The Journey to Finding a Church Home

After praying, fasting, and seeking the Lord, in October of 2014, the Lord called my husband and I away from the ministry we spent the last year and a half serving in. We married in February of 2013, my husband moved to Pennsylvania from Missouri, and we decided as a couple to search for a new church home.

In April of 2013 we actively began searching for a new place to grow spiritually. After visiting church after church, we finally visited one which we both liked. After about 1-2 Sundays we decided to actively join the church. We joined the church rather quickly, and based on what WE wanted. Now i won't say we weren't meant to serve there because really we learned about ministry in a way we never imagined, and I thank God for that season in our lives. However the Lord began to separately reveal things to the both of us and made it clear that it was time for us to move on. When God showed us both this we obeyed quickly and left the church. People didn't understand, told us we were crazy, said we must have been offended, were having marriage issues or something of that like. But you see the things that the Lord tells you to do won't always make sense to those around you, saved or unsaved.

Now if I can be real, leaving the church was not easy for me, not because of the church itself but because I was comfortable. I was comfortable with going to church Sunday after Sunday even if I didn't feel fed, even if I didn't feel loved, even if I didn't grow. I had realized that the things we feel comfortable doing or being in may not be where the Lord wants us. You see following Jesus isn't comfortable, but we have comfort in him. During this time of being uncomfortable the Lord allowed and taught me how to have comfort in him.

 

You see during this season I've learned some very important things. The thing that I found uncomfortable God used to help build my faith in him.

 

Some things I learned:

 

1.) When the Lord tells you something, obey quickly.--You see often times, the Lord is protecting us from things we do not see. We might be so busy questioning God that we end up falling into the same thing that he was trying to save us from. You see we need to stop figuring everything out before we obey the Lord, just OBEY!!

 

1 Samuel 15:22b KJV
...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

 

2.) Trust God through the process.--If I can be honest, I mean totally honest, there were days when we would visit churches and I would leave confused, frustrated, and plain lost. During this time I had to realize to trust God, if God told us something, I have to trust that he will provide. I also have to trust that in due time would give us the instruction of where to go.

 

Proverbs 3:5 KJV
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

3.) Have patience--Paticence is key. I have learned to be patient in this time. I will be honest in saying it has not always been this way. At first I was frustrated, I just wanted a church home, so bad to the point that I was willing to settle anywhere. In this time I had to be reminded that it can take time!! One thing my husband has told me multiple times during this process is its like a relationship, you have to date and get to know someone before you just jump up and marry them. I have learned this thing takes time, and I have learned to rest and trust God in this process.

 

4.) Pray--Last but not least pray, pray, pray. Prayer is our way to directly communicate with the Lord. Finding a church home is a very major decision. The ministry you join is to help grow not hinder your walk with the Lord. You don't want to walk and join a church that doesn't even challenge you in your walk. I have learned to pray and ask the Lord where can I be fed and grow spiritually Lord show me.

 

Romans 12:12 KJV
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

I have learned so much in this season, and the Lord has been truly faithful. This season has literally taught me to depend on the Lord. I have learned that looking for a church home is not meant to be a single decision made by me and my husband alone, but that the Lords decision is our decision. I have learned to trust God, I have learned patience, I have learned resting. It wasn't until I stopped trying to lead myself and figure it out on my own that God could lead and guide me. Two people can't drive one car. So I let go of the wheel, I let him drive, and I am sitting back enjoying the ride. 

 

So I write this to encourage you, if God is leading you to do anything, don't look for the approval of those around you but look for the approval of the Lord. If he says go, go if he says stay, stay, whatever he says to do, do it. Trust God, and ask him to lead and clearly guide you. God is a present help, let him help you. Don't lose hope or faith, God is with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. And remember if God brought you to it he can bring you through it.

 

I will be sharing more on this journey along the way. The Lord has lead my husband and I to an amazing place of fellowship. We are every Sunday visitors for the time being. Will this be our church home? Only the Lord knows, but we are resting and trusting him. We ask for & appreciate prayer for us in this journey!

 

Until next time....God bless you,

Tamika

 

Got friends?

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17 KJV)

I don't know about you but being real, when I gave my life to Christ and really began to walk it out, I lost a lot of people who were close to be. A lot of relationships I once had were gone, people stopped talking to me, stopped hanging out with me, and forgot I even existed. Now being real, when it happened I looked at God like you know what Lord maybe I made a mistake, maybe I am taking this whole walk to serious. When I said this, the Lord reminded me of a few things, 1.) I had prayed to be more like him 2.) to follow him meant to lose some things including people and 3.) I needed to depend on him and not people. You see my season of complete isolation and abandonment was to teach me Christ was all I need. And boy oh boy did I know that. My husband and I joined a church, and made many connections. But guess what? When we left the church the connections suddenly stopped. Again I am questioning Lord what's going on? Why is everyone being stripped away? God once again reminded me that I just needed to trust him. And I'm like but God I am mad at them? God reminded me when you turned away from me I forgave and had grace for you do the same.

In my season of being alone I kept hearing over and over again, God cares about the small stuff. To me friendships was a small thing, I mean God has so much to do he doesn't have time for my request. So in my stubbornness, I prayed about it. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I didn't pray for any old friendship but women who were truly sold out for Christ, who would encourage and uplift me, who would direct me back to the word, who would pray for me. Little did I know God would answer that prayer, with not just one but many sisters. 

You see there's a organization called Pinky Promise started by Heather Lindsey. You can view more on her website at http://www.pinkypromisemovement.com. So the ladies meet once a month to do studies. About 3-4 months ago one of the ladies stepped out on Gods instruction and started a group in our city. I decided to join and get connected. During this time I was still hesitant, thinking I won't fit it, they won't like me excuse after excuse. So the first two meetings I missed and even tried to skip out on the third. The Lord dealt with me, reminding me to let go of the hurts I had from past friendships and to trust him. So I went to the meeting and man what I would have missed had I not gone. 

We sat around and fellowships, talked about the Lord for hours, it was so refreshing. I mean these women genuinely love Christ. We did a study first and then after had girl time, did facials and just talked. You see had I stayed at home, I could have missed out on Gods answer to my prayer. You see before this meeting I was struggling, I wasn't making God a priority honestly, I wasn't spending time like I should I was not praying, had missed some time at church due to moving, I was literally running on empty. These women encouraged me so much I ran home and got right in my word, right back to praying. My love for God was re-ignited!! The thing that I really love about these ladies is that we are all different ages, from all different walks of life, yet all out here trying to live for something greater, and that is God. The Lord totally blew my mind!

If your in a season of isolation I am here to say be encouraged! Pray pray and pray. As God leads you, get connected with women who share the same beliefs as you. Join a Pinky Promise group, or start your own, they are literally all over the world (link listed above).  It can be one women or ten, no matter the number never put a limit on what the Lord can do. Be encouraged and trust God to give you what you need when you need it.

I love you all!

God bless

Tamika