A Word From God

[Rey Reynoso]

Last night I received a Word from God: He told me to test the spirits because they might be flashy, but they can still be wrong. No, I didn't hear an audible voice telling me this. No, I didn't see this in a dream. I sat in a service while the preacher gave me a Word From God. Let me explain.

The invitation was a surprise—just like all the other times I went to these sort of things. The lot was filled, just like always. The small, family filled chapel was packed—still unsurprising. And up front was the standard energetic speaker saying things like "You guys are enjoying this. I know that. My Spirit tells me." and "Come on, now" and "Can I hear you say 'WOW!'" and even "I want my spirit to wash over all of you."

The hour long message spring boarding off Gideon was about depression, how we all have our terebinth trees where we thresh wheat where we shouldn't, in hiding. How sometimes being a believer isn't enough, how sometimes the word of God isn't enough, sometimes all of his past promises aren't enough; that at those times we need a sign from God. And God provides the sign (Come on, now). God comes to where Gideon is (can I hear an 'Amen'?) in his state of depression and hiding and agrees to give him a sign.

But God doesn't stop there there (no he doesn't: come on, come on!) sometimes we have our own little stupid ideas, the ideas we don't share with anyone else, our own little stupid piece of wool and we bring it to the Lord to Do Something with it—and He does (come on, Amen? Come on, now). Water, in the Bible, stands for his word, for life and for grace: and your stupid little idea is drenched in Water (Can I hear you say 'wow!' Come on, now: say "WOW!"). And not only that, God will make sure to drench not only your idea but all those around you because it's all about Grace (I know you guys are enjoying this) because I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for grace, I wouldn't be a pastor if it wasn't for grace, I wouldn't be preaching around the world if it wasn't for grace: Grace (congregational: amen.), Grace(congregational: Amen!), GRACE (congregational: AMEN!), GRACE (congregational: YES, LORD!), GRACE! (Can you feel it? I want my spirit to wash over all of you. I wanna' hear you say "Wow" Come on, now)(congregational: AMEN! THANK YOU LORD! THANK YOU GOD! GRACE! GRACE!)

Well, after managing an entire meeting without mentioning Christ, the Gospel of God, or pretty much anything else based on its proper context; and while simultaneously spending more time talking about himself being a benefit for us and quoting Elijah 2 Kings 5:8, he started the prophecy hour. This is the hour where his message is confirmed by the miraculous way that he gets an impression about people and gives them a Word from God.

First were the impressions about people with depression that needed to be freed. He summoned catchers, which was good since one lady fell down in a Spiritual Swoon (although she had the presence of mind to pull up her pants and adjust her shirt so that we don't see any unnecessary tail). Then God gave him an impression of people with headaches and high blood pressure who needed to be freed. He summoned catchers while speaking in tongues (and pointing unnecessarily, I guess).

Next God gave him an impression about Me, Rey. I knew it was going to happen, of course. Everytime I'm in a charismatic church, the speaker, the pastors, the leaders, or the people are always led by the Holy Spirit to pray for me. I have one of those faces that need a blessing and unshackling, I guess.

So he came down the aisle, asks me my name, if I go to church, and if he can pray for me. First he revealed his anointing by unveiling everything I ever did. Okay, not really but he did tell the congregation that I (the guy who was sitting on the first seat inside the aisle who didn't clap, amen or laugh once during the meeting) am strong-willed, decisive, that I know want and I do it, that I'm a leader and I'm in ministry. Then he proceeded to pray.

After the meeting, my friend told me that this was only the second time at this church but since the guy so called me out and totally nailed who I was, the message was confirmed: it was a speaking of God and he'd have to stick around with this church.

I told my friend "Just remember to test the spirits."

"Totally and a test is if they're doing the same miraculous things Christ did—that sure looked like it!"

"Well, that might be part of it" I said ignoring making a sticking point about the very minor part of the whole thing "but really examine the spirit behind the message. Is it the message that Christ would have preached? Would it have consumed the apostles?"

So yeah, God spoke to me last night. He said to watch out with this stuff where people use signs and wonders to confirm the preaching of Anything.

[Rey Reynoso]

most recent is first.

[Raquel]

these replies are intensely confusing... are they backwards and on the wrong pages?

[Kim]

you can be over-the-top silly? isn't silliest the best kind of silly?

[Kim]

Rey , I think the comments are all there just as Lisa said they are now reversed...first ..last , last.. first. I think in the long run it will work out better because the most recent comment will appear on the first page

[ScottL]

No, I deleted my first comment, which was before joanne's. The comment said, 'Beautiful story,' but I was joking. So I just deleted after I read joanne's in depth and serious comment, as my comment seemed over-the-top silly.

[Rey Reynoso]

I remember Scott's comment was on page 1 but at what point did Joanne put up her first comment? I wanna find out how many comments got deleted so I can rail at Ning's help blog.

[Lisa Robinson]

I see what's going on. Ning has reversed the comment order. Why, oh why?

Rey, your post on testing spirits has turned into railing against Ning

Ning=Antichrist

[ScottL]

Why try and fix somethin' if it ain't broke?

[Rey Reynoso]

Not only that, if a person replies I get that they replied twice. Redonkulous.

[Lisa Robinson]

What's up with the comments? Booo