I'm reading a book written by a Spirit filled preacher about opening the gates of Heaven. He goes into detail about prayer and material objects. Just as prayer cloths can be anointed and hold residual power from the Holy Ghost, he argues that so too can other objects. He stated that his church had a mighty revival after having people bring items that belonged to their loved ones to church to be prayed over. He states that there were testimonies about deliverances, healings, visions, dreams, and convictions that brought many of those loved ones to begin seeking God. People prayed over watches, jewelry, clothing, jackets, pillow cases, pictures, you name it. He explained that the vast majority of those who participated have reaped a harvest of spiritual victory in the lives of those they were praying for.
Too many of us would mock that kind of thing.
Acts 19:11-12
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Clearly the power of God can leave a residual impartation of power on physical objects.
Even the bones of Elisha raised the dead. Ancient Christian history testifies to the power of "relics" that belonged to various believers. Now... of course some took this and tried to make money off of it by trying to sell things that were never empowered through the prayers or presence of a Spirit filled saint. But it doesn't mean that there wasn't some truth behind what so many early believers experienced.
Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the main's body into Elisha's tomb. When the body touched Elisha's bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. (2 Kings 13:21, NIV)
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding to 12 years came up behind him [Jesus] and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment. (Matthew 9:20-22, NIV)
People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by... and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:15-16, NIV)
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (Acts 19:11-12, NIV)
Have we become a faithless and unbelieving generation???
Spoke to a woman on the forum today who states that her house has an "evil presence" that is troubling her and her husband. Many were suggesting burning various herbs, meditating on white light, etc. I shared some dimensions to spiritual warfare from a uniquely Christian perspective. Interestingly, I got a positive response. A wayward Catholic chimed in about how he thought I was right with calling upon the name of Jesus and rebuking the spirit. I'm sure she didn't expect this on a psychic's forum. lol
It's almost like being a missionary among those who are seeking spiritual answers and don't know exactly where to look. Remember, many of these people were burned by religion or were heavily judged over a moral struggle in their personal lives or spiritual questions. God loves them as much as any other soul. If someone wasn't willing to get in close and get their hands dirty, many trapped in this stuff wouldn't have found deliverance. I don't know why I felt led there. Maybe we'll see the fruit of it in the coming days.
Many have a desperate hunger for the supernatural in their lives. However, their experience with religion has been dry and ritualistic. I'm slowly and conversationally introducing the supernatural realities of Spirit filled Christianity to them. So far, we've talked about prayer, the name, oil, prayer cloths, and angelic assistance in spiritual warfare. I've also talked about the 9 spiritual gifts with them with very positive discussion and interest. Some of them haven't actually heard the more supernatural aspects of Christianity from a non-fundamentalist-crazed perspective. It's proving to be interesting.
I understand all that.
However, the Lord isn't the only one who 'moves in mysterious ways'.
Keep that in mind, and keep a record of where you are now, and where you are going, all the stops along the way... and in a few years you may be surprised at where you wind up.
The 'spirit world' is always reaching out to a receptive person...
Spiders often weave webs so fine you cannot see them until you find it all entangled in your face.
I will also say a lot of what passes for 'teaching' in the realm of 'spiritual warfare' and 'spiritual gifts' among charismatics and now many Pentecostals is just old order witchcraft repackaged with new labels and bright shiny bows with little Jesus stickers on them.
However, the Lord isn't the only one who 'moves in mysterious ways'.
Keep that in mind, and keep a record of where you are now, and where you are going, all the stops along the way... and in a few years you may be surprised at where you wind up.
The 'spirit world' is always reaching out to a receptive person...
Spiders often weave webs so fine you cannot see them until you find it all entangled in your face.
I will also say a lot of what passes for 'teaching' in the realm of 'spiritual warfare' and 'spiritual gifts' among charismatics and now many Pentecostals is just old order witchcraft repackaged with new labels and bright shiny bows with little Jesus stickers on them.
However, the Lord isn't the only one who 'moves in mysterious ways'.
Keep that in mind, and keep a record of where you are now, and where you are going, all the stops along the way... and in a few years you may be surprised at where you wind up.
The 'spirit world' is always reaching out to a receptive person...
Spiders often weave webs so fine you cannot see them until you find it all entangled in your face.
That is an excellent admonition, and I thank you brother for saying it. I will definitely keep this in mind. Any Christian delving into the spiritual should.
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I will also say a lot of what passes for 'teaching' in the realm of 'spiritual warfare' and 'spiritual gifts' among charismatics and now many Pentecostals is just old order witchcraft repackaged with new labels and bright shiny bows with little Jesus stickers on them.
I do understand what you're saying. The whole "magic hair" thing is a great example. The notion of uncut hair having power over spirits (angels) is rooted in ancient asceticism and witchcraft. Much of the "standards" held today are essentially forms of ancient asceticism passed off as "holiness". However, that doesn't mean that everything involving the spiritual life and spiritual warfare is like this. Jesus cast out devils, as did the disciples. Jesus even said that the casting out of devils was a sign that would follow those that believe. So, spiritual warfare is a reality. While your admonition was sound with regards to keeping the subtle seduction of the enemy in mind, I'd like to admonish that if we are not engaged in spiritual warfare, that enemy has an advantage over us. In a way, your position neutralizes the Christian from becoming spiritual adept in dealing with spiritual matters of warfare and gifting, while disarming them with fear of being guilty of "witchcraft repackaged". I see this as being more dangerous than daring to use one's gifts.
I'd like to bring something to mind. The Pharisees once confronted Jesus saying,
Matthew 12:24-30
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Stand with Jesus. Learn how to navigate and operate in the spirit. Then confront the enemy when facing the things we can't see.
In a way, your position neutralizes the Christian from becoming spiritual adept in dealing with spiritual matters of warfare and gifting, while disarming them with fear of being guilty of "witchcraft repackaged". I see this as being more dangerous than daring to use one's gifts.
No, I'm not saying 'be afraid of being used by God'. The entire concept of 'using your spiritual gifts' however is an unbiblical emphasis that opens the door for all sorts of deceptions.
The 'gifts' are operations of the Spirit, as HE decides, when and where. We are to earnestly desire to be used by God, but especially to prophesy, but still keeping in mind these are operations of the Spirit. The gifts operate when we are in the Holy Ghost. Too many people have tried to reduce the gifts of the Spirit of God to a set of formulas that can be 'taught', or even go so far as to think they can be used 'at will'.
The best chance of being used is to be in the Holy Ghost, and that requires prayer, and dedication. A lot of people unfortunately take the lead from charismatic 'word of faith' techings which stem from E. W. Kenyon... which is repackaged witchcraft, plain and simple.
Quote:
I'd like to bring something to mind. The Pharisees once confronted Jesus saying,
Matthew 12:24-30
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Stand with Jesus. Learn how to navigate and operate in the spirit. Then confront the enemy when facing the things we can't see.
It is interesting the Bible does not contain any 'study guides' or 'preferred techniques for finding and using your spiritual gifts', is it not?
Just be careful. I recommend 'The Spiritual Man' by Watchman Nee as a good primer on the subject. Although I disagree with many of his theories, he does have some very good things to say about the psychology of being hoodwinked by false and lying spirits.
Why do so many people think that God will only act in predictable ways? For those of you who take the Bible stories as literal happenings:
God told Noah to build an Ark when it had never rained, He appeared to Moses in a Burning Bush, He told Hosea to marry a Prostitute, He had a big fish swallow Jonah, He made a wager with Satan about the life of Job, and he at least twice caused post-menopausal women to get pregnant.
This is not a God worried about the Status Quo, in fact one could say that He leans MORE towards the unusual and unorthodox.
It's like this recurring theme in the Bible...down to the pharisees not seeing the Jesus was God, because he didn't fit into their paradigm, or the Jewish Christians not accepting the Gentiles because they weren't living according to the law.
Now that I have spoken my peace, I am off for a quick reading of Hosea, to see how many people gave him a hard time for marrying a prostitute (or if those type of stones are reserved for those who have married Atheists )
__________________
“There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting.”
Why do so many people think that God will only act in predictable ways? For those of you who take the Bible stories as literal happenings:
God told Noah to build an Ark when it had never rained, He appeared to Moses in a Burning Bush, He told Hosea to marry a Prostitute, He had a big fish swallow Jonah, He made a wager with Satan about the life of Job, and he at least twice caused post-menopausal women to get pregnant.
This is not a God worried about the Status Quo, in fact one could say that He leans MORE towards the unusual and unorthodox.
It's like this recurring theme in the Bible...down to the pharisees not seeing the Jesus was God, because he didn't fit into their paradigm, or the Jewish Christians not accepting the Gentiles because they weren't living according to the law.
Now that I have spoken my peace, I am off for a quick reading of Hosea, to see how many people gave him a hard time for marrying a prostitute (or if those type of stones are reserved for those who have married Atheists )
My issue is not with God doing what we do not expect. It is with people expecting God to operate according to the rules of the O.T.O or Gardnerian systems (and other systems) of witchcraft/magick.
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