"STEP BY STEP," by David "Beaker" Strasser--- O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD AND I WILL EVER PRAISE YOU. O GOD, YOU ARE MY GOD AND I WILL EVER PRAISE YOU. I WILL SEEK YOU IN THE MORNING, AND I WILL LEARN TO WALK IN YOUR WAYS, AND STEP BY STEP YOU`LL LEAD ME, AND I WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL OF MY DAYS. AND I WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL OF MY DAY, AND I WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL OF MY DAYS, AND STEP BY STEP YOU`LL LEAD ME, AND I WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL OF MY DAYS.
Father God, if only my steps were more clearly defined, life would be so much easier. Should I stay or should I go, not the first time I`ve arrived at this cross road. However, now that I eagerly desire to function in "Your Will," impetuous impromptu decisions of my past are no longer an option. Every since our contemporary worship service, Jacob`s Well, relocated from an open style of worship in a school auditorium back to the sanctuary of our traditional roots, I have felt an unsettled restless feeling. My questions and prayers are for discernment; I`m praying to discern if this is my desire or true nudges from God to go to grow?
The contempary service that I was attrached to six years ago, now struggles to step back into it`s new identity. Because of many changes and the loss of many key leaders, Jacob Well is grieving what we used to be and stress fully embracing where we are heading. Our new Pastor Mark Avens, has the difficult task of rebuilding, defining and unifying our brokenness. What is Jacob`s Well and what does God have planned for this worship service? I believe that Jacob`s Well will continue to grow and glorify God, but will move back to more traditional type of worship, with some contemporary music! Father God, where do Rick and I fit?
As a member of this church what does God expect of us. Are we obligated to remain and rebuild? Were we called there for a season and reason? Does Pastor Mark`s authority and needs for our church trump the calling for healing ministry that God has place in my heart? Can I do both? Is this indecision a test? Am I impatient, or realistically considering my age, in this choice? Am I deserting a church family or extending my church family? Is it okay to go, to grow?
Pastor Mark realizes the need for a healing and prayer ministry, however it is not currently in his top priorities! Is it permissible to take a hiatus to attended another local church that currently has a prayer and healing ministry? The same church that will soon offer classes for the MacNutt Healing Ministry, that I`ve been praying about for the last year and a half? The desires of my spirit and soul are ignited when I am in the presence of other Christians with this passion for healing. Father, God should I stay or should I go? Am I to bring this healing and prayer ministry back to Jacob`s Well?
Isaiah 60:11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations----their kings led in triumphal procession.
Father God, thank you for listening to my hearts desire! If you could just leave me a note on my pillow telling me what to do, I would truly appreciate. AMEN
Isaiah 55:10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Hum! Guess you`ll get back to me in your time.....is it merely that Jacob`s Well time and my time are out of sync? I LOVE YOU FATHER GOD!
Now is time for a kick, you already know what you want and that is the healing part, if pastor Mark is not ready for that you can deal with him later. My opinion is you should move on to another church that have already the healing service, practice and see how you feel about that, help people and if your heart send you back to pastor Mark church go there when he is ready for some healing. Do what your heart tell you to do, don't get stuck is time to move forward. Lots of love Gabi
ReplyDeleteMy friend,
ReplyDeleteHere are some verses to help you --
"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." (James 1:5 NLT)
"Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 CEV
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17 NLT
For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)
"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it." 2 Corinthians 13:5 MSG
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:10-13 NRSV)
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them
(1Timothy 2:1 NIV)
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." (2 Peter 1:2 NLT)
AND:
When trying to distinguish between God’s voice and merely your own desires, ask yourself several key questions: “Will this honor God?”, “What’s my motivation for wanting this?”, “Is this consistent with what the Bible as a whole teaches?”, and “Would Jesus Himself pray for this?”. Ask God to help you obey right away whenever He commands you to do something. Don’t negotiate, debate, or stall; simply obey God’s calls as soon as possible. Pray for the courage to drop whatever you’re doing when God calls and follow Him. Ask God to help you access all the power He has made available to help you fight Satan. Call upon Jesus’ power to defend you from evil’s attacks on your life. Pray for the discernment you need to recognize Satan’s schemes and the wisdom to know how to oppose them. Ask God for the courage to honor God, even if it means you lose favor with people. --- excerpts from Faith Set Free: Pray for Yourself with Reckless Abandon, copyright 2009 by Will Davis, Jr. Published by Revell.
The CCUMC church is struggling to heal in many ways. The foundation of our church has been shaken, and there is so much to work on Linda. You heart has been called to a healing ministry well beyond the 2 years. But when you, yourself needed healing it was within the CCUMC that you were welcomed and where you learned to walk. As a diciple you teethed on sharing the word as you delivered Little Debbie cakes and met others needing encouragement. You know better than anyone that our time is not always in sinc with GOD's time. And while you define Rev. Mark's actions as his priorities...they may well be GOD'S. Perhaps you should explore what the other church offers beyond a healing ministry. While the ministry may speak to your heart, will the teaching/preaching speak to your soul? And will the total package continue to nourish you? God will give you the ministry your heart longs for when HE sees that you are ready...Keeping you in prayer...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your response, I am struggling so....would love to chat! thank you for your prayers, Linda
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