This week I attended the graduation ceremony at the Miracle Hill Overcomers Center in Greenville SC. It was a most humbling and worshipful time to witness 50 men jump to their feet, march confidently and in unison to the front, turn to face the audience as trophies of God's grace -- all the while singing at the top of their voices Victory in Jesus!
A dear friend was one of four men who graduated. He stood to share his testimony of how God used the 7-month Overcomers program to begin transforming him through the overcoming life of Christ in him.
I have another friend just starting the Overcomers program. Please pray for him.
The Overcomers director's graduation address inspired this Rest Stop.
POURED IN CHRIST
As wooden forms are used to contain poured cement, the strict structure of the Overcomers Center is used to help contain God's Word that is poured into the men.
The structure of the Overcomers Center is not legalistic, but is intended to minister the truth of freedom. Freedom is not living without boundaries. Each man in the Center has to learn that living without boundaries before they were led into the Overcomers Center was actually bondage. Every Christian has to learn this.
Thank God for places like the Overcomers Center in the body of Christ to help invite men into freedom!
Freedom is not living without boundaries.
Freedom is living with Christ!
Freedom is not living out of bounds.
Freedom is living in Christ!
The counselors at the Overcomers Center labor to strongly and lovingly challenge the men with God's truths, just like Paul wrote to the Galatians:
Have I become your enemy
because I tell you the truth?
My little children,
for whom I labor in birth again
until Christ is formed in you.
(Galatians 4:16, 19)
CURED IN CHRIST
As poured cement must be allowed to cure before building upon it, after graduation from the structured Overcomers Center, each man is provided an opportunity to slowly but surely transition into their new walk with Christ. For 6 months after graduation, each man is provided a Christian mentor, a church, a home, a part-time job, and resources for searching for a permanent job.
This reminds me of Psalm 23 where the Shepherd (Jesus) leads his sheep (a man from the Overcomers Center) to lie down and be restored (analogous to concrete being cured) before walking.
The LORD is my Shepherd,
I shall not lack anything (in Christ).
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
(Then) He leads me to walk
in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.
(Psalm 23:1-3)
CLOSING
Underneath and united with the new "concrete foundation" of a Christian's life is the ultimate foundation of Christ Himself!
For no other foundation can anyone lay
than that which is laid,
which is Christ Jesus.
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Journey in Christ exists to be an instrument of God and a partner with other ministries in the body of Christ (such as the Overcomers Center) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and for the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).
God bless you this week!
Poured and Cured in Christ
