tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post3825490747549804514..comments2024-02-27T10:27:03.841-05:00Comments on The Double Edged Sword: Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 4Joel Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-69189346583412548932009-06-08T14:51:05.457-04:002009-06-08T14:51:05.457-04:00Ooh Harriet, you're not on your own there. I ...Ooh Harriet, you're not on your own there. I used to say that I wanted people to worship with, but now I'm content that Father really is more than enough. It's such a privilege to be in this place of intimacy with Father. When I did feel lonely at first I would remind myself that it's not about me, it's about Jesus.<br /><br />Joel, I agree with all you are saying in this part of the series. Wonderful encouragement to read what is straight from the Holy Spirit.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00497030310714465235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-75894885762018086092009-06-02T09:05:56.743-04:002009-06-02T09:05:56.743-04:00Harriet: Even in the gatherings we're a part of no...<B>Harriet:</B> Even in the gatherings we're a part of now, we fall short of all that it could be, but we're trying! With the LORD as our Guide, we will continue to seek what He deems as acceptable and right. Even in our baby steps of obedience and openness to the leading of the Spirit, great ground is gained! May the LORD lead His beautiful Bride into truth.<br /><br />(And may you be blessed with what your heart desires regarding others to gather with in His name.)Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-36052974298790687832009-06-02T08:55:44.473-04:002009-06-02T08:55:44.473-04:00I SO long for a group of friends to meet with who ...I SO long for a group of friends to meet with who each come ready to share what God has been teaching them during the past few days...who will pray with and for me and allow me to do that with and for them..who can sing praises to God without a "song leader", and who desire to help each other grow.... I KNOW that THAT is the way God intended the church to be.. and yet people are either too lazy to stop and have time with God on their own( and thus let someone else, a pastor teach them) or they are too brain washed to think this Holy walk can be BETTER!<br />keep on telling them Joel! maybe one day (before it is too late) they will HEAR!Harrietnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-91476688940911863522009-06-02T08:06:45.741-04:002009-06-02T08:06:45.741-04:00Daughter: I understand what you're saying. I have ...<B>Daughter:</B> I understand what you're saying. I have however seen far too many times to count the misuse and exaggeration of "five-fold" ministry. I don't believe anyone is "limited" to a certain gift. While one may excel in a certain area, if the Holy Spirit indwells someone, He can use them for whatever He chooses. <br /><br />I think we must be careful how we label people to possess this gift and that. Too many times I've seen people miss great opportunities because they were told "thats' not their gifting". <br /><br />I'd like to borrow what <A HREF="http://www.alanknox.net" REL="nofollow">an online brother</A> recently stated on this matter as he said it quite well:<br /><br />"Notice that Paul also specifically says that some are gifted at giving (Rom 12:8), but we don't have a problem saying that everyone should give. Similarly, Paul says that there are those who are gifted at exhortation (Rom 12:8), but we are comfortable saying that everyone should exhort. Paul says that some have gifts of faith (1 Cor 12:9), but we still say that all should have faith. Paul teaches that only some have the gift of service (Rom 12:7), but we also know that everyone should serve.<br /><br />Paul also says that some are gifted as prophets (Rom 12:6, 1 Cor 12:10, Eph 4:11), and he also says that all are not prophets (1 Cor 12:29). Yet, in spite of the fact that only a few are given the spiritual gift of prophecy, Paul also says that all can prophesy (1 Cor 14:31), and he exhorts his readers to "earnestly desire to prophesy" (he doesn't say to earnestly desire the gift of prophesy here)."<br /><br />I agree with your "getting to know your spouse" analogy. One must enter into intimacy with the Father. There is no other way! <br /><br />Thanks again for your participation.<br /><br /><B>Jsolo:</B> There is much I could address within your comment, but I'll stick to where you stated "Say, if in 2015, we were able to gather 9 billion, or 8 billion or 5 billion people, Jews, Catholics, Baptists, Protestants, Jahovah Witnessers, Lutherians, Episcapalians, Muslims, Buddists, Hindu's, and every other worshiper, together to pray to God, asking him to bring us home."<br /><br />My friend, this will not and cannot happen.... ever. We would not all be crying out in unity to the One True God so it would be futile at the outset. Unity is much more than just all saying the same thing.<br /><br />(On a side note, I kindly ask that you don't solicit donations within this blog.) <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-8248852995810183042009-05-30T08:25:45.597-04:002009-05-30T08:25:45.597-04:00Hi Joel,
You covered a lot in this post, but I am ...Hi Joel,<br />You covered a lot in this post, but I am going to address the issue of "first-hand" revelation. While it is true that God speaks to all of us in our hearts, I do not believe that God has given the gift of prophecy to all believers. The gift of prophecy was designed to build up the body of Christ as a whole and not for personal use, and thus God wisely assigns this gift to persons of His choosing, who would use this gift for the church (1Corinthians 14:3-4). In 1Corinthians 12 and Romans 12:4-8 it says that God has given different gifts to different people within the body. Therefore, we cannot all be prophets, or all teachers, etc. I, like yourself, do not personally believe that these gifts lie solely in the clergy, because according to the Bible, these gifts are dispersed within the body (1 Corinthians 12:4-31).<br /><br />I know for myself God has gifted me with teaching and prophecy, and yet I am not a pastor! (I have "on-the-job training" teaching Bible, writing, authoring). Many churchgoers mistakenly believe that these gifts can be learned in school or seminary, but according to the Bible, these are gifts from God (not of works lest any man should boast!). I respect pastors and Bible teachers, and yet I can tell who is anointed with the gift and who is just an academic. Seminary should be about helping persons to develop their God-given gifts, and not about training people to acquire a gift.<br /><br />As church members, the weekly church service has become a substitute for personal Bible study, when it should be an adjunct. I agree, that we have been trained to rely on someone else as our "primary source." We need to take more personal interest in our own salvation, and search out truth for ourselves, and get to know God for ourselves. No pastor can make us know God. Pastors may tell us about God, but knowing God is our responsibility.<br /><br />I like to compare knowing God with getting married. Who marries a spouse by just reading about that spouse, or by just talking to that spouse's friends/family? None, unless it is an arranged marriage. Nothing beats getting to know a person than having a relationship with that person. There is no other way! Having others tell you about that person might give you an idea about that person, but you need to find out and experience that person for yourself. In the same way with God, we not only need to hear about Him, but we actually need to spend time getting to know Him. <br /><br />As usual, I enjoy reading your blogs. Very thought-provoking topics that get us thinking.Daughter of Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01565795173054909961noreply@blogger.com