I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven’s door,

Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp–
The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take.
How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake
And why is everyone so quiet, So somber – give me a clue.
‘Hush, child,’ He said, ‘They’re all in shock. No one thought they’d be seeing you.’ JUDGE NOT!!
Remember…Just going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST… Every sinner has a FUTURE! Now it’s your turn… Share this poem.
And remember to forgive. HE will!

I struggle to be the man I should be.  I have received the mind of Christ, but I  set it aside and use my own. (You know that’s not good.)

I have been Justified, Sanctified, Holy Ghost  filled and water Baptized.   I have Jesus on my mind, I ‘ve found a new life….  

So why do I keep reaching back to my old life.  My old way of dealing with or doing things.  I know they don’t work so well, but….

I know how to fail.  I don’t really know how to succeed.   

I have the victory in and by the Name of Christ Jesus.   Yet, I do not call on Him, rely on Him, trust in Him.   I want control myself.

I think that is why so many fail to fulfil the Masters plan.   We do not totally trust, wait, or rely on Him.

Just do things my way Jesus,  I have a plan… disaster follows.  Quickly, totally, completely. 

Lord, help me to trust You, to be obedient to You, to walk with You.  

Lord, may my obedience and reliance on You, bring You honor and praise.

May You be glorified,  magnified, and exalted forever.  Amen

“In the Name of Jesus, In the Name of Jesus, we have the victory.   In the Name of Jesus, In the Name of Jesus,Demons will have to flee.”

(What a wonderful song:)

“Who can tell what God will do, who can say, what He’s done for you?  In the mighty Name of Jesus, we have the victory.”

I wonder how many of us, really have the victory.  Are we still battling a secret sin?

Lust, covetous, pride… These are the three sins that bring us down, the lust of the flesh,  lust of the eyes,  and the pride of life.

Our victory over our natural man is won, only by and in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Emanuel,  God with us, God within us, God directing, protecting and empowering us, by His Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus.

“by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”  

We should  be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

“ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

(We are Justified: Just as if we had never sinned.)

“in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

We should Give thanks always

“That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him”

We command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

“In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”

We should, deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

“This is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

“to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord”

We are sanctified (set apart for His service), called, to be one… not Baptists, Methodists, Episcopal, Anglicans, Penticostals… ONE IN HIM.  That:  “The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.“

“I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

“But when they believed  the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  Then they:

“spoke boldly in the name of Jesus.”

“Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”

This is what our Church is missing, our being willing to die for the Gospel, that we would speak boldly, and that signs and wonders would follow.

” by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.”
” In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
That is the boldness, the confidence we lack, to boldly say…  “In the Name of Jesus be healed.”

But Jesus said, “Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.”

Saints,  do you really believe the Church is walking in the Power of God?   Are we not just hearing the great things God can, or will do maybe some day?

The Kingdom of God is at hand…. right now today.   He gave us the Holy Spirit and Power.

We need to learn how to walk in Him. If we walk. In faith, believing,  there is nothing that God  cannot do through us.

Will you allow Him to Rule and Reign in your life.  I pray we will.  Amen

It happened again tonight, a man who I know loves the Lord, arguing about signs and wonders and the gifts of the Spirit. 

This is long,  but if you will ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, and you take off your Denominational glasses, and  believe the simple truth of the Word

Please prayerfully consider the following. 

My friend  used this scripture to say we shouldn’t seek signs and wonders.  

Matthew 12:38-39
“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:”

He used this scripture to claim we shouldn’t seek signs, wonders or miracles.   

Not understanding Jesus was speaking to unbelievers.  Looking for a sign to believe. 

As believers we Seek signs, wonders and miracles to fulfil Jesus’s great commission.  

John 14:12
King James Version (KJV)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

John 14:26
King James Version (KJV)
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Mark 16:17
King James Version (KJV)
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

Mark 16:20
“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

The Gifts of Tongues and Interpretation and our Prayer language.   

If it’s a gift I shouldn’t have to learn it.  Gods not the Author of confusion.   Not everyone speaks in tongues.

If someone gave you an airplane, would you have to learn how to use it?   If you accepted the gift of God you wouldn’t be confused.   Not everyone speaks in tongues publicly,  but we all can use our prayer language. 

Acts 2:4
King James Version (KJV)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:17-19
King James Version (KJV)
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:“

What does “all” mean?  Tongues, signs and wonders. 

Acts 2:22
King James Version (KJV)
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

Approved by signs and wonders. 

Acts 2:38-39
King James Version (KJV)
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

“All”

Deuteronomy 29:29
King James Version (KJV)
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Acts 2:43
King James Version (KJV)
 “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

Acts 2:47
King James Version (KJV)
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Acts 8:15-18
King James Version (KJV)
“Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”

What did he see Signs and wonders, tongues

Acts 10:44-48
King James Version (KJV)
 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

“All spoke with tongues.“

Acts 19:2
King James Version (KJV)
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”

Acts 19:6
King James Version (KJV)
“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

1 Corinthians 12:1
King James Version (KJV)
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”

1 Corinthians 12:11
King James Version (KJV)
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

Read this carefully… he might be answering questions we do not see.

1 Corinthians 12:28-31
King James Version (KJV)
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

Tongues and Interpretation together, public use.

Corinthians 14:1-2
King James Version (KJV)
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”

You are not supposed to understand, your Spirit to God direct…  it bypasses our minds.

1 Corinthians 14:4-5
King James Version (KJV)
“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”

Again in Church need Interpretation, alone edifying ourselves. 

1 Corinthians 14:13-20
King James Version (KJV)
“Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

Speak in tongues more than you all,  but in Church, must Interpret.  In understanding be men.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28
King James Version (KJV)
“If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.“

1 Corinthians 14:32
King James Version (KJV)
“And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”

We control it, must ask and receive it, NO CONFUSION.   You are in control.

1 Corinthians 14:36-40
King James Version (KJV)
“What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Let all things be done decently and in order.”

You control it….  I pray in Tongues, I do not seem to have the Gift  of Interpretation,  so I  use it only in my prayer closet.

Jude 1:17-21
King James Version (KJV)
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

Build ourselves up, are you a mocker?

Romans 8:26-28

King James Version (KJV)
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Sometimes  our burden is so great, our prayers in the Spirit are groanings. 
I am not saying you are not saved, or you “must” speak in tongues.  But if your Natural mind will not let you experience this supernatural gift of God,  you are refusing to increase the one Talent we all have been given.

All spoke with tongues, you have to surrender your mind, your feelings of foolishness and let the Holy Spirit show you, teaching you guide you into all truth.

God’s special Prayer language. 

1 Timothy 4:14
“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

Hebrews 2:3
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”

Do not Neglect, the Spirits Gift.

http://www.rnhopkins.com/2016/09/

Living out Gods Purpose in our lives.  A good word, a good read, wisdom is found here.

​http://impactmorehead.com/the-believers-prayer-language/

A better explanation of the difference between our prayer language and speaking in tongues in public. (Which needs Interpretation)

From Impact Church,  Morehead City,  NC

2 Kings 1:10
“And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”

While teaching 2 Kings a few weeks ago one in the class said something like this.

“I don’t know why this is in the Bible, it really has no purpose.  Why do we need to know this?  It has nothing to do with our lives today.”

I have also heard:

“The reason the Desciples and Apostles saw signs, wonders and miracles is because they knew Jesus and talked with Him eyeball to eyeball.”

“Scholars don’t believe the last verses of  Mark 16 were in the original, the Lord has been silent now that we have the Bible, He doesn’t do miracles anymore.”

Unfortunately, I got hot, and reminded him:

2 Timothy 3:16
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

So why are those scriptures included?

Every Giant of the Faith we read about in the Bible, were men;  just like Adam and Eve, and just like you and me.

What then made them GIANTS OF THE FAITH? 

OBEDIENCE AND LOVE… Simply Obedience, and love of God.

James 5:17

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

Every hero of the Bible was subject to like passions as we are…  “The Lust of the flesh, the Lust of the eyes and the Pride of life.”

I’ll tell you a secret, even Jesus was a man, just like us.

Hebrews 

“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.   For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.”

He had to be a man, no super or Spiritual abilities above what we could attain, even after He received the Holy Spirit. 

It is the Holy Spirit that gave Him the ability as a man to preform miracles, signs and wonders.  He had to walk in obedience and love.

The water into wine, before His time, was a special dispensation of miracle power.  It happened just the one time.

These Giants are examples to us of who we could be.  How in the Power of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible in heaven and on earth.

Again I remind you, Jesus said, these things I do and more, shall you do.  Only believe.  Your faith has made you whole, HAVE FAITH IN GOD.

We need to get our heads right, our hearts right, we need to open our eyes and ears, we believe in God, we need to believe His Word.

We must earnestly desire the Holy Spirit to Lead, Guide, Comfort, Direct and EMPOWER US TO DO THE WORK OF THE LORD.

“WHATSOEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.;“

 We must allow the Lord, the space to be all He is.  We invite Him into our lives and Churches, then deny Him entrance by our unbelief and Rituals.

Our God is bigger and more powerful then we allow Him to demonstrate.  

Open your heart,  invite Him in, to mold you, into a vessel of His Mercy and Grace.  Then look behind you and see the signs and wonders following.   
WE NEED WORKERS OF MIRACLES,  MEN OF FAITH, MEN WITH THE GIFTS OF HEALING, folks who hear and understand WORDS OF WISDOM AND WORDS OF KNOWLEDGE AND THEN ACT ON THEM.

Amen

The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Teacher, Guide, Spirit of Truth, Searches all things, Knows all things, Reproves, Rebukes, Speaks, Casts out Devils, Intercedes, Forbids, Gives Gifts…
1 Corinthians 12:7
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

Names of God Bible (NOG)
“The evidence of the Spirit’s presence is given to each person for the common good of everyone.”

New Life Version (NLV)
“The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.”

How does He work in you?