January
5, 2002
NEVER
SAY NEVER AGAIN
DAVID
UNDER SAUL
There
is a group of Christians who, in the past, have endured what David experienced
under Saul. Your Saul may have been a biological one,
or a boss from work, or even
someone who you have worked under in ministry.
You
have been so devastated by your experience that, in your heart, you've said to
yourself, "Never again; there is no way that I would allow myself to be
hurt by them again."
PAUL AND BARNABAS
"And
there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they
separated
from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyrpus. But
Paul selected Silas and set out, being commended by the brethren to the grace of
the Lord." (Acts 15:39-40)
There
are others also who have gone through the same experience that Paul and Barnabas
went through. This may be family, work, or ministry related.
You
have been separated and, the once strong friendship/relationship, has been
broken under very strained and difficult circumstances. The separation has been
painful and traumatic, not just to you personally, but it has affected even your
family. In your heart, you have said, "Never again,” or
“There is no way that I'm working or living
with that person again."
HEALED
For
the past years, you have allowed the Lord to work His work of healing in your
heart. You've released forgiveness to the people who have caused you hurt, and
today you can talk about the event/events without
feelings of regret, or anger or pain overtaking you.
KEEPING
DISTANCE
But
the idea of living and working with them again is one thing that is
farthest
from your mind at this time or something that you would not
want to consider. If you could have your own way, you would rather
"these parties" remained in your past and stayed there forever."
DO
NOT CLOSE THAT DOOR
The
Holy Spirit has been reminding me these past days that the time has now come for
those to whom this message will apply to start once more to open their hearts
towards those people.
Whatever
our personal desire regarding this, we are being challenged this day to begin to
"prepare our hearts, even now, for the possibility of working again or
being together with them in ways that we may not want or desire."
COMING
BACK TO MIND
If
in these past days you have been remembering the event and the people more often
than you would prefer, that is a sign that the time has come to take another
step of faith.
START
IN YOUR PRAYER
We
do not have to take any concrete action for now, but we can begin to prepare our
hearts in prayer.
SURRENDER
ALL TO GOD
"Heavenly
Father, Your ways are not our ways neither are Your thoughts our thoughts.
"As
nothing is impossible with You, even now, we are asking You to continue to speak
more clarity to us Your people. You are the great and ultimate Healer. Begin now
to finish the work of healing that You have done, are doing and will continue to
do in each of our lives.
"Change
our 'never again' and 'no way' to YES, YES, LORD. We will do what You want us to
do and go where You want us to go and work and live with whoever You have chosen
for us no matter who they will be. All we desire is to be in the center of Your
will for us.
"Thank
You for forewarning us about this possibility and for preparing our hearts even
now. We surrender this matter to You Father and we ask You to fill us with more
of Your Spirit. In Christ’s name we ask all these. Amen!"
Blessings
in Him,
Sis.
Ching Co
Cebu City
Philippines
http://otim.org/ChingCo