Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 9/25/2004

Question
Dear Sister In Christ Jesus,
Morning My name Is Irma and at this moment I would i desire some strong directions. I am 49 year old african american female. I am a believer and i am growing in Father God however i am stuck. Why i do not know however i a m feeling very inadaquted at this time. How well i never participated in school 100% so therefore my word knowledge is limited. I i currentely enrolled in a small bussiness progam. I would like to serve the sick and shut in disabilities  or not however in the name of Jesus Christ's name. I am stuck in many ways. Spiritually due to the fact I see many familar spirits in some whom serve in leadership at my church and would like to  share this with my Pastors, however after oberving some of the  others things that take place I just continue in prayer as not to burden our pastor. Feeling like I am not doing all i can for Jesus Christ. However I do what I can when i can yet the desire to do more maybe as your parents did and serve overseas or even in the United States. I really need a Spiritual sister to share with for i am loaded with much stuff what do i keep what do i ignore? i not sure anymore however after viewing what is going on in this world i want to see Jesus and i don't want to fail him and yes even now i feel selfish as is not all about me. What is going on? Please help.... i pray and i pray  and after this many years of walking why am i still on infant milk? being the strongest faith walker in my family cureently my cup runs over today...grief and pains for my love ones, their unbelief, the love, their choice's thier lives i am concern about. i stuck you see and i yet keep bust doing what i can do dialy to lift up the name of Jesus Christ and yet still continue to get to  know Father God more and more daily. LOL Irma

Answer
Dear Irma,
   You are an inspiration to me and no doubt to others, by your desire to help people physically and spiritually.  I get discouraged sometimes, thinking I really don't make a difference to anyone or anything, but, as you said, we just need to continue daily lifting up the name of Jesus Christ.  Our grandkids love Veggie Tales, and the Queen Esther video is a favorite, so the song she sings, "The battle is not ours" but God's II Chronicles 20:15, comes to my mind.  
   I don't know how you have determined that you're still on infant milk, but I respect you more than those who claim to be spiritually deep but who seem rather shallow and more interested in an audience than in giving God glory.  
   It is hard for me to be around people who suffer from so many wrong choices in their lives.  I want to shake them and say, "Can't you see all the grief you bring on yourself by living for yourself instead of for God?"  Your loved ones don't seem to realize how wonderful it is that you care so much for them, but then people (myself included) often take God's love for granted also.
   Reading the Bible daily keeps me anchored in God and helps me trust His plan that is bigger than I can understand completely.  
   I don't know if I can be of any help, but I know your prayers are more helpful than you realize.  Our dependence on God is what He most wants from us.  Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship and He has good works already planned for us--we just walk in what He has already prepared.  So, God may open opportunities to move or serve Him elsewhere, but He will help you reflect His image wherever you are.
   Please write anytime.
   Priscilla
P.S. I pray that in your prayers concerning those in leadership with familiar spirits, God will bring to your mind any action He wants you to take.  As you read the Bible, maybe this situation will become more clear.