“Fight The Good Fight”

—some thoughts for our 25th Anniversary by Pastor Charles

Paul reminded Timothy about “the prophecies once made about [him], so that by following them [he might] fight the good fight, holding onto faith and a good conscience….” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). The Amplified translates that one phrase: “that inspired and aided by them [the prophecies] you may wage the good warfare….”

Just the other day our dear sister June Zink accidentally found the following prophecy in her bookshelf—dated twenty years ago! She discovered the prophecy, I believe, just in time for my birthday, and for our 25th anniversary! (The Lord does things just like that, you know!)

This prophecy was given to Dotty and me in Frederick, Maryland, on April 27, 1988 by a brother we didn’t even know at that time, Scott Webster from Florida.

The prophecy details the history of Immanuel’s Church (when we were yet a very small congregation)—a prophecy with a vision for the next 20 years to follow! This is that word: “The Lord says, ‘My son, I am going to cause that work that you are involved in to grow by leaps and bounds.’ I see a work of like four or five hundred and it’s going to grow to a thousand and twelve hundred and fifteen hundred and two thousand and, at times you say, ‘God, I don’t know if I can handle that many and I don’t even know if it’s Your pattern to have that many’ and the Lord says, ‘Son, I want a demonstration of My power; I want a demonstration of My apostolic authority, and so I’m going to cause this thing to grow quickly,’ says God. And you’re going to stretch out your rod like the man of God and you’re going to command. The Lord says, ‘Son and daughter, I want you ask of me the heathen for your inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession and I will give it to you,’ says God, and ‘that place you’re in is going to be quickly outdated,’ says the Lord, and you’ll have to rise and do it again. God is knitting hearts together. God is knitting the vision together, and ‘you’re going to be like David’s army—all gathered together, unified, one, before you reign in the land,’ says God, ‘and I’m bringing a unity, I’m bringing a flow, I am bringing a like-vision….’ ”

The details of the prophecy are so beautifully clear—

1. First of all, our growth was clearly predicted: from hundreds to thousands….
2. Secondly, our several major building projects were clearly outlined: from our former sanctuary (our present Fellowship Hall) to our present worship center—“that place you’re in is going to be quickly outdated, and you’ll have to rise and do it again….”
3. Thirdly, and so very important, our apostolic calling as a church was prophesied: “I want a demonstration of My power; I want a demonstration of My apostolic authority … Son and daughter, I want you ask of me the heathen for your inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession and I will give it to you, says God.” And I believe we are beginning to see that vision fulfilled! We increasingly are an apostolic church led forth in Apostolic Missions!
4. Fourthly, and also of great importance, the call was given to rise up in the authority of God—“You’re going to stretch out your rod like the man of God [Moses] and you’re going to command....” Many are the obstacles that have come our way in the past 20 years and in this present hour, and so it will be in the days ahead of us, I’m sure. But with mountains on either side and the Egyptians at our back, and the Red Sea in front of us, our only option is clear—to stretch out the rod of God as Moses did and command the impossible into existence! Amen!
5. Finally, I see one of the most beautiful and important parts of the prophecy described—“God is knitting hearts together. God is knitting the vision together, and you’re going to be like David’s army—all gathered together, unified, one, before you reign in the land, says God, and I’m bringing a unity, I’m bringing a flow, I’m bringing a like-vision….” Amen!

Immanuel’s Church was never intended to be a “one-man show,” the demonstration of just one man’s talents—but rather a ministry of the whole Body, knit together, moving with one vision, marching forward like David’s army—each member in his place, and each member essential to the success of the whole! Only the Lord could have known how important the phrase “like David’s army” would be to me personally. That has been one of the great themes in my life—a people raised up like “David’s Army—like the veritable army of God!”

The part you play in our midst is necessary to the success of the whole! God is calling us to “reign in the land”and our unity in heart and vision and commitment is essential to that victory!

The prophecy also continues on an ominous note; I didn’t print that part, but it speaks of the removal of “those that have their own vision, and are not willing to … catch your vision—.” In our 25 year history we have experience some—but thankfully not that much—loss. Over those who have felt they needed to walk in a different way, we speak blessing. And over those who are being knit together with us as David’s army, the veritable army of God, we speak blessing! The promise of God to us is that He has saved the best wine until now. Our present and our future is as bright as the promises of God, and some of those very promises are found in Scott Webster’s word from God of 20 years ago! “Inspired and aided by them [may we] wage the good warfare!” Amen!