For over 16 years I fought God on the calling to go into ministry. Pitiful I know.
I tried to communicate back to Him that He had the wrong person.
I reminded Him of all my wrong choices...where I had been and what I had done and thought...I explained to Him that I had nothing to offer! I gave Him a list of allllll my inadequacies...my weaknesses and so much more!
He responded by taking me on a journey.
After each excuse I gave Him, He took me through a season that taught me so much about His character. My understanding of His love & kindness has expanded to a capacity that makes me weak in my knees!
I am not saying it was an easy thing to discover that this calling is not about me but I am grateful for His patience with me...sometimes I am a little slow!
He continued by teaching me so much through His word.
Mark 8:34
If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself and...cleave steadfastly to Me.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith not by sight.
Psalm 119:105
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.
I came to the point that I did not just hear and learn the following things but I began to acknowledge and truly make application to live it out.
I had to stop believing the lies that played in my head...
Forget my past...
Ignore the reminders of guilt...
Forgive many...
Love and pray for all...even those that are difficult and cause you undeserved pain.
I had to lose sight of my wordly interests and instead invest in things of eternal value.
Live a life of thanks and praise.
As I began to really grow in the knowledge of the word of God I noticed the burden in my heart began to lead me to change.
My appetite changed.
My lifestyle changed.
My interests changed.
My will changed.
My discipline changed.
The next thing that took place was my burden turned into a vision...a strong knowing came over me that I could no longer ignore it!!
In the past my ignorance had kept me wandering and wondering.
It kept me distracted with busyness and delayed with fear and hesitation.
Not any longer!!
Philippians 3:13
...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of for me.
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead.
In 2006 the Lord provided in miraculous ways the opportunity to attend the Proverbs 31 Ministries, She Speaks Conference. It was there that I began a relationship with an amazing ministry and an amazing group of women who are the real deal. Through my experiences with them I have caught and been taught invaluable knowledge in moving forward with this passion that has begun to expand my heart and vision.
Recently I invited my friend, Lysa Terkeurst, of Proverbs 31, to come be my special guest for a special evening of ministry and kingdom purpose.
This evening was the result of an amazing journey with the Lord and a life that has truly begun to say "YES" to the Lord and His Will.
JANUARY 23, 2009
A Night of Inspired Hope!
Lysa Terkeurst ~ Vern ~ Holly Good
"YES" GIRLS!
My wonderful Husband praying over the team before the event begins.
Lysa praying and commissioning me into ministry...gulp!
There was an amazing presence in the room...I cried like a baby!!
Those in attendance joined with me in prayer for the women of the San Antonio area.
This is one of my passions...reaching the women of our area.
Stephen and Sarah...Worship Warriors!
To have great friends join efforts with me in ministry was the BEST!
New Friend ~ Chuck...He was awesome!
My dear friend Mark...being Mark...he be jammin for Jesus!
Preparing for this event was one of the greatest and most challenging times of my life.
It was evident that this experience was bigger than me and what I could do in my own ability.
Obviously God was at work and it was through His great power and provision that I experienced victory over personalities and road blocks that came across my pathway.
I dedicate this blog post to all those that somewhere along the way joined me on this journey.
To my family...Thank you for your reflection of His love and grace in the midst of it all! You inspire me! Rick...I will never forget the day you spoke prophetically to me that "It was time to get out of the incubator!"
Dear friends...near & far and new & old...Thank you for taking risks! Thank you for your spiritual muscles! And especially for sharing your abilities unselfishly!
Your wisdom, prayers and dedication to the things of the Lord have had a huge affect on my life!!
Thank you all for your testimonies, your witness and love!
The Lord has a vision and plan for us all.
I hope that you are confidently walking in obedience with His plan right now in your life. Do not let anything stand in the way of the dream and vision he birthed in you!
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him - but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:9 -10
Believe and Be Inspired By Him!!
Vern
