mepastormike

Today was a fun time at worship. Being the 5th Sunday the service was tailored more for the kids... this means I can be a bit more silly in the things I do as I give the message (I kinda like being more silly). I had a blast teaching the kids about how little things make a big difference... I even did the Mentos and Diet Coke experiment as one of the sermon illustrations. I do pray that God's Word was shared effectively with the folks there (the kids especially).
Tonight at prayer group we read the Scripture in John, chapter 10 about Jesus being the gate and believers being the sheep. Later in this same chapter Jesus referes to himself as the 'good shepherd.' Verse 9 really stuck in my mind..., "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture."
This reminded me of my spiritual walk and the many experiences I have had throughout my Christian walk. When I received Christ as Lord of my life at the age of 24 I knew that He had saved me. God then began to work on my life by leading me to various places and people to give me what I needed at the time... preparing me for what would lie ahead. I can look back on this now and really see how the hand of God was always moving in the background... behind the scenes. God would lead me by His Holy Spirit to "pasture" for a little while here or there; and with that person or the other. He lead me to where I would grow and develop the most/best. Of course I could not usually see this at the time... Looking back I have a much clearer picture to work from.
My devotional reading took me to 1 Corinthians, chapter 2. In this chapter the Apostle Paul writes about how the Spirit will give the wisdom of God. I have come to realize that God's Wisdom will involve the Spirit leading me to places I may not like or feel comfortable with at times, in order to feed my life and have the best possible outcome.