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Greetings!
God is moving and I am thrilled to witness the hand of God upon the earth, upon my life and upon the ministry. Yes, there are troubles in our world ... disease, earthquakes, death, abuse, pain, shame and hurt but God has not been caught off guard or unaware. He is moving and He is revealing His love, grace and mercy at all times ... even when it doesn't look like it.
Covenant is in a special season. We are experiencing growth and expansion that is God's work and, we feel, His will. As of this writing, I am in Texas for meetings regarding a joint venture with Arrow Child and Family Ministries ( www.arrow.org). We are sharing hearts, strategy and developing partnerships to change foster care in the United States and around the world. It is an exciting time and I will share more in the coming newsletters.
During my visit to Texas, I meditated on God's works throughout my life and ministry. His hand is so apparent as I look back over my, and Covenant's, development. During some of those early growing pains and "faith shaking" experiences I often wondered if God was around, or if He cared! You see, our relationship with God is always more about our ability to slow down and listen then it is about His ability to speak. We simply need to "run the race of faith" with an ear to hear what God is saying and an appreciative eye to see what He is doing.
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I can only imagine ... God confirms
9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
~ 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 ~ |
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Following God's Lead
The life of a follower of Jesus can be likened to a dance. In the dance of life God is our partner and thus leads and we follow. If not, we end up looking stupid, stepping on God's toes and frustrated. To enjoy the dance we need to operate under the "rhythm" of His grace and allow Him to lead our every move.
To follow God's lead we need to listen for His voice as delivered in His Word, through His people, and by His Spirit. In Corinthians, Paul instructed the church regarding the need to follow God's lead. He expressed the historical issue the Jews fell prey to of going their own way and getting ahead of God. Likewise, Paul contrasted the life of hard-hearted Jew with the life of a follower of Jesus, stating that we have the ability to access God's wisdom and understand His will through following the leading of His Spirit.
Friend, be encouraged! God has not left you alone to face this world, live life and make decisions (John 14:15-18). Whatever you are facing today God has an answer and a plan! He is moving Heaven and earth to speak to you and your concerns. Simply stop trying to look for your own answers and come up with your own solutions and follow God. I know this can be difficult but it is the only way you will ever "understand what God has freely given us". God is not silent. God is not dead. God is not too busy. God is speaking and He desires to lead you in the "dance of life".
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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For King and Kingdom,
Randy Martin |
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