Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

Teaching is not "excellelence of speech" or "excellence of wisdom" as I sometimes fall prey to thinking. But teaching or the imparting of truth, which is what I am attempting to do as I stand before others, has more to do with the life lessons that I have gleaned from the Scripture through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. These truths that have become embedded in me and now are as much a part of me as eating and sleeping are the truths that I am now equiped to teach. It's these transferrable truths that I have expierienced that will have the greatest impact on others lives because I can speak with a degree of authority as to their validity.

The world teaches a procedure that is so different. There is a school of thought in Management philosophy that says a manager doesn't need to know how to do the work they manage only to have a knowlege of good management principles. But I think Paul through the inspiration of the spirit is hitting something differnt here.

I know that in my life there has been this struggle to stay on track when a truth from scripture is presented to me. My first thoughts are to write it down so that I can remember to share/teach it at a latter date. But God, in his infinite mercy has been teaching me to dwell on the truths the Holy Spirit reveals to me. To take them in and let them permeate me. Let the truth become mine through application, understanding, and the living of that truth in my life.

I think that is what Paul is talking about here with the use of the word testimony. If I let God's truths become part of my testimony, part of my life, then I am in the proper place to enable the Spirit to impart that truth through me to someone else. That is the goal, that is my hearts desire, to allow God to use the talents and gifts he has given me to build His kingdom.

Lord, as I read your word, help me through the leading of your spirit to allow Your truths to become "my" truths and live within me.

Pastor Rick