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InTheFlame
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Why not? Aren't we supposed to consider the counsel of others, check it against scripture, pray about it?christalee4 said:Dont mind what other people tell you.
I agree wholeheartedly. But also, be sure that God is actually saying what you think he's saying. This is where other believers can be useful, for bringing parts of God's word that might apply to your situation to your attention.christalee4 said:Do what God tells you to do.
Look, I know I may sound like a naysayer. I'm not wanting to discourage searle from obeying God. But I do have enough experience in two areas that her situation makes me wonder about what God's telling her. First area - scars from my childhood, and unhealthy relational habits. Second area - a heart for helping others get through the same sort of things I had to, hopefully with less scars. I was very sure, a number of times, that God was telling me to jump into fulltime ministry right away. Know what? I was wrong. Every time I tried, HE stopped me. Not Satan, not other believers... although he did work through other believers a couple of times. A number of times lately God has shown me the results of some 'ministry' entered into prematurely, with more enthusiasm than wisdom. The results can be disasterous for all concerned - which includes innocent bystanders. Sometimes God calls us for a ministry, and we need to wait expectantly... taking every opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds for what he has for us. I'm still not in fulltime ministry, 5 or so years after I heard God's call. But I'm continually learning, gaining wisdom and knowledge, and using that in 'little' ways. As DMckay pointed out, the bible is quite clear that those who teach others MUST be held to a much higher standard, because of the responsibility they bear - the risk they bear of causing a lot of grief, pain and (where marriage counselling is concerned) broken relationships and marriages.
The apostles went through a 3-year apprenticeship. Even Paul was sent away to Tarsus before he really started his ministry. God's call and a fullblown ministry often don't follow in a matter of days, or even months. That's OK... it doesn't mean a person is lacking.
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