Written by Mark Driskill:
Thursday January 27, 2011
Read Acts 5:33-39

Gamaliel was a smart man and we do well to heed his advice today. It seems that many times when a ministry or movement arises that is a little different we are quick to condemn it without first considering whether or not God is in it. How easily we consider something is not of God simply because we aren’t personally being blessed by it.

I often hear people, for example, condemning some newer Christian music because ” I don’t understand the words.”  They don’t stop to consider that younger people who are used to that style of music do hear it and are blessed. The rule seems to be, “If it doesn’t bless me personally it can’t possibly bless anyone else.” How arrogant. For example, my kids love a style of Christian music called “screamo”. It is loud and I can’t even begin to understand a word of it. But when I ask my kids to tell me the lyrics they recite them. And quite honestly many of those lyrics have a depth and power as great as any hymn.

I have seen teens literally brought to their knees in a concert weeping before God when they would have been bored to death in some church services. God is at work in ways that we can’t always understand. Yet we still hear some adults speaking out of both sides of the mouth. On one hand they say, “We need to pray that God will work among our youth.” Then when they get excited about a style of music that touches them, but doesn’t fit our style we say, “Turn that junk off!” What if you are telling them to turn off the voice of God?

Gamaliel would tell us to be careful before we condemn or we may find ourselves fighting against God himself. Sure we need to be careful what we listen to and make sure the message is of God but give the kids a break, and give God a break. Like anything else just because it doesn’t bless you doesn’t mean it isn’t of God. Let’s not be like the Jewish leaders in Acts. They cried out to God for prophets and killed every one he sent. They cried out for a messiah and killed him too. They cried out for a new move of God in Israel and then sought to kill the church.

Why? Because they couldn’t imagine anything from God that didn’t fit into their tradition. They wanted God in a box. Gamaliel warns us. Step away from the box and let God be God.

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.