“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from her here.”
-Exodus 33:15-
As I reread this scripture today, I cannot help but wonder if I sometimes become more passionate about completing the task and accomplishing the mission than about knowing and experiencing Jesus. Moses realized that the Promised Land (and really any blessing from God) meant absolutely nothing without God’s presence. Moses only wanted the Promised Land if it was the byproduct of knowing and following God. I believe the BIG DANGER for me and every church planter is that starting a successful church can become more important than knowing, experiencing, and following Jesus.
The gut level question I must ask is do I really want to know and experience Jesus more than anything?
I’m reminded of some statements by Godly guys from scripture:
David- Psalm 42
1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
Isaiah 26
8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. 9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you…
Paul- Philippians 3
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
“How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
-Exodus 33:16-
Moses understood that the only thing that set him and the Hebrew people apart was the presence of God. Whether I’m doing life and ministry in Atlanta, New Brunswick, Burlington, Mexico, Haiti or Indonesia, the only thing that sets me and the people I’m leading apart is the presence of God. In fact, we can have the most talented people, abundant resources, cutting edge strategy, and even be doing all the right things and without God’s presence it just won’t matter. It is only as God leads us and works through us that we can become the aroma of Jesus to the world around us (2 Corinthians 4). It is only as we know, experience, and follow Jesus that we can make an eternal difference where God has placed us.
Here are some specific ways you can pray for us this week:
*Ask God to give me the discipline to guard my daily personal time in prayer and the scriptures as I’m experiencing the busyness of transitioning out of my role in NJ, preparing for Burlington, and just the daily grind of life.
*Ask God to give me a greater hunger to know and experience Him- that He would bring me to the point that He is what I desire more than anything.
*Ask God to give those who are considering joining our church planting team clarity and confidence as they seek to know God and His will.
*Ask God to prepare all those attending our Burlington Vision Trip on June 11-13. Ask God to give all of us eyes to see what He is doing and wants to do in Burlington.
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kevin pounds' blog 
Kevin,
This morning I clicked on your FB post and started reading your notes about starting a new church plant in Burlington. This one in particular has touched me b/c while in Salyersville, Ky I made a determination to come back home and be totally obedient to what God wants me to do. Presently our church is reaching out to the community around us using the summer Government lunch program that feeds any child 18 and under no matter what their parents income is. It’s a start but more is needed.
I remember you telling the students at NCBC to be Jesus with skin on. And we can’t be Jesus to others if we don’t keep a personal relationship with Him. In my busy state of church trips, VBS, family time, and teaching God’s word it is easy to fall away from intimate time w/ Jesus. I want you there, and me here, to be that aroma of Him to whoever He puts in our path wherever He takes us. I pray as He sends us that He gives us a greater passion for Him and His word so He can get the glory thru our actions and reactions.
I remember and find myself sharing with others the ministry you had at NCBC. I also remember a lot of things you did and actually use them in ministry…like color-coding names of children by age written on cheap name tags (masking tape). I have used this method the last two mission trips to Ky putting together a Soccer Camp for the children (God does have a sense of humor using an old lady who never played soccer in her life!!) By color-coding 4 sets of goals and the children it made it easier to send them to and keep them in the right groups. THANK YOU!!
May Jesus be your perfume and His Spirit be your guide. If He is sending you then He is preparing not only the way but the people along the way.
Godspeed,
Debbie
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