They Changed My Life!

Romans 1:17 AMP - For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith disclosed in a way that awakens more faith. As it is written and forever remains written, "THE JUST AND UPRIGHT SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." 

Everyone is aware of the big celebrity preachers like TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyers, Real Talk Kim. Each of them have their own preaching style and unique gifting from God with a large following, mega churches or huge online presence. In today's world it's so easy to sit on your couch, in your soft pajamas sipping coffee on Sunday mornings while tuning in to watch church online. I have done it myself a few times for various reasons. Unintentionally you check your phone for message notifications or scroll through social media while praise and worship take place. Before you know it the dog wants out or the cat wants fed and the kids want breakfast. The convenience of the online experience is full of distractions. Even though the service is still playing in the background our day goes on without absorbing the message God wants us to hear. Here's what I would have missed had I never stepped foot in a Holy Spirit filled church in the late winter of 2021 and the days to follow had I  stayed home and continued watching church online...the people. 

For privacy sake, I changed the names of these special people out of the utmost respect for them. The story remains the same. We'll call them Tony and Carrie Smith.  Every Sunday morning Shaun and I would gather our family, our son Landon and both of my parents, to attend church in person faithfully. I was hungry for God. I noticed every Sunday morning Tony and Carrie would be greeting the people in the foyer or as they walked into the tabernacle. You'll find this at most churches but I'll never forget the first time Carrie came up to me. She grabbed both my hands and looked me straight in the eye as she spoke, "God has given you such precious gifts. He is using this time to build your faith but God is about to use you in a way that you have never imagined." Carrie hugged me before my family and I proceeded to find our seats in the tabernacle. I honestly didn't give it a lot of consideration but nonetheless, Carrie's words encouraged me. Carrie's words had planted the seed. 

The following Sunday rolled around. Walking through the entrance of the church I found Tony and Carrie standing with a couple people praying over a lady. Though I don't know the lady's situation, I know it was emotional for her. The hugs she shared with Tony and Carrie were strong and sincere. People in the group were squeezing the lady's hands and speaking life-giving words to her. As a person standing on the outside I could clearly see a group of people, led by this special couple, put their differences aside, as they stood together to pray and support this lady while she faced adversity in her life. Week after week I saw this with different people but led by this same special couple. I saw other people pray with others as well however, Tony and Carrie didn't attempt to be out front or in the center of attention. They were simply there to serve. Everyone I spoke with knew who the Smiths' were. Powerful man and woman of God. 

Flowers were finally blooming, the grass was green and the leaves were sprouting. The sun was getting warmer and the days were getting longer. Thoughts of volunteering at the church began to sneak up on me but I would quickly dismiss them. The church was so big and I couldn't see myself praying for others like what I saw others doing in the foyers or inside the tabernacle. Insecurity on full display here. I started praying about the idea of me volunteering at the church but definitely kept it to myself. It was something I didn't discuss with my parents or Shaun. I had too many issues of my own to think I was righteous enough to serve at the church.  And let's be real, the church my family was attending was almost an hour away from our home. Volunteering somewhere that far away isn't exactly convenient. I remember having a lot of excuses but continued to pray on it knowing I had a lot of experience to fall back on. One Sunday after service, Carrie came up to me and gave me a hug like she had many times before. This time when she released me from her embrace she held onto both of my hands and stared at me for a few moments. Tony came over and shook Shaun's hand and then my dad's. Meanwhile, Carrie was still holding my hands when she finally said, "It's time. No more excuses. God will give you everything you need so stop second guessing your call. Have faith in Him and acknowledge His work in your life. He loves you so much and He's ready to give you favor." My eyes watered as I knew God was using Carrie to confirm what I thought I was hearing in my spirit. Wow! I had never experienced this kind of thing before. 

God will always send two or three witnesses to confirm what He's telling you. Whether it's a scripture appearing two or three times in the Bible, someone walking up to you randomly and speaking something on their heart, a friend or family member sending you a video about the exact thing you're praying about without previous knowledge. God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. God speaks to us in ways He knows we'll understand. We just have to love Him  and pay attention. What was my next confirmation you ask? For a period of time Elijah Streams on YouTube hosted Robin Bullock on Monday afternoons at 1pm est. I love Robin's teachings and have witnessed his prophecies be fulfilled. I always made an effort to watch his interview with Steve Schultz. The Monday following my experience with Carrie I sat down to watch Robin Bullock on Elijah Streams. I don't remember everything Robin said but I do remember him saying it was time for God's people to rise up and begin to serve. I felt myself quicken. I finally went to my church's website and began researching ways to serve at the church. I submitted a request for more information and the rest?...I wouldn't have so many stories to share if I hadn't stepped out in faith. 

Tony and Carrie didn't have special titles. They weren't considered pastors, elders or deacons of the church. Most often Tony and Carrie sat towards the back of the church. I have never heard either of them boast about how God is using them. What I and so many others see is how two beautiful souls serve God and love people with everything they have no matter if it's inconvenient for them. It is their example that opened my heart and changed my life. If your church doesn't have a Tony and a Carrie lifting people up so God can move in lives then all I can say is you are seriously missing out! If you only watch church online, you are seriously missing out! This is a relationship you have to experience in person. Tony and Carrie continue to stand in the gap so that God can build his people up and fill them with faith, wisdom and knowledge. Love, friendship, prayer, hearing the gospel are all ways of how God uses people to stand in the gap for others until the time comes for others to step into the calling God has put on their life. Time is short and tomorrow isn't promised. Prayers for angels to build a hedge of protection around others so that God can give them enough opportunities to choose Him is paramount. Love and kindness to broken and insecure people is paramount so people can open their hearts and the Holy Spirit can work. Stand in the gap! 

Have you had experiences similar to this? How has God used someone to influence your relationship with Him? Drop a comment below. I would love to hear all about it! 

God bless!