Fire on the Mountain ...

 

Does God Really Speak Audibly?

 Does God speak audibly seems to be a topic that comes up from time to time.  I went on a mission to pursue this topic.  Validation that I have found a secure basis in scripture to truly verify to myself that I can say, "God speaks to His people."  By His people I mean someone who has recognized they are a sinner; they are in need of a savior and understanding that Jesus Christ was the only perfect one born of a virgin, crucified for our sins, and raised from the dead.  He was the only one who met the criteria of 'the law.'  He was the only one without sin.  All others have sinned and so would not nor could not meet the criteria of a sacrifice without blemish.  Understanding this criteria that Jesus Christ came to Earth to restore mankind for mankind to be able to have the ability to approach God is a vital point of  being a Christian.  So first we must understand that God does not speak to sinners per se.  He might in the course of wooing them but in so much as leading them, He is not going to go against His Word which is if you do not believe in God He will not be speaking to you.  However, if you have a relationship with Jesus, God will be speaking with you.  It really is child-like faith.  You have to believe like a child.  Simple, but somehow, the harder you try to explain it to someone, it becomes complex.  Oy!  Romans Chapter 10 will tell you how to be saved.  

So trying not to run down bunny trails, the gist of this topic is does God speak audibly?  Yes, He does.  Does that negate what is written in His Word?  No, it does not.  Does it do away with what is in His Word?  No, it does not; in fact, if it goes against His Word - Run Forest Run!  Danger, Danger.  One thing you can be sure of - if what you are hearing God say to you goes against His Word, IT IS NOT GOD!!!  RUN!!! Because more likely that is Lucifer or one of his demons and whatever is being said - Don't do it!!!  Just Don't!  

Today, I specifically want to look at one verse - Ephesians 3:8-10. (NKJV)     8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the [b]fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things [c]through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the [d]manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the [e]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 

Verse 10 stopped me in my tracks.  Everybody is always running Kenneth Hagin down for his Word of Faith doctrine.  Can I just say...Read scripture and when you read it, read it out loud to your self so that your ear hears it with your own voice.  There is something about this process that bypasses our puny minds and the Word actually gets past our brain.  So back to verse 10, as I was reading...I was reading the Amplified version with states THROUGH THE CHURCH...

 8 To me, [though I am] the very least of all the saints (God’s people), this grace [which is undeserved] was graciously given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the good news of the incomprehensible riches of Christ [that spiritual wealth which no one can fully understand], 9 and to make plain [to everyone] the plan of the mystery [regarding the uniting of believing Jews and Gentiles into one body] which [until now] was kept hidden through the ages in [the mind of] God who created all things. 10 So now through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God [in all its countless aspects] might now be made known [revealing the mystery] to the [angelic] rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 

So first of all, it is the church (through the church), secondly - look at who the church makes the plan known --  Yes, that's right!  The rulers and authorities in ...Oh my Gosh!  WHO, WHAT, WHERE?  YES!!!  Us, who is the church, the body of believers, what are we doing?  We are making known the mystery of God's plan - to who?  the principalities and rulers, authorities in heavenly places.  I don't know about you, but that just gave me goosebumps!  That signifies to me that we absolutely have power to use the name of Jesus to speak to those angelic rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.  Declare and Decree!  Now this is off to the side of the topic of does God speak, but we are to do what God speaks.  So now I want you to go to Acts Chapter 10.  This chapter is very good at showing how God speaks and how He does  not speak.  God has a variety of ways of showing himself and speaking.  We tend to say speaking more than anything, but He can show Himself through dreams, visions, prophecies, through worship, through sermons, but is He speaking now days or do we just have His written word and that's it.  Yes, we have His Word and His Word has not been done away with.  However, even Paul states it is the letter of the law that kills, it is the Spirit (Holy Spirit) that brings life.  

Okay, so let's look at Acts 10.  We see a variety of ways in which God speaks to people.  The first we notice here is Cornelius.  Cornelius sees an angel.  The angel has a message for him.  Verses 3 through 8 tell of the mission Cornelius and his men are given.  Next, we see Peter.  Peter is praying and God gives him a vision and speaks to him.  This chapter has amazing things revealed.  God made a way for Jews and Gentiles.  Jesus Christ, himself, was annointed with the Holy Spirit and without the Holy Spirit Christ could not have done what He did.  This speaks to me more than anything about how important our relationship with the Holy Spirit is and why the only unforgiveable sin is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.  Take Heed!  Holy Spirit deserves as much respect and reverent fear as God, the Father and God, the Son.  Back to our story, in the latter part of the chapter we start to see how God does not speak.  

In verse 34, we see God is not going to show partiality.  Meaning when someone says - I and only I can bring you this message.  Ummmm, yea....I don't think so....that goes against God's Word.  Next, we see God says in His Word that the nation who fears him and does what He says...so when we Christians sit back and let the enemy take over our nation - We're going to pay a price.  God will hold the church accountable. 

Next, let's look at Acts 11:22 (KJV), 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

This totally tells me "We hear."  Reminds me of Revelation 12:11, 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Now, let's look at Acts 12.  Remember we are looking for the ways God speaks to His people.  An angel came and said (Acts 12: 7)  And Acts 12:21 is where we see how God does not speak.  Peter had an angel come to him.  Not everyone has an angel come to them but they get a message and it is from God.  It comes through some person of some other person's story.  God answering prayer.  But in verse 21, we see Herod makes a great speech.  However, he did not give glory to God.  Here is a clear sign.  When someone attributes what they do or say and do not give glory to God, it's a good indicator that's not God talking.  They are pretty easy to recognize with the I, I, I, I, I, ME, ME, ME, ME...really easy to see.  I wish all things relating to God were as easy as this one.  

Moving forward, Acts 13:2.  2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.  

Ask yourselves, what and who or who and what...first we see they were ministering to the Lord.  And they were fasting.  And how did God speak - "The Holy Ghost" said...and reading further down, we see another example of someone trying to stop God and what happened to them.  

So logically, I have to ask myself did God speak?  Yes, Debbie, He did.  Does God change?  According to scripture God does not change.  So if God does not change and He spoke to His Followers back then is He going to change the way He does things?  No, He is not which tells me He still speaks today.  It's not just by the Word but it also is not exclusive of the Word.  If one is not preaching the Word, giving God the glory and allowing the Holy Spirit freedom, we have to ask ourselves have they been sent by God?  I would have to say, 'No. They are not of God and are not sent by Him' - because His Word tells me the standards that the messenger must have in order to have been sent by God.  And you will notice that it is the Holy Spirit being referenced here in Acts 13.  And that, my friend, is dangerous territory if you are not respecting, glorifying or honoring the Holy Spirit.  God speaks by His Holy Spirit to His Holy Spirit in us.  

In closing, the letter of the law (Word of God) bring death without the revelation of the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit that brings life.  I hope this will encourage to dig deeper and further and find out what it is that God is saying to you.  Because His Word to you is meant for your brothers and sisters in Christ and likewise, what we have said to us by His Holy Spirit is for you.  May we all be allowed to do what we are called to do and let people be used in the gifts that God has given them.   

2 Corinthians, chapters 3-6 (KJV)   3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.  4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

All God's Creatures...

 

Putting on a show ...

For Her

The Muddy Waters of Narcissim

 Are you like me, lately?  Can't tell right from left...can't trust yourself, can't trust your significant other, or in fact, you cannot absolutely trust anyone?  How did I get here?  Are you showing signs of wanting to control others for your own security/peace of mind?  If you find yourself in this mindset, it stands to reason that you may be a victim of narcissistic trauma.  

In the South, we know when the waters are muddy, 'don't go fishin'...You cannot tell the depth of the riverbank.  You cannot tell if there are unknown dangers (water moccasins or gators)  in the water.  And so it is with narcissism.  There are some good resources coming out and the trauma of narcissism is becoming more common in being talked about.  But, the victims of narcissists are being quieted, their stories not heard or they're not listened much less believed and often are targeted as being narcissistic themselves.  

I'm no professional with a degree behind my name, I just have life experience as a victim - a victim of sexual molestation at age 4 continuing through age 6, a victim of bullying - I gained weight to, I think, counter the effects of the molestation; however, there is a flight or fight reflex to the human body that can cause a hypothyroidism disorder and the victim gets locked in to a vicious cycle of not getting enough thyroid hormone.  It is called Reverse T3 and the standard AMA response is - "There's nothing wrong with you.  It's all in your head."  And as such, I endured a lot of name calling for being overweight since I was 7 years old.  

Now, as a victim, I did not learn coping skills.  I would encounter situations and find myself in the what I call a 'deer in the headlight' mode.  I could not think of what to do.  I would go in to panic, not so much that someone else could see it, and a lot of the time, that is still how I react.  Oh to be that person who has found their voice and can say what they want to say.  You are blessed if you can do that for yourself.  So, I asked Jesus for help.  I trust His Word, I trust Him.  I'm learning to trust others like my husband who has put up with me for 30+ years.  Even he has come under the magnifying glass of 'friend or foe.'  Having been a victim himself of some pretty ugly issues of life and surviving, we became what they call codependents.  His control of me has been totally, "I love her and no one is going to hurt the ones I love."  My control issues became "Someone did something really mean and ugly to me and I am not going to ever allow anyone to do that to me again."  And at this point it gets really ugly with finger pointing, name calling, and drama, drama, drama, trauma, trauma, trauma.  And guess who the winner is?  Yep, if you guessed Satan, you guessed right because the last thing he wants is for you to figure out a way to stop the control and manipulation.  

This is one reason why I believe it is so important for Christians to stand up for what they believe.  The church has gone on the retreat and it has not made the world a better place.  Although, as we approach the season of easter again, Moloch worship, yes, you heard me right, Moloch worship, the church is losing the war or so the enemy would have you believe.  But trust me, Jesus says He wins.  Let me give you some sound advice "Never, ever, ever side against God and His Word."  You will lose every single time.  

As a victim of some who exhibit very much the narcissistic traits that cause massive trauma to families and have caused trauma myself due to the effects of trauma let me say to you, if you really care and you really want to help someone with these traits of control - sometimes, they are not a narcissist.  Sometimes, they are the victim.  The answer to the problem is still Jesus.  He is the only one who can change someone on the inside.  I would warn you though that if you are dealing with a victim and you try to use the tactics you would use on a true narcissist, you will cause more trauma to someone who has already been hurt beyond what you think you know.  If, however, the person is a true narcissist, you're not going to have an effect.  This really starts falling in to the demonic arena.  The only way you can deal with demons is to cast out demons.  

Do you know what the standard advice is for someone in a relationship with a narcissist?  Leave them.  But Thank You Jesus, God's ways are not the world's ways and thank you, Jesus, that the world's ways are not God's way.  God never casts us out not even the narcissist.  God will withdraw at a point when a person goes on committing a sin that God has pointed out to that person.  And at this point, I realize this may have to become Part 1 and Part 2, et cetera, etc. ...

Muddy waters, swirling and churning, muddy waters, takes your breath away, muddy waters, paralyzing fear, muddy waters, oh who will hear?  My Bible tells me the accuser is Satan.  Who is accusing?  Deep down in side, the narcissist was a victim at one point.  They are just doing what someone did to them.  They reached the point of "No one is ever going to do that to me again."  A deep, raw, bleeding wound that only the touch of the Master's Hand heals.  The only balm is the balm of Gilead.  Muddy waters, swirling and churning, muddy waters, takes your breath away, muddy waters stilled by the Words of Jesus, suddenly you see and hear, the true narcissist who needs to be released from the bondage of trauma and the victim, who is shouting louder and louder because everyone is too busy with their own issues to care, or see, or hear.  

Sometimes, all the victim wants is to be validated.  They want someone to listen, to say, "Yes, that's really  _____________ (fill in the blank) and then the victim can heal and mend.  But when the victim is told to be quiet, sit down, don't make waves, just get over it, etc., etc, you can cause the trauma to be deeper because that negates the feelings of what happened to that person or what that person was going through was really awful and yet somehow, that person/victim does not matter.  The victim is thinking why does Billie Joe matter and everyone listens to them, seems to respect them, but I don't matter?  Everyone should matter.  We have to start addressing the splits and cracks in the church.  Judgement begins in the house of the Lord.  He is going to clean us up first.  

The world applies labels - Narcissist, ADHD, ADD, and the church has given over to the world.  We stopped praying, we stopped casting out, we stopped preaching the gospel.  We stopped adhering to the principles of the Bible that God laid out for us.  'Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.' "Faith is the evidence of things not seen, the substance of things hoped for."  Never give up hope.  

We need discernment.  We need the power gifts of prophecy.  We need for the truth-speakers to be bold and speak up any way; to call a spade a spade and stop playing nicely so as to not offend.  When we will address sin, no matter what form it comes in, we will find change happening  The trickle down effect is very apparent in every area of life these days.  Corruption, drama, trauma, abuse, illicit activities, no shame in these things either.  Used to what was done in secret and dark, was not openly displayed.  There was shame if someone found out and so it should be now.  But this is no longer the case and we pay a great price for it.  

The professionals will tell you though, if you are dealing with a narcissist to be aware you are dealing with a truly bad person which is why they advise leaving, immediately.  If we develop the mindset that we are all sinners.  There is no good in any one of us, we are back to what the Bible says and that is - There is only one good and His Name is Jesus Christ.  We all require an acceptable sacrifice of Jesus' blood because He is the only perfect one.  So if you are dealing with a demon, remember I said narcissism starts falling in to the arena of the demonic, and a demon is evil, you may have to leave for safety.  However, in God's way there is hope.  The world's way, not so much hope.   

So the thoughts I want to leave you with are 1.  Are you dealing with a true narcissist or a victim?  2.  Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  Control and manipulation are not of the Lord.  To tell a victim from the predator what is the reason behind the control - Are they controlling for their own peace of mind or do they try to control to avoid making someone else mad?  So in a marriage, there is a healthy/respectful part of letting your spouse know what you are doing or asking if they are okay with you participating or doing something.  Again, the Bible says when a man and woman are joined together they become one flesh.  They are no longer two.  What you are doing should be good for your spouse and vice versa.  However, if you find this lopsided - one spouse is always asking permission, the  other spouse never asks permission, well...this might be a sign of control and manipulation.  The rules apply to the one spouse, but none of the rules apply to the other person in this marriage.  It becomes very much a parent/child relationship which is not a good thing.  

I used marriage here - but the complexity of relationships that can find a narcissistic type of control/manipulation strategy can fit a lot of interactions between people.  I personally have experienced this in my own family growing up, in my marriage, in my relationship with my children, with employers, and even with friends.  When I find myself in the presence of someone and I start becoming overwhelmed, I tend to fight this trait of control/manipulation.  It is a major red flag.  Danger, Danger Will Robinson, Danger!!!  Run when again I have to retrain myself to say "What does scripture say?"  Scripture says - Recognize the demonic.  Resist the enemy.  We do not run from the enemy.  We don't seek him out, but we also do not run.  We resist.  We do not give in to the enemy.  We stand.  We war with the weapons of our warfare those being the pulling down of strongholds, vain imaginations, patch up the holes in our armor by building our faith.  How does faith come?  By hearing the Word of God.  Sometimes, we fail.  But we never give up because to give up is to let the enemy win.  And we pray.  Through prayer comes answers and not only do we get the answer, we are obedient to obey what God tells us because what good is praying, getting an answer, and then ....nothing...yea, don't think God is to happy when we do that.  

I apologize for any rambling here.  It seems my thoughts are very disjointed and I just want to delete and start over.  But again, as with a lot of issues that are just basically human nature sin issues are difficult and complex and no easy answer except Jesus.  Jesus is the answer!  

Real Vs. Fake

REAL NOT FAKE!!!

Wow!  What a crazy roller coaster ride the world has become lately....

It's on my heart - Real Vs. Fake, Lord Jesus, please help me!  I need discernment.  And boy, has He ever answered that one.  The world has become one big battlefield of control and manipulation.  You do This!!! Demand! Demand! Demand!  IF YOU DON'T DO THIS!  DEMAND! DEMAND! DEMAND!  

I also cannot tell you how much spiritual attack my wonderful husband and I have come under for just simply trying to obey Jesus.   Thank God, I married a Christian man who has extended grace to me more times than I ever deserve.  

Remember as Christians, our center to ground is God's Word.  As Christians, we are to believe God's Word more than what we are seeing or feeling or hearing, or sensing...Things may appear to be one way when really they are something else.  

I have a physical deficiency, and yes, I am trusting the Lord for my healing, but in this process and it is deeply embarrassing to have to admit that I, at times, have hallucinations.  This 'disease' has caused my world to turn upside down.  Along with the hallucinations comes pain, different kinds of pain.  Cramping pain, burning pain, continuous chronic aching pain, sharp-shooty jabby pain, cattle prod being poked in my back pain, along with the sudden inability, after moving around just fine, cannot walk pain, muscle stiffness and joint pain.  And this too, can happen to you.  I pray it doesn't.  But this is a bunny trail and back to task - Real Vs. Fake...

In these hallucinations, the enemy had convinced me that my husband was trying to kill me and that his family was out to get me also; and, my husband was convinced I was out to get him.  There were physical manifestations such as black spots suddenly appearing in the carpet, messes left in the bathroom.  This happened even after a person visited  my house and I thought, "Boy, these people are after me and my husband's got them convinced too."  Yes, this happened and 'No, I'm not crazy!"  This is exactly how the demonic works and if you don't believe me, just ask anyone who has worked in deliverance ministries.  The only way to combat the enemy with other people is by talking to that person, reading and speaking scripture, and prayer to God and then being obedient to do what He says to do in that situation.  If you are doing what God wants you to do, you are going to get attacked.  We have to know how to defend ourselves against the enemy and a lot of churches are not teaching their people how to operate in spiritual warfare.  To them, it's a game and these things cannot happen.  But I am telling you the truth today, because these things did and are happening.  All I can say to you is that if someone is telling you how they 'feel' believe them because it is very real to them.  You are not going to get through by mocking them or putting them down, etc.  If you are gaslighting and being narcissistic, eventually you will lose it all:  that person you are trying to control and dominate is one day going to stand against your wrongdoing.  Everything you are trying so hard to keep is going to get ripped right out of your hands.  This is why I equate narcissism with the human sin nature because when you get to root of it, it's sin.  In this process, the Lord was teaching me how to war also against the spirit of Control and Manipulation, the spirit known as Jezebel.  

Now, if you will remember, some time ago I blogged on this topic - and I asked the Lord why certain things kept happening to me.  This was before I had the triggering of this chronic physical ailment I deal with now.  He led me to the book by Steve Sampson "Confronting the Jezebel Spirit, How to Defeat the Spirit of Control and Manipulation."  I also was led to the book "Boundaries, How to Say No and Take Control of Your life" by Drs. Townsend and Clark.  I found both books to be helpful.  However, I will say that Boundaries is so easily perverted by the enemy.  He will take it and make you go overboard in saying no which in itself becomes a form of  'control and manipulation.'  This must be avoided at all cost.  Jesus does not want us running around telling others what to do and how to do it...it is His job to clean someone up, not you.  And you cannot be the Holy Spirit for another person.  However, you can stop participating in their sin.  And again, this is a process that only you and the Lord can work out by you reading His Word, praying, and obeying Jesus by doing what He tells you to do.  He will never tell you to go against His Word.  And I'm sorry, but I just do not see it that you cut someone off if they do you wrong.  I haven't quite figured out what the correct response is, but I know Jesus says to show them kindness, compassion, understanding, patience... and with this let me preface by saying - if the person is abusing you, doing harmful things, then yes, you have to do what you need to do to protect yourself and your family.  But if it is just because you have different viewpoints, then no; you do not just get to cut them off.  This all gets really muddy as most of these issues carry a lot of hurt, injury, and downright meanness that can cause even more trauma and injury.  Best left to the experts right, except that sometimes, the experts are telling you to do things that God says in His Word not to do.  But again, for now, this is another bunny trail.  So back to the topic - Geez, I wonder why I'm having such a hard time staying on topic today - Real vs. Fake!  

This world has become so good at making fake look real.  I mean, you cannot even tell some cuts of meat, trimmings, from a real Prime Rib.  You don't believe me?  Well, pick your favorite search engine and go research something called - meat glue.  I tell you, it just about turned me in to a vegetarian.  Technology is wonderful if used correctly.  It is absolutely horrible when it is used to deceive and trick.  And this, my friend, is exactly how the enemy works.  He uses a half-truth to trick you and then introduces the deception.  More than ever if you are a Christian, you need to be reading God's Word so you will know what it says and proceed from there because you do not ever want to side against God's Word.  

As evil grows, in these last days, I also find it is easier to see some of the fake.  But evil is getting really good at hiding fake, so again, Warning, Danger Will Robinson, Danger!  Warning! Warning!  Never stop asking the Lord for discernment...Make sure you compare that newer version of God Word, The Holy Bible, against some of the older versions like the King James to be sure parts of scripture are not being removed.  Oh, you did not know they were doing that?  Well, yes they are.    Discernment, Never Leave Home Without It!  And if you do not know, ask your Bible reading Christian friend/s...

Real

Real

Fake!

God Always Had A Plan!!!

 Are you looking around, like me, and saying "What in the world has happened?"  'I just want life to go back to normal.' - Yeah, don't we all...But here is the truth - Life can never go back to normal.  It can never go back to oppression and dominion.  Hmmmm, Dominion - Now, there's a word we've been hearing a lot lately.  The spirit behind it, control and domination.  You do know who the spirit of control and domination is, right? ?? Don't you?  Control and domination equals Jezebel.  Who ride the beast?  A woman.  Now you are seeing exactly how the Bible plays in to all of these shenanigans and who are under the influence of that particular spirit of Jezebel. The Bible is not just a book of nice stories.  The Holy Bible is really a living, alive book that is still very relevant in today's events, across all the world.  Jesus Christ stated that He came to set the captive free.  Free from what?  Everything.  Sin, oppression, tyrants, dictators, any form of control and somebody lording it over someone else, but most of all He came because He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.  He wants to be a part of your life, to have you come to Him, ask Him your questions.  He wants to be your best friend.  

You see, Friend, there are only two side:  Good vs. Evil.  There is only one path to Good and that is the path of Jesus Christ.  All the others fall on the side of evil and as much as you say, "That's unfair!"  That is the truth.  Where there is control and domination there is witchcraft.  That's right, repeat that - Where there is control and domination, there is witchcraft.  Witches are not good whether they are white witches or black witches.  The Bible specifically states that God hates the Nicolaitans.  Now there is not much that tells us who or what the Nicolaitans are except one key phrase.  We find this in  Revelations 2:6

 6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

and again in  Revelations 3:15

15So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Here is an excellent article on the Doctrine of Nicolaitans Deeds and Doctrine of Nicolaitans

I am so thankful for people who have done the hard work.  

So to my simple mind, this is those who would lord it over other people.  But I found even more today even as I am writing this and it is the fact, preachers who would set aside Christ and put themselves in authority instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to have the leading in their fellowships.  I have found lately there are a whole lot of people who have done exactly this following false gods like Moloch, Baal, Asheroth, Osiris...and there is a reason why people should study out their Bibles like the Berean.  Find out if those conspiracy theories are true - if there is one ounce of truth it needs to be heeded and looked in to so that others may not 'lord' it over another human.  Remember, the sacrifice of children have been going on for thousands of years and as long as one child is still being sacrificed on the altar of evil, we need for life to not go back to normal.    

Word of Faith...

 

There's that phrase...Word of Faith!  Some one always pops up and the response from me is usually, "You don't know what you are talking about!"  Oh now, "Debbie, be kind."  Be kind?  You just accused someone without really knowing all the ins and outs...and here we are at this discussion.  

I really do not like to have this discussion because there are others that explain it so well and so plainly that I'm like, if you cannot see it from their work, you certainly aren't going to get it from me.  I am just not as eloquent or as knowledgeable.  Ha!  Knowledgeable...yea, there's a misnomer for me.  If God had to send me to explain this - Word of Faith - to you:  You, my friend, are in serious trouble.  But here I go and I will tell you my story.  Let's change that word (story) to experience.  I will tell you my life experience.  Story somehow infers that it is just that...something you would read in a book, might be true - might not be true.  Faith is true.  

Romans 10:17(KJV)

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

I was fortunate to attend for a brief time in my life a church that taught "Word of Faith."  They were great and awesome at Bible teaching and still are.  If you are ever in Lakeland, FL, I highly suggest to you that if you want to attend a church that really seeks to let the Lord have the service then you need to go to this church - Believer's Fellowship.  There are others too, but my life experience involves them.  I cannot speak as to the others only to what I know.  

At one point in my life, I found myself searching for more.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at six years of age.  I grew up and at the age of 17 found myself flat on my back down for the count.  For the next year of my life, I would spend it recovering from a major surgery that went bad and it took over a year for the wound from that surgery to heal.  During this time was when I started questioning why was I here on planet Earth.  I knew Jesus, but I did not know Jesus and Jesus did not know me.  As a Christian, I believe I was saved when I asked Jesus in my heart but Jesus kind of expects us to do a little more than just go to church on Sunday, pray, read our Bibles and that's knowing Jesus.  No, that is not knowing Jesus.  Knowing Jesus means spending time in His Word, researching, finding out if the Bible is true or not, but most of all, personal relationship.  Spending time talking with Him.  The Lord, the creator of the Universe, and listening and more than listening, obeying Him.  How can we know it is Him?  It will never go against His Word.  So, my little surgery fiasco sent me on a path of exploring to find a deeper relationship with the Lord.  

As most people do, I tried things and went places on this journey of life, and all I can say is God protected me from my stupidity.  I went with a friend to a bar, yea, shock, a bar.  GASP!!!  Not just a bar but a strip bar because well, never mind...but needless to say, I was there because those people looked like they were having fun.  Not understanding personality types and characteristic traits because I was too young and had no teaching in those areas, I went along with a friend.  I wanted to have fun.  I wanted to be like those people who seemed carefree except, older and wiser now, I see just how carefree they are not.  But I could not even have 'fun' there...I would sit there and watch, still the same me; still quiet, boring me, not laughing, certainly not having fun, and it was just loud and noisy and smoky and NO! I was not having a good time!  But the worst part, the worst part was sitting there and hearing Jesus very quietly say in to my ear "You know, you're really not supposed to be here."  And I'd sit and watch my friend have a good time, but I was the wallflower.  I was the one who got overlooked.  And I was not having fun and Thank God, He was protecting me.  But I still heard His voice "You know, you really do not belong here..."  and shame.

So, it did not take me long in this phase of life to get past this and really, it was not my cup of tea.  I had seen personally the ravages drugs and alcohol can do in peoples' lives and I just really did not want it.  As stated above, I could have chosen that path. Thank God I did not.  I went back to church, but sitting there, I was like - there has got to be more than this.  And that sent me exploring for more and I started attending other denominations.  I also started taking Tae Kwon Do and I found myself with a divine appointment.  

My instructors in TKD were Christians.  It was through them that I started attending BF.  I attended other churches but it either scared me or it was just the same, that feeling that there had to be more out there.  Where was this resurrection power the Bible talked about?  The Holy Spirit moving through people...Before I came to Believer's Fellowship though, I went with a friend, a different friend, to a service where they taught the subject of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues and then they prayed for you to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  I had prayer and I did as instructed by them; and not really knowing what to expect, I just told the Lord that I really did not understand all of this.  But if He thought it was good for me I would like to have it and if it was not something good for me or that I needed, then I was okay with that too.  I went home, not having received the evidence of the indwelling, and went to sleep.  I woke myself up at midnight, sitting up in bed and speaking in tongues.  

Well now, this is a predicament because they don't speak in tongues in the church that I attended.  In fact, it was kind of looked down upon.  It was then I decided to try the church my TKD instructor had told me about and the minute I walked in that building, you could feel the presence of the Lord.  I know, we don't live by feelings.  But there was a lifeforce, energy, almost like when you feel static electricity in the air and I knew there was something different.  The people had a driving force, alive energy, not the usual - let's hurry up and get this done with so we can go home and eat or snooze or whatever, kind of like the walking dead.  There's no faking it.  It's either there or not there.  And while we do not necessarily look for that experience and say they have it and others don't, that's not true because we do not live by our feelings, but that church - that church was/is different and the reason why is because they were obedient to follow how the Holy Spirit was leading.  It makes all the difference in the world when you have a pastor who will follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes, Pastor Wayne (now retired) would say, "We're just going to worship the Lord.  The Holy Spirit is moving through the music, we're just going to go with it." ; or he would say, "we're going to pray.  Let's just stay in this prayerful state."  And we did.  Other times, it would be "right in to the Word" and he would preach/teach.  It was always about obedience though and we were blessed because when you are obedient to obey the Lord, Jesus will bless your socks off.  

Pastor Wayne has a book "One Chance in a Thousand" and I encourage you to buy it and read his autobiography of how God got ahold of him and changed his life.  Pastor Wayne studied Reverend Kenneth E. Hagin, Senior's teachings.  Now if you know anything about Word of Faith, you will know that Reverend Hagin is considered to be the father of the Word of Faith movement.  People kind of diss him too saying he was wrong.  His teachings were wrong.  As Pastor Wayne always says, "take time to find out if the Bible is true."  So, not to doubt Pastor Wayne, but also not really knowing how to answer people when they would make statements about Reverend Hagin, I decided for myself to do one of Reverend Hagin's studies and find out if he twisted scripture.  I am happy to report he did not and if you will take time to read the Bible, study out what is being said, you will find out too that Word of Faith is true.  I recommend you start off with "The Believer's Authority" which will quickly teach you who you are in Christ and why you can be confident that God will supply what you need and then some.  Why you too can be confident in the promises that God gives you in His Word, the Holy Bible.  

I sincerely hope you will take time out to read God's Word, read it out loud to yourself so your self can hear it.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  After which you will find your self saying to those circumstances in your life, "be gone, in the name of Jesus."  " Peace be still to the storm."  You will also know when the enemy is trying to deceive you with falsehood because you have studied God's Word so you will know when someone twist scripture.  And let me just make the final statement that "Word of Faith" is not just about prosperity.  There is a 'prosperity' message that is in doctrinal error.  People term it "Word of Faith" which is absolutely wrong to do so because "Word of Faith' is totally about, to quote Pastor Wayne Friedt again, "believing what our Bible says more than what we can see, touch, taste, hear or feel."  In other words, we're going to believe our Bible no matter what.  The Bible is true.  The Word of God is everlasting.  It never returns void.  It affects change.  Speak scripture over your life.  See if God is not who He says He is.  Never is there a better time to start than right now.