The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 10

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

August 15, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

VFA ANNOUNCEMENT: Tomorrow I will be introducing a very special guest who will be contributing to The View From Above for several days.

The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold — Part 10

The beauty of the church is a wonder to behold.

It’s a miracle, it truly is!

The most significant events in my life have occurred in church.

It began with my wife Renee’s conversion on May 18, 1975.

Four days later, I was born again, saved, and forgiven of all my sin in Pastor Warner’s living room. But it all began in that church service when my wife gave her life to Jesus.

Those early services in the journey of our salvation were crucial as Christ was being formed in us through the anointed preaching of God’s Word.

Then, in August 1975, during a revival service with an evangelist, I responded at an altar to the call of God to preach the Gospel.

On the way home that night—and remember, we were still brand-new believers—I told Renee:

“We’re going to preach the Gospel in the four corners of the world.”

I didn’t even understand what I was saying.

I do now.

Something very significant happened in church that night.

Then, in January 1987, during a morning seminar at the Prescott Conference, God spoke to me:

“Pioneer a church in London, England.”

Four months later, we were there.

And now, 39 years later, that church is a thriving church-planting center.

I could go on, but you get the idea.

You never know what God will speak to you about in a church service.

You never know what decision the Holy Spirit will challenge you to make.

You never know what advancement God has prepared for your life when you gather with His people.

We gather together in a supernatural dimension where God speaks to and works in the lives of believers, continuing the good work He has begun in us.

Through the ministry of the church, some of the most significant events of our lives can occur.

The church is a place of encouragement.

It is a place of direction and guidance.

It is where we are edified, built up, and strengthened.

And let’s not leave out something very important:

The church is also a place of correction.

Our course often needs to be recalibrated and altered.

God’s Word, preached under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, provides the correction we so desperately need.

The church is a place where God works to make us whole and complete.

Scripture Focus

Colossians 1:24–29

“…now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.”

The centerpiece of this anointed discourse, delivered to us by the Holy Spirit, is the church and the significant things God intends to accomplish as we gather with other believers.

Today’s Challenge

Take time today to meditate on your relationship with the church.

Consider your love and affection for her.

Consider your commitment.

Consider your faithfulness.

And remember:

The most significant events of your life may be determined by God to occur in church.

Come expecting God to speak.

Come willing to respond.

Come prepared to allow Him to encourage you, guide you, strengthen you—and, when necessary, correct you.

Never underestimate what God can do in your life through one church service.

This concludes my 10-part series, “The Beauty of the Church Is a Wonder to Behold.”

Tomorrow I will introduce a very special guest who will be contributing to The View From Above for several days.

Thank you, and God bless you all!