NEEDY… Most of us don’t want to be considered as needy. You may not see me as needy, but I am. I need the wisdom of God every day. I need the grace of God more than ever. Over the past number of weeks I’ve needed prayer and healing. I need the power of the Holy Spirit and people around me who are gifted in ways that I’m not to do what God has called us to do! I could go on and on. The point is, it’s not all bad to be needy. In fact, listen to what Jesus said to the church in Laodicea…

REV. 3:17 (NIV) You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

We were designed to have need. It creates a dependence on God. There’s something about being “needy” that opens the door in your life for a miracle! What’s the point of faith if you have no needs? Faith is all about trusting God to come through for you!

When he does, it will strengthen your faith and create even more need. That’s what the blessing of God does. Think about it…if God blesses you with children, you suddenly have needs you didn’t have before…baby clothes, diapers, etc.

Therefore, admit your need…embrace your need and trust God to meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (PHIL. 4:19). It’s not all bad to be in need!

This is a short clip we did for fun before our Campus Pastors spoke on the weekend.

Amazing
AMAZING. I find myself using this word quite frequently. It’s a great word and so easy to throw at something significant when I’m not sure what else to say about it. In Scripture, the word amazing is almost always used in reference to the extraordinary activity of God. For example…

PS. 111:2 (NLT) How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them.

PS. 126:2-3 (NLT) We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!

In keeping with that theme and flow, Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (JOSH. 3:5) This is our theme verse for this year’s 21 days of prayer and fasting…January 10-31.

God really has done some amazing things among us in the past year…a new campus in Morrison, IL, a new facility for our White Pines Campus and the first ever 24-7 Christian radio station in Tanzania!

There is so much to be thankful for and celebrate as one year comes to a close and another commences. I believe what God desires to do in 2010 will be so “amazing” that it will cause years past to pale in comparison! I also know that it won’t happen without our cooperation.

There’s another key word and big idea in Joshua 3:5…”consecrate yourselves”. More on that next week. This week, let’s give thanks to God for His “amazing” work among us in 2009 and for allowing us to be a part of it. Rejoice!!