Amazing Faith

Matthew 8:8-10 But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have You come into my home. Just say the word from where You are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!

Have you ever seen somebody step out in faith in a big way and you thought to yourself "are they crazy?" A lot of times people with incredible faith are viewed as clueless, people wonder if they have considered all of the information about their situation. We even try and reason with them about what they are doing and try to make them have less faith.

Jesus was approached by a Roman army officer about coming to his home to heal his daughter. Jesus was happy to continue traveling across town to the man's home but the officer refused to bother Jesus with the extra effort. The centurion told Jesus that as an officer he has the authority to make things happen, he must have believed that Jesus also had authority to make things happen, he also believed that Jesus could speak the word and the healing would take place without even seeing his daughter.

A Lot Of People Were Amazed By Jesus

The shepherds were amazed by Jesus when they visited his place of birth, John the Baptist was amazed that Jesus asked to be baptized, hundreds of people were amazed that they were healed and there are plenty of scriptures that tell us that the crowds were amazed at his teaching.

But we need to realize that it isn't enough to find Jesus amazing, there are plenty of amazing people in the history books, we need to dig deeper and see how he is more amazing than any other man. The question is what will you do about this amazing person? Will you have faith in his promises? Will you trust him with everything?

The Man That Amazed Jesus

Jesus was amazed by this guy, wouldn't it be cool to have someone say that about you? This guy deserved to get a t-shirt that says "I amazed Jesus." If you want to impress Jesus you won't do it with knowledge and it wasn't obedience, the only thing that is recorded in the Bible that amazed Jesus was big faith. Jesus wasn't amazed when people did the right thing and refused to sin and he didn't get excited that somebody kept a long list of rules. He is interested in our belief that he is trustworthy.

There are incredible displays of faith recorded in the Bible that are much bigger than the faith that the average church member in the United States seems to have. What would our lives look like if we really had big faith? Can you imagine how it would affect our church family?

I cannot wait to see how God will grow our faith at Grace Falls Church. I am anxious to hear about the things that you have experienced that have caused your faith in God to grow.

Join us for the next five weeks as we look at the things that God uses to grow our faith.

Celebrating Two Years

It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we left the comforts and familiarity of our family and friends to be on mission in New Jersey. On one hand, it seems like it was just yesterday, but on the other hand it seems like an eternity. I can honestly say for all of our team that it wasn’t at all what we expected, but it has been absolutely life changing for all of us.

We have witnessed the power of God move in so many incredible ways among us. We have seen God for who He is and what He has done in many up close and personal ways. We have seen Him as:

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will Provide.

It seems like every time we needed something, God has, and does, provide in ways we could never expect. God has entrusted to us prayer warriors, finances, resources, relationships, encouragement, help, vision, hope, wisdom, and even obstacles... and the list could go on. We have learned that God is our sole provider and there is nothing we need, because we have Him and in Him is all we need!

Jehovah Shammah – The Lord Is There.

We must be honest and say that leaving all we knew and were comfortable with was much harder than we ever expected. We, even today, miss the ‘everyday connection’ with those we love and got to do life with in Tampa. Yet, God has not and never does abandon His children. He has been and is there with us every step of the way. We have just learned the value of looking to Him and not others and other things to find that peace. This is a constant learning journey but God is there guiding us daily.

El Shaddai – Lord God Almighty.

God’s power has been on display in so many ways throughout this journey and we have the privilege of getting a front row seat to see God show up and show off. We are constantly reminded of the words of Jesus in the book of John where He said, “apart from Me you can do NOTHING.” Our best efforts aren’t enough to move the hearts of folks and build a church. Yet, if we lay our agendas down and seek God’s will, we see what only He can do.

We have seen lives both changed and transformed by the gospel, marriages strengthened and saved. We have seen a community that looks to other things to sustain it realize that life is fragile if built upon its present foundation. We constantly get the opportunity to BE GOOD NEWS to a people and a community that is desperately looking for hope.

God is good, right and perfect.

He is Holy and all His ways are right and trustworthy. The God who SEES and KNOWS. The God who POINTS us in the RIGHT DIRECTION. The God who is both MYSTERIOUS and RELATIONAL. He is GLORIOUS, HE is GRACIOUS, He has a PLAN, He is LOVING and GRACEFUL.

I could go on and on about God and the ways that we have come to know Him and see Him at work, but what I hope you know is that it has been transforming! So, as I write this I just want to stop and give God all the praise! He alone is worthy and we thank Him for His faithfulness!

All American Barbecue & Retirement Party

More than 50 people attended our community barbecue on Sunday, July 5. This provided the perfect opportunity to honor Pat Hillegass, a faithful member of Grace Falls, as she retires after 21 years of service with the United Way. Her sister Cathy, sons Warren and Jay, and grandson Andrew, plus many of her friends from the community were in attendance.

The truths of the Gospel were easily highlighted as we applied them to Pat's daily lifestyle.

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Happy Birthday Bartletts

Today is Gen Bartlett's birthday, Maria will turn 5 on June 11 and Eden will turn 1 on June 24. This is a great opportunity to be reminded to pray for her and Chris and their family as they serve on the mission field.

Chris and Gen Bartlett and their four children have been on the mission field in Niger, West Africa since May and are currently experiencing the hottest part of the year. They share that their typical day starts with three hours of language study. After they complete their studies, they fill up three big buckets and one kiddie pool with water and let the kids cool off.

Praises:

• Health- We are so grateful for it–We have had no major health issues so far!
• Teammates–They have been so supportive and involved in our lives as we adjust and as we continue to learn.
• Electricity has been better the last few days and we are getting better sleep.
• The kids are adjusting to the culture, language, and food very well!
• Eden started walking last month.

Prayer requests:

• Continued language study and comprehension.
• For our team here in West Africa, that we would continue to have unity.
• That we would work where the Father is already working.
• That we would walk in the Spirit daily to be able to see where the Father is already working.
• Wisdom on how to be involved in the lives of the people around us, how to help them when they need help and how to share with them.
• For daily strength to persevere.

The Coffee Club: Where Big Ideas Expresso Themselves

Can I trust the Bible? Is it relevant today? How did we get just 66 books? Why are there so many translations?

These are just a few of the many questions that people ask when it comes to the most read, best selling of all time, most controversial book...the BIBLE.

You might even have asked these questions or others yourself. Well, good news, your not alone.

Come hear the presentation "sweeter than honey, better than gold" by Neal Ledbetter, dean of students at University of Mobile in Alabama.

He has traveled the country sharing this presentation and taking your questions concerning the Bible.

Join the conversation on Friday June 12th at 7pm at the Grace Falls Church building.

The cost is free and for young people and adults.

Childcare is not provided.

Click to see the Facebook event

Building The Kingdom Together

I have been praying that the Lord would allow me to have a collaborating partnership with a man who has a Kingdom mindset. The Lord answered my prayer by sending Buff McNickle and the Grace Falls family into our lives at exactly the right time. He is truly an answer to our prayers.

Although I am indigenous to the city of Philadelphia, growing up in the projects of North Philadelphia, it was not until I met my wife that my heart began to understand God’s heart for diversity.

When I first heard Buff McNickle’s vision I knew that God had placed him in my life. We began to pray about serving the Lord together and when I went to visit him in Atlantic City, I knew that we would be working together in some capacity for Kingdom impact.

Whenever I stand next to him I am convinced that when people see a little black guy stand next to this brother from Alabama they will see a clear tangible expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Buff has helped me to see that God is already on mission and we just need to join Him where He is already at work.

The following is one example of us living out the gospel and being intentional where we exist. Recently we had a group of students from University of Mobile come to Philly to serve our city. We had a gathering and invited several of our neighbors over for dinner. We ended up having 18 children in our basement and 12 adults sitting around the table having conversations with each other. The group included black, white, Hatian, Jamacian, bi-ethnic, and Canadian. Two of our other neighbors, Egyptian and Albanian were unable to attend. We are blessed to live on a block that is rich with ethnic diversity.

We covet your prayers for on-going contact with these and other neighbors. We had the Grace Falls family join us in hosting a community gathering at our house this past Sunday. It was once again incredible to see the hand of God move. Rhonda, my wife has started a Friday morning gathering for coffee and getting to know the ladies on our block. She already has 10 coming and gathering.  Pray that they will come and be open to gospel conversations. Also, as we seek to host several missions teams this summer, please pray for receptive hearts.

I am learning to see things from a Kingdom perspective and not a traditional church perspective. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” We are convinced that if we plant the gospel and make disciples then Jesus Christ will build His church.

I am reminded of the children of Israel when Moses led them to the Red Sea. They were surrounded by the Egyptians and did not know which way to turn and they were afraid. Exodus 14:13-15 states “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still, Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” The Lord had affirmed in my heart that He will fight for us. That we fight from victory, not for victory as we move on.

Pastor Alonzo Johnson