Miracles in Mexico

During Spring Break 1975, I traveled by bus with 80 other students and professors from Evangel University and Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri to central Mexico, where for one week we witnessed several healing miracles.   It was during that time God spoke to me that my journalism major, in conjunction with my Biblical Studies minor, would set me on a course of lifetime ministry.

Our journey took us to Sabinas Hidalgo, a tiny village located in a remote mountainous area.  Dogs ran wild in the streets and beggars swarmed us, for we were “rich Americans.”  High stone walls topped with rolled barbed wire turned homes into compounds.  One or two wealthy homes stood on the outskirts in stark contrast to the gross poverty of the village.  

These precious people had no electricity, no in-door plumbing, or running water, no doctors, thread-bare clothing and the same diet -- tortillas, cacti and occasional goat.  Yet, they smiled.  What they had could not be bought.  I was shamed by their contentment.  

I also remember their little church.  It was a crude structure.  The roof was lined with rusted metal sheeting, supported by adobe brick walls.  Windows were few and mostly broken.  Candles lit the room.  Children slept on its dirt floor while being swarmed by flies.  But no one seemed to mind, as it was time for the service to begin.

The tiny building filled to capacity -- leaving standing room only.  Many arrived hours early to get inside.  Others stood outside waiting patiently.  The language barrier hindered conversation, so we just smiled.  Smiles communicate in every language!

I have always believed in miracles.  They’re frequently recorded in the Bible.  To be honest though, I had never witnessed a bona fide miracle until I went south of the border.  In the afternoons we passed out gospel tracts and shared the love of Jesus in the streets and homes.  In the evening, members of our group sang and preached with the help of interpreters.  Afterwards we prayed for the sick.  These lovely people possessed much faith, and before my  eyes I saw the miraculous unfold.

On our first night, a line of several people formed to receive  prayer.  A young woman, perhaps in her late twenties, stepped forward, weeping loudly.  It was obvious that she was pregnant.  The pastor, however, informed us otherwise.  A fast-growing tumor about the size of a basketball was pushing out.  After a simple, faith-filled prayer, the group moved on to the next prayer concern.  

Another lady came with grotesque sores in her mouth.  The sleeves of her tattered dress were blood-soaked where she had wiped her mouth. Her face grimacing revealed a high pain level.  But she left that night free of sores!  God’s touch was instant!  We marveled at the Lord’s healing power.  They had no doctors or no medicine, so their only recourse was to trust the Healer.  

As we got up to leave -- two hours later -- joy-filled, loud laughing mixed with weeping filled the room. It was the woman who came with the tumor.  By night’s end, it was gone.  Her abdomen was flat!  God completely annihilated the large tumor.  Rejoicing and holy pandemonium broke out and we stayed another hour giving God praise.  And the only instruments in the room were our combined voices!  Other miracles were documented during the remainder of the week.  

I still contend that God hates poverty, but I’ve often wondered if our affluence sometimes hinders our faith.  Hosea 13:6 tells us what COULD happen if we take our blessings for granted.  “When I fed them, they were satisfied, they became proud, then they forgot Me.”

I hope I always remember those smiling, poverty-stricken, yet joy-filled faces in Mexico.  They were some of the sweetest, most contented people I’ve ever met.  

Mind Your MInd

Have you ever been around negative people?  You know, people like “David and Debbie Downer!”  Their glass remains half-empty. They live to whine.  Nothing’s ever good enough. And they spend their time looking for the worst in others.  They are the ultimate critics, who when others see them coming on the sidewalk, quickly cross the street.  And of course, “birds of feather flock together!” Their best friends are “Negative Nellie” and “Gloomy Gus.”

Norman Vincent Peale was an American minister and author known for his work in popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”  His life’s work was based on the premise, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” He is hailed as the “father of positive thinking,” who through his writing and speaking shared his famous formulas of faith and optimism.

Many today still accept as truth Dr. Peale’s simple and effective philosophies about positive thinking.  Neither time nor space allows us to dissect Dr. Peale’s premises, however, we all agree that negative people make life more difficult to navigate.  We need people around us that adhere to the “glass half full” outlook on life. We need to live on the brighter side of life, for God knows, we see and hear enough of the other.

It goes without saying that our actions follow where our mind goes.  “Walk over there.” “Pick up that book.” “Plug in the cell phone.” Pretty simple, huh?  Our mind-brain mechanism is a wonderful tool that when faced with difficult, heart-rending dilemmas, allows us to keep a positive perspective.  As you know, perspective is defined “as the way we look at things, our approach to life.” And generally speaking, outlook really does determine outcome!  We are given the choice to view situations as negative or positive. It seems to me that a solid, faith-filled life necessitates a good, positive outlook on life in general.

Charles Swindoll, popular radio minister said, “Sow a thought and reap an action.  Sow an act and reap a habit. Sow a habit and reap a character. Sow a character and reap a destiny. The progression from our thoughts to our destiny is sobering, isn’t it?

Untold volumes have been written about the power of the mind, and the choices we make to live either negative or positive existences during our time on earth.  What happens “to us” is many times the product of what first happens “in us.” Determine to live in a positive vein that keeps you healthy and others around you happy.  In other words, mind your mind!

The Prophetic and Today's Church, Part 2

As you recall, last week I introduced my concerns surrounding the prophetic ministry.  Today, I wish to point out 17 principles/teachings/warnings that I believe should guide prophetic emphasis in the Church. 

1. People often speak out of their soul instead of by the Spirit of God.  I call them “Pentecostal Well-Wishers.”  The man who prophesied to me about my dying mother fit into this category.  He meant well, however, his best intentions were mis-led.  He wanted to see my mom healed, but allowed his emotions to override what the Spirit was really saying.

2. And, if individuals have broken, unhealed areas in their soul -- mind, will and emotions -- they are likely to speak through those areas.  Beware!  God, of course, uses imperfect vessels to speak in today’s Church; however, we dare not filter the intended message through wounded emotions.  In the past, when I preached through anger, everyone suffered!  Love has to be the motivating force in all we do.  

3. Individuals with mental health issues or cognitive challenges often use the prophetic to exaggerate their importance or to draw attention to themselves.  They function as engines not hitting on all six cylinders.  In my opinion, these individuals must be re-directed away from public ministry, toward more behind-the-scenes types of ministry.  Frankly, the prophetic gift is perhaps the most likely to be abused.  

4. It seems that everything now has a prophetic angle to it -- prophetic poetry, drawings, art, prayers, songs, choruses, etc.  What?  Why do we have to use the word “prophetic” to describe innate gifts or interests? 

5. Many who prophesy lack knowledge of God’s Word, are spiritually shallow or pseudo-spiritual, gossip, walk in unforgiveness, operate in pride or false humility or sow discord in the church.. Only consistent Christian character validates those who operate in the prophetic, or any of the gifts, for that matter.  

6. Believers who tend to be “loose cannons,” refusing to submit to pastoral authority and instruction, forfeit their right to express any prophetic gifts inside them. In summary, those who refuse to come under spiritual authority, disqualify themselves from speaking in the church. In the same way, women who function outside of healthy spiritual order in their home should be monitored closely.   

7. Many prophetic words do not line up with God’s Word.  Some even contradict God’s Word and/or obvious biblical principles.  We are called to judge the validity of any prophetic word.  

8. Prophetic words should ALWAYS be unto edification or bring comfort (1 Corinthians 14:12).  They should never be used as weapons of mass destruction! 

9. Some use the gift to “read others’ mail.”  God NEVER tattletales on “one kid to another!”  Prophetic words are separate from words of knowledge or words of wisdom, as these two gifts usually operate in obscurity and confidentiality.  

10. Too many treat prophetic words like a crystal ball -- reading the future. Always remember, the gift of prophecy, when used by impure, self-serving vessels, closely parallels the travesty of divination, which aligns with enemy strategy.  One of the most dangerous realities happens when individuals who at one time operated accurately in the prophetic word, and subsequently turned apostate.  The gift inside them transferred to the demonic realm.  Currently, hundreds of psychic hotlines exist for those seeking answers to life’s questions and dilemmas. My guess is that a good number of these “readers” previously operated in the genuine prophetic word and sadly were somehow wounded in the house of God, and allowed offenses to make them rebellious.  You remember that “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23).  Operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit remains a high and holy opportunity.  And an awestruck responsibility.  

11. Prophetic words are not given to provide direction, only confirmation.  God does not operate on a third party basis.  He’s not going to tell Bill to tell Bob to tell me!  What a beautiful experience it is to have someone confirm what God has already told us!  We all have direct access to God’s throne and should cultivate hearts that listen to God’s voice.

12. Prophetic words should not be elevated above God’s Word.  I’ve known people who kept dated journals of personal prophecies and relied on them more than trusting God’ Word.

13. The Scriptures nowhere support the practice of giving “personal prophecies,” or what I call “assembly line prophetic words.” Inflated egos, pride, manipulative people, and self-indulgent attitudes fill our churches when people are allowed to operate in this vein.  I’ve seen churches literally destroyed by allowing this self-serving practice to continue.   Some who refer to having a prophetic anointing really have the “gift of suspicion!”  This “gift” can bring much harm into any situation.  

14. Some overlook the fact that words of knowledge and words of wisdom are often given as prophetic words.  They are different in purpose and operation, and never meant for public expression. The gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues are the only verbal-public gifts discussed in 1 Corinthians.  And remember,  tongues manifested in the public worship service must always be followed by an interpretation.  

15. As a general rule, so-called prophetic worship/songs are given for individual edification and private times of praise, not for public worship.  I’ve been amazed at how “prophetic singers” attempt to lead entire congregations of worshipers, without realizing that the only one singing is the leader.  They are an audience of one!  Entire congregations are reduced to spectators. Some well-meaning worship leaders are  misdirected and/or oblivious to the very people they are trying to lead into the presence of God.  John Maxwell said it best:  “If no one is following a supposed leader, then he or she is simply out taking a walk.”  Worship leaders would do well to remember that the OBJECT of our worship is Jesus, and the IDEAL of worship is to get as many involved as possible in the ACT of worship. So-called prophetic worship automatically disengages the leader from those he strives to lead!  There are exceptions, but very few indeed!

16. What is prophetic preaching?  Not all biblical passages carry prophetic implications.  Paul told Timothy, “Preach the Word.”  He did not say, “Prophesy the Word.”  I may be splitting hairs, but the difference again remains the difference between Christ-centered and messenger-centered ministry.  My friend, when rightly divided, the Word speaks for itself!  We don’t “read into” the Word; we allow the Word to “read us.”  And this truth leads me to my last observation.

  

17. Some preaching referred to as prophetic preaching is simply drawing analogies or embracing allegories used to teach a higher principle, or one that hides beneath the surface of a Bible story.  Such preaching also draws from types and shadows revealed in a given passage.  Let me give an example of each:

A.  Analogy (Metaphors) -- Proverbs 13:14 says, “The teaching of  the wise is a fountain of life.” This metaphor compares wise teaching to a flowing fountain. Sometimes when individuals give prophetic words, they use colorful Imagery to share God’s message.  This type of prophetic ministry is totally subjective, leaving the message open-ended and subject to personal interpretation.  I for one, am cautioned to not build my future on “I see or I think…or, take this for what it’s worth.”  I need something more solid!

          

How many people have walked away from having received a prophetic word of such a general nature, asking themselves, “What did that mean?”  I have!  Realizing what was spoken could have been understood in any number of ways!  Or misunderstood!             

    

B. Allegory -- The Bible contains several allegories.  An allegory is a literary work in which the characters and events are symbolic of a deeper moral or spiritual truth.  For example, the Song of Solomon is viewed as an allegory by both Jewish and Christian scholars.  One says it’s an allegory of God’s love for Israel.  The other says it’s an allegory about Christ’s love for the Church.  Still, others believe it’s an allegory about married love. Prophetic words based on allegorical passages are also left up to private interpretation.  They too are subjective and need to be received with caution!    

C.  Types/Shadows -- Acts 27 records the story of Paul sailing from Cesaerea to Rome when he encounters a shipwreck.  When the 276 passengers and crew announce they are jumping ship, Paul tells them if they remain in the ship, their lives will be spared. “Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless those men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.’”  The ship, then, is a type of the Church or “staying with the Lord.”  This type of biblical preaching is challenging because it too leaves room for personal interpretation.  

         So, what is the drawback on prophetic ministry that builds on analogies, allegories and types and shadows?  Always remember.  We need to draw on a literal interpretation of Scripture that requires full disclosure of the text and minimizes temptations to “read into the text” what may or may not be there.  This is also the drawback to preaching topical series!  Some search for Scriptures to support their erroneous thinking or personal opinions!  This is dangerous!

         Prophetic words that employ any of these three comparative genres have to be time tested and weighed in light of deeper, more solid biblical interpretation.  I sure would not build an entire church service or more important, a life decision on prophetic words that leave themselves open to interpretations that are general, not specific in their intent.  Such prophetic activity may seem good at the time; however, we must build our lives on “The Word,” not “A word.”

         I understand my potential for being misunderstood in this blog.  However, if prophetic ministry is allowed to run rampant outside the guidelines of biblical authority, the chances for confusion and division remain a constant threat.  And the gift of prophecy MUST never be allowed to get out of balance with the other ministry gifts.  Entire services that feature only prophetic ministry open the door to extremes that highlight imbalanced and over-zealous believers.  In my experience, nothing overrides the preaching of God’s Word.  

          NOTE:  This blog about the prophetic in today’s church should by no means be seen as a comprehensive treatment.  Volumes have been written about each of the above 17-mentioned guidelines.  This summary simply provides a general overview for those who have perhaps been confused (like me) regarding the intents and purposes for which the prophetic gifts should operate in today’s church.  

The Prophetic and Today’s Church, Part 1

I believe in the prophetic ministry. You’d think this would be a foregone conclusion for a man of my theological persuasion -- Pentecostal (although I dislike labels).  However, I have struggled with the Church’s sometimes over the top teachings on the prophetic during the past 25 years.  

Can I be honest with you?  I never heard the phrases, “Prophetic Word” or “Prophetic Preaching” used in our circles until the latter part of last century.  I was perfectly comfortable with the phrase, “The preached Word.”  Then, as if a new doctrine hit the church scene, many began talking about “the prophetic” as if God was introducing something new. I’m not trying to be disrespectful or snide; I have really struggled with what many dub the “Prophetic Movement.”    

And I have never heard so much ridiculous teaching and seen so much hyper-sensationalism done in the Name of the Lord. How many offerings have I sat through that used some aspect of the prophetic to move people to give?  I do not see myself as a close-minded preacher, but I admit it, I am squeamish when it comes to the prophetic.  I personally believe that many people have used the Lord’s name to scratch their “hyper-spiritual itches,” and to elevate themselves “above what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6).  Removing humility from the prophetic leads to disaster.  

I tire of the showmanship and attention-seeking that accompanies a lot of prophetic meetings.  Yes, God does speak to individuals; and yes, there are times when prophetic words are welcome, but too much of the time, the “prophetic word” smacks of a “pathetic word,” when individuals are highlighted and “the testimony of Jesus, who is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10) is sidelined.  I understand the prophetic gift involves “seeing,” but the pronoun “I” is used way too much for my comfort.

If truth be told, my hesitancy to embrace certain aspects of the modern prophetic movement, goes all the way back to 1972 when my mother passed away after a long, grueling sickness.  A well-meaning man, whom I admired in the Faith, came to me and said, “The Lord said, ‘I’m going to heal your mother.  Watch Me perform my wonders.’” I was overwhelmed with emotion and accepted the man’s “word from the Lord” to be true.  

Three weeks later mom died.  I was a fairly new believer, and her death shook me to my core, emotionally and spiritually.  I suppose it was this unfortunate incident that made me suspicious of the prophetic.  However, I do not wish to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I’m being brutally honest, so wait before you judge me!

Go with me to Ephesians 4:11a. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers..." We refer to these offices as the “five-fold Ministry.”  And I’m so thankful for these wonderful gifts that Christ gave to His Church.  We need all of them functioning in a biblically sound manner if we are to come into the fullness of the stature of Christ:  “For the equipping of the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ.”(11b).  And so, we acknowledge the office of prophet.  However, unless these offices and their functions are properly taught and understood, then we are likely to have a “Five-fold Feud” on our hands!

I usually explain the individual roles this way:

The Apostle:  To send

The Prophet:  To see

The Evangelist:  To speak

The Pastor:  To tend

The Teacher:  To teach (Of course!) 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say based on personal experience (40 plus years in ministry) these five gifts, to work effectively and to stay in balance, need to channel through the office of pastor.  After all, it is the pastor who gets in the trenches with the sheep!  The other four gifts should humbly come into line with the pastor’s ministry, as he, under God, leads each local church.  This is the pattern I see in the New Testament, as revealed in Paul’s writings to the various churches. And of course, these offices can and do overlap one another.  Neither time nor space will allow me to cover apostles, evangelists, pastors and teachers, so let me get back to the office of prophet.  

Are there prophets in today’s Church?  Of course!  “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them named Agabus, began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world.  And this took place in the reign of Claudius” (Acts 11:27-28).  The above mentioned famine later embraced the entire known world at the time.  These were in fact, New Covenant prophets!  

However, please understand that prophets in today’s church are different from the prophets mentioned in the Old Testament.  Prophets of renown -- Isaiah,  Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha -- FORETOLD what God was doing, especially pertaining to Israel.  They were protectors of the Covenant and foretold the coming of the Messiah with amazing and detailed accuracy.   

Prophets today FORTHTELL what God has already proclaimed in His Word, because the Canon of Scripture -- the Bible -- is closed.  God has already told us everything we need to know as it pertains to our salvation and those things yet to come upon the earth.  And like the prophets mentioned in Acts 11:27-28, God uses prophets today to warn of things to come -- those things related to sin and judgment.  Perhaps the Prophet Amos said it best:  “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets” (3:7).   This verse balances the “Fore-telling” with the “Forth-telling” aspects of prophetic ministry.   

The late David Wilkerson, I believe, was a prophet.  He did not like to be labeled; however, in 1986 he prophesied of a coming plague that would hit New York City, and like all true prophets, his words came to pass.  At the time of this writing, we find ourselves in a world-wide pandemic; with New York City being one of the hardest hit areas.  The acid test of a true prophet is that his prophecies come true.

I still struggle, however, with men and women of God who insist on carrying titles. We have become both image and title crazy. And  I’m very concerned about the abuses I’ve personally witnessed and heard in regards to the gift of prophecy, as discussed in 1 Corinthians 12.  “Now there are varieties of gifts...and to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good...to another prophecy…” (verses 4,7 and 10).  Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth to correct abuses that had developed while employing the gift of prophecy and the other gifts mentioned in chapter 12.  

And today, the potential for abuse is present as well.  Pastors have the responsibility to make sure these gifts bring edification and comfort, not confusion and strife. “All things have to be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). A wonderful gift in the wrong hand (heart) becomes a sideshow attraction that draws attention away from Christ to the individual.  All attention and adoration goes to Jesus!  Only Him!

In next week’s blog, I discuss principles/teachings/warnings that I believe should guide prophetic ministry.

The Same Place

Years ago, I heard Paul Crouch, then president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network say, “The brink of a disaster and the brink of a miracle are the same place.”  God does his finest work and proves His power when things look their worst. The hour preceding dawn is the darkest.  You may be in that hour, but take heart, morning’s coming!

Travel back with me to 1446 B.C.  Moses and the Children of Israel have escaped from Egyptian bondage.  But not without nerve-wracking consequences and further testing.  The people are backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit.  Things look pretty bleak for the approximate 1.5 million men, women and children. Many in the crowd begin to murmur against Moses. “Why did you bring us out here to die in this wilderness” (Exodus 14:11)?  Fear began to sweep through the camp, as horse hooves trampling the earth became louder. 

Disaster appeared imminent.  Between confusion brought on by the enemy and the grumbling of the people, Moses had his hands full.  His leadership was on the line, and God’s reputation was soon to be verified.    

But then…

Moses lifted his rod high and the waters of the Red Sea divided.  The breath of God piled the waters high on each side and dried the earth under the sea.  A pillar of fire then separated the Israelites from the fast approaching Egyptian army.  It was Israel’s finest moment, one that Jews still celebrate today!  We do, too!  In that hour, the brink of a disaster and the brink of a miracle were one in the same!       

Have you been there?  Perhaps you’re there now!  Backed up against the wall with seemingly no help in sight.  The enemy of your soul may even be taunting you:  “Where is your God now?”  

Keep praising.  Keep believing.  Your deliverance is on the way!  God has not brought you this far to fail you now.  “The horse and its rider WILL be thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:21b).   We used to sing this faith declaration:

“How great is our God!

How great is His name!

He’s the greatest One, forever the same.

He rolled back the waters of the mighty Red Sea.

And He said, “I’ll never leave you, so put your trust in Me!”

No matter how difficult your circumstances, no matter what you’re facing, the waters are about to part.  “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b).  Let this incredible story from Israel’s archives, hold you steady today.  The same God Who parted the waters approximately 3,466 years ago is still proving His power today!  The brink of your disaster is about ready to become your most glorious victory!

Praise Him out loud this very moment!