Anyone who was present at that Bible study knows a lot of the people liked it and God was totally present--but it was Him being there despite me. I got alone with him and THEN prepared for it for Him-not for the other people who would be present expecting a great teaching from me. In fact, I probably whipped together the handout and my notes in a mere 20 minutes before it was time to lead the study! But I would rather that it was that way than making my own plans for the evening, devoid of God's will and plans and not seeking Him and seeing what He wants done, and sat around all afternoon preparing a Bible study but without intimate time with him. Anyone out there who wants to pretend preparing a Bible study is worship or devotion time--don't kid yourself. There's a sermon in that--how much ministry is going on in the Church that men just decided to do, and God was never asked what He thought?

I don't want to be like Samson, and be able to do great exploits for the Lord, when my lifestyle and heart are not right with Him.

I'm reminded of the life of Moses also, and how he split the rock open the second time and the water gushed out, but the Lord was still not pleased with him for it. It is interesting, that the Lord did NOT command Moses that second time, unlike in Exodus 17:5-6 but water still came forth from the rock. Much can be said about the authority of the believer, and the ability to misuse that authority--but the Lord swore to Moses that he would not enter the Promised Land. I know it will sound blasphemous to some, but this incident with Moses and even to some degree Samson demonstrate that the anointing, or just plain power, is more mechanical than it is relational. Moses struck the rock, and still water came out. Did God do it even though Moses was in rebellion? Or did God give Moses (a man) power and he abused it and still produced results?

I know that will mess with a lot of peoples theology.

It is significant that these individuals that Jesus tells he didn't know, were actually doing the miraculous deeds in His name--prophesying, casting out demons and healing the sick all in His name!--and still cast out of His presence in the end! Sobering stuff if you want to believe you can remain in your sin and operate in the anointing. You can technically--for now. But what will the Lord say to you on that day? "Well done my faithful servant" or "flee from me I don't know you"? I'm preaching to myself, not just anyone that reads this. Let's not be like Samson who didn't know when the Lord left him, or Moses who wound up not even entering the promised land, or furthermore let us not be like any to whom Jesus will say "yes, you did do these things for me, but I don't know you."

I hope readers will give this stuff some serious thought and make necessary heart changes in your life before the Lord.

Page 3 of 3 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 3 | Next