Scripture: Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Observation: What a benediction to read the morning after Annual Conference. The Annual Conference was truly a time of discernment and progress this year.
Application: Reality set in at the Conference this year. Delegates were able to hear the truth about where we stand as The Church and what it will take to be The Church in the future. I am sure I saw a vision of the future of The Church from where I sat this year. I saw Bishop Wills give The State of The Church address in different light as he interviewed two people who are part of The Church reaching out beyond its walls to bring Christ to the community around it. That was exciting! I also saw justice come through as folks voted to give Associate Members and Local Pastors a greater voice in the General Conference. I understand that this vote was only a link in the chain that it will take to "make is so", but I was very encouraged by clergy and laity alike for those who worked hard to bring this ammendment to a vote. I am filled with hope today and I am filled with God's Holy Spirit as I sit and watch the Humming Bird at the feeder today. I saw The Church realize that places like Lakeshore Assembly are very important to the future of The Church and our children even more important because they are The Church of today and The Church in the future. It is important to do whatever it takes to see that ministries like Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly flurish for the glory of God in bringing young folks to know the Christ. Brett Blair said, "I want to be part of a church that is all about bringing people to Jesus" (talking in an article about waking up the United Methodis Church), well so do I. I saw hope this year and I saw a positive attitude also this year. God is Good All the Time!
Prayer: Lord, I pray for The Church, this annual conference, the Bishop and all the folks headed in a direction that will bring us closer to you, so that the world might be transformed. Love Stephen
Yieldedness: I will do my best not to under estimate the power of the Holy Spirit.
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