Acting on God’s Voice

Hello SALT. This is a quick, but vital lesson. Ok, not so quick. 

Listen and obey what God tells you.  Even “Godly” people say things that may contradict. Here’s one of my personal examples:

     In regards to Sickle Cell (chronic hereditary blood disorder) and this season, God has told me that “His Grace is Sufficient for me.” He’s had several corroborating scriptures to practically leap off of the page so that I didn’t miss and mess it up. Scriptures that I already knew yes, but of which I had to be reminded in this season (if you want them, let me know and I’ll send them to you). Now, I know He’s told me about His Grace... but so many people of faith come to me with “By His stripes...” and encouragement about having faith. 

    Are they wrong? Am I right? Well, the answer is, “yes”, and “no”, and “not exactly”.  I always listen to what these people are saying, even if it is completely inapplicable. Why do I listen when I know it’s not for me? A few reasons. Random order:

1) God may be using that moment to increase their confidence for evangelizing, or prophesying.

2) It’s ALWAYS good to hear scripture. It just is. 

3) Checking my spiritual barring. Same season? Mission changed? Am I still hearing “My Grace…?”

4) God may be working on my patience. My flesh, which does not like to waste time, wants to simply say, “that’s not for me, remember Paul’s thorns?”

5) Their intentions are pure. 

6) Spiritual maturation is not something you can gauge, by human means. Since we do not have the tools to accurately assess this, we shouldn’t try. Only the Holy Spirit can, and should, do this. Now the problem arises because we CAN see areas of spiritual immaturity. Mostly in others and seldom in ourselves. It’s a foolish thing to try to get someone who is not spiritually mature to understand that God works on countless, shifting seasons, and on simultaneously moving planes. It is difficult for them to understand that while God is consistently telling them that, increasing faith = their breakthrough healing, at the exact same time He’s telling me about His sufficient grace.

Of course both of these situations are mutually correct and accurate. But, it depends on the seasons, and the walks.

We love you, and we are praying for you.

Pastor, Dr. Erroyl and Sis. Pinky

SALT- Saved Anchored Living Transformed

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer: Help us God to learn to discern the season we’re in and the seasons others may be in so we may say things of the Spirit and not of the flesh.

In Jesus’s name, 

Amen

Endure in the season: Unpacking Colossians 4

In the season: Unpacking Col 4 

It’s seasonal, but in most cases in the book of Colossians I can substitute the word and meaning of prison with ailment.  My life has been a medical rollercoaster. Like Paul, I know the reason for my bondage. So, I no longer pray for life’s inclement seasons to end. Now understanding that our Father uses ALL things to shape us. He may be using that valley that you’re going through to humble you. To make you look more like Jesus. I suspect that Jesus was not a handsome lad after having been scourged. That unexpected, right on time, unmerited blessing that you received,... yeah that was Him expanding your completely inadequate understanding of who He is.  He’s bigger than that. He’s stronger than that, and He loves you. I no longer pray for healing, for myself.... Wait, wait, wait... before you stop reading  (labeling me a lunatic no doubt) listen to this. I no longer pray for healing, for myself in regards to certain things. That may seem like an odd thing to hear a pastor or preacher say. Do I want to be healed? Yes.  Do I believe He can do it? Of course, but I know what He has told me corn this season. In many things, most notably the encephalitic coma of 2015, I am in a, “by His stripes, I am healed” situation. But, in others, most notably, Sickle Cell Disease, I am in a, “My Grace is sufficient for you” situation. It’s not time to be healed. DO NOT let anyone tell you that all you need is faith. All you need to do is believe and God will do it. First we must realize the caveat.  His volition; the Father’s will is first and foremost. Secondly, “Faith without work, dead” (James 2:26)

I also don’t pray to be stronger as I used to. Why not? He says to me that, “in your weakness, My strength is made perfect.” Seriously, why would I (anyone) ever want to use my minuscule, ever failing, constantly depleting strength, and forego His infinite stores. So, I do not pray to be stronger. I pray for Him to increase my endurance in all things. After all, “the race is not given to the swift” (Ecc 9:11), right? I pray, “...(Col 4:3) that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— “ I pray for Him to grant me knowledge. To increase my understanding, and to bless me with wisdom.  I pray for the Mind of Christ. 

(Colossians 4:2–6)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

So, while in this season, while trekking through wilderness, climbing this mountain, weathering the storm...Endure. Be ye steadfast. Do not grow weary in well-doing, Endure until the end. 

We love you SALT, and we are praying for you. .   

SALT

~Pastor Erroyl and Sis McGinty 

Sis. Pinky’s Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember that your grace is sufficient, especially during the turbulent times of our lives. We need to always rely on Your strength and not our own.

It is in the majestic name of Jesus we that we pray,  Amen. 

***SALT Ministries is based on Col 4:5-6.  We believe those two verses of scripture are poignant and encapsulate much, if not all that a church needs as its “mission”. 

Stretch... Relax and Breathe

Anyone who has ever seriously exercised will tell you that 'stretching' is a very important part of exercise. Stretching is not necessarily a pain-free event. Especially when your muscles are unused to the movements, and/or are cold from not being recently used. However, stretching is good for preventing injury, before and after a workout, and it allows muscles to grow and heal faster, and eventually stretching helps muscles to work more efficiently and effectively.

Have you noticed that God stretches us? Well He does. And just like with a physical stretching, it is not always pain-free. He puts us in situations that we are not used to being in, or where we are uncomfortable because it is outside of our zone of expertise. He asks us to be patient with people who push our buttons. He asks us to love those who may not necessarily be the most lovable. He asks us to host potluck dinners, home bible studies, summer-school sessions when we are not the most extroverted persons. He asks us to hold our tongues at times when we really, really want to say something. It can be really uncomfortable.
This could be growth for you, or this could be a healing moment for you, either way it's training for you. Your heart muscles might be unused to this sort of expression. Or, it could be cold from nonuse; hurt from misuse or abuse. God wants to use you more. So He trains your heart muscle, He stretches it, warms it up, and gives it a good work out. 

And just like with the physical stretching, this is preparation for growth, healing, and eventually usage (ministry). Those who work out will tell you the best way to deal with, and get the most from a stretch is to relax and breathe. Allow the stretching to accomplish its goal.
As God is stretching us, we can relax and breathe, understanding what His goals are for us. He wants us to grow, heal, and minister.  We cannot properly minister to others if we are not spiritually mature. We have to grow in order to be effective. We cannot properly minister for the Lord if we are hurting. It's very difficult to minister out of pain and hurt. God stretches us, and as we heal we find the strength in Him we need to share with others, and minister to others. 

How is God stretching you? Are you relaxed? Are you breathing? Are you allowing Him to work on your heart? Look at those uncomfortable situations in which you find yourself. See if God is stretching you. See if there is growth, healing, or ministry in the situation for you- from God. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.. Relax and breathe!

I love you, and I am praying for you.
~Pastor Erroyl
SALT