Apostolic Friends Forum - From The Heart Of Jacob's Ladder

Apostolic Friends Forum (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/index.php)

- Fellowship Hall (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7)

- - From The Heart Of Jacob's Ladder (https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=43482)

From The Heart Of Jacob's Ladder

Dear Reader,

I do not apologize for my following comments.

When viewing from my perspective, various issues concern me within our churches. Many Pentecostals have accused various denominations of being infested with tradition, yet, they themselves are entangled with tradition too!

As example, here are a few issues I have noticed while visiting various churches. A vast majority of hymns sung within our churches are “traditional” rather than “in spirit and truth” worship. Many of these songs expound on who we are and come nowhere near the boundary of worshipping god. A good example, that idiotic song, “I’m a Pentecostal.” I am surprised that stupid song has not become the Pentecostal national anthem!

In addition, while visiting various churches, I can predict ninety-nine percent of the time when someone will clap or raise their hand(s). We have become accustomed, or should I say, programmed to “worship” out of tradition rather than “in spirit and truth.” I believe this to be the reason why our churches lack God’s entirety supernatural power. Sure, we have witnessed divine manifestations in services, home gatherings, and other places, but these current manifestations are not as prominent when compared to the New Testament.

Let us utilize healing as an example. I have heard a few tell others, “God gave that person a sickness for a reason.” Really? How can you trust God for a healing after he has purposely made you sick? You simply cannot! Would you trust a doctor with your health after he/she has purposely infected you with a disease? I believe God heals all manner of sickness and you have come too late to convince me otherwise. I have been through too much and witnessed God deliver/heal multiple times. I was prompted to write this two days ago. I was at the beach walking and my brother called. He mentioned my mother was in much pain and was thinking of going to the hospital. It's very rare that my mother would ever consider going to the hospital. That day I was busy and hadn't really took the time to pray. I apologized to God and asked that he remove the pain from my mother and heal the cause of her pain.

I went to visit my mother after walking at the beach, and I questioned her about the pain. She mentioned that pain had begun to subside 30 minutes prior to my arrival. It was then that I was praying. The following day she didn't understand why she felt much better. It was then that she confessed that she had been hurting for a few weeks, and the pain had been increasing.

Many have suggested that God never healed Paul’s dilemma (thorn), and therefore God does not always heal. Who said Paul’s thorn was a physical ailment? Paul said in 2Corinthians 12:7 that the thorn was to “buffet” Paul. The word “buffet” in Greek is Kolaphizo, to strike with a fist, or treat roughly. How can a sickness literally strike your body as the word “buffet” defines? Paul’s thorn was not a physical ailment but rather persecution. Do you recall Paul’s writings about enduring whippings and nearly being stoned to death? Now that is a perfect example of “buffet” (Kolaphizo).

I’ve also witnessed many putting limitations on God. Example, this person told someone to visit their church service (church building) to receive a healing. That’s were ill-religious dogma begins. The church building should serve as a launching pad, and you should allow God to remove the mentality that he can only perform miracles inside your church building. The power is not in a location but rather in the relationship with God. What’s stopping you from praying for someone on the street? It is embarrassment, lack of faith, and church tradition.

Christianity has shifted their mentality from a God that “will” heal to a God that “can” heal. I have also witnessed too many saints use the name Jesus so casually! That name has become so generic among Pentecostals; they have diluted the authoritative aspect of that name. It is for these reasons that many have not received their healing(s). I will admit that I have seen a few delayed deliverances, but never any denied. Many have put the emphasis and/or blame on God. They have said, “God just doesn’t want to heal them.” It is much easier to blame Him than ourselves. There is a level which one can enter and receive their healing, liberation, etc., but the traditional Christian mentality prohibits oneself from exploring that avenue.

I challenge you to point out one circumstance where Jesus rejected to heal someone in the New Testament. If you can point out one circumstance, I will jump on my unicorn, fly to your location, and confess the error of my ways. Ever since I was a child, amongst many topics, God has brought the subject of healing to my attention. It was not until the ten lepers yelled, Jesus, have mercy on us, in Luke 17:11, it was only then that Jesus took notice of the lepers and cleansed them. Notice the order, the lepers asked and Jesus responded.

That is why the enemy has you sitting back, making you think that you are waiting on the Lord to receive your healing or waiting on the lord to start that project God has placed in your heart, when in reality, the Lord is waiting on you to begin!

Regards,
Jacob's Ladder