Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
1 Corinthians 2:5
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
John 12:43
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
Yesterday evening I watched a Christian program where a well-known pastor spoke some particular words. What he said concerned me. As I listened to him, I asked our Lord whether that pastor's spoken words were for me to heed relative to my ministry style.
Our Lord assured me that those particular words didn't apply to me. There were things that the subject pastor spoke that did apply to me. But our Lord was sure to make clear to me that not all that he expressed applied to me.
This morning I asked our Lord again about the matter. It is important to examine ourselves to be sure that we are in league with our Lord. My request of our Lord this a.m. was that He please reveal to me any areas in which I'm not in conformance with His Word. Glory to GOD, not only did He assure me that all is well but He gave me numerous scriptures to evidence that all is well. Thank you, Lord!
We all have ministries. Our Lord has given each of us unique styles in which to glorify Him. I admire the anointed styles of other Christians but it is vital that I be in my element as designed by our Lord for me. I don't want to be like any other anointed Christian. Our Lord has given us our own unique anointed ministry styles. That is the case for all who are truth walkers in the kingdom of GOD.
In the Holy Bible, we read of the various ministry styles. There was only one Peter, John the Baptist, Elijah, Moses, Abraham and on and on it goes. They each had specific assignments and our Lord "wired" them precisely to correspond with their ministry appointments. In our times, our Lord has specific Christians who minister about the abortion issue, the same-sex marriage issue, and youth issues, etc. Clearly, our Lord has NOT called me to those ministries, and, accordingly, I don't involve myself with them. There is a saying, "Some were called, some were sent, and some just went." We need to know what our Lord has specifically called us to do - stay in our lanes - wisely use our unique GOD given talents and refuse to allow others to define our holy missions.
What is my job description as written with the holy hand of GOD?!
I firmly believe in sharing advice with others and being receptive to advice that is shared with me. Sound advice can come from saints and sinners. Also, unwise advice can come from saints and sinners. There are instances when people offer well meaning advice but it is wrong for us to accept. Then there are instances when people have wrong intentions/motives and are inclined to lead us wrong. An example that readily comes to mind is Jim Jones who had his followers to drink poison liquid. If those people had been following JESUS instead of Jim Jones, they would not have left the U.S. with Jim Jones and been deceived by that false prophet. John 10:27 states, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
It isn't sensible to be resistant to all advice nor is it sensible to accept all advice - no matter who it comes from. Satan will use anyone to attempt to deceive us, including fellow members of the body of Christ. I was in a Christian bookstore once and the owner was urging me to make a particular purchase. Our Lord told me NOT to make said purchase. The owner persisted in his aim to have me to buy the product. I obeyed our Lord and didn't make the purchase. The owner registered a look of displeasure. Certainly, I love him but He is not my GOD.
Satan can be successful in his deceptive practices when we fail to consult our Lord who is the only SOURCE of correct advice - all else is resource related. Yes, our Lord does use people to give and receive Words from Him, but we have a duty to consult GOD for confirmations and proof. Sometimes when people give us information, it confirms what our Lord has already shared with us. When all is said and done, our intimacy with our Lord is what we should consistently depend on for full gospel truth.
Regularly, when I give people in my life Words, for them, from our Lord, I tell them to try the spirits, and to seek our Lord as to whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong in what has been expressed. And I share with them that the ONLY ONE WHO IS NEVER WRONG IS GOD.
Joshua 9 gives an account of GOD's people being deceived because they didn't consult the Lord. Joshua 9:14 states, "And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.
We need to regularly ask, "What does GOD say?"
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Sandra
Written Wednesday April 27, 2011
Copyright 2011
WHAT DOES GOD SAY?
ReplyDeleteThis is powerful truth, Sandra! Especially the part about how just because advice is from another Christian, it shouldn't be heeded...conversely, just because advice comes from an unbeliever, doesn't mean it should automatically be ignored. We do have to always be connected to the Holy Spirit who gives us "true" counsel!!
ReplyDeleteI also love the part about how we are not called to EVERYTHING! We just can't do it all. I personally cannot stand politics and have zero interest in it, and yet I do tend to tire of those who feel I should be more "involved". I'm as involved as the Lord would have me, I vote and make my voice heard, but that's about as far as it goes, lol! That's just not where God has called me. If we all stay in our areas of ministry, I think it would cut down on a lot of confusion, jealousies, competition, and corruption!
I love this post!!! I will be pondering on this today!
Hi Mining for Diamonds -
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed - we need to consult with our Father GOD because only He knows the absolute fulness of truth - ALWAYS!
You expressed, "If we all stay in our areas of ministry, I think it would cut down on a lot of confusion, jealousies, competition, and corruption!"
Excellent points, Mining for Diamonds, - yes excellent points.
Glad you love the post. To GOD be the glory!
Very good advice Sandra, how many times have we not consulted the Lord and wished we had? I know I am guilty many times over.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you,
Ken
Hi Ken -
ReplyDeleteYes, we have all been in such circumstances due to our choices to do things our way. Oh, how we have learned that it is ALWAYS best to do things GOD'S way.
May our Lord help us all...
It is very exciting to consult the Lord and then get a word of confirmation through a follower of Christ. On the other hand, even a very good word from others may not be what the Lord is doing right now..we are responsible to seek Him first as you said.
ReplyDeleteI've been dwelling on the topic of the Blood of Jesus lately and came across an emailed prayer from you that I pray that I pray for our family covering us in the Blood and it was so refreshing! Just had to tell you. Wish you were here so I could give you a big hug. Talk about a good Word!
Love you,
((((Mary))))
Hi Mary -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
Yes, it is vital that we know from our Lord for ourselves.
Glory to GOD for the shed blood of our Savior JESUS CHRIST!
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThis is very good advice! We need to get into the habit of always seeking God's voice before we do anything.
I know of a lady that seeks God's voice on what food the Lord wants her to buy. I was told that she would walk through a grocery store, (one directed by the Lord) and converse with God. "Father how about these apples, what do You think? No? Ok then what about these? Yes! And they are on sale!"
Blessings Sandra,
<><
Hi Child of God -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
Yes, it is vitally essential that we seek the Lord intimately for ourselves.
I'm so glad that you mentioned about the lady who seeks God's voice in the manner in which she does. I wholly agree with her...to seek our Lord for even the smallest matters in life.
My communication with our Lord is in that way, as well. Certainly others can witness to that, too. Nothing is too small or minor to seek our Lord for guidance - NOTHING.
HE KNOWS EVERYTHING so I'm all for seeking Him for guidance relative to EVERYTHING in my life, and how He leads me relative to others - prayers, helping, etc.
When I pray for people, my first prayer is: "Jesus, teach me to pray, that I may pray according to Your will -- and see things happen." Then amazing things come out of my mouth that heal the person and that I write down because they are so neat.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why John the Baptist never hung out with Jesus. They were two totally different ministry leaders with different roles to fill.
ReplyDeleteI love how you describe examining your heart. I do that often. I hear something and I feel insecure at first like it applies to me, but then God reassures me.
We all have our different designs and different parts to play. There are a lot of people needing to hear about Jesus in specific ways.
You have spoken so wisely in this one, Sandra. Yes, the Lord does use other believers to speak His truth - but always, always - His WORD is the litmus test of Truth.
ReplyDeleteI believe strongly that God has given you a powerful and influential ministry - and I believe that you are a vigilant and diligent servant. It is so obvious to all who come here, that you love the Lord, and you love His Word.
I am consistently blessed and encouraged by what you share with us.
It is always the most important thing to keep asking ourselves, "What does GOD say?"
And then, to listen to it, and obey it.
This, I believe, you do with your whole heart - and that's what I'm trying to do, too!
GOD BLESS!
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
@Timothy
Thank you for asking Jesus what to pray... That is so vital.
@FaithImagined
That was so interesting what you said about John the Baptist and Jesus. I'd never thought of that. I'm glad you shared that interesting statement.
Yes, it is so important to examine ourselves...
@Sharon
I love this that you expressed, "His WORD is the litmus test of Truth."
And "It is always the most important thing to keep asking ourselves, "What does GOD say?"
"And then, to listen to it, and obey it."
Oh, yes, Sharon, it is so important to listen to it and obey it. Thank you for mentioning that strong potent truth.
I so appreciate, Sharon, your kind and thoughtful words of encouragement.
Great post, Sandra. So true.
ReplyDelete