Biblical Community is absolutely beautiful. Really, to consider Matthew 16.24 and Christ' radical call to His glory and followship of His fame is daunting to say the least. Jesus doesn't exactly invite us into a lightweight faith. Actually, He invites us to relentless pursuit; utter loss of self-centered ambition; and dying to personal gain with the hope of truly living for ultimate gain.

Understanding the vitality of being in community with a few and having those 'few' stand with me holds the capacity to truly mark me for His fame. More than that, I am not merely committed to Christ (although, being committed to Him is a big deal). I am also committed to a group of people who share a common passion for growth togther in pursuit of Christlikeness. As I share life with my Bible Fellowship, I truly feel a connection and a level of account to them. Not only do I want to free Christ to live fully through me because I love Him. But, I also want Him to consume me because I love my Bible Fellowship and I never want to discredit the character of Christ before them AND, I want my life to constantly push them toward Him. That is fresh.

So fresh, that I actually want to believe that I could sustain my faith in the face of great evil... much like Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (along with Daniel). Four friends who truly get uncompromising followship of Jesus Christ (officially, God of the OT. Jesus was there, of course!). Their faith and mutual accountability drove them to live out Lordship in extremely practical ways. Further, their lives were totally interrupted by their faith in Him. Their diet, prayer, worship, choices, passion, friendship, refusal to compromise.... essentially, all of life was different due to their intersection with the living God. Biblical Community is right. Biblical Community is profound.

Believing all that was written above, I have to tell you that Sunday evening at the community center was off the chain. The Crestview Civic Center was packed with people, laughter, community, love, leadership, and the forming of beautiful Biblical Community in the life of Emmanuel. It was filled with good. It is wrought with potential. What will happen when our Bible Fellowships continue to develop a passion for the Word; others; and service together? The impact of Sunday evening was profound. The potential of what might be is beyond imagination.

I am asking God, with deep, visceral groaning, to birth His character and life within us. I am inviting Him to BE in our midst and to draw our body into His BEING. I love Him. I love our fellowship. I love structuring for His greatest glory and His greatest movement in our midst. May God shock our wildest dreams with the outworking of His presence.

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I love you guys.

By Grace... For Glory,

Mark