Where did the church (as a whole) go wrong? When did we start to think that God blesses us to store it all up? Why did we think it is ok to hold on to what God gave us? Why aren't we giving out of our abundance ? Why aren't we helping the unfortunate at every turn? Instead we are praying "God bless me. God send this to me. God I need." Then when He provides we hold on to it for dear life as if He is not the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, as if He doesn't have more where that came from. I've found that God is big enough to supply us with lots. Then when we've given to everyone we can find, we still have tons left over. I've found that God can take 2 fishes and 5 loaves of bread and feed 5000 with plenty to spare. Why does the church think they are the final say on salvation? When did we think we could take salvation into our own hands? Why do we think that works save us. Why do we try to put God in a formula. Why do we lay out certain standa
So the other day I simply prayed "God, if you aren't going to restore this relationship, help me move on. I'm ready to be through with this." A few hours later I had an email from him saying "I'm moving on. If you want to discuss this, we can, but after that I can't speak to you anymore. I need to make some decisions with a clear conscious." And that was it. Couldn't get more final than that! Maybe if the email had come a few days or a week later. But no, there was no mistaking this answer from God. "You asked for it...poof!" And there it was...the answer to what I had been praying for since September. I'm not sure what made me pray that prayer that way on that day. I'm not sure what made God answer the prayer with an email that quickly. But whatever the reason, there was no denying that it was God. And of course, it wasn't the answer I wanted. It was infuriating. Why now God? Why answer this prayer now?
My pastor decided to resign this morning. Instead of forcing anyone to vote yes or no against the ministry, he resigned. Those of us in support of his ministry left the Greenville United Pentecostal Church and are starting a new work, Grace Apostolic Fellowship. Our first service this morning was held at a local funeral home. After all the jokes about raising the dead, etc, we ended up having a great service with 97 people in attendance. We are believing God for a permanent home in the next 30 days. I am sad to leave UPC. That church was a haven to me during a hard time in my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today without many of the people there. Numerous people invested in me, and I am grateful. I will never forget the love, friendships, and lessons I learned while a member there. I will not belittle my past with bitterness and act as if it means nothing to me. There will always be fond memories. My leadership began at that church, and I do not take it for granted. There are
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