door that leads to eternal life."
When Fire is in your heart; the sword of the Spirit is upon your lips. Amen.

I took a lady to church I had been witnessing to one month. She hadn't been in a church for 20 yrs. because she was treated shamefully. She went with me.
Sad to say, I was praying on my knees at the alter, while they sang, and I was drag off the throne of Grace washing God's feet with my tears, pulled to the back by their preacher and called the devil.
She got sick and threw up. I remember she cried so hard. I told her, "I am o.k. See me. Pray for them; they need it. They have not offended me. They just showed there true fruits." She will not go to another. She was sober; after witnessing that, she threw her self back into whiskey. Self righteous people destroyed what God had built up. She still receives the Word from me; but she wants no part of a house made with hands.

God tells us in the Word these things would happen; they are not going to happen, they are happening. Amen.
The devil recognizes when one coming forth, sent by God, speaking in power and authority. Self righteousness gets offended very quick. When your fruit is squeezed, what drips out?
The gifts of God are without repentance. When spirits are stirred and reproved, what comes out? It is not pretty; self can not transform self.

I pray God wake up the shepherds; wake up the flock; wake up luke warm hearts and build a fire. Amen.
All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.