Light and Darkness

1Jn_1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1Jn_1:7  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

As I wrote last time, I want to continue on the subject of living in the gray areas.  My subject mater could not have come at a more pivotal time in the American Church. In social media and the likes I have read and seen so much misunderstanding by today’s modern Christians.  

I have come to understand a vast majority of Christians really know very little of what the Bible says or they reject many of it’s teaches as out dated. They describe a God and Jesus that is nether biblical or consistent with true born again believers.  They seem to form a Christianity that is customized to fit them and look for others that will agree with them, rejecting  others that oppose their ideology. The sad fact is, this is nothing new.  It has been happening through out church history for nearly 2000 years.

I am not trying to be all negative here, but only pointing out what is right before us.  There are true believers who are seeking truth in love.  There are many Christians who stand for truth without compromise, yet showing gentle love to those around them.  We are commanded to love all people, but let us not confuse that love with other levels of love we are given in the word of God.  Let’s not confuse love with acceptance either.  Let’s not pervert God’s love and grace with compromising sinful living.

I keep hearing people say, we are not to judge them.  Many will say love overlooks what others do.  Yet I find no scripture to back up their understanding of love and judgment.  Did not Jesus clearly tell us to examine another’s fruit, which means their growth and maturity?  

(Mat 7:13)  Go in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in through it. (Mat 7:14)  Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat 7:15)  Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Mat 7:16)  You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? (Mat 7:17)  Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. (Mat 7:18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Mat 7:19)  Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat 7:20)  Therefore by their fruits you shall know them. (Mat 7:21)  Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

Jesus has mad it very clear that our lives should reflect truly who we are.  This seems to be lost in today modern Christian.  This is what I am calling living in the gray areas.  People are trying to make peace with both worlds.  Trying to be light but not to bright to offend others.  Trying to be a good tree yet bearing bad fruit.  As a pastor I would many times talk to a person who was doing wrong and somehow justify it by saying “God knows my heart, and that I mean well”. Yet I would often never see a change in their life.  I would still have love and compassion while speaking truth to them.

In today’s modern Christian ideology, it’s all about praying a sinner’s prayer, going to church and everybody is going to heaven. This is so messed up and so far from Biblical truth. No wander we are in the mess we are in.  The grace of God today has been misrepresented to the modern Christian to the point we no longer understand how it works.  Where has true preaching of the Kingdom message and repentance is necessary to enter gone?  Paul talked about a need to change over and over in his letters, and so did Peter and John.

We are commanded to be different.  We are to be a bright light of truth.  I know we are not perfect, but we should strive for it, by letting His Spirit shine through us.  Light has no part with darkness.  Righteousness and sin can not co-exist.  To try and live both is to exist in the shadows of disobedience and the old nature

  

Luk 11:33-36

(33)  No one, when he has lighted a lamp, puts it in a secret place, or under a grain-measure, but on a lamp stand, so that they who come in may see the light.

(34)  The light of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is sound, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness.

(35)  Therefore take heed that the light in you is not darkness.

(36)  Therefore if your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the shining of a lamp enlightens you.

You will either be in the light that enlightens you to God’s truth or live in shadows of man made Christian ideology.  There is still a right and a wrong, truth and lies, and the only way to right and truth is through obedience to God and His son Jesus.

I know this is not popular, but it is time for God’s people to shine brightly in the truth of God’s word and love.  God has not changed or made any mistakes, if there’s a misunderstanding or something that is nor fitting how we feel, we are who need to repent and change. 

To Be Continued 

Living in the Gray Areas

John 14.15  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

I want to deal with something that I have been thinking about for some time.  I hope through much prayer and thought I can convey my thoughts.  I already know through research and study this may take several entrees to cover all that is on my mind.

I have been raised in church and been actively involved in service for over 40 years. Of those 40 years I have been a pastor in some capacity for more than halve that. As a youth pastor, summer camp director, and senior pastor I have had to deal with many people of all ages.  I will admit this does not make me an expert.  Yet it gives me a little room to deal with my subject matter.

I want to talk about Christianity and where we are as a church.  Let’s talk about the church of God, in contrast to American culture.  We should also talk about our spirituality and relationship with God.

I have been reading a lot of articles, prayerfully paying attention to events and people of out time.  Watching and listening to today’s church leaders.  I have been paying close attention to the messages of local church pastors and churches that we have attended in their services.  I have to ask the question.  Is the church shaping our culture or is American ideals and culture shaping the church?  It seems history keeps repeating when it comes to humanity and our relationship with God.  Humanity follows God, then after a few generations it loses sight of God and forsakes His ways. Then there is a remnant that sparks revival and a return to God, and then once again the cycle repeats.  

We can see the same in church history since its beginnings, yet over time there has been corruptions and deceptions that the church has never broke free from, and it has in my opinion shaped today’s modern church.  In saying this I want to be clear that I do believe in God’s kingdom message. That by recent statistics the world we live in is far better off than ever before, despite of what we may hear in our sensationalized news media. There is more harmony and universal cooperation than ever before.  Yet that brings me to my earlier question. Is today’s events, culture, and universal cooperation causing the church and modern day Christians to live in the gray areas of truth and spiritually.

Jesus commands his followers to be light in a darkened world.  Jesus even mad the claim that he was true light and if we followed him there would be no darkness in us.

 Mat_5:14  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Mat_5:16  Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Joh_8:12  Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Where there is true light there can be no darkness. So what is a gray area?  The lack of full light, shadows caused by something between us and the light.  There is a culture that tries to live in light and darkness at the same time, trying to change the meanings of God’s Word to fit into our ways of life.   Being light in darkness is a stark difference the two can not dwell together.  I believe we can say Jesus commanded that our lives to be different in stark contrast to our culture. 

After travels to other countries and reading about believers in countries where it is not easy to be a believer, yet their numbers are growing.  Then look at the American church and see how easily the term Christian is used, and how comfortably easy it is to be a part of a church.  It seems we have an American version of the gospel.  Could we even say like Jews of old, it has a form of religion and God, but denies the very core truths of God and His Word?  Using a phrase from a writer I have grown to love and respect. “Christianity is the only religion that rejects the teachings of its founder” Sir Anthony Buzzard.

To be continued 

Think

^{Isa 44:19} No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding.......(NIV)

One day I was sitting in a church and listening to a speaker and I noticed a statement being made that everyone seemed to agree with, yet in my mind I could not think of any biblical proof to back any such statement.   I grew up in church and have found this to almost be a norm.  It is like another speaker I heard say, “It is a lack of faith to ask questions”. Since when!  In the opening verse the prophet Isaiah is talking about people who build their own gods.  The statement is being made that they are not thinking about what they are doing and they lack knowledge.  I have come to see that in many churches and many Christians have mad their own god.  They worship, talk about, and even pray to a god they do not know or understand.  They have never truly read their bibles with open minds and understanding.  They depend on a modern charismatic leader to paint them a picture of a God that is neither scriptural nor true.  The other side of this coin is a group of people who have known nothing other than what was handed down for generations never questioning their picture of God even when it makes no since. We call that traditional Christianity or Orthodoxy.

Let me share a couple of stories to help make my point.  In the churches I used to be a part of there was a story told that we all would share for a good laugh.  I am not sure if it really happened, but none the same it helps with my point. There was a well known speaker who let’s say was quit colorful and liked to call people out and speak a word of prophesy over them.  We could probably say most was never true.  One night he called a lady out of the crowd, and proceeded to tell her that God was going to keep and bring her son home save from Vietnam.  The lady got all excited and shouted praises to God. When she got back to her seat her friend said to her, ”You know you don’t even have a son that man was wrong”. The lady responded, “bless God, if that man of God says I have son, bless God I have a son”.  Now this may sound extreme, but you may be surprised to know there are people like that lady.  To her God could do and say anything through men and it would be true just because she was convinced God worked that way.

The next story happened to me. One night after I had spoken a person approached me during a time of fellowship.  She had a question for me about something she wanted to know how I believed.  It was an age old end time question and I always like to have dialogue, but this one I tried to avoid using a little humor.  This only angered her and she pushed for a more direct answer.  I could see that unless I gave the answer she wanted she was not going to be happy. So I gave a very generic answer leaning towards my understanding of scripture. (Now I am not saying I have all the right answers this not my point) This lady jumped up with anger in her voice and said “My daddy preached under the anointing it this way and that is the way we have always believed it, so it must be true”. With as calm of a voice I could, not to respond in like manor I said “what one may perceive as an anointing or speaking from years of traditions does not make it biblical truth”. She spun around and stormed out of the place and began to stir up trouble.

You see they both had a wrong perception of God so we could contend they had mad a false god that they worshiped. One was from an unreal and man made understanding of God, and the other from a traditional understanding that was handed down for generations, never questioning even if there would be contradictions to what they believed. 

  You see in early church history, the organized church preyed on the people’s ignorance.  There were no printed bibles, and they forced them to believe what was preached, by fear of punishment or excommunication.  I mean real punishment, like burning at the stake, torture until confession of wrong, or life long imprisonment. Today we may not see it in that extreme, but the tactic has not changed. Just today they use hell, or curses from God, such as bad things are happening because.

Today we have a Bible and a wealth of good history.  We have no excuse for not seeking truth.  You do not have to be a bible scholar to dig into God’s word and read material to help you understand God and His truth.  God is not a strange mystery that we can not know Him and who he really is.  Paul told the Corinthian church that, in his first letter to them in the second chapter.  We need to pursue God and His Son Jesus.  Even Jesus had always and will forever point us to the Father.

God created man with a brain and the ability to reason, and think.  We find that evident in how many biblical characters used their minds.  Just think about it Adam named all the living creatures.

When we listen to others, even spiritual leaders make sure you are not deceived by their great speeches, use of scripture and words.  Don’t get hung up with religious traditions when reading the bible.  Are you really looking for truth?  Do you really want Godly knowledge? Are you willing to ask questions when it does not make sense?  I am not saying we throw out all our traditions, but if they are standing in the way of finding truth then maybe it is time to kick them to the side.

    ^{Isa 1:18} Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord.....  God was pleading with His nation Israel to come and reason with him.  God was asking them to think about their choices and what He had to offer them.  He was asking them to think.

^{2Ti 2:15} Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. ^(AMP)

Here we can find Paul encouraging Timothy to study, think, analyze and to be knowledgeable in the truth.  We will never be deceived or lead down a path of false hopes when we know the bible and are willing to have open dialogue with others, willing to ask the tuff questions.  When you walk into a church or group, don’t check your brain at the door.  Don’t get caught up in emotional and exciting meetings, preaching and not pay attention to what is said and done. If it does not fit with the nature and character of God and His Word do not except it as truth, and you should question it.  Don’t let others push you with fear or other tactics to get you to believe them. THINK first!  Just because the crowd is marching in unison to the same beat heading for the cliff does not mean they are right and you have to join. Think for yourself and find the one true God.

To Speak or Not To Speak

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV): to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Speaking in Tongues, Glossolalia, or prayer language, today no matter what your background in church or doctrinal belief is this seems to be a much debated subject.  Out of all the manifestations, the one that would seem to be easiest to understand it is probably the most misunderstood and improperly taught.  

Before I start on this subject, I want to make it clear that I speak in an unknown language and believe it is for every believer.  In this article I will try to make my case clear and help separate some myth and misunderstandings.  I want to talk about the manifestation of speaking in tongues and it being different from the ability to speak an unknown tongue in prayer.

I grew up in Pentecost and started speaking in what I will call my prayer language, (I will hope to explain this better later.) at the age of ten.  I was not looking for it and it was not in a church setting.  I was in someone’s home in a prayer meeting with my parents, just kneeling there because that was what I was told to do.  Like any other ten year old my mind wondered to and fro not really praying.  Then there was a presence there I had felt and seen before in services where God’s power was at work.  I knew I had a call of God on my life and as much as a ten year old could, I loved God and loved to see His power at work.  You see by the time I was ten; I had already seen many great undeniable miracles and felt that God had miraculously answered a prayer for me a few years earlier.  I knew how much I wanted to follow God and serve Him in ministry.  That night I cried out to God for all He could give me and I began to speak in an unknown language.  No one was pushing me to speak, this just happened by my simple faith.

Over the years I have heard much teaching on this subject, from that it is not of God to some wacky charismatic emotionalism.  I have even heard some say it is from the Devil.  Then on the other hand we have in my time had people going around holding classes teaching people how to speak in tongues like it was just another language a person could learn.  In groups I had been around, there have been some who say you are not even saved if you don’t speak in tongues.

I hope to break through some of these barriers in this simple post.  You know my back ground now and may say that I am no different than any of those other tongue talkers.  I want you to know that over the years I have been observing and studying, asking questions.  I often never found answers to my questions from others and I want to be one who helps others like you find some answers.  I was taught that the Holy Spirit was a separate endowment and completed my salvation, speaking in tongues was the evidence of that endowment. I no longer hold that view and please let me explain. 

To start, I have come to believe that the gift of holy spirit is not a person, but God’s presence and power given to all believers at the new birth.  We are all born of that incorruptible seed by God’s spirit.   (study John three, Acts, Romans eight, Galatians four, just for starters)  this is the baptism of Jesus that John spoke about in Mathew 3.11.  In Acts 10 Cornelius and his household upon hearing the gospel message believed and spoke in tongues, this all happened at once.  (I may deal with this subject more in another blog , but for now let’s get back to tongues)

Now that we have cleared the air where I stand and where I am coming from let’s talk about tongues. Let’s deal with the ideal of a prayer language, a language of another people.  Is it for everyone?  Why should we allow it?  Is it the only evidence of God’s indwelling presence?  How should we teach it?  How should it operate in the church?  Do we need it in today’s church?  Did God stop this after John the Apostle died?

We should start at the birth of the church since this is when the gift of holy spirit was poured out and as far as I know it has not been taken back.

(Acts 2:1-4 NASB)  And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. {2} And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

(Acts 2:6-8 NASB)  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. {7} And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? {8} "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born?

Notice the phrase “as the Spirit was giving them utterance” compare it to what Paul said when He was addressing the manifestations of the spirit.  (1 Cor 12:11 NKJV)  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. It is the spirit that is at work, not our own wills and desires.  The scripture never tells us that they spoke another actual language, but is does say everyone heard their own language spoken.  I am not saying they were not speaking another human language just pointing out an observation.  There are those who believe they spoke in a heavenly language and there are those who believe they spoke in another human language.  Since there is no real follow up writings on this matter it may not be completely proven one way or the other. 

Let’s say that they spoke in another language, because if it was not then there should have been someone there to interpret, according to Paul.  How else would the whole assembly there be edified and stop to hear Peter’s message.  This falls in line with the ideal of spreading the gospel message.  As Paul addressed it in 1Cor.12, “to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues”, the spirit moves on some with different kinds of tongues.  In 1 Cor 13.1 there are tongues of men and angels.

So let’s say that the spirit can choose to move within someone to speak in another language to draw attention to a group of unbelievers for the gospel.  Then could not the spirit move upon someone to hear and understand another language for the gospel sake?  Besides those who do not believe that signs and wonders are for today, I believe God still does and will use signs such as this to further the gospel message.  I have read many past missionary accounts of such manifestations and heard many more stories. It needs to be noted that many of those stories where in times past when men and women heard the call and went to another country with no formal training or interpreter.  Today most missionaries have formal training in a language group or have interpreters, hence the lack of need for such a manifestation. Another point to make is if the manifestation of tongues is another human language, then there is no point in needing them in an assembly of believers.  So I have come to understand that the manifestation of tongues is not the same as a spiritual prayer language.

I want to be clear here that nowhere in the Bible are we ever commanded to speak in tongues, it is the spirit that gives the utterance to those who are willing.  Concerning speaking another language it is not often needed in ordinary gatherings that would explain what Paul said in (1 Cor 12:30 NKJV) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

You see all those in the upper room that day where willing and anticipating for something to happen.  God will not force or command you to speak; it is about a spiritual connection with Him in relationship.

Let’s look at another aspect or part of speaking in tongues.  I call it a prayer language or speaking unto God.  For starters we will look at some scriptures and then I will share from my heart what I feel is a solid point of view.

(1 Cor 13:1 NKJV)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,

(1 Cor 14:2 NKJV)  For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

(1 Cor 14:4 NKJV)  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

(1 Cor 14:14 NKJV)  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

(1 Cor 14:15 NKJV)  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

(1 Cor 14:39 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

(Rom 8:26-27 NKJV)  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. {27} Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Jude 1:20 NKJV)  But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (all above emphasis mine)

I think one could make a clear case that there is a language not known to man.  Maybe a language of angels or even a spiritual language that God speaks to our inner person, bypassing all our logic. A language God speaks that will bring healing to the deep emotional wounds within us.  Paul seems to make it clear that it is unto the Lord and could be done in song, groanings, and is personally unto the Lord.  This should not be done out loud and by everyone at the same time, for it just leads to confusion.

What about this prayer language? Should everyone speak it?  Is it what the early church heard when others spoke as God’s spirit fell, such as in Acts ten?  Could this have been what they looked for as evidence? In my own life I know what it has meant to me and how it has strengthened me in times of my troubled spirit. 

Let me describe it this way.  I can study and know God and His ways through His word, but in times of a deep troubled spirit that alone does not get me through.  God created my emotions and He wants us to worship Him with all our being, not just out of our knowledge.  Do we need knowledge and truth? Absolutely, yes! Should I depend solely on the emotional?  Absolutely, not! Too much of either one will make one unbalanced.  I am a Star Trek fan, and there are two main characters, one called Spock who denies his emotions, the other is Kirk who lives by his emotions.  By themselves they are unbalanced, but together they make a great team of knowledge, logic, and emotion.

What does a prayer language do for me?  It is a builder of my most inner man.  Those deep emotional scars are laid bare and healed.  It is like a deep intimate relationship with the one you love.  You can know everything about them and learn to understand them, but that is not what makes the deep loving relationship.  It is that deep personal intimacy of becoming as one and reaching deep within each others emotions that makes a relationship great. I truly believe this is what God wants from us, like what Jesus said in John four. (John 4:23-24 NKJV)  "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. {24} "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." As Jude tells us building up our faith, strengthening our inner man.  It is what the Bible calls the seat of who we are, often calling it our heart; some call it the spirit of man.  It is where our moral battles take place and where real spiritual growth happens.  This is where I believe God wants to really connect with us and a spiritual prayer language makes that happen.

There has been a number of times I have been so worn and wounded within that all I could do was go to my God, Daddy, Lord in prayer.  I could not pray in a language I knew but only jibberish, and groaning. After a long period of time I would feel a deep emotional release in my spirit. I was built up and strengthened for my journey in life.  It is in those times I hear from God and know in my heart He is at work in me.     

So I pray and worship in the spirit as often as I can.  I don’t do it for others; I do it for me and my relationship with God.  Yes I speak in tongues and feel my life would be incomplete without it. 

I have run out of time today and will continue this next time.

Counterfeit or Real

(1 Cor 12:10 NRSV)  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

In our world high cost and ways to make a fast buck, there are so many counterfeits.  At times without a trained eye it is hard to tell the real from the counterfeit.  I remember a trip I had to the Philippines some years ago.  As I was walking through a park I was confronted by many sales people.  One was persistent shoving sunglasses in my face saying “Ray bans”.  Finally after a time I asked how much and he shouted out only $10.  Knowing that good quality sunglasses cost much more than that, I asked to take a closer look and found the spelling off by one letter, COUNTERFEIT!  On another trip to another country with a companion we ran into a similar situation and I had a hard time convincing my travel partner not to buy, for they were counterfeits.

Then, there was a time in our own city when I saw a scam at work.  Many years ago I owned a remodeling business.  One day while working on a room addition someone pulled up in a car telling us they got stuck with several new VCRs and needed to sell them.  I had an employee get suckered.  I tried to tell him it was too good to be true and that he should not do it.  At that time VCRs were still costly and the guy was offering them at a bargain price.  I thought maybe they were stolen, but the guy showed some kind of receipt.  I still had my doubts, but the young man wanted a VCR.  He gave the man the money and the guy drove off.  Now the box seemed to be still stapled and sealed by the manufacture.  The young man opened the box and what was inside was a big brick.

You see, this is how false teaching and deceiving spirits work.  They seem legit and promise big things, but when all is settled each person that had been deceived is left empty and disillusioned.  Satan, the enemy of the church works much the same way, in his attempts to trip up God’s people to cast off their faith.  The spirits of evil and deception operate in churches by people who look like any other believers.  On the outside they look like the real deal, but what’s inside is empty and false. 

In the Christian world we have so many different teachings and doctrines; it is hard for one to tell the real from the counterfeit.  From the churches earliest years, even before all the founding Apostles were even gone there were those creeping in with false teachings.  Read the letter to the churches in Revelations and see what many of them dealt with, as well as the following examples.

 (2 Pet 2:1-2 NRSV)  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. {2} Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.

 (2 Tim 2:16-18 NKJV)  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. {17} And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, {18} who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

This is why we need to know God’s Word and be filled with His spirit and allow Him to lead us.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about God’s spirit manifesting in the believers and the body of Christ.  We find him telling them that as needed the spirit will work in a manifestation of knowing what spirit is at work.  To put it this way God wants to work through us so we can tell the difference between the counterfeit and real.  Let me say this, for there to be a false, there has to be a real. 

The false is always similar to or almost exactly like the real.  A person would not be so easily deceived if the false looked nothing like the real.  We need to trust in the leading of God’s spirit to help us know the difference.  We cannot lean on our own feelings and emotions because they too can be easily tricked.  We cannot solely lean on our traditional doctrines because they could be teachings of men replacing biblical truths.  We cannot trust in the majority, like a good magic act a whole crowd of spectators are all fooled even if just one is not.  There are so many teachings today that are popular and have a great number of followers, but that does not make it truth.  We have many ministries and churches full of emotion and demonstrations, but when in times of real trial we find so many empty and wanting.  Don’t get me wrong I myself love a great worship experience that I put my whole heart and emotion into, but I don’t put my faith in that.  I must be full of the Word of God and trust in His spirit to lead me into truth.

  (2 Tim 2:15-16 NRSV)  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. {16} Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety,

(John 16:13 NRSV)  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

There are real spiritual manifestations today, but we should not take those for granite and test them all.  In all the years of growing up in Pentecostal, Charismatic church’s, what I have seen is a real lack of proper teaching and understanding of the spiritual manifestations.  Because of the lack or improper teachings, we have seen so many misunderstandings and abuse in the churches that allow spiritual manifestations. 

I believe there are three areas we need the discerning of spirits. First, we have an enemy, Satan, who is a liar and deceiver, out to trip up God’s children.  Satan and his demons know how to incite our emotions and present something that looks and feels so real.  If we are not careful we get so caught up in excitement and personalities that we get tricked into accepting something to be real when it is actually not from God.

Second, there is the human element of error or deception.  This is because of several reasons.  As stated before improper or lack of good teaching on this matter is a major reason.  I have also seen well intentioned people jump out a head of God’s spirit and operate on their own; this is often with disastrous results.  Then we have men and women who for gain use tricks to look like it is God’s manifestation.

Then there is the real, but because of the false many shy away in skepticism.  They need to be around those who in love will minister God’s goodness.  They need to be around those who will allow the skeptics to ask questions and through relationships trust those to judge and prove what was manifested is of God.

We are instructed to test all things and see if they are from God, yet, often we throw logic out the door and let too many things happen in churches that should not be.  Then, we have Charismatic leaders who put down those who question what they have done.  Let’s face it, if someone says they are a prophet and they miss it far more often than hit it they should be called out on their false prophecies.   Yet, we should not be too critical or judge a mater not of God just because the person being the instrument of the manifestation does not have the same doctrinal views as yours, unless it is a denial of Jesus that came in the flesh and the son of God.  Let’s see what the word says about this.

 (1 Th 5:21-22 NRSV)  but test everything; hold fast to what is good; {22} abstain from every form of evil.

(1 John 4:1-13 NRSV)  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. {2} By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, {3} and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. {4} Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. {5} They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. {6} We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and whoever is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. {7} Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. {9} God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. {10} In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. {11} Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. {12} No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. {13} By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

In closing this week, I want to say that discerning of spirits is probably one of the most important to operate in the body of Christ.  This is the one that requires God’s love at work and good teaching. Without God’s love at work we will come off prudish and judgmental.  This is a manifestation that requires patience and quietness to wait on the Lord in matters of the manifestations.  It can not be confused with intuition and feelings.  A person must be strong and of great courage, because there will be times to speak out against something that is accepted by the majority.  Yet, I feel those that God uses in this manifestation need to be meek and humble before God and all men.  If today, there is a need for a certain manifestation to be in operation when any others are present, it is this one.  We need to know the false from the real.

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.”