When God say's No

Have you ever gone to church and got exactly what you needed?  Of course you have, and that is exactly what happened to me today! I’m going to share the sermon my Pastor (Willie C Barnes) preached today (well my notes from the sermon, and my take on it). The title of his sermon was “When God says no”  2 Corinthians 12:7-10

This sermon was right on time for the New Year. A lot of people like to “name and claim” things and then get so discouraged when God says “No” or doesn’t answer their prayer in the way they want it to be answered. We take certain scriptures (usually out of context.) and try to justify why God should just give us what we want right when we ask it. (Ask God in the context of his plan) As Children of God we have to remember and fully understand that for one God is not a personal genie, but he sits on the throne and he has a plan. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says that God’s plan is to give us an expected end. We know our expected end. We know its victory; it’s winning and reigning with Christ! We have to go into our situations already KNOWING that regardless of what happens, you came into this a champion and you will walk away the same!

 Not only does God have a plan, but he has a purpose. He has all given us a purpose on this earth.  We all have a purpose and that is to spread the gospel. Now the way you do it, is another purpose, and that purpose is armed with the gifts God has given you to fulfill that said purpose.  God’s purpose for our lives might result in him saying no to us. We may want to leave our job to go do something else, but how do you know it’s not God’s purpose for you to be there and minister to those around you on your job? (I can give testimony to that. I’ve wanted to leave my job, but God had/has me here to minister to coworkers, and people I came in contact with while at work.) We have to remember though we plan and come up with a reason and a purpose to do things, we have to remember, if we’re about Kingdom business, we have to put God’s plan and purpose first. We have to trust God and his purpose. Proverbs 3:5 says “trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding”. We know that God is not going to steer us wrong. It may not make sense to us, but we can trust God, because all things work together!

God has a plan, and purpose and a will. God’s will for our lives is salvation. That is why he sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. That was God’s will. We have to have such a trust and a faith in God that we are okay with abandoning our will for his will. Even Jesus had to abandon his will for God’s in Luke 22:42 “saying, Father if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done”.  We have to get comfortable with saying “nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” That phrase is so profound. It shows the faith, the trust, the confidence that one has in God. Your humbling yourself and saying “God, I really think I should try it this way, but because you’re omnipotent, because you’re omniscient, because you’re omnipresent, because you’re Jehovah Jireh, because you’re Jehovah Nissi, because you’re Jehovah Rapha, because you’re the great I am, because you’re alpha and omega, and everything in between, because you can’t change, because you won’t lie, because you will never leave me nor forsake me, because you first loved me, I will abandon my will, for your perfect will.

Now I know it’s easier said than done to abandon or will for God’s, simply because we think we know what we’re doing, when God has shown us time and time again that we don’t. It’s easier to hold on and do the things we can see, instead of stepping out and trusting something we are unsure of. Completely normal for us to have those feelings and thoughts, but we can’t let that fear (that’s basically what it boils done to) override doing what we know is best, which is trusting God.

Sometimes God’s “No” is his way of keeping us humble. It's his way of keeping us seeking after him, it's keeping us needing him and remembers where our help comes from. His No helps us remember his power. If God gave some of us some of the things we prayed for we would absolutely lose it. Some people might even put those things in the place of God and have idols. If God gave you that husband/wife or that job promotion you’ve been praying for, would you keep God at the forefront of your life? Would you begin to worship that job or that husband/wife. Would you look to praise the doctors instead of God if he had given you that healing right then and there? 2 Corinthians 12:9 says “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest”.  

God’s No is grace and favor. God’s No is power in our weakness; God’s no is promoting humility, and exercising our faith in him.

 God’s no is really yes.

If you love someone tell them

I love you

Destaynee

What would cause a Christian to leave their local church?

From reading the title, I’m sure your brain has already formulated reasons as to why a Christian would leave their local church. Reasons like money hungry pastors, taking multiple “offerings”, preachers preaching word that is not sound doctrine, preaching opinion’s and personal biases as opposed to the gospel, preaching prosperity and not salvation, messy ministries, and church member’s etc. There are various reasons why a Christian would leave their local church.

Have you ever met someone that was spiritually sound, but when it came time to inquire about what church they attend, they say “Oh I don’t belong to a local church”, and when you invite them to your church, they say “Oh thank you, but I’m sure I won’t be visiting”. When I heard this response, I was like wow she either doesn’t feel the need to have an under-shepherd who she can learn from and grow spiritually, or she’s been hurt by the church in the past. I usually go with the latter, because what Christian wouldn’t want to learn and grow more spiritually? I can’t judge people that leave their local church because recently I’ve been faced with the same decision.

Now there is nothing bad I can say about my local church. I love my Pastor and the ministers, and the minister’s wives, and some of the other lovely people I’ve come in contact since being here.( a lot of them, have really embraced me, especially me being a single mother) The only problem I have with the physical church(any church), are the people inside, pretending and posing to be a part of THEE church. I’m talking about the “aints”, not to be mistaken as saints. (I know someone somewhere is saying, well aren’t you judging folks?) Well somewhere in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 is says “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you”  and in the 22nd verse says "Abstain from all appearance of evil". You need to know who you’re dealing with. You need to know not only so you can guard your heart, because you can’t receive everything from everyone. Also so you can know how to speak to them, can’t feed a baby meat, they need milk. So it’s not for judgmental reasons.

For the record, leaving the local church does not mean one has turned their back on God or on their faith. It’s not easy to deal with God’s “special” children. Also Church is for relationship reasons, building your relationship with Christ. Not for ritual or social reasons. Sadly a lot of Christians don’t realize they are doing things religiously and for social status within the church instead of for their relationship with Christ or fulfilling their service to God. Only what’s done for God will stand.

 Just because one leaves their church doesn’t mean they can’t do God’s work.  A lot of ministries (in my opinion) might be more effective if they got involved more with the community. Reach those that are ashamed to come to the church because of the judgment and lack of love and mercy shown to those that may have fallen. God meets us where we are; let’s meet others where they are too.

I’ve been faced with the decision to leave my local church or to stay. I know you’re wondering, well Des if you love your church so much, what would cause you to contemplate leaving it? That’s a very fair question.

As I stated more so on facebook and twitter, past few months have been extremely rough. Long story short some unresolved issues within my family resurfaced causing a major disconnect and misunderstanding and miscommunication. A man from my church, whom I thought was trustworthy (because I saw him in church, he was friendly not only to my son, but to other boys wanting to learn to play the drums) extended his hand to help my son and I out during these trying times opened his house to my son and myself.  Granted during this time I was depressed, had an anxiety attack, my world was up in the air and I wasn’t sure what was what. I was extremely vulnerable. This man who is 30years plus years my senior posing to have the 4 P’s (a provider, a priest, a protector and a prophet) but really had the other 4 P’s( predator, pretender, perpetrator, and phony) not only preyed on my vulnerability, but took advantage of it. Manipulation, control, scare tactics using God, twisting of scripture to not only get what he wanted, but to control and scare to say the least. This person lied/shared about everything I’ve disclosed to them to other people, probably more than I know.

I know you’re saying well Destaynee, you’re very mature spiritually how could you allow someone to twist scripture and do all these things. Again, fair question, but until you’re in the situation you’ll never know how you’ll respond. I was at one of the lower points of my life and felt as though I had no one. I was a perfect candidate for someone with a sinister plan and scheme; I appear quite vulnerable being a single parent who writes a very transparent blog. One thing is for sure is that I’m a child of God, and God has a great way of protecting his children. Though this experience has been traumatic to Daniel and myself, God held my hand through it all, and he will continue to.

Age does NOT equate wisdom nor does it equal spiritual soundness or spiritual understanding or correct interpretation of the scriptures.

False prophets are NOT limited to the tv screens, or the pulpit. They are everywhere on fb, Twitter, in the church, in the choir, etc... Don’t be fooled into thinking false prophets only "look" one way. Everyone in the church.... is not in THEE church.

Know God for yourself, know the word for yourself and discern, discern discern!

Also if a person has to convince you they are being “led” by God, they usually aren’t, and are just using God to manipulate you. When a person is led by God, they don’t have to announce it every time “God speaks to them”, because of the peace God will give to those in the situation.

(Disclaimer: My blog is not to bash, anyone or anything I talk about. It is solely to give my experiences and to share what I’ve learned. I know I’m not the only person facing the things I’ve faced, so I’m giving a voice to those too shy to speak up or a relief to those that think they are alone. Being a PK, I know what it’s like not being able to talk to anyone, so I want to be that for others, and I want my blog to be that for others also. We will overcome by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony. Testimony’s are to be shared, regardless of how small or how big, how popular or unpopular. Every time I write, I’m risking judgment, from my peers, family, friends, strangers whomever. I’m to the point, where my life is not about me. We go through things not only for us to learn, but to help someone else, and for God to get the glory. My whole life is a testimony of God’s love for me, his keeping power, being my provider, his mercy and grace showered upon me. I can’t keep quiet about it, no matter how a person may look down on me or exile me.)

As far as me leaving my church, I feel my reasons would be valid, but satan, can’t beat me that easily. If I can sit in the same building with a man that raped me, surely I can be in the same building as someone that tried to ruin me and my family.

Forgiveness is divine, trust me, I couldn’t do it on my own.

If you love someone tell them

I love you

Sincerely,

Once was blinded, but now has perfect vision.

Destaynee