On Saturday I met my pastor and a few of our saints in the Norwalk Assembly. Also in attendance; Bro Antoine from Westbury, NY, Bro Remy from Boston, MA, and Bro Ermlieus from Philadelphia, PA along with some of their saints. The greatest surprise was Bro Cesar. We have not seen him in a meeting in a ong time and it was nice to see him doing so well after his recent illness.
Bro Moses, pastor of the Norwalk Assembly, opened the pulpit to the visiting ministers, the band was blended and the spirit of the Lord was present. It was nice to see how the assembly had grown and changed since last year. The staff was a little more efficient, the food was well presented. As the Lord works in that church and with Bro Moses I'm sure that the church will continue to thrive.
Bro Singh started the main thread of the meeting which was that we are not trying to build Haitian churches or Canadian churches but churches that truly represent the Body of Christ. Bro Singh encouraged the local assembly to support the ministry and keep holding fast to the promises of God. My prayer is that the Lord will bless the efforts in Norwalk and lead Bro Moses in the way he should go.
While I was in New York I learned something about myself. I will not and cannot follow my friends and do what pleases them. For myself, it's important for me to keep my pastor in my mind and my heart as he is the one that the Lord sent to minister to the needs in my life. When things look rough or my friends backslide I must keep on, keeping on. I found this little story that I hope is an encouragement for anyone thinking of leaving the church.
The Call of the Barnyard
A flock of wild ducks were flying in formation, heading south for the winter. They formed a beautiful V in the sky, and were admired by everyone who saw them from below.
One day, Wally, one of the wild ducks in the formation, spotted something on the ground that caught his eye. It was a barnyard with a flock of tame ducks who lived on the farm. They were waddling around on the ground, quacking merrily and eating corn that was thrown on the ground for them every day. Wally liked what he saw. "It sure would be nice to have some of that corn," he thought to himself. "And all this flying is very tiring. I'd like to just waddle around for a while."
So after thinking it over a while, Wally left the formation of wild ducks, made a sharp dive to the left, and headed for the barnyard. He landed among the tame ducks, and began to waddle around and quack merrily. He also started eating corn. The formation of wild ducks continued their journey south, but Wally didn't care. "I'll rejoin them when they come back north in a few months," he said to himself.
Several months went by and sure enough, Wally looked up and spotted the flock of wild ducks in formation, heading north. They looked beautiful up there. And Wally was tired of the barnyard. It was muddy and everywhere he waddled, nothing but duck doo. "It's time to leave," said Wally.
So Wally flapped his wings furiously and tried to get airborne. But he had gained some weight from all his corn-eating, and he hadn't exercised his wings much either. He finally got off the ground, but he was flying too low and slammed into the side of the barn. He fell to the ground with a thud and said to himself, "Oh, well, I'll just wait until they fly south in a few months. Then I'll rejoin them and become a wild duck again."
But when the flock flew overhead once more, Wally again tried to lift himself out of the barnyard. He simply didn't have the strength. Every winter and every spring, he saw his wild duck friends flying overhead, and they would call out to him. But his attempts to leave were all in vain.
Eventually Wally no longer paid any attention to the wild ducks flying overhead. He hardly even noticed them. He had, after all, become a barnyard duck.
Sometimes we get tired of being wild ducks-followers of Jesus Christ. It's not always easy to be obedient to God and to discipline ourselves to hang in there for the long haul. When we are feeling that way, that's when Satan tempts us to "fall out of formation" and to join the barnyard ducks - the world.
But look what happened to Wally. He thought he would just "check it out" for awhile and then leave when he wanted to. But he couldn't do it. Sin is like that. Sin is a trap, and it has a way of changing us into people we don't even want to become. Eventually we lose touch with who we really are--the sons and daughters of the Most High. We become barnyard ducks.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
We had a beautiful weekend of fellowship in our local assembly this past weekend. Thanksgiving, overtime has become a day of excused gluttony, rather than a day of remembering our Creator as it was originally intended.
We had a few out of town visitors, the spirit of the Lord was rich and I realized just how much I had to be thankful for. Bro Rudy from the Elmont assembly spoke about the process an oyster goes through to make that precious pearl. The formation of a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle. It's kind of like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell. This eventually forms a pearl
He mentioned this in reference to what a child of God has to go through to become an over comer. Sometimes we have an irritant in life and our reaction is what will help us to be presented holy, and acceptable to our Savior. Do we cover that irritant with the Word of God in an effort to be more like Him? Sometimes we allow Satan room and have the wrong reactions to those irritants in life. Do we trust that no matter what God has our best interest at heart
Though He Slay Me, Yet I Will Trust Him
Satan laughs, he thinks I'm had
Seeing my countenance, knowing I'm sad
But no matter my plague of feelings Grimm
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Though there is sadness, there is no despair
My hope is in Him, I've nothing to fear
Even as forgotten aches are creeping back in
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I've emptied my heart, all that's left are the moans
Please curtail my suffering, or call me on home
Each moment a struggle, daily chagrin
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
My spirit's melancholy but 'tis well with my soul
My flesh, its weak but His blood has made me whole
My heart feels as if being torn limb from limb
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I thought you would be the supreme anesthesia
That there would be no more pain since you are my healer
I pray for another dousing, filling to the brim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Bring me back to where we first did begin
Where my only craving was Your touch on my skin
Through my tears, my vision grows dim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I don't understand why this must be
How have I displeased You that this must happen to me
Your perfect will is why, and Your timing is when
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Salvation in check, peace at rest
My joy may be wavering, but I still know I'm blessed
I resist drowning, and continue to swim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I lay it in your hands and trust that you will
My unrest- quiet, my requests -fill
My hands lifted in praise, my mouth spilling hymns
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Written by Annette M. Parrott
We had a few out of town visitors, the spirit of the Lord was rich and I realized just how much I had to be thankful for. Bro Rudy from the Elmont assembly spoke about the process an oyster goes through to make that precious pearl. The formation of a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle. It's kind of like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell. This eventually forms a pearl
He mentioned this in reference to what a child of God has to go through to become an over comer. Sometimes we have an irritant in life and our reaction is what will help us to be presented holy, and acceptable to our Savior. Do we cover that irritant with the Word of God in an effort to be more like Him? Sometimes we allow Satan room and have the wrong reactions to those irritants in life. Do we trust that no matter what God has our best interest at heart
Though He Slay Me, Yet I Will Trust Him
Satan laughs, he thinks I'm had
Seeing my countenance, knowing I'm sad
But no matter my plague of feelings Grimm
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Though there is sadness, there is no despair
My hope is in Him, I've nothing to fear
Even as forgotten aches are creeping back in
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I've emptied my heart, all that's left are the moans
Please curtail my suffering, or call me on home
Each moment a struggle, daily chagrin
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
My spirit's melancholy but 'tis well with my soul
My flesh, its weak but His blood has made me whole
My heart feels as if being torn limb from limb
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I thought you would be the supreme anesthesia
That there would be no more pain since you are my healer
I pray for another dousing, filling to the brim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Bring me back to where we first did begin
Where my only craving was Your touch on my skin
Through my tears, my vision grows dim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I don't understand why this must be
How have I displeased You that this must happen to me
Your perfect will is why, and Your timing is when
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Salvation in check, peace at rest
My joy may be wavering, but I still know I'm blessed
I resist drowning, and continue to swim
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
I lay it in your hands and trust that you will
My unrest- quiet, my requests -fill
My hands lifted in praise, my mouth spilling hymns
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Written by Annette M. Parrott
Monday, August 27, 2007
NOT YET
Sometimes I ask the question, "My Lord, is this Your will?"
It's then I hear You answer me, "My Precious Child...be still."
Sometimes I feel frustrated, 'cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear You say to me, "My Busy Child...just rest."
Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I'd like a mate.
Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, "My Child...please wait."
"I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, child, and put your trust in Me.
I've plans to draw you closer. I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see, and much you do not know.
But know this, Child... I LOVE YOU. You are precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny.
I've something very special, I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn.
They come without a price tag, but not without a cost;
At Calvary, I gave My Son, so you would not be lost.
Rest Child, and do not weary of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you just like I said I would.
Your name is written on My palm, I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when My answer is...NOT YET."
Author Unknown
I think it's beautiful when someone can put pen to paper and let their heart be in the ink that flows. When someone has written from experience one can literally feel what they write. I love this poem!
There are so many points I identify with in this particular piece...especially the single part ;(
But like the writer I too believe that sometimes the Lord is saying Not Yet. Sometimes He says no. I have to continuously learn to be happy in Him. Happy at church, happy at home, happy with work etc, and not continuously waiting with abated breath for something better to happen.
When I am not still enough to hear the Lord say, "Not Yet", I will be prone to make a drastic, life altering decision that may cost me than I would ever know.
My prayer today is that I would listen to my Savior's voice and do everything I can to serve Him always, no matter what. It's easier said than done but it's a challenge I'm honored to take.
It's then I hear You answer me, "My Precious Child...be still."
Sometimes I feel frustrated, 'cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear You say to me, "My Busy Child...just rest."
Sometimes I feel so lonely and I think I'd like a mate.
Your still small voice gets oh so clear and says, "My Child...please wait."
"I know the plans I have for you, the wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, child, and put your trust in Me.
I've plans to draw you closer. I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see, and much you do not know.
But know this, Child... I LOVE YOU. You are precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb, I planned your destiny.
I've something very special, I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you are gifts you cannot earn.
They come without a price tag, but not without a cost;
At Calvary, I gave My Son, so you would not be lost.
Rest Child, and do not weary of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you just like I said I would.
Your name is written on My palm, I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when My answer is...NOT YET."
Author Unknown
I think it's beautiful when someone can put pen to paper and let their heart be in the ink that flows. When someone has written from experience one can literally feel what they write. I love this poem!
There are so many points I identify with in this particular piece...especially the single part ;(
But like the writer I too believe that sometimes the Lord is saying Not Yet. Sometimes He says no. I have to continuously learn to be happy in Him. Happy at church, happy at home, happy with work etc, and not continuously waiting with abated breath for something better to happen.
When I am not still enough to hear the Lord say, "Not Yet", I will be prone to make a drastic, life altering decision that may cost me than I would ever know.
My prayer today is that I would listen to my Savior's voice and do everything I can to serve Him always, no matter what. It's easier said than done but it's a challenge I'm honored to take.
Friday, August 24, 2007
BAMBOO
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo.
Now, once upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting.
The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.”
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny.
A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo…”Cut …me… down ? Me.. who thou, Master, has made the most beautiful in all thy Garden…cut me down! Ah, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh master, but cut me not down!”
"Beloved Bamboo,”—The Master’s voice grew graver still—“If I cut you not down, I cannot use you.”
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low:
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground:
So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo…and cut him down…and hacked off his branches…and stripped off his leaves…and split him in two…and cut out his heart.
And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo… And the spring sang welcome, and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.
In that day Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.
Author Unknown
Year after year, bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight, but modest and gentle withal. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness, to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the garden, Which most delighted the Master’s heart.
Now, once upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting.
The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.”
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny.
His voice came low: “Master, I’m ready. Use me as Thou wilt.”
“Bamboo,” – The Master’s voice was grave --- “I would have to take you and cut you down!”
A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo…”Cut …me… down ? Me.. who thou, Master, has made the most beautiful in all thy Garden…cut me down! Ah, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh master, but cut me not down!”
"Beloved Bamboo,”—The Master’s voice grew graver still—“If I cut you not down, I cannot use you.”
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There was a whisper:
“Master, if thou cannot use me other than to cut me down.. then do thy will and cut”.
“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also”.
“Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would thou also have to take from me, my leaves and branches too?”
“Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would thou also have to take from me, my leaves and branches too?”
“Bamboo, if I cut them not away, I cannot use you.”
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low:
“Master, cut away”
“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet… split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you.”
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground:
“Master, Master… then cut and split.”
So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo…and cut him down…and hacked off his branches…and stripped off his leaves…and split him in two…and cut out his heart.
And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo… And the spring sang welcome, and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.
In that day Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.
Author Unknown
This poem has special meaning to me for two reasons. My pastor, Bro. Singh, would recite this every now and then when ministering to the saints. As he tells the story he would remember his pastor, Lloyd Goodwin, not being too impressed with it. Apparently he told this to the local church in Des Moines when he first arrived there from Guyana as a young minister. Maybe his delivery wasn't as good as it is now that he has matured.
The second reason it means alot to me is that it is so real! When I learn to come before my Lord in brokenness and humility it is then that I can truly be used by Him. It all comes down to giving up self will and allowing room for the Will of God.
Monday, August 20, 2007
CHRISTIAN DEDICATION
When I think of words to describe God I think of just, love, kind, faithful and so forth. As I consider this further I think of how my aim as a Christian is to be more like Him. With this in mind, I realize that I have to put more thought into my everyday life for these words to represent me.
I don't have ungodly friends. I don't attend ungodly functions. I don't follow the lifestyles and fashions of the ungodly. Sounds great doesn't it? There are so many things that I am NOT doing to prove that I want to walk with God. But what AM I doing?
Over this weekend Bro. Singh, (my pastor) talked about christian dedication and the need for having a vision for the Body of Christ. While there are so many things I am doing well in order to maintain my status as a Christian, it goes much deeper than what others see. How just am I when I am dealing with a situation? How kind am I when I'm walking down the street and a beggar asks me for spare change? Do I show love only to the people who are in my clique or does it go further than that? Finally, do I consider myself faithful only because I attend every service?
Christan dedication goes much deeper than what others see. It includes what goes on when others are not watching. In order for my walk with the Lord to be genuine I have to constantly be examining my life, being aware of what I need to do to to be more dedicated to the Lord, the ministry and my need to make it into the Kingdom.
As I'm writing I'm thinking of how obedience to the man of God is very important in my dedication to this Christian life. Just as Jesus was obedient in all things I should be too. Philippians 2. The man of God or the Word of God may ask me to do things that I may not understand or agree with. My response or lack thereof is a clear demonstration of how dedicated I am to the work of God. I'm not saying that I should be a zombie and "follow the leader" so to speak. But if my vision for the work is clear and my spirit right, having utilized the Holy Ghost it would be very easy for me to understand that God works through the ministry to help me in my dedication. If I reject the counsel of the pastor I'm rejecting God. Matthew 10 vs 40-42.
My prayer for today is that the Lord will help me to put the church and the ministry as a priority in all things. There can be times when self gets in the way and we can become our own stumbling block because we want to pick and chose how we should walk as Christians and what we should be obedient to. That's not how it works! But because the Lord is just , kind, love and faithful He gives us many opportunities while here on earth to get it right. I hope I never take this for granted.
Lord, purify my heart. Cleanse and wash the very inward part. Never let a single thing, hinder me from yielding everything. Let my spirit humble, be an example for the world to see. Let me dedicate my life an accepted sacrifice.
I don't have ungodly friends. I don't attend ungodly functions. I don't follow the lifestyles and fashions of the ungodly. Sounds great doesn't it? There are so many things that I am NOT doing to prove that I want to walk with God. But what AM I doing?
Over this weekend Bro. Singh, (my pastor) talked about christian dedication and the need for having a vision for the Body of Christ. While there are so many things I am doing well in order to maintain my status as a Christian, it goes much deeper than what others see. How just am I when I am dealing with a situation? How kind am I when I'm walking down the street and a beggar asks me for spare change? Do I show love only to the people who are in my clique or does it go further than that? Finally, do I consider myself faithful only because I attend every service?
Christan dedication goes much deeper than what others see. It includes what goes on when others are not watching. In order for my walk with the Lord to be genuine I have to constantly be examining my life, being aware of what I need to do to to be more dedicated to the Lord, the ministry and my need to make it into the Kingdom.
As I'm writing I'm thinking of how obedience to the man of God is very important in my dedication to this Christian life. Just as Jesus was obedient in all things I should be too. Philippians 2. The man of God or the Word of God may ask me to do things that I may not understand or agree with. My response or lack thereof is a clear demonstration of how dedicated I am to the work of God. I'm not saying that I should be a zombie and "follow the leader" so to speak. But if my vision for the work is clear and my spirit right, having utilized the Holy Ghost it would be very easy for me to understand that God works through the ministry to help me in my dedication. If I reject the counsel of the pastor I'm rejecting God. Matthew 10 vs 40-42.
My prayer for today is that the Lord will help me to put the church and the ministry as a priority in all things. There can be times when self gets in the way and we can become our own stumbling block because we want to pick and chose how we should walk as Christians and what we should be obedient to. That's not how it works! But because the Lord is just , kind, love and faithful He gives us many opportunities while here on earth to get it right. I hope I never take this for granted.
Lord, purify my heart. Cleanse and wash the very inward part. Never let a single thing, hinder me from yielding everything. Let my spirit humble, be an example for the world to see. Let me dedicate my life an accepted sacrifice.
WARREN YOUTH MEETING
I have never left church convention of any kind feeling more rejuvenated, inspired or loved. Philippians 2 vs. 14 & 15 was the foundation of thought over the weekend, and what precious thoughts were provoked by this scripture. I realized so much about myself and my walk with God this weekend that I spent so much of Sundays service in the Warren Youth Meeting wiping away tears of joy and appreciation from my eyes. The joy was that God still remembers me no matter how insignificant I think I am. The appreciation: many are called, few chosen Matthew 20 vs. 16. My beginnings are extremely humble and through that my favorite scripture is James 4 vs 10. LOOK IT UP Maybe when I have time I'll write about this in a blog of it's own.
It is so easy to believe that you are alone with your desire to live for God when the young people in your local assembly fail to continue on this journey. But what encouragement I received this weekend knowing that even though many have fallen there are just as many, and maybe even more, young people trying their best to live for God. I came back so charged ready to do what it takes to move on in God.
I also want to say thank you to Bro Jonathan Durr and the other brother who prayed with and for me. I wish I knew his name. I was so thankful that the Lord led him to speak directly to me. Everything he said was just what I needed to hear.
The following is a poem that someone read when we were "Singing Under The Tent." I pray it blesses you like it blessed me.
I AM A PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED. I HAVE HOLY GHOST SPIRIT POWER. THE DIE HAS BEEN CAST. I HAVE STEPPED OVER THE LINE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.
I AM A DISCIPLE OF HIS. I WILL NOT LOOK BACK, LET UP, SLOW DOWN, BACK AWAY, OR BE STILL. MY PAST IS REDEEMED, MY PRESENT MAKES SENSE, MY FUTURE IS SECURE. I'M FINISHED AND DONE WITH THE LOW LIVING, SIGHT WALKING, CHINTZY GIVING, DWARF GOALS. I NO LONGER NEED PREEMINENCE, PROSPERITY, POSITION, PROMINENCE, PLAUDITS OR POPULARITY.
I DON'T HAVE TO BE RIGHT, FIRST, TOPS, RECOGNIZED, PRAISED, REGARDED OR REWARDED. I NOW LIVE BY PRESENCE, LEAN BY FAITH, WALK WITH PATIENCE, LIFT BY PRAYER, AND LABOR BY POWER. MY FACE IS SET, MY GAIT IS FAST, MY GOAL IS HEAVEN, MY GUIDE RELIABLE, MY MISSION CLEAR.I CANNOT BE BOUGHT, COMPROMISED, DETOURED, LURED AWAY, TURNED BACK, DELUDED OR DELAYED. I WILL NOT FLINCH IN THE FACE OF SACRIFICE, HESITATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ADVERSARY, NEGOTIATE AT THE TABLE OF THE ENEMY, PONDER AT THE POOL OF POPULARITY, OR MEANDER IN THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY.
I WILL NOT GIVE UP, SHUT UP, LET UP UNTIL I HAVE STAYED UP, STORED UP, PRAYED UP, PAID UP, PREACHED UP FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST. I MUST GO UNTIL HE COMES, GIVE UNTIL I DROP, PREACH UNTIL ALL KNOW, AND WORK UNTIL HE STOPS ME. AND WHEN HE COMES FOR HIS OWN, HE WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM RECOGNIZING ME. MY COLORS WILL BE QUITE CLEAR. AMEN."
It is so easy to believe that you are alone with your desire to live for God when the young people in your local assembly fail to continue on this journey. But what encouragement I received this weekend knowing that even though many have fallen there are just as many, and maybe even more, young people trying their best to live for God. I came back so charged ready to do what it takes to move on in God.
I also want to say thank you to Bro Jonathan Durr and the other brother who prayed with and for me. I wish I knew his name. I was so thankful that the Lord led him to speak directly to me. Everything he said was just what I needed to hear.
The following is a poem that someone read when we were "Singing Under The Tent." I pray it blesses you like it blessed me.
I AM A PART OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED. I HAVE HOLY GHOST SPIRIT POWER. THE DIE HAS BEEN CAST. I HAVE STEPPED OVER THE LINE. THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.
I AM A DISCIPLE OF HIS. I WILL NOT LOOK BACK, LET UP, SLOW DOWN, BACK AWAY, OR BE STILL. MY PAST IS REDEEMED, MY PRESENT MAKES SENSE, MY FUTURE IS SECURE. I'M FINISHED AND DONE WITH THE LOW LIVING, SIGHT WALKING, CHINTZY GIVING, DWARF GOALS. I NO LONGER NEED PREEMINENCE, PROSPERITY, POSITION, PROMINENCE, PLAUDITS OR POPULARITY.
I DON'T HAVE TO BE RIGHT, FIRST, TOPS, RECOGNIZED, PRAISED, REGARDED OR REWARDED. I NOW LIVE BY PRESENCE, LEAN BY FAITH, WALK WITH PATIENCE, LIFT BY PRAYER, AND LABOR BY POWER. MY FACE IS SET, MY GAIT IS FAST, MY GOAL IS HEAVEN, MY GUIDE RELIABLE, MY MISSION CLEAR.I CANNOT BE BOUGHT, COMPROMISED, DETOURED, LURED AWAY, TURNED BACK, DELUDED OR DELAYED. I WILL NOT FLINCH IN THE FACE OF SACRIFICE, HESITATE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ADVERSARY, NEGOTIATE AT THE TABLE OF THE ENEMY, PONDER AT THE POOL OF POPULARITY, OR MEANDER IN THE MAZE OF MEDIOCRITY.
I WILL NOT GIVE UP, SHUT UP, LET UP UNTIL I HAVE STAYED UP, STORED UP, PRAYED UP, PAID UP, PREACHED UP FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST. I MUST GO UNTIL HE COMES, GIVE UNTIL I DROP, PREACH UNTIL ALL KNOW, AND WORK UNTIL HE STOPS ME. AND WHEN HE COMES FOR HIS OWN, HE WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM RECOGNIZING ME. MY COLORS WILL BE QUITE CLEAR. AMEN."
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