Today’s Bible Verse
All those who had been scattered by the persecution moved from place to place; and wherever they went, they weren’t afraid or silent. Instead, they spread the message of Jesus.
Acts 8:4 (The Voice)
The Uncommon Church
God’s power and authority was unleashed on common people for an uncommon purpose on the day of Pentecost. They were empowered to be witnesses of the life of Jesus while enforcing the enemy’s defeat. The church was empowered to, “…give marching orders to impure spirits and anointed to preach the good news, set captives free, tell the blind they can now see, liberate the oppressed and to proclaim now is the time” (Luke 4:18, 36 Voice). As the first church grew and took back territory for the Kingdom of God, they were persecuted, tortured, imprisoned and put to death. Although they were in imminent danger everyday, they did not allow fear to silence them. Instead it compelled the church to continue advancing the Kingdom of God by spreading the love story of Jesus who came as a humble servant and rescued humanity! (Julie Nurre)
An Uncommon Life
Twenty seven years ago, when I responded to an invitation to come to an Easter service at Word of Life Christian Center, I immediately sensed “something so very different” at this church. It was packed out that Sunday evening in Kakaako while the rest of the city was asleep. There was “something different” and uncommon about the joyful and attentive people, volunteers, who greeted me, not only at the church doors, but on every street surrounding the church.
There was “something different” and uncommon in the worship drawing me in that made me weep for reasons unknown at the time. There was “something extraordinarily different” and uncommon in the story brought to new life about Jesus who lived to die for our sins. And then “something different” and uncommon happened to me that night: my hard heart that resisted saying yes earlier that day melted and I made a commitment in my heart to return to this church for MORE!
Reflecting on those early days with the Lord, I can say unequivocally that I had come face to face with the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of God loosed on the Day of Pentecost, not only in the pastors, not only in the Word that was imparted, it was also evident in the hearts of His people, the church, who called Word of Life home. For the first time in my life, I encountered true believers who dared to follow pastors who followed Christ, the Anointed One and His Anointing. Believers who were being formed as disciples and living the life that Jesus died to give them, lives built on the foundation of the Word of God their final authority; lives of freedom, joy, peace and power that’s tangibly evident and life transforming to all who draw near. The power that radiated from this church on April 16, 1995 has escalated because we’ve chosen daily to live surrendered and HHOTA lives in this heavenly vision (Humble, Honest, Open, Transparent, Accountable). We’re committed to remain vitally connected to one another loving God and loving people. In the heat of every battle, we advance and refuse to remain silent; we continue spreading the message of Jesus to win souls and make disciples, and the church is strengthened in faith and increasing in size day by day.
Today’s Declaration
Father, Your grace is sufficient for us, for Your power is made perfect in weakness. Your divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of You who called us by Your own glory and goodness. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, the Anointed One and His Anointing, to fulfill the Great Commission under the leadership of our pastors, Art and Kuna, who we willingly obey and follow as they follow Christ and build the church, so the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Leviticus 26-27; Psalms 47
- New Testament: Matthew 21:12-22; Acts 28:17-31
