God is working on me daily and I love it!!

So it has been almost 3 months since my last blog. David blogged a month and a half ago “Casting Lots for a Church Family”, he spoke about our decision to leave our current church and begin a journey to find one that we can call our church home. So far we have visited 4 churches. I am extremely happy to say that I can see God working on us through this journey.

When we first talked about leaving Faith Assembly I was extremely against small churches. Mainly because Faith was all I knew, that was where I obtained salvation, and it consisted of a couple thousand members. While on this journey we have visited both big and small churches. After just 2 months, my eyes and heart have been opened up to the idea of serving God in a small church. My biggest fear through this whole thing was that I would never hear the Word of God from any other Pastor like I did from Pastor Larry. But in reality, I am not sure I was giving anyone else a fair chance. On this journey, one of the smaller churches that we visited consisted of about 100 members. Walking into this church I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit like I could at Faith. I was so excited. The people were so welcoming, and it felt like a close family. Visiting this church was one of the best things that could have happened to me. After many conversations with David, and hours of prayer, my views on what I wanted in a church have changed, and I believe this is the switch from what I want to what God wants for me. I had to stop holding on to the fear that no other church would be as good as Faith, and realize that I am here to serve God. Big church or small church we are still on our journey.

Over the last few months this journey has been a daily discussion between David and I. David’s goals once he completes his Bachelors this December is to attend Seminary online while continuing his career in the Air Force. He will work his way into ministry and if it’s Gods will then he will become a Pastor one day. His calling into ministry is not my calling but this plays a part in the church that we pick. Even though becoming a Pastor may not be my calling, God has blessed me with other gifts which will allow me to serve with my husband. I mention David’s goals because on the list of what we are looking for in a church it does include searching for church home that David will be able to one day teach at. Since this is his calling I definitely want to be by his side and find somewhere that his gift can be put to use.

This past Sunday was an exceptional day. We are on week two at one of our church visits. I have to say that I have not heard the Word of God like I did today since we left Faith. The message was about Living the Life in Real Faith. The Pastor asked some very thought provoking questions, and I just smiled thinking about how God is working on me daily on just these very things. A few of the questions that were asked:  If someone cut you, would you bleed the Bible? Is your Bible just an accessory? Do you live in the Word of God daily? I think about my life and these questions and know that I am nowhere near perfect and have a lot of work to still be done in me. With that being said, how will I grow if I am not in the word daily?

A lot of people read the Bible but don’t hear the words. Receiving the Word is so important, if you don’t receive the Word your life will not ever change. The first bullet point was that the Bible will challenge you. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20). The second bullet point was that the Bible humbles you. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you (James 1:21a). The third bullet point was the Bible grows you. Which can save you (James 1:21b). I am not sure about any of you reading this but I know there are times that I forget to apply these passages to my life. Someone says something that you immediately take offense to and you want to respond in a not so kind way. But as God changes us we learn patience so we can actually think about the statement. Some people take minutes to come back with a sincere response, some repay evil for evil, some take a few hours or even days and realize that what they said can only be offensive if we allow it to be.

Once we receive the Word, I believe it comes naturally to want to reveal the Word. For me, since the moment God saved me, I have wanted to share my testimony and how He is working in my life any chance that I get. I can’t not talk about Him. My life changed drastically and it completely revolves around studying the Word of God daily, and applying it to my life. The first bullet point in this section was that you will prove your faith. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it (James 1:22-25). The second bullet point was you will promote your faith. If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:26-27a). The third bullet point was you will protect your faith. Refusing to let the world corrupt you (James 1:27b). I have seen so many claims to be a Christian, because of their Sunday school attendance, or because they grew up going to church, or because they own a Bible and carry it with them on Sundays. I know that I don’t know ones heart, only God does. This is where actions speak louder than words. If you say you are a Christian, be happy everyday that God saved you out of this sinful world. Share your testimony any chance you may get, you never know who you will be planting a seed for. Allow God to work through you to save more souls. Even the person sitting next to you at church, that you see every Sunday but don’t even know their name, they deserve to hear your testimony just like the person sitting next to you at the park or coffee shop. I realize not everyone is like me and can just start up a conversation with a complete stranger. But, those of you reading this that are saved, can you imagine what your life would be like if that seed was never planted for you? Everything about my life if so much better since God saved me. David planted the seed for me and I thank God everyday for everything that He has done in my life.

Something that David and I often talk about during this journey is that without one another’s prayers and support we wouldn't have stayed strong on our walk. There are so many outside influences and we could have gone astray at any second. The Pastor also made the statement, “If your faith isn't changing your actions, rethink your faith.” Man if these questions and statements that I heard during this sermon weren't a slap in the face to reevaluate my faith I don’t know what would be.

This journey has been a very emotional one. Scary not having a church home, exciting to meet and worship with God’s children, and nerve racking while we ponder after each visit if this is where God will use us. We are both so anxious and excited to be able to serve God in what we can call our church home and to start living life with our sisters and brothers in Christ again.  I know that God will continue to change me daily, and I am excited to see what he has in store for our family. Thank you God for using your children to share the Word, I hope others were impacted by this sermon like I was.