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Digging for Gold In English classes, teachers look for the students who can be most descriptive in their writing. They are always encouraging to dig deeper; write in a way that the reader can vividly see what you see. The students are told to ask themselves questions such as “Who? What? When? Where? How? How much? and Why?” Answering these questions in descriptive writing can give their readers that clear exact image the writer desires for them to have. Living for Christ can be like reading a book. All too often believers do not have a visual sense of the spiritual realm. Not because the Lord would not give description, but because we do not ask the right questions. We receive a word from the Lord and run with it, rather than waiting on him and seeking for detail. When we receive a word, we should ask “Who? What? When? Where? How? How much? and Why?” It does take time, but if we will hear, we may be able to see more clearly and vividly what it is the Lord desires from us. Mark 8:27-29 (KJV) “And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. 29And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.” The Lord was painting a picture here with His words. If the question wasn’t asked, would Peter have thought about it and come to the conclusion that he did? Jesus was digging for gold. He knew that there was a treasure within Peter, but Peter had to find it for himself. By asking the right questions, we can see vividly the spiritual realm. John 21:15 (KJV) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” Here the Lord is asking more of Peter. His questions will reveal to Peter the potential within him for the kingdom of God. If these questions were not asked, would Peter have had the picture of the sheep and the shepherd that Jesus wanted to give? Here again, Jesus saw a spiritual image that He wanted his disciple to see. The Lord has so much for His children. He really does want us to see what He is saying. By asking and listening, we can receive truth from a different light. Perhaps the greatest of these questions is “Why?” “Why” is the shovel that digs deeper. “Why” not only helps to paint the picture, but describes the heart of God. It gives us purpose and brings change. Without asking “why” we are not trained with understanding, only servants of limits. When asking “why” we must be careful to not ask with the motive of persuasion, but of training. May we ask the questions that give us insight to the good news. There is still much to accomplish for the kingdom. May we do it effectively by seeing what He sees. -Chad Ross April Newsletter 2004 | It Is Finished | Digging for Gold | Pastor's Journal April 2003 The Power of Forgiveness | Partakers: With Whom and Of What? part 1 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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