God’s love, which is stronger than death, is causing me to continue walking the path of the mission the Lord has given me (John 6:1–15). “At that very time some Pharisees came and said to Him, ‘Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill You.’ He replied, ‘Go tell that fox, “I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.” In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem! Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see Me again until you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:31–35). ...
God of heaven [Nehemiah 9:13-15a] Christian A. Schwarz surveyed 1,000 of the healthiest growing churches in 32 countries worldwide and found eight characteristics (Internet): (1) Leadership that develops the spiritual potential of the laity, (2) Gift-oriented ministry given by the power of the Holy Spirit, (3) ‘Passionate spirituality’ rather than just fulfilling one’s religious duties, (4) Functional structure according to the mission of the church, (5) Worship that inspires the work of the Holy Spirit regardless of style and language of worship, (6) Holistic small group activities that apply the message to their specific daily lives rather than just discussing Bible passages, (7) Needs of non-believers focus on evangelism, not "manipulating", and (8) Relationships that do not talk about love, but practice Christian love. How about our church? In order for our church to become a healthy church established by the Lord, what our chur...