Quote from Forum Archives on December 8, 2003, 8:30 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I've been unable to write much lately because of limited
Internet access. When I'm able to send this to you it will mean
that I've at least been able to gain some access.

Larry Davies has written one of his usual honest and revealing
messages. The main devotional is one he has shared before, the
Email message he shares just came in. Both messages are about
the importance of seeking God - and finding Him in prayer.

Yours in Christ,
Brian
_____________________________

Sowing Seeds of Faith...

First... This email arrived early this morning.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqui [mailto:jacqui@icegroup.co.za]

Dear Rev. Davies, A few weeks ago I searched for a website of
prayer and faith. I happened to see yours and decided to see
what it was all about. I desperately needed prayer and my faith
in God restored. I decided to put in a prayer request for
financial freedom and faith in God. I expected to receive an
informal computer generated note. What I received instead was
awesome.

Within a few days I received prayer mail from around the world.
I made new Christian friends. My faith in mankind was restored.
I could hope again. The prayers were so personal. Every single
person who responded actually took the time to read what I
needed and prayed. Not only that, but they contacted me and
personally ministered to me: No judgments, reprimands, insults
and disgust. I received total understanding, Christian love and
devotion to my prayer needs. That is awesome. I received advice,
encouraging email, UNDERSTANDING for my situation and love,
love, love.

Rev. Davies, thank your team from the depth of my soul. In this
short time God is already blessing us? I testify today that we
serve a miracle working GOD. Please continue to pray for us. We
need to grow so much. Please ask God to bless us, to strengthen
us, to keep us faithful, patient, obedient, quiet and loyal.
Please pray for all of us. Thank you for restoring our faith.
With love and gratitude: Jacqui, Peter, Matthew and Jenna.

You too can be one of our thousands of prayer partners around
the world. Just click here to receive one, two or even three
prayer lists per week with requests from all over the world.
Most of them contain email addresses and you can write to them
personally. Click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

To read part one click here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/ChoirandMinister.htm

"The Minister and the Choir: A Lesson on Talent and Humility"
Part 2 Larry Davies

Thanks to my less-than-inspired leadership our choir members
were arguing, the congregation was mumbling and I was
bewildered. "What's wrong with our choir?" I wondered.
Actually, the problem was not with the choir but with me. I was
about to receive a lesson on spiritual leadership courtesy of
God and our real choir director. At this point she stood up and
said, "Larry, can I make a suggestion?"

"Please!" I responded with obvious relief.

"Will you say a prayer and ask God to guide and lead you and our
choir?" she asked. Wow! With one simple request, our choir
director taught the most critical lesson of spiritual
leadership.

To be an effective choir you should first ask God join.

What could I say? "I will be glad too." As I prayed for God's
guidance, I began to feel a sense of assurance God was in
control of the choir, of our church and of me. All along, I
thought quality spiritual leadership depended more upon me... my
talents, my take-charge attitude and creativity. Instead, God
was seeking my submission to His talents, His attitude,
creativity and perfect will. "Amen," I said and for a moment
there was silence. Then God's Spirit began to move within our
choir:

"I would love to sing a solo if you need me but whatever you
decide is fine."

"I've been doing an awful lot of solos lately. Maybe it is time
for a change."

"Dan, I was kidding about playing the organ but could I play the
piano with you sometime?"

"Excuse me. What are we singing again? In all the confusion I've
forgotten."

To be an effective choir, you surrender your talents and
leadership to God.

Everyone was laughing by now but we learned several valuable
lessons.

1. To be an effective choir, it helps to know what you are going
to sing.
2. To be an effective choir, we need to sing from the same
music.
3. To be an effective choir, we need direction and leadership.
4. To be an effective choir, you should first ask God to join.
5. To be an effective choir, you surrender your talents and
leadership to God.

I said to our choir director: "It was presumptuous of me to
think that I can replace you. I'll stick to preaching and let
you lead the choir. Thank you for teaching a valuable lesson.
Will you forgive me?"

She smiled and replied, "Of course I will. Being creative and
searching for our gifts and submission to God is what the choir
and our church is all about. Now if you don't mind... we have an
anthem to sing."

Finally: To be an effective choir, you must help God's chosen
leaders actually lead.

Could these same lessons apply towards other forms of
leadership? Of course they can. Paul wrote in Romans: "I plead
with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and
holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what
he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the
behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you
into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will
know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and
pleasing and perfect his will really is." (12:1-2) Did you catch
Paul's point?

1. Give yourself to God as a living and holy sacrifice.
2. Don't copy the behavior and customs of others but let
God transform you.
3. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know
how pleasing His will is.

"Choir, may I join you?" There was a long pause.
"Just to sing... to sing!"

-----------------------
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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