The NAME OF Jesus. God's greatest Name

There is no other name given under heaven among men by which they can be saved Acts 4;14
Father is not a name its a title
Son is not s name its a title
Spirit is not a name, its a title
Jehovah is not a name its a title. Jehovah Jireh 'The Lord will provide.'
Jehovah Shammah 'the Lord is there.' the title does not show us who he is but where he was
Jehovah Rapha 'The God who heals.' The title shows us what he does  not who he is.
Only the name of JESUS  shows us who he is and reveals what he does

Jesus reveals the person of God and the promises of God. JESUS is both the person of God and the promise of God. In him all the promises are yea and Amen
Jesus is the promise of salvation (That's the event) Jesus is the person who gives us the experience of the event, that is salvation. We can therefore say ONLY JESUS can be a person and an Event.If you want to be saved, You have to have none other god other than Jesus

The Lord is my strength and my song he has become my salvation Psalm 118;14.

Jehovah has become my Jesus

Now know him not only as Jehovah but my provider, my healer. my deliverer. but everything that Jehovah was, Jesus is. Yes he's my SALVATION.  everything that Jehovah was to the old saints he is to me as MY SALVATION 'For in him dwells the fulness of the Godhead bodily' (Col 1;9).
His Name is full of it all, all his promises, all his deity, all the godhead.
It's all in him

 THE NAME OF JESUS on Amazon

The Place of COMPASSION in our Preaching

 

I sat where they sat (Ezekiel 3;15).
EzekieL 'Strength of GOD' and strong he was, He went to Tel Abib and sat where the people sat  for seven days in silence. To learn and discover their ways. Before he could preach and warn he had to perfect the Word in him. It is easy for the preacher to say what's on his mind instantaneously and in quick response, just take a look at Facebook many are quick to right what they see as wrong yet will not take the time to sit and wait in order to understand and connect to those to whom he is sent.
Ezekiel was sit where they sat in order to learn about them what he did not know. Oh how easy it is to be quick to preach too yet slow to consider and show respect or love.  Many shut theIr eyes yet open wide their lips. Its easier to hurt rather than connect and restore. its easier to defend ones faith than win a soul. they indulge in sever truth telling as if its a medal to display. forgetting that the master on the cross displayed love that won that a world not a sermon. Some never sweaten their medicine, but give out a heavy dose even if it kills their contact. the fact that they said it as it is, qualities them as apostolic or does it?
The Lord dealt kindly with others. He got the woman at the well to ask for the water of life, He did not focus on her adulterous affairs but rather sat where she say and met he need. He won Zachaeus by sitting at his home, His kindness won the lost, his graciousness attracted the hungry. Kindness is greater than cleverness or genius. LOVE bigger than knowledge of scriptures and possessing the title of preacher.
Lets not judge others based on their hair style, or lack of it. Lets not fashion our message or approach based on the fact that others are so unlike us and don't believe  exactly what we believe. Believing in a truth does not make you more apostolic than me, its love and compassion that reveals your true status, not your collar or pin stripe suite. My bear does not make me less apostolic neither does it make me less holy. in fact the most critical often are the least approachable, because they pride themselves on a dress code but neglect the compassion code to their detriment. 
Jesus reached individuals as souls not criminals. he did not preach at them, he preached as one of them, he did not open their wounds and make their wounds bigger rather he gave them compassion and revealed the love of God to them.
Before we condemn the man lets put ourselves in their place. better still condemn him not. rather give his Jesus
PAUL

God is Doing It...Can You See It?

 Behold I make all things New

The new year came and gone, well the one day we call new year day, came and gone, Man was filled with hope and vision as indeed the world is at this time, where we express our optimism and share our hope of a better tomorrow. Of course it is but another day, Nature does not take another path, the sun does not stop shining, the morning follows the night, just as it always has. the moon and stars appear and disappear as they always have. I fear that in our routine we miss the remarkable. Nature all around us expresses the remarkable faithfulness of God. Nature in fact announces God's faithfulness and its newness every day. To God every day is a new day. Lamemtations 3 'his mercies never fail, they are new every morning, great is they faithfulness.' just a look up and we will see the faithfulness of God in offering new opportunities on a daily basis to us mere man.

The ringing out of the new and the bringing in of the new is our own idea of course, well as I have said even nature itself expresses its desire to move out of what has been and into that which is about to be. It's in our nature too. We long for the new, we shop for it and drop for it. we live for it too. every pay day we go on a mission to get that new thing, car, clothes, furniture, whatever it is that the flesh craves for and desires.

The temporality of things times and season's. the changeable things of man if I were to ponder those things indeed would I not be dismayed. 'Vanity of vanity saith the preacher,'  do we not play with life, little realising that it is in vain, yes in vain to live for self. All is vanity, now that's the conclusion of the wisest man who ever lived, so how must hope have I got of redefining life if the man who had it all and plenty of it could thus so define his day as one of vanity.  why did he see his life as one of vanity when he possessed choice gold silver land and things in abundance.

Vanity or 'vapour,' the word is expressed 37 times in his book and its used to express his striving for things as one would 'strive after the wind' he stated that life without God and an appreciation of him is a life lived in vain. for things, achievements, attainments, medals, rewards, possessions all leave man empty and un-bemused.  Nothing man made can satisfy the soul made by God. indeed God has made in all of us a part that no thing, can fulfil that is our being. man without God is lonely lost and unliberated. No matter what owns. I was reading yesterday of Jeff Brazos's mega-yaught, yet to me friend the more a man has of this worlds goods is not a sign of contentment but loss, yes loss of soul. 

What then is the answer? how then should we live. We should take hold of life and live it for God pursuing his purposes for our lives. finding contentment in serving others more than serving ourselves. we should find peace in being right with God. not trying to fill that void by bragging and getting but rather fill the void by being and believing that is being Christ followers and believing in his promises, yes chase his promises as if you were chasing gold, that is taking hold of life, for Christ himself is life.

Let the light outside remind you, Go speaks, he gives forth his light as instruction as how to live our day. Solomon concluded; let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; fear God and keep his commandment, for this is mans all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil (Ecc 12;13,14).

God is making all things new. trust him to do it for you. he's starting it off with the morning. every morning is a new morning yes that is what God is doing. and with it comes a new opportunity, a new faith to be grabbed a hold of, a new opportunity coming your way and all things are being made new for you.

Paul

Where are the MOTIVATORS

 SELF HELP AND SUCCESS IN THE PULPIT

I see many complaints about today’s preachers who preach success, prosperity in life.as if preaching these things dumbs down the gospel. I believe that MOTIVATIONAL preaching has its place.

ARE ALL APOSTLES? (1 COR 12;29-31)

I think preaching on success  and prosperity in life is as much the pastors responsibility as it is preaching salvation holiness.
The pastor has to be a motivator, and preach motivational, as much as he preaches doctrine and doctrinally.
If a man preaches all doctrine and standards then folks have no practical standards by which to hold onto and follow.
Teaching that is not practical and real cannot be embraced no matter how deep it is.
Don't mistake holiness  for Godliness. Oftentimes legalistic rules are of the flesh. Spiritual things can be of the flesh.
Motivational based sermons make adventurers, risk takers, mountain movers people with a can-do spirit.
Motivation based teaching can give us the drive and energy to to make things happen.
Are all apostles?
No
Do all speak revelation and doctrine?
No!
But there are varieties of administrations but the same Lord
(1 Cor 12).

Motivators teach the same thing but teach it differently! Motivators inspire others towards pure doctrine, through practical teaching.

Here are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Different kind of Gifts
Different kind of service
Different kinds of Working

The KJV gives us this truth like this.:-

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal

 

VARIETIES OF GIFTS
DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATIONS
DIVERSITIES OF OPERATIONS

 

Not all who speak are teachers, not all who instruct are apostles. Not all who prophesy are motivators. There is enough room for a DIVERSITY of gifts.

 

There are VARIETIES of operations of the same gift, differences of ADMINISTRATIONS. Some are quieter than others, some have a gentler anointing, some give more illustration than instruction. Others instruct more through illustration and story telling.

 

Joel Osteen has one of the worlds biggest churches yet he is a great story teller.
Wasn’t Jesus?
Paul taught more doctrine than Jesus
Does that make Jesus a false teacher?
We have to deal with prejudices that hinder our style and way of doing things that are natural ways given by God to get the job done.

There is plenty of room for motivational teaching and far less room for stuck in the mud legalists. Who forever use the platform to convey their displeasure at those who don’t demand truth be preached like them.

The conclusion by Paul the great 'doctrinal' teacher.

And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? If we all were doctrine teachers where would be the Faith takers, the risk takers, the adventurers, the business builders, the entrepreneurs, the industrialists, the sporting icons, the everyday folks that impact society in media, government, business and everyday employment? (PT)

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (The apostolic preacher cannot say I don't need the motivational speaker the exhorter the teacher).

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are MUCH MORE necessary:

Paul.

Gods Pattern and Plan for Healing

 Build according to PATTERN (Numbers 21:7-9).

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor 10;11) or  'types.'

Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Heb 5;8).

All things were given for our admonition

In.all things showing thyself  a pattern of good works; in doctrine, showing uncorruptness, gravity,sincerity (Titus 2;7)

There is a pattern of healing in the bible from Moses to Paul, divine healing and divine health being available in the old covenant under the law and being made available to the saints today under grace. Under the ministry of Jesus it was commanded and under the ministry of the apostles it was practiced.

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10;8)

And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Matthew 16;17-18)

If salvation is for all healing is for all

If we can pray the prayer of salvation we can pray the prayer of faith over sick folks.

If sick folks can be saved because of Christs redemption, they can be healed because of Christs redemption.

Should we therefore not raise our game or to put it more correctly should we no raise our faith to preach healing as much as we preach salvation for that is what salvation is healing of the body, soul and spirit it is healing of the total man.

If everyone who looks upon a snake upon a pole can be healed then everyone who looks upon Christ on the cross can be saved. if a look at the snake on a pole under the old covenant HEALED a soul then a look at Christ under the new covenant can heal a soul today. for surely the promises under Christ are far great than the promises under Moses.Changes between 3.0.15 and 3.0.16:

Apostolic Barrier Breakers

Every winner finds a barrier between him and the finish line.  The barrier be it a wall or mountain  exists to present to you the requirement’s for greatness. The requirements have to be discovered, you have to hit a brick wall, you have to get writers block, you have to experience the point of quitting.  Only then can we see what is required of a winner. Its at this point you have to educate yourself with information others know not of, then you can do what others cannot do. You have to disciover what separates you from failure and connects you to success.

Jesus was at the finish line, he had to fight a battle no one else could fight and no one else could win, a fist of its kind, no one else had arrived at this point before, no one else could, take on this task, yet he could and the scriptures tells us that “he went one step  further' matthew 26:39)

Ask yourself what’s my limit today, what’s my brick wall?
Whats my next step?
What steps have I yet to take that have not taken before?
Maybe you'll have to pray like Jabez, 'God enlarge my steps!'.

Maybe you have to be enlarged before God enlarges your steps. enlarges to work with folks you would not normally work with. Enlarged to associate and keep company with those of different doctrine yet they too, like you, have a heart after God. It could be that the Lord wants you to set aside your preconceived prejudices to those of other denominations and start touching them with your heart and soul. Peer had to be enlarged before the Lord could use him to be an apostle to the gentiles, what he thought was untouchable and unholy God had to show him that it was he who had to reach them. (Acts 10;28)....the things commanded to him by God (v33). Could it be that our own prejudice is hindering the favor of God on our own lives? Could it be that our own unwillingness to work with brethren outside of your denomination is hindering your greatest day in ministry? God looks for humility and if its not to be found then we ourselves hinder the work of the Lord done first in us.No amount of praying for enlargement can make God promote us unless we first have the humility to obey him. Don't hinder your prayers! Obey the Lord, not man. 

Being brought up as an AOG in UK I have had the privilege of working and ministering in many different denominations preaching revivals and speaking on many topics yet my conviction which i have always made known is my faith in the one true Lord and the apostolic message, I even know some apostolic's who think this is not possible yet i tell them I have credentials with charismatic and well as apostolic organisations and the Lord has granted me favor for which I'm eternally grateful to cross these walls and do his will.

Every occupation has its barriers. what you know about them separates you from those who trade in mediocrity and those who trade in greatness. Now take that one step more that is required to being yourself salvation and maybe others too. 2022 is dependent on you. If God finds you ready, he will choose you. you're the candidate for enlargement and engage meant on another level with great men and big nations. There's so much more for you to do. quit limiting yourself and obey God first

Enjoying the Expansiveness of the Apostolic

 Much of facebook is in a rut. a big rut. Apostolics speak of two things the end of the world and debate with others regarding he trinity, neither of such are purely defending the faith. There is more to our faith than end times which always takes ona negative tone and the wrongfulness of the trinity. I think about the many things we dont speak about. Faith, miracles, divine healing, delverance, the kingdom here and now, dominion, success in life and ministry and a host of other topics that would keep our faith fresh and interesting.
The secret of the early apostles was that they could do just that. Keep their faith fresh and interesting! Signs and wonders accompanied the word and they won cities and nations to the faith. Their faith imapcted the lives of countless souls, why we today fail to imapct our neighborhoods let alone cites and nations and we have technology and global acess too.
Its not that we are not focused  its more than that. Many are focused on the wrong things, debates on what to wear and what we ought not to wear, women preaching, yes or no! So these guys spin their wheels and wag their tails. For me I say, stick to your mission, winning souls. and when thats your focus your mind spirit and message will turn accordingly to be an inflencor not a debater, a pastor not a self righteous prophet, an influencor not a sole gospel trader, a winner of men not a ostraciser of them
It's time to turn a corner and do better work
Thats why I blog
Paul

Creating a Culture of Celebration

 Countries have climates, so do churches, Every church has a culture, every culture has a climate. Cites attract people or keep people away. people go on vocation every years to the warmer climates, they go there to enjoy themselves and get in a country what they wouldn’t get back home

.

The same with church people will come to your fellowship when you offer an atmosphere of celebration, people enjoy a great atmosphere and atmospheres are created by words, words of praise, words of thanks to the lord, words of life from the preacher. If you want to build an energetic church you have to preach Life speak life and live life, to be a culture changing church
,

Creating a culture is then is one of the first dynamics that the congregation has to understand. It's the "way we do things around here." Some churches are so silent, its hard to get an amen. silence rules the service, shout hallelujah, speak in tongues and you’re quickly rebuked by the silent disapproval, other churches, have a culture of celebration, the church congregation interacts with the preacher, with an "amen" a "preach it brother" its a place of life because it is interactive and spontaneous celebratory and joyful. Congregants are encouraged to be involved with the sermon and in so doing pull the sermon out of the preacher. The anointing on the preacher becomes transferable and everything then is possible and its indeed in understanding such concepts that prayer for the sick, miracles and signs and wonders takes place. Why! the church and pastor work together. 



Many pastors are finding themselves fighting against the church on a Sunday morning, well, pastors the church is not your enemy, the church is your family.  We minister together and so create an atmosphere that cultivates a climate of change, a climate of possibility, a climate of expectancy and hope, a climate of freedom and liberty, deliverance and glory. Thats what we want isn't it!

The Fool and The Wise Man

 

The fool's ears despise wisdom ( Proverbs 23:9)

The fool's mouth is smoother than oil (Proverbs 5;3)

The fool's mouth is a rod of pride  ( Proverbs 14;3)

The fool's mouth is his destruction (Proverbs 18:7)

The fool enters into contention (Proverbs 18;6)

The fool is right in his won eyes (Proverbs 12;15)

The fool builds his house on the sand (Matthew 12;26)

The fool's heart saith there is no God Psalm 14:1)

The wise makes a father glad (Proverbs 10;1)

The wise man walks with other wise men (Proverbs 13;20)

The wise man knows when to keep his mouth shut (Proverbs 29;11)

The wise man will hear and increase learning (Proverbs 1;5)

The wise man has discretion and understanding (Proverbs 2:11,12)

The wise man does not despise the chastening of the lORD (Proverbs 3;11)

The wise man does not fear trouble that comes from the wicked (Proverbs 3;25)

The wise man path leads to the perfect day (Proverbs 4;18,19)

Your Home is not the Church place

• Your CHURCH is home for the soul as much as your home is home for the body
• Your CHURCH brings you into oneness with God and his mission, your HOME brings you into oneness with your wife and family
• Your CHURCH is where you get loose in the holy ghost and with many other believers. Your HOME is where you get loose with your wife and family in privacy
• Your CHURCH is where the town can gather and Holy Ghost preaching and Revival. Your HOME is where you can take that revival and keep it in the family.
• Your CHURCH is an equipping place for the works of the lord Your HOME is the loving and resting place for those who do the works of the Lord 
• Your CHURCH teaches you warfare, Your HOME teaches you rest
• Your CHURCH is a healthy God assigned place to socialise and congregate. Your HOME. is a good place to be alone and recuperate.
• Love you local church.... It's there for YOU!

The immutability of God

“I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”—Malachi 3:6

The unchangeable Deity. The God who keeps his promises and abides by his own word constantly and continually. What kind of God would he be if he changed as much as man changes. Man changes his preaching to suit his audience and generation, he loves to be relevant and well received. God however has the same mind, manners and mentality as he did when he approached Noah, Abraham, Jacob and now you and I. His power to perform is the same hos ability to deliver is the same, his willingness Tom appear is the same. What he done for Abraham he can do for you. He is no respect or of persons.

The IMMUTABILITY is seen in his PRESENCE

Some folks will divide us from those of the faith in the bible, they say our times are different and therefore God is different, so they place us in dispensations saying that the Holy Ghost is here now and Jesus is in heaven.nif course the Holy Ghost is with us, they fail however to see that the Holy Ghost is the spirit of the Lord, he is the Lords presence. Therefore we can say Jesus is here right now And as a right now God he can do for you what he done for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is as much present with you as he was with Enoch, because he is forever God and God is God and he can never change.

The IMMUTABILITY of God is seen in his POWER

The God of Peter and Paul is the God of the Paul. What God done in acts, he can do in Wales, What God done at Pentecost he will do in your meeting with him, we should feel Gods presence in every meeting, we should have Pentecost in every event.we should have tongues of fire and see folks baptised with the self same fire every occasion we meet as a church.Why because God is immutable and God is God and he changes not.what he has done for others he can do for you. That’s our God unchangeable.

His IMMUTABILITY is seen in his PROMISES

NOTE promises good and bad, promises to deliver and promises to scatter, promises to curse and promises to bless, promises to destroy and promises to rebuild. Some folks reject the Old Testament saying God does not curse nations, peoples or individuals any more (Deut 28) they think God is good to everybody including his rejectors and haters. Look again Sir, look again at today’s world with its Corona Virus, America with its constant fires around pAgan cities, look again at Indonesia and the God haters who hate the true God. Nonsense it is that tells us God has changed. The believer can rest assured however that his promises are yea and amen. all of them good and bad, but hallelujah In Christ we are candidates of hope. Rest assured our destiny is good, our righteousness is of him, our life is in him. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk up rightly. That’s his promise to us and to that we have hope. Our God is Unchangeable.

The study of God

It has been said by some one that “the proper study of mankind is man.” I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God’s elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature,the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father. (C H SPURGEON)

God Alone

The Lord ALONE did lead them and there was not a strange God among them (Deut 32;12)
Thou art God even thou ALONE of all the kingdoms (2 kings 19;15)
Thou art God even thou ALONE who made heaven (Isaiah 37;16)
God ALONE doeth great wonders (Psalm 136;4)
God ALONE shall be exalted (Psalm 2;11)

Our God is One and only as one can he be said to be ALONE. that is the only one who is all powerful, the only one who is supreme. The only one who is all God. His name is Jesus. He ALONE is to be worshipped, he ALONE has all the glory He ALONE has all the honour  and he ALONE shall be praised.

20 Questions for Believers who Say Church Buildings are Unimportant.

There is big discussion today on the need for going to a physical building. As a result of this corona shutdown many are saying there is no need to go to a physical building called the church as we are the church. Here are some questions I am asking for those who are teaching that we don't not need to go to church

1. Since we are the church, and now hat you have stopped going to a physical building called a church are you now doing more praying at home than you you would be at church?

2. Are you listening to more sermons and dong more bible studies at home now that you no longer attend a physical building?

3. Do you edify more people now that you now longer connect to others outside your home. Since the gifts of the Holy Ghost are given to all for the benefit of all, do you find God using you in more gifts now you are at home?

4. Do you pray as much now as you used to, while you were at church?

5. Have you become more passionate about the kingdom and doing a work for the Lord now that you no longer go to a physical building and meet with others who have a godly passion and mission also?

6. When you went to church, it slowed you to escape the house and get into anther environment, this is healthy and necessary. Now that you are a home can you tell me why these essential social activities are now no longer important?

7. Do you pray for you pastor or has you views of leadership changed now that you no longer believe in church in a building?

8. What would you say to those who in China who would love the opportunity to worship in a building freely and openly?

9. Are there any heart issues that you may have that brought you to the decision that chruch buildings are unnecessary?

10. What about the climate? are not buildings a necessity for us where rain is a regular occurance?

11. Can buildings be a witness?

12. What did Jesus say about fellowship and going to the temple? Did he go to the temple.

13. As one who desires to be a minister of the Lord, do you think that a ministry building is important or are you able to use your home as office, media centre, payer centre, products or shop base, counselling room, healing centre etc? if a ministry centre is needed then why not a church building?

14. Do you find that your home is better place for the corporate gathering of prayer? The church was place where you had no distractions, could make a bigger noise, had all the musical instruments and could invite many people. have these.  "liberties" now been lifted now that you have prayed in the home.

15.Are building a witness to the glory of God or not?

16. Why Did God instruct his people to build a sanctuary?

17.How Did God tell them to regard his dwelling place? (Lev 19;30)

18.How did Christ manifest his regard for the sanctuary of God's house (Mark 11;15-17).

19. If God is against buildings then why did God allow Solomon to build a temple? Surely he could have bypassed the tabernacle and temple.

20. What about mass gatherings for revivals, crusades gospel concerts, do you enjoy these events or should they be avoided. What alternatives have young that you do not thing buildings are important.

Brother Paul
www.imagebreakers.com
www.pentecostal.tv

HOLDING A PRAYER MEETING

I was brought up in a trinitarian pentecostal church, prayer time was indeed when the spirit moved too, at times! The general procedure however was to pay one after another as one felt led. I remember as a child praying for my first time out loud and standing up, its was heart thumping, nerve racking time, but I felt God as I pushed through.
Later as a missionary in US I spend my first few years in Trinitarian churches, The charismatic, prayed in tongues for an hour, everyone together. Every charismatic took this format, I felt it more a shouting contest rather an education and an edification.
After I got baptised in the name, I visited many pentecostal churches, now this was an experience and a new one at that. Everyone prayed at once and prayed in English. This I enjoyed and found more uplifting and real. someone who felt the Holy Ghost would stand up and pray above the rest while the others continued to pray also. The whole format was liberating and engaging.
Today I value the pentecostal way more than anything and yes they do pray in the tongues also but at the corporate gathering of the church in their native language first. I guess this is the nearest one an be to acts style prayer and 1 Cor 1;14.
One of the Questions I was asked over the years was, Why do you pray in tongues in church? My answer was, when you feel the spirit move on you, you should pray in tongues. One sister told me "I don't agree!". I went home bothered with her response. I came to see later what Paul meant in 1 Cor 14:18-40 when he talked about praying at home and also that he meant when he said, "he who prays in tongues edifies himself." I came to see that "praying in the spirit" (1 Cor 14;15) does not mean he prays in tongues alone. For one can be in the Spirit when one prayer in English too or whatever his native tongues may be. My English can be anointed as much as my foreign language (speaking in tongues). Think of this, I don't have to preach in Chinese to be preaching in the Holy Ghost and neither do I have to Pray in another or unknown language in order to be in the Spirit.
Tongues has its place and role, when it becomes the only way people pray collectively, I wonder, what has Paul's teachings and insight in all of this. 

Your thoughts and comments welcome
this post was first posted on facebook group The Preacher Network:

The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

2. A good shepherd will allow you to follow God first then serve the church
Paul a bondservant of of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle (Romans 11:1) First he is God's apostle, that is he belongs to God first and serves God first. Then as an apostle he serves the church. His call is to serve God first then to serve the church. The man that cannot serve God first will have no God given licence or wisdom to serve the church if he cannot totally serve God first. A true man of God can only serve the church correctly if his loyalty is to God first, For God owns the church and the man that leads it. God must own him too. Your are a bondservant of God, not bondservant of the church. 

3. A good shepherd has a covering and will allow a prophet to impart God's corrective if necessary.
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD to the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? A good shepherd will work with an authentic prophet. This key is important as it shows that we act as check and balances for each other. No man is the owner fo a ministry we share it. We are co labourers in that which is his. Interdependancy is required, humility is honoured, when there is team work of the five fold ministry.

4. A good shpeherd is gentle not overbearing and demanding
Making demands is not authority. Authority is to preach the word. The authority is in the word. Those in authority are those in the word. A pastor can be in the right position yet have wrong doctrine. In this case he has no authority. A layman can correct him and if he's humble he will accept the correction. Authority is always in the scripture. Love does not shout rant and rave while condemning others who themselves make much noise.  If "I"speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love does not make all noise and has no compassionate actions. Love bears up with unbearable people for we are often unbearable preachers. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, ESV.  a good shepherd is a liven shepherd. 


5. Good shepherds love as well as preach.
You are my disciples indeed if ye love one another.  (John 13;35). Love is the proof of a changed mind and a pure heart. Any man can preach, any man can teach, a fool can prophesy but only those with a changed heart can love. A good shepherd has love for the brethren. He is his brothers keeper. This does not mean that he gives him everything, but he does give him everything that Jesus would give him, for God is love AND LOVE IS EVERYTHING. He imparts strength when he is weary. joy when he is burdened. Care when he is weak, hope when he is lost. This is the ministry of a good shepherd.

Why do Pentecostals use Catholic titles?

History and Etymology for "archbishop."

Middle English, from Old English arcebiscop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek archiepiskopos, from archi- + episkopos bishop (Miriam Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archbishop).

"chief" (see archon) + episkopos"bishop," literally "overseer" 

1 Timothy 3:2 - A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,- (New American Standard Version (1995).

A minister then must be a man of irreproachable character, true to his one wife, temperate, sober-minded, well-behaved, hospitable to strangers, and with a gift for teaching; (Weymouth Bible).

Did the word "bishop" and "archbishop" come from Catholic Church? It is both Latin and Catholic in origin. remember it's not included in the five fold ministry of (Ephesians 4;11), the ministries which God gave to the church and is it a catholic definition for "elder" or "overseer?' I think so. Here's my thought. Why do we use catholic terms to describe ministers when at the same time we deny the catholic doctrine of the trinity, which is also catholic. Isn't mixture an abomination? Just a though!

Think too of the development of the words "laity" and "ministry". the laity were considered the unlearned and ignorant those who were not educated enough to make a "profession" out fo the ministry. so we have a division between the professions of one believer and the profession of another However in the New Testament all who were disciples were "ministers". The word "minister" was a reference to those who had a ministry, which we allhace a ministry of rciciliation, a spiritual gift, the ability to edify exhort and encourage. Its only when the church catholicised itself did it begin to designate the upper calls ( those who were professionals) and those who were laity.

Peter and John (Acts 4;13) labelled "ignorant" and "unlearned," were apostles of the church that actually taught the world, the gospel, yet they were called "laity. again from the word "lake" meaning amusement and implying those who do such a thing "on the side" (as in layaway or the easy life or leisure. Not so they were more than amused with the God man and his truth intact they gave their life for the faith once delivered.

It was the Catholic church that token the title "priest" to refer to those who exercised authority over others. where in scriptures declare we are all priests unto God. Makes me thing why do we run to have others lay hands on us in every service and pout blessings over us? Serious, do we not know out position in Christ! Let those who love the pre-emInance get off their high horse and serve without titles. TITLES DONT GIVE YOU PRIVILEDGE titles magnify the flesh and lifts a mans ego. Isn't it time we renounce mixture and Exalated Jesus!

Your servant
Paul.

The Art of Preaching (2)

Write it read it and then preach it.
Good preaching comes form clear thinking and sound reading.
The best readers are the best preachers. All preachers would be good readers. By this Mean having an ability not only to read but to read as if one speaks. the practice of audible reading helps us to articulate our speech and bring clarity to our speech. Good reading helps us to understand words and express them intelligently thoughtfully and constructively. Words paint a picture, yes, that's true. Preaching is an art, how we say it is as important as what we say. That's the art of preaching.
When you read read thoughtfully, read to understand not merely to get through a book. The same principle will help you speak so that you are understood. may can preach good but are not always understood or followed as some would say and this is because they have mastered the art of talking but never mastered that of communication. So emphasise words, emphasise key words, underline them then read these sentences or your message a few times over until the truth is conveyed from your writing. This will reveal the value of a written message. Again if you can write it you can bring clarity to the subject and objectivity to the object.  Write it read it and then preach it.

The Art of Preaching (1)

Pacing your Preaching.
Preaching is an art and a skill. It is inspirational as wells educational. eventful as well as poetic.
Timing is important. It may not matter news you're on radio or TV. The allocated time allows you to say the essential things and leave the rest for the next show. It allows you to say what is necessary which in turn makes a message more memorable and specific. Too much content can confuse the listener as can too many points for too many stories. Know what your points are, enforce them and stop. Timing is important.
Set your pace, speak naturally, speak easily, imagine yourself having a conversation with a friend, Memorise your points, this will help train you memory. If folks are listening to learn the you may need to slow down. if folks are listening out of general interest then you can use a quicker pace.
To make a good presentation, practice reading aloud. yes when you read don't read it with your mind read it aloud. this allows you to pronounce every syllable distinctly and develop a natural conversational pace and volume. this then helps us to hear outlives as we would hear others.
If your pitch is high start off low. a naturally high pitched voice tends to get higher as one progresses in the sentence. practice the pitch and pace and you will be more interesting to the hearer and have more confidence as a public speaker.

The Spirit of Baalam

Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me: For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more. Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I may know what the LORD will say unto me more (Numbers 22;16-19).

Baalam was a religious man, a remarkable man and a man in favor with God. He was sincere and transparent. When Balak sent for him to curse Israel he did the right thing and sought God. God forbade him to go and Baalam submitted to God. Balak sent again for Baalam and Baalam replied "if Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the Word of the Lord, to do less or more." (Numbers 22;18)

Shortly after God allowed him to Go. Baalam obeyed God and went to Balak as God instructed and told Baalam, "Lo I come unto thee, have I any power at all to say anything? The Word that God putteth into my mouth that shall I speak.. Whatsoever he showeth me I Will tell thee." Balak responded in anger to Baalam, the Lord has kept thee back from honour, get thee back to thy country.  Baalam responded, "Spake I not unto thy messengers which thou sentest unto me saying if Baalak would giev me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord. To do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak."

This shows us that Baalam was a man of obedience, honourable and sincere before God. Listen to the statement written by Micah of Baalam. "I have received commandment to bless and I cannot reverse it he hath shown thee O man what is good and what doth the Lord require of thee, to to justly, to love mercy and to walk with thy God." ( Micah 6:8).

But, God had told him to go and he went, he went because God changed his mind and God was mad with him,  angry with him,  Now the reason why God was angry with this man, this good respectable man was that, he would obey God out of a sense of loyalty to God yet his heart was not in doing what God wanted him to do. Baalam wanted to curse Israel, O yes, his outward response and actions were right but his heart was in a different place. He would not be dishonorable, he would serve God. He would do what he was told to do but his heart was not in doing what God wanted him to do. He kept an unblemished character before the brethren, but before God it was a different matter.

Is this not a picture of mamy today, who are like Baalam. They are good folks who respect the ministry and the denomination they are affiliated with, they will obey the pastor and do anything he tells them, yet they do it  out of restraint, not willingly but out of demand. It's expected of us to obey, to give and be supportive, after all if we don't conform we are seen as unsubmissive to authority, outside the organisation and denominations many of todays preaches shave no ministry. their system keeps them bound when in their hearts they know there are other rods they wish to explore.

Are we by default raising up Baalam's in God's house? "yes men" who conform because they don't want to be seen as rebellious? Are we raising brethren like Baalam who want to become pastors yet in their heart conform out of duty and loyalty yet their heart is in disagreement with many of the ways and sometimes the doctrines we enforce.

Are we raising up Baalam's by imposing on them standards they cannot keep, by meetings they must attend, clothes they must wear, haircuts they have, hairstyles the ladies must wear. How ridiculous this all seems, I would say dangerous. For you are making a Baalam out of a man!

Pastor, this ought not to be. A man must "want to" do the right thing. If he wants too because he loves too then you will make true disciples of a man, for it is the spirit of love that draws a man into holiness, it's the spirit of a man that empowers him to obedience.  Folks are leaving church because of legalism. Legalism cannot replace personal "want to" and "must do" before God. I worship because I love too not because I have too. I don't the because I am forced too, I the because I love too. I don't bow in worship because I'm asked too, I bow in worship because I love too. love is more powerful than law love is grater than riles, love comfort my reaction ship with God, I want too because I have too!

Baalam looked good before man yet his heart looked bad before God. God slew him. He was lost.
I don't want to be a Baalam do you? The rules could have killed me and made me a fake, The rules could have made me look good on the outside, but inwardly I wanted to go another way. The choice of pleasing man or pleasing God first always lies before us especially when God leads us into fresh pastures that others have yet to discover. God give us the wisdom to connect with grace yet be true on the inside as much as we are true with out actions. Help our hearts align with our lips, out motives align with God's purpose.

HOW DO WE GET TO THIS PLACE. Open dialogue, more conversation on controversial topics. more understanding and open discussion on issues our father's hid behind. The conversation between God and man is best encouraged between brother and brother. open talk with man, really does show open hearts with God. transparency with god, honesty with the brethren. Can I talk to you plainly without being rejected for my insight, after all that's how I communicate to my LORD!

God help me not become a Baalam.