18 May 2018

A CONFESSION OF A HYPOCRITE

By John Ollis

There is not one new or different teaching in this blog today, although I pray that as in my own experience in the last 24 hours INFORMATION (teaching) will become revelation and bring about change in our lives, that simple 18 inch drop from head to heart. I was shaken up yesterday afresh when I realised how easy it is for a Preacher/Teacher can become such a hypocrite, saying one thing but not PRACTICING WHAT HE PREACHES.
We visited a close family member yesterday who is in Care facility as she has been diagnosed with a fast moving debilitating Neurological disease, that has already effected her movements, her speech and ability to swallow etc. We have felt strongly NOT to pray for her healing but that she would know the GRACE of God in her awful experience, as we have noted recently for example in the lives of Fanny Crosby and Annie Johnson Flint, and that she would be a blessing to others. The Lord has and is wonderfully answering our prayer as we saw and heard so dramatically  yesterday. With her struggling speech she said something like “when I look around I see the maddening crowd, and literally problems everywhere, but when I look up I see JESUS”.
Her statement so blessed us as she shared what the Lord is doing in and through her life, but very soon, I became strongly convicted by the Holy Spirit, because in at least one area I was a hypocrite.
In a few months I turn 77, and especially in the last 12 months have become very aware of the AGING PROCESS with its aches and pains, and difficulties and sometimes impossibilities of doing certain things, and the many other side effects  that come with this process. (I do not have to list them)  and I confess I have been complaining MUCH  about all these things.
You know I major on importance of Prayer in the Believer’s life, and the importance of clearing the decks of any unconfessed sin when we begin our time of prayer. I became very aware of 2 areas of sin (for me at least). The Apostle Paul says WHAT IS NOT FROM FAITH IS SIN, (Romans 14:23) and I have been confessing fear and unbelief and negativity relative to this aging process, by God’s grace I am determined I WILL NO LONGER CONFESS THESE THINGS.
I am also reminded of to truth that to know to do something and NOT do it, it is sin (the sin of Omission (James 4:17) There are a number of things in relation to the aging process I with the Lord’s help will now do. for example:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV IN everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. The AMP Translation says Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].
Paul writing to the Ephesians in 5:20 NKJV giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
I must develop more my THANKFUL HEART, (and an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE) and recognise that in EVERY situation our God is ALWAYS  worthy of my praise. Here in Ephesians Paul says we can and should give thanks IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, thank God for the power and authority we have in that Name that is above EVERY  name. PLUS  develop a constant attitude of SUBMISSION to the people the Lord brings into my life. It is interesting how Paul has combined THANKFULNESS TO GOD, AND SUBMISSION ON THE HORIZONTAL !!!
I must learn to maintain a GOOD & POSITIVE CONFESSION the writer to Hebrews in 4:14 (AMP) tells us Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].  The Word tells us OUR GOD DOES ALL THINGS WELL, it may not be the way we want it or like but our Sovereign God knows what he is doing. Solomon the wisest man in all the world told us in Proverbs 18:21  NKJV Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]. the MESSAGE put it this way Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit -you choose   wow, the stuff that was coming out of my mouth regarding the aging process was POISON.  By God’s grace THIS WILL STOP.
Paul’s well known words in Romans 8:28 N KJV are ringing in my heart And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose  The PASSION Translation expresses it this way :
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.  The MESSAGE says this That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Our God is not surprised by anything as HE KNOWS EVERYTHING and if we are walking in the Light, and seeking to live for Him, He permits things even like the aging process to be a part of our life for a PURPOSE, both for ourselves and maybe for us to help others, I am sure it is a PRUNING & SANCTIFYING PROCESS  to help us respond to these DEALINGS to make us more like Jesus.
In the last 24 hours I have learnt a VALUABLE & PAINFUL  lesson, will you pray with me please, that I will learn from this lesson, and with the Lord’s help not let this be a part of my life again.
I have written this blog primarily for myself and am not laying anything on any of my readers, but I would encourage you to let the Holy Spirit speak to you, may this blog be a blessing to many for thre Glory of God.