The Well
The Well |
|
Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Saturday
March 8, 2008
"I call unto you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How
naïve you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you
understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything
I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My
advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My
words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn."
Proverbs 8:4-9
The Holy Spirit, wisdom, calls out to us from Zion wanting to enter into us and give us wisdom and understanding! He calls to all people, but few will answer and submit to that call.
I believe there are two major demonic forces prevailing in America today; deception and depression. We hear many things proclaimed from our pulpits, but we have few ministers who are willing to practice what they preach. Now, again, let me assure you that I am not condemning anyone, I am just saying that Pastors, like us, have their faults and weaknesses.
For instance, I am a very verbal person. When I agree with someone who is preaching I let my agreement be known. Sometimes I may say, "Amen!" Sometimes I may say, "Preach it brother (or sister when I am visiting Pentecostal churches)!" However, at one point in my journey I was called down and as a result, I recognized that from time to time I am a distraction to what God is trying to do in a service.
When God advises us, when the Holy Spirit instructs us, when we follow the example of Jesus, we will remember that God likes things done decently and in order. He doesn't like disruption. I can still worship God and agree with whoever is preaching without letting the whole congregation know. I just need to be gracious and merciful and willing to receive instruction.
Jesus knew full well what deception was like and He hates it. Unfortunately, the only person we really deceive is ourselves. We must speak the truth in love to ourselves and be willing to receive loving criticism from others. God wants us to walk in wisdom and understanding ¾ He wants us to listen to Him and that is pretty hard when we don't keep our mouth shut!
Heavenly Father, You, and only You, know my heart. Even I don’t know me like You know me. So, please forgive me for being a distraction in the past. I give you permission to shut my mouth just like You shut those lions mouth. They didn’t hurt Daniel, and I don't want to hurt others.
