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Local ministry
By John | October 9, 2008
From the Word: Believing others’ testimony (from Mark 16:1-20)
”When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.” (Mark 16:11 NASB)
How important it is for me to hear God’s voice, to know that He is personally involved in all that I do, and that He engineers the circumstances of my life! I take great confidence in knowing that He is in control of all circumstances, mine especially. I’m convinced that because He cares about me personally, nothing that comes across my path (especially difficulties) is either out of His control or not in my best interest. I put great faith in what I hear God saying to me, and am ‘humbly impressed’ by my godly and obedient response. Yet when it comes to the testimony of others, as they relate what God has revealed to them, why am I prone to doubt and question the validity of what God says to them, especially if it is something that may affect me? Curious, that I place such a high level of confidence in my own ability to hear God speak, and view with suspicion what God reveals to others. Verses 13 and 14 also refer to this problem, and Jesus describes the reaction of His disciples as lack of faith and stubbornness. Hmmm…
The value of fellowship and serious engagement with other believers must not be lost on me here. I think God sometimes reveals things to others not so much for their sake as for the benefit of others. Just yesterday I had a stimulating discussion with two brothers in Christ who are in similar situations with comparable demands as I. But I had hesitated to make myself available to meet with them due to the time and distance required. Yet looking back now, I realize how invaluable the interaction was for me to address issues, learn from one another, and encourage one another in Christ. I need to hear the voice of God through others.
Lord , You know how important it is for each of us to have a personal experience with You, but it is just as important that we receive from others what You reveal to them. Lord, give me the guidance and discernment from Your Spirit, that I may hear You when You speak to me, and that I will discern when You are speaking to and through others. Amen.
Please pray with us:
This weekend I am taking the family camping. We anticipate a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors hiking, fishing, birding, roasting marshmallows, watching the stars – the weather is sposta be awesome with clear skies! We are also expecting a number of friends to stop in for visits, both people who are currently involved with us in our ministry here, and also some friends from our days in Florida who will be in the area this weekend.
Please pray with us that our family time will be encouraging and refreshing, and also that the interaction we have with our friends will be an opportunity for us to learn from one another and pass on the reality of our commitment to Christ in the context of living life and enjoying what God has given us. Thanks!
P.S. This is my favorite stretch of the West Brandywine Creek as it flows through the park. (See the trout in that pool in front of the tree? J ) 
Topics: In the Word and Prayer |