Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
I grew up in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Early on in my Christian life I heard men and women of God speaking of what God has told them.
I wanted to know more about that.
That desire, I believe, was from God. Psalm 37:4, and he fulfilled that desire.
There was a tradition
– way back when –
Of the order of service including a quiet lull in congregational worship. The music would continue to play, and everyone would be worshipping in their hearts, or praising him out loud, but quietly and reverently. And then someone would stand and say, “Thus says the Lord God…” and give an edifying message to us, to encourage or exhort us. There were even events where someone would speak in their prayer language out loud for all to hear, and someone would interpret after that.
1 Corinthians 12 speaks of this.
As a young person I reacted with awe at times, and at other times with the uneasiness that comes with the unfamiliar. But I noticed that it always seemed to be the same one or two people doing this. When visiting more Charismatic fellowships, the worship sessions would have a sensual frenzy about them that gave me pause.
They were standing at the spout where the Glory came out!
I am being cautious about how I speak of these things. I don’t mean to be irreverent toward what God may have been doing.
That’s a book that explains much about this sort of thing.
What I didn’t like about that tradition has evolved over the years. What would I change if I were in charge?
- The forcefulness and/or confidence of the one speaking – there is a way to give a message in humility so the listeners are encouraged to prove what is being said (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)
- The disparity btwn the life of the speaker and the giving of a word in church: lack of Love*
- One wonders if the one speaking is aware that the word given often applies to the one giving the message in someway
- Macaroni and cheese exception
- The lack of regularly instructing us, in the congregation about what is going on
Corporate Service Setting
The Temple pattern of the Old Testament is a good one to consider when thinking of a seeker friendly environment
- Outside the Temple
- The entrance
- The outer court
- The inner court
- The Holy of Holies
Quote from “Ordering Your Private World” – there are secret things between me and God, precious intimate place (Deuteronomy 29:29)
The Road to Emmaus
The Unction burns inside of the speaker and the listeners.
The blind don’t see, and mock
Test the Fruit. The deeds of the flesh are obvious.
The fruit of the spirit is… although numerous qualities are listed the word fruit in the original language is singular… and thus “the fruit of the spirit is…” the fruits of the spirit are
I wonder if that is because they are the attributes of Christ? Like when one tries to describe a strawberry to someone who has never eaten one? Sweet, juicing, slightly seedy… smooth… etc.
The fruit of the word given in the hearts of those receiving it?
There is an echo or unction in the heart of the listener, which is God by his spirit confirming that word. The word resonate applies here?
In a sense it is perhaps like this. God is having a conversation with folks gathered – speaking to them in their hearts? During the days, weeks or years leading up to that moment?
Revelation 3:19-20 Jesus stands at the door and knocks
Running Down Vimy 