Blessings from Barb...

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Barb

The Church...God's people...the ecclesia...a called out Body of Believers.

We come from every walk of life and every corner of the planet.

Many of us are rich in material wealth and others of us are not, but it is all right...money doesn't open the door of the Church.

Some of us are cuter than a button and others of y'all are not, but it is okay because being cute is not important in the economy of the Church.

The Church is made up of people with the intellect of the greats as well as those of us who can barely screw in a light bulb...it doesn't matter because it's not by might or by power but by the Spirit that we are in the Church.

We don't all speak with the same voice or sound...the accents and dialects are vast and curious, but it doesn't matter because the God who made us and saved us understands each and every voice...we are the Church.

We have a unique calling on us as His Body...a call that we might be ONE...one in doctrine and mind...one in unity and love...one in spirit...one in heart.

We don't have to agree to be one...

We don't have to think alike to be one...

We can be diverse and yet be one. This dichotomy is possible because we love...in good times and bad...in prosperity and famine...when we see eye to eye and when we don't, we are one in love.

The Spirit and the Blood make us one. This understanding of the oneness of the Church is a powerful thing. The abiding Spirit of Christ should compel me to defend you to the death because we are one...we are the Church!!

What a privilege to be in the Church of Jesus Christ...what an honor to call you brother and sister. How blessed am I to be numbered with such a great and wonderful Church!!

I love it...!!

Sis. Barb,

I just saw this post this beautiful Sunday morning! I would like to echo

a big AMEN!! What a POWERFUL, ENCOURAGING article!! Sometimes I truly

believe the full impact of just how blessed we are, to know what we know,

and to be in this big "Family" of God that just keeps on growing and growing.

Thank you for putting together this tremendour article! I have to finish

getting ready for church but I want to re-visit this thread when I return and

just reflect and remember where we would be if not for what happened just

outside of Jerusalem over nineteen hundred years ago. A generation later it

took out old Jerusalem, but brought in the beginning of the New Jerusalem,

The Church!! And what do we have to complain about today! Not me!! I

just want to thank HIM and praise HIS MAGNIFICIENT NAME forever and

ever!!!

Blessings,

Falla39

[Barb]

Anointed prayer cloths (‘points of contact’)...this subject has come up quite a bit recently, and I remembered last night that I had written a small piece re this a while back. So for your amusement or amazement...


Anointed prayer cloths ('points of contact')…is it scriptural to anoint a cloth/handkerchief with oil and pray over it for the purposes of healing and deliverance? Did Jesus use a prayer cloth in His earthly ministry? Did the apostles send prayer cloths to those in need? Is there a biblical record of someone needing, or saying that they needed a 'point of contact' in order to believe?

There is only one scriptural reference that that I am aware of which could be used for sending out prayer cloths. It is in Acts 19:11-20, and it describes the miracles that were experienced "by the hands of Paul." (v. 11).

The manifestation of the anointing was so great that the people (either fellow ministers, or the Saints in Ephesus) took handkerchiefs or aprons from Paul, gave them to the sick, and they were healed and delivered. (v.12).

Notice the language used. "...from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons..." Paul did not remove his clothing, and the Saints did not bring a cloth for the preacher to pray over. The people who were present took his handkerchiefs (towels) and removed his aprons (linen, fitting like a girdle, protecting the clothing of a person at work) and gave them to the sick.

There was no solicitation of funds connected with the cloth. It was done so that those who were unable to be in the church house while Paul was preaching received the miracles as if they were there in person. Though empowered to minister God’s Word, the power was not in Paul, and certainly not in his garment, but in the unction of the Holy Ghost.

As is always the case when the power of God is moving, folks try to imitate the anointing. The unsaved priests tried to do what God did through His servant and found that it doesn't pay to play. "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?" (vs. 13-20). I believe the significance of this story is to show the difference between real anointing and assumed anointing.

If Jesus ever used anointed prayer cloths, it is not recorded in the Bible. Other then the above mentioned instance, there is no other evidence that prayer cloths were a part of the ministry of the apostles.

So then, does the lack of biblical support mean it is wrong to anoint an object (cloth, oil, water, etc.) and take it to the infirm for the purpose of healing and deliverance? IMO, no…as long as that is the purpose.

However, the purpose of prayer cloths for some is not just for healing and deliverance, but rather a promotional gimmick to raise money. Prayer cloths are sent out to the prayer partner, and are to be sent back to the evangelist - with an offering. Do I know this to be fact? Absolutely! One evangelist told ministry partners that the cloth she sent would only work with an offering.

Some evangelists make strange requests ("Send me seven mustard seeds!", or "Kneel on this paper prayer rug I sent, and believe for your miracle!"), and some are even more bizarre than the above.

When I was a child, we were listening a local pastor on the radio and he asked the listeners to send a quart of water so that he could fill the baptismal pool…I am serious! These folks pull at people’s emotions with the angle that the listeners will be incited to do a good thing - a service unto God. Obtaining prayer cloths, sending water…it all sounds like an honorable deed. But once they 'reel them in', they make the pitch for money.

Certainly, all of us understand that it takes money to do anything in this world, and the business of running a church or ministry is just that - a business. Radio and television time isn’t handed out free to one and all. The expense can run into hundreds, and possibly thousands of dollars for airing one program. And unless one desires to worship by candle light, or use a pot-bellied stove for heat, there must be funds designated for the electric bill. Logically we see that offerings and donations that are necessary to sustain a church or ministry are not the same thing as a money making gimmick.

We see in this type of usury 'religious hype'. This is not an expression I like to use, however, in describing what goes on, it fits. The word hype means to stimulate, excite or agitate; to create interest by flamboyant or dramatic methods; to intensify or increase, often by questionable methods; to trick; intensive or exaggerated publicity or promotion; a flamboyant or questionable method used in advertising or publicity; a swindle or deception.

When we listen to many teachers, we discover that after the teaching comes the hyped commercial. But, most of us don't stay tuned long enough to hear it. We just eat the meal and go about our business.

It must be noted that in performing the miraculous, God often used that thing that seemed foolish in the eyes of man. Jesus anointed a blind man’s eyes with mud, and he was healed. (John 9:6). The prophet asked the widow woman to bring him vessels, and in doing so, her debt was paid. (II Kings 4:1-7). However, the Bible clearly shows us that when the miraculous happens, a true prophet of God will not make merchandise of his calling.

Finally, regarding a 'point of contact', it must be said that sometimes people need something to hold on to (be it a bottle of oil, water, or a piece of linen). That is not wrong. Really, it is just about stimulating faith in the individual...that when they see the object, they will remember that God is able to heal and deliver.

Sometimes it is not just an object that folks hold on to but preconceived notions of how to receive blessings from God. Many years ago a woman (a family friend) was praying to receive the Holy Ghost and seemingly could not be filled. One night, she was at the altar when a strange thing happened. The furnace got extremely hot, cracked the cement base, and caught the underlying wood on fire.

The woman smelled the wood burning, thought it was the fire of hell, and received the Holy Ghost. This is humorous to us and a bit ridiculous...okay, a lot ridiculous, but to her was a very real and meaningful experience, and it worked - she received the Holy Ghost!

But let us be assured that the power is not in an over-heated furnace, burning wood, a prayer cloth, or the one praying over it. If someone needs something to spark their faith (no pun intended), so be it, as long as they see results. For the widow in II Kings 4:1-7, the 'points of contact' were empty vessels. However, the power that produced the miracle was not in the vessels, but in her willingness to obey, and believe in the Word spoken by the mouth of the prophet.

The bottom line: if someone is sick or needs a miracle, anointing a piece of cloth, praying over it, and giving it to an individual is not wrong.

It is when money changes hands that it becomes wrong. “If you don’t pay, we don’t pray” is the work of a charlatan, not a true prophet of God. It is when we exalt the gift and not the Giver…the miracle and not the Miracle Worker…it is when the point of contact is revered as the source of the miracle that we err.

Our main focus should not be on an object, but on the Lord Jesus Christ, remembering that He is the healer, and source of all blessings...

[Barb]

What do I owe you as posters on an Apostolic internet forum?!

Should I be in any way concerned about the feelings of faceless people I may never meet?!

Should I be allowed to post any and everything I choose because I think I can?!

IS this just a game where we feel free to come and post without a worry as to the repercussions?!

If my posting is continually misunderstood, who is responsible for the misunderstanding?!

If my posting continually upsets the masses, who is responsible for the upset?!

Just what DO I owe you?!

Everyone must answer this for themselves, but I will tell you what I owe you...

I owe you words seasoned with grace, whether I agree with you or not. The Apostle wrote, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). That 'do good' means to speak good as well as do good...in other words, my actions should be a reflection of my speech.

I owe you respect. Propriety and common sense should teach me to approach any topic with respect for the reader and respect for myself. My first thought should not be the expression of my opinion as much as the expression of the holiness within me AND you. I don't care if you don't belong to my clubhouse or wear my uniform...I owe you respect.

I owe you the love of Christ, even if your actions are not likable. Surely in this life not everyone will like everything I do or say, but prayerfully all who are called by the Name of the Lord will love me with the love of Christ.

I owe you honesty in posting and conversation. If I cannot tell you the truth...if everything is undergirded by an untruth or coverup, where is my holiness displayed?! My uncut hair means nothing in the light of speaking truth and living honorably!! Truth demands that I not pretend I am something my life cannot back up.

I owe you, Apostolic Friend...I intend to pay what I owe by the help of the Almighty!!

[Barb]

This is the Scripture for April 2 on my daily Scripture meditation flipcard deal...

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law

(Romans 13:10).

Interesting verse...love worketh no ill...

The love of Christ that is shed abroad in our hearts will not allow us to put someone on 'front street'...that means we won't embarrass them...put them to open shame or ridicule.

The love of Christ compels us to forgive...to release folks from the ill of the past. It makes that we give the grace that has so graciously been bestowed on us.

Words come easily to some. They are able to say, "I love you" while they are holding the knife to our throat.

That is not love...it is like the man who beats his wife with a broom handle, looks down at her broken head, and says, "I love you, baby!!"

That's a sick, almost perverted perception of love.

But the love of Christ is neither sick nor perverted. It is real and true and just and forgiving and whole and right!!

Paul said that love doesn't seek her own or think evil (I Corinthians 13:5). The love of Christ won't let us think evil of another...not if it's the love of Christ.

Lord, help me to love this way...!!

[Truly Blessed]

Originally Posted by Barb

This is the Scripture for April 2 on my daily Scripture meditation flipcard deal...

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law

(Romans 13:10).

Interesting verse...love worketh no ill...

The love of Christ that is shed abroad in our hearts will not allow us to put someone on 'front street'...that means we won't embarrass them...put them to open shame or ridicule.

The love of Christ compels us to forgive...to release folks from the ill of the past. It makes that we give the grace that has so graciously been bestowed on us.

Words come easily to some. They are able to say, "I love you" while they are holding the knife to our throat.

That is not love...it is like the man who beats his wife with a broom handle, looks down at her broken head, and says, "I love you, baby!!"

That's a sick, almost perverted perception of love.

But the love of Christ is neither sick nor perverted. It is real and true and just and forgiving and whole and right!!

Paul said that love doesn't seek her own or think evil (I Corinthians 13:5). The love of Christ won't let us think evil of another...not if it's the love of Christ.

Lord, help me to love this way...!!

HEAR!! HEAR!!

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by Barb

This is the Scripture for April 2 on my daily Scripture meditation flipcard deal...

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law

(Romans 13:10).

Interesting verse...love worketh no ill...

The love of Christ that is shed abroad in our hearts will not allow us to put someone on 'front street'...that means we won't embarrass them...put them to open shame or ridicule.

The love of Christ compels us to forgive...to release folks from the ill of the past. It makes that we give the grace that has so graciously been bestowed on us.

Words come easily to some. They are able to say, "I love you" while they are holding the knife to our throat.

That is not love...it is like the man who beats his wife with a broom handle, looks down at her broken head, and says, "I love you, baby!!"

That's a sick, almost perverted perception of love.

But the love of Christ is neither sick nor perverted. It is real and true and just and forgiving and whole and right!!

Paul said that love doesn't seek her own or think evil (I Corinthians 13:5). The love of Christ won't let us think evil of another...not if it's the love of Christ.

Lord, help me to love this way...!!

Sis. Barb,

What a POWERFUL, TIMELY, article!!! Thank you, Sister!!

Blessings,

Falla39

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Truly Blessed

HEAR!! HEAR!!

Originally Posted by Falla39

Sis. Barb,

What a POWERFUL, TIMELY, article!!! Thank you, Sister!!

Blessings,

Falla39

Mother, you are always very kind...and thank you, TB...

[Barb]

He's there for you...to see you through
Come what may, hold on...hold on
It's just your turn to face your test
So go through with faith
Knowing God knows what's best

He told you not to worry
And He told you not to fret
Though the tears fall from your eyes
And you often question why
You feel your faith won't grow
And the problems just won't go
And you feel discouraged

But, stop for a moment
And please just be still
For you are an heir of His will
If you mean what you say
And you pray in Jesus Name
The prayers that you've prayed
The answers on it's way

[Felicity]

Thank you Barb for the blessing you are and for the encouragement and inspiration
you bring to this forum time after time.

God bless you richly TODAY!

*HUGS*

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Thank you Barb for the blessing you are and for the encouragement and inspiration
you bring to this forum time after time.

God bless you richly TODAY!

*HUGS*

Oh, I just saw this...thank you, Felicity, for your kindness...the card and the words are beautiful...