another journal entry
20 July 2010
For instance, many people in the black community are either familiar with or participants in "traditional healers'" ceremonies and practices. These practices do involve the spiritual realm and people do have encounters with spirits, etc... however, the motivation and result of this is fear. Fear of their ancestors interfering with their lives if ignored. Fear of man... fear of... fear of... fear of... The intentions are typically good, like a mother might become a visit a magic man to protect and help her daughter do well in University. This is common because culturally it is accepted and expected. Plus, more than likely they've seen "bad things" happen to people who haven't performed the ritual, or paid the shaman, etc. The problem expands when you learn that most of these people also identify as Christians. So they pray to God, believe in Christ, and still find it necessary to call upon their ancestors and contact the deceased for protection and security.
When the Body ceases to operate in our identities as children of the Most High and does not move out a place of love and belief in God's promises, then we leave ourselves and everyone around us empty handed and searching for the power & authority that we, as believers, have access to and should be operating in, but aren't.
Besides, if someone has witnessed the "psuedo"-power of a demonic presence, but has never experienced the power of God, then of course that person is going to believe more in the traditional healers powers because their is evidence of their teachings by how the spiritual realm is being accessed and demonstrated. Yet, it is deceptive and filled with fear, shame, and destruction.
How great would it be if the Body began to operate in her God-given authority to teach and demonstrate the Kingdom of God with the supplement of signs and wonders! To release love, gentleness, and compassion... to escort in the King's divine breakthroughs by fully utilizing the resources we have available to us as sons and daughters of the King. There is not a problem on Earth that God does not have the answers to or resources for, so why aren't we asking, declaring, and proclaiming? God is in a good mood. Granted, this doesn't mean suffering or illness will cease, but it does mean believers are going to have to take risks and truly explore and engage who they are if Heaven is to be found on Earth.
It is a natural phenomenon that what we believe will determine how we behave. So, if I believe that God wants to heal people, wants to set the captives free, wants to shower love on all His creation... then I too will want to do these things. My belief in God and His power and goodness motivates my behaviors. I do not wish to trap God in a box because of my fear, failures, inexperience, or uncertainties. I truly believe God is mighty to save, has made a way through Jesus for us to be reconciled, and that He longs for us to experience His presence, love, and will for our lives. Therefore, I desire to be an active and sensitive ambassador for God through my speech, actions, purity, and life. Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven is not some far off phrase that I ritualistically repeat... it is an actual way of being as lead by the Holy Spirit!
6 comments:
I like DOING the works of Jesus. Miracles, signs and wonders. Healing and prophsying destiny. Raising up people b/c you already see amazingness in them before they do. Doing it in a NON-socialistic way because we are all loved the same but we aren't favored the same. With whom is trusted with much, is held responsible for much. With whom is trust little is responsible for little. James, John and Peter seemed to get a lot of "air time" in the gospels. Why didn't Jesus rotate the disciples, ya know, so they all got a turn? And why the heck did some guy who killed a bunch of Christians write the majority of the epistles instead of one of the first apostles who was actually with Jesus? Favor.
One of my fave verses: 2Cor 4:20"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but but of power." My favorite words are, not and but. I know you like it :) If you want doctrine to walk around "proving" people wrong, use your brain. If you want a King who's only present by the spirit to reign, walk in power.
Thanks for telling us this Paul ... 2 Cor 2:1-16 emphasis on vs 4,5 "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstartion of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
Have you felt the power of God in you, on you, around you? It's time.
BAM! GET IT SISTER!
my bad ... those are from 1st Corinthians ... not 2nd
I get chills when I read this. I love the Holy Spirit and gifts and favor and honor and people and JESUS and everyone in the world!
Your kingdom come your will be done!
So stoked that your time in SA + God working through it all gave you new and increased awareness and revelation of the supernatural lifestyle.
Praise God for transformed lifestyles and crazy amazing lives. This is too much fun!
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