Even Greater Things Than These

At East Hill Church in Gresham, Oregon, we are going through a changing of the guards. Our Pastor Ted Roberts is passing the baton on to a young and very capable pastor, Jason Albelo.

Outside observers may wonder, how come, when Ted is at the very peak of his pastoral ministry at East Hill?

Long story short, Pastor Ted is heeding God's call to launch a worldwide ministry he is calling "Pure Desire" in order to address the plague of pornography and sexual immorality that has become such a world epidemic that it is ruining lives even among ministers of the church itself.

But that's for a whole 'nother posting. Yesterday, at mid-week service, I was witness to a spectacle that all the more affirmed in me what God has said in His Word.

The service was utilized to begin to finalize the transition which was already known to the church and has been an ongoing process for nearly a couple of years. Clips of approving well wishes from pastors all over the U.S. and overseas were shown on the big sanctuary screens. Those coming from East Hill churchgoers were so numerous that only a fraction could also be shown.

When Pastor Ted and his wife Diane were called to the stage, a fitting climax to the service ensued. The entire throng of easily a thousand who were present in the packed sanctuary spontaneously stood on their feet and issued a long drawn out ovation with shouts of approval for the couple's excellent tenure as leaders of this respected and well-recognized church family.

What a sight! A decidedly well-loved and effective pastor moving on to greater challenges in God's field of harvest. Ever eager to please his Master, Pastor Ted did as God would have him do. And now he is moving on to do even greater things than these that God said he will also do.

Scripture:
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (John 14:12)

Observation:
Jesus said that those who believe in Him will do the works He has done and even greater.

Application:
I am taking God up on His word that since I believe in Him, I will do the works He has done. In Him, I will also be able to do even greater works.

Prayer:
Father God, please let me claim my Savior's promise. Holy Spirit, enable me to boldly believe, speak and act by the authority of the word of Jesus Christ. He who made the promise is faithful. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

December 22, 2006 entry to the personal handwritten journal I use in my quiet time with God.