"I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth … Isaiah 42:8-10a NIV
We all know that the Lord is doing new and different things in all of our lives. And some have already started. We have lost loved ones, some have, or are going to, move. And others have married. But there are other changes coming too. There will be changes in our personal walks with God, in our Congregation and in the church as a whole. We may not know what these changes are, but God wants us to be prepared for any and everything that is coming our way …. Are you ready?
What, you're not ready? Let's talk about how to prepare for the coming changes.
Preparing for the changes:
Changes in our personal walk and within the church are spiritual changes, so our changes must come within our spirit. Each new mission, journey or job will require us to be prepared, but how do we prepare for them? The Lord said that He would teach us. He prepared Each of our forefathers for their assignments, so you can be sure that He will prepare you, too!
Psalms 32:8, NIV; I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
Let's take a look at how some of them were prepared.
Joseph: (Genesis 37 & 39-47:27)
· God spoke to him in Dreams, showing him things to come – he listened and shared what God said.
· He honored God in everything.
· His brothers rejected him because he was his father's favorite.
· He listened to God's dreams … later remembering their instruction.
· He was wrongly accused of rape and sent to prison.
· He served others while in prison.
· He listened to God in interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's servants.
· He listened to God in interpreting Pharaoh's dreams and giving him direction for the land of Egypt and spoke the truth to him.
David:
· Dressed in another's armor; but rejected it as untried.
· Picked up his staff.
· Choose five smooth stones and took his sling.
· Stood firm in the name of the Lord.
· Used his own tools to gain God's advantage in the attack.
· Killed the enemy with his own sword
· Gave the glory to God
Jesus: (Matthew 26:17-27:55)
· He grew up in a godly family
· He honored his mother.
· He spent time alone with God
· Instructed his disciples and the crowds.
· Prayed for his mission.
· Prayed for His followers – even us.
· Spoke no evil or unnecessary words in His defense.
· Told the Truth.
· He made provision for his mother before completing His mission.
How does all of this apply to us?
As I said before, each calling that God is leading us into will require us to be prepared. But no two people can be trained in the same ways. Each will be trained by the Lord as is fit for them and the assignment they have been called to. But the basics remain the same:
1. We need to be in constant connection with the Lord – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
a. Read the Bible.
b. Pray – Prayer is a conversation …. You get to talk to God AND Listen to Him speak!
c. Praise Him.
d. Rejoice in the Lord.
e. Fasting – if God has called you to it.
2. We need to fellowship with like-minded believers – Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
a. Attending and participating in community/congregational worship
b. Making and maintaining relationships with other church members outside of church.
3. Finding your job within your church family and doing it faithfully.
a. God uses Willing, Available and Faithful Vessels.
OK, now the preparation is in your hands …. Will you be prepared to allow God to use you when the changes come?
Sincerely,
Aleita J. 'Leigh' Morton
Sincerely,
Aleita J. 'Leigh' Morton
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