A New Day
I am writing today from Brisbane, Australia and travel back to Sydney on Saturday where I will be in the same churches, in the same city and in one of the same hotels as I was three years ago when life began to change. The last three years have been a season of loss. Business, friends, my grandpa, my son addicted to Heroin, and the list goes on. As I look back I can hardly believe all that has happened, and can honestly say today I am happy, and truly so excited. I am finding my joy again, and it is becoming my strength.
When we lose, we will eventually gain – if we hang on. I feel that God has allowed so much to happen in my life, not to hurt me, but to help me become the man, and follower of Jesus He has called me to be. For so long I could only focus and think about what was lost, but God is showing me (and I am a hard learner) that I need to focus on what is LEFT. That means each of you, my family, friends and blessings unthinkable. So much to be grateful for!
It is true that our brokenness becomes a platform for God greatest work in our lives.
Pain happens to everyone, eventually. The only way you get to experience the promise is to walk through the pain. It is a process that He wants to lead us through, not to harm us, but so that in our weakness, His strength will be revealed. His strength to heal our physical bodies, and our brokenness. His power to restore a devastated marriage, or set a child free from drugs. In our pain, He is strong for us!
Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
The promise of God here is the blessing of abundance, but to get there we must endure. It is always too soon to quit!
In life, and in Christ we are going to go into places that it’s not always easy. We are going to be tested, and going to experience pain. The blessing of the battle comes only if we don’t give up.
To be honest, I am glad God allowed what He allowed. I am a better leader because of it, and we will be a better church.
Truly we are walking into a great season, filled with opportunities and hope. Never have I been more excited about the future of Living Hope that I am right now. It would have been so easy to quit and go back, but I believe Gods favor is upon us, because we continued to walk forward in faith.
I want to say thank you again to everyone who believed, even when it seemed impossible. I hope you know how much you matter!
I am very excited to speak at Hillsong in Brisbane tonight, then In Sydney on Sunday. I don’t know why they keep having me back here, but I thank God for the opportunity to speak the gospel, and encourage pastors to be focused on what matters most to God – reaching the lost.
God is so good, so in control and so in love with each of you.
I wish I was with you this weekend to hear the story of Dawn Robinson, and how the Holy Spirit led her on September 11 2001. Please don't miss it!
Praying God blesses you this week!
Pastor John
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