Amen, Allen. Well said.
I pray this is true, because I would love to see God's power truly poured out on His people in this last days, but I fear the "Holy Spirit outpouring" in Uganda is more like the "Toronto Blessing" or the "Brownsville Outpouring" which proved to have been largely, if not totally, fraud and hype
TND, you are true to your beliefs and I also appreciate the sincere warning found in vocalyocal's message to you earlier but would like to leave you to that and speak about this.
I very much agree with the concern that men may use the works of God for cross-purposes. The way I see it is that we have a vital need for Teachers who are called of God and anointed to the purpose of teaching, not only about the Spiritual things but also about all things. There is a saying among Pentecostals that I've heard that describes your concern very well. "Wild fire." That is what can happen when Spirit without guidance (or law, or principles of the Bible or whatever we want to call it) comes along. But if the need to learn the truth of the Bible is there, so also is it needful for God-fearing men, grounded in the Word, to teach by example of their lives how to rightly walk even after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is exactly what Paul did, and the order in which it was done. God's call, man's response, Salvation, heaven rejoicing, God's anointing, mistakes (errors in man's judgment - consider the Corinthians) correction by the Holy Spirit, and continued uplifting of Jesus.
The body of Christ (in part) is still in the valley of dry bones. Jesus is the Prophet who spoke and fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. What shall we do when we see those bones stand but the ligaments are not yet formed? Prophecy. Speak the word of God, for out of our bellies shall flow rivers of living water. But is it just Uganda that may be called a wilderness?
Take a look around you, man! Is the internet itself a place that you would describe as a land flowing with milk and honey? Can cattle graze here or will the various lower and more treacherous lifeforms consume what good there is before milk may flow? Is there any place where a mother may nurse her Christian child, born of faith, undisturbed here in our wild lands on the internet? Or are there wild and untamed beasts here? Are the plants and the land itself dry and parched? Is this the cultivated land of God, where brothers may dwell in peace? No, we don't have to go to Uganda to find wilderness.
What do we need to do then? How do we become empowered to speak and act according to the will of the Father. It's simple. Pray according to His will. We know that Jesus died for sinners, so we can take John's advice and ask (I'm not saying that we should ask when we see our brother or sister sinning in a manner that leads to death, there is sin that leads to death) but we are to ask and Life shall be given. This is the act that every cell in the body may do, they may assist each neighbor in the process of life and pray according to the will of God, confident that their prayers, their every prayer is heard and answered.
Okay, G'morning to you. I'm off to schoolwork and a busy day now. Will complete my little Moderator routine and withdraw but do know that I need your prayerful support especially if you see me sin by speaking in a manner that offends (even slightly).
Sparrowhawke
