Now is not the time for "business as usual."

Yesterday was a day I will not forget. Yes, we had a great crowd. 200 on Sunday morning, 230 at the festival, and 215 at the worship concert. Praise the Lord. Yes, we had great food. Thank you to the kitchen team and Bro. Richard and Bro. Danny for smoking all the meat. Yes, the activities were fun. Yes, Master's Voice as always brought the house down.

All this is true.

What I cannot get over was the atmosphere at Cedar Grove yesterday. People were excited to be at church. Folks were in awe of what God was doing right then. There was a buzzing of joy in the air. I believe with all my heart that God was simply giving us a glimpse of what is to come. If we truly get together and celebrate our Savior by the way we love, learn, live and lead, I am confident that we will see more days like yesterday. Days like yesterday run right over into the rest of the week. I pray it does for you.

Some may say, "well, no one got saved." Hear me: I always want to see people get saved. That is why we are on this earth! I also know that there are times where the church needs a wake up call. It is through such wake up calls more people will come to know Christ because the church will be on mission. Bro. Ricky brought just that, a wake up call. Luke 15 was a direct shot at the enemies attempt to stop what God has planned for Cedar Grove. He wants to kill the celebration. Keep us distracted by grudges and resentment. Hold us down with problems and disunity.

No more. God has greater plans for us. The enemy swung and missed! He is a loser.

14 Therefore, since the children share in aflesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

As I was looking up that scripture, I accidentally typed 12 instead of 2. I don't believe it was a mistake.

11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. 12 Therefore, astrengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;... Hebrews 12:11-15

Cedar Grove, now is not the time for business as usual. We are going to have to come together and work hard. We need more space. We need more facility. May we see it before we see it. Please pray for God to direct and guide us according to His will. I love you Cedar Grove. Let's love Jesus together. Happy in the Lord, amen. Buh-bye.

Pastor Jacob Lannom