June 13, 2007
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ugh. i hate when IE interprets css differently than firefox. i always forget to check IE >:|
_________________________________________________Yesterday I went to the Brooklyn Tabernacle prayer meeting with Tinx and Wendy. It had always been on my list of to-dos to visit there again, especially since I work a block away.
It was not really what I had expected, which was a lengthy time just to talk to God. Instead, it proceeded more like a service- there was worship, a message, and intermittent prayer times. Pastor Jim Cymbala (
) said he had a word from God, and he mentioned that he did not say that lightly. The verse was:
The LORD said to Samuel,
"How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king
over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending
you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
1 SAM 16:1The message was essentially to "LET GO." In the verse, God is speaking directly to his prophet Samuel, telling him to mourn no longer over Saul's disobedience and subsequent consequence. God is telling Samuel to let go and MOVE ON as He has chosen a new king (David) that is to be anointed. Pastor Cymbala spoke about if there is anything that we have been holding on to for awhile, perhaps God is telling us to let go, leave it alone, and move on. We need to accept when things are dead, will not change, especially when it is His will that such a situation has occurred. Initially, I couldn't really find an application with this message regarding my life. I don't.. hold on to many things. I aim to be efficient, am fairly decisive, and usually allow logic to supersede emotion. Then, he started speaking about churches.
He said there are so many Christians who just stay in churches that are not biblically based, where they are not growing and just waiting for things to change. They stay when God is telling them to let go and be on their way. Pastor Cymbala said how these Christians often say they must be loyal and he questioned where their loyalty stands. Are they loyal to the church? They should be loyal to God! He told us an anecdote about how he was blessed because when he was young, his parents left the church they were in to prayerfully find a place that would provide real nourishment. He said how his relatives all attended their old church and how there was much talk against them leaving. Pastor Cymbala said, "Isn't that always how Satan works? Suddenly people start making up nonsense to say about you?" I think I wanted to cry when I heard that. He said that if you are in that situation, do NOT try to change the church. The church will not change unless God changes the leaders. If you try to change the church, from your rank and file, it can be seen as rebellion. Why God did not give me this message half a year ago, I do not know. Pastor Cymbala said that God is saying that you don't need to concern yourself with that church anymore; you will not be held responsible for it. Move on, there is work to be done.
The message spoke to me so much, especially since Ray and I will be seeing some people from our past soon. I've been pretty apprehensive but His words remind me that He is in control. hallelujah. I am so thankful for NYCAC and coming here will be my testimony for awhile. Pastor Cymbala also spoke a bit about letting go of relationships that are dead and I wish one of my friends had heard this message too. If I can find a recording, I'll upload it up here. I respect Pastor Cymbala so much; he doesn't care to follow all the bs so prevalent in Christian culture. Everyone should read his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. If you want to read it, I'll buy it for you. serious.
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