Hi Newport Church Family,
We trust that your week has been filled with God’s grace and favor.
What an awesome worship night we had last Saturday evening! A big thank you to our team, our guests Jake and Raquel Damron, and to all those who contributed to make it such a special evening.
Worship and Communion Service Next Saturday October 3rd
We will be gathering for our next worship and communion evening next Saturday October 3rd, so let’s do everything we can to be there and to invite our family and friends. Our presence makes a difference and we would love to see you so that we can encourage one another in person! Click Here for the event details.
What do you See?
The word “reimagine” is being used more and more frequently as we navigate our way through challenging times, with hope of a better future.
The dictionary definition of the word is: to imagine again or anew
Especially: to form a new conception of or recreate
It means to see something different for our future.
Ezekiel had a vision of a valley of dry bones, and all he could see was dry, lifeless bones around him. God asked him, “Can these bones live? Can you see these bones coming to life, rising up out of the dust of the valley?”
Ezekiel answered, “Lord, only you know the answer to that!”
The valley of dry bones was a prophetic picture of the nation of Israel, who having been divided in two, were in captivity in Babylon, while Jerusalem and the Temple lay destroyed and in ruins.
At this time, in the midst of the corona pandemic, racial and political division, economic uncertainty and rising tension as we approach the general election, the same question could be asked of us by God, “What do you see?”
If all that we see is what is reported on TV, by the media, or social media, we could well reply as Ezekiel did, “All I see is a valley of dry bones!”
Opening our Spiritual Eyes
Yet if we ask God to open our spiritual eyes, as He did for Ezekiel, we will see God moving where there appears to be no movement, breathing life into that which is dead, awakening that which is dormant, and continuing to advance His purpose and plan for our world.
It’s so easy to look at all that is happening around us and to see nothing but a valley of dry bones, but as a people of faith we see with different eyes. We see the potential of new life, hope in the midst of hopelessness, healing in the midst of brokenness, love that conquers hate, unity that prevails over division and a spiritual awakening for our world.
Jesus said, “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
If we open our eyes we see that our world is in dire need of hope, peace, meaning and purpose, and we know that can only be found in and through Jesus.
There are so many stories in the Bible when God appears to people and asks, “What do you see?”
God is asking us the same question today. “What do we see for our future?”
What we see will determine what we possess.
God led Abraham up to a high mountain where he could see all of the promised land and said:
“Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever”. Gen 13:14-15
Abraham had to see the land before he could walk in it.
Ezekiel had to see the bones coming to life before he prophesied to them and they began to move.
We have to see and reimagine a better future before we can experience it.
Speaking Words of Life
God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, “Speak to these bones for me. Tell them, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!’”
As Ezekiel spoke words of life to the bones, the Spirit of God breathed life into them, they began to move, to live and stand up on their feet as an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel’s ability to see with spiritual eyes and to speak words of life transformed the valley of dry bones into a valley of life.
A Voice of Hope and Faith
Like Ezekiel, let’s open our spiritual eyes to see God bringing life to dry bones, to see a better future and speak words of life as a voice of hope and faith to our world!
God is on the throne, His Kingdom is being established and His will is being done on earth as in Heaven!
Thank you for your Generosity
Once again a big thank you for your faithful giving of donations, tithes and offerings. Even though we are not able to meet in our building, we still have rent and associated expenses to pay, and your generosity continues to be especially important in this uncertain time.
Let’s keep reminding God of His promises to open the windows of heaven and multiply the seed that we sow. God is faithful and He will honor His word as we partner with Him through our giving, so that we can see His Kingdom come and His will be done on earth as in heaven.
Praying for Healing, Spiritual Awakening and Unity
Prayer changes things and prayer changes us!
Martin Luther said:
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”
Let’s keep praying that God will turn back the tide of COVID-19, bring healing, spiritual awakening and unity to our world and to breathe new life into our church.
We would love you to join our 6am prayer meeting led by Rino Chantana and you can do so by clicking here.
We also encourage you to take some time to pray at 7.14 every morning and evening, twice a day with one voice, wherever you may be. #UNITE714
We very much look forward to you joining us on Sunday at 10 am and connecting through the many zoom call opportunities we have available during the week.
Let’s continue to be a voice of hope and faith in these days!
We love and appreciate you all greatly,
Jonathan & Dianne Wilson
Senior Pastors