Thoughts for Life: #56 Spiritual Arrogance

C. Peter Wagner gives us #4 reason why intercession is an underutilized source of spiritual power in our churches today.

He goes on to tells us, "I wish spiritual arrogance were a minor issue, but I am afraid it is not.

For many pastors it is a principal obstruction to their being open for personal intercession.

I learned about spiritual arrogance from Pastor Paul Walker of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta, Georgia.

I have known Paul for years and greatly admire him. Not only is he a minister of the classical Pentecostal tradition, but he holds a Ph. D degree in counseling...

Paul told me the story of a problem that had arisen with a prominent leader in his church. Walker felt God was directing him to purchase a second campus for his church; a large Baptist church with a modern sanctuary seating around 3,000.

But a prominent church leader wanted nothing of it.

The situation escalated until it became critical.

Walker has given instructions to his office staff that the intercessors get through to him. In this respect they have privileges that only administrative and ministry elders share.

He says, 'I value both their prayer concern and the insights I receive from them.'

Pastor Walker and the church leader had scheduled a meeting, which was a close equivalent to what might be referred to as a showdown at high noon.

However, before the meeting one of the intercessors called Paul Walker.

'God has been speaking to me, pastor,' she said. "Do you have some important meeting coming up soon?'

She, of course, had no information in the natural about what was going on in the high levels of the church administration, but God had told her in the Spirit about the meeting.

When Paul Walker affirmed that such a meeting was indeed coming up, she told him that she thought God was telling her what he should say in the meeting and what Scripture he was to use.

God at the moment gave him a deep sense of agreement and confirmation. He obeyed and it worked beautifully!

Some would have said, 'Why would God give information like this to a little old grandmother in tennis shoes who lives in a two-bit apartment?

Why wouldn't God give the information directly to me? I'm the spiritual leader of this church.

I'm the one who hears from God about where our church is going. Who does she think she is to tell me how to run my church?'

Unfortunately, this attitude is widespread. But I believe God is raising up high-profile leaders such as Paul Walker to be role models for the rest of us—leaders who have no apologies to make about their maturity, attainments, spiritual depth and discernment, leadership skills, the growth of their churches or the spiritual levels of their congregations.

These high-profile leaders have gained prominence, but they are also humble enough to know they are not spiritually self-sufficient.

They understand the power of intercession as well as Joshua did in the battle of Rephidim. Whether their intercessors have the stature of a Moses, or whether they are grandmothers in tennis shoes, they are ready to hear the voice of God and receive the additional spiritual power they need through these precious individuals."

Today’s post -#56 Spiritual Arrogance, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines.(pgs. 111-114)

Let’s pray:

Father, may we support our spiritual leaders so they can accomplish what You've directed them to, even though they may not specifically ask us to.

They may not yet know and understand their own need for intercession on their behalf, but we know it now, and we are determined to support them!

Whether or not they feel they can do just fine without our prayer support, please hear our prayers for them.

We understand that it is Your will that we pray for them, so help us be faithful. In Jesus' Name we ask this, Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 25:5 "Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day."

Today’s quotes: Max Lucado – “When you and I stand in heaven to receive our prize, only one will know all of our sins, but he won’t embarrass you – he has already forgiven them.”

Zig Ziglar -“You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life.”

Some thoughts today: You have an obligation to attend the church God leads you to. It's not really a choice if you are born again.

- We have to be more than Face Book friends. There's a need to gather together to share and to encourage one another in the Lord.

- Some have false expectations of a church they visit. We're to remember that there's only One Who is perfect. We are all in the progress of becoming like Him, and it's taking our lifetime!

25th- Saturday’s post: Mysterious Ways/Somebody, please help! Julia Eie

26th- Sunday's post: God is in the Crisis Max Lucado

Sunday evening's post: Grace and Peace Apostle Peter

28th- Tuesday's post: #57 How Moody Learned the Lesson C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Easy Doesn't Do It in Prayer: Prayer Note #89 Dutch Sheets - "Anyone long associated with the Church of this century, especially in America, knows that our problems do not result from lack of information or material strength. If we fail in achieving what God asks from us as we run our race, it will be a failure of heart and spirit."