Ephesians 4:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in Love.

Close observation in the reading of these Scriptures will bring to light the Biblical witness of "two or more" to confirm that it's God's direction. His Word is True in any rendering but when it brings the same thing up twice it's worth special note and observance.

Verse 14 starts out with "That we henceforth be no more children", a direct warning to "GROW UP", or what follows "will" take place! We "will" be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine", ect. Mark this statement as a "strong" warning, grow up or be open to deception. it doesn't tie lack of study to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of reading to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of memorization to avoid this, it ties "lack of maturity", being a babe too long, failing to "mature" in Christ, as being the "open door" to cunning craftiness and deception.

Paul warns us about being "babes" to long:1 Corinthians 3:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as to carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Paul has to speak to the Corinthians as carnal not "spiritual" even like babes in Christ because they have not matured enough in the "faith" to ingest "meat". What are the criteria for this judgement?

3 For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are the signs of being a babe too long. Scripture cannot lie, if these exist in your personal life or in the church then you are malnourished babes needing an influx of "meat" from the Word. It's presented in Scripture that we are to have the faith like little children. That comes by hearing and that by the Word of God. Little children believe what they hear then want the next "hearing" (step) so they can grow, so it is no different then believers. If a child doesn't receive continued instruction they become bored, mischievous, doing and acting out what is not acceptable, so it is with the Christian. So for the Christian who stops the "maturing" process? Your church? Your denomination? Your pastor? Your Bible studies? Only to a degree is your nurturing a "village" effort as we are part of one body, many members. But mostly "YOU" decide from whence your table is set from. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are in a fellowship that is preaching "Truth that sets free" by witness of the Holy Scriptures that "YOU" have read! All Scripture is "spirit" and must be concurred by the Mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and "MUST" have a "witness" in your spirit by the Holy Spirit to prove it's authenticity of rendering. So as you are "growing" in Christ, through becoming spiritually familiar with the written Word, your place of community will be preaching and teaching the witness of one or two proving the Word and directing "sound" growth in the faith. Again it is you who must "start" this "unveiling" of the Word, first between you and God by instruction through the Holy Spirit, then getting witness from your local church through participation in preaching and teaching.

It is a madness and a supreme wickedness when the "body" that is nourishing up a babe starves it from the rich nutrients of the "entire" Word. Denominational doctrine that "adds to or takes from" the Word of God for any reason, encourages special wrath presented in His Word. Whether vain or wild surmising on the part of the "Master" (teacher/preacher) that alters any simple forward projection of the Holy Word, for any "good" reason is still at best diabolical and damnable. If we "eat of the body and drink of the blood of Christ (His Word) asking the Holy Spirit to counsel us in it's spiritual meaning, He will be faithful to do so and we can be assured of our spiritual growth by Divine Hand. 

We are living in a time of spiritual trouble, doubt, derision, doctrines of man, elimination of Scriptures, and fellowship divisions. Truly we are experiencing a time of "if a house be divided it cannot stand." As Jesus said: "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." If all Scripture is not True and valid for application today then none of it is True and valid for today! If one Word of God has been eliminated by passing time then none can be trusted to be enduring "until the end." To preach the Word of God but not bring it forth to application (being doers of the Word not just hearers), is the same as to not preach it at all. We must show our faith by our works. Those things you believe you do! Perform is another word. Bear witness too is another way of putting it. So what are the actions that speak louder than words coming from you? Are they "full of faith and the Holy Spirit"? Are all your conversations "seasoned with salt"? Do you speak as though "speaking the very Words of God"? Is God in all your "thoughts, words and deeds"? Is He in "all your ways"? In all our ways do you acknowledge Him so He can direct thy paths?" These Scriptural applications can only accompany your "walk with Christ" as you "grow" in Him, "mature in Him"? These Scriptural applications can only protect you from "deceit and the doctrines of men or lies of the devil" if you have maturity, decreasing to self and letting Him increase in us. It's easier to believe the lie that there are no gifts for today then to "tarry" till you receive power from on high. We prove ourselves to be deceived by praying for healing when we are afflicted and then saying that "laying on of hands" for healing is no longer a gift. You see where this is going having to do with all the gifts of the Spirit.

Trust the Word, believe in Christ and His example in Scripture, grow in Grace and Faith.

Love in Christ

Jerry and Elise

Religion vs Revelation

This is the by product of religion vs revelation.

Religion:

Matthew 15:8-9 King James Version (KJV)

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Religion above has 2 parts:

1. Carnal worship, lip service, not from the heart. This come from having only a "studied or taught exposure" of the Scriptures.

2. Following the "doctrines of men." Doing what "sounds right" because Scripture is to impossible to obey.

Revelation:

John 14:21 KJV

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and "will manifest myself to him."

Revelation has 2 parts also:

1. Loving God and His commandments.

2. The Father "manifesting himself" to us.

Which way is in your heart?

Do you have the manifestation of the Father to prove it?

Love

J&E in Tn

Praying in the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit.

Colossians 4:2

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

What wonderful habits to get into. Practicing these two examples of prayer and thanksgiving till they become as natural as breathing, will open up the "experience" of "praying in the Spirit" a new level of prayer for most. 

Most people only ever get as far as "praying" a list, a carnal type of participation that was ingrained in us by whomever was responsible for our "religious" upbringing. That usually doesn't change unless we become "students" of Scripture coming across verses like the above and being challenged by posts like these. 

Rejoicing ever more, praying without ceasing, in everything giving thanks, and quenching not the Spirit, is being obedient to God's will in Christ Jesus as it concerns us elevating and deepening our "spiritual awareness" to new heights. We will actually begin to "pray through", have satisfaction in prayer, grow our faith because we "receive" answers to our prayers, and become confident that "Emmanuel, God with us", really is. To say the least that entering into prayer with rejoicing, thanksgiving, and praise is the fastest way to "get into the Holy Spirit" letting Him "pray through you" with groans and utterances that one cannot know. That's the most powerful type of prayer there is. All prayer is effective and necessary but praying in the Spirit is most humbling, edifying, faith building, and powerful application that can be made. Not only that but it also encourages one to "pray" more so as to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit "coming along side" to participate with you.

And yes here is where I add my latest experience of both "entering in" and "participation" with "praying in the Spirit." 

It can happen anywhere and anytime as this "sharing" will attest too.

Most of my deep prayer experiences usually happen between 4 am and 7 am and sometimes will also include new revelation in Scripture: an explanation, or application that I have not known before.

But, this time it took place while Elise and I were watching tv and I felt the Holy Spirit beckoning me into His presence and prayer.

Starting out with praise then moving quickly into thanksgiving with rejoicing, I was drawn into prayer for my wife Elise. My eyes were open but I lost cognizance of the tv and started "praying" with my mind as God gave the words, repeating them quietly, Elise not knowing. Soon, as the Apostle Paul states, "pray with your mind and also with your spirit" this transformation started to take over "mind to spirit". Words began to flow without thought or effort and my heart broke for the privileged of being allowed to participate in such a "sacred oneness" with the Holy Spirit. I was most aware of His leading and "joined" my heart and spirit to His, noting all that was said deep in my heart. I experience, at one time, both prayer, praise, thanksgiving, rejoicing and worship, again all at once, simultaneously. It was a perfect mixture of "participating" with Him, His Spirit, just as I can imagine that it would be like in heaven. In that prayer moment, (I don't know how long it lasted but for sure many minutes), I could see His hand in the "continuance" of my wife, how God has used her to glorify His name, how many people were (and will be) effected by her testimony, not counting the impact this has had on our children, their spouses, and grandchildren, friends and relatives. It was (in the form of a vision/premonition) like trying to take a drink from a tidal wave, to capture it all. Although it consisted only of words given and prayed it also was in form like a canvas coming to life with those words to form a visual presentation. I could not help but to silently weep humbled by the presence of God and His Unconditional Love for not only Elise and I but also for all of mankind from Adam and Eve till "Kingdom come". How that He, the God of all creation, would fulfill His promise to be "Emanuel, God with us" including me, a broke down bricklayer who has nothing more to offer than humbly to serve Him at His behest.

As I have stated before: "this is only a beginners participation" in Christianity. Our faith should be a continuing "experience" in the communing with God our Father. Man with his Creator. As Father and son. Always growing daily in intimacy and familiarity with Him on earth till we are reunited with Him in heaven. 

I exhort you all who read this put this to a challenge. Take time to spend with Him quietly, waiting on Him to move in your heart and reveal His presence to you. 

Invite Him to be your "Emanuel", God with you.

I hope you have been encouraged. I have.

Love in Christ

J&E in Tn

Concerning Babes in the faith.

Ephesians 4:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in Love.

Close observation in the reading of these Scriptures will bring to light the Biblical witness of "two or more" to confirm that it's God's direction. His Word is True in any rendering but when it brings the same thing up twice it's worth special note and observance.

Verse 14 starts out with "That we henceforth be no more children", a direct warning to "GROW UP", or what follows "will" take place! We "will" be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine", ect. Mark this statement as a "strong" warning, grow up or be open to deception. it doesn't tie lack of study to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of reading to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of memorization to avoid this, it ties "lack of maturity", being a babe too long, failing to "mature" in Christ, as being the "open door" to cunning craftiness and deception.

Verse 15 says: "But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things."

No explanation needed here as the rendering is self explanatory but do note "grow up into Him in all things" means just that, in ALL things! Not just what we care to accept or deem valid for this time. Jesus stated that He (the Word) is our food and drink that needs to be partaken in for eternal life. It is a complete meal lacking nothing and nothing to be left out just because we don't care for it.

Paul warns us about being "babes" to long:

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as to carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Paul has to speak to the Corinthians as carnal not "spiritual" even like babes in Christ because they have not matured enough in the "faith" to ingest "meat". What are the criteria for this judgement?

3 For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are the signs of being a babe too long. Scripture cannot lie, if these exist in your personal life or in the church then you are malnourished babes needing an influx of "meat" from the Word. It's presented in Scripture that we are to have the faith like little children. That comes by hearing and that by the Word of God. Little children believe what they hear then want the next "hearing" (step) so they can grow, so it is no different then believers. If a child doesn't receive continued instruction they become bored, mischievous, doing and acting out what is not acceptable, so it is with the Christian. So for the Christian who stops the "maturing" process? Your church? Your denomination? Your pastor? Your Bible studies? Only to a degree is your nurturing a "village" effort as we are part of one body, many members. But mostly "YOU" decide from whence your table is set from. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are in a fellowship that is preaching "Truth that sets free" by witness of the Holy Scriptures that "YOU" have read! All Scripture is "spirit" and must be concurred by the Mind of Christ the Holy Spirit, and "MUST" have a "witness" in your spirit by the Holy Spirit to prove it's authenticity of rendering. So as you are "growing" in Christ, through becoming spiritually familiar with the written Word, your place of community will be preaching and teaching the witness of one or two proving the Word and directing "sound" growth in the faith. Again it is you who must "start" this "unveiling" of the Word, first between you and God by instruction through the Holy Spirit, then getting witness from your local church through participation in preaching and teaching.

It is a madness and a supreme wickedness when the "body" that is nourishing up a babe starves it from the rich nutrients of the "entire" Word. Denominational doctrine that "adds to or takes from" the Word of God for any reason, encourages special wrath presented in His Word. Whether vain or wild surmising on the part of the "local master" (teacher/preacher) that alters any simple forward projection of the Holy Word, for any "good" reason is still at best diabolical and damnable. If we "eat of the body and drink of the blood of Christ (His Word) asking the Holy Spirit to counsel us in it's spiritual meaning, He will be faithful to do so and we can be assured of our spiritual growth by His Divine Hand. 

We are living in a time of spiritual trouble, doubt, derision, doctrines of man, elimination of Scriptures, and fellowship divisions. Truly we are experiencing a time of "if a house be divided it cannot stand." As Jesus said: "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." If all Scripture is not True and valid for application today then none of it is True and valid for today! If one Word of God has been eliminated by passing time then none can be trusted to be enduring "until the end." To preach the Word of God but not bring it forth to application (being doers of the Word not just hearers), is the same as to not preach it at all. We must show our faith by our works. 

Those who are "babes" in Christ start desiring the "meat" of the Word so you can "grow" in Christ and faith. Avoid the pitfalls that come with being "content and lazy" by "prayer" and "engrafting" the Word. Those things you don't understand either "wait upon the Lord" or ask some mature trusted mentor. Keep your desires "in His time". There is a time for everything in His creation that includes knowledge and wisdom. Read His Word out loud as faith comes by hearing, and that of the Word of God. Seek God diligently, for those that do so shall receive His reward. 

Ultimately you are responsible for the "fare" on your table. You are what you eat. En-graft the Living Word, grow in Christ, walk by faith, Love one another fervently!

Love

J&E

1 Cor 2: 9-16 The Mind of Christ

The challenge and the rewards!

1 Corinthians 2: 9-16

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

All God's perfect gifts are accessible to man through His Love for us. In fact they are "prepared" for them that Love Him!" Prepared to be received, owned, experienced. They are not fables or old wives tales, they are Holy Promises from "the Lord God Almighty." Beyond imagination, never seen, nor heard, neither entered into the heart of man are these incredible "things".

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Here we see that they can only be revealed "by God's Spirit." Only the Holy Spirit can know the "deep things of God" man's spirit can only know the things of man. Because we have received God's Spirit we can "receive freely" the things given/promised us of God.These things we should boldly speak, but not in the words that man's wisdom teacheth, but that the Holy Spirit teaches, "spiritual things."

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This verse sets things straight........If you have not the Holy Spirit you have not the "Mind of Christ" and you cannot receive the things of God no matter how much you study. You must first have the Holy Spirit to receive of the "deep" things of God.

God has sealed His Wisdom away from the "mind of man" and into His Spirit for revelation to be received by His Body (us) so that no man can boast of whence his wisdom comes from.

Simply put: if you are a believer in Christ Jesus the Mind of Christ is yours to "seek and find", search and be rewarded, experience and be blessed, Love and receive.

Let God's Word challenge you by its Truths and reward you for your faithfulness.

Love

Jerry and Elise

Merry Christmas: A gift from us to you!

Our Christmas gift to you!

Love Unconditionally.

Love Fervently.

Love Deeply.

Love even if not returned.

Love without reason.

Love without knowing.

Love surpasses all time.

Love surpasses all human gifts.

Love surpasses all spiritual gifts.

It outlasts hope and faith.

Love forgives.

Always and without reason.

Love never fails.

God is Love.

We are His children.

So should we Love as He does.

Loving as God does brings us joy.

Joy is spiritual.

Joy is not controlled by feelings.

Joy is centered in God.

Be spiritual, be joyful, be in God!

Merry Christmas

May you be filled by Love, Joy and Peace in the Holy Spirit.

Love

Jerry and Elise

What's plaguing the Church in these end times!

This post is odd to my normal sharing of revelation with those who read them.
My heart is deeply troubled "in these end times", (let there be no doubt that they are upon us), and the passive condition of the Body of Christ in general. So as not to "blanket" all Christianity with a cover of "futility" I will state at this time that there has always been a "remnant" of believers who have not succumbed to the "doctrines of man" in other words the "lies of the devil". I will also state at this time that many, (most, except for the aforementioned remnant), have gladly and comfortably sat back and accepted these weakened doctrines and teaching do to the "lack of experiencing" the gifts of the Holy Spirit made available to all who believe. Those "promised" gifts which come from above, are given to PROVE that the Word of God is True, (the Gospel), and to do so Divinely so as to show the Supreme power and hand of God are not of man but of God Himself!!! This is His plan to prove the Truth of His Word both to the believer and non believer. To the believer so that he might be encouraged and convinced that the Gospel is Divine and True, and to the unbeliever so that He would be speechless to comment otherwise having "SEEN" the Divine manifestation of God. 
For those who would argue in there heads right now let me make this clear:
Faith in the Gospel (Jesus's death and Resurrection) is the only way one can be saved. Period!
"And", like it or not "THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW".
Mark 16:15-18

 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;b 18they will pick up snakes with their hands, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will be made well.”

As we see in the Scripture above the Gospel is a finished work for Salvation but not a finished experience for the one who is saved. Hence the "practice" of "I'm saved so that's it" falls short of both the Truth and life experience of what is written and promised of those in His service. I have read the Bible and agree with all that it says, completely, questioning nothing, but embracing all of it's Words as the very Words of God. 

When you strip away all the promises due us through salvation, you strip away all the "God given excitement" out of the Christian "EXPERIENCE" that was put there by our "all knowing Father", which was meant to make walking by faith a daily new experience. Giving us joy and expectation in our hearts of Emmanuel "God with us", watching and praying daily for Him to "glorify" His name locally and in all the earth. 
Faith is the key to keeping God alive in our hearts thereby keeping Christ alive in our lives, actions, words, motives and attitudes that are witnessed by all around us. 
I again say Faith, not carnal understanding! Faith gives us the hope of experiencing God in the very real sense that He meant us to as shown in Scripture. We must "walk by faith", we must "live by faith", we must "season every conversation with salt by faith", in the hope of seeing the evidence of faith being manifested in it's "promised substance". 
Faith is the fundamental "necessity" of our Christian experience, some having forsaken and by so shipwrecking their potential as "witnesses" for Christ. 
It's by faith we are saved, it is by faith we embrace the Sovereign Truth of His Word, it is by faith we lay hold of every precious promise of God to us ward in Christ Jesus. Remember that anything outside of faith is sin! Sin! That element of Christian service that robs us of our precious intimacy with our Father in Heaven. Sin, which causes us to loose excitement about Emanuel "God with us" because it blinds us from the Truth "which sets free", free indeed. 
God's design for "His people" was to experience and walk in the "full measure" of His Salvation, (Jesus Christ). The full measure, not partial measure, the distinct fullness and power of the "Living God" so we can be seen as "set apart", a "holy priesthood", a "peculiar people", a representation of faith, hope, and power like no other people exhibited before. So let me set this in stone: faith is the doorway to the most unimaginable joy and excitement that one can experience in this life. The word Salvation is not just limited to "a ticket to the golden streets", a guarantee of a heavenly home, it is a promise to receiving "ALL" that the Scripture holds for the believer. It is obvious that those who do not give Scripture full place in their hearts by faith, will struggle with what they base their beliefs on and try to find some other way to secure Scriptures validity. We are the "living" proof that God's Word is True because of the change He made in our lives through Salvation in Jesus Christ. And this is an effortless manifestation on our part as we "by faith" follow His commands written in His Word. If you lack the followup that God has promised by faith then what you believe about Scripture is wrong! Scripture is not wrong, you are wrong, you have believed a lie and will go searching for some other way to validate scripture. 

Note: Scripture needs no validation because it is Truth, Truth so powerful that it sets free. Free from the need of our help to prove it's True. Free from the need of our explanation. God said it and that should be enough. Needing to add more to prove it outside of "more Scripture" weaken's "Who" it is; the very deity of God. Paul said something like "in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction", and "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." Just speaking the Word of God by faith is all that is needed to bring God's power to witnesses. By saying this lets make it clear that the Word of God can be preached without faith even doubting that it will have any effect at all. This is why God set it's redeeming power with this Word: "my Word will not come back void until it has accomplished what I have sent it to do." (Paraphrased). How does this happen? When a preacher doesn't "wait on the Holy Spirit" for a "Word" for that time, instead he looks up someone else's sermon that sounds good.  The Scriptures say "today is the day if you hear my voice harden not your hearts". Yesterdays messages were meant for yesterday, "today is the day" to hear His voice and speak the given Word to the people given for them that are present. We are to "walk by faith" today! We are to "season every conversation with salt" today! We are to "speak as though speaking the very Word of God" today! "Today is the day, "IF"you hear my voice". I find it very challenging that word "if". Do you think that the "all wise Father" knew the slim possibility that we would want to hear? Never a word so powerful as the way this "if" is used. Explains a lot doesn't it? Reveals a lot doesn't it? Says a lot, yes? 

The deception and lie in many church's today is that half truths and incomplete Scriptures used in doctrines are a standard now in many cases. Why? Because as society has become more sensitive to being offended so has believers. Many believers today are contentious about what the Scriptures say about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They believe that they have received it as part and parcel with Salvation but argue about the proof that it has taken place. Like it or not there are proofs that you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit: Tongues is one of them, prophesy is another, gifts of healing is another, being endued with "power from on high" is another, great boldness is another, and yes mighty rushing winds or tongues of fire have happened too. Whether you like it, accept it, believe it or not, your thoughts don't count here. Jesus said: “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?" and this to His disciples! Are we looking in a mirror here? God's Word commands us but we debate as to whether or not we should do it. Sorry brothers and sisters. No I'm not! Wake up. If we claim Salvation through Christ then we have claimed the entire Word of God to be as True as the Salvation we claim. In fact the very Word which opens the door to our salvation is the same Word that became flesh for our Salvation. If we claim one, by nature we claim it all. God cannot be divided. He is whole, complete, True. If you are saved then you have already received every precious promise that God has for us in Christ all we have to do is embrace them. Doing so "glorify's our Father" and proves the power of His redemption. To not embrace and employ them is to embrace a "half truth" and makes us liars by our incomplete lives. To not preach these gifts is to rob believers of the God ordained power promised them. To not challenge their activity in the believers lives is to encourage lethargy over time and lack of excitement, even failure, in their walk/faith. For we "walk by faith" brings a looking/excitement for God manifesting His promises in our lives so that we will "ask for things above what we can think or imagine", knowing that God has the power and heart to answer those seemingly impossible prayers. We seem to forget that it was mentioned in the OT that God told "His people" that when the peoples of other lands see the great provisions that God has given them they will say: "who's god is like unto their God"? Nothing has changed. We are still his people and He is still God like no other only needing a chance to "manifest" that Truth. We either give or deny this longing for God to "call all men unto Himself. That's His purpose isn't it? "That none should perish" is His goal? If that be so lets "lay aside" all vain jangling and old wives tales along with weak or false doctrines of man, then once again pick up the "joy of our salvation" with the expectation of actually seeing God move in and through us that others will believe with hope also inspired by our faith.

Stick to the Word. Prove everything that is said to be Scripture by searching the Word itself. Don't let anyone deny you the experience, joy, and expectation that are promised you "with power" from the Scriptures. 

These are evil days, but rejoice that Jesus has already given us the victory if we walk by faith. Only by faith can these be the best time to live in.

"Redeem the time for the days are evil!"

Love

J&E