Gather To Him And For Him

Whether the storm is from God or from another source, trust God to be your GPS, Global Positioning System.

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What are we gathering?  How important are gatherings?  Since we’ve been restricted from our social gatherings for months, during this Pandemic, I’ve discovered the importance of them.  If we don’t gather, we lose our sense of community, togetherness,  with family and friends.  If you are an introvert, by nature, this distancing hasn’t been so hard for you.  God has created us to gather and assemble.  

Our reading in the book of Psalms today is, “Gather to me, my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.  And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge.”  (Psalm 50: 5-6)   We are a called and gathered people.  (Shared from Psalm 50, Paraphrased)

Paul is under the orders of His Supreme Judge.  He is sailing for Rome and other cities with Julius, a centurion assigned to Paul with some other prisoners.  

As they went, “The winds were against them.”  A storm was brewing and Paul knew it.  “The wind did not allow us to hold our course.”  (Acts 27: 7)  Much time was lost.  They sailed off course, because of the wind of the storm.  

  • Let the wind of the Holy Spirit guide you, so not any more time is lost.  
  • If we are off course by our own will, ask God to be the navigator.  
  • Whether the storm is from God or from another source, trust God to be your GPS, Global Positioning System.   

What does that mean?  Ask God to guide and direct by His Spirit.  It may look like you’re off course, but all along you may be right on course and right on time, His time!  If time is lost, He is able to redeem it.  

  • Don’t spend too much trying to figure out why the storm arose, learn to praise Him in the storm.  You’ll get through it!

At this point in the story, sailing was dangerous and Paul warned the men he was traveling with.  He said, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.”  (Acts 27: 10)  

Did they listen to Paul’s advice?  Nope!  The centurion listened but followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.  

  • Know who to listen to.
  • Know who your pilot is.
  • Know who to follow.  

When we listen to warnings, we spare ourselves time, damage, and loss.  Even if the majority would vote one way, take courage and be willing to be a voice and take a stand.  Let peace be your guide.  

  • Stand alone if you have to. (Shared from Acts 27: 1-12, Paraphrased)

Samuel continues his duties under the leadership of Eli the priest.  Eli’s sons were wicked, but “Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.”  (1 Samuel 2: 26)  

A prophetic man of God comes to Eli and tells him that he’s not real happy with him and his sons.  He says, “The Lord declares those who honor me I will honor; but those who despise me will be disdained.”  (1 Samuel 2: 30)  He boldly tells him his sons will die because the house of God was desecrated.  

Look at the contrast:  Eli’s sons dishonored the offering of the Lord, but Samuel ministered before the Lord.  

How did his sons dishonor the offering?  They would take the raw meat and the fat parts that belonged to the Lord, to be offered as a sacrifice.   

  • Never dip into the offering, God will catch you.  

Look at the love of God for Hannah.  She gives one child back to the Lord and He gives her five more!  

  • Whatever we give away, comes back in added measure.  

Gathering for God was gathering the sacrifices for Him in the Old Testament.  Today, we are called to gather for Him, by coming together as one!  

The Lord has declared gather, since the earth began:  

Gather together, the prophets declared…seek humility.”  (Zephaniah 2: 1, 3)  

“…He who does not gather with me, scatters.”  (Matthew 12: 30)  

“How often He has longed to gather His children together.”  (Matthew 23: 37)  

Harvest time is a time of gathering to Him and for Him.  (Shared from 1 Samuel 2: 11-36, Paraphrased)

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com