“Doing The Will of God!”

“Doing The Will Of God!”(Mt.7:15-23).
Some time ago I paid a visit to my Alma mater, ACI, Akropong, Ghana. My next door neighbor was a Pentecostal pastor who had come in for a course designed to serve the needs of Pentecostal pastors with little or no theological education. As we shared in conversation more and more, he opened up to me of his experience at ACI. He told me that ACI has expanded his horizon, such that he now realised that most of his Pentecostal casting and binding and exaggerated prayers was more out of ignorance.
Few years ago I asked a PCC colleague who had been so deep into the casting and binding ministry, “What has happened that I’m not seeing you so much involved in the casting and binding ministry?” His response: “Pa, after my exposure during my M.Th. studies I realized that education clarifies a lot of things…”
This morning I chanced on a video preaching of Apst. Johnson Suleman. Among other things he said, “…Most people we call false prophets are not false, they are only unschooled…”
The Lord Jesus Christ says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”(Jn.8:32). Knowledge liberates, but ignorance imprisons!
If there is no ignorance before the law, it becomes a pity that many souls will perish; not because they did not seek the Lord, but because they were misled by unschooled prophets.
We often watch with dismay how some teleevangelists manipulate the psychs of innocent souls who are genuinely searching for salvation.
God asked man to work for six days and rest on the seventh day. Working each day needs rest over the night and time for other chores. Unfortunately what obtains in Africa is that sometimes all the hours of prayers put together can sum up to two or three days of the week, leaving only three days for work.
Somebody will quickly remind me that scriptures say, “Pray continually”(I Th.5:17). Agreed! But what does continually mean? Does continually mean “non-stop?”
Jesus sounds the Caveat: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them…”
Growing up in the village even five year old kids can tell you a tree by its leaves. A pear tree stands out distinctly from a mangoe tree; in the same way a mangoe tree is distinguished from a guava or orange tree.
In the village we are able to distinguish between different mango fruits. Some we call number one, and it goes up to number five. Even so, not all number ones produce good fruits. “…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot hear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
My people say “if a woman does not have a child in her womb she cannot give birth to her intestines.” We can only give what we have.
A good tree depends on how much effort the farmer puts in in cultivating around it and pruning it as well.
Trees that are worthless are cut down and used for firewood. In the same way God has no time for those who are spiritually unproductive.
Dear friend, there’s a lot that is being done in God’s name and maybe with the best intentions. On that day we may in all confidence queue before the Master ready for our rewards only to be told plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!”
After all the great things we have done for God or in God’s name, the only criteria for selection is by doing the will of the Father in heaven. It is not by saying, “Lord, Lord.”
Therefore, whatch out for false prophets and keep doing the will of God always.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to do the will of the Father. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Prayer point: Pray that prophets should stand in the council of the LORD(schooled) before prophesying.
Rev Babila Fochang.