The Summit Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been experiencing an intense season of spiritual renewal since April 3. The following account by Pastor Bill Elliff is from a gathering that took place on Friday, April 22.
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Last night, we began teaching Acts 2 and 4. It was beautiful to be reminded that we are experiencing, in a wonderful measure, exactly what was happening in the book of Acts.
But we pointed out that there is one component we are not yet quite seeing. “Not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own” (Acts 4:32).
This is hard for us to even imagine, because our thinking about our possessions, even among the most committed believers, is so Americanized. What would it be like if every believer in the city didn’t think of ownership, but was willing to give whatever God asks to meet the needs of the rest of the body so that, just as in Acts 4:32 and following, there was literally “not a needy person among them”? How it would amaze believers and create curiosity among unbelievers!
We have been burdened in our hearts for a long time that this Acts model would be an amazingly powerful tool of witness to a lost world if it occurred in our whole city. We have even prayed for this with our city pastors.
One of our other teaching pastors followed with an exhortation from the first verses of James 5, reminding us of our incredible wealth and how silly it is to be “hoarding” it as we see the Day of the Lord approaching.
Then another pastor was led to remind us from Matthew 17 that the Lord Jesus is interceding for us, individually, by name, at the right hand of the Father. Why should we worry about or fear anything? We should take courage and do exactly what the Lord prompts us to do. There is nothing to fear. Again we read from Psalm 27:14 that we should “be strong, and let your heart take courage.”
In a few minutes a precious sister came up, trembling. She had been prompted to do something, and she had prayed and prayed about it, and the Lord kept impressing her heart about it. She went to her husband, thinking he would disagree but, “he agreed with the Holy Spirit!” She then removed her (large) wedding ring and said that she wanted to give it to meet the needs of the homeless.
A few minutes later, a man who had come from another church came up and said that he wanted to help “buy back the ring” for this lady. He said, “All I have is $250, but I want to take this step.”
As he said this, one of the pastors was reminded that he had $250 in his pocket; this was amazing because he never carried cash, but that very day he had been given that money. They were able to put the $500 into the offering basket that contained the ring.
People began streaming to the altar, filling the basket with money. In a few minutes, when the basket was full and after several other wonderful moments of prayer and ministry, we asked the lady who had given the ring to come to the front with her husband, and we had a glorious “wedding ceremony”!
“You, like Mary, have given a beautiful gift that has anointed the Lord’s feet and filled the room with the fragrance. But now the King of kings wants to remind you that you are married to HIM. And HE places this ring on your finger as HIS bride.” The church erupted in celebration.
In a few minutes, another amazing moment of giving occurred. Several nights ago, a young woman came forward whose husband had committed suicide in her presence 30 days earlier. She was weeping and requesting prayer that God would deliver her from her anger toward God. People swarmed around her and prayed, and that anger was gloriously lifted from her soul.
Another sister mentioned that this young widow needed a car, and the people began to give. Then a man who came in later found out about that need. The day before, his father had told him he had a 2001 Ford Explorer that he needed to give someone, and he gave her that car. She also received the $2850+ that had been given in the offering.
She NOW came to the offering and said that the Lord had told her to give her wedding ring that had been given to her by her late husband. In a few minutes, another man came privately to me and said that he wanted to buy back her ring for her, and others followed.
We performed another “wedding” as we placed the ring on her finger and reminded her, again from Psalm 27, that “when my father and mother [or husband] forsake me, the LORD will take me up”! As we placed the ring on her finger, we reminded her that God the Father is her Husband and Provider, and she is married to Him. Two “weddings” in one night—and that was just the beginning!
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Comments
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:29 am
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:57 am
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 10:05 am
There is no way to describe the joy that comes from giving up the things of this earth. After all, it's all going to be burned up one day...kindling!
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 10:07 am
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:40 am
This story has truly blessed me this morning!
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:47 am
Is. 61:3
In His love,
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 12:02 pm
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 12:05 pm
"Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal." 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 NCV
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 2:58 pm
i have walked with Jesus for 32 years and i can truly say that i have ALWAYS loved to give.....i love to give and i love to bless people and i LOVE giving money away (not that i have ever had that much to give but i do love giving money away.)...one of my christian bosses always use to say IF GOD CAN GET IT THROUGH YOU, HE CAN GET IT TO YOU
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 7:18 pm
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 9:49 pm
"Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.
Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand."
Day by Day
Lina Sandell Berg, 1832–1903
Translated by Andrew L. Skoog, 1856–1934
“Day by Day” was written by a young Swedish woman who learned early in life the all-important lesson of living each day with the conscious presence and strength of her Lord. Lina Sandell has often been called the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden” for her many contributions to gospel hymnody. From her pen flowed approximately 650 hymns which strongly influenced the waves of revival that swept the Scandinavian countries during the latter half of the nineteenth century.
At the age of twenty-six Lina had an experience that greatly influenced her life. She was accompanying her father aboard ship to the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, across Lake Vattern. The ship gave a sudden lurch and Lina’s father, a Lutheran minister, fell overboard and drowned before the eyes of his devoted daughter. Although Lina had written many hymn texts prior to this tragic experience, now more than ever poetic thoughts that expressed a tender, child-like trust in her Lord began to flow freely from her broken heart.
on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Grateful for the TW Blog story. Revival coming...Thank You Father.
Wonderful Truth...
on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 12:07 am
I'd like to share something that to me looked like the book of Acts in action:
I went to a True Woman conference in March 2010 in Tennessee. Where I met a group of quiet women and sort of forced my way into their lives for a day or so. At one point I asked if they'd like to grab lunch together. We ended up at a Wendy's, of all places. I say 'of all places' because I am a vegan and it's very weird for me to be at any fast food place! So, this ended up being the topic of conversation for a moment... then, the real conversation began, I found something important out, because of my weird way of eating; That a women at their fellowship back home... was dealing with a serious medical situation. She needed to change the way she ate, immediately or face serious consequences. SO, instead of just nodding and listening to her 'story' the whole CONGREGATION of saints joined HER! This was no easy 'skip 3 things and you're good' diet. It sounded quite near to my own (maybe more complicated... if you can believe that!). Upon hearing this, I felt my face flush and had to look away because tears flooded my eyes so quickly I almost wasn't sure why. Why? It was too profound!!!! They were living how He asked us to. To set aside our worldly ways and love one another as we love ourselves. They didn't only (I say this reverently) hold a prayer meeting and 'hope' for the best, they ALL actively took on the diet so they could share with her and give her the recipes that worked best (tasted best too) for them at home! We CAN give all of ourselves to Him, His service. Give of ourselves financially and in many other ways.
I praise God for what is happening in Arkansas. Amen and Hallelujah to that, to Him for giving us another cause to rejoice!!
I saw a little video last night that I found inspiring; a group of Christians in Texas that found a way to raise awareness for the poor and for our Lord. Tell me if you have a dry eye when it's done!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KX2-J6uS-o
-As an aside, I have no idea about this church's beliefs or practices, just that this video has an inspiring message. Praise Him shamelessly and share what He's given you in the best way you know how. If the world can shout it's messages 24-7, round the clock, in all media, why are we mostly hiding under rocks? We can be whimsical and loving and get that message out!!-
May the Lord move mightily, for His glory!!!
Thank you for sharing, please continue to do so concerning what is happening there in Little Rock. It is a thrilling encouragement.
[I shared my story on this website before but this post today was SO much of a reminder to me of God's power then as well!! I praise Him over and over when His glory shines so brightly for all to see. And in the quiet times as well. May we all cry out continually for eyes to see and ears to hear.]
PS Leslie's it's always lovely to 'see' you both, I'm praying for you!
Peace, love n' blessings to all,
on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 1:51 am
May He revive His children all over the world!
on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 11:53 am
on Monday, May 9, 2011 at 11:33 am