A New Phase of Faith
Hey Friends,
How does the title strike you? What do you think about entering a new phase of faith? Sadly for most Christ-followers, even leaders in the Kingdom, this is not an exciting proposition. Most people work toward orienting their lives to how they want them. From ministry to vocation, from calendar to commitments, we have a certain way we want to arrange our days, weeks, months and life. Does this make sense? So, how do we continue to walk by faith when we get life where we want it?
Do you think your comfort zone can keep you out of a life of faith? I sure do. We all have a natural bent against changing what we want when we get it. Now what happens when God wants us to grow, to soar, to climb new mountains? If we are not careful we will automatically say “no” to what God wants. When was the last time you entered a new phase of faith? If it has been years, don’t you think that is problematic position? We are commanded to “walk by faith and not by sight.” This is hard to do if there are no changes or challenges. What mountain does God want you to climb?
You never get too old to climb – remember Caleb who asked Moses for the mountain? God is always calling us higher and higher. About the time we get comfortable on our level, He calls us to march on. What is your next phase of faith? We would love to pray for you.
Yours to count on,
Pastor
P. S. As I start the new ministry to the Kaleo “called” in the Kingdom, it will require a serious reorientation of my personal life. I just got it the way I wanted it, but it is not about me! So, how does God want it? What am I willing to give up to impact His Kingdom? Please pray for me as I seek God’s will.
9 Comments
I truely agree, with your blog. The bible study group that we have at pellissippi, was talking about this. We first talked about the power of music and how most music has no purpose of leading people to Christ. We also talked about how that kind of music is alway available on TV, the radio, and the internet. We also talked about how that culture of music dictates fashion, language, politics, and more. The questions that I asked the group id when do we get off of our butts and do something about it. The rap stars, rock stars have been out of their comfort zone. They have made sure that their voice is heard. So when do we step out of our comfort zone to have more influence on the world then they do. If we lose ourselves and gain God, their is no such thing as a comfort zone, because the Lord will prepare us and ease our spirits for each and every mission and battle. God Bless
Great entry today. I feel like when we reach those comfort levels, God quickly sees that we’re not moving (forward or backward). That’s when the challenges come, and that’s when we are able to lean on God and allow Him to guide us in the right direction. I am of the opinion that the moment I become comfortable, that’s the moment when I feel like I am in control. Problem is, God is always in control. Thus, the challenges … Thoughts?
P.S. I have really enjoyed reading the blogs this week and made an effort to comment about my reactions because I feel like that gets me engaged in the conversation.
Josh, me too. I am curently in the process of digesting and searching this morning on Kaloe. This is where God has me curently and I am curios and hungry for more of Him and am greatful for Pastor’s ear to heaven and posing those ? to all of us.There is nothing more quickening to me to see His people being “radical” not afraid to speak and engage in conversation because no matter how much we think we know there’s always extreme gaps between God’s knowing and ours between His ways and ours.That’s my proding challenge it stirs me foward with great joy.Even with the bumps of comfort levels I find that though my flesh may be satisfied my spirit is not resting.Letting me know that there is probably something I may be not seeing.Looking up the websters definition of radical most of these definitions refer to steming or coming from a foundational root be it organic or mathmatical and also a depature from the usual.We change our comfort levels from taking our nourishment from The Foundational Root Jesus as He is before all things and all things consist by Him.The head of the body and within that body we grow and are built together by His leading we walk by faith.We communicate and supply each other with that missing info. helping each other reach.When that comes together then an impacting,effectual change from the normal comforts of us all takes place.That’s exciting!!! Ephesians chapters 2,3,and 4 as well as Colossians 1 and 2. I guess Webster’s could add Jesus to its list of definitions for the word radical if you can see it through the eyes of faith? Changing our comfortable traditions and causing us to “walk” as a spreading vine plant does….It takes over its envirnment drastically changing the landscape thoughly nourished and supported by the main root and we become the fertilizer sometimes to each other through encouraging conversation.Helping each other when destuctive whisperings or doubts come along and threaten our ability to stay connected.Godly Support that is rooted in truth to help us find our way, His Way. Thank-you I know its long winded and your grace is appreciated.
pLEASE TELL ME WHAT kALOE IS? tHIS IS THE FIRST TIME i’VE HEARD OF IT. oNLY GET TO COME EVERY OTHER WEEKEND.(WORK)
aS FOR THE COMFORT ZONE OF FAITH, i KNOW WHAT YOU MEan
The Lord as me learning about intercessing and spiritual warfare and I’m REALLY out of my comfort zone. But He has aready brought before us a HUGE need in the area. Pray that I learn as fast as He wants me to and will be able to apply what I’ve learned when He leads me
To know His voice is my desire.
I’m sorry I thought i was through but my new phase of faith I think God has been working on for a long time.Now being the time to begin to grow up the mountain (kudzu, but in a good way)to not just sit queitly and take in but give over my life, sensitive to His direction. To become more disciplened in how I divide up my “use” of time and for it to be of profit to His Kingdom.I am shy by nature and generally begin to shake with conversation and am known to ramble. (sorry, for that I really am) It takes faith in purpose to go past the generalities of conversation. Meaning, as example, speaking up in this blog, exposing my thoughts and heart I must trust that God has equipped me to do so. I don’t have a problem with light conversation or even meeting new people, but when the conversation is one that requires real exposure I have to fight within myself to speak or even stay with it.So this is a step in the right direction being once more within the Body and I believe the next step is in writing as an author the volumnes of goodness and life lessons I have been blessed with the privalage to see and for others to be encouraged by. But I must first grow a little here it seems to me. But as can be seen I will need help with spelling and punctuation…laughing. Pastor opened up with an invitation to pray for those who ask, so I am asking for this congregations prayers of comfort and strength today as, so it seems, needs be in my call that I am convinced I hear. Let the devil steal no more the voice of those that have been given one, be it by the pen or preaching or teaching.I want to boldly say let’s go forth in all the assurance that Jesus can provide us in our weakness and let His strength enable us. That is my prayer. Thanks again. P.S. I didn’t know what Kaloe Ministry was and it took me a moment to realize that Pastor wasn’t speaking Greek but really was speaking Greek. I am curious to know what implications it will have for us as that filters down. It is truly exciting and focused, it looks like.
You have prayer from me. I’m steping up to asking boldly when in prayer for wisdom,harmoney,and trust towards my fellow men. I know God and Yashua (Jesus) won’t let me down. It’s when people do things and say things thinking that you won’t understand or I’m not willing to understand that is when my faith gets shaken up. I am Gods creation! A beautiful creation. I am Gods daughter. Except me or don’t except me as I am. God does and that’s what matters most! Growing my faith only comes from being in the Word! Not spoon feed by anyone. Or taking notes of a sermon. I must be in Gods Word to grow my Faith!!!!!!!!!!!
Great entries today. I speak to the comfort zone a lot and will continue to because I believe it is where a lot of pitfall takes place. Adjusting that comfort zone or re-prioritizing is something that takes work. I feel that changing our priorities, in a lot ways, is like battling addiction. There are going to be those times of strong resistance and the overwhelming feeling to go back to the way things used to be. Whether it is with spiritual growth, making more time to be in the Word, or saying a prayer, we are going to have those times of resistance to go back to our comfort zone and avoid stretching ourselves. As we discussed today and other days, when we do push ourselves, the Lord provides us with energy and his own comfort. I forget sometimes that his comfort is a whole lot more fulfilling than mine.
It’s funny you mention being comfortable. Sometimes it burns me up that so many churches don’t want to ruffel feathers. One of my fav things about FP is that I am seldom comfortable. Especially in choir
) A few weeks ago, Michele had us do an “exercise” (for lack of a better word) in worship, where we just sang to the Lord with no set notes, no agenda. Boy- you could feel the tension in the room & I LOVED IT!!! There is something wonderful about being in an unfamiliar place with Him. Like jumping out of an airplane- scary and exhilarating at the same time! I hope I never get comfortable with God. I hope I always pray, fast, give when I feel the Holy Spirit’s prompting (and wthout delay)!
I am certainly in a new phase – kind of like Jonah. I kept avoiding it – then God moved me, got me out of a job, and showed me how to appreciate his work so much more. Those other areas that were taking all of my time just had to go. Since I wouldn’t do it. He did! No more comfort here!