Cuba and the Word of God

When you attend the Church at Brook Hills, there is this question you get asked from the pulpit on a pretty regular basis.  The question is, to paraphrase, "Do we believe this Word?" 
Acts 2:41:  41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The implication, obviously, is if one TRULY believes the Word of God, then one's behavior, thoughts, feelings, and desires are irrevocably changed.
Acts 2:47:  47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Of course, seeing as how we are in church when we are asked that question, the obvious answer seems to be that, yes, we DO believe that the Word of God has the power and authority to order our lives in a way that is pleasing to God.
Acts 4:4:  4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
Seeing as how we are in church when we are asked that, it seems obvious that we DO believe that the God of the Bible is the Living God that we still worship.  It seems that we would read stories of universes being created, seas being parted, the dead being raised, and sinners being saved and live our lives in complete obedience and faith in that God.
Acts 5:14:  14 And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Having just returned from six days in Cuba, I would like to encourage all of us to examine our hearts to see if that kind of obedience and faith is present in us.  Now, this is NOT going to be one of those post-mission trip blog posts where I condemn myself and everyone else I know for our wealth and excess.  I'm not going to suggest that everyone quit their jobs, sell their houses, and move overseas.
Acts 6:7:   And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
All I am asking you to do is ask yourself one question:  Do I believe His Word?
Acts 9:31:  31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
When you get back from a mission trip, it seems that everyone wants to hear all about it.  Some people want to hear about what you ate, where you stayed, what your bathroom was like (at a resort, from a buffet, normal)-yanno, what was it like being "OVER THERE?"
Acts 9:35:  35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Some people want to know what you did, who you saw, how precious were the people, and maybe did you get to hold any babies (rode in a van, preached, door to door evangelism; the same 50 people, very, and babies scare me)?
Acts 9:42:  42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Still others want to know what the MINISTRY is like wherever you went.  What is church X doing over there that we can/should/must recreate over here for the sake of our very survival.  Questions will be asked about who got saved and just how you got them to that point (about 150 people, by the proclamation of His Word, and by calling them to repentance).
Acts 11:21-24:  1 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord...full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
None of these questions are wrong or stupid, but (at least with regards to me and my trip to Cuba) they all miss the mark by varying degrees.  
Acts 13:48:  48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 
The reason they miss the mark is because these questions tend to focus on what THE PEOPLE are doing.  The people might be the mission team, the field partners, or the local church, but, whoever it is, somebody is surely doing something.  My friends, I'm here to tell you that that is NOT what is going on in Cuba.
Acts 14:21-22:  21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
GOD Almighty is doing things in Cuba.  Certainly, He is using his church in a mighty way over there, but I think I can speak confidently on behalf of the local church in Cuba that is GOD who is doing everything.  God is convicting hundreds of people everyday of their sin and building his church.  In a way that I have never seen before with my own eyes, I saw God moving and doing things that were beyond human ability, and I saw a people who expected nothing less from their God.
Acts 16:5:  5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
That's the "secret" of the Cuban church.  They read the same bibles that we read and they....they...they...go and do what they read.  It's really quite remarkable.
Acts 17:3-4:  3 explaining and proving that it was necessary forthe Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
When they read that God wants them to share their faith, they go and share their faith.  When they read that God wants his church to spread, they go and plant new ones.  When they read that God delights in answering the prayers of His people, they pray.  When they read that Jesus promises comfort in the midst of sorrow and persecution, they don't run from the slings and arrows headed their way.  If you asked them what their secret was, I almost think that they would be confused as to what you were talking about.  After all, we have Bibles too, don't we?
Acts 17:34:  34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
If you do get a chance to Cuba, there's one verse you'll hear more than any other:  John 15:1-2. It says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  The Cuban people believe that verse just like they believe all the verses that promise blessing and comfort.  There is a Holy fear of the Lord in Cuba that I have not witnessed before.  In fact, they believe that if a professing Christian is NOT sharing their faith, and if a professing Christian church is NOT multiplying, there is something seriously wrong with them.  Crazy, huh?
Acts 18:8:  8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 
Cuba was a beautiful experience.  I got to preach and see people get saved.  I got to go into people's houses and see them get saved there.  God is moving in mighty ways in Cuba, and it was a joy to be a part of it.  Cuba, however, is in the past now.  For the next year, Birmingham is my present.  I have to ask myself the same question every morning from now on.  The answer will change everything.  So, my friends, I ask us all-do we believe His Word?