What a great day today was. For the past 2 months I have really not taught in any preaching/teaching setting. About two weeks ago a local pastor contacted me and asked if I might be able to preach in his stead while he was away this weekend. As I prayed about it and asked the Lord if He wanted me to teach anything in particular I recalled a message I taught at Bethel in April about the Greatness of God. I sensed the Lord saying, "Tell them how great I Am." That sounded much like the Lord and I really enjoy doing that, so I agreed to preach today.
Before preaching, I attended Bethel's West Pasco campus. I found that the singing time was very stirring to my heart and particularly the song, "I Am Not Skilled to Understand." The part where I sang, "My God He was, my God He is, my God He's always gonna be" was a strong statement from me to the Lord about how I trust in His faithfulness to me in this time. I have seen His faithfulness so many times in the past, see it even now in many ways, and I declare that I know He will be faithful (regardless of how I feel in the future).
So, after that service I drove to the other church and had a chance to meet with that body of believers. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing a bit of their story. After having not taught in 2 months, it was such a joy to have the privilege of speaking the Word to them. Before I spoke, however, we sang some songs. The one just before the scripture reading? "I Am Not Skilled To Understand." Again, it was so good to affirm to the Lord that He has been, is, and will be Faithful. I declare that of Him.
I spoke out of Numbers 20:8-12 as a jump off spot and basically just tried to lift up God and connect His New Testament salvation with the events of the OT. The main themes were:
God CAN be trusted
God REALLY is good
God has my best interest in mind
The God of the NT and OT are the same God
To close the service, the worship leader had picked the hymn (last Tuesday) -- "Like a River Glorious" whose words say, "Those who trust Him fully, find Him fully true. Trusting in Jehovah, hearts are fully blest. Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest." I felt this was a wonderful capstone of the day for my own heart that God is fully trustworthy in this time (again, regardless of whether my circumstances feel like it or not). I felt highly energized after speaking and am so grateful for God's kindness to me during this time.
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3 comments:
John, so good to hear your words and read what you taught on....very good! Love how God confirmed to you about your obedience! YOU were exactly where God wanted you to be! God is good, and Good all the time. We don't always see this, usually when we are not seeking God and All his Wisdom in our lives!
God is Amazing!
John, it's great to have you share your heart with us as you go through this time, and thank you once again for your vulnerability! I KNOW That you will look back in the years to come on this time as a time of growth, and deepening your dependence on God. I am sure you are going to see Him provide for you in ways that you could never expect, and more abundantly that you would think to ask! It's so good to hear how you are seeing God in new ways through this time, and seeing his faithfulness to you. I am excited for you! Have a fabulous trip, and know that we will be praying for you. When you get back we want to have you all over for dinner and story-telling time! We miss you and love you!
Sue
C-Bob said...
I am excited to read about your journey and am curious to see all that God has planned for you, Jessica and the boys.
Steve & I are continuing our own wild ride. We are joining Diana & her family as her husband Allen is going to further his education in Pullman.(Engineering)
We told them we would go with, then he got accepted this January. So off we go. Our second trip to Iraq was phenomenal - a great blessing. We will see how God orchestrates it all. I am getting more comfortable going along trusting Him in ever more. God bless you all - and I am praying for you.
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