I will offend most of you here:
Because I am a woman pastor
Because I speak uncomfortable truths
Because I use very little sugar—I will crack jokes though to make it all a little easier
Because I am apostle—though there are lots of definitions to expand what that means—for example Mike is an apostle also and we have very different walks. Basically we go into hard areas or situations and do warfare/intercession/praise int the spirit realm then shoe-leather christianity in whatever area is needed.
From unwed moms to halfway house for abused women to satanists in Oklahoma to rescuing babies from snuff films in PI to starting churches in PI, Okinawa, Guam to training pastors world wide to orphans in Uganda…We go, we break hard ground, we plant, we water, we prune or whatever else is needed then we turn it over and we go….
We are missionaries to where ever the Lord sends us and the next is Europe where less than 10% attend any type of church. The hearts are cold towards God. They are religious in so many areas, nauseous at all the abuse of the church over the years. They are in darkness and blind.
We have pared down to a suitcase and a hand carry…”Oh I would never” is something I hear a lot but if God asked you then you probably would. I would hope so for your sake anyway.
Genesis 18-19: This is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. You can review this. On a side note Abraham negotiated with God and this is OK. Lot’s family is already compromised. His daughters are engaged to local men. The angels came—2 of them and God used them to rescue Lot.
They did 7 things:
19:10 they pulled Lot back when the men of Sodom threatened him.
19:11 blinded the men of Sodom so Lot could not be found.
19:12 Gave Lot a chance to warn his future sons-in-law.
19:15 urged Lot to hurry and flee at dawn—arise, get up, go, quick
19:16 Took Lot by the hand and led him out of Sodom.
19:17 Warned Lot to flee to the mountains.
19:22 Allowed Lot to seek shelter in a town.
7 things—grace X’s 7
Though she remained unnamed from first to last of the story Lot’s wife was present at each of these 7 times. She saw and heard it all. She was included in God’s salvation efforts…vs 15 “Hurry, take your wife”
We look forward, we move with grace and a desire to serve.
Are you ready to take on your next steps? Are you busy looking over your shoulder? Are you compromising what God said? Justifying your lack of growth? It is time to stop all the games.
He wants to transform you.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
Instructions on Worship
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Notice the part that says this is good? It pleases God? We have to be ready for the harvest.
Luke 10:2 (NIV)
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
And last but not least:
Colossians 4:3 (NIV)
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
Our chains are chains of Love for the broken, the abused, the lost.
We pray the Lord reminds you continuously that any future he has designed of you is better than every thing you leave behind.
