April 17, 2010

Today's reading: I Kings 22; II Kings 1, 2; Psalm 17, 47, 77, 107, 137; Proverbs 17

I Kings 22:8, "And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."

As I was reading this today I could not help but think of people that I have talked with that do not like this or that Preacher or Pastor. When you inquire as to why they do not like them you find out that they have preached against something that the person holds dear.

I have heard many person who is born-again say that before they were saved that they thought the Pastor or Preacher was preaching right to them. They think that he somehow knows their lifestyle and is saying certain things just because they are in attendance that day.

This could not be further from the truth. What they are experiencing is Holy Spirit conviction. God is convicting them of their sin. They have an opportunity to confess and forsake their sin; but, so many times they just go on and do the best they can to suppress this conviction.

Sometimes it is because of this that people will not go back to _____ Church. They will not go back because they think the Pastor is preaching at them when it is God lovingly trying to draw them to Himself. The next time the Holy Spirit says something to you listen really close and see what He has to say.

Are you listening? I hope so.