We were scared to launch this blog. Corinn and I both believed God was telling us to do this, to launch on July 31, 2012. But we were scared.
As the date approached, questions kept swirling in my brain:
What if we’re not ready?
What if people didn’t read it?
What if we look stupid?
What if we do it wrong?
Then Corinn reminded me that we’d prayed about when to launch this venture and God answered our prayers with July 31. She said we should step out in faith, with confidence, that God would honor what he told us. As a result, the adventure began on July 31.
In the Book of Acts, we see the apostles filled with the Holy Spirit. We see these men step out in confidence and with power to preach the Gospel. Then we see the Church grow by thousands. People are healed. They’re cared for. They’re loved.
And later, when the apostles are arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for teaching in the temple courts, we see them stand firm again and continue preaching the Gospel as their lives hang in the balance.
The members of the Sanhedrin are upset and debate killing the apostles. But at one point, a Pharisee named Gamaliel stands up and speaks.
In Acts 5:39, he says of the apostles:
For if their purpose of activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourself fighting against God.
What a promise!
As members of the Church, as God’s representatives (his marketers) in the world, we’re called to obey his commands. If our work — our church outreach, our service, our love for others — is ordained by God, we can move forward with confidence. As Gamaliel says, “if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men.”
But if what we are doing is in our own power, is “of human origin,” or maybe without the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our efforts will fail.
So, seek God’s guidance in all of your church outreach efforts. If it’s of God, be confident. You’re good to go!