From Hopscotch to Holiness

38 From Hopscotch To Holinessof all the people. Their message was being heard loud and clear. Newconverts joined their ranks daily. I want to be part of a church like that.Perhaps our life lesson from this story is also a key to church growth.Grow in favor with God and man.THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVORI believe there are ordained seasons of growth for individuals and forchurches. Isaiah 61 gives us a scriptural understanding of the year of theLord’s favor. This scripture speaks prophetically of the ministry of Jesus.Consider Isaiah 61:1-4. Take special note of the results of proclaiming theyear of the Lord’s favor. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, becausethe Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sentme to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of theLord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all whomourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them acrown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and agarment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks ofrighteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Theywill rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; theywill renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”My short list of transformation that results from God’s favor includesfreedom, comfort, beauty, joy, praise and righteousness. In addition,God’s favor affects communities of faith as well as individuals. Therewill be rebuilding, restoration, and renewal of cities, even those longdevastated. I yearn to be a part of that type of widespread renewal andrevival. Take a moment and pray with me. Gracious Father, enable meto be a conduit of your grace and favor in this world. Use me to rebuildancient ruins, blessing those parts of the church and the communitydevastated for generations. Amen