A Recommitment

    I have been thinking much about our Tuesday evening group.  There seems to be a waning of commitment in which it no longer is a priority for several.  I have been asking the Lord if we didn't hear Him correctly--maybe this is not what we are supposed to be doing.
    And then today I had a conversation with an acquaintance who has separated from her husband because of his bizarre and unpredictable behavior.  Much of what she was describing is an indication of a need for inner healing and deliverance.  She continued to tell me "There is no hope.  He will always be this way.  He has had this problem for many years but it is getting worse and I can no longer deal with it."  I tried to explain to her that I believe there is hope.  Jesus paid the price for his deliverance and what is needed is for someone who believes that to pray with him.
    I don't feel the church in general has taken up the command of Jesus to preach the gospel with signs following, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, set the captives free, so that conversation reaffirmed my commitment to be one who is doing those things.  Why else would I be studying how to do them?
    And then this afternoon I read Proverbs 24:6-12--here it is in two translations:

Proverbs 24:6-12  New International Version (NIV)

6 Surely you need guidance to wage war and victory is won through many advisers.

7  Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

8 Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.

9 The schemes of folly are sin,and people detest a mocker.

10  If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

11 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?  Does not he who guards your life know it?  Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Proverbs 24:6-12  Living Bible (TLB)

6 Don’t go to war without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors.

7 Wisdom is too much for a rebel. He’ll not be chosen as a counselor!

8 To plan evil is as wrong as doing it.

9 The rebel’s schemes are sinful, and the mocker is the scourge of all mankind.
10 You are a poor specimen if you can’t stand the pressure of adversity.

11-12 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die. Don’t try to disclaim responsibility by saying you didn’t know about it. For God, who knows all hearts, knows yours, and he knows you knew! And he will reward everyone according to his deeds.

Obviously, since I know something about this, I no longer have an excuse and will not be 

'excused' by the Lord.  I am committed!