G3
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Let The Holy Ghost Show You The Way
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Post by G3 on Mar 22, 2006 18:11:11 GMT -5
My main focus is the church. I am a living witness wherever I go. I let my light shine. But I take great pride in my heritage. Even Paul bragged on his heritage. So I take great concern of the present day condition of the AA church. When I speak with church leaders I'm direct and strait. From the people of various bckground I've been privilage to I can qualify and say, yes, there is a big difference when dealing with the "personality". We have caused as a whole other cultures to feel more free and express there conviction in a more estatical way. And with that freedom of expression birth off shoots unbiblical doctrines.
Call it Pentecostal. Charsmatic or cruisimatic. Though we all make up these "expressions" seperated by partitions inside our four corners (which you can't help but notice the color barrier), our culture, or my culture stands out. Remember there is that 25% group. But let's not get away from what it is. And what it is is a major problem.
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G3
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Let The Holy Ghost Show You The Way
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Post by G3 on Mar 22, 2006 18:37:30 GMT -5
Hey Giant, I think I feel what Jas is saying. Because of how the title being abused and misused, there are those who do magnify the office who feel that Jerimiah pain. And weep as he did because all those false prophets who say it is well when it was not well with the people and the land. All the prophets of old experience the shame when the false prophets created bitterness with the man of God and the people. Remember how comfortable they were when the man of God came with the Babylonian bondage message. They merchandized the people. And by appeasing the bad kings by the false prophets, the men of God was in solitude and some hid in caves. It wasn't popular being a man of God.
True, all true men of God, whether past, present, or future, all desire the will of the Almighty be done on earth as it is in heaven. But we all have our moments. And sometime because of what we face daily and nightly, in our humanity and limitations we kick against the wall. But just like Jerimiah it's like fire shut up in our bones. Man how can you hold your peace? Ya gotta tell it!
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Post by Jasmine on Mar 22, 2006 20:27:02 GMT -5
I disagree with this. Real prophets desire to see the will of God done in the earth and they accept the call and the mandate of God on their lives. They realize that it was GOD who choose them to be who and what they are and to deny that or to try to be anything else is a waste of time, effort and energy. I know quite a few people who are called to be prophets, and they value what God has called them to be. simply because they value God and who He is. They realize that they are simply a vessel that God chooses to flow through in a particular mannner, and in all honesty they realize one thing.... They are servants.. both to GOD and to His people... Have you ever ran from God? If not, then you may not feel what im saying. Maybe in realizing at one point that God was calling you to do something, and because of being in the land of unfamiliar territory, you shuttered in your boots before you truly realized that being a vessel to be used by God was a good thing, you awoke and walked in purpose. maybe its was just me. but I didn't heed to the call, when it was first declared. My Pastor says all the time.. I never woke up saying I want to be a pastor, but when I acknowledge the call, and purpose for my life..it was never about me anyway, but what God wanted to do through me. You will often hear the phrase..."I didn't wake up telling myself that I wanted to evangelise the nation". If someone would have told me 10 years ago that I wasd going to be a missionary in the cogic I would have laughed and said yea ok.. |
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Post by giantsdodie on Mar 23, 2006 9:02:19 GMT -5
G3 I have seen more false prophecy than most on this board have seen up close and personal. Been there, seen that, got the t-shirt, the mug and the beach towel. And while that does create a problem because it confuses people as to what prophecy is, WHO its about, and through WHOM it operates (meaning JESUS), it doesnt deter the prophet of God from accepting his/her call or mandate. In fact if anything it creates a desire to see God's will done in the earth.
I understood 100% what Jasmine said. If someone had told me 15 years ago what I would be walking in now I wouldnt have believed them either. However once God called me and saved me and revealed HIS plan for my life to me I didnt have a problem with it simply because I know GOD's plan for my life is better than anything I could come up with and I want to see the will of God come to pass in the earth.
I am not saying some people dont run from God, nor am I sayng some people dont struggle with their indentity in Christ, but what I am saying is that not everyone does. Some people willingly embrace the call of God on their lives with fervor and gladness, fully knowing there will be challenges. sacrifices and sometimes flat out hard times and they will cry and have some sleepless nights but the compare it to what Jesus did on the cross and say..
ITS WORTH IT !!!!
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G3
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Let The Holy Ghost Show You The Way
Posts: 158
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Post by G3 on Mar 23, 2006 9:38:30 GMT -5
I feel you. I wouldn't trade it for a million life times of all this world has to offer.
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Post by livinganewlife on Mar 23, 2006 9:39:05 GMT -5
I think it has more to do with teaching than with color... Pentecostal, predominately white churches in Italy... all have titles and operate just like Pentecostal churches here...so what is the difference... maybe I'm missing it...  MissKay, white Pentecostal churches operate like AA Pentecostal churches in worship and spiritual experiences. However, one would be hard pressed to attend a all white Pentecostal Church and find reserve seating for missionaries, apostles, and prophets.... The white churches are not as title hungry as AA churches and again it stems to a lack of identity within the AA race. I have attended several all white Pentecostal churches throughout this country and they do not operate (titles) as the AA church. |
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Post by MsKayLander on Mar 23, 2006 10:30:24 GMT -5
I think it has more to do with teaching than with color... Pentecostal, predominately white churches in Italy... all have titles and operate just like Pentecostal churches here...so what is the difference... maybe I'm missing it... MissKay, white Pentecostal churches operate like AA Pentecostal churches in worship and spiritual experiences. However, one would be hard pressed to attend a all white Pentecostal Church and find reserve seating for missionaries, apostles, and prophets.... The white churches are not as title hungry as AA churches and again it stems to a lack of identity within the AA race. I have attended several all white Pentecostal churches throughout this country and they do not operate (titles) as the AA church. The seven that we fellowshipped with in Italy certainly were... I'm not going to go back and forth with this... as this is my opinion and I reserve the right to maintain it... not being smart, just stating my opinion that some very broad statements are being made without relevant fact to back them 100%... Perception makes people put everyone in the same box when reality makes it not always so...  |
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Post by giantsdodie on Mar 23, 2006 11:37:15 GMT -5
Just my take. God anoints men for service and appoints men to offices. Men also appoints men to offices.
Just make sure you are anointed and appointed by God.
Personally I dont have an issue with titles ( and I am NOT saying anyone else here does !!! ) unfortunately many have abused their title and that tends to turn people off to titles when the title itself isnt the issue.
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G3
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Let The Holy Ghost Show You The Way
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Post by G3 on Mar 23, 2006 11:39:43 GMT -5
This is healthy and good that we are having this conversation. Please! Don't shy away. Express yourself because this issue difinitly need to be address and laid on the table. Some will be defensive and thats ok. Perception and discerment are gifts of spiritual insights. When the aggression of them are gear towards construction and not the distruction of geniune faith in Christ great benefits are gleaned from them.
These are facts that are not isolated in some far cornrer of the world. But in the Ebony congregations around the world we gravitate to titles. Matter of fact this thread should have been "Who Want To Be A Doctor". From what I've seen and I know one doesn't need a spiritual eye to see the great influx of "DOCTORS" that has now grace us in our pulpits and arenas around the world. Thank God for "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION" because so many people of the Ebony persuasion has moved from the 5 fold ministries to DOCTORS of DIVINITY.
All jokes aside. But this is no joke. We as a whole still struggle for identity and acceptance with other cultures and evn with our own selves. For centuries we have not found ourselves or gained root to our identity. Even in the secular world of the Ebony People, we set trends and styles which, as a whole, dictates textile or entertainment of the world. But we never gain root and set as a cultural lifestyle in our communities. At times we sporatically may put on our Mother Land attire while attending or Afro festival. But as a whole it is short lived. IDENTITY! But thank God for Yeshua! Now we can and are identified "IN" Christ. This is our "POSITION" in Christ. But there is a "WALK" or daily "PRACTICE" Of the New man. In this walk there is a mental transformation in practical daily living by and through the word. Not conforming or refashioning of how we USE to think and walk. In soberness and humility we walk or practice the Christ-like life style. By doing so through the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit we conform to the image of Christ.
Christ taught us to be careful "HOW" we hear. The incorrect way of hearing and what we hear will distort views and perceptions. We will fall into pride, arrogance and a haughty spirit. By this we slip into insecurity needing reassurance and acceptance that we are somebody. But we are somebody. His Body! The Body of Christ
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Post by lanl ns on Mar 23, 2006 12:48:03 GMT -5
These are facts that are not isolated in some far cornrer of the world. But in the Ebony congregations around the world we gravitate to titles. Matter of fact this thread should have been "Who Want To Be A Doctor". From what I've seen and I know one doesn't need a spiritual eye to see the great influx of "DOCTORS" that has now grace us in our pulpits and arenas around the world. Thank God for "AFFIRMATIVE ACTION" because so many people of the Ebony persuasion has moved from the 5 fold ministries to DOCTORS of DIVINITY. It is interesting that you mention the Dr. Titles that are now being thrown across our pulpits and missionary circles............. Everyone and there momma has a Dr. of something and it has really devalued the true meaning and struggle of those who have obtained Ph d's from accredited universities. My husband and I were just talking about this the other day and I really feel for him, because when he uses the "title" Dr. people tend to discredit his educational background... Those with Doctorates in the church world can "only" be recognized as Dr.s in their religious organizations, but you have someone like my husband who has obtained the right to be addressed as Dr. in both the secular world and religious world and can get "paid" for having such a title in both worlds............... As GDD, has stated it is not so much the title but the attitude and the spirit that comes along with the title; and with that I agree...... You have people who didn't attend college and don't have an accredited BA now wanting you to address them as Dr. so and so is a little aggravating to say the least. It is even more aggravating when you have struggled and sacrificed just to get the education you have and truly understand the meaning of delayed gratification; but overnight someone turns into a Dr. and demands to be addressed as such.........  IMO, titles should help uplift the Church and not bring classicism and division among the people........ |
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Grace
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Post by Grace on Mar 23, 2006 13:47:50 GMT -5
First off when we are talking about false prophets or teachers no ethnic group holds the record for them. This is something will take place across the board in black, white, asian, mexican etc. So we really need to stop perpetuating the stereotype that society states about us as african americans.
The truth of the matter is most of us who are called to walk in the prophet really are not looking to be in that position. thats a heavy burden to carry. Most times you just want to feel normal and with that mantle, you will feel anything but normal. But we walk the walk because it the will of God. We submit to his will. Most prophets i have ever met did not want to be a prophet. Jeremiah was not real gung ho about being a prophet. I don't know about anybody else but the mere thought of being a mouth piece for God is nerve racking. I won't not wan to get what he tells me to say wrong or go beyond what he has instructed me to say.
And as far as the comment about black churches and spreading false doctrines
This comment seems a little prejudicial to say the least and last time I checked the scriptures didn't say that only the african american churches were going spread false teaching. We need to be mindful of what we say, becasue false teaching has nothing to do with color. Heck look at Jim Jones false teachings, David Caresh, Rev. Sun Moon. Ans they all professed to be Christians but yet devasted the faith through their false teaching and they weren't black.
I agree with other posters by making comments like that we are tearing ourselves down and thats not what we need nor what the body of christ needs at all.
Then its this thing with titles who cares. Whats in a name. There are people without titles in our churches that have bad attitudes just like th eones with titles. This is a people thing.
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G3
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Let The Holy Ghost Show You The Way
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Post by G3 on Mar 23, 2006 17:12:59 GMT -5
Grace, Matthews 23 is a good chapter to read on shepherd humility. Far as the Ebony issue goes. It is what iit is. And will get worse. Concerning the the office of the prophet, indepth discussion we can feast on in the thread "The Prophets Challenge". Let hearts connect.
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Grace
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Post by Grace on Mar 24, 2006 11:18:18 GMT -5
Huimility is not the question. Yes all should be humble, but just becasue someone has or doesn't have a title doesn't make them not humble. Again this is a ppl thing. Its the ppl that act up no tthe title. And no the AA issue is not what it is. Basically what we have is one person's opinion or a few opinions which do not make it fact. Its very insulting to hear black ppl put down other blacks. WE really need to stop with all the tearing down that we do to each other. Its real sad.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Mar 24, 2006 12:55:11 GMT -5
I have totally misunderstood the direction of this post. LOL
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Post by Daughter on Mar 25, 2006 12:13:09 GMT -5
How do you know if you have a REAL prophetic call on your life? Not that you are looking for a title or looking to be the next Juanita Bynum. How do you know, that you know that God called you? How does one know for sure?
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