September 16, 2018

    Powerful Effect    

Acts 19: 11-20

Acts 

God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, so that even when handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and any evil spirits within them came out.

A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus.  The incantation they used was this:  "I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches to come out!"  Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this.  But when they tried it on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul.  But who are you?"  And he leaped on them and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and badly injured!

The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike.  A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored.  Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.  A number of them who had been practicing magic brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire.  The value of the books was several million dollars.  So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.      

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 Thoughts....

'God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles.'  Huh.  Did he give them to Peter, to others?  He gave them to evangelists in the 70's, 80's, 90's, and still today this practice is being used in various places.  When Paul could not be somewhere specific, the cloth(s) went instead.  The same today.  But is it necessary?

Why was a cloth necessary for healing, when a core faith in God and belief he can heal can do the same?

Back then, folks were very into 'outward practices' like adoring a statue, frankincense misting or smoking to cleanse/anoint, they needed outward appearances, to touch or be touched to 'pass it on'.  Some religions still practice this way as tradition.

Today, we KNOW God, Jesus, & Holy Spirit are alive, well, in everything, and can be in us, if we but ask. Our faith then needs to be in THEM, not something material, no vaporous cleansing from frankincense, or a cloth sent and meant to heal.  It is not the cloth that heals.  It is our faith in God, belief in him and all he and the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) can do that is at the core, the foundation, the ROCK from whence our healing comes.

Who is your God?  Is it the one and same God who takes away the sins of the world and created everyone and everything in it?  Who is your Savior?  Is it Jesus who died to set you free and offers you entrance into heaven providing eternal life?  Who is your Comforter, Teacher?  Is it THE Holy Spirit?  Then your faith, your belief is where it should be to ask, it will be given.

Let's talk about exorcism, exorcizing evil spirits out of others as was mentioned in todays Scripture. 

DON'T DO IT (!) unless you are supported by others, have a mature abiding faith, and say a prayer of protection for yourself, your loved one's, and those around you, including the family of the person you are exorcising.  HORRIBLE things can happen with attempts, like as mentioned in the story today.   Recall the time the evil spirits entered pigs and they ran off and drowned?

It has been said that one marries many people nowadays, not just one.  For all the spirits who've become one with another are encamped in the body who 'exErcised' the many.  That is why God wants us chaste unto 'the one'.  Ideal.  Not necessarily realistic in this day and age for those beyond the age of 12 it seems....sadly.  All those 'kindred' spirits who've gone before have spirits of family passed, too, which is why none of us are, nor will be perfect in our own right, fully cleansed, without the atoning, saving blood of Jesus, the water of Holy Spirit baptism.  

Books upon books have been written about exorcism and about the 'sins of the father/family'.  It's REALLY important that you are mature in Christ before you even open the literature regarding all of this.  I cannot stress this enough.  Many is the time folks have read, believing themselves strong and gotten bombarded with evil spirits to a terrible unveiling.

Can you rebuke, and command evil spirits obey and be gone?  Yes.  But do NOT take it lightly.

I went to a healing seminar once and got into a verbal battle with the leader regarding a healing - raising from the dead - that took place in the Bible.  I stand firm today still, that the person who wanted the healing wasn't the deceased, it was the people around the deceased who wanted, and prayed, and received the miracle of new life after death.

The deaths in the Bible when people were raised from the dead were not symbolic, as has been suggested.  Folks, the Bible is documented history, not folklore.  There are innumerable archeological finds, historical documents that have been found, the Bible itself:  Old Testament fulfilled in the New Testament.  Research the deaths in the Bible of people who were raised from the dead.  Research also, while you are at it, the occurrences when people exorcised others (!).

Can we, too, be raised from the literal dead?  Yes.  Can we, too, be raised to new life?  Yes.  

We are called daily to put away the old and take on the new.  The Bridegroom calls us - listen for Jesus' voice.  Throw out the 'incantation books', burn them, if you will.  And take on the new - be the wineskin of shed blood for you....by Jesus.  And when the last trumpet sounds, Jesus will raise you to a new life in him.  Physical death near you?  Pray them returned!

Greatly honor, not just the name of Jesus, but honor the man.  Confess your sins and believe.  Spread the message about the Lord:  His miracles!  His love!  His saving grace....your redemption....new life in and with them....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.

Our God saves.  Our God heals.  He raises people from the dead to new life in him and from having passed through the door unto death.  Don't fear what you'll need to believe, if you really pray and someone comes back to life.  Fear answering God, if you don't pray.  Was this your test?  How will you score?

Have faith, believe, accept the gifts you are given by God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and cast out evil spirits, heal, and rebuke death.

But know this:  unless God exalts you, fills you, you are NOT exalted, filled.   Exalted, filled to heal, exorcise, rebuke?  Then, by all means, go forth!  The message of our Lord will spread widely with powerful effect!  

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  Let Us Pray

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me as a new vessel by which you alone can fill me to overflowing.  Be with me this day and everyday as I go forth.  Wow, Lord....lots to think about today....lots to pray about.  Please fill me to overflowing with all you, Jesus, Holy Spirit have to give, so that as I go forth, I will know it is you doing the work through me, not me doing it myself.  May everything I do in your name, and for you, be to send a message from you....for powerful effect.  May it bring others to you, so we will all be with you in paradise one day.  And Lord, I claim protection right now for myself and all my loved ones who surround me, those still living, and those who are living with you.  Please Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, keep us safe.  I praise you.  I thank you.  I love you.  Amen!        

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 More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

  It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

Respect....Embrace....Encourage!

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Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, animals, the earth, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart.  

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  One last thing....

Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!

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