Nougat 3

Today’s Holy Nougat – special edition

This is a very blessed weekend! Today two of my siblings in the Faith take their ordination vows. Congratulations Osric and Donnette! I am praying for you both. And tomorrow, another younger sibling, Shanique, also gets ordained! This is so encouraging amidst various stories of disillusionment and disaffection. Today’s Holy Nougat is primarily dedicated to the soon to be ministers.

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” 1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Donnette, Osric and Shanique

I praise God for you and for your decision to take this next step in your journey by offering leadership to us believers. It is a wonderful journey that takes you through almost every emotion you can experience and invites you to accompany so many people through their journeys in Faith. I urge you, please do not take this call lightly and entrust your ministries to God’s care.

The first text is chosen as encouragement to you all is Proverbs 3:4-6, and I still urge you to commit the sentiments and the text to memory (I might visit it tomorrow, we’ll see). But then I met this other verse this morning and became convinced that it was applicable to all three of you. And having read it a few moments ago I’m sure you can see why it stirred me.

I know, I know God is ever with us, so it doesn’t really add up for us to be told several times throughout the Bible that we ought to seek God out. My premise is twofold:

1) Seeking God is about taking our relationship to that extra level where we desire to know God more intimately. We become a fan who gets all the latest news on our celebrity, actively engage with the fan club, sharing tidbits with each other. As ministers of the Gospel, you are presidents of your local chapter of the Jesus fan club. Latest and most reliable information can be found IN the Word, through commentaries on the word, through devotionals, and most of all, in times of prayer. Be an active fan. Be a contagious fan. Lead your chapter of Jesus fan club with joyous dedication. It will make a difference, I promise you.

2) I also think of seeking God out as a child recognizing that Only God has the answers we seek. Or recognizing that we got separated. And whether we know where we are or how we got there, we go searching for Home; God being our Home and permanent stability. In either case, I think you’ll agree that the images suggest a certain single-mindedness in our pursuit of God that may even invite others to do likewise. Encourage them/us all on that journey, but remember – this second type of seeking is for your personal renewal and sustenance. No one else’s. Be available, be gracious, but be disciplined about seeking God and continually seeking God’s strength for and by yourself sometimes.

Which leads me to another reminder: God’s strength is what enables us to overcome Trials, Temptation and also to Trust God when all life says otherwise. As believers, we KNOW those moments come (so much more power to you if that’s not your reality); and they don’t magically disappear upon ordination. To give back to God in serving others comes with even more demands on us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s God’s strength that will carry us through. That’s why 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s Grace is enough and when we are at weak, God’s strength prevails. I urge you to continually (or continuously) seek God’s strength.

And with that I propose

• Stay in the Word and in Prayer and

• Empty yourselves of the distractions to

• Engage with God actively for

• Knowledge and direction in all you do

If you learn that now in your youthful years, it’ll hold you in good stead later in life and ministry.

p.s. Remember your family is your first congregation. Live by example so they remain connected with God.

Forgive me for sharing this so publicly, but I am also convinced that it is worth reflecting on by all God Chasers.

May God’s anointing be evident on you and in your ministry hereafter.

Love you loads. Praying for you

Congratulations once again.

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May all we seek be found in Christ