Last time we started a series discussing the core values of Wichita Falls Faith Mission. These are the principles and standards that we make all our decisions from. Today I want to talk about life change. At our two shelters, we celebrate life change and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the ultimate answer for restoration and transformation.
We base this belief on 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.
In the parable of the Prodigal son, Jesus told how the younger son came to himself in the pigpen and realized that when you do things the way the Father said, things go better. He got up and started home and the Bible says that when he arrived at home his father said, “for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to celebrate.”
Of course, the father in that story represents our Heavenly Father and the celebration was about life change.
We do the same around here whenever someone comes to themselves and realizes that God’s way is the best way. We always give God the credit for the way He changes and restores individuals.
I should say that not everyone we serve, and help recognizes God’s hand in the process. We don’t require someone to believe the way we do to receive our help. But we are always careful to let them know that it is God who blesses, and it is God who restores.
We still celebrate every time someone gets a job, a new apartment or makes steps towards their own independence. That is why we are here. Sometimes those small acts of compassion will plant a seed in someone’s life and our hope is that someday they will see God’s plan for their life and become a believer is Jesus Christ.
A young lady at Faith Refuge told me the other day that she heard a sermon in chapel where the preacher read from Romans 8 where it says, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” She went on to say, “It was the first time I realized and believed that God loves me just the way I am.”
Now that was a life changing moment for her. That’s why we celebrate.
