How Jehovah Helps Us to Carry Out Our Ministry - EMPOWERED BY GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT - TODAY

 What help do we need to carry out our preaching work?  To answer, think back to what happened to Ezekiel.  Before he started with his actual preaching activities, God's spirit gave him the strength he needed.  Today, as in Ezekiel's case, we can carry out the preaching work only with the help of God's spirit .  Why?  Because Satan wages war against us in order to stop our preaching activities.  (Revelation 12:17)  From a human standpoint, we seem total outmatched by Satan. But by means of our witnessing work, we are conquering him! (Revelation 12:9-11) In what way?  When we share in the ministry, we show that we are not intimidated by Satan's threats.  Each time we preach, Satan suffers a defeat. So, what conclusion can we draw from our being able to carry out our preaching activities despite opposition? We can conclude that we are empowered by holy spirit and that we have Jehovah's approval. - MATTHEW 5:10-12; 1 PETER 4:14.

What further assurance can we draw from knowing that Jehovah had figuratively hardened Ezekiel's face and forehead?  God's spirit can make us equal to any challenge we might encounter in our ministry.  (2 Corinthians 4:7-9) What then, can we do to make sure that we keep receiving God's spirit? We need to pray for it persistently, confident that Jehovah will hear our prayers. Jesus taught his disciples: "Keep on asking, . . .keep on seeking, . . . keep on knocking."  In response, Jehovah will "give holy spirit to those asking him." - LUKE 11:9, 13; ACTS 1:14; 2:4.

Next time: How Jehovah Helps Us to Carry Out Our Ministry - EZEKIEL-NOURISHED BY GOD'S WORDS

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