TO ESTABLISH=To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install
I can look back over the places we have been in ministry and pinpoint in each place the situation or time that we were established. Trust me, that doesn't usually happen in the 'installation service". Sometimes, it is through a successful building program, other times it is through the illness, death and funeral of a beloved church member.... and sometimes it is through our enemies.
If you can't handle knowing that there are people out there that actually hate you and all that you stand for DO NOT go into the ministry! All of us want to be liked but if you know that having someone consider you their enemy will devastate you emotionally and spiritually, look out!
Recently, my husband and I went through a hard thing in our present ministry. There was absolutely nothing we could do about it but take it to the Lord and offer it up to Him. As we both sought the Lord on this situation, God clearly spoke this: God will use even our enemies to establish us.
Do we know God led us here? absolutely, without a doubt.
Do we know God has a plan for us here and is NOT done with us here, in this place? abolutely!
Therefore, He will continue to establish us. We may wish it would happen in a different way but that is our own human pride and thinking. It is up to HIM to establish us HIS way. Even if that means through our enemies.
Here are some verses God has given me to encourage me to be stable and let Him fight each battle:
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
I can look back over the places we have been in ministry and pinpoint in each place the situation or time that we were established. Trust me, that doesn't usually happen in the 'installation service". Sometimes, it is through a successful building program, other times it is through the illness, death and funeral of a beloved church member.... and sometimes it is through our enemies.
If you can't handle knowing that there are people out there that actually hate you and all that you stand for DO NOT go into the ministry! All of us want to be liked but if you know that having someone consider you their enemy will devastate you emotionally and spiritually, look out!
Recently, my husband and I went through a hard thing in our present ministry. There was absolutely nothing we could do about it but take it to the Lord and offer it up to Him. As we both sought the Lord on this situation, God clearly spoke this: God will use even our enemies to establish us.
Do we know God led us here? absolutely, without a doubt.
Do we know God has a plan for us here and is NOT done with us here, in this place? abolutely!
Therefore, He will continue to establish us. We may wish it would happen in a different way but that is our own human pride and thinking. It is up to HIM to establish us HIS way. Even if that means through our enemies.
Here are some verses God has given me to encourage me to be stable and let Him fight each battle:
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Psalm 90:17 NIV May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.
Romans 16:25 NIV Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,
Letting God establish us means not jumping to our own (or each other's) defense but resting in the truth and knowing this is a part of His plan. It means making sure our hearts are pure before God and that we do NOT allow ourselves to harbor unforgiveness or resentment towards others but that we walk in love; knowing God may someday have those who do not want to walk in harmony with us right now walk in the doors of our home or church and being ok with that.
I am excited about what God is doing right now and the establishment of the work of our hands! Amen!
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