Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

I got this from a brother this morning. Can anyone lend a hand here please.

 

"Shot dude........My one mate is a bit wierded out with the mainfestations of the spirit......

Please could you give me the scriptues that talk about this..like abraham under the spirit...etc....if you have time or all this info on hand i would really appriciat it.....I can only find a few.."

 

Wayne's World...(23Apr08)

How approachable are we...really?

I was chatting to a friend of mine today. He leads a church and has had some folk leave over the last while. (Something we can all relate to). What struck me was one comment he made, and it has been ringing in my head the whole day. The comment was this…

"People are saying that they are leaving over a difference in theology, but no-one is telling me what that difference is"

It can be very difficult at the best of times to pinpoint why someone actually leaves a church at any given time. Here are a few thoughts I had that centered around this topic. These are not a criticism (aimed at anyone) but simply some thoughts as a result of some meditation over the matter. As pastors and leaders this is a relevant topic to throw around.

There are a few possible scenarios here.

1) All the people who are leaving have seriously lost the plot. We are right about our theology and they are all wrong. This may be true for one person leaving for "different theology", but when an exodus of people begins to take place it might mean we should not just write them all off as having "bad theology". Is God doing or saying something new?...must be asked.

2) People are telling us what the diffarances are , but were not hearing it, or simply disagree with them to the extent that we simply dismiss the "revalation/theology" as nonesence.

3) I'm wondering how much of a platform we create in our churches for people to openly and safely express their different doctrinal beliefs. (without judgment or consequence)

How do we respond/react when people have different theologies? Do we allow open discussion and expression of ideas and theologies?

My experience and personal leadership style has mainly responded as follows.

If the belief is different to mine (being the lead elder), the congregation member (or other elders) are expected to change their theology. If they do not, they are undermining my eldership. They are then causing division. (How can two walk together unless they agree). Usually this comes with an encouragement, or a command to not share this "revelation" with others.

If the doctrine is far away from mine I may even call it "bordering on heresy".

Some times the matter will be referred to an apostolic person for further input.
I think this is a good idea, but can have some inherent problems.

a) The "apostle" is usually very far removed from the actual discussion.

b) Often the elder presents the problem, without the congregation member. This can lead to a natural bias in the presentation of information. This waters down the ability for the "apostle" to objectively input into the situation.

c) It's our natural tendency to defend what we belong to(or our organization), so most the time we will find support for the lead elders side of the disagreement.

If people are truly convicted of their belief, they may very courageously see the process through any way. Standing by their convictions. This usually leads to "repent/change your doctrine, or leave the church". People seldom change what they feel are God given convictions, so they leave.

This is a scary place to be as unity cannot be reached on the basis of doctrine. Surely we all disagree on some things. "how can two walk together" as a law means none of us can walk together, ultimately.

Another thing I have noticed is our tendency to "speak into" this disagreement from the pulpit. Often this attacks the views of the person/people who had a difference of opinion. This often makes "attacked" people leave. ( i cant remember people like this ever staying for long). A preach like this translates to rejection, and people battle to fit in from then on.Another dynamic I've noticed; people are smarter than we give them credit for, we defend our doctrine and attack those who have a different doctrine. Those who are aware of the politics behind it, will know WHO the preach is intended for, see that PERSON being "attacked". The danger here is that if these people agree with the person being "preached at", it can result in multiple exits of people. I know some who left a church when another's beliefs were attacked, they left because they had the same belief and knew it was a matter of time before it would be found out. The others who had the "wrong beliefs" were asked to leave the church. People fear the same punishment, and just leave quietly. In this case it's doubtful that people will tell us exactly why they left. They may simply say, we have a difference in theology. What we need to realise here is that our church members often have stronger relationships with eachother, than they do with us! If we attack an individual, we need to realise a group will feel the effect. If one leaves many may.

My question is this…How is this working for us? How's the fruit? Are our churches better off? Are the people who left better off?

The people who leave seem to be badly hurt through this process, and the associated labels of rebels (those who cause division) and heretics, does not help them heal quickly.

We say people can approach and discuss anything, but people have the ability to scan the process and the results for their revelation, I suspect this will lead to many simply keeping quiet about how they feel (unhappy church goers of whom we say "i cant put my finger on it but it does not feel like they are blowing wind into my sails anymore") , or simply leaving the church with very little explanation.

This scary environment, what does it produce?

a) The scary thing about this environment is that we discourage people to think and learn for themselves. Rather we encourage people to us, and the fact that we have the revelation, and the truth. This is the very thing we've been trying to undo for centuries in the church.

b) We will sometimes miss new truth, or waves of God in the church.

Some of these people can be seriously apostolic or prophetic; to silence them would be disastrous. Prophets take the most strain when God is doing a new thing.

c) In this environment it is very unlikely that those who leave, will ever return, or have good feelings towards us or our churches again.(or our orginisation)

Another aspect of this whole approach must be mentioned.

The cities we live in are littered with hurt, disillusioned Christians who hate church, and any form of religious institution. Many of these were Christians in churches, elders, leaders, good people.

How did they get like this? Sure some of them might be to blame for their own situation, but how many were simply handled badly?

I'm not saying that we need to put up with ridiculous doctrines. We are to refute bad doctrine and live for the truth. What I'm saying is let's be wise about how we do that.

I'm, also suggesting that we need to be constantly refining our theology, doctrine and government. When we cease to evaluate and adjust these things, were setting ourselves up to fail in the future. In order to do this we need to create free platforms where we can discuss and disagree about doctrines, without fear or rejection of punishment or loss of inheritance. If we don't we will fill our churches with clones who believe what we believe, and do what we do. Many may simply be to afrais to say what they think or feel. It may even border on manipulation and control if left unchecked. Tragic. We will have become religious.(though never intended)

Michael Eaton

"It's scary when a pastor changes his belief, it's even scarier if he never does!"

Bill Johnson

Unity based on common doctrines has a measure of success. But there is an inherent problem with this approach – unity of this nature is based upon uniformity. When God is saying something new, those who are listening are usually asked by their leaders to leave the group they were a part of. Their newfound convictions and beliefs are considered threatening and divisive. If the whole group doesn't move in step with what God is saying, there will be a break in fellowship. When agreement in nonessential beliefs are considered necessary for fellowship, then division is natural and to be expected. While doctrine is vitally important it is not a strong enough foundation to bear the weight of His glory that is about to be revealed through true unity.

Change is in the Air

There are major changes in the "wind" right now. For the last several years people have started to gather around fathers instead of doctrine. In the natural, it would be easy to imagine a father with two very different children – one politically liberal and the other conservative. While discussions would probably be quite lively at the evening meal, they would not bring an end to the family. Gathering around fathers gives a stability that enables people to endure differences in opinion without falling under the influence of the spirit of offense. Fathers bring an element of peace that is impossible without them.

Warts n' All...(22Apr08)

Trigger happy

 

Your gospel frees me, my heart leaps
It's forever…
Strongholds crash
Spirit hands squeeze praise from my core
And I am home in an instant
Effervescent, a human cal-c-vita
Fizzing for you!
Gotta save the world,

 

Your suicide bomber, packing grace
And I'm trigger happy

 

by Roy Smith

Antidepressant...(20Apr08)

THE GOOD NEWS IS GOOD NEWS INDEED

 

2Co 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No", but in him it has always been "Yes." 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Every promise God has made is "Yes" coz of Jesus & that is the Good News.
Where do we find these promises – OT, deep truths … 1 Tim 3 / 2 Tim 3.
All the promises ….
1 Tim 3: 9 (Elders) They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
2 Tim 3: 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Promises are hidden in His Holy Scriptures for us to seek & find, once found to lay hold of and not be moved by all kinds of contrary doctrines.
And like Paul, Silas & Timothy we, by Grace & thro the Holy Spirit speak the "Amen / it is so / we agree" – we testify to the truth / share it / spread it.

 

Basis for our Confidence:
Lu 4:18* "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour." 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus preached it / proclaimed and then He fulfilled the word by His ministry – confirmed or accredited (Acts 2) by signs / wonder / miracles.
Wesley: 4:18 He hath anointed me - With the Spirit. He hath by the power of his Spirit which dwelleth in me, set me apart for these offices. To preach the Gospel to the poor - Literally and spiritually. How is the doctrine of the ever - blessed trinity interwoven, even in those scriptures where one would least expect it? How clear a declaration of the great Three - One is there in those very words, The Spirit - of the Lord is upon me! To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised - Here is a beautiful gradation, in comparing the spiritual state of men to the miserable state of those captives, who are not only cast into prison, but, like Zedekiah, had their eyes put out, and were laden and bruised with chains of iron. Isa 61:1.

 

Is 42 & Is 61 – prophets proclamation of what was to come – fulfilled in Jesus.

 

Our mandate:
1.)Greater things: – Jn 14:12, faith in me … will do what I have been doing.  He will do greater things (masses as well as ministries) ….. going to the Father …. will do whatever we ask …. Son brings glory to the Father … may ask for anything in Jesus' name.
2.)On earth as in Heaven: - Matt 6 – Jesus taught us how to pray … heavens will on earth "as it is" in heaven…. Heavens will here on earth.
a.Matt 11 – Jesus calls the Father "Lord of heaven & earth".
b.Matt 16 – we have the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, what ever we bind is bound & whatever we lose is lose…
c.Matt 18 – if 2 agree, it will be done …
d.Matt 28 – Jesus, " all authority in heaven & earth has been given to me, therefore go ….

 

Lets find / take hold of / & keep (by faith in / thro Jesus) our rightful place in the Kingdom.
All thro the mercy of God, the "fellowship" of the Spirit & the power of His Grace.

 

How we remain Over-comers:
Power of testimony: overcome the enemy, Rev 12:11.
These put to flight the seeds / deeds of discouragement the enemy throws at us.
We say yes to what God has said yes to and we are encouraged / strengthened by what we hear – enough so to believe it for ourselves and for those we bring to Heavens attention!
Bill Johnson – About what God has said:
We study what God has said to hear what He is saying.
Faith comes from hearing.
Capacity comes from the word.
What God is saying never contradicts what he has said – maybe our understanding.
He likes to stretch us.
Poverty mindsets have been built out of attempts to be humble and we have made up truths to support it – need to be broken.

 

Prophecy <–> Testimony = the power / fulfilment of Prophecy – unlocks / loads / fires the purposes of Heaven.
Joel 3:7 – God does nothing without revealing His secrets to His servants the prophets – they announce first!
Prophetic can be difficult to grasp – Israel only appreciated her prophets after she had killed them (John Crowder)!
Weigh up / test / discern – acknowledge …. what is spoken = our mandate & responsibility.
Not weird (might be wild) – spirit of the prophet subject to the prophet – 1 Cor 14.
(Never isolate yourself or accept a spirit of misunderstanding = the first step towards eccentric / weird behaviour -> further isolation – rather we are in a community that loves the prophetic word and will guard the Gift & person)
Gods word is ONLY to edify (prepare), build up (encourage) & strengthen us – with the NB on ONLY!!!!!  Does bring correction but that will be the exception & by known & "accredited" prophets.
When we carry the prophetic gift, our hearts (conscience) & God's peace = great barometers of our motive & intentions – 1 Cor 14, everything done to strengthen the church, which brings Glory to God.
Test = what fruit is our word producing (past helps judge the present).

 

Who are the prophets?  On who rests the manifestation of the Spirit.
Who wants impartation of the Gifting.
Commission & release.
We are a community desiring the prophetic & loving those moving in the gifting.
Our intention ….!!!!

Liberty and Power

2Corinthians 3v17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is,] there [is] liberty.

Acts 1v8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Liberty G1657 ἐλευθερία eleutheria el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah

From G1658; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial): - liberty.

Power G1411 δύναμις dunamis doo'-nam-is

From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

 

 

Wayne's World...(20Apr08)

Peace with God and Confidence to approach the throne.

 

Are you at peace with God?

 

When you think about standing before Jesus do you feel scared, or excited?

 

Do you feel you can easily approach the King on His throne, without fear of Judgment?

 

A secret to the Christian life, is to learn to live life out of the overflow of being with Him. To live from the place of strength and assurance that comes from being with Him. I'm not talking about 5 min of prayer here, I'm talking about connecting with the life giver. About being "in Him". A deep connection as deep cries out to deep. In john 15 we read that we can do nothing apart from Him. So nothing of value can be achieved, or sustained without being found "in Him".

 

Friends if we are going to live a life born out of being in the secret place with God, the place of intimacy. Then we need to find within ourselves, the place of confidence and peace before Him. This is essential if were going to be found in Him, and if we are going to remain in Him.

 

So today were going to ask, how do we find that peace with God? And how do I gain total confidence before Him?

 

The perfume that God uses to attract us to heaven is His sweet gift of righteousness.

 

The gift of being right with Him. Without this gift, and without accessing the security of this truth, we can never sustain the "in him". Without understanding that God is not surprised or intimidated by our failures and shortcomings, but does not count them against us, or remember them, without understanding this, we will never have sustained confidence. God's desire is to reassure us that despite our performance, we have confidence before Him.

 

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

We're looking for the fruit of righteousness. Peace and confidence forever.

 

Not temporary peace of confidence, but lasting and permanent.

 

In order to get this we must understand that righteousness comes to us as a gift. How do we become righteous...which means right with God?

 

Romans 3v20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

 

Firstly this scripture tells us something very important, it tells how NOT to become righteous. We don't not become righteous by observing the law. But rather by believing in Jesus. If living right would place us in right standing with God, then "all have fallen short of the glory of God". Fortunately the law can been cancelled (Col 2:14).

 

The Christian life is not about right living but right believing. If we believe right we will live right.

 

If we believe right, we will have the confidence God wants us to live in. This will then enable us to live right. We can't live right, to be right. Right living comes through right believing!

 

So righteousness is apart from the law. It comes from believing. In what though? In Jesus and his blood and his sacrifice.

 

Hebrews 10v17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 

Our confidence is in the blood of Jesus. His blood washes away or sin and guilt and shame.

 

Our confidence is in Him. He made the way open to God. He destroyed the dividing wall. The barrier of hostility that was between God and man, and now we are reconciled with Him. The writer of Hebrews is going to great lengths here to try and instill confidence in us. He says come, approach God. Come. Let us draw near to God. Hold onto the hope, Jesus is faithful.

 

His blood was a gift to us. His life a gift to us. He lived the perfect life God demanded for righteousness, he lived it on our behalf, so we might become the righteousness of God.

 

There is another scripture that speaks about having confidence in Hebrews 4v16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

His throne is a throne of grace and mercy.

 

It's the same every time, when you approach His throne, you will not find a angry God. You will find mercy and grace. When you approach the throne, all the Father sees is the precious blood of His son. He does not look for how you've been living, but looks to the heart, to see how you're believing. He always extends mercy and grace, and then gives us whatever we need. What we need for this life is found in the throne room. In His throne room, there is no pretence. No pretending, he sees all and knows all. We cant pretend to be perfect, or righteous. We are naked before Him, the one who sees all. Grace is that in this place, He does not find fault with us or reject us, but gives mercy and grace. In this place of humility, coz that's what it is. Humility, "Lord I'm not perfect, I have no righteousness of my own but I come, I come because you call me in, you draw me in. I come through what Jesus did on my behalf."  In this place of humility, we are lifted up.

 

Why is this confidence so important? When we are in the secret place abandoned, and free before him, this is where we receive a mighty weapon. We receive the Holy Spirit, all the power and guidance, comfort, teaching, revelation…all these things flow from God in the secret place. His Spirit fills us, and keeps filling us…then we reach a beautiful place…the place of being Spirit led.

 

How can we be Spirit lead without being Spirit filled?

 

Disaster and disappointment and failure come from trying to live the spirit filled life, without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. This is dry works, death performance and religion. 

 

Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

 

Do you have peace, do you have confidence before God…always…if you do you've understood your gift of righteousness from God.

 

If you lack peace and confidence, you're still focused on right living instead of right believing.

 

2000 years ago Jesus gave the world the best gift ever. Today he wants you to unwrap it. Inside is fellowship with God, peace with God and confidence before Him, which leads to a powerful Spirit filled life. Toady will you accept His gift? The gift or righteousness. If you do it will change you forever.  

 

It will give you peace. It will give you confidence before God. Confidence before God plugs you into the source, the source of all life. You'll live, and live it abundantly, to the full! Accept; believe in this great gift through the sacrifice and the blood.

 

 

 

 

 

Word & Spirit Conference

Word & Spirit Conference

Joshua Generation Church – Lighthouse Ministries

Cape Town, South Africa

Monday 7 – Thursday 10 July 2008

Programme:

Monday, 7 July – Thursday, 10 July 19h00-21h00 Lighthouse Ministries [Open Meeting]

Tuesday, 8 July – Thursday, 10 July 09h00-12h30 Joshua Generation Church [Registration Essential]

Friday, 11 July 09h00-12h30 Joshua Generation Church [Closed meeting for Lead Elders & Elders]

Speakers:

Rob & Glenda Rufus – City Church International [Hong Kong]

Fini & Isi Gersigny – Jubilee Church [Sydney, Australia]

Michael Eaton – Author & Theologian [Nairobi, Kenya]

Fees:

Adults R250 per person for the duration of the conference

Students R100 per person for the duration of the conference

[Fees quoted in South African Rands]

Please Note: Regrettably there are no children's facilities during the course of the conference.

Register:

To register, simply download the Word & Spirit Registration Form online and e-mail us or fax to us:

1. E-mail: dawn@joshgen.org.za

2. Fax: +27 21 557 5492

3. Web Page: http://www.joshgen.co.za/

Payment Details:

Account Name: Joshua Generation Church

Bank: ABSA

Account Number: 909 170 9553

Account Type: Call Account

Branch Code: 632005

Reference: WS[initial&surname]

Accommodation Options:

Please arrange your own accommodation during the course of the conference. Visit the following websites for possibilities:

http://www.wheretostay.co.za/

http://www.cape-accommodation.co.za/

http://www.ouskip.co.za/

Directions to Joshua Generation Church:

Tel No: +27 21 557 6020

www.joshgen.co.za/documents/lighthouseMap.pdf

Josh Mills at City Church International

In the middle of the fire you can  still flourish because there is a 4th man in the fire.
Job didn't say that he went into the fire, that he was destroyed, but after being tested by fire he came out like Gold. You can be in the middle of the fire and receive the blessing abundance and favour of God. In the fire, you're in a place where the things that are not of God are being burned away, that the fullness of the heavens might be revealed.
You go into the fire all dirty and dusty but when u come out of the fire, you're coming out like gold. Some of you have been in the fire for a long time but you're coming out like gold!
God is causing the manifestation of the heavens to come on you in the fire. That everyone will look
–       Pastors – lift up your hands
–       "God says that you've been on display, and others have been watching. You've been on display for people to look, to criticize, and to accuse, point fingers. But God says that in the middle of the fire there's manifestations of the glory that's coming in your life that wasn't there before the fire – and what the enemy meant for harm God says, I am taking that thing, and I am turning that thing around, and I'm causing the greatest gold to come forth and the greatest glory to manifest in your life, for surely you shall begin stepping out of that  fire, and you shall begin manifesting the glory of My Presence in a greater way than ever before – and those that were watching as you were on display and they said that you'd never make it – for surely you are a failure, surely its not of God – God says that surely they shall see, they shall see! And it shall not only be a sign and a wonder but it shall be a testimony. It shall be the testimony of Jesus Christ, the hope of glory in side of you. I see you stepping out of the fire – and I see you walking into a new place, a new season of blessing – it's opening for you even right now.. In that place is Divine acceleration and Divine Increase –supernatural favour, abundance and blessing being poured out – miracles beginning to flow where there weren't any before – I see almost like a garden & flowers beginning to spring forth where it seems like there couldn't be any flowers – or a harvest and areas where people have looked and said surely there can not be a harvest – God says I am going to give you a harvest. Not only shall you see it but you're going to reap it – for many see the harvest and do not receive it, but God says you shall see it and you shall have it!

 

Wayne's World...(16Apr08)

Question

Some say that chasing after signs and wonders is bad, and that you should rather chase the power and the presence...what do you think?

Open Heaven @ Salt Rock.pdf

Hey every one,

I am so excited, I can hardly contain myself ....serious!!
God has been ROCKING our world, we have been experiencing His presents in the most incredible way over the last few weeks.

I have been a "Christian" for about 10 years and for the first time I am in an ongoing way experiencing the Holy Spirit. Every time we seem to get together these days God pitches up and blows us away. At first I thought it would be a once off occasion, now I amping for more and more.

But we are not alone!! God has been breaking out in other churches around the world in a similar if not more powerful way. Wayne and Jen took over a church down in Port Edward last year and towards the end of the year God broke into their dry religious church and all of heaven was let loose.

A similar thing happened with Ant Redman and his church community in Umhloti and Durban North. We have been hooking up with Ant and his family over the last 2 months, on what can only be described as a 'huge eye opener'. I never thought 'church' could be like what they have happening.

Anyway Ant and Wayne have been amping to come and share and impart something of what God has been doing with them over that past few months with us. A small group of us got together with Wayne, Jen, Ant and Les about a month ago and what went down can only be described as absolutely mind blowing! So we were all amping to worship together again and have another evening of the Glory of God poured out from an 'Open Heaven'.

Thats when decided to open our worship time up to everyone hungry for more of God, and I would love it if you would come and join in. We are getting together at the Salt Rock Hotel on Friday the 18th 6:30 pm.

Dont miss out ...... this will change your life!

Chris