The best soldier does not attack. The superior fighter succeeds without violence. The greatest conqueror wins without a struggle. The most successful manager leads without dictating. Author unknown
Johns two disciples found Jesus and said to him, John the Baptist sent us to ask, Are you the Messiah weve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?
At that very time, he cured many people of their various diseases, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to the blind. Then he told Johns disciples, Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, God blesses those who are not offended by me.
Luke 7:20-23 NLT
Share with me what the Life Recovery Bible has to say about these verses.
John the Baptists experience shows that even the strongest believers will go through times of discouragement and doubt. John had been imprisoned and was facing death. Jesus seeming inability or unwillingness to set up his Kingdom led John to send these inquirers. Jesus deeply respected John, even his doubts. Johns questions were honestly asked in a time of acute suffering, so Jesus affirms him and answers him accordingly. God invites us to bring our doubts to him, and he will gently move us along the path of discovery and recovery. (Life Recovery Bible, page 1215)
How could John the Baptist have doubts? He was filled with the Spirit of God even before his birth. It just goes to show that no matter how spiritual you are or how successful you are, you may and will have doubts. Even when our faith is solid, our circumstances are constantly changing and many times as we dip in and out of situations that are not going exactly as we planned, we may develop some doubts as to the direction weve been headed. That doesnt mean that we are headed in the wrong direction. I strongly believe in traveling through life with those who have some of the same spiritual values as myself. I tried isolation and was a Lone Ranger with my spiritual plan of recovery at various times in the past. When doubts came up, I always failed because I had no one to assure me that my direction was right. One thing that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous stresses, that I dont find so much in church, is the concept of mentoring, or sponsoring as we call it. Having someone to turn to in times of doubt, and likewise being there for someone else when they are struggling. I have heard it preached and I have heard emphasis put on mentoring, but it is not a requirement. Many people would probably leave the churches if they were forced to be hooked up with someone else, especially if they were struggling. Sometimes mentoring is not very comfortable, especially when we have to listen to someone grip and complain I have discovered in working with my sponsor that much of the time when I bring a problem to him, I am able to arrive at solutions on my own, just by having someone there to talk it through with. John the Baptist clearly had a sponsor, Jesus Christ. Today I call Jesus my sponsor also, but I depend on the ear of Wayne H. when I struggle with doubts. Today, God working through other people is doing for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
Johns two disciples found Jesus and said to him, John the Baptist sent us to ask, Are you the Messiah weve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?
At that very time, he cured many people of their various diseases, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to the blind. Then he told Johns disciples, Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, God blesses those who are not offended by me.
Luke 7:20-23 NLT
Share with me what the Life Recovery Bible has to say about these verses.
John the Baptists experience shows that even the strongest believers will go through times of discouragement and doubt. John had been imprisoned and was facing death. Jesus seeming inability or unwillingness to set up his Kingdom led John to send these inquirers. Jesus deeply respected John, even his doubts. Johns questions were honestly asked in a time of acute suffering, so Jesus affirms him and answers him accordingly. God invites us to bring our doubts to him, and he will gently move us along the path of discovery and recovery. (Life Recovery Bible, page 1215)
How could John the Baptist have doubts? He was filled with the Spirit of God even before his birth. It just goes to show that no matter how spiritual you are or how successful you are, you may and will have doubts. Even when our faith is solid, our circumstances are constantly changing and many times as we dip in and out of situations that are not going exactly as we planned, we may develop some doubts as to the direction weve been headed. That doesnt mean that we are headed in the wrong direction. I strongly believe in traveling through life with those who have some of the same spiritual values as myself. I tried isolation and was a Lone Ranger with my spiritual plan of recovery at various times in the past. When doubts came up, I always failed because I had no one to assure me that my direction was right. One thing that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous stresses, that I dont find so much in church, is the concept of mentoring, or sponsoring as we call it. Having someone to turn to in times of doubt, and likewise being there for someone else when they are struggling. I have heard it preached and I have heard emphasis put on mentoring, but it is not a requirement. Many people would probably leave the churches if they were forced to be hooked up with someone else, especially if they were struggling. Sometimes mentoring is not very comfortable, especially when we have to listen to someone grip and complain I have discovered in working with my sponsor that much of the time when I bring a problem to him, I am able to arrive at solutions on my own, just by having someone there to talk it through with. John the Baptist clearly had a sponsor, Jesus Christ. Today I call Jesus my sponsor also, but I depend on the ear of Wayne H. when I struggle with doubts. Today, God working through other people is doing for me what I could not do for myself ..JRE
