One more comment: God may want you to warn others-and tell them things that let's say aren't necessarily "politically correct". This is sorely needed today; as those who do stand forth tend to easily be brash; loudmouth type personalities without the Spirit doing the convicting work. Expect most of the resistance to be within the "professing" church. They are compromised; in general. Lord willing; you have a place to fellowship; if not I will pray that you find one. The other factor is; as much as you may not want to hear it is being a woman; you have to respect the guidelines scripturally as to how to minister. It should primarily be as to teaching with other women. Women have largely walked toward "damnable heresies" as it were in usurping the method of teaching and attempting to have authority over men. If you are a woman of God; you realize what I am saying-and you will be given ample opportunity to let the Spirit guide you to meaningful prayer and other fellowship to continue being strong in the Lord. There are so few men today who are living for the Lord; I realize that. The scripture states that a woman can prophesy in a fellowship but should have her head covered. I would say likely with emotional sensitivity there is also a greater spiritual discernment with women as well; so again this isn't an attempt to "rain on your parade" (even on April fool's day). There are; sadly too many out there who are physically attractive that are too focused on all the worldly distractions. Real spiritual internal beauty can; at best be reflected by external appearances. In general; therefore don't worry if you aren't winning any popularity contests in this world. Or if those who should be heeding the truth are avoiding it when you speak out.
BTW one of the saddest things is to be filled with joy but no one seems to get it or want to rejoice with you. The Lord and His angels will rejoice at one sinner who repents; I assure you of that. Agape. RP
Perhaps being older myself gives some perspective. It is fine when young; and one can operate on positive emotions as happiness itself isn't necessarily indicative of sin. Joy of the Lord; Pauline style; as it were in the midst of deprivations; prison; threats; beatings; and his concern for the church clearly has persevering power beyond mere human strength. We also need to remember Christ's parable of the seed and the sower; as to he who "received the word immediately with joy; but then as soon as trials come they fall away" (you can find the verse). Being "on fire" as it is relates; or should relate more to "rejoicing when others rejoice; and weeping when they weep" ( Romans 12:15-20). It relates to sacrificial agape love; where we love our enemies; and pray for those who "despitefully use us" ( Luke 6:28). It should reflect our service in our gifting and calling; but also learning from those with other gifts in the Body so that we are balanced and grow in grace and truth.
A big problem; of course is as the adage goes; people are more enamored with the gifts than the Giver of them. With an Ephesians 6 mentality; the power of offensive warfare is only one weapon; the "sword" of the Spirit. It is used for bringing down strongholds by being in accord with our High Priest (Hebrews); namely Christ who ever intercedes for us. We are given our marching orders of who to pray for and sometimes with a sense of urgency. This is also; BTW a likely use of tongues for those who have a genuine gift and not endless prattering about. It is either another REAL language; or groans that can't be exprressed in a heavenly language as angels are ministering spirits; giving us strength as they did for Christ during His greatest trials.
Obviously; the extravagent Laodicean type spirit in many churches is simply a Kundalini or some other evil force; if "filthy lucre" is the prime motivation for lukewarm faith. Stay away from those folks. Agape. Rich P.
I have never quiet understood what being on fire for the Lord meant.
I do know that we are to be filled with the Holyspirit. And we feed on the word of God so we can grow.
1 Peter 2:1-2. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
It is the Lord that work in us, it's not us manifesting anything.
We should have a regenerated heart that grows and desire to be more like Christ.
It's gentle and abiding in the truth with a quiet spirit.
1 Peter 3:4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
BTW one of the saddest things is to be filled with joy but no one seems to get it or want to rejoice with you. The Lord and His angels will rejoice at one sinner who repents; I assure you of that. Agape. RP
A big problem; of course is as the adage goes; people are more enamored with the gifts than the Giver of them. With an Ephesians 6 mentality; the power of offensive warfare is only one weapon; the "sword" of the Spirit. It is used for bringing down strongholds by being in accord with our High Priest (Hebrews); namely Christ who ever intercedes for us. We are given our marching orders of who to pray for and sometimes with a sense of urgency. This is also; BTW a likely use of tongues for those who have a genuine gift and not endless prattering about. It is either another REAL language; or groans that can't be exprressed in a heavenly language as angels are ministering spirits; giving us strength as they did for Christ during His greatest trials.
Obviously; the extravagent Laodicean type spirit in many churches is simply a Kundalini or some other evil force; if "filthy lucre" is the prime motivation for lukewarm faith. Stay away from those folks. Agape. Rich P.
I have never quiet understood what being on fire for the Lord meant.
I do know that we are to be filled with the Holyspirit. And we feed on the word of God so we can grow.
1 Peter 2:1-2. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
It is the Lord that work in us, it's not us manifesting anything.
We should have a regenerated heart that grows and desire to be more like Christ.
It's gentle and abiding in the truth with a quiet spirit.
1 Peter 3:4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
God bless.
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