His Channels II

Rom.12:6 (GW) “God in His kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God’s Word, make sure what you say agrees with the faith.” [with emphasis]

God speaks through ministry gifts. Have you ever been in church and it is like the minister is talking to you? In fact, I have actually had cases where spouses are accusing each other of reporting to pastor. Meanwhile nobody told me anything. During one service I said, “how can you, husband and wife, be fighting over suya [spicy beef jerky]? The couple later told me that as soon as I said that, they looked at themselves because they were just fighting over suya on their way to church. Sometimes, it is during worship that God speaks and by the time you are done worshipping, you already have answers. God speaks through ministry gifts, yes He does. 1 Cor.2:13  [TEV] “We do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit.”

Channel #3: God speaks through Other Christians. God can speak to you through other believers. Pro.12:26 “The godly give wise advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.” We all have blind spots. You cannot see your back even if you use a double mirror. You cannot even go everywhere carrying a double mirror. God puts people in our lives to tell us the truth and to help us see what we cannot see. Prov.12:¹⁵ [TEV] “Stupid people always think they are right. Wise people listen to advice.” Have you met any of such stupid people who always think they are right? But wise people always listen to advice.

I can tell you several stories of how God saved me from mistakes just by listening to my wife. To all married men, God has given you a constant helper in your wife. In fact, the Holy Spirit is your helper and so is your wife. What does that tell you? Many times, my wife would say to me, “I know you are the pastor but you need to consider this perspective”. I may refuse initially but when she leaves and I think about what she said, it is usually an accurate assessment. So I change my mind and it saves me. The troubles you are experiencing may just be because you are not listening to the people God is using to speak to you.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me keep my heart open to God regardless of the channel He chooses to use to communicate with me. Help me hear His voice and obey, in Jesus Name.