Monday, October 15, 2012

October 16, 2012

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; add to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness"  II Peter 1:5-6
Our guest missionary recently shared some amazing testimonies from his work in the Far East. In an area that is largely secular and atheistic sharing the Gospel ranges from difficult to dangerous. What religious practices that do exist in these places largely consist of ancestor worship.
As our guest reminded us, the demonstration of godliness in that dark area is usually evidenced in supernatural manifestations of God's power such as healings and deliverance from demons.
One of the people who sat in that service hearing about the miraculous healings done through the missionaries called me today and was having trouble processing all that he heard. He is a person I would consider to be a godly man but he was feeling a bit inadequate listening to how God used the missionaries to heal and deliver people from demons. He believed in miracles but wasn't convinced he had what it took to see them happen for him.
I put it in perspective for him like this - maybe it will help you, too!
First, as a believer he DOES have what it takes. Peter, in the beginning verses of this Chapter said this, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
What part of EVERYTHING do you not understand?
Everything means spiritual power and authority over evil in all of its forms.
Second, what our missionary actually was encouraging is four-fold:
1) Have a desire to reach lost people whatever it takes!
2) Expect God to speak to you!
3) Learn how to hear Him and recognize His voice.
4) Do whatever He tells you to do!
Signs and wonders and miracles happens like everything else in the walk of faith - one obedience at a time!