The New Toy

Subject: The New Toy Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:26 pm

Of late I have noticed a habit troubling in myself, so I am going to be open with you... my brothers and my sisters... and share something that troubles me, as well as something that hopefully will mean something to at least one of you. After all... isn't that what testimony is supposed to do? So here we go...

Have you ever noticed how when you get something new, you are all kinds of fired up about it? I know I have and God showed me a perfect example of that. I'm a pretty big gadget junky and that means that whenever something new comes out, I generally want it... or HAVE to have it! I offer up my phone as a prime example. When the droid first came out, I HAD TO HAVE IT!!! I wanted to get it before everyone else did... so I did just that. Then the Droid X came out and I found a way to get it and give my "old" droid away. Now... giving myself just a teeny bit of credit, I did manage to keep that one for a year... that was until the Droid Razor just came out. You know the one with all the commercials about how top secret it is and how there is a guy chasing it down on a motorcycle to "keep it from falling into the wrong hands". Well yes... I got it and it rocks! But here's the thing... the old one still worked just fine. Was it slower and a little more beat up? Sure. But did it still work and did I own it? Yes!

I tell you all this for a reason. In ministry... the one that God has called us to... we, or I, tend to get very excited right out of the shoot. Then the thing is, once problems come along and the newness ware's off, I tend to look for the next big thing in my life. Now... that is not to say that God isn't calling me to do other things but it does mean that just because he is doesn't mean that I am to neglect what he had called me to in the first place. Just because the newness is gone and it's not as sparkly as I first thought does not release me from the calling. Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. This means it simply can not happen. It doesn't go away.

Here is the thing. Life and sometimes satan are going to throw things your way in order to keep you from or completely stop you from doing what God has called you to do. For us to think that it's going to roll along with no bumps and no bruises is to show our simple way of thinking as well as our selfish sides. This is what I'm dealing with now. I feel like my life is going a hundred miles an hour and therefore have not time to do some of the things that God has and is still calling me to. However when I look back and consider the foolish things I wasted time on, I see just how much ministry I could have done... and thoroughly enjoyed as well. My family in Christ Jesus... I ask you prayers and love and advice... as well as maybe a little testimony telling of how you came through this if you've ever gone through it. I have such a short time on this earth and I do not want to waste that that I do.

Thank you and I love you all!

Henry

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So say we all!

Subject: Re: The New Toy Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:45 am

Henry, I don't have an answer, but I do know that the "Joy of the lord is my Strength". I think that we to often judge success my mans standards instead of what God says, and it kills our joy and takes the focus off the real prize. Even in ministry it is tempting to compare our numbers/ministry with someone else's. If more people follow/listen to them, then they must be more successful than us and we are tempted to copy them. We compare what we have (our gadgets) with the newest, best or with what someone else has, instead of what we really need. I hope that makes a little sense. They key may be to search for any sin in our life, that may be causing us to desire something that God does not want for us.

In Him
Scott

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A hero does what’s right even if it costs them everything!!! Wink

Subject: Re: The New Toy Fri Dec 23, 2011 11:04 am

I'm praying for you. I may post more on this later.

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When I am weak, then I am strong! cheers

Subject: Re: The New Toy Fri Dec 30, 2011 10:02 pm

Thank you guys for all the prayers and support! I have decided to start getting out often by way of finding ways to serve others and help to meet their needs if possible. I LOVE LOVE LOVE doing the ministry that God has called me to, both here as well as doing the podcast but I also felt that something was missing.

That thing that was missing was being able to meet people one on one and face to face. To fix that, I am starting to go to hospitals as well as getting involved with faith city. Also... God put it on my heart to start looking people in the eyes as I come into contact with them and to tell them, "God bless you". Not just to say it as I walk out the door but to be genuine about it. I have noticed that they tend to be so touched by the gesture that they will open right up and I get a chance to minister for Christ! Most of the time, anyway. Sometimes I just get an annoyed look as they walk away. lol.

Curious... how do you all approach ministry with people you come into contact with? I can use all the starters I can get!

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So say we all!

Subject: Re: The New Toy Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:32 am

Years ago we did a teen camp that was totally focused on losing sight of what God has called you to do. They taught about it all week. Then they played a game where they gave us a simple "ministry." We were supposed to take Bibles up the hill to the "missionaries." Only one objective! Nothing else! They threw every distraction they could at us! They tempted us to just have fun. When we gave in to that temptation, we ended up in Satan's "jail" and couldn't get out until we called on the name of the Lord. But they also tempted us with a lot of "good works." They would come and say, "Scott needs you in the chapel. He has an errand for you" or Ron needs help setting up for the service tonight. The list went on and on. The end result? With about 100 kids playing the game and 1000 Bibles that were supposed to be delivered, less than 100 made it up to the top of the mountain. It was a powerful lesson on what Satan will do to distract us from God's plan. That is Satan's entire motive for his existence at this point - to foil God's plans!

I think everyone struggles with this to an extent. Don’t beat yourself up. We all need to be encouraged to ask ourselves if what we are doing helps us meet the goals and ministry God has set for us. Satan will even try to mess with us within the ministry. When we were doing a lot of counseling, Satan would send people to us who had no intention of changing just to waste our time. Sometimes, it takes a lot of discernment. The blessing that you have is a lot of supportive people around you to help keep you grounded! And this site is a good place for accountability! I’m praying for you! Don’t get discouraged! And don’t be too hard on yourself – like I said…we all struggle with this!

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When I am weak, then I am strong! cheers

Subject: Re: The New Toy Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:26 am

Great stuff Mo' Love it!

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http://myles-barfield.blogspot.com/