" Answers without the discernment from the Holy Spirit is no good "
please continue...
Holding back my tears, I compose myself to attentively listen. I know in my heart this is a special night for believers
And as Joe witness boldly and loudly in the midst of believers thru Psalm 30 that Sunday evening, it reminds me of two stories that encourage me as a believer in Christ.
For years I’ve been reading Christian persecution stories (I subscribe with VOM), and whenever I come across amazing stories of how fellow believers endured such hardships, it encourages and touches me deeply. I remember reading about a persecuted Christian and his imprisonment. The Communist government would change the guards at his cell daily for fear that he would lead them to the Lord. Their fears were justified—many of those guards did come to faith! Apparently he had learned a powerful lesson from the testimony of the apostle Paul.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians Church, he describes himself as an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his spirit. He may be in chains, but he remains the Lord’s ambassador.
Apostle Paul’s situation if we could just imagine is very difficult. During his ministry he spends a total of approx. 5-1/2 to 6 years in prisons (Romans and Philippians) chained up. And during those years of imprisonment he could have easily “QUIT” his ministry. - but did not!
Instead the apostle Paul grows bolder as an ambassador, chained in the flesh but not in the Spirit, not intimidated or ashamed. And in Philippians 4:13 He concludes his letter to the Philippians Church by declaring, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
And through Christ strength we shouldn’t allow our self to be bonded by our maladies, or chained by our difficult circumstances or tribulations. God has also called us to be a witness for Him. I believed, with so much work to be done and short time we have here on earth, we ought to be growing the “boldest”, right in the middle of our trials or maladies!
Joe's situation is difficult, but situation like this is a test of fidelity and happens to other believers as well. James 1:2 declares "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials". We should face them with Jesus and overcome them with Him, because every trial is an opportunity to exhibit HIS love and power in our lives. And it’s not often in our life that we hear testimony like Joe's but when it comes, the world should get this true testimony of a believer in Jesus Christ. These testimonies were so amazing to behold and it’s - LOUD and CLEAR!