Imagine

As 2009 has begun, God is stirring in me to pray for what God could do. Do you ever daydream? Imagine what could be....in your family, marriage, work, vacation??? Ah...wouldn't be good if our kids never fought. Imagine getting out of the snow to holiday in Maui?

Now, will you imagine with me continued evidence of people becoming more like Jesus by yielding their own will and desires to the direction of the almighty God? What a picture!!

Reading in the first Life Journal passage for the year yesterday, in Genesis 1 & 2, God struck me with how much freedom that Adam & Eve had in the garden that God created. God tells Adam that he can eat of any of the trees, except one. Following Jesus isn't about rules and staunch religion, Jesus is offering freedom!! Imagine as each of us experience true freedom that overshadows material possessions, trips & family, and other ways Satan tempts us to find our identity.

Imagine... with me a church, the body of Christ, stirred to serve each other, to love each other with the love that Christ showed the church. Imagine with me as Gateway becomes a group of people who are committed to each other --praying for each other, pouring our lives into each other and having a deep desire to celebrate and share together what God is doing in their lives. Imagine people who deeply desire to share their lives with each other in a small group context, realizing we need each other.

Imagine... in 2009 as Gateway Community Church, in Port Alberni, realizes their potential to live as ambassadors for Jesus. Imagine as we embrace the fact we are the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in need because of what Jesus has done for us. Imagine as we link an amazing message from Jesus with everyday problems (such as anger, bitterness, marital problems), so our dialogue brings life and hope. Imagine as people place visible markers, through baptism & membership, to show their family, friends, God and Satan that they belong to Jesus.

Imagine...how we are consumed in worship of God. Picture more than angels bowing down, like in Revelation, but our hearts every minute giving attention and glory to God. Imagine our relationship with God being so vital that we long to be in prayer. Men gather together to pray on mountaintops. Ladies are brought to their knees to call on God's power.
We hunger for God to speak to us and are fed daily as we make time for His words of life.

Can you imagine?? Can you see the Kingdom of God coming in our lives? Do we want Him more in 2009?

I have sensed a need that we need to help people see God's potential of God's kingdom in their lives. In January, we are going to take 4 weeks to "Imagine" together what "Worship, Identity, Mission & Community," could look like. This Sunday, Jan. 4th, we'll start with "Mission" and we'll hear how the 10 families used the $50 seed money to invest in their community.

*In addition as we start this year, our Potluck & Prayer groups have an amazing potential to help people practically grow in their relationship with God and other people. Imagine if God brings those who are hurting, or need encouragement to see visible support.

I hope your imagination for what God is able to do in and through you is amazing. May God blow your mind as you dream for him!

Dreaming of what God will do in 2009!
Paul