I Stand Amazed

(Reading Time: 3:00) It always amazes me, no matter how often I see it, when people turn to the Lord and he begins to recreate their lives. It starts out with a simple desire for things to be different. Upon discovering the Lord’s promises, through his Word, they begin to hope that things can be different. As they move in God’s direction, he runs to meet them and help them. Things begin to change for the better.

Over the years it still affects me as much as when I first saw it in my own life. I have changed over the years, by God’s mercy, grace, and power. I have witnessed it in others too. Surely, steadily, they grow in the Lord and you see them change. Recently a new couple came to our church, and already I have seen change in their lives. Yesterday we baptized Rebecca “Becca” Hutchison. There is a glow of hope in her eyes as she eagerly awaits the Lord’s work in her life. In her excitement, she invited many friends and family members to witness her public profession of faith as she followed the Lord in baptism. We had a foyer reception for them after the service.

All the new young people, who are coming to our church, mark the beginning of a new work of the Spirit here at Calvary. One that I am covering with prayer each day in the Prayer Tower. This new beginning is what we have been working on since I came here in 2009. Yes, Calvary is a church in transition. The older generation, who have carried the torch for many years, are more than willing to pass it to this generation, because they can see the fire of God in their eyes. Calvary’s best days are ahead of us now as this new generation begins to take hold and experience the changes in their lives which only the Lord can produce.

I love pastoring this church. However, it is a bitter-sweet relationship. I see some people plug themselves into the life of the church and God radically transforms their lives. Then there are many who resist the work of the Lord and continue to experience pain in their lives. Although salvation is an act of faith and the new birth takes only a moment, the Christian life is a process of changing from what we once were into what God has created us to be over the long haul. Time after time I have seen it happen and it still never ceases to amaze me. Yet, some move forward in the Lord and some fall away. There is joy and sorrow at the same time.

May God continue to do amazing things in the lives of the people who come to Calvary. May his life-transforming power become evident in our midst. The world may not see it, but I see it, our church sees it, and most importantly, God sees it.

“I stand amazed in the presence,
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.”

“Calvary exists to demonstrate the love of God to the families of our community!”

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Calvary Assemblies of God | 720 N Plum St Union City IN 47390 | Pastor Brian P. Jenkins |  (765) 964-3671 | www.calvaryassembliesofgod.org