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Andrew_Strom Member
Joined: 2006/8/24 Posts: 98
| MIRACLES ARE a MUST!! -by Andrew Strom - COMMENTS?? | | MIRACLES ARE a MUST!! -by Andrew Strom.
If anything I am known as a 'word' preacher. For years and years I have prayed for a 'Revival' anointing on my preaching - and in the last 3 - 4 years I have certainly noticed an increase. But I am well aware that this is only half the story. As Revival history shows us - the 'word' by itself can have tremendous power to convict and transform lives. But without MIRACLES I have to question whether we really are representing true New Testament Christianity. I am totally convinced that we must have BOTH - the 'WORD' and the MIGHTY DEMONSTRATION of God's power.
In 1947 Smith Wigglesworth gave a prophecy about 3 coming moves of God. Concerning the last (and greatest) of these he said:
"When the new church phase is on the wane, there will be evidence in the churches of something that has not been seen before: a coming together of those with an emphasis on the word and those with an emphasis on the Spirit. When the word and the Spirit come together, there will be the biggest move of the Holy Spirit that the nation, and indeed, the world has ever seen. It will mark the beginning of a revival that will eclipse anything that has been witnessed within these shores, even the Wesleyan and Welsh revivals of former years...."
-There it is- "The WORD and the SPIRIT" joined.
Let me ask a simple question: What did people "see" when they came across Jesus' ministry? -They saw a simple, piercing gospel being preached and also the 'kingdom' being domonstrated through healings and miracles. -That is basically what they saw. And what did people "see" in the ministry of the apostles and evangelists of Acts? -They saw the same thing. -An anointed, piercing gospel and mighty demonstrations of God's power - both together. In fact, we really should ask ourselves- Is it possible to preach the gospel (in the full New Testament sense) without signs and wonders? -If we are being truly scriptural, surely we would have to answer- "NO, IT IS NOT."
Another question- Why is the casting out of demons so important in demonstrating the 'kingdom'? Well - what it is showing is the greater AUTHORITY found in the name and the 'king-ship' of Jesus Christ. Even demons have to obey Him! Suddenly everyone sees this beyond a doubt when a demon is cast out before their eyes. I remember the first time I saw this happen as a teenager - before I was a true Christian. The person screamed and writhed as the demon was cast out - just like in the Bible. And what was the result in me? -CONVICTION! Suddenly everything was 'REALLY TRUE'! I felt like running forward and surrendering to God on the spot.
And this is why I am opposed to casting out demons in a "back room" somewhere. Notice that Jesus never did this. He cast out demons in PUBLIC - so that the 'kingdom' was demonstrated and God was glorified. Notice too, the absence of "3 hour marathons" in casting out demons in the Bible. They had the anointing and authority from God - and deliverance was mostly quick and decisive.
We have got to see the 'Word and the Spirit joined' like this in our day. In fact, I would love anyone on this List who moves powerfully in these areas to email me. -We have got to encourage and bring forward these kinds of giftings once again.
When I was in Michigan recently a leader there gave me a word. God was deeply moving in people's hearts that weekend - we had people getting baptized and everything. Yet he said to me- 'Last night I got a word for you. You need to hook up with others who move powerfully in miracles and healings - so there is a balance. Not just in preaching - but powerful "demonstration" also.' -That was the gist of his word to me. And my spirit said, "AMEN!" I got a strong sense of confirmation that this was a "Now" word.
I immediately thought of a brother in Arizona whom I know moves VERY powerfully in these areas - without hype or any of the other nonsense. -Just pure power of God. -And already we are talking about ministering together.
So please be aware that I fully intend for our meetings and gatherings in the future to be just as full of 'DEMONSTRATION' as they are of the "WORD".
And I am serious about wanting to hear back from others who move powerfully in these giftings. It is time to see a "joining" of that which God has always wanted to bring forth. (-Simply reply to this email to get in touch. My email is- )
Could this be the hour for the joining of the WORD and the SPIRIT, my friends? Is this what God has been wanting to do?
God bless you all!
Andrew Strom.
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2006/10/6 15:23 | Profile |
Saltyqueen Member
Joined: 2004/3/16 Posts: 1 Kansas City, MO
| Re: MIRACLES ARE a MUST!! -by Andrew Strom - COMMENTS?? | | God is truly wanting to move in these last days. His power is just as real as it was when Jesus was here, it is us who has grown cold. We have allowed too much of the world into the church - thus we are rendered powerless. I believe this is why we don't see demons cast out. They are comfortable to be in our church services. We are powerless to cast them out and we are so self centered and concerned with prosperity and blessings that we are desensitized to the demonic forces that functioning. They are so comfortable in our church services that they have no need to manifest. Why manifest when there is no presence of God? If we are living in a more wicked and perverse generation than we were 20 years ago, it only makes sense that there would be a stronger demonic stronghold and possession of people. We must repent as a church and separate ourselves from sin. The "Old Timers" used to call it "sanctified" from the world. It's time for some sanctification to be present again. God is wanting us to join the WORD and the SPIRIT. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Cindy Antwiler _________________ Cindy Antwiler
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2006/10/6 15:43 | Profile |
sermonindex Moderator
Joined: 2002/12/11 Posts: 39795 Canada
Online! | Re: | | Quote:
the WORD and the SPIRIT
That is what is [b]needed[/b] and is our only option, we can have just the "Spirit" and get into erronous manifestations and teachings. On the other hand we can just have the "Word" and be dry and formal without any power. As Don McClure said: the church has really only one enemy (nothing shall prevail against the church of God) itsself! - DEAD ORTHADOXY!
May God rise up a movement of people who hunger and thirst for righteousness. _________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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2006/10/6 16:07 | Profile |
death2self Member
Joined: 2006/9/28 Posts: 192 Washington DC area
| Re: | | I'm with you Cindy. Quote:
We have allowed too much of the world into the church - thus we are rendered powerless. I believe this is why we don't see demons cast out. They are comfortable to be in our church services.
This is sad but true. This overwhelming conviction of sin is what is needed in the church. The miracle of a heart hardened by a life of sin but set free and made righteous by the blood of Jesus. That is miraculous.
I believe in divine healing and have graciously been the recipient of it but the conviction and the subsequent deliverance from sin is much more miraculous in my view.
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We must repent as a church and separate ourselves from sin. The "Old Timers" used to call it "sanctified" from the world. It's time for some sanctification to be present again. God is wanting us to join the WORD and the SPIRIT. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Amen! _________________ Ed Pugh
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2006/10/6 16:21 | Profile |
Andrew_Strom Member
Joined: 2006/8/24 Posts: 98
| Re: | | The thing that strikes me is that many on this site - like myself - have become so focused on 'PREACHING' as our major concern - that we have relegated "HEALINGS and MIRACLES" to a lesser place.
Yes - anointed preaching is massively important. But if we look at Scripture we see that "signs and wonders" were almost EQUALLY important. Can we really come to that realization? Can we truly come to grips with how VITAL it is to have healings and miracles accompany the word?
I wonder if we can actually come into Revival at all without this realization. -It may be the very thing God is waiting for. -The WORD and the SPIRIT joined.
-Andrew Strom.
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2006/10/6 20:09 | Profile |
JoeA Member
Joined: 2004/11/29 Posts: 364 Decatur, Illinois
| Re: | | I believe that miracles are important, but equal with preaching? I think of this Scripture.
1 Corinthians 1:21-23 [b]"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness."[/b]
_________________ Joe Auvil
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2006/10/6 20:54 | Profile |
Andrew_Strom Member
Joined: 2006/8/24 Posts: 98
| Re: | | Well - all we know is that Paul described this as "fully" preaching the gospel-
"By word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have FULLY preached the gospel of Christ" (Rom 15:18-19).
In Scripture we also find the record showing that indeed there were signs and wonders continually accompanying and confirming the gospel wherever it was preached. Jesus started this pattern - and his followers continued it. So yes - I believe it was vital.
-Andrew Strom.
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2006/10/6 21:07 | Profile |
JoeA Member
Joined: 2004/11/29 Posts: 364 Decatur, Illinois
| Re: | | Quote:
So yes - I believe it was vital.
I agree, but maybe i'm missing something here, is preaching without signs and wonders is not fully powerful? _________________ Joe Auvil
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2006/10/6 21:13 | Profile |
Andrew_Strom Member
Joined: 2006/8/24 Posts: 98
| Re: | | Well, I myself am a 'Revival' preacher - and I see God do a lot of wonderful things in people's lives simply through preaching the word. (-I have to pray a lot before I preach - because it is only GOD who can pierce people's hearts like that).
But lately God has been reminding me of "signs and wonders". Of course there is a lot of 'flakey' stuff around - and I am not into that. But He is reminding me that true miracles are very important and MUST accompany the word.
This may well be a key to the coming Revival. -It certainly was in Acts.
God bless you!
-Andrew Strom.
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2006/10/6 21:20 | Profile |
JoeA Member
Joined: 2004/11/29 Posts: 364 Decatur, Illinois
| Re: | | I see the point in that. "These signs shall follow them that believe."
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But He is reminding me that true miracles are very important and MUST accompany the word.
But what if they don't though? I've seen lives touched without miracles being performed, and i've seen miracles and no one get saved. John the Baptist did no miracles. _________________ Joe Auvil
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2006/10/6 21:25 | Profile |