“No, I cannot,” he [the man of God] replied. “I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place. For the Lord gave me this command: ‘You must not eat or drink anything while you are there, and do not return to Judah by the same way you came.’” But the old prophet answered,
“I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord : ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. (1 Kings 13:16-18 NLT)
“I am a prophet, too, just as you are. And an angel gave me this command from the Lord : ‘Bring him home with you so he can have something to eat and drink.’” But the old man was lying to him. (1 Kings 13:16-18 NLT)
Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. (Philippians 3:15, 16, 18 NLT)
O & A: When God commands, trust NO ONE who contradicts Him. Only God can release you from an instruction He has given--but even then, God doesn't change His mind. I'm reminded of something Pastor Matt Wakefield said: if God does something once, it's His nature.
And then, the passage in Philippians comes in to make sure I don't get over-zealous in that principle:
"Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ."
I should never cause strife in following the former. I should never allow differences of opinion to steal the light & spiritual strength God has poured out on me. God will show each person the truth they are willing to receive--and I need to look to Him, and Him alone!, to find the resolution of differing opinions, no matter the topic.
"Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ."
I should never cause strife in following the former. I should never allow differences of opinion to steal the light & spiritual strength God has poured out on me. God will show each person the truth they are willing to receive--and I need to look to Him, and Him alone!, to find the resolution of differing opinions, no matter the topic.
P: Father, I pray for wisdom in Your Spirit, to walk in love and peace and patience with all those around me. Guard my tongue and heart, so I can just love and serve where You will. I praise You for your generous provisioning and tender loving care in my life, and can't wait to draw ever nearer to You! In Jesus' name, Amen. :-)
