I have posted the pic below before in years past…but I think it is a reminder that we need to keep ever before us.
If we truly come to church with a heart of worship and a desire to hear from Him…how can we not be changed!
We are assured in His Word that He is there with us as we gather together. May we be sensitive to His presence!
May we gather in our churches in Jesus Name and not for any other reason. It’s all about JESUS! And when we get our focus in the right place…everything else will fall into place.
“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (Matthew 18:20 NASB1995)
We feed our bodies to stay strong and healthy. Don’t forget to feed our spirits with the Word of God! And as we do, we will discover that our bodies, emotions, and minds will all be strengthened along with our spirits. HALLELUJAH!! ❤️💥💥❤️
I am preparing to begin the second month of preaching as the Lord continues to bring complete healing to the Pastor that I am filling in for. I have to say that as I have been walking through preparation for bringing God’s Word every Sunday – it has given me a new appreciation of the process!
I hope that you continually support your pastor in prayer each week. If not, begin TODAY!
I think the photo below gives an excellent visual of what the preparation looks like. Above the water is what is seen and heard from the pastor on Sunday morning. But, the important part is what is below the surface …the hidden time with the Lord.
Preparation time includes research, reading Scripture, and writing. BUT! The most important time in preparation is the time set apart to be with the Lord…speaking with Him…listening for His guidance.
I love 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 and have based a prayer using that scripture that I have written in front of my Bible. I have prayed this many times before giving a message:
“Lord, may my message and my preaching not be in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that the faith of Your people would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!”
I don’t want to spend time writing a “good sermon” that only involves our emotions and intellect. I don’t want to have people be “impressed” by me…I want to invite people to have an ENCOUNTER with the King of kings and Lord of lords. I desire that the faith of my Brothers and Sisters will be increased and strengthened by that encounter.
Beloved of God, do you have an EXPECTATION of encountering the love and power of God tomorrow morning in your church? Are you preparing your heart and mind and spirit for that to happen?
I would say that the photo below should be what our time with the Lord should look like – whether it’s Bible Study or church or simply our journey with the Lord in life. What is seen above the water is what people see as we go about our daily activities. But, what is below the surface is the life we have that is hidden in Christ Jesus.
Today, I pray for myself and you, dear ones, that there is much undergirding and strength and intimate time with the Lord in our life journey. And as you see from the photo, that which is below the surface is connected to what is seen above the surface. Our daily live’s are directly affected by how much time we spend with the Lord!
I pray that all of those that come into our sphere of influence are impacted by what we bring with us…all of that which is unseen below the surface…the very presence and power of God!! HALLELUJAH!!!❤️💥💥❤️
Well! This post has been transformed to be more than what I planned on it to be. May the Lord speak to you in and through it! AMEN!!
It is so easy to look at ourselves and feel that we are not equipped or not able to be who God has called us to be or to do what God has called us to do.
It is so easy to focus on things we have done wrong. Why would the Lord want to use me when I have “messed up” so many times?
It is very enlightening in the Bible to see how God used people who had “messed up“ to do mighty things for His kingdom.
Brothers & Sisters, God can and wants to use you for His glory!! The “job requirements” are not that you have a perfect life.
Do you love the Lord? Do you desire for Jesus to be your Savior and Lord? Are you willing to allow Him to work His good and perfect will in and through you?
Then you have everything you need to serve our perfect God!! Trust Him and take the next step of faith!! He is waiting…
Yesterday, I forgot to put on one of my earrings after my hair appointment. I did a few errands and later when I realized what I had done was curious what people thought as they looked at me. I did a facebook post that spoke to what had happened and what I had learned from it. It follows:
“The Lord reminds me not to take things that don’t matter too seriously! LOL! One earring…mismatched shoes…clothes inside out…. not that important in the grand scheme of things!😃”
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I let my attention and time be focused on those things that are so unimportant. I am reminded on what “clothing” I should focus on “wearing.”
What is in our “closet?” Are we forgetting to “put on” essential clothing? I know I have been trying to prune and simplify my closet(s) at home. I think I need to do a spiritual pruning!! I need to update and strengthen my spiritual wardrobe. Would you like to join me? The Scriptures below will give us a checklist on what we should focus on “wearing” each day. May we not leave the house without doing the “clothing check” below!!!
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17 NASB1995
Reflection of Glory! 