Psalm 138:2 English Standard Version (ESV) I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

Having decades of experience in hearing God it has always been difficult to relate to others exactly how God speaks. What works for one person might not work for another and we must believe people when they say they are saved. We must no cast a shadow of suspicion just because the say they are not hearing God speak. God knows how to reach each of us in a way we can accept His Word and do His will.

Trying to boil it all down so that anyone will stand a better chance means placing this in the most basic terms. It must begin with our belief that God does want to talk to you and that we are willing to listen.

Hebrews 11:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

This is a faith based relationship and the reward we seek is to hear God for ourselves. Towards that effort the Lord has said a good place to start is Psalm 138:2. We must start with humility. We are asking the God of the universe to speak to us. Attitude is everything when coming before the King of Kings. We should be grateful for the opportunity to have an audience with the King.

Acts 11:16 English Standard Version (ESV) And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Have we received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If we are not sure, then we should sit down with our pastors and have that discussion.

This comes next. See tomorrow’s post.

Acts 18:24-26 English Standard Version

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

What should we do if we encounter someone who tries to witness Jesus to us that has not accepted the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Apollos represents a type of believer who has all the makings of a great resource for God but does not quite have all the information. During these days the New Testament was being formed and how they came to know Jesus differs from how we get to come to Christ. Priscilla and Aquila had spent time with Paul and heard information that went beyond the baptism of John. They could share what was witnessed to them by the Holy Spirit.

We must allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead in witnessing to anyone trying to declare Jesus. We must not drive them away from the truth just because their information is incomplete. Knowledge of Christ comes from the Holy Spirit and we will come across people who know the scriptures but do not know Christ in a personal relationship.

Engaging with these people should begin with allowing the Holy Spirit to touch them with the scriptures which they rely upon without the aid of the Spirit of Truth to guide them. We are not to argue but to speak the truth with love and care just as it has been done for us when we first began.