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It is
astonishing to see how prayer and anointing have been
ignored and 'methods' and 'support' have become driving
forces in the lives of today's ministers of the Word.
Assistance rendered by anyone is considered as a door
opened by the Almighty. I believe we are minimizing
God’s power and His faithful providence through such
attitudes.
In order to open our eyes, the Holy Spirit has jotted
down a bizarre incident in Chapter 16 of the Book of
Acts.
"This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting,
"These men are servants of the Most High God, who are
telling you the way to be saved." Act 16:17
Contrary to our expectation, by hearing this, Paul was
so troubled and rebuked the spirit insider her. As a
result, the spirit went out of her. Paul and Silas
landed in prison for depriving the girl's owners of
their income. However, the whole incident led to the
fulfilment of God's purposes through them.
Many would wonder why Paul did what he did. After all,
the girl was helping them by attesting their identity.
This could have enhanced their work of spreading the
good news of Jesus Christ. Multitudes trusted the girl
and queued up every day to listen to her oracles. Paul
could have made hay while sun shone. He could have given
a powerful message by quoting the girl’s comment here
and there as we do today. Irrespective of whether any
one got saved hundreds of hands would have gone up
during alter calls. Thank God, Paul didn’t have to play
the number game to please someone.
I find the secret of the Kingdom of God with which Paul
was well versed. Primarily, the girl proclaimed their
identity through the help an evil spirit. It was common
knowledge that the girl was possessed. Paul and Silas
were preaching a different message that not only
revealed man's future but also transformed lives. These
two powers and their messages cannot get along together.
Moreover, Paul was preaching a God who is all powerful.
God doesn’t need the help of an evil spirit for the
extension His Kingdom. The power of an evil spirit has
no comparison with the magnitude of the power of the
Almighty God. Paul was robust and candid to turn down
the offer of partnership an evil spirit set forth. We
should not forget the fact that we are despising the
Super Power when we run after the useless power of this
world.
Secondly, Paul was in the venture of saving souls. He
wanted to deliver that girl from the bondage of the evil
spirit and the slavery of her masters who used her to
make money. He knew only the power of God can deliver
her from those clutches. Paul must have given glory to
God when the woman was delivered from the evil spirit.
Though the immediate outcome was detrimental for Paul
and Silas, the upshot proved to be salvation of many in
that city.
Powerful anointing on several servants of God equipped
them to develop methods to run their ministry. I don’t
see anyone who achieved success in their ministry by
adopting someone else's methods. The worst one is
depending on influential people of the locality
irrespective of whether they are idol worshipers or
enemies of our ministry.
Every single servant of God is unique before God and
called by a special call. The Faithful One has anointed
us to carry on His task on us. We need to show our
faithfulness and loyalty to Him. Trust in God alone and
you will never put to shame.
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