Wednesday, February 6, 2008

A great skill if used properly!


I was listening to a radio broadcast today and the pastor preaching was telling of a time he was at a conference, and as so often happens, all the attendees were asked to say who they were, where they are from, and what they do.

As he told the story, he began to say how this was always so uncomfortable, and it seems the "one-upmanship" tendencys are in full swing! He continued tongue in cheek saying, " The first man said 'I am so- and- so , and I run the western half of the USA', and man #2 says 'I am so-and-so and I run the whole USA', and so on, until it got to me." We have all been there at a service or a conference, right? People with there best masks on, and choosing only the best of the best to say about themselves! Well...

The preacher then says he is always so intimidated, and yet at the same time he knows what his calling is, and fully realizes the value and importance...-you get the point. At his turn, he says "I am (I really wish I could remember his name!) and I lip sync for the voice of God!". He said there was rolling laughter, and the very staunch and serious mood of the conference was broken, understandably so! He then said, "I am serious!"

Music flows in and the program ends with instructions to buy the video or cassette- blah-blah-blah.

I had heard the last 4 minutes of this entire sermon. Strange portion of a message to hear, huh? Especially me with the overactive brain matter, only usually in a nonsensical and useless direction!

Lip syncing the Voice of God?! What did that mean?! Several hours have passed, and while it still sounds a little unusual, I too, think I would like to lip sync for the voice of God. To explain...

I am taking the class "Biblical Counseling" with my husband (I am sure as a subtle method of his to get me to be counciled) and I am enjoying it! There have been only a few classes, but already the overwhelming need to know the Scriptures, nature of God, and His ways are the only ways to truly succeed in Biblically counseling someone. (DUH!) (that was for me- seems an obvious understanding to all others before they even step into the first class!) So in order to be effective in helping someone get closer to the Lord and follow in his ways, I need to tell them what the Bible says and help them understand what the nature of God is. That means I must first know this for myself (another duh moment for me... ) and I can then tell others.

Using the word of God as my words...

Lip Syncing for the voice of God. I get it!

A verse to back this thought up is a good idea...

1Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Oracles defined...
1 a: a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak b: a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person c: an answer or decision given by an oracle
2 a
: a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions b: an authoritative or wise expression or answer

While our perception of the word is tainted in today's new age society, the word is biblical and it is clear what it means.

"as the oracles of God"... A great goal for any Biblical counselor! Move over Milli!

4 comments:

Hindsey said...

I have always been intimidated by 1 Peter 4:11. Anytime someone preaches, or even is to give "Biblical Counsel" they are essentially speaking in God's stead. Make sure you're not wrong (see the last few chapters of Job to back me up)!

But, really, Jan, I needed to ask you what you meant about "Milli?" I mean what is that? I can't think of anything in the past 15 years that it could be referring too. Maybe I'm too young? :))

Great observation though -

Janice said...

Oh the joys of youth...

Mr. Young said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr. Young said...

Humbling concept, and rightly so. Thanks for sharing that one. What a great and terrible business preaching is.

deleted post was mine, had to correct spelling errors : )