Limitless, Abounding Love

I love the body of Christ, and I'm thankful to be part of a local body that is on fire for Christ and challenging it's members to grow and to serve. My current small group is also evidence that God is moving and altering our comfort zones with the purpose of making us more effective for His kingdom.

One of the ways I like to season my worship is with a visit to a local messianic Jewish worship service. Once a month, I attend a short dance class where anyone who wishes may learn a couple of dances to participate in the service, and then attend the worship time. The service includes a reading of the Torah, and a few other traditional Jewish prayers and blessings, and the worship is a blend of more traditional Jewish praise music and modern worship songs. Geoffrey Cohen (Pastor: Jewish Ministries) teaches with a style that that bridges Jewish history with The Gospel of Yeshuah: Jesus Christ the Savior of all people.

Last night was the October service and once again, God blessed my socks off by meeting me in worship and using the pastor to teach me something new. My favorite part was the pastor's testimonial that happened the week before: one of His personal life highlights!!

While he was in the Ukraine last week teaching, he had the opportunity to have lunch with three Jews who had escaped the prison camps during the Holocaust. For about twenty minutes Geoffrey talked to them about how much God loved them, even with all that they had been through, He cared for them and wanted to bring peace to their lives. When he finished, one gentleman (who had been saved at 16 when he miraculously escaped a terrible mass killing) told Geoffrey that he spoke with such conviction and passion that he couldn't deny what was being said. And he invited Jesus Christ into His life as His Savior, right there. After over 60 years as a Holocaust survivor and living as a Jew, the love of Christ reached down into His life and competed His salvation...this time, spiritually. (You can hear the entire message at the link below)
http://gateway.vo.llnwd.net/o25/audio/Jewish/2009/20091009_TheComingKingdom.mp3

Stories like that give me chills when I think about how God is always working behind the scenes to soften the hearts of the people whom He loves. And sometimes, we might be the one He wants to use to plant another seed, or as in Mr. Cohen's story, actually pluck the harvest. Our God wants all to know Him, regardless of religion, race, location, age, or circumstances. He is Awesome!! Praise His name!