The last time I spoke it was a total of 5 minutes =) The first time I spoke it was a total of 3 minutes.
I think I did a bit better this time. I forgot how long the girls said I spoke but it was somewhere around 10 maybe 15 minutes, but that's only because I played a song...and it was like 5 minutes long so.... =)
So I was having devotions one night and also praying about what God wanted me to speak about, and I felt him lead me to Ezekiel 22:30
So I turned there and read it... then I felt like he wanted me to go listen to a message by Bro. Bryan samms from a youth conference a couple years ago. So I did, and this is what the Lord gave me.
As I was preparing for tonight, and praying about what God wanted me to speak on. I felt him direct me towards a very serious subject. It's one that's been on my Heart since 2011, when I heard Bro.Bryan Samms preach on "God looking for a man."
Ever since then I've not been able to get away from it. God spoke to me very deeply in that message.
My Text is: Ezekiel 22:30
"And I sought for a man among them , that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: But I Found None.
I'll never forget the first time I read that verse. God sought for a man, But he found none.
Bro. Samms said that in all the word of God those are the four saddest words you'll see." But I Found None."
Bro Bryan Samms brought out three characteristics of a man God is looking for.
1.A Man of Separation
"And I sought for a man among them."
-God is look for and individual to stand out in a corrupt crowd.
Now days so many teenagers, ( even in the church world) are going with the crowd... they are to afraid to stand up for whats right.
God was not only looking for an individual, but he was looking for an individual within his own group of people.
But he found none.
Think about that... he didn't even find one person in his entire group of people who would stand in the gap.
God is looking for someone to stand. Someone who will stand up for what's right, Someone who's not afraid of standing out, and going against the grain.
As I was studying and Praying. I looked across our churches as a whole. our movement. And some Questions started coming to my mind.
-Do We Even Care Anymore??
It seems somewhere along the way we lost our burden for people, and the ability to care. We lost our zeal.. Our vision.
We live in a world that has a motto, and that motto is: "take care of ourselves, look out for #1, don't worry about anyone else."
And I wonder if that's not creeped into the church world a little bit??
I'm talking to myself here. There are somethings the Lord has been dealing with me on. I know I'm young, but I've seen somethings in the church that's made theses questions come to my mind. And again I'm not talking about any church in particular.. but a movement as a whole.
But as a movement, I'm wondering if we have gotten cold... fallen asleep... gotten a little to comfortable.
I've been encouraged by some of the preachers I've heard lately at camps or revivals, that God has been rising to wake us up. To have revival again.
Some of the things that they have preached about maybe painful, hard to grasp and take. But I'm grateful for that. I'd rather be raked raw, then fall asleep.
We need revival, I believe we are starting to see a little bit of it, because God is working, and speaking to people.
But if we as a church, as a movement don't wake up, and pick up our lanterns....
I wonder if we realize how many people will go to hell?
And I also wonder if that even bothers us anymore?
another characteristic Bro. Samms brought out was:
2. A Man of Service
He said God was looking for someone to make the decision to follow him.
When we decide to serve God, he said it starts with a :
-Decision
we must make the choice to follow God.
Then a - Desire
A decision is not enough you also need a desire to follow God after you've made the choice.
Then he brought out another interesting point..
He told the story of a young lady that went to the San Francisco Music Conservatory.
She studied, and practiced.
One day a Preacher asked her about her practice habits. She replied that on a average, since 8th grade, she practiced 8-10 HOURS! a day.
She worked so hard on the piano that she has carpal tunnels disease, and joint problems in her knees and elbows.
Bro.Samms said, that if a young lady is willing to commit to play the piano 8-10 hours a day, and get carpal tunnels disease in her wrists. Then WHY are we not willing to surrender to the cause of Christ?
That spoke to me. It's a very interesting point!
I've felt like God has been calling me, to what and where I don't know yet. But I told him whatever it is, I'm willing to answer the call.
My calling right now is #1 my family, then to finish my education, and get my nursing degree, then to be here in the ministry.... and help this church Grow.
After that... well that's up to him.
The last point he brought out was:
3: A Man of Surrender
"why should you surrender?"
He said, " one reason... GOD."
He said go back two thousand years ago, to Golgotha hill. Where Jesus Gave his Life for ours.
Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.
He left off with: Will you surrender to God?
"But I Found None."
Will You be the one??
There is a song by a preacher named:" Kenny Baldwin."
This is the chorus;
"Will you be the one? To answer to his call? Will you stand when those around you fall?
Will you be the to take his light into a darkened world? Tell me will you be the one?
This is what God laid on my heart, and what i spoke on.
Lord help me to have a greater burden for the lost..... to pick up my lantern and follow him.
May you all have a good weekend!! =)
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