A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (June 19, 2018)
And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. (2 Chronicles 20:20)
Several years ago, I knew a young man who was a marriage counselor. He had all the right education. He had a degree with the diploma hanging on the wall. He was intelligent and had a great personality. The only problem was that he himself had never been married and knew little about life in general. Perhaps today he is a mature counselor. However, at that time he was just too young to have the experience and wisdom required to advise married couples about their lives.
He had the education, but he needed wisdom. When Loretta and I were first married, I was fresh out of college and became the pastor of a rural Southern Baptist Church. Even though I studied the Word, my sermons were not very good. Education is good, but education alone is no substitute for revelation, wisdom, and experience.
One thing I have discovered over time is there is wisdom in age. Of course, not every old person is wise. But, for those who have spent their lives in true ministry, serving God with all their hearts, there is wisdom that should not be
wasted.
There must be respect for elders. When I was a boy, I was taught that doors should be opened for women. In the presence of elders, I was taught to speak when spoken to. The world has changed, but the church should not change.
We must tap into the wisdom and experience of our fathers in the faith. Second Chronicles 20:20 tells us to believe the prophets of God and we will prosper. Our prosperity is directly connected to our submission to the prophets of God. If we truly believe the prophets of God, then we will submit to their words. Belief in God’s Word requires submission on all levels of ministry.
After teaching this principle at a conference, a couple approached me with a worried look on their faces. The husband said, “How can we submit ourselves to another minister as a mentor? He might just be a false prophet.” It is true that the Bible says that there are false prophets in the world (1 John 4:1), but we, especially Spirit-filled ministers, should not be fooled into following them. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” According to Jesus, we know His voice. Take time to listen and another voice you will not follow.
Elisha submitted himself to, or interned with, the prophet Elijah for many years. The word intern could be defined as a person who works as an apprentice or trainee in an occupation or profession to gain practical experience. An intern submits his or her time, will, and energy in order to learn from the mentor. It would be foolish to make a recent medical school graduate head of an established brain surgery team. It is no different in ministry.
We need to implement ministry internship. Elisha was an intern with Elijah. Solomon submitted to his father, David. Samuel was taught by Eli. Timothy was a student of Paul before going out on his own.
First Timothy 5:1 says, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father.” We must respect, honor, and submit to anointed eldership.
Belief and submission are partners. To believe truth without submitting to it profits nothing. Honor eldership. Believe the true prophets of God and prosper.
