Clarity

In the last few blogs we've talked about struggles and how they make us feel. Its not always our problem with God and why He does some things for us and not other things; I'm finding it has alot to do with my lack of understanding and my limited faith. Last night I visited a church to hear a wonderful minister share the Word and it was right on target for me. I wrote notes as fast as I could and want to include a highlight of Clint Brown's sermon for you. If you find yourself described in any of these scriptures, I pray you gain the clarity, the understanding, and the faith to move forward.

Six Types of People in the Church- (Habakkuk 3:17)

Though the fig tree does not bud...Fig leaves were used as a covering. Many Christians are coming to church week after week feeling like they have no covering. They are walking under the weight of past sins and not experiencing the liberty of Christ's love. Yes there has been sin but if we've been forgiven, then we are assured that Christ's love covers a multitude of sin. We don't have to remain weighed down with guilt, shame, and embarrassment any longer.

and there are no grapes on the vines...Grapes were crushed for wine to use during special ceremonies, especially communion. Too many people in church are feeling hurt and alone. They don't seem to have any understanding from the brothers, no covenant with one another, no one to connect with, to share their heart with. That's a problem for too many people including church leadership. If there is no connection, there is no evangelism, no discipleship, no moving forward.

though the olive crop fails...Olives are used to make anointing oil, which is used to pray for healing. There is a shortage of oil; none being poured on wounds to minister healing to the hurting. Jesus showed his scars first to those that had doubt and uncertainty. He does not want us to hang our heads in shame because of past sins and hurts. It will cause us to miss out on extending the healing oil to someone else that needs it desperately. We can use our experiences to help someone else.

and the fields produce no food...There are also those of us that have planted the right things in the kingdom but instead of getting a great harvest, we received issues in return. We have yet to receive the good we've sown. Oh I'm soo there! Yes we've been spoiled. And by none other than the Lord himself. He loves us so much and blesses us with all kinds of blessings so when He changes the direction of his hands over our lives for a little refining, we overreact and immediately think we've done something wrong.

though there are no sheep in the pen...This person finds that people you thought were trustworthy are not always as trusting as you thought. They've always been there for you! Until now. If you plan to move forward with the Lord, realize you will have to disengage yourself with people that refuse to move higher in God.

and no cattle in the stalls...No excess, no abundance to fall back on. No bail out for this situation. There is no possible way out of this as far as you can see so only God can make it happen. You no longer have any answers.

Vrs 18,19- yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Even though you may feel some or all of these ways described above, I hope you choose to rejoice in the Lord. Oh I pray you can bring yourself to do this. You won't regret it! The Lord will use our rejoicing to take us higher...to see over our situations and issues to where He has planned for us in the distance. When all the supports we've depended on go away and we're left to simply trust AND OBEY, that's where we will find the higher places in God. Its not about our situations, its about our understanding and how that understanding affects our faith. You are not a wimp! YOU ARE A WARRIOR!