Monday, October 02, 2006

The church


I love the church! Not the building, mind you, but the people. The people of God are amazing! The people of God are the living church of God, the building is just where we get together, and I am so blessed to be part of this church family. I have never seen a body of believers like this in my entire ministry!

We, as a church family, have just been through one of the most difficult times any church can navigate and very few of our people have fled. They are the church, and instead of fleeing they are coming in closer together! They are praying together, meeting to fellowship and care for each other, calling one another, and a hundred other things I don’t even know about.

I have seen and heard of dozens of little miracles among our family in these last few weeks. God is working. God is still sovereign. As Pete Briscoe said yesterday to our church family, “God is still the head of the church.”

This church family has come to us, as a staff, with tears, smiles and hugs. I cannot tell you how blessed we are! I can’t wait to see what God is going to do next.

The devil gave it his best shot, and as one of our elders said, “He doesn’t know that he has stirred up a hornet’s nest.”

Lord, thank you for this church family. Thank you for all that you have done through this difficult time. You are amazing! I can’t wait to see what you are going to do next!

(Ok, why the picture? I like it….no other reason.)

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike,

this church is doing an awesome job of ministering to one another!!Just a thought - since Sept. 24th's service was available online I would like to see last Sunday's sermon available also. It was the perfect follow up and I think college kids, etc. who are receiving info second hand should hear it.
Alphabetmom

Mike Messerli said...

Alphabetmom,

it will be on the web page within a day or so. I agree, Pete did a wonderful job. It was indeed the perfect "next step". thanks for your note.

Kathleen said...

It feels like the Holy Spirit has busted out - we are now armed and dangerous - for His glory.

Anonymous said...

Mike,

I couldn't agree with you more. I've seen the Body of Christ come together in some amazing ways over the past several months through my own personal trials, and what we're experiencing now as a church is another opportunity to see God work in big ways in all our lives. It is such a wonderful opportunity to trust God in a big way.
I was so touched to see the extended body of Christ from Bentree minister to our body at CBC through Pete Briscoe. God truly knew what we needed to hear, and He knew the messenger He needed to send. You're in my prayers this week as you prepare for Sunday. Our worship team is looking forward to God using us as instruments to minister to our precious body.
Blessings to you!
Andrea Herndon

Heidi Day said...

Mike, we can't wait to hear you Sunday. The prayers for you and the elders and staff are flowing from the Day household. We love you.

Heidi

Anonymous said...

Hey, Mike,

The "Daily Bread" devotional I
read Saturday related that "Satan always overplays his hand." The
author went on to explain that
Satan pushes the believers hard
enough to make us depend on God.
That is indeed to the detriment
of Satan. As we depend on God,
HE enables us defeat Satan's purposes.

I think that Satan has overplayed
his hand with CBC.

pjneal

Marsha G. said...

There is such a beautifully sweet spirit in the hearts of CBC'ers right now....undoubtedly we are being cared for by our Savior and King. We just need to keep our eyes fixed on HIM.

.........meanwhile..... Satan is cringing!

Robyn Rochelle E. said...

Hummmmm!!!
Eyes Fixed On HIM!
Eyes Fixed On HIM!
Eyes Fixed On HIM!

May it never be forgotten.

susan in fm said...

Pete was great on Sunday. Just what I needed to hear. I still cried a little, but laughed more than cried.

Love the Kermit picture.

Anonymous said...

Mike exactly where do you get these interesting photo's?

Mike Messerli said...

the pictures? ahhhh...others have asked, and I have not yet revealed all my sources....but really, it involves some searching on the web. they are out there, but you have to look...

Joyce said...

Mike,
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and encouragement. They have meant so much, especially over the past few days. Brent, Joye, and you have inspired me to start blogging--I did my first one today. It is called, "The Weight Room".

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike - just wanted you to know that I'm praying for your sermon on Sunday. I am looking forward to hearing how God will speak through you!

Schweers' Mom