If you had told me in the summer of 1986 what God would do through Lancaster Baptist Church over the next forty years, I don’t think I could have imagined it.
Terrie and I were passing through Lancaster on vacation when a pastor friend asked me to preach to a small congregation. After the service, he asked me to step outside while the church held a business meeting. When he came back, he told me I had “won the vote.” I had no idea what he was talking about. I didn’t even know I was candidating.
Long story short, the Lord did lead us to Lancaster Baptist Church to serve this tiny congregation of about twelve people. We knew the church could not pay a salary, but God drew our hearts to what He could do in this desert town.
That was forty years ago, and by God’s grace, we are still seeing what He can do here.
This week, as our church celebrates forty years of ministry, I am amazed at what God has done in our midst. Our theme for 2026 is “God Is Able,” and it could just as easily be the testimony of these four decades. God has done “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
As I look back, I can see God’s power at work in more ways than I recognized at the time. There were moments when we came to the end of ourselves and saw Him provide in ways we could never have imagined. There were also seasons when we had no idea what He was doing, yet He was faithfully at work.
Each of the truths below has a story behind it—often more than one. I share many of those stories in my newly released book, God Is Able. Here, in brief, are ten truths about God’s power that I pray will encourage your heart and strengthen your hands for whatever work or trial lies before you.
1. The end of our ability is the beginning of God’s provision.
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (2 Corinthians 3:5)
2. Small beginnings do not limit God’s power.
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD…For who hath despised the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:6, 10)
3. The size of the obstacle in front of you is never greater than the power of the God who stands with you.
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
4. The greatest obstacle between us and what God desires to do through us may be our reluctance to take the next step of obedience.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Hebrews 11:8)
5. God’s power begins where our capacity ends.
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. (Matthew 14:17–18)
6. Faithful obedience in a fallen world includes spiritual conflict and difficulty.
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
7. Faith is not merely confidence in God’s ability; it is confidence in God’s character.
Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. (Daniel 3:17–18)
8. The weary Christian who waits on the Lord is not giving up; he is looking up.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
9. While we are trying to understand the plot, God is developing it according to His purposes.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
10. The future is uncertain to us, but it is never uncertain to God.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. (Isaiah 41:10)
As I write these truths, faces and moments from forty years of ministry come to mind. I remember needs we could not meet, steps we did not know how to take, and prayers our church family watched God answer. Through it all, God has been faithful.
In my new book, God Is Able, I share the stories behind these truths and the biblical truths that sustained us through them. My prayer is that the book will encourage you to trust the God who has been faithful to us and will be faithful to you.
This week, we will celebrate Lancaster Baptist Church’s fortieth anniversary and gather for Spiritual Leadership Conference. Please pray with us for these days. And if you cannot join us in person, we would love for you to join us by livestream at LBClive.tv.
Livestream Schedule (all times are in Pacific Daylight Time)
Sunday, September 27, 2026
9:00 am – Morning Service
11:00 am – Morning Service
5:00 pm – Fortieth Anniversary Evening Service
Monday, September 28, 2026
6:30 pm – Evening Service
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
8:15 am – General Session 1
8:50 am – Religious Freedom Panel
9:15 am – General Session 2, “The Abounding Church”
6:30 pm – Evening Service
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
8:15 am – General Session 1
8:50 am – General Session 2
9:15 am – General Session 3, “What Matters Most”
6:30 pm – Evening Service
