The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” Ezekiel 37:1-3
In Ezekiel chapter 37 we find a very moving scene unraveling as the prophet is “brought” by the Spirit of the LORD into a very large expanse (valley). On the floor of this expanse was a most gruesome discovery. It was dense with human remains (bones). Everywhere Ezekiel looked revealed the evidence of death (“and it was full of bones”). I can only imagine the heavy grief that flanked his soul as he realized that the vision concerned his own people. He was not only made to know the hopeless state of his people, but also his own powerlessness to do anything about it.
“And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know”. (verse 3)
When Leah and I along with a core group of people realized that God had plans to revitalize NCC, we understood that if that was to indeed happen, it would be solely a work of God breathing His life into His church. And as we have committed ourselves to prayer and the faithful teaching of God’s Word, we have already begun to hear the “rattling” of new spiritual life pulsating in and through this beautiful multicultural church located in the heart of La Crosse. Undoubtedly, there is yet, much much work to be done. Nevertheless, I am becoming more and more convinced that our God desires the spiritual revival of His church and He will bring it to pass for the glory of His Name.
In our efforts to cooperate with Him to be a fully function, heathy body of Christ, we are beginning a series of studies on Wednesday nights by 9Marks. This Wednesday we will be considering what is a church as well as what a church is not. I encourage you to come and participate in these studies as well as spend quality time praying with other believers. God is at work in this city. And I pray that God will lead you see and catch the vision of what God is doing at NCC.
In Him,
Pastor Mark