Moving Without Permission

While some in the religious community are introducing programs and initiatives in the name of the Lord, the pastor of Refuge Baptist Assembly, Silver Springs, Maryland, Eric Brown said many of them are operating without God’s permission. The sobering message came during the March communion service held at Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church.

The clergyman, who also pastors a church in Virginia, said "I don’t care who you are, there comes a time in your life when your ears are not as open to God’s voice as they need to be." He admitted that fifteen years ago, "I was in bondage when liberty spoke to me because I was tied up in something that did not want freedom." The prolific preacher thanked Bishop Ellis for speaking liberty to him at a time when he needed it most.

Pastor Brown pleaded with those persons who were on the verge of making a life-altering decision or executing a plan without consulting God not to do it.

He said not having a plan for your life is a definite path that leads to destruction and asked the question, "What does it feel like to carry out a plan that God has nothing to do with?" Oftentimes, Christians, he said make things seem like they have been "sent down from heaven" and try to manipulate others to believe them by quoting scriptures to support their efforts. Many people he said are causing those around them to pray over things that they have no business doing.

Taking his text from Isaiah chapter thirty verses one and two, the preacher said it is ridiculous to try to hide from God and distort the truth. Some people he said are about to align themselves with people who do not like them and sign business contracts with their enemies who can’t stand what God is about to do in their lives. Pastor Brown said, "No cut hurts as much as a cut from someone who knows the privacy of your life. Nobody can get to you like someone who knows the intimate affairs of your heart."

He strongly suggested that when a believer prays, he should not be moving just because God will answer while you pray. Instead Pastor Brown said you should not move until God answers. He said this year, "God’s gonna do great things for you through you, for others." and posed four poignant questions to the captive audience. Are your plans relevant to the needs of other people? Are your plans reflective of the values and objectives of a current culture? Does your plan reveal the redemptive will of God and do your plans have power? The communion service is held on the first Monday in each month at Mount Tabor.