So last night and this morning I read through the first 6 chapters of Revelation. So much spoke to me when reading through this and I wanted to share something specific that God spoke to me in Chapter 3. Just a little background, the apostle John has had a vision to write down everything he see’s and send letters to the seven churches in the province of Asia. The letter to the church in Philadelphia really hit home with me this morning.. This can be found in Revelation 3: 7-13 if you want to take a look for yourself. Verses 11-12 say the following: ” I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it.” NIV (New International Version) I read that and was FLOORED! Him who OVERCOMES I will make a PILLAR in the temple of my God. You mean I can be a PILLAR? I LOVE that! I knew what a pillar was but I looked up the definition online to get a more clear idea of what a pillar was. This is what I got:

1. a firm upright support for a superstructure

2. a natural formation resembling such a construction

3. any upright, supporting part

So those who overcome WILL be used as a PILLAR in God’s kingdom! That fires me up!! We MUST overcome, and we overcome through Jesus and what he did FOR US over 2,000 years ago.  Went to a cross and covered sin on our behalf so now we can be right with God! HE has overcome! The tomb is empty! Let’s be the “pillars” in our churches TODAY and “Hold on to what we have” v. 11, which is the promise in Jesus Christ!

Well there are 40 of us heading down to Buchanan CO. VA July 10-17 for a week! We had our first team meeting Wednesday and it was so encouraging to see our team getting together for the first time! So many young people and adults on this team haven’t been a part of this trip before. We probably have 60% or more of our group that will be first timers! Whohoo! The theme this year is “Eyes on the Prize–Racing to Serve”.  The verse that this week is focused on is from 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27. Paul is encouraging us to run the race that matters! He says that in a race, you go through strict training, and there are those who race so they can  get a “crown”; a crown that will not last. But we race to get a crown that will last forever! When we keep our “Eyes on the Prize” (serving Jesus) we are after a crown that matters! It’s not about us, it’s about being the hands and feet and showing the love of God to all those we come in contact with! We have started our “training” for this week in July when we go down south and serve a holy and uncomprehendable God.

Stay tuned for fundraisers coming up in the next couple months that will help support us on this amazing week of developing relationships and helping repair homes of those in need! May we all have the mindset of saying,

“I will go , send me to the world, to the lost, to the poor and hungry. Take everything I am, I’m clay within your hands. I will go, send me!”

Thank you for making this day a little brighter; I want you to know that you can stick around for a while if you want. You would be great to have around as we celebrate Holy week. With Beth coming to visit this weekend, she would love to see you as well. You are welcome to join us at the beach, the cross walk in Millsboro, Easter Sunday, etc. When you go away each evening, please come back. Also, let the moon and stars know that they are welcome to take your place when you are gone! I look forward to the weekend ahead!

Love,

Jake

Just to let you know, I am going to sound like an old pop-pop when I write this post. Note: there is nothing wrong with being an old pop-pop : ).  For the past couple months, I have been spending my Tuesday mornings at 6am with a few brothers at the Selbyville Arby’s (I know, I didn’t know Arby’s was open that early either).  But hey, you can’t beat a good 75c cup of Joe with one free re-fill. There are four or five of us who meet up on a regular basis.  Man, it’s just such a great way to start your day. I get back to the church a little after 7am (with a WaWa cup of Joe in hand), and I just feel energized; yes, some of this is from the coffee. For me, there is just something about early mornings that drive me. It’s nice to be up before the sun rises; I love it. These Tuesday mornings have just been a good time to think, get into God’s word, and discuss life with some brothers. Good stuff!

I’m hoping we can take the YAMs (Young Adult Ministry) right here at Grace down to Atlanta for Passion 2011 next January 1-4. It’s an amazing gathering of over 20,000 young adults in the heart of Atlanta! Those who are already set to be speaking at the main sessions are Louie Giglio, who started the Passion movement,and  Francis Chan (Pastor, speaker, author).