Lovely! A very nice post. I agree and would like to comment on this portion:
...I can not understand things like feathers falling, (?) or teaching little ones to talk to angels, and other such things. I have never had any of those things happen while in worship, nor has the Holy Spirit ever led me to pray for such "signs and wonders." Concerning miracles, I see them daily as I walk with God. I love Him for all His works, and wonders. The Heavens tell us of who He is, and what He is able to do, and all the layers of Truth that exists in every day common things blesses my heart from moment to moment....
I am very concerned about many of the "signs and wonders" moving in and out of the church. Don't get me wrong anyone, I am not questioning ANY work of the HS at all. I am concerned that these gifts are misused and some may not be of God. Some verses come to mind:
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
2 Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
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Some point to Acts (Acts 2:16-17); where Peter quoted from Joel (Joel 2:28) and will say this is for now. There is good reason to believe this prophecy took place during that very Pentecost Feast. (we were talking about this in the End Times forum)
A honest, unbiased study of the OT and NT on signs and wonders may reveal that they are not for Jesus' ekklesia, but for the Hebrews; the Jews. Though it is not direrctly about signs and wonders, this verse comes to mind:
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
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In Matthew, they tried to corner Jesus into showing them a sign from Heaven. Jesus replied:
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. Matthew 16:4
In 1 Tim 4 it reads:
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Tim 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Throughout Matthew, we are told what Jesus will say to some of those who call out "Lord, Lord..."
Beware of those seducing spirits and doctrines of devils and resist the temptation to "scratch" those itching ears.
Peace
