What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do – Word of Encouragement from Pastor Gary

Each of us has our own unique struggles. Yes, there are so many commonalities to various situations; nevertheless, we each bring our individual perspectives into those personal experiences. I frequently receive emails asking for input on a variety of pastoral and ministry situations. Questions like, “How do I approach this subject with the leadership at my church?”, “How do I know when it is time to leave the position I am in?”, “What should I do when ______ happens?”, and “Have you ever been through _____?”  Alisa and I always pray before responding and ask for God’s wisdom to prevail.

There is one small bit of encouragement which I want to share with you today concerning these sort of questions and the title question, “What do I do when I don’t know what to do?”

Whenever you are facing obstacles, just keep moving forward doing the last thing God said for you to do until you hear a definite, new direction from God. When an obstacle is in your way, God will provide a way around it! He will get you through to the other side! He depends on you to keep moving in the direction He has already set before you.

One of the most beautiful illustrations for this was written by Oswald Chambers when he commented on John 7:38. “A river is victoriously persistent; it overcomes all barriers. For a while, it goes steadily on its course; then it comes to an obstacle and for a while it is baulked, but it soon makes a pathway round the obstacle. Or, a river will drop out of sight for miles, and presently emerge again broader and grander than ever. You can see God using some lives, but into your life an obstacle has come and you do not seem to be of any use. Keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you round the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source. Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.”

I pray for this to speak to you! I have already asked our Heavenly Father to minister this word into your spirit with clarity and power. May this be the day you experience the “victorious persistence” of God’s Holy Spirit working through your life and ministry as you continue moving forward to emerge broader and grander!

– Pastor Gary

This Sunday is a Remembrance for the USA

Many churches throughout the USA will be reaching out to their communities as part of the 9/11 remembrance.  If you have not yet thought about what you may do this week, consider some of the following topics.

Heroes – Focus on being a hero for Christ and the characteristics of Christ’s example

Remembering – Tie it into a time for exploring the ordinance of Communion and remembering Christ

Character – A great resource for this topic is the “Building Character and Confidence in Your Kids” lesson at: http://childrensministry.org/estore/building-character-confidence-in-your-kids-complete-service/