I've been writing a lot on our purpose and strategies recently. The preparation for my new sermon series has been a daunting but exciting project. The poor elders are swamped with all the material I've been sending their way. In addition to the homework we discussed in our meeting this week, I was also called upon to lead them in a short devotional. After writing so much visionary stuff, I was ready for something simple, so I just decided to prepare some succinct thoughts based on my current Bible reading.

Like many of you, I've just started a new quiet-time pattern for the New Year. Currently I'm reading in Genesis and Luke. My grand observation from both books has to do with the amazing power of God. He created the world and he's redeeming it as well! I shared with the elders about how clear it is in the Old Testament that those who trust and obey our Almighty God are blessed. And then I shared how my reading in Luke has reawakened me to the way Jesus met tangible needs as a means of authenticating the authority of his life changing message.

These observations lead me to ask two questions:

1. Do we have faith that God not only can still demonstrate his power, but that he will?

2. And if God decides to work through us in our age and in this place, are we willing and poised to meet the tangible needs in our communities as a way of demonstrating the truth of the gospel?

How would you answer these questions?