CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 852

“Relying on God – Training Wheels”

1 Corinthians 3:1-7 (NIV)  …Indeed…You are still worldly…For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe…

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I like chocolate.  I felt nauseated however after three bites of that ‘death by chocolate’ cake.  Have you ever had too much of a good thing?  God wants us to rely on Him completely and sometimes too much of a good thing can actually get in the way of our relying on Him.  We have to always be on guard against the deceitfulness of wealth and worldly alliances which, although good things, can become false idols that hinder our walk with God.

Another good thing that can become a hindrance to our full reliance upon God is our relationship with Godly men or women who are spiritual mentors to us. The Lord brings people into our lives to disciple us and teach us when we first accept Him as our Lord and Savior. It is almost like learning to ride a bicycle with training wheels or with someone running alongside holding the back of the seat.  This is a good thing as long as we learn and develop the ability to keep our balance without relying upon the training wheels or others to hold us up.

Spiritual mentors can be a family member, coworker, Pastor or even someone you have never met such as a preacher with a television or radio ministry.  Notice how Elijah had to be removed for Elisha to rise to the full potential that God had called Him to.  …suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind…And Elisha saw him no more. (2 Kings 2:11-12 NIV)

Likewise Moses had to die before Joshua would come to fully rely on God as he led the Israelite nation into the Promised Land.  …the LORD said to Joshua…: “Moses my servant is dead…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  “Be strong and courageous… (Joshua 1:1-6 NIV)

From our reference Scripture we see how Paul admonished the church in Corinth because they were placing emphasis on following one anointed man of God over another.  God is your personal God.  Jesus is your personal Savior.  The Holy Spirit is given to all that come to Christ seeking to walk in His power and strength.  Our parents cannot have faith for us.  Our spouse cannot represent us before God.  Your pastor or the evangelist you like to listen to cannot fulfill your calling for you.  Only you can walk the path that the Lord has purposed for you.  Far too many Christians shy away from their call of God to serve because they feel inadequate.  Good!  It is in our inadequacy and in our weakness that God is glorified as His power and strength are manifested.

It is good to study God’s Word with our spiritual mentors.  There will however come a time when the Lord calls you to take the training wheels off.  Just as we were able to continue to ride our bicycle relying on God’s natural laws of physics so will we be able to serve Him, relying on His Spiritual power and gifts.