That's who she is...she encourages.
It was one of those posts by one of those Proverbs 31 ladies. I don't remember which one. You know, the wonderful women of God we almost forget are real. They're just SO godly.
She wrote about how she felt a calling from God, a calling SO MUCH like the one I had. Uncanny.
However, she continued to say that after that calling, God sent her people...people who asked her to write and speak. People who confirmed God's calling.
What my sweet sis-in-law sent me for encouragement, Satan used to taunt me.
"YOU had a calling? Are you sure? God's not using you. No one is listening to you. No one wants to hear what you have to say. NO ONE. You were wrong. There was NO calling."
I cried and cried and cried...out to my God.
I wrestled with it. I gave it to God. I asked Him for help. He comforted me for the moment...a bigger comfort was coming.
God sent us the marriage ministry at our church. We felt led to start it, we prayed about it, we started out strong...then everyone stopped coming.
Satan used it to taunt me.
"Now LOOK. You aren't even good enough to keep people who like you in a room. No one wants to hear what you have to say. NO ONE. You were wrong. There was NO calling."
I cried and cried and cried...out to my God.
I wrestled with it, and he led us to some wonderful people who have given us new direction for the ministry and helped us to allow God to breathe renewed life into the ministry. God comforted me, but there was more comfort coming.
A few weeks ago we watched a simulcast at a women's event at our church (the same one from this post). In it, Christine Caine preached a message that has changed...is changing...my life.
God's promises have no expiration dates.
Did you hear that?!
NONE.
She reminded us of the story of Sarah in the Bible. God sent angels to tell her she would have a baby, and she laughed. She laughed at God's promise.
She allowed herself to hope and believe, but then it didn't happen! Why didn't it happen?! Maybe the angels were wrong? Maybe they misinterpreted? Maybe it was up to her to shift and maneuver and manipulate to make the promises of God come to pass?
But no...she just needed to wait. God made a promise, and God keeps his promises, and they have no expiration dates.
Proverbs 31 lady's promises have nothing to do with mine. God called me. He'll use me in whatever way glorifies Him most, and praise HIM, that promise has no expiration date.
God gave Josiah and I Compass Marriage Ministry. We are seeking to glorify Him, and praise HIM, that promise has no expiration date.
The other day, God solidified this for me through His word:
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18 (emphasis added)
I wait quietly before God,
for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Psalms 62:1-2
There are two very important lessons here:
First, God's promises do not expire. They will not die. He is faithful.
Second, anything God gives you - encouragement from a friend, a promise, a talent - Satan will try to use to destroy you. And anything Satan tried to use to destroy you, God can turn around and use to bring Himself more glory IF YOU GIVE IT TO HIM. That last part is very important.
You must give your heart to God...each day. You must pour your joy and your sorrow upon Him.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:6
What promises has God given you that you've given up on? What promises have you pushed away because it just hurt too much to hope anymore?
Let your hope and joy be renewed! Our God's promises do not expire!
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