Hindering Spirit

HINDERING SPIRIT

By

Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (February 11, 2018)

“Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” (I Thessalonians 2:18, King James Version [Call to godliness]).

Greetings in the Holy Name of Jesus,

My sisters and brothers, I know is weighs heavily on the heart waiting on the LORD GOD to send men of faith within your reach, for many times trying to get down the road might as well be the same as trying to go to Africa. Nevertheless many believers waited on Apostle Paul---to see this great man of faith who once persecuted the Jews but now, worked for Christ Jesus. Apostle Paul told the Romans---those who waited how much he wanted to have some fruit among them [Romans 1:13, KJV] in as much as he told those in the church of the Thessalonians that Satan hindered his arrival, for he traveled with Silvanus and Timotheus [I Thessalonians 2:18, KJV]. Most importantly, for me, when I receive a letter of the arrival soon of a prophet of God that I want so much to see and hear the gospel of Christ Jesus from, my heart opens up with all the possibilities of is it possible to make the trip to see them, even though they traveled so far to get as close to me in the deep south, this Diaspora of the United States of America, somehow I know I will not see them or hear them, not yet but I still hold the faith of a young child waiting to see any famous person whom they feel drawn to---a magnetic appeal for. I used to like to see and hear my father preach to the people in the different churches, like that for he also traveled to reach God’s people in the different churches, near and far. Television ministry worked to help the laborers of God reach the people more often than before, during the week---not just on the Sabbath, Saturday and The Lord’s Day, Sunday but television broadcast the ministry of Christ Jesus, seven days a week 24 hours a day, for all to see and hear the gospel.

More importantly, your prayers must not be hindered---for that purpose alone some groups organized themselves to pray at least once a week on the telephone to reach out to the suffering lots of believers who feel shut in---away from the congregations, still needing to hear the gospel as revealed in the services each week, for not all households under the leadership of husbands spend time gathered together as a family in prayer. According to I Peter 3:7: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” [Duty of wives and husbands]. Apostle Paul, ---to the church of the Corinthians told them to regard the put on of their selves as importantly as the put down of those weak in faith, when he said: “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant

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comeliness.” In observation, I find that the churches do not as much have a problem lifting up the weak vessels enjoying the put down of the weak in faith on the strong in faith,--- even the poor and seem to engage in more spirited rebuke of those who are learned working in out reach---out in the field---in the homes, divers places---outside of the church, some in leadership seem to enjoy putting them down instead of giving them the honour they so rightfully deserve. Why is it easier in the hearts and minds of man to dishonor those who hold honour in their faith works---rebuking them but failing to rebuke those babes in faith---allowing the babes to rebuke and tarnish the reputation of honour that is held by the seasoned ministers, raising them above the seasoned in order to prove the scripture “…no respect of persons.”

Further, I know there are many puffed up---in leadership who are a discredit to even their own faith works but this is not always the situation and should not be the rule of thumb or measuring stick for leadership to permit the babes in faith to practice hate before they grow in knowledge, as a hindering spirit---giving them positions with the flock of sheep that they are not ready for---laughing at the seasoned ministers. I tell you I have watched some babes given high position and as they received the high position easily without needing knowledge or experience they sat on their laurels as the years passed by, still not improving upon their lot in life---witnessing to the flock who needs more but perhaps if the flock is as ignorant as they are—it is all fun but at the expense of Christ Jesus---it appears to be a club of hindering spirits instead of a church of prayer---true believers. Apostle Paul said to the Galatians in the great letter on Christian freedom which spoke to those who exalted the law about practical implications: “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? “Or, who did drive you back?”(Galatians 5:7, KJV[The fruit of the Spirit]). Firstly, Apostle Paul told the Galatians, “O Foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? [3:1, KJV] Furthermore, to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul said: “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ…Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So, run, that ye may obtain.” (I Corinthians 9:12, 24, KJV[Paul’s self-denial]).