Recently the Lord has been speaking to Earl and me about ministry again. A few years ago, I had laid down my ministry, dissolved the corporation and moved into a more laid back approach to service. It was the thing to do at the time for many reasons.
But lately we have felt a stirring. We wanted to find a work that provided the things we believe strongly in, but allowed the freedom to pursue worship without limitations and operate in the fullness of the gifts Jesus gave to the church. As we have prayed through this, God has given us some amazing revelation and confirmation. However, I am reminded that many do not understand or know the process of hearing from God and receiving confirmation. Today, many move out and do something and then wonder why it is such a struggle, confused to why things aren’t working out the way they are supposed to. Hopefully this article will shed some light on that for you. Process of ‘Peace” An animated preacher was asked to take on the role of pastor at a severely crippled church. Later, after much turmoil, he was asked how he knew he was supposed to take that role. His response was “I just had a peace about it.” That sounds so spiritual and good. We use that term all the time, but that, my friend is not enough to dive headlong into a tornado and it is not enough to take on a role of restoration and rebuilding. Often the ‘peace’ we have about something is just our own desire because we have finally been given an opportunity to do something we want to do. The peace may come because we think we see an opportunity to settle into a role we have desired for a long time. The warriors of God rarely step out on ‘peace’ alone. Often when God presents His people with an opportunity to do something, peace is not the main or only factor. Fear, anxiety, and hesitancy are present because the call is too big and you know you can’t do it without God. The peace only comes after you have decided to step into the role God has called you to. I too believe in ‘following peace’ but only in regards to situations in my everyday life. After I have stepped out and established the role, I stay where God has given me peace to stay. Then we have to maintain that peace. Process of Proof When your spirit begins to stir with a direction from God, there are always 2 or 3 witnesses or confirmations. 2 Corinthians 13:1 says, out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. Jesus tells us in Matthew the same thing. So whenever God is giving us direction, there will be at a minimum, two and hopefully 3 witnesses. When you listen to the testimony of those who have started great works, they have always had 2-3 confirmations before they step out. Even scriptures give us examples of confirmations, such as Paul before he went on the ill-fated Jerusalem trip. God always confirms to us what He wants us to do. So what are those confirmations: 1) Knowing… the Lord will begin to put something on our heart. He will start to shift our thought process towards that thing. For us recently, He convicted us out of Haggai 1. It is time for us to begin to rebuild the temple again. It's like everything you see or do will point towards that direction, even when you aren't even thinking about it. 2) Outside…. God will almost always confirm it with a word from someone, something, somewhere totally unconnected or who has no idea what is stirring in your heart. For us, this past Sunday at church, the Lord used the message. The speaker threw in significant dates, references that only we understood and even a revelation that touched my heart. It was very clear. Other times, some random conversation, or even something on TV may confirm it and you will just know God is talking to you. 3) The Word… NEVER, EVER, EVER step out without having a scripture from God to stand on. The process is too hard not to have something tangible you can go back to and say ‘yes, God did tell us to do this.’ Yesterday, I got that scripture and out of that, He gave me the strategy. It may not be all three, but the last one will ALWAYS be included, He will always speak through scripture. But you have to be willing to listen to receive it. If you ‘feel’ like you should do something and these three things aren’t in place, not only will it be disastrous, but God will hold you responsible for the lives damaged in the process. When God is wanting you to do something, there may be difficulties, but it won’t be hard. I know, that doesn’t sound like it makes sense, but you will have a grace on you to navigate that thing and you will be able to face the difficulties with grace (empowerment) to handle it and see victory. Scripture tells us that in the end times even the elect will be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Too many, well -meaning people, with a call from God, and an anointing, are being deceived simply because they are not being trained to know truth and to follow simple precepts in hearing from God. They are not maturing properly in their faith and therefore falling prey to the deception of the enemy. If they aren’t careful, they will end up being sidelined by the enemy going after what appears to be good, but is in no way God. Follow the three witnesses principle. Ask God to give you three confirmations before you step out in anything. He will and if He doesn’t, then don’t, just “Be still and know that He is God.” (Ps 46:10)
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AuthorI'm a wife, Mom, grandma, teacher, friend... Lived a while and still have some living to do. Archives
October 2021
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