Here is a powerful story of how our writer, Ed, learned an equation that most find difficult to accept: Failure + Faith x Perseverance = Success. Sometimes we are so fixated on doing what is “right” or what we believe is pleasing to God that we overlook the greater purpose: Bringing Him joy. Then, when we wonder why our good deeds aren’t acknowledged, God reminds us that it isn’t about us. The fruits of our goodness will stir change, but we must have faith, patience and perseverance.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-5 NIV)
A lot of times we see and hear about amazing testimonies of God. What we rarely hear about is the journey that got them there. One day I was on the subway praying and asking the Lord for an opportunity to see somebody healed. I’d watched a lot of testimonies from Bethel Church and wanted to see it firsthand. After I finished praying the subway reached my station. The doors opened up and low and behold, a girl in a wheelchair with a cast on her leg was sitting outside.
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What’s more important to God, your service or your rest? Our Voice Ed shares his story of how God changed his paradigm.
A while back somebody told me this and I was really offended, but thankfully God was changing my perspective in the way I served and viewed Him.
Being in ministry I loved to serve, and I did it joyfully. It gave me a sense of achievement and purpose when I was able to make a difference in someone’s life. A couple years back we started a GBS in Taiwan, and saw many people inside the entertainment industry transformed. Lives were changed souls were saved. We saw a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. However, when I wasn’t serving or being productive I’d feel a sense of unease or even a bit anxious. I really didn’t know how to relax or even when I’d go out and have downtime I’d feel guilty.
Worse, people that were close to me that weren’t serving or “making a difference” I secretly judged them. As I watched them enjoy life I’d despise their activities and think it was a waste of time. Thankfully God is gracious and disciplines the ones He loves. One morning God gave me a revelation that changed my whole paradigm. As simple as the conversation was, it set me free from being a slave and I started to live as a son…[click “Read More” below to continue]
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Last month I saw my parents kiss (for the first time in my life). It’s funny I’ve always prayed for reconciliation in their relationship, but when it happened I honestly felt kinda weird. I rationalized that people who are married are supposed to be that way and I left it at that. Anyhow, God had just radically changed what was “normal” in life. But, before talking about my family let me introduce myself.
My name is Ed. I just moved back from Taiwan last year. I spent the last couple years of my life doing ministry in Taiwan. While out there I’d pray, “God give me Taiwan or I’m gonna die!” There was about a three month season where everyday I did treasure hunts and prophetic evangelism. I’d go out on the street and pray for the sick and do all kinds of crazy things. I was so zealous for God, all I thought about was revival.
Coming from the entertainment industry, I had a heart for the entertainment mountain. My heart’s cry was for people in entertainment and to see those of “influence” come to know Jesus Christ. One of the desires of my heart was to see a church planted in the largest clubs in Taipei. To my surprise, God answered my prayer a year later. We started a GBS in Taiwan and saw many people inside entertainment come to know the Lord. In that season I saw club owners, celebrities, and just random people off the street get radically saved by Jesus. God was moving so powerfully.
Life became even more amazing when I started traveling with a group called Asia for Jesus. We toured all around Asia and saw tens of thousands of people come to know the Lord. It was such an awesome move of God. One of the main pastors, Philip Mantofa, moved with such authority (and love) you couldn’t help but feel God’s presence wherever he went. If you’ve seen 1040 or Furious Love you’ll know who I’m talking about. Being around him I saw people healed, delivered, and radically saved by the thousands. At that time, I couldn’t possibly think of anything more important than this. But God had something else in mind…[click “Read More” below to continue]
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