The sun was setting, the night air getting cold. As we pushed to get done, we ran into a kink that just wouldn’t resolve. My husband, not a quitter, said, “We are in the overcoming mode!” We chuckled then continued to wrestle.
It got darker and darker. Finally, I said, “I’m done, let’s do this tomorrow.” Knowing I wasn’t one to quit either, my husband queried, “What are you saying?” I responded, “I am saying I think we’re done for tonight!” My husband resignedly looked around and agreed, he too was done! We secured things for the night and headed off to get some rest.
The next morning the sun was shining. Refreshed, my husband had some ideas he’d had time to ponder. As I listened to him work, whistling and singing, this time conquering the hurdles, I was so glad we had taken the time to get refreshed!
This is God’s plan – times of working, times of refreshing. The next night we did have to push through due to inclement weather. But there are times we can stop, get refreshed, then continue. Wisdom, if we’re going to make it for the long haul, is to know the difference! When to stop and when to go!
Had the Lord tarried, my dad would have been ninety-eight this month! During his lifetime he completed almost sixty years of ministry, the last fifteen years being in the Washington, D.C., area. He was still ministering when the Lord took him home!
In 1981 the Lord called me into full-time service. Balance has gotten me through the years and continues to give me strength today. Times of ministry, times apart to pray and be refreshed.
We see many examples of this in scripture. For instance, in Exodus 19:3 and 14 Moses went up to spend time in God’s presence, then came down to minister to the people. In the life of Christ, we see the same pattern. Matthew 17:1, 9, and 14 tells us Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray, then came down to minister to the people. Luke 9:2 and 10 shows us that Jesus trained His disciples in the same way, to minister and then to take time apart to be refreshed.
I think of my dad and so many others who ran their race before us. I remember them, then I think of all the years behind me, and I thank the Lord for His faithfulness. Then I look with expectation at the years yet ahead!
May we live our lives with gusto! May we find our pattern of ministry, rest, and refreshing so we too can run, not just as in a sprint, but a marathon, making it to the finish line with joy, in the strength of the Lord!
I again see the faithfulness of God as I remember events that led to our being in the D.C. area. Truths I have learned and shared with others have all worked together in my life to bring us to the place we are today.
I also realize afresh we are not here just by accident. We are not here because we decided this might be a nice place to live, or out of a personal ambition or desire. We are here through the direct leading of the Lord and events that unfolded over the course of time. We have continued here out of a desire to be found faithful.
Thirty years ago this month, while we were here in the D.C. area, Parousia Ministries was first formed and recognized as a ministry. May the Lord’s purposes continue to unfold and all that He desires find full expression.
May we all move forward, faithfully following as He leads. We are living in a turbulent time, yet the Lord continues to raise up a people to be carriers of His presence, carriers of His glory. May each of us be found faithful in the place God has us! May we find and sustain consistent times of refreshing, that with vigor we might complete our full course.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
Our Website
On our website,
www.wadetaylor.org, is teaching by Wade Taylor, truly a present word for those who have a desire to “follow on to know the Lord.” Each month we highlight one of Wade Taylor’s articles. August’s article, “A Present Need,” can be read by going to our website and clicking on Article of the Month. As a forerunner, truths my dad spoke bring a relevant word for today and also move beyond the present day into the day still before us.
Also on our website, under Nancy’s Corner, you will find Living Room Moments by Allen and links to teaching by me. Audio messages by my dad and by me are under Messages to Hear.
Upcoming Parousia Gathering
We invite you to join us for our fall Parousia Gathering on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. in Thurmont, Maryland. More information can be found on our website,
www.wadetaylor.org under Parousia Gatherings.
If you plan to attend, it is important you contact me at least 2 weeks prior (by September 9th) so we can confirm our reservation and they can prepare our seating. We welcome you to come!
Email List
If you are not on our email list, I encourage you to join! Most updates are now communicated through emails. To either join or to update your email address, go to www.wadetaylor.org. Toward the bottom of the home page, you will find a place to add your email address. Or, you can go to the Contact and Support page and add your email address there.
Blessing
Our prayer is that you increasingly prosper, both spiritually and in your life circumstances, beyond all that you have experienced in the past, and also, may you be blessed in life, in health, and in all that is before you.
Prayerfully yours,
Nancy Taylor Tate
PAROUSIA MINISTRIES
