Church Update
September 9
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
A few days ago, I came home from work, and it was a beautiful evening to have supper outside on the deck. We had to find a few more chairs around the table, as we had two of our kids' friends over as well. After eating, as I was bringing the dishes inside, a couple more friends showed up. Twenty minutes later, I went out back and counted a total of 14 kids hanging out (ours included), some on the trampoline, others chatting around a fire, and still others kicking a soccer ball around! Brittany and I not only had a full yard, but full hearts as well.
When Peter mentioned all that they had left to Jesus, the Lord replied with a profound promise:
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. - Mark 10:29-30
It can be easy for us to see this promise fulfilled when Christ returns and we are gathered together with all those who trust in Him. But that’s not all that Jesus says. He also says, “who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time…
Not in the age to come, but now, currently. That evening we weren’t at a hundredfold. We were only at three and a half-fold, but it was incredible nonetheless. Jesus’ promise is fulfilled in the local church. Brittany does better than I do at recognizing and welcoming this fact, but how about you? In your pursuit of Christ, are you experiencing the abundance of His promises through His Bride? It might mean opening your door and the mess of a few more dishes, but it’s well worth it.
In Him,
Pastor Jeremy