A Whole New Level of Apostolic Hero Worship

[Aquila]

This ties to so many ancient doctrines that we neglect today. Namely theosis. When we receive the Holy Ghost, we become one spirit with God through Jesus Christ. As we sanctify ourselves and increasingly grow into the likeness of Jesus... He is increasingly manifest in us. Thus... His power resides in us and on the things we touch... as can be seen with Paul and those "prayer cloths". Even a sanctified saint's shadow might hold said power...

Acts 5:14-16
King James Version (KJV)
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

[Aquila]

We should strive for balance. We can't become so super spiritual that we check our brains and common sense at the door. However, we cannot become so cynical and analytical that we completely discount the presence and power of supernatural forces either. There is a "science" to it. That's why I use the term "residual energy" or "residual anointing". I believe it's very real... if the presence of God is powerful enough. I believe that it's so real it can make items or even locations sacred. Pleading the blood and employing it against demonic forces draws a "blood line" that evil spirits cannot cross. In addition, it is the presence of this power that resides in us that allows us to tap into the various gifts of the Spirit ranging from tongues, to prophesy, to words of knowledge, visions, etc.

It is the reality of the supernatural that is foundational to the entire Pentecostal/Charismatic revivals throughout the early to mid 20th century.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I see what you're trying to say... but in my mind it doesn't answer every point on the matter. For example, a DEAD man is thrown down on the bones of Elisha... and the man comes back to life. He had no "prayers" to be answered. He was worm food. After his lifeless body touched the bones... he was revived by the residual power of God's Spirit that permeated Elisha's material body.

2 Kings 13:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

For some mysterious reason there was residual power present in Elisha's bones.

I'll have to think about this.

One thing that has been very powerful for me, after receiving the Holy Ghost, is the power of our words in prayer and the results following.

An example, we were attending a church where many of the Board Members would listen to country music. I am not criticizing that, it is just that I came out of the rodeo life, my father being a team roper, and listening to country music doesn't edify me personally.

We were going through some church trouble and one day I went out to the garage and heard my husband listening to a country music station. I asked him why he was listening to the station and that the children might hear it. He got angry and told me to get out of the garage. lol

Anywayssssss, I prayed that the radio in his truck would break. The next day, he came home from work and said, rather angrily "Did you pray that my radio in the truck would break because today it is broken!!" LOL!

That following Sunday, I was getting ready for church, he was still lying in bed trying to get up. He said he felt a huge wave of jealousy sweep over him, and the strong feeling that I was cheating on him. He shared that the Lord spoke to him and said that there was a spirit of adultery in country music. He never listened to it again. He later told me that he wouldn't have listened to me about the music, but when God spoke to him, that was different. LOL!

So, prayer cloths, etc. mean nothing to me. I know what prayer can do - it's our faith, what we believe and the words we speak.

Besides, two of my sisters had a prayer cloth anointed to put under our father's mattress. He died lost, so whatever....It's just a handkerchief with no redeeming value...

[Aquila]

The gimmick of selling these things as a fund raiser is a bit hokey to me. I'd have simply implored the body to give out of their hearts. And if that wasn't enough... so be it. Let God deal with them. However, this may be a vehicle that God intends to use in order to work a miracle in someone's life. I wouldn't be surprised if a rather high profile healing or deliverance comes out of this.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'll have to think about this.

One thing that has been very powerful for me, after receiving the Holy Ghost, is the power of our words in prayer and the results following.

An example, we were attending a church where many of the Board Members would listen to country music. I am not criticizing that, it is just that I came out of the rodeo life, my father being a team roper, and listening to country music doesn't edify me personally.

We were going through some church trouble and one day I went out to the garage and heard my husband listening to a country music station. I asked him why he was listening to the station and that the children might hear it. He got angry and told me to get out of the garage. lol

Anywayssssss, I prayed that the radio in his truck would break. The next day, he came home from work and said, rather angrily "Did you pray that my radio in the truck would break because today it is broken!!" LOL!

That following Sunday, I was getting ready for church, he was still lying in bed trying to get up. He said he felt a huge wave of jealousy sweep over him, and the strong feeling that I was cheating on him. He shared that the Lord spoke to him and said that there was a spirit of adultery in country music. He never listened to it again. He later told me that he wouldn't have listened to me about the music, but when God spoke to him, that was different. LOL!

So, prayer cloths, etc. mean nothing to me. I know what prayer can do - it's our faith, what we believe and the words we speak.

Besides, two of my sisters had a prayer cloth anointed to put under our father's mattress. He died lost, so whatever....It's just a handkerchief with no redeeming value...

Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe in the power of prayer. I also understand your point about music. One should be cautious.

However, I'd not dismiss the idea of residual power residing in material objects that are actually imbued with God's power. I'm not talking about the quick and lifeless prayer over a swatch of cloth stamped with a church logo. I'm talking about the actual impartation that can come from a life's work of prayer and supplications before God. Or an evening of tarrying in prayer and Holy Ghost anointing over a child's teddy bear. Real power. And even after all that is said and done... nothing can override a man or woman's free will. A prayer cloth might open their eyes to their need for salvation. It might give them dreams that they never mention about needing God. However, at the end of the day it is their choice as to if they wish to respond to those promptings.

[Aquila]

My girlfriend's grandmother used to sit and pray in an old rocking chair. It's strange... almost everywhere that rocking chair has gone... the family get's a spiritual awakening of sorts. She's called it the "God bomb" at times. lol

[n david]

Originally Posted by nitehawk013

it's no different than selling peanut brittle or having a basket auction to raise funds for the church. No one looses their mind ove rpeanut brittle, but you snap over them havign the nerve to sell some ties?

Grow up.

exactly!!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Don't get me wrong. I firmly believe in the power of prayer. I also understand your point about music. One should be cautious.

I agree. I get an e-mail from Godvine. I saw a video of a country singer and listened to it. Great performance - Tate Stevens. He auditioned for the X-Factor, a program I don't watch. Anyway, his voice was awesome, the music was awesome and then later, I focused on the words (didn't pay much attention at first):

Anything goes when everything's gone
You ain't around to give a *** whether I do right or wrong
So bring it on, anything goes, when everything's gone

I was thinking, God cares whether I do right or wrong.

However, I'd not dismiss the idea of residual power residing in material objects that are actually imbued with God's power. I'm not talking about the quick and lifeless prayer over a swatch of cloth stamped with a church logo. I'm talking about the actual impartation that can come from a life's work of prayer and supplications before God. Or an evening of tarrying in prayer and Holy Ghost anointing over a child's teddy bear. Real power. And even after all that is said and done... nothing can override a man or woman's free will. A prayer cloth might open their eyes to their need for salvation. It might give them dreams that they never mention about needing God. However, at the end of the day it is their choice as to if they wish to respond to those promptings.

I'm not going to believe in an anointing over a teddy bear. I am not mystical in any way. LOL! I am going to believe I had childlike faith and God answered my prayer. I'm a scarred ex-Catholic. LOL! All of these examples remind me of the Priest coming up the aisle, incense container swinging back and forth throwing smoke from side to side - sort of a feel of Grigori Rasputin.

When our son was very young his foot had been hurting for several days. We were sitting on the couch and I was reading to him. He blurted out, "God isn't listening, my foot still hurts!"

I said, "Maybe God wants you to ask Him to heal your foot. Maybe He wants to hear you pray and not me and Daddy."

He put his foot in the air and said, "God, heal my foot!"

Immediately, he must have felt something because he had tears in his eyes and his foot stopped hurting.

I would never teach him to put a prayer cloth on the foot. I would teach him to talk to God and believe.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I agree. I get an e-mail from Godvine. I saw a video of a country singer and listened to it. Great performance - Tate Stevens. He auditioned for the X-Factor, a program I don't watch. Anyway, his voice was awesome, the music was awesome and then later, I focused on the words (didn't pay much attention at first):



I was thinking, God cares whether I do right or wrong.




I'm not going to believe in an anointing over a teddy bear. I am not mystical in any way. LOL! I am going to believe I had childlike faith and God answered my prayer. I'm a scarred ex-Catholic. LOL! All of these examples remind me of the Priest coming up the aisle, incense container swinging back and forth throwing smoke from side to side - sort of a feel of Grigori Rasputin.

When our son was very young his foot had been hurting for several days. We were sitting on the couch and I was reading to him. He blurted out, "God isn't listening, my foot still hurts!"

I said, "Maybe God wants you to ask Him to heal your foot. Maybe He wants to hear you pray and not me and Daddy."

He put his foot in the air and said, "God, heal my foot!"

Immediately, he must have felt something because he had tears in his eyes and his foot stopped hurting.

I would never teach him to put a prayer cloth on the foot. I would teach him to talk to God and believe.

Amen. I'd not disparage that. While I believe in the impartation of power I hold that without prayer... there can be no impartation of power. Prayer is essential in all things.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Amen. I'd not disparage that. While I believe in the impartation of power I hold that without prayer... there can be no impartation of power. Prayer is essential in all things.

Amen!