The Learning Curve Of Christianity

I shared with my friend yesterday, the phenomenon I keep experiencing with this site. When I revamped it last May and God gave me the idea to schedule the leadership and pastoral positions with a day of the week, my specific concern was repetition and running out of ideas. So, throughout my day, I ask God...

"What would you have for the next Bring ME 70 prayer?"

Without fail, it's not long that something comes to mind or a perspective stands out, that just clicks... as if served up by an angel saying "Here you go." It literally happens all the time; in fact it really does seem like a daily occurrence. The funny part is it's not, hours later. It's moments. It's a matter of seconds. Maybe a few minutes.

Yesterday, I just had to chuckle. And ask again, why it doesn't seem that prayers in other areas of life don't get answered as quick as what God seems to hand me daily for this site. Days and weeks of prayer and thought and conversation; trying to figure out what decisions I should make regarding any number of circumstances. Even then, and may still not have a clue.

This got me thinking about how believers and how life changes after accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are new creations in Christ, for sure. Yet as the Apostle Paul states, we daily take up our cross and follow Christ. Often there is an immediate, physical transformation that takes place in our lives... an addiction is broken or a healing of some kind takes place and those are awesome testimonies. Others, receive Christ, but then continue to struggle with life's issues as they begin their journey of faith.

Why do bad things continue to happen? Why is there still so much struggle in my life? Why aren't situations and circumstances beginning to turn around yet? These considerations serve to place an emphasis on the need of prayer for missionaries and pastors as they minister to new believers. Sometimes we get so caught up in believing how quickly God should turn things around for us, rather than simply focusing on the fact that He will turn things around for us, that we don't allow for His timing and purposes to unfold. 

That can be difficult regardless of how long one has been a Christian, but especially difficult for those whose faith has not yet matured It doesn't make any one believer better than the other, by any stretch of the imagination. I am saying, though, that like any relationship, time has a way of strengthening the bond, so that when life get difficult, we are not easily torn apart New believers are especially susceptible, otherwise, there's not much point to the parable of the sower and where the seeds of faith land.

Pray with me, this #missionsFriday, for those who have recently made a decision to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Pray a protection of their hearts and minds; that the enemy would not come and rob them of the seed of faith that has been planted; nor that the cares and struggles of life would frustrate them and choke their faith. May God work their miraculous in establishing a foundation of faith that will serve them all their days; that they would never fail to seek the face of God and desire His plan and purpose for their lives. May the church be effective in playing it's part, to strengthen and build up each other, in the most Holy faith May the lies of the enemy be thwarted and dismissed, as we call on the name of the Lord and are saved.

To grow and mature in the faith; 
To be used for His glory and honor.
That all would indeed, be made new
​For the cause of Jesus Christ

- PNC

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