This passage brings me a great deal of comfort in particular situations...I especially like The Message translation:
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.' Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold - real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed - nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won't find them - Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. (Isaiah 41:9-12 Message)
When I allow a situation to "get to me," and when it seems like it might never end, I have to take a deep breath and remember passages like this one. It's all part of God's plan and it is meant to purify me, to mold me, to shape me into the person I will be. Painful? Sometimes. Depressing? Occasionally. Necessary? Most definitely. Difficult? Absolutely. I have to lean on God, on His word, and on those God has placed in my life...my support system...to make it through.
I don't know how cutting-edge leaders like Bishop deal with all the situations and people they deal with nor do I want to know...what I do know is that I will continue to hold him up in prayer...always.
I'm very thankful...and feeling tons of grattitude....I've just wanted to bear hug everyone for weeks now!!!((well, maybe just today)) Seriously!....You have no idea!!!...((Ok..I'm being dramatic))..I visited your church several times many months back...so please dont think im a lookie loo..but your recent "coming out" stirred something in my spirit...and I've really been contemplating Gods role and priority in my life.. I've just been living my life...not bible thumping or anything..(kidding)..being kind of a heathen actually...getting through each day...nothing special...but I've been having this tug on my heart reminder that I DO have a calling and that I need to either get on the boat or get off...either TRUST God or not....listen to his voice...believe that he CAN work through me ...in me..and know that he knows me..ALL of me...STILL LOVES me... STILL has a puspose for me and my life...And for the first time EVER in my life..I honestly and deep in my heart believe that I don't have to compromise my love for Jesus or my hearts convictions and values cause I'm gay....so what!!! Jesus is my daddy and he loves me REGARDLESS....I finally got it this time!!...So...thanks for being the vessel...xoxoxo
@Tony: I could not be happier for you! What a joyous and awesome revelation for you! Halal to Jah! You ARE EXACTLY who God Made You to Be and you absolutely have a place in the Body wherein you BELONG! I pray that you will join us at CITN...it is the MOST AMAZING place with the MOST LOVING People I have ever met and we would be honored to have you in our midst.
As for following your calling...I don't know your specific call, however, the Word also states that the "need is the call" so there are a great many places in which we need volunteers...from the kids ministries to the cafe, camera and tech crew, etc. and I know that if you feel that CITN is "home" for you, then it is your home. Therefore, you would be able to find a place to help out the Body by using your God-given skills, talents, and abilities in many areas.
Personally, I have been involved in a great many different ministries at CITN...because I thought my skills might serve more than one team...now I can "float" a bit and fill in where I'm needed (even though I feel my own "job" is definitely in the Media Center as I do enjoy the responsibilities there) I like being able to fill in when someone cannot make it on their scheduled night. Being part of this Body has brought me great joy and happiness. I feel privileged to have been led to CITN and I love everything and everyone there. I give of my time, my finances, my abundance...I give all I have to give because, to me, it is not just a privilege, it's a plan!
I tell you this to help you understand that we have many volunteer opportunities available and we can always use more help from our CITN Body. What I really want you to hear is that You are God's Best, Tony! He KNEW & CHOSE YOU pre-womb to BE Who You ARE! He LOVES YOU and has a Place for you in His Body...You are already in His Body in general, but finding your place in a specific spiritual home is akin to finding heaven. Bishop often says, "Your word fits in a sentence in a paragraph" in a story of the Life of a Body...I hope that Body is CITN!
Abundant Blessings, Tony! Hope to see you at CITN very soon!
@Patti: Couldn't see how to email ya thanks for the words...so I'll say right here...THANKS for the kind words. :):)((sorry Pastor for cloggin your blog)) I had visited many months ago..what I didn't mention is that..I'm back..so I AM in your midst!! hah!..as far as the calling thing... this listening to God and being obedient is a little new for me...I've always loved him and he's always had my heart...I'm just working through by commitment and trust issues...lol...xoxoxo Patti..Hope to meet ya!
9 comments:
Amen! G-d is a;ways with Us. We trust and agree. Strength and Help is what We sung out to the world.
S/He is ALWAYS with Us, We know. Knowing is worth infinite what ifs.
We know God is with Us, We tell All God is with each now and forever. Yes !!!bb
This passage brings me a great deal of comfort in particular situations...I especially like The Message translation:
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.' Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold - real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty-handed - nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won't find them - Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. (Isaiah 41:9-12 Message)
When I allow a situation to "get to me," and when it seems like it might never end, I have to take a deep breath and remember passages like this one. It's all part of God's plan and it is meant to purify me, to mold me, to shape me into the person I will be. Painful? Sometimes. Depressing? Occasionally. Necessary? Most definitely. Difficult? Absolutely. I have to lean on God, on His word, and on those God has placed in my life...my support system...to make it through.
I don't know how cutting-edge leaders like Bishop deal with all the situations and people they deal with nor do I want to know...what I do know is that I will continue to hold him up in prayer...always.
Blessings Blog Fam...
Thanks! In the situation I am in now - this is a blessing. I am surrounded by so many blessings.
thank you for this post..its an encouragement..and in a world such as this one we need alot of that
I'm very thankful...and feeling tons of grattitude....I've just wanted to bear hug everyone for weeks now!!!((well, maybe just today)) Seriously!....You have no idea!!!...((Ok..I'm being dramatic))..I visited your church several times many months back...so please dont think im a lookie loo..but your recent "coming out" stirred something in my spirit...and I've really been contemplating Gods role and priority in my life.. I've just been living my life...not bible thumping or anything..(kidding)..being kind of a heathen actually...getting through each day...nothing special...but I've been having this tug on my heart reminder that I DO have a calling and that I need to either get on the boat or get off...either TRUST God or not....listen to his voice...believe that he CAN work through me ...in me..and know that he knows me..ALL of me...STILL LOVES me... STILL has a puspose for me and my life...And for the first time EVER in my life..I honestly and deep in my heart believe that I don't have to compromise my love for Jesus or my hearts convictions and values cause I'm gay....so what!!! Jesus is my daddy and he loves me REGARDLESS....I finally got it this time!!...So...thanks for being the vessel...xoxoxo
@Tony:
I could not be happier for you! What a joyous and awesome revelation for you! Halal to Jah! You ARE EXACTLY who God Made You to Be and you absolutely have a place in the Body wherein you BELONG! I pray that you will join us at CITN...it is the MOST AMAZING place with the MOST LOVING People I have ever met and we would be honored to have you in our midst.
As for following your calling...I don't know your specific call, however, the Word also states that the "need is the call" so there are a great many places in which we need volunteers...from the kids ministries to the cafe, camera and tech crew, etc. and I know that if you feel that CITN is "home" for you, then it is your home. Therefore, you would be able to find a place to help out the Body by using your God-given skills, talents, and abilities in many areas.
Personally, I have been involved in a great many different ministries at CITN...because I thought my skills might serve more than one team...now I can "float" a bit and fill in where I'm needed (even though I feel my own "job" is definitely in the Media Center as I do enjoy the responsibilities there) I like being able to fill in when someone cannot make it on their scheduled night. Being part of this Body has brought me great joy and happiness. I feel privileged to have been led to CITN and I love everything and everyone there. I give of my time, my finances, my abundance...I give all I have to give because, to me, it is not just a privilege, it's a plan!
I tell you this to help you understand that we have many volunteer opportunities available and we can always use more help from our CITN Body. What I really want you to hear is that You are God's Best, Tony! He KNEW & CHOSE YOU pre-womb to BE Who You ARE! He LOVES YOU and has a Place for you in His Body...You are already in His Body in general, but finding your place in a specific spiritual home is akin to finding heaven. Bishop often says, "Your word fits in a sentence in a paragraph" in a story of the Life of a Body...I hope that Body is CITN!
Abundant Blessings, Tony! Hope to see you at CITN very soon!
@Patti:
Couldn't see how to email ya thanks for the words...so I'll say right here...THANKS for the kind words. :):)((sorry Pastor for cloggin your blog)) I had visited many months ago..what I didn't mention is that..I'm back..so I AM in your midst!! hah!..as far as the calling thing... this listening to God and being obedient is a little new for me...I've always loved him and he's always had my heart...I'm just working through by commitment and trust issues...lol...xoxoxo Patti..Hope to meet ya!
Wonderfully said Patti.
Bloginthenow is reminding us all of living in the NOW - Thanks for ALL you share !
Smiles,
Rev. Macarena Rose
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