Experience is NOT the best teacher

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the statement “Experience is the best teacher”. Experience can teach us – sometimes. We don’t always remember the lesson, and other times the only lesson we have is “don’t do that” – not what does work. Adversity can teach us, as well. Learning to overcome challenges builds strength and character.

What is God’s way for the church to learn?

First, He’s sent the Holy Spirit to teach us.

John 14:26 (NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 14:26 (AMP) But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

The Holy Spirit will remind us of Jesus’ teachings. He is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17) and will guide us into truth (John 16:13), and help us recognize truth and error in other teachings. He will give us wise words when accused or testifying (Matthew 10:19-20). He will give us wisdom, revelation and understanding (Ephesians 1:17-18), if we allow Him to lead us and listen to His instruction. Other references to His instructor role may be found in 1 John 2.

The other guide that God has given to us is church leaders. In Ephesians 4:11-15, we find that apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are given to equip the saints, build up the church, and help us move into Christian maturity, “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (verse 14). We also see the teaching responsibility in overseers (some translations read this “bishops”) and deacons (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1).

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit and godly church leaders, we can grow up into a glorious Church!

Doug

Praying for rain in the rainy season

Recently a prophetic friend sent me Zechariah 10:1. In this verse, I see the rain as prophetic, speaking of the Spirit and His manifestations.

Zechariah 10:1 (NKJV) Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone.

If it is the season for rain, why should we ask for rain? Because there are times when we have to actively respond and receive, and not just sit passively thinking “If God wants me to have it, I’ll get it.” The Spirit could be pouring Himself out on other people and miss us when we’re right next to them, because we’re not expecting and receptive.

One example from scripture is in 1 Kings 18. The Lord told Elijah to tell Ahab that rain was coming (verse 1). After he told Ahab in verse 41, he set himself to praying for rain, and he didn’t stop until it came.

Another example is Daniel 9. Daniel saw that Jeremiah had earlier written (Jeremiah 25:12, 29:10) there would be 70 years and then people would return to Jerusalem. Then he set himself to praying, fasting and repenting towards the fulfillment.

There are things that are promised us in scripture that we have to lay hold of, as well. There is healing in salvation and redemption (Psalm 103:2-3, Isaiah 53:4-5), but it’s not generally going to passively come on us. We have to take it by faith, just as we took our salvation. I was having breakfast this morning with a high school friend, and started sharing this. He pointed out the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25+) as another example. If she had stayed in her bed, she would not have been healed. I’m hard-pressed to find an example of Jesus healing someone that didn’t approach Him or get His attention.

We have exceeding great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4) but we can’t be passive about what we’re promised. Satan will use passivity, deception, and other devices to steal away the promises that God gives us (Mark 4:14-20). Fight the good fight of faith! (1 Tim 6:12)

Doug