I pray that the readers of this blog will be blessed by the words that come forth.
Suggested Text: Romans 11:22-32, I Timothy4:9-16
Since I am just staring out I think its appropriate that I talk a liitle about my background and how I began in the ministry. I was in church from my earliest memories. My family are devout apostolic/pentecostal, and they have been for at least four generations. I loved church for the most part. I was a small child so of course I didnt like the amout of time we spent at church or church services. From the time I was small until I was out of high school, We were at church at least four days a week. sometimes it would even be seven days a week if there was a revival, conference, or church anniversary. Yet, I still loved the feeling I would get walking up to the church and hearing the songs of praise and the hands clapping. You can feel the energy from real rejoicing before you even open the doors. I listened to countless testimonies of deliverance, and of healing and, financial blessings. As a young child I just watched not knowing what was really behind it and I just did what i saw others do and reacted how i saw them react.
I always sang in church, and was pretty well known around the area I grew up in by the time I was ten. Then, as i was coming into my teen years I started to want to know more. It didnt seem right to me to go through the motions if I didnt know what I was worshipping or why I believed what I claim to believe. What was the power that I felt when I sang? I felt it but I knew I had to find it for myself in order to really tap into it. Now I know that some people are on the fence about speaking in tounges, and I understand why. Especially since many practice speaking in tounges in a manner that is inappropriate. I also have a tendency toward skepticism. However when i was 15, I was in a service with my head down praying and crying. I remember that I was so hurt over the break up with my high school boyfriend that I just wanted God to take the pain away. I just felt so tired and I just poured my heart out to God. A few minutes later i heard myself speaking in tounges. Shortly after that I submitted myself as a servant before God. Within a few short months the Lord was using me in all kind of ways. Music played a huge part but by the time i was 17 the Lord was giving me sermons and prophecy. I was hesitant when i heard the call. The Lord would say "Go over there and talk to that lady and I will put the words in your mouth". I wouldnt do it because I was afraid of what people would think and what if it wasn't God but just something in my head. So I did nothing for a while
Then something happened that was so awesome that made it plain. I was the childrens chior director at the time. I had dismissed the children from their bi-monthly choir practice but they stayed. I got on the organ, my cousin was on the drums and the children, who usually couldnt wait to go outside stayed in the sanctuary singing and dancing and playing tambourines. After a while one of the little girls (about 6 years old) came up to the organ while I was playing and said "I want the Holy Ghost." I looked at her face and asked "Really ? Do you know what that means?" "It means that God is inside of me and a part of me." she said. I was kind of caught off guard and I still wasn't sure if she was serious. However I came from behind the organ and I ministered to these little children, none more that 9 years old, about The Holy Ghost, and Love, and God. I used some scripture but I ministered from the heart. Then i told them that if they wanted to recive that no one needed to lay hands on them and all they need do is to sincerely ask the lord and to give themselves over. So, they got down on their little knees at the alter and one by one seven children began to speak in tounges one after another. It was amazing. Some church members were in a meeting next door and came to witness what was going on. I Still feel that it was one of the most amazing things i've ever seen. After that I began to speak to who God told me to and go where i was lead. Ironically some of the things that happened around this caused me not to carry out my ministry where I started out. However i think that was meant to be because If I didn't have such a grey area menality now I would't have broadened my scope. The point is, when you sumbit yourself to the purpose that you are destined for, you will get there one way or another. Your gift will be used and running from it just makes it harder on yourself. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, where you're from, what your gender is, or what you believe in. If you have Love in your heart and you are willing God can use you from where you are right now.
Amen