“Promises, Promises”

I find myself at a place, where I am really crying out to God to grow my local church and to grow the areas of ministry that I am involved in. I am saddened sometimes that it seems no one wants to press in for the bigger or better or more. Why is this? Is it a defense we have within ourselves in an effort to prepare for disappointment if nothing happens? Are we living in the concept that it is better to be happy with what you have rather than ask for more and possibly be disappointed if the more never comes. My prayer is that this view is shaken off of us! In a book I recently finished reading the author states that He believes God for church growth because he knows "without a doubt that the best thing that can happen to my community, my nation and the world is for the church of Jesus Christ to be strong and powerful. We are the salt of the earth and without the church, the world would have no hope at all." I agree completely! I do not want to settle for the church that is maintaining, I want to see the church thrive as people are added to our number daily. There are people with needs to be met and hearts to be touched and I believe for most of them the only way is for God to reach and touch them. If the church settles in with "we are good enough" and does not press in, then I believe there are people that are left without receiving what God has for them. There is more at stake here than just saying I go to a big church or this ministry is thriving. God wants to have growth and God wants to see us thriving because He knows that when this is occurring people are being changed by His presence. The heart of God is for people to be reached and needs to be met so why aren't we stepping up and agreeing with God? God promises to add to the church, He promises to meet our needs, He promises to heal the sick, He promises to provide for our every need, He promises to overcome in and through His church! I, for one, am crying out to see the promises of God manifested in and through my life and in the life of my local church. God promises that we will see "greater things" than what we have read about in the Word. I am ready to enter in to the "greater things" that God has. I am ready to receive more of His promises and I am ready to see others experience more of the promises of God as we all begin to walk with Him to a greater degree. After all promises are for receiving! Faithful Lord, I thank you that you are the God of many promises. A promise is a promise – the ball is in our court, we are either going to go for the promise or we are not. Promises, promises come!