If you have seen the movie “The Passion” by Mel Gibson, you might remember a scene when Jesus was on His way to the cross on the “Via Dolorosa”. He stumbles by the weight of the cross and while He is on His knees while regathering Himself, He says to His mother “you see mother, I make all things new again”. Although it’s nice scene and is indeed what Jesus is doing, the verse is way out of Biblical context. That verse is actually from Revelation 21:5 and is spoken by the Father;
“the who was seated on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
We also learn from Acts 1:7 that the Father has “times and seasons” that He operates in…
“He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”
The Apostle Peter then says the following in Acts 3:19-21 (ESV)
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”
Repentance is a forsaking of my own way of thinking and coming into alignment in the thinking and ways of the Lord.
Two and a half years ago in January of 2019, I felt the Lord wanted me to begin preaching on things that were traditions but lacked power. What I realize now is that he was preparing us at Cornerstone for a “new season” where everything would be different. The last 20 months have been more trying for us personally than any other time. We learned to trust in the Lord through two serious health crisis’s and the separating out of relationships. Then, about a month ago, the present mall owner asked us to vacate our space that we have been in for the last 22 plus years. I now realize God was removing a final peace that was dealing with my religious traditions; church could only be on a Sunday morning. For the last month, we have been searching everywhere for a place that we could have Sunday morning church. The result of our search? Nothing was found that was affordable to us or feasible for us presently. Honestly, we have been quite discouraged but also had to remind ourselves that God has a plan. The only place we found affordable was with Pastors Justin and Freda Thomas at “Harvest” opening their doors to us to have a Friday night service. Although it would be a major shift in our Sunday thinking and expectation, there is something about this that just feels like the Lord. We might discover that this is the greatest thing that ever happened to us.
When we were in Israel, we loved “Shabbat” which started 6 PM on Fridays and lasted till 6 PM on Saturdays. There was something refreshing to come to a Friday evening and just rest in the worship of the Lord. There is a resting after the week of labor that seems like the right priority. The pieces are in place, the place is now also in place. I believe that through this, we are going to be refreshed as we learn to lean on the Lord differently than we have before. It will also give us a place to meet while we seek the Lord to put the pieces and plan together for the facilities needed to minister to the harvest. I am learning to rest and not stress.
I have so appreciated the words of encouragement that many of you have sent us during this time of transition. The following is something we received from Ana Nunez this morning. I am sharing this with permission from Ana…
“Good morning Family!
Just wanted to share what the Lord was showing me!
I had a vision of Gods people in a church as we know it today... pews, stage ect.. worshiping God, when all of a sudden the walls on all sides fell over flat on each side. The people were exposed and confusion came because they didn't know how to worship or seek God apart from being in that building. They were standing in the rubble of the American church.
Gods plan has always been for the benefit of the Church ( Ephesians 1:22) But the reformation of the Church will look drastically different because it's truly and our inward reforming. Us being the Church.
I believe he using the body Cornerstone to pioneer the path for Frederick and others .
This building is being pulled away so that we are thrusted in to true worship and presence! True Shewbread... seeking the Face of God!
We may have a new spot but we are not to cling to old ways of doing church. I believe we should corporately pray and fast again because we have not been this way before.
We have the opportunity to step into what Paul spoke of... be fruitful, multiply and subdue as we are led.
I sense we are being Catapulted and chosen to lead and reflect the Fathers plan of true church, true worshipers of Jesus Christ.
“And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.”
Ephesians 1:20-23 MSG
“You are rising like the perfectly fitted stones of the temple; and your lives have been built up together upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, and best of all, you are connected to the Head Cornerstone of the building, the Anointed One, Jesus Christ himself! This entire building is under construction and is continually growing under his supervision until it rises up completed as the holy temple of the Lord himself. This means that God is transforming each one of you into the Holy of Holies, his dwelling place, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in you!”
Ephesians 2:20-22 TPT
Thank you Ana