Still waiting....
There is no final word yet on our offer to the bank. For your encouragement as you pray with us in faith about this property, I have been struck by the authority of God as we have prayed for this building. Whether God provides it for us or not is His choice. But, we know that He has the authority to give us that property if He so desires.
I'm reminded of that today as I read the story of the man who asked Jesus to heal His servant. "I also am a man having authority...saying to this servant do this and he doeth it and to that servant....(paraphrase)" He believed Jesus had the authority to command whatever He wanted to command.
God has put on my heart to pray that way (God's authority) about this building from the beginning. There were some verses in Jeremiah where God says - this will be done and it was done. (Jeremiah 27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. (end of the passage as well.)
God also gave me some verses in Ezekiel 37 regarding His authority with this building. I intend to preach on this passage when we dedicate the sanctuary God gives us.
14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
We are content to let God do His will regarding this property and continue to wait on Him. I just thought I'd encourage you with a reminder of His authority in the present situation. We will update you as soon as we hear what has been decided.