Others won't necessarily understand what God has in mind for You
“The LORD will guide you.” Not an angel, but Jehovah will guide you. He said He would not go through the wilderness before His people but that an angel would lead them in the way. Moses, however said, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (Exodus 33:15). Christian, God has not left you under an angel’s guidance in your earthly pilgrimage: He himself is the vanguard. You may not see the cloudy, fiery pillar, but Jehovah will never forsake you. Notice the word will—“the LORD will guide you.” How certain this makes it! How sure it is that God will not forsake us! His precious “wills” are better than human promises. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV). Then observe the adverb “continually.” We will not merely be guided sometimes, but we will have a perpetual monitor; we will not occasionally be left to our own understanding (and therefore to wander), but we will continually hear the guiding voice of the Great Shepherd. If we follow close at His heels, we will not err but be led in the right way to our dwelling place. If you have to change your position in life; if you have to emigrate to another country; if it should happen that you fall into poverty or are lifted suddenly to a more responsible position than the one you now occupy; if you are thrown among strangers or cast among enemies, do not fear—for “the LORD will guide you continually.” There are no dilemmas from which you cannot be delivered if you live near to God, if your heart is kept warm with holy love. We do not go amiss when we go in the company of God. Like Enoch, walk with God (Genesis 5:24), and you cannot mistake your road. You have infallible wisdom to direct you, immutable love to comfort you, and eternal power to defend you. “The LORD”—note it carefully—“The LORD will guide you continually.” - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
These days I read my Bible, a devotional from Spurgeon, Blackaby and now Dr. David Jeremiah.
Truth be known others may not understand the walk you are on with Jesus, again, truthfully because it's not their walk.
There are indeed all flavors of Christian people in this world. From those who barely came to Christ and have done nothing for the Kingdom to those like Billy Graham and everything in between.
I know men who were, at one time, called to be a Pastor. They did so for many years. Then this Plan of God for them changed. Now they preach a different way, on Bible Prophecy. We indeed are in the last hours of what the New Testament says is the 'times of the Gentiles'. A somewhat indeterminate period of time between when Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah and His return to finish Daniel's Prophecy, also known as John's in the book of Revelation.
Whereas there are many who go to Church for the warm fuzzies of being with others, then living for themselves the rest of the week, there are some left who seek to excel still more in their walk with God.
I have probably met close to a hundred Pastors in my life. As I was telling my Mom yesterday, there's only about 4 of them that I feel comfortable sitting in a Church service to listen to them.
Some that I have met are very strong in the Lord. Some very strong in the Bible. Very few a combination of both.
The New Testament warns that in the last days we will see false Teachers. The warning is for those IN the Church. The State of the Church address, should it ever happen - and it won't - there would be a great many Pastors called out for unbelief long before anything is said of the flock.
None of these posts is intended or directed to be slams or bash sessions on any particular people by me. As God directs, so I am to write.
But the truth needs to be stated. There are so-called people calling themselves Pastors that certainly are not Shepherding the Church. They are hired hands who are more concerned about their own welfare than the lives of people. I can testify to having seen this personally in my life in the last 20 years of being in Ohio.
What does this have to do with the subject? Plenty. You see, most believers would think that a Pastor would be a man of God and by that virtue be one to readily and easily talk to about things of God. Things like God's leading and direction for your life. Before you take the leap to trust, examine. Examine their lives before you blindly trust. I speak from experience. Have had a Pastor or two in the last 20 years who have actually blacklisted my Wife and myself at other Churches of the same denomination. They didn't try to understand me or my Wife, yet spoke to others as if they were the Wikipedia of Brenneman.
I have seen evil take the form of a Pastor. We were visiting a Church. I had a odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. I went to shake the man's hand and the whole world went photo negative. The man's face changed to that of a wicked evil grin until I let go. Obviously we didn't stay there long.
God has a Plan for all who are alive in Christ Jesus.
Some things that I have learned from God aren't found in seminary's. Mainly because of what Jesus says. We are His workmanship. We go to Him to know what to do next.
But you don't know what to do next? Truth be known we aren't always going to know the next step we think ought to be there because God's not ready for us to move on yet. We may think the work is done but it's His work being done. We wait on Jesus.
Godly Men are a rare flower these days that don't grow in many places.
I have been blessed to know some very strong men of God. What they have taught me helps me to this day.
Scripture tells of the traits of a Godly man. Tells us straight from Jesus what to expect from a hired hand as well. All too often people are afraid to change or challenge others. Good thing Jesus shows us enough to determine who is a Shepherd and who is a hired hand. But you shouldn't judge! Wrong interpretation of Scripture. Jesus specifically said you will know them by their fruits. You will know them. Whether or not you cover your ears and eyes in denial is another matter. By seeking out Godly men you can find honest and true sounding boards to your own life.
God says plenty on what He has in mind for you in this life. Surrounding yourself with the appropriate people will go a long way in realizing that goal of Godly living.
Expect trouble. Because the enemies of God don't want you growing up in Christ.
Expect even other Christians to not understand. You will stand before Christ alone. Not with an attorney or advocate of any human kind. You. You need to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Jesus said He is the way. Follow that way. He is the truth. Listen to the truth.
Make sure you are growing up in Christ and make sure you aren't living in denial about who you are being 'taught' by.
No comments:
Post a Comment