The Greatest Story Ever Told
The Bible tells a true story of grace and truth. The Old Testament begins with how our world began and how man and woman came to be. And the books following Genesis explain God’s plan to pay for our sinful nature and restore our relationship with Him so that we have the invitation for eternal life with God Himself, the greatest happy ending. The Bible is filled with encouragement, life lessons, unconditional love and forgiveness. There is something for everyone and every situation. God was intentional about including everyone of His children in the promises He proclaimed through the scriptures. The Bible is not just written details of the people that came before us. It is meant to be our story too. Every trouble, concern, stress or redemption has been lived out in the Bible so that we might relate to it and grow and learn from their journey. There is nothing we haven’t lived through that Jesus Himself has not endured. Have you ever felt abandoned, disrespected, blamed unjustly, misunderstood, tempted? Yes, Jesus has been through all of these and more and He knows how bad it hurts. Have you ever run from God? (Jonah) Have you ever been buried deep in sin? (Woman at the well) Have you ever had your own agenda for your life? (Fig tree that bared no fruit) Wasted you spiritual gifts? (The man who buried his talents in the field) and the list goes on. All these stories were God-breathed just for us. They are a compass and an instruction book on how we can live a life that glorifies the Lord. The stories are our purpose, our lifeline and the ultimate truth. But for those that have fallen out of God’s story, the Bible has little use. For whatever reason people have left God’s story, they now find themselves struggling for help and that is where Mercy House fulfills its purpose.
Mercy House is so many things to so many people. We are a place to get a home cooked meal. We are a haven for understanding and compassion. We are a place that listens and finds a way. And we most passionately are a place that helps all God’s children get back into God’s story. We are about restoration. We are here to help people rebuild their life and to rebuild their faith in Jesus. We want them to see that God has made a way and a place for them to be in His story. We are working with a diligent heart and strong will to show our neighbors that not only is there a place for each one of us in God’s story but that His greatest desire is that we would surrender the story we are trying to write on our own and be a part of the amazing story He has written for each of us. The prayers that are being prayed over West Montgomery by the prayer warriors in this city are extremely powerful. As they storm the gates of heaven on their behalf, they are claiming the promises in the Bible - promises of forgiveness, grace, mercy and eternal life. We are confident that God is moving here and He is changing hearts and minds and He is sending more people down here to share His stories. C.S. Lewis said ““You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending”. The Bible is full of people with a past that they are not proud of but we have seen over and over again that once they encounter Jesus, their story will change. Once they make a decision to return to God’s story, their chapters will be filled with purpose and meaning and hope… so much hope! And when we are in God’s story it will have sad chapters and confusing parts but always a triumphant ending with Jesus.
God Bless,
Pastor Ken Austin