Monday, November 29, 2010

Getting out of the comfort zone

The last 6 months of this year I have had a lot on my mind - God has been pulling on my heart and stirring me to step up higher. A strong hunger and desire to do something for God has taken hold me of me. Not that it wasn't there before, but it has become so much stronger. Above anything else I want to be used of Him and see His mighty works on the earth. The great testimonies of God's miracle working power that I have grown up hearing about, I now want for myself and for my church. Revival and Evangelism are the 2 things we need to be about! But in order for us to have revival and see things happen like they did in the Bible, we need to get out of our comfort zone. The reason things aren't happening like they should be is because we are not doing enough! Yes, we are working for God - we teach Sunday school, go on outreach, stay faithful to services, play the piano, lead songs, usher - and all those things are important. But are we really living it? Is it in your heart to pray and get ahold of God everyday? Are you hungry for more of Him?

Revival, miracles, outpouring of the Holy Ghost - We can have all of these things, but we have to get out our comfort zones! We can't just go through the daily routine and expect great things to happen, but understand that we are not waiting on God: He is waiting on US. God has already promised all of these things to us and is waiting on us to make a move towards Him and show Him we really want it. Jesus told his disciples in Matthew chapter 17 that, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." But in the very next verse, He says, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

You see, we can have the miracles! We can have revival! We just need to be willing to do what it takes to get it. Everyone wants revival, but not everyone is willing to prepare. Sacrificing your time isn't comfortable, and neither is fasting. Getting out of your shell and telling somebody about the gospel might not be the easiest thing for you, but the Lord will take care of the rest if we will just do our part! God isn't going to come into your comfort zone. He expects you to get out of it and start praying and fasting and seeking Him!

Are you tired of being intimidated to witness? Are you longing for the glory of God to fall in your services? Do you want to be a witness and feel the anointing to talk to someone at a grocery store or on the street? Dueteronomy 2:2-3 says, "And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward." It's time to step out of your comfort zone. When you do, things will being to happen!

Intimidation is one of the things I have struggled with myself, and I know it is the will of God for me to get past it because He wants me to be a witness - that is what He has called us to be! Tonight I was at the grocery store and I saw a guy and girl sitting outside the door on the ground. They were ringing a bell for donations - something they always do around the holidays. I felt like I needed to go talk to them. *Side Note: If you ever wonder, 'Is God telling me to go talk to that person or is it just my imagination?' Just remember that He is not willing that ANY should perish. He wants you to witness! And even if they don't respond, it doesn't mean that you didn't do the right thing* I am the type of person that feels uncomfortable randomly walking up to someone and starting a conversation; so I was thinking to myself, what is a good way to start a conversation? All I know is that I need to just open my mouth and say something and God will help me. I guess the biggest thing we fear is being rejected - but my prayer is that I will not care about being rejected, but keep on going until I find somebody who is hungering after God. So I saw these young people on the way in to the store. I came out on the other side...I felt the nudge from God again, so I went back in the store, bought a pack of M&Ms, and went back out but on the side where they were sitting to give them a donation. I said "You guys are probably freezing!" They were! Then I asked if they had ever been to a Pentecostal church. They said no. I told them we're having revival and gave them an invitation. I told them they would definitely feel the presence of God and that is is life changing. I didn't know what they would say but the girl said sincerely, "It sounds like it. I need something life changing." And they thanked me. The look in their eyes...it got to my heart. They were so lost.

We have to do this wherever we go. We can't try and decided if that person will want God or not because we don't know their hearts. God may already be dealing with them. You just never know. Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 says, "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

It did something in me. I can't just sit around because there are people out there who are desperate and searching. This world is so dark and they need someone to shine as a light and show them the way. I am determined to step up higher and live my life as a witness, telling people about the Holy Ghost and what God wants to do for them! There is nothing like "catching a fish." Bro. Joel Booker preached a message about that at west coast and I won't forget it. God help us to get over ourselves and step out of our comfort zone.

Isaiah 66:8 - "...For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children."
Revival is outside of our comfort zone!

4 comments:

Elibunny said...

Wow Bunny...this is amazing and so so so so true. I am like you and most young people out there...intimidated to just go out there and outreach but that's what needs to be done. The people out there WANT what we have, and what better time to share the joy God gives us than Christmas time? You are an awesome girl and I pray that God will continue to use you! And the message by Bro. Booker was awesome! We need to reel in those fish so they can bring in more fish!
Love you lots.

Anonymous said...

This is so true, very God sent post, thanks it is already incouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, im 19 and i go thru all that same stuff also, it has been the hardest thing to do to just step out in faith and speak to people, thanks again God bless--Matt 5:13-14
FYI- gowinsouls.com bro.daniel powers preaches an amazing message about souls titled "Seeing the value of a soul" it helps me more and more every time i hear it...

Mary Frances said...

Thats AWESOME Jen!!! I'm the same way!!! SOmetimes I find the courage to be a witness and sometimes I dont...There is a girl that works at the grocery store at Frys and I KNOW God wants me to invite her to church! I always talk to her everytime I am there but I haven't asked her yet. I'm going to tomorrow PREPARED in Jesus name to invite her!!! Thanks for sharing this!!! :)

Jennifer Connell said...

Eli - You've definitely got what it takes. Keep inviting people to church and being a witness! Love you too!

Anonymous - I'm glad the post helped you. Our highest calling is to be a witness and I know you can do that if you have the desire. Thanks for sharing!

Mary - You go girl! And don't be afraid to tell her what you feel at your church and what God has done for you and so many other people there. They need to know that God is moving and that we are different from everybody else!