Celebrating what God is doing has been a message heavy on my heart over the past several months as I have been praying for the CBMC USA across the country. God has reminded me that not only has he given CBMC a legacy of spiritual reproducers who have gone before us in this ministry, but He continues to work through you and me and the men across this nation and around the world to share the gospel and participate in leading men into a saving relationship with Himself through Jesus Christ.

We find a number of examples and commands from God that tell us to celebrate what He has done for us. As we examine these scriptural examples, I challenge you to ask what God may be doing as He directs His people to remember, celebrate, and pass these things along from generation to generation. Why does God want us to remember what He has done? Why should we celebrate what He is currently doing?

Let’s take a look at some of these references.

The Sabbath

We are told in Exodus 31:12-13, “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.’”

“You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.” Leviticus 23:41

The Memorial Stones

God instructed Joshua and the representatives from the twelve tribes of Israel to take with them one stone from each of the twelve tribes and placed them in the midst of the Jordan River. In Joshua 4:6-7 we are told, ”that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”

The Lord’s Supper

And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19

These are just a sampling of the celebrations that occur throughout Scripture. Why does God tell us to remember these things? Who shall receive the glory when He loves and rescues His people? God will! Who will receive the glory as we celebrate what He is doing? God will!

As we begin to praise God for what He is doing in our midst, let us take on a posture of true humility, thanking Him for allowing us to participate in His great harvest! Let us also take some time to remember the men who have gone before us that God has spoken through. Perhaps even some of us have received the message of salvation, discipleship, and encouragement through these men. Let us also make a list of those lives we have seen changed by our sovereign Lord right before our very eyes.

Perhaps people you have been praying for, others you have shared the gospel with or prayed with, and even others you have disciple and taught the word of God to. Praise the Lord for His redemptive work, according to His will and purposes! Let us celebrate by giving Him all glory, honor, and praise!

I would encourage us all to take more time to continually celebrate and remember what God has done and is doing in and through your life and in the lives of those around you. Solo Deo Gloria!

Stephen Casbon
National Director of Field Ministry Support