I used to think I was going crazy. I just knew that I knew God was speaking to me in crazy ways but most of the modern day church doesn't even talk about any of it! So of course we think we are going crazy. Sunday mornings hardly consist of teachings on seeing the supernatural, sensing the supernatural with tastes, smells, emotions and even prophetic dreams. Why aren't the churches teaching us to steward our gifts and what exactly the gifts of the spirits are!
As Christians we are given spiritual gifts just like in 1 Corinthians 12 and it is our duty to implement them daily. Most modern day churches preach a 30 minute motivational speech that fills the seats and bank accounts of those running the church. People want to feel good and not be called out. They want to hear the biblical stories where they prosper and everything works out. Nobody wants to hear that they could smell demons or that angels are everywhere. Nobody wants to hear that God will ask you to do something that is not in your comfort zone. The modern day church has chosen to give you dessert instead of meat. Yeah, it tastes good and lifts you up but it won't sustain you or make you stronger.
1 Corinthians 12 : 1-11 talks about our spiritual gifts.
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
When we first accept Jesus everyone thinks that it is going to be rainbows and lollipops because Jesus saves and makes all things new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He does make all things new but what the new believer fails to understand is how powerful the enemy thinks he is. The enemy knows more about your potential than you do. He knows how powerful you can be for the Kingdom so he will throw everything he has at you to stop you. You either push through it, or you stop trying. If he can get you scared or feel like everything is caving in on you then you lessen your pursuit with God and he wins that battle for the moment. If you push through it then you will deepen your relationship with God and he will show you His ways and open up your heart to the supernatural realm. (Daniel 2:22) This is where he reveals his gifts to you. In that crazy hungry pursuit.
Once you are aware that you have gifts, you need to learn more about them from a reputable teacher and of course the Word of God. You also need to activate and use them . Use them for Kingdom purposes. Too many people try to use the gifts to benefit themselves or will end up turning them into witchcraft.
So let's talk about some of the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12 : 1-11.
Praying in the Spirit: Every believer can pray in the Spirit with the help of the Holy Spirit. If you haven't ever prayed in tongues before (Acts 2:4) then I pray as you read this, filled with faith, that the Holy Spirit would ascend upon you and a new tongue shall flow forth in the name of Jesus! All you have to do is invite the Holy Spirit and ask God for a new prayer language, then just open your mouth and start praising God and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Praying in the Spirit is powerful! We are able to pray God's will and even pray the language of the angels. Everyone's prayer language is different because we are all unique. You can even start to pray in another earthly language! How awesome is that?
Interpretation of tongues: God will reveal to you what you have said while praying in the spirit or what someone else has prayed in the spirit. Just know that it is usually not for yourself. It is for the Glory of God and He has a purpose as to why it is revealed.
Discerning of the Spirits: Have you ever walked into a store, looked at someone and just secretly knew that they were involved with witchcraft or they were an alcoholic? That's discernment. When that happens to me, which is quite often, I pray that they would have a Heavenly encounter in the dream realm or pray in the spirit while shopping. Discerning of the spirits can feel complicated. It feels like everyone's everything is just screaming at you as you walk around the store or wherever you are. It is draining and emotionally exhausting. All of the yuck that they are carrying around almost tries to grip you as you walk past. We must learn to get a grip on ourselves and manage all of the other people's "vibes." Honestly, it can feel like you don't even want to go outside some days because you don't want to deal with it. Been there and done that. It's a real feeling and if you have that gift you know exactly what I mean. The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment. Just know that it does get more manageable as God trains you.
Gift of Knowledge: I love this gift. It is such a special gift. When God allows you to speak into someone else's life and tell you His thoughts, it can radically change someone's life in a moment. It can bring healing and restoration. It can call that person back to Jesus. This gift is so close to the Father's heart because it reveals it to us. Knowledge can come in the form of an impression or vision and I'll talk about that in just a second. The gift of Knowledge is when you have a word from God for someone or about someone. We first must pray that the word can be released to that person or pray for the appropriate time.
Impressions/ Visions from God: God is truly so creative. Jesus always taught in parables and sometimes visions can be like seeing a parable. So how do you know if you've had a vision or impression? First an impression is just a gut feeling that you know that you know. You don't see it, you feel it. So right now, there is someone reading this and they are having problems with left hand carpal tunnel and God wants to heal you right now! Now, as I got that impression, I then had a vision of Living water flowing through the wrist and thumb and making it new. See how God works? It makes me so happy to declare healing over that hand!
You might be asking what a vision is like. You don't physically see anything with your natural eyes. It is like a little movie or picture behind your eyes. Like in your mind. If you don't experience visions, why not ask God to open your supernatural eyes to them right now?
If it weren't for visions we wouldn't even have the book of Revelations! It is mostly written from All of the visions that John had! That is how important dreams and visions are to God so why isn't the church placing an importance on them?
I'm going to stop right there with the gifts of the Spirit and talk about the church. Could you imagine if your church was completely lead by the Spirit of God? That the congregations eyes would be open to the spiritual realm and you could see the angels dancing along side you during worship? How about having a church service just praying in tongues as a body of Christ? How powerful would that be?! It would be amazing yet scare so many people. Because churches aren't open to the spiritual realm and teaching about it, which by the way is God's realm, the people are left uneducated in the things of the unseen. The unseen is uncomfortable because it is unknown. Once you activate and start operating in the gifts you will run after God like never before.
Most of today's churches teach you the watered down word when it is supposed to be the crazy things of God! We need less motivational speakers and more activators. Less rock star minded pastors and more men operating in total Sonship. God can use one woman praying in her closet 100 times more than a puffed up man on a platform. It's about the heart and hunger more than an image and God see's who is truly running after him.
You see, the unseen will become the seen. God is going to pour out his spirit like never before in the days to come. There will be revival, angels will be seen, gifts will be poured out and used for the kingdom in crazy ways. It is going to be a time of black or white. No one will wonder if there is a God. They will know that there is and will choose to follow or not. There won't be any gray wondering areas anymore. So, today I pray that you would get a fresh fire, run after God like never before and begin to receive and use your gifts. It's OK to be crazy for Jesus because He is crazy for you!
1 comment:
I love truth- not watered down to justify wrongdoings. Thank you Vintage Romance for posting another good one!
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