Dear Brother,
My pastor is a man of real wisdom. He is also a genuinely spiritual man who can hear from God. I had every confidence in him, that he would have my best interest at heart. Yes, I could trust him to give me the counsel I needed; he would give me fresh direction. Thus, I anticipated good things as I shared my heart with him, expecting an answer to my dilemma. However, after hearing my concerns, he replied, “Bruce, you really need to hear from God, don’t you.”
Yes, I needed to hear from God, but I was hoping that he would be the vessel through which God would speak. At that time I would never have admitted it, but I really wanted him to be my “Moses”, the one who would go to the mountain and hear from God in my behalf. How thankful I am that my pastor never attempts to usurp that place. He always encourages (insists) that those of us who look to him must always be able to clearly hear the voice of the Lord.
There are two things I want to say to you, brother. First, that you need to maintain your spiritual ear to personally hear the voice of God on a daily basis. Second, that you encourage anyone who would look to you, that they keep their ear attuned to hear directly from God, and not just hear through an annointed man of God.
Your relationship with your apostolic oversight is honorable and he is very qualified, but you must not put him into a non-biblical place of being your mediator. Don’t ever allow yourself to become such to another. As we teach new disciples, there is nothing more important to impart, than that they be able to hear from God.
When you approach your pastor/apostle with a concern, be sure you go, having prayed, and share with him what you feel God is speaking to your heart. You may not have heard with all the clarity that you would like, but don’t go to your apostle/pastor as a blank slate. Allow the Lord God to write on the tablets of your heart, then ask your pastor/apostle to confirm or encourage. Be open that he might caution you or bring a course correction to help you hear fresh, new direction.
Diring the next few days, brother, I urge you to find some time alone with God. Take a note pad and listen for the Voice of the Lord Jesus. You may need to empty yourself of all the things you are expecting to hear so that you can hear afresh, but listen.
Bruce
