Let’s Prophesy

(1 Cor 12:10 NASB)  and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV)  Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

This seems today to be a hard subject due to all the various opinions and beliefs on prophecy.  From the wide range of; there are no more prophets and everything God needs to say through prophecy is all ready spoken, to men running around calling themselves prophets and speaking all kinds of things in God’s name.  No wonder there is so much confusion on this subject.

Let’s start with dealing with a prophet and a word of prophecy.  There is a difference between the two and not knowing this can cause confusion in its self.  In Ephesians 4.11, Paul lists a gift of a prophet for leadership in the body of Christ.  A person who is a prophet is a spokes person for God. In the Old Testament they were also called seers, (1 Sam 9:9).  These men not only prophesied, such as foretelling the future, but were also called upon to forth tell in times of need.  Such as when a King would prepare to go to battle they wanted to hear from a prophet.  The prophet would not always tell how the battle would go but just to say go or stay.  A prophet would also be a judge of matters and be a spiritual leader to a king or a group of people.  They would lead other young men in ministry such as the school of prophets in the Old Testament. 

Now, in the New Testament we do not see this role so defined as in the Old Testament.  However, I do see the role in leadership using Old Testament structure.  I do not think it was an accident that Paul listed a prophet for church leadership.  So, what should that person be like and their role.  After years of church and prayerful study I will offer up my opinion.  A New Testament prophet is a person committed to God and the purpose of ministry.  Given the authority to speak with boldness the word of God bringing judgment and corrections needed in the body of Christ.  I will agree with those who say God has said all he is going to say concerning the future of the church and the world.  However, I still think He wants to speak to us today for our every needs and conflicts in life.  So is there a need for men and women to hear from God and speak boldly in forth telling in our needs?  Such as the young ladies in Acts 21:9.

 I spoke to you about what a prophet is, but that is not the same as the manifestation of prophecy.  One can prophesy and not be a prophet.  In many places in the Old Testament when God’s presence showed up just about everyone in God’s presence would prophesy.  King Saul is a good example of such.  Even in the New Testament you can find people who were not a prophet but in the presence of God they prophesied.  So, what is the manifestation of prophecy?

I have over the years come to understand that the manifestation of prophecy is the simple forth telling of God’s purpose and understanding of where you are in life.  Could it be a little future telling?  Who am I to reject such an ideal?  In all my years I have seen many times a person speak of a future event for someone personally or a world event and seen it come to pass.  When I see such prophecies I do cringe a little due to the fact I have also seen many not come to pass.  Could this be why Paul said in (1 Cor 13:9 NKJV)  For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  Let’s face it we are all imperfect and are at times misguided. 

We should never throw out God’s wonderful manifestation based simply on the failures and miss giving’s of a few uninformed people.  Are there false preachers who prophesy falsely for mere gain?  Yes, but they are perverting what is real and available to the body of Christ.  The manifestation is for all believers as the spirit moves upon them as He wills.  God does want to use all those who will trust and obey Him to speak through them, either by His word or spiritual revelations into certain matters.

Paul tells us that He desired for believers to prophesy. 

(1 Cor 14:1 NRSV)  Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.

(1 Cor 14:3-5 NRSV)  On the other hand, those who prophesy speak to other people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. {4} Those who speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up the church. {5} Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

(1 Cor 14:39 NRSV)  So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues;

Based on what Paul is saying in 1 Cor. 14 that prophecy is to build up other believers and the body of Christ.  What so many call the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge have incorrectly identified what they are. (See the previous articles on the manifestations of wisdom and knowledge.)   It is the prophetic work of God’s spirit that gives a person insight into a situation or another person’s life.  This is for the sole purpose to encourage, uplift, and at times even correct a situation or person.  It is under this umbrella of the manifestation of prophecy that one can speak truth, uplift, and forth tell, yes, even speak about some near future event for the edifying of the body and person hearing the prophecy.

Those who throw out the ideal that the manifestation of prophecy could be just this simple, miss out on so much God has for us.  Do I live my life based on just prophecies?  Absolutely not!  I must have my own prayer and relation time with God my father.  I must study the word of God for myself and know God’s purpose for my life.  It is when we do all the above we find encouragement through the prophetic, confirming what God is doing in our hearts.  This way we are not lead astray by teachings of men. 

(1 Th 5:20-23 NASB)  do not despise prophetic utterances. {21} But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil. {23} Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Rom 12:6 NRSV)  We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith;

Do not confuse the office of a prophet with the manifestation of prophecy.  Peter used the words of the prophet Joel in telling us that prophesying is a part of God’s spirit being poured out on all believers.  (Acts 2:18 NRSV)  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

We should be careful not to be like the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time.  They had interpreted the laws and words of God to the point that they could not even see what was right in front of them. If God has done away with the gifts and manifestations then we must ask are we done advancing the gospel message.  There seems to be a direct correlation between the gospel message, gifts, and manifestations.  What is the church supposed to do today?  Get into our groups and hold the fort so to speak or just maintain?  Isn’t that what the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time were doing?

If the gift of God’s spirit is still in the church, then we should allow, even expect it to manifest in all areas mentioned in the word of God.  I cannot find any solid scripture proof that God has done away with part or all of His gifts and manifestations.  If you choose not to believe they are for today, leave alone those who do.  Why do you have to fight with those who do believe in the manifestations?  Like wise if you believe in the gifts and manifestations, leave alone those who do not.  Is this something really worth fighting over?  Speaking to both sides, I say you forgot to read 1 Cor.13.    OK, so I myself believe that the gifts and manifestations are still for today.  None of us are perfect and we all still make mistakes, thank God for His grace.  Just because someone does not have the same doctrines as you, does not mean their heart is not in the right place and you cannot nullify who God chooses to use or how He works.

(1 Tim 4:14 NRSV)  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the God given gift in him.  How did Timothy get this gift, by a council of leaders laying hands on him and prophesying over him.  I want to encourage you to seek God and stir the gift of holy spirit in you.  Let God’s spirit and power manifest in you.  We have a whole generation that needs godly leaders to show the way and speak truth to all.  This will take still today God’s spirit being manifest through us.  For all the ministries and churches that seem to be doing it wrong we need those in truth to stand up.  This world is full enough with hate and discord in need of healing and truth, we have been given the gospel message of peace, let’s speak it in demonstration and power.

 (2 Pet 1:19-21 NRSV)  So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. {20} First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, {21} because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

God wants to speak through us a message of truth to a whole world in spiritual darkness.  Let’s prophesy!

It’s a Miracle

(1 Cor 12:10 NLT)  He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

Is the time of miracles over?  Was it just for the first church apostles? Does God still miracles through His church today?   All of these questions have been asked by many and there have been various answers to these questions.  There are many who would have us to believe that miracles were only performed by the twelve apostles and are no longer a part of the church.  I have also heard a well known national preacher say that miracles are no longer needed today.  There are whole books written debunking modern miracles and ministries that proclaim them.  I can not speak for all the others or try to pass onto you the ideal that I am an expert, but desire to share what I feel and have experienced.

Personally, I can not say I have had any miracles done through me, yet I believe God still works miracles in and through His church.  In past post I have mentioned how I grew up in church.  In all the years of growing up I have been exposed to what I feel are real miracles.  I have seen and been close to some who have received a miracle.  I myself am a living testimony to a miracle.  Let me start with my own story.

I can not 100% prove my story, but I am sure there may be some kind of medical record somewhere.  I do however have the record of my parent’s testimony and I am here alive today.  It was when I was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, February 26 1959.  I was born with a blood condition called hemolytic disease and the doctors told my parents I was not going to survive without a blood transfusion. My parents were both young in the Christian faith, and struggling in their marriage.  I was a child of promise to my mother and the first son.  When the doctors told my father what was needed or my chance of survival was not good, he knew to do only one thing, pray.  After a time I think it was a day or two they noticed improvement and checked my blood again.  My blood type was changed, there was no blood transfusion and the doctors could not explain how my blood had changed.  I went home with my parents a healthy baby. I am a living miracle.  Either for some reason my parents concocted this bizarre story or you have come to late to tell me God does not do miracles. God is still in the miracle business.  

During my lifetime because of my parents and churches I have been in, I have born witness to what I would call miracles. So, what makes a miracle? Webster says: 1: an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs 2: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment 3 Christian Science : a divinely natural phenomenon experienced humanly as the fulfillment of spiritual law  The creek word used in the New Testament is dunamis, doo'-nam-is; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. Notice the Webster definition, a divine intervention in human affairs.  Then look at the word used in the Bible and its wide range of use of the word. I think it could just be summed up to say dunamis is God’s power at work through humans.  According to first Corinthians twelve it is God’s gift of holy spirit manifesting in human nature, not God just showing up and showing His power.  Everything God does in this age is through His church which is though us believers.  So if I can say this, miracles happen when someone is obedient and allows God to work through them.

This wide range word dunumis is used in many ways in the Bible so let me share a few.

 (Mat 6:13 NKJV)  And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(Mat 11:21 NRSV)  "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

(Acts 1:8 NRSV)  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

I want to point out here that there were many more than the twelve that Jesus spoke to upon leaving this earth.  This promise of power is a part of the gift of holy spirit to help evangelize with the kingdom message.  I guess my question is this. If there is a need for evangelism still today with the kingdom message, then should there not be a need for the gift of holy spirit and power to be still at work?

(Rom 15:19 NRSV)  by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ.

(1 Cor 2:4 NRSV)  My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

(1 Cor 4:20 NRSV)  For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.

We should take notice of Paul’s words.  I feel he makes it very clear that the message of God’s kingdom depends on a show of God’s spirit manifesting in the church with power. Yes, we can say it does not happen with everyone all the time.  You can take a journey through the whole Bible and see that.  Like myself, I will say that I have not had a miracle happen by my hands or actions that I am aware of.  Yet, I still believe God is at work and still working His power through His church. Like a well known preacher used to say “expect a miracle today”.  If you refuse to believe and obey God and you never expect God to work in you then guess what, you won’t be disappointed, but that does not prove God is not doing miracles through others.

The main thing we all must remember it is God’s gift to the church and to all those who belong in His church.  It is God that is manifesting not the ability of man.  Yes, there are those who have exploited God’s gift and preyed on spiritually blind people. It is time that the true church and believers arise and claim full heartily what belongs to all those who are born again.  God gave you the gift of holy spirit and as he chooses wants to manifest His power through you, to help you proclaim the kingdom message.  Let’s share more of God’s word on this subject.

(Acts 2:22 NRSV)  "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know—

(Acts 8:6 NRSV)  The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did,

Today, there are those who say that this power was given only to the twelve apostles and died with them. Yet, we see God work through people in the Old Testament.  Then we see Jesus make a declaration in Mark 9.39 about a person who was performing miracles outside of Jesus’ group.  Notice, Jesus did not try to stop this person and say this person could not do what he was doing because he was not one of the chosen twelve.  Philip in Acts eight was not one of the twelve, but one of the chosen deacons in Acts six. Then all through human history and church history God keeps showing up by manifesting His power through human vessels.

 (Acts 15:12 NRSV)  The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

(Acts 19:11 NRSV)  God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,

(1 Cor 12:28 NRSV)  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues.

(Gal 3:5 NRSV)  Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?

It looks like the Galatians had spiritual manifestations as well as the Corinthians.

 (Heb 2:4 NRSV)  while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.

There are many more scriptures I could add but time and space will not allow.  I grew up seeing miracles and sitting at the feet of many great men and women of God as they shared their stories of God’s miraculous power at work through God’s church. I am not talking about well known televangelist or pastors.  I am talking about old praying mothers and faithful men who expected God to show up and do a work that no man could do.  The stories of how God worked through ordinary men and women of faith for raising the dead to miraculous power.  I have read the stories of men and women who put their very lives on the line in dangerous mission fields, and seen God at work through them for the miraculous. Close to my life, I remember the time when I was a young child; our family had no money and no food.  Dad went to a place in the church to pray and came out with a new twenty dollar bill, he said as he prayed it floated down in front of him. There was no one there but him. 

You see we have a whole world out there that needs the truth about God’s kingdom, and to know God is still who He says He is.  They need to see God loves them and cares about their needs and wants to show His power to heal and set them free.  In my own words saying what Paul said, “talk is cheap we need a manifestation of God’s power and goodness through His children who declare His kingdom message.” 

Gifts of Healing

As I have been writing on the manifestations of the holy spirit, I have been trying to broaden our view of the work of the spirit.  Over the years I have noticed that many churches and people often hold a narrow view of God’s spirit at work.  I have seen those on both sides of the doctrines of spiritual manifestations miss out on so much, simply just because of their narrow views.  Just the other day I read a post by a person who seemed against the manifestations, write, “If Paul had the gift of healing why couldn’t he heal himself?”  This person may know a lot about the Bible, but it seems clear that by having such a narrow view of God’s spirit at work, he obviously missed all the times people where healed through Paul and the times God did work in Paul.  Such as the time he was bitten by the viper, or the time he was stoned and left for dead.  I think if we will are willing, we can take a fresh look at the potential of what God’s spirit can do in His children. Let’s broaden our view and take a fresh look at what God wants to do in us and through us.

 This week I want to talk about the gifts of healing.  From this point on it seems the rest of the areas of manifestations are pluralistic, like they have many ways and types of working.  Healing is the only place the plural use of gift is used. So, let’s look at the possible ways God may work healing in us and others. To start with, one area today’s modern church has missed it when it comes to God’s spirit manifesting, is it’s to be at work in every believer and not just for a church service confined to the inside of four walls. 

(Mark 16:17-18 NASB)  "And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; {18} they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Now, before you bible scholars write me and tell me the above verses was not in the original, then you have to admit the Bible has errors and could not be deemed the word of God to us.  Unless you can provide an original version we need to accept the whole and learn to reap God’s truths from the whole Bible not our favorite passages. 

Let’s get back to my thought.  I took notice the word gifts is used when it comes to healing.  Just like previous verses in chapter twelve. (1 Cor 12:4 NKJV)  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Peter told the crowd on the Day of Pentecost that the holy spirit was a gift.  Paul tells us in Romans 5.17 that God’s righteousness is a gift to us through Jesus.  Eternal life is a gift to those who believe in Jesus, Romans 6.23.  Ephesians 2.8 tells us that our salvation is a gift.   Paul even said his ability to minister was according to the gift of grace given to him, Eph. 3.7.   I think we could maybe make a point that healing is a gift given to us through the work of Jesus on Calvary.  Isn’t that what Peter declared when he wrote his epistle.

 (1 Pet 2:24 NASB)  and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

If healing is a gift then that would not make how it works automatic, it must be received and used. Let’s go back to that verse in chapter 12 and see that Paul wrote gifts, like there was more than one.  Could there be many, maybe more than we could really number.  If the holy spirit is diverse and works diversely according to each person on whom God chooses to manifest, could not healing also be that diverse.  Each person God redeems and puts His spirit into is unique and one of a kind.  You see, out of the millions of people on this earth there is not another one like you.  Then when that is coupled with God’s spirit working in and through you as he chooses for the good of His kingdom, it becomes uniquely different from all others.  Let me put it this way.  There is no one who will work in the spirit like you, there may be those who are similar but only you can do what God’s spirit does in and through you.    

Let’s recap before going further.  There are many gifts and many types of healings that God’s spirit manifest.  Let’s not let the professional evangelist or preacher rob the rest of God’s children of what belongs to every believer.  We will look at a few healing scriptures and then talk some more.

  (Acts 10:38 NASB)  "You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.

(James 5:16 NASB)  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

(Heb 12:11-13 NASB)  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. {12} Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, {13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

(Acts 28:8 NASB)  And it came about that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

(Acts 5:16 NASB)  And also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits; and they were all being healed.

(Rev 22:2 NLT)  coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

I know there are other scriptures and many examples of healings in the Old as well as the New Testament. For time and space I will just use the above and hope to make a point to broaden your view of God’s wonderful gift.  I will not spend time telling you of the many healings I have received in my own life and bore witness to.  I just want to get you to look at God’s manifestations differently and come away with desire to maybe dig deeper into the Word of God and your own heart and see God at work.

Like I pointed out early on, that we have received many gifts from God through the completed work of Jesus, healing being one of them.  So, what should this look like for us?  A good question to ask is, how many ways could a person be healed? Another is, how many methods could God use?  The problem is, with our human nature we see something work one way and we box it up and think it should work the same way every time. Then when it does not, we get upset and walk away saying, “I knew it really didn’t work.”  Too many of us think we have a corner on how God works, and I am always amazed by how God always proves to us that we don’t. 

Could we say that as much as each person is unique in whom they are and how God’s spirit moves in them, that healings are the same?  First of all there is not a person who comes to Jesus that does not need a healing in them. Some sickness is physical others mental, then many spiritual. Every human has been affected by the sickness of sin.  We are all broken in some way. Every person needs a different kind of healing.  Some sickness maybe obvious in a physical way, others are hidden in the deep recesses of our mind.   No boxed formula will work the same for every person. 

It is like our modern medicines that we all rely on so much.  What may work on one person may not work on another, even if they have the same sickness or they may experience different side effects.  It is because of our own personal bodily make up or genes.  Two people can get the exact same medication and one is healed and another gets sicker.  When I see that happen I don’t see people getting mad and rejecting all medicine, they keep going to the doctor and trying other medications.  Yet, when it comes to God, when we don’t see somebody get healed after some prayer we go around rejecting it all, claiming it’s not for today or it does not work.

By reading the scriptures I selected, I hope you may begin to see healing comes in many forms and ways.  There may need to be a certain commitment from us, an act of obedience, forgiveness, repentance, or patience.  None of us have the right to judge another over their healing.  One may seem to be outwardly broken, but what they need greater is a deep inner healing.  Then there are those that seem to be healed but deep within they are still broken.

Does God want us to be healed?  I really believe he does.  Why else would he make it a point and a part of the work of Jesus?  Why is the healing in the leaves of the trees in the New Jerusalem for all nations?  We all talk about when Jesus comes back there is no more sickness and everyone is healed, but in the mean time we are all supposed to suffer?  God’s bread to the children is healing. 

In all I feel God’s people need to be showing a broken sin sick world how to be healed.  Then along with that as God moves on us to demonstrate God’s love and power, see some receive healing by the laying on of hands.  Is this wonderful gifts of healings just for us to use in our gatherings, praying for the same ones over and over again, getting frustrated because we are not seeing results?  Or, is it first for us to take for ourselves and be healed inside and out.  We should be seeking God to fix our broken minds, hearts, and spirits.  Then as we begin to heal, start reaching out to others and believing God to heal them as well.  It is not us that does the healing, but God though the gift of holy spirit. We may never see everyone healed, or at lest we think they are not healed, but let’s not throw it out, trust in God, and keep on letting Him manifest  in you. God works his healing gifts in many ways, through many different people. Some healings are right before us others take time.

To sum it all up, let me say this.  Healing works in so many different ways, so let’s not put God in a box.  God could use you to lay hands on someone. You could be the one who is used to bring healing to a troubled situation by just being a peace maker. Maybe it could be a loving tender word to a troubled soul.  The point is God wants to manifest His wonders in and trough you. It starts with you. Let the healing begin.