In serving the Lord, spiritual warfare is very present. More so than maybe any other time. A follower of Christ cannot storm the enemy’s strongholds and not expect to also be under attack. What is truly sad, is sometimes the enemy will attack from within your own ranks.
Local partners have felt called to start a discipleship gathering to encourage young adults to boldly go forth. This biblical supported movement is a great way to train others to reach out to those in need of the Truth. However, no sooner had it taken its first steps until the enemy sought to tear it apart, not from outside forces but from fellow believers. Two pastors were hearing that some of their congregation were attending these events and grew jealous. Since then they have gone through several channels to see that it ends. Complaining, accusing, and filled with venom, they are trying to snuff out any perceived “competition” to their services. These events have never been intended to replace Church but to better equip disciples and do not compete in any way with the existing Churches.
Unfortunately for this part of the world, that is common among local fellowships. As many seek to increase in prominence, they try to deny the validity of other groups. This very scenario is seen in the Word when the disciples felt challenged by an outsider.
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Mark 9:38-41
Please pray for these local partners, grieved to see such opposition from brothers. Pray for these pastors, that their hearts will be softened and that they may come to repentance. Pray for these events, that they may see more workers step boldly into the harvest, joining the Father in His work and that any attempts of the enemy to thwart their work will be overcome.
Posted by Mac Man on March 31st, 2010
Afghans Abroad 