For the record, I am sick of hearing all these cockamamie Bible proof texts that supposedly prove that God doesn't do a damn thing anymore. There is a world going to hell in a hand basket, and a small group of religious idiots seems to get a lot of air play when it comes to denying the supernatural power of God. I wonder if these folks have ever had an answered prayer in their lives?!? It is obvious that almost all of them have not been to meetings with the preachers and ministers they are bashing.
For whatever reason, the church seems to have limped along without power for so long, that when it does show up, some folks think it's the devil. All this severely negative talk simply makes the church look stupid. HERE is more on that.
Certain folks spend a lot of time telling you who is deceived, and the truth is, a lot of them are. Their prideful arrogance is sure sign they are full of bologna. (I have such a hard time using that word. Maybe I need a better thesaurus.)
Matthew 24:24 (NKJV) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."
They are worried about guys like David Koresh and Jim Jones? People who don't know Jesus come along all the time. Those that have not read the Bible, and do not know Jesus, are susceptible. I know, I fell prey to the Way Ministry for a short period. As cool as the "twig meetings" were; friendly, interesting, something didn't seem right, so I checked them out.
That said, the true church has survived lots of heresy, sin, and misdirection since its inception. It happens because anyone can get religious, or be uneducated; or both. These tirades against certain churches, phenomena, revivals or pastors, do nothing for unity in the church. In the end, they make the church look foolish. (And yes, some are false, but not all!)
Church where is true discernment?
I think that some days it is essential to state the truth, yet I could be accused of the same thing. The problem that I have, is at the core, we believe the very same thing! I don't know about you, but I don't get to look at my feet and decide I don't need them because I don't like walking. Here is a rational and logic list of scriptures that hopefully tell the story.
First, we must be saved by faith: Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Most of the folks that write this junk agree that we are saved by faith in Jesus.
To be clear, Jesus is God: John 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made .... 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
So far, unless one does not believe that Jesus is God and that the god-head is Triune, all the main line denominations are on the same page: Catholics, Baptists, Anglicans, Evangelical Free, Orthodox, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Vineyard, A of G, Methodist etc. all believe in a triune God.
That should be good enough, and we should be able to get out there and preach the Good News - and leave the differences in worship style, the doctrine of predestination and the meaningless debate over the timing of the 7 years of tribulation, right there at the altar. I'd be glad too.
The real divide comes when the power of God shows up and the supernatural happens. This very same power struggle was played out between Jesus and the Pharisees (believed in the resurrection of the dead), and to some degree that Sadducees (believed in the eternal dirt nap - no resurrection). The Pharisees had been without power for so long, that when it showed up in Jesus and the apostles, they thought it was the Devil. Sound familiar?
Jesus did lots of supernatural stuff. He healed disease, preached the Kingdom of God, loved people, drove out demons, changed the water into wine (for no apparent reason), calmed the storm (for no apparent reason), He walked on the water (for no apparent reason), he fed the 5,000 men and their families, and messed around during the transfiguration - Avatar doesn't compare to that! He also did a load of stuff that was never even recorded. John 21:25
So what is it that precludes one from prophesying, healing, receiving gold teeth, smelling frankincense, cars running without fuel and speaking in tongues?
Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
As always, we can find folks that have bad character in the church - so what else is new? Conversely; we can find godly men and woman who are passionate about Jesus, focused on His kingdom; and their job in it, who are being used in miraculous ways. Bad character does not make one a false prophet or apostle - ummm Judas maybe?
The very thing that marks the hand of God, can also be a counterfeit.
2 Corinthians 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
If you read on, the ones that are deceived are the unsaved.
Worried about manifestations that look like mysticism? Maybe the mysticism is the counterfeit. I'm just sayin' I am far more worried about kids brought up on Disney magic,Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny and Harry Potter that would trade a life in Christ for the counterfeit. But that does't make God any less supernatural.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible.
If you truly know Jesus, it does not seem possible to be deceived. Mark is just sayin' What do I have to say to those bound by religious spirits, and legalism as were the Pharisees? With all undue respect: SHUT UP! And be careful when you turn around you don't knock anyone out in the first pew with those planks!
Daniel 4:2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
If you want to be a natural person walking with a supernatural God, watch for some of my personal experiences here in the next few weeks. Or better yet, meet me at church and we'll have one together.
How about you, do you have any verifiable supernatural stories?
1 comment:
Show me the miracles. It has been a long time.
Only when one can witness such happenings can one trully believe. Some can believe by faith alone but many have to see first hand before they believe.
Just as Jesus said " Only through miracles and healing do you believe who I am".
I would have to think considering we might be entering the end times that God will open up the heavens and display the miraculous signs as prophesized, then we will all know what lies ahead.
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