Today I will just go off the cuff. I usually have some sort of structure, but to be honest, the last few months have been a blur. I have worked more for my actual job than I have ministry and that is very different to me. I have also had to sit and watch as a lot of what I had built up unraveled. It would probably normally be very unsettling, but I have had a very odd peace that has been with me. This peace I cannot explain, but if you have or ever do feel it, you will know what I am talking about.
I love God. I am learning to love Christ Jesus more and more every day. My greatest want is to serve Him in every way that I am capable and to know He approves. Fear has not been an issue. I'm not saying that I am incapable of fear, but that lately I am aware of God's hand being on me to the point that through grace alone I have not felt fear as I have faced some of the most difficult tests of my adult life. I can't say that more has ever been on the line yet there is no stress.
God is good!
I talk to the Lord a lot lately. I listen and He talks back regularly. His word provides very direct answers to my very specific questions and I receive confirmation as well. He promised that if we needed knowledge and wisdom and asked, we would receive it. He is a God of His word. At the same time, I followed what He told me and things are different than I first thought based on my interpretations. He moved me and most of my family 15 hours away and ministry has not been regular. At least that is what it seemed like.
Back home I had a bible study out of my house, a rap music ministry, several jobs at church, outreach events with several groups doing manual labor, and even the blogs and whatnot. It was rare that I was not openly serving in a capacity that wouldn't be easy to identify as simply doing Christian work because it was simply that. I figured that would continue, but in a greater capacity.
In Minneapolis, my example and my character have been my ministry. Most people know I am a Christian up here. I don't try to flaunt it. I am excited to meet brothers and sisters, but my heart yearns to lead others to Christ as a willing tool for any use He may have. People are taking notice. I read my Bible at lunch. I don't shy away from giving God glory for amazing results I can't claim. I work a lot and I focus on representing Godly principles like fairness, justice, wisdom, and honesty. I have suffered persecution for this and been mocked. I count it a blessing!
I am not boasting here. That is not my intention. I am fully aware that I am a sinner and nowhere near perfect. My actions will not earn my salvation. What I am bringing this info up for is to give you a thorough understanding of the background behind what I am about to say.
By the grace of God, I have witnessed a change take place within me completely controlled by He who has promised to do His work and sanctify me! It is amazing and overwhelming at the same time. I have been able to watch my wife pray for my faith. I have been told of many who prayed for my return to church years ago. I am aware of those who think of me and say a little prayer to carry me through some of the situations I face.
God is SO good!
All of those ministries back home have all but failed. When I left, hope for their success seems to have left. But... They were never mine. They were Jesus Christ's . They served their purpose. It is not for me to understand.
I get here and He uses me in a different way. I am blessed to see His ministry work on me when I seem to be working on outsiders less. The funny thing is that I have had more of an impact here it seems. Very weird, but such a blessing. I see that it is not me at all, but He who does His work when we don't. If we try to build something, even a ministry, based on our own wants and needs....it will fail. If we do it for Him and because He says to, what we perceive as failure simply is not. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. his purpose will always be served. God doesn't have accidents. God doesn't fail either nor does He lie.
I pray you are encouraged today. Pray for God to make you what you know you lack and need. Have faith He will provide it. Praise Him when you suffer and when you wait. He will answer your prayer. Then sit back and be prepared to be amazed at some point because He will use you, but not necessarily in the way you think He would.
John 14:12-14 states "I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in My name, I will do it."
I heard two interesting quotes this week. The first was from a friend on Facebook who quoted a Bill Johnson "The church gathers weekly around a sermon, but Israel encamped continually around the Presence. Perhaps when we return to that priority, we, the church, will learn what it means to be a holy nation."
Wow!
That is something that is so true it cannot be denied! But we can't control the church and we know what has been prophesied from God about its state. We can take this on personally though. How can we dwell around the presence of God continually? How can I be more concerned with staying near the Father? How can I make Him more of my focal point? How can I allow Him more access to me in order to have more access to Him? How can I change my heart to truthfully place such an importance about staying near God that I literally make my home wherever He is and follow wherever He leads?
I can't tell you? Why don't you ask Him....and then sit and listen to what He says. I mean that literally. Ask Him and then sit there and wait. Hold that Bible, pray over it, read it, and just sit and wait for something your spirit acknowledges as out of the ordinary and necessary to consider is from God. It will be undeniably different more than likely. That's how it works. God's presence has always been noticeable to those looking and listening.
The second quote was in regards to us being spiritual beings and desperately needing something more than this life we have seen. A pastor Deangelo said it tonight. I give glory to God because of his willingness to speak the Lord's truths! You are being guided and drawn by God. Hr designed us that way. He made us want to listen. It is ingrained in our genetic code and our mind cannot escape it. He made you in a way that you would yearn to listen, but it may be difficult. He did not make all of us need answers without reason. He has promised to provide us answers for many things, but we need to ask and listen. He is the creator of our faith and it is only by Him that anything is able to prevail or succeed....even ministry. My God sits in heaven and does what He wants to. Ask Him what it is He wants to do and then let Him.
God bless each of you and I pray you are given an opportunity to bring Him glory this week because of what He does in your life!
Streezy