Living Like God wants me to LIVE!

 

I miss my church family when I am away from them. I miss my biological family when I am away from them. I can look back over my lifetime and see a rearview mirror full of people who have influenced my life and people, hopefully, who I have also influenced. I can fondly sit here and remember them and MISS THEM. The ladies at Grace and Mercy, my small group ministry in Bluffton, Paxton, Shiloh, my CMA family, my Missionary Ventures Family, my County Line Church family, all of these people had such an impact on who I am. I miss them and I am not sure you realize how much you mean to Stephanie and I. But, the CALLING has changed. I am perfectly happy with the change, but admit, I miss my former ministry partners. I do pray for them. God honors our time together and so do I. 

Here is a little scripture that prompted me to think about those disciples of Jesus who we have moved on from. 

"So, we keep on praying for you, asking God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.. Then the Lord Jesus Christ will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, NLT)

God sends some pretty amazing people through our lives. They help us grow and I pray they also grow in their faith, understanding their calling. I sort of feel like Paul, Silas, and Timothy who wrote this letter. They were called to serve the church at Thessalonica, but then were called on to serve others as well. They only had brief times to together, to see each other, and connect. That is what WE are doing right now. I am thankful for God's amazing work in the lives of people we touch, but, he at times calls us to move on. My prayer is the same for my former ministry families. Just like these three men I am praying for them, that they would be living lives that God wants them to live. Lord be with them and help them accomplish the GOOD THINGS you have called them to complete.

At some point, the people at SM will also move past Stephanie and I. I pray they will also continue their work of ministry, serving the Lord and living worthy of their calling. 

Heavenly Father, Please be with the people of SM and all the other ministries we have been a part of. I pray you will prompt and guide them as they seek your will. I pray they will walk in your ways, always, and Lord I pray, most of all, that the name of GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST will be honored and praised through their work. Amen!