Under whose authority do I preach?  If it is the Word of God then it must come from God not from me.  I am simply a vehicle through which the eternal, saving, cleansing water’s of life are dispensed to a thirsty world.  If the inside of my pitcher is filthy does that taint the taste of these life saving water’s or do those waters have the same authority and cleansing power to wash clean my own sins in my frailty as a human mechanism?  Will the waters flow at all from a unrepentant disciple?  These are august questions with which we must struggle and frankly each of us would be dismayed if not for the guidance of the Holy Spirit .

Does my lack of gentleness, kindness, self-control and long suffering indicate that I am in fact not filled with the Spirit of God, Who seals a man for eternity?  I serve God and no man and that includes myself.  If I am doing as He has led me, in the knowledge, faith and adherence to a salvation for which I am assured then neither my sin nor the pronouncement, accusations or recriminations of any man can effect that salvation.  The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want and He shall discipline me in His Good Will when He deems necessary, and as a note He may use another believer to deliver that message of the need for re-dedication or repentance.  I respect any believer’s Spirit filled message even as it may be directed at me, but look out for the lumber in thy own eye.  I am not one that needs to be bludgeoned by those who love me, simply tell me what you think and feel, then give me the respect I have shown you, allowing me to evaluate, pray, discuss and weigh each spirit’s voice as the Word directs me.  If the message is truly from the Lord then HE will counsel, reprove and conform me to His likeness, in that I have faith and trust not in the angry declarations of other sinners.

Immature Christians, although well intentioned tend to wield the Word with a heavy hand.  As Jesus delivered the message, he did it in kindness and patience, even with the Apostles who refused to understand after spending three years in direct contact.  Where He directs each of us to which ministry He calls each of us is a personal conversation between He and each of us.  If I am in relationship with a church and the leaders of that church call me to count for some behavior then I am dedicated to accept, follow and change whatever they have directed me as an extension of His Authority.  I pray for those who feel it is necessary, in self righteousness and what I believe is ill advised manipulation of discipleship to dispense judgment as if it came from themselves.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask Him to protect me from the fiery darts of the enemy that may in times even be spoken by a Brother who has fallen asleep and allowed himself to be used by the enemies of God.  Forgive me for the times I have corrupted Your intentions by my own desire for control.  What the enemy or any man intended for evil let it be turned to the Good of Your Will.  Let their intentions be made evident and the truth of anything they say be extracted from any ill intent.  Let me only speak Your Truth, listen to Your Truth and obey Your Truth in faith, kindness and love as I believe You have directed.  Let me lead members to the cross and plant seeds and lead me away from destroying, breaking down or discouraging anything that You have saved.  What You have made Holy is Holy.  And just as You taught Peter let no man or spirit say otherwise.  We love You Father, for what You are, what You have shown us and for what You have given us, even that which we never deserved.  Amen.