Where is the Power? | SermonIndex

sermonindex Jun 8, 2011

I once attended Assembly of God church for a period of time. I was new to the congregation and felt like more of an observer than a belonging member when one night the head pastor was gone the associate pastor got up and asked the congregation if anyone had any praise reports of what the Lord had done for them recently. Not one single soul, including my own, stood up. Not even the associate pastor who asked the question! I marveled at this and wondered what was going on, why did none of us have anything to praise God for. Later in bed that night i continued to ponder it. It was during a time when i had been feeling unable to pray and had been homeless. But i thought how i should have gone up there and praised God that I had clothes on my body (and they were good clothes), i had food to eat, and it was good food, i had a running vehicle to drive, and the devil had not been able to take me out yet while i was driving down the road or at any other time because God had apparently protected my life even if not my rotting carcass. I thought about how much we all take for granted every day, including our refrigerators which keeps our food from spoiling, a toilet so we don't have to go outside to alleviate ourselves at 3 a.m in the middle of -20 below winters with a chest cold or flu, and so forth. I also thought about how few people claim answers to prayer (important, urgent prayers, not the kind asking for the church picnic to not be rained out) and how little power there is among Believers.

Again now i notice rarely does anyone have any praise reports, even here on "Miracles That Follow the Plow" forum.
For the most part it is prayer requests. So i ask, where is the POWER? Does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

R

RefRev Jun 9, 2011

The same thing happens in our church. We have a time of Praise Reports on Sunday night. People have to think and look for something. The praise report time usualy ends up beig Prayer Request time.

In short; we are selfish, self absorbed spoiled babies. This is another evidence that God has withdrawn His presence.

M

MaryJane Jun 9, 2011

Again now i notice rarely does anyone have any praise reports, even here on "Miracles That Follow the Plow" forum. For the most part it is prayer requests. So i ask, where is the POWER? Does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

__________

I am not sure how to answer your question. God has answered many prayers, does answer many prayers in my life daily. I think we tend to get caught up with thinking that God has only answered a prayer if things go exactly as we want them to. There have been many occasion that I have prayed and asked things of GOD and HE has answered me by simply saying no. I think the real test comes in when we can look to these kinds of answered prayer and still give HIM thanks and praise even when HE does say no and things do not go as we want or feel they should.

As for giving thanks for daily blessings, I often spend time thanking GOD and giving HIM praise for all that HE does and provides. As for the forum I have posted threads asking for prayer request and there have been times when I feel the LORD leading me to come back and give updates and then there have been times that I do not feel led to do so. I also try to be mindful of the bandwidth and space that SI has and do not want to post in such a way that may abuse what is provided here. These are my own person thoughts I am not sure what others feelings on this topic might be.

God Bless
mj

Edit: Just a quick update :) last night we had severe thunderstorms with a good deal of lighting. The entire sky was lit up and I had a window fan going in an open window while we were sleeping. It was 1:18 in the morning and GOD woke me from a deep and sound sleep and as soon as my eyes opened I knew I was to get up and take the fans from the windows. I wasn't sure why but I knew GOD wanted me to do so. AS I opened my heavy drapes(they are the lined kind of drape) I realized how badly it was lighting off in the distance and moving our way. I quickly pulled the fan in, and closed the window. Not long after closing the window the storm really got going, there was loud crashing thunder and flashes everywhere. It was like a light show going on. I gave thanks for HIS provision and care as the storm passed :)

A

AbideinHim Jun 9, 2011

"I am not sure how to answer your question. God has answered many prayers, does answer many prayers in my life daily. I think we tend to get caught up with thinking that God has only answered a prayer if things go exactly as we want them to."

Amen! We often have a lot of preconceived ideas of how God ought to be answering our prayers.

I also attended an AOG Church, a WOF church, and several other non denominational churches. Most of the testimonies given in these churches are from the aspect of God meeting some need. Maybe it was a healing, a financial blessing, or an answer to a problem.

Isn't it just as much a testimony when the need or problem is there, but we have given it to the Lord, and now we have perfect peace, we can rejoice in the Lord because we have given it to Him?

Isn't it just as much a testimony when although God has not removed the problem, that we have drawn close to the Lord, and His presence is made real to us, and we have a greater revelation of Jesus Christ that He is our all in all?

We should all be able to testify that no matter what we are going through that God is faithful, and that we are more than conqueors through Him who loved us.

An overcomer is one that rises above the cares of this life, one whose life is hid with Christ in God. This is a good testimony, that the world needs to see.

Mike

sermonindex Jun 9, 2011

Amen brother Mike. To praise God in the midst of victory is one thing, to shout praises to God from the deepest dungeon is quite another. True faith arises from what seems as ashes to the world and becomes a beautiful thing. When Paul was in the deepest part of the dungeon and begins to sing songs of praises to our Lord and God then the whole building shakes, prisons doors are flung open, prisoners are set free from bondage. No, its not more miracles that we need here in America, we need to move and have our being with the high praises of God in our mouth and a two-edged sword in our hand.

So we want to see power? Praise God at all times, let His praises be found in our mouths. The world is not impressed by men who sing and dance and shout in the midst of victory, but they are confounded when they hear the high praises of God in the mouths of those who have just lost a job, or a loved one or had a bad report from the doctor. Giving thanks for all things, being anxious for nothing, now there is real power, and very often, out of that power flows a miracle, but not as the chief object, but as a by-product of true faith............. brother Frank

S

sonsigns Jun 9, 2011

CyAn, Praise be to God our Father, whom will never leave us or forsake us his children. I praise God every day for the things I use to take for granted.

1. Being our freedom. This could so easily be taken away from us, even here in the good 'ol U.S.A.

2. That as a believer in Christ Jesus, I will never be alone. For I have my God and Father which is in Heaven, Jesus my Lord and Savior who sits at Gods right hand as my mediator and the Holy Spirit which dwells in me, confirming the word with patients and long suffering.

3. My wife and children which without I would never have found love worth finding.

I am a little surprised that there were no praise reports from the congregation. When I attended the Assemblies of God here locally, there were always several. However, it has been several years since I attended an AG church.

Although I have noticed that some devout believers do not study their bibles. Do not spend time in prayer. Do not spend time with their family in devotions.

There is always a ball game or a t.v. show playing.

With all of this other stuff in our lives it is no wonder the church has no power, we are just not plugged into the source any more.

sermonindex Jun 11, 2011

Again now i notice rarely does anyone have any praise reports, even here on "Miracles That Follow the Plow" forum.
For the most part it is prayer requests. So i ask, where is the POWER? Does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

It is all part of the plan, this is what the great apostasy looks like.

OJ

D

DEADn Jun 11, 2011

I have asked this question myself
'Where is the power?" HOw often we hear things in church of 'praise' reports about how needs were met but really, is that the power? It is if it is within the confines of a church, right? I think being thankful for what you have is good but is that really the power of God? If that is the power of GOd then it is no wonder, at least to me, why the church is ineffective in areas. People want to know God is powerful and that doesn't mean having all the things you need. It means things being done in your life, or in someone else's life that can't be explained in the nature.

Has someone been freed from something inside that they fought against for so long until one day they felt IT leave? Maybe someone has a home but no food and no job. They pray and somehow God speaks to someone's heart to stop by and give this person some food and maybe these even happen during the course of a whole week?

I suppose what this here is the supernatural power of God. I assume that is what this post is referring to?

I think in my own life have I seen God doing any work in my life. I know at work there is something going on because people notice I don't cuss. I notice this because I work with all ladies and everytime they get made and cuss they cover their mouths and apologize to me. What causes that to happen? I am not preachy in there. I am genuine and carry a positive attitude, most of the time though and I like to joke a bit.

What I pray for God to do to those around me, those who are christians, is to find them set apart from society but in a genuiness where people recognize something different about them but not something kooky. Does that make sense? There is POWER in that yet a person can pray all they want to and read the Word the word and that POWER doesn't come. Why does that happen?

J

Joyful_Heart Jun 11, 2011

Giving thanks for all things, being anxious for nothing, now there is real power, and very often, out of that power flows a miracle, but not as the chief object, but as a by-product of true faith............. brother Frank

I think we want "American Power of God". We want to go to classes and come back ready to lay hands on people and they get healed. We want God to come in and get us that house or car or even that job etc. Which He does many times. But we dont want to sacrifice anything much for Him.

But I think of the sister who has gone though the hardship of cancer & now another surgery and is being a beautiful testimony of God's grace and love. And is now getting ready for another surgery leaning on the Lord. Now that is the power of God in her life and a testimony to others that our God is a living God.

And the people being persecuted, tortured, imprisoned & killed because they wont deny Him. Now that's power of love and grace.

How about our own family members when they are not saved. We can keep our joy because we can give thanks to God for we have brought them before the Throne of grace and we know God has heard our intercessions for them and He is working on them. Peace that passes all understanding. That's power.

And when we cant find something and we are quiet long enough to hear the small quiet voice of the Holy Spirit-telling you to look where you have looked several times before and you obey that quiet voice and find it. The thrill is in hearing His voice even more than finding the lost item. That's power.

Personally, I get to busy doing His work. I am at my best when I am quiet with Him. Not all can do this due to work & family. But we can take time, we can downsize, we can get a passion for Jesus and spend time with Him. Take an hour away shut in with Him instead of the TV, golf etc.

I am camping out in David Wilkerson's message - Holy Ground.
Talk about getting priorities in order, this is it.

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=336&commentView=itemComments

We live in this Western world and we have been taught many ways that are not God's ways in the Christian world. I must work out my Salvation with fear and trembling.

Seek God like I dont even know Him, open to be retaught who He is and what are His ways.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." Jude 1:20-21

It is up to me. God is here. I want to seek Him while He may be found. Busy lives & materialism & self have totally quenched the Holy Spirit in my life. We want the blessings, the power, the fruit handed to us but we dont want to do the sacrifice of giving up our pleasure, our material things, our wants and desires. We dont want to spend time on our face praying. We want, we want, we want.

Right now I have very little and I am thanking God for that. I have no wants except more of Him - less of me. And to be able to give to ministries. The power is that He brought me to this place as I sought Him. As I prayed for the missionaries on GFA etc. who have nothing. But they have the best, lots of Jesus. That's power.

Glory to God that we will have such a hunger and thirst and passion for You Lord. show us our ugliness Lord that we may be so humbled and thankful for our Salvation. For the love and mercy You have given us that we dont deserve but we embrace.

I ask myself, can I, will I give up everything for You Lord. I am getting there and by Your power I will be able to stand rejoicing because You are my God and Your grace is sufficient for me. Humbly thanking You for You are God.

Giving Him all glory, praise with a thankful heart because He brought me to this place, not because I have arrived. Still asking for help to getting closer to Him.

M

mama27 Jun 12, 2011

Thank you Joyful_Heart....Your post is convicting....more of Him, less of me....I look forward to listening to the message you recommended....I don't pray faithfully like I should, but I have prayed some for every member on this site - that God would do a great work in each life and family represented here. To Him alone be the glory!

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

The same thing happens in our church. We have a time of Praise Reports on Sunday night. People have to think and look for something. The praise report time usualy ends up beig Prayer Request time.

Yes, this is what i mean. I have found the same thing happens in almost every church, regardless of denom.

In short; we are selfish, self absorbed spoiled babies. This is another evidence that God has withdrawn His presence

To a large extent i agree that is true, but not all.
Even the few UNselfish ones don't seem to have much power or praise to report. However, i find that the UNselfish ones are also the ones who are suffering the most; some are going through marital issues or health and financial issues and just don't have anything left to give.

But yea, it sure does seem as though God is completely absent from the churches. Meanwhile, they are following their own agendas, playing their rocknroll music, and so forth.

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

But yea, it sure does seem as though God is completely absent from the churches.

Ichabod- the glory of the Lord hath departed. It is indeed over.

OJ

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

I still believe that the number 1 problem in the Church is that stupid television. There's so much research done by secular scientists on that mind-control box that it's mind boggling that more have not read up on it.

Neck-in-neck with that is how the religious folks have traded the definition of "The Spirit of Truth" for the "spirit of manifestations only".

Four times, Jesus calls His Spirit "The Spirit of Truth" that would lead us into all truth and be the Comfortor - but anyone who compares the depth of Christian Authors before television and the signs & wonders gang that came along and what we have now, cannot help but see the vast difference, even in just the vocabulary in the writings of the days gone by.

We've pushed "Truth" aside - the very reason Jesus told Pilate that He came to earth for [John 18:37] and went for some excitement on Sunday and TV the rest of the week.

I am pentecostal and believe that anyone walking in the truth could potentially be used in all of the gifts, but not by seeking the gifts but The GOD of Truth.
To the degree that we push His Word aside and compromise in beliefs for the sake of "peace" - to that degree the churches will be away from Him and if there's manifestations at all, they'll be counterfeit.

The Brother Deadn is correct. We're in the Apostasy from Truth and seeking Him for His Truth is not even on the list of important venues for the majority anymore.

And back to TV. I haven't watched one at home for more years than I can remember - but now that I'm living near my Dad, he has it on. Watching just FOX news is nauseating, in more ways than I can type out. What a subtle mind-control, social engineering, de-sensitizing, subtley demoralizing, opinion-shaping vehicle of deception that trash is.
I see the downward spiral since the days I did watch TV and can see how they've done it so gradually, that the regular viewers don't see that they've been brought down to except immorality that the Apostles would take a sledge hammer to.

How can people praise a GOD they've never personally encounterd?
How can they praise GOD when the riches of this world are forever in their minds as the norm, because of TV and how they spend their other free time?
How can anyone praise GOD when "The Spirit of Truth" is not where their "annoiting" is coming from? When many of today's preachers are saying, "Let's lay doctrine aside."
That word "doctrine(s)" only means "Teachings" and Jesus used that word 55 times in our Bibles. HE 'wrote' that Book. His "teachings" are about HIM - yet we hear - "Let's put all of these different doctrines/teachings aside." What a slap in the Face of the One Who Died for the Truth and sent His Spirit to testify to His Truth or Teachings.

How is the Holy Spirit of Truth suppose to Bless those who wait on a Holy Spirit of signs only?

When we leave His "Teachings", we've left HIM because He 'is' His Word and magnifies His Word above His Name.

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

I'm sorry, I just have to say that this generation doesn't Know Him and I pray it doesn't take starvation or a detention camp to get us to seek Him with all of our hearts. Amen

W

White_Stone Jun 12, 2011

He 'is' His Word and magnifies His Word above His Name.

Amen to that, Sister.

I pray it doesn't take starvation or a detention camp to get us to seek Him with all of our hearts.

Remember, Lazarus. Even if one came back from the dead. . .

I believe starvation and detention camps might awaken a few but the majority would curse God and cry for Egypt. That is what it says in Revelations. Horrible things happen and still they will not repent but will curse God.

I pray for the Saints,
white stone

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

When hunger is gone from a person, death is in view.

When we still hunger for His Word, there is Life.

His Word is Life. Both He and His Word is called the Bread of Life and the Word of Life.

His Spirit was sent to lead us into all truth and doesn't go beyond what is written.

I pray that we pray one for another - that nothing will rob us of our hunger for The Word of GOD, both Himself and His Word. That both will become manifest to us, so that nothing can tear down our belief in Him as GOD Immanuel and the strength that we receive from His Word and our time in His Presence, causes us to never recant or deny Him or the Truth in His Word.

There's an article out there entitled "The mind has no firewalls". I'd have to disagree with that premise, on the grounds that when The Spirit of Creator GOD indwells a human being and the mind has fed on His Word, HE 'is' our Firewall - come what may. :)

"Glory, Glory Alleluia, His Truth is Marching On!"

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

JIG

What a subtle mind-control, social engineering, de-sensitizing, subtley demoralizing, opinion-shaping vehicle of deception that trash is.
I see the downward spiral since the days I did watch TV and can see how they've done it so gradually, that the regular viewers don't see that they've been brought down to except immorality that the Apostles would take a sledge hammer to.

I have to say a big amen there! TV is ENTIRELY a mind control tool, hatched from the depths of hell. It is uni-directional, you cannot respond to it, all you can do is take in what it is feeding you. Been 10 years without one, and it was bad enough 10 years ago, but when I see what is on now I just cringe.

OJ

J

jimp Jun 12, 2011

hi, power comes only when action calls for it ... moses , what is in your hand...stretch forth that rod...or elisha saying where is the God of elijah.a group of bible school students where i live just got back from a mission trip to honduras and the volume of the buzz of excitement on their lips as they told story after story of what happened and that it was like they were in the book of acts.demons came out of people,healings ,over 100 saved etc... they will not be writing about how dead the church is. tuesday i pick up a student that went to india to minister for a month on his own... he has been mightily used.many years ago 2 friends drove from california to new orleans and led over 100 to the Lord on the way stopping at every gas station to help others and to witness...leo humphrey and arthur blessed...i have seen many miracles in my life as i obeyed that still small voice that promps me into action.jimp

sermonindex Jun 12, 2011

".. they will not be writing about how dead the church is."

Then why are we here - praying for "revival" of the church?

Let's quit praying for revival then and just get into action - right?

In 35 yrs of tracking missions, youth groups and missionaries since Bible College - let's hear how those who have ever went on a missions trip are doing 5 yrs later.

How many "Moses, Elishas, Elijahs" are there in the church now?

How many Arthur Blesseds?

Sure, signs and wonders will aways be out there - some legit and some counterfeit - but the Church as a whole - how are we doing?

What gave these Biblical men of GOD "Power" on a daily basis was their adherence to The Word of GOD in Truth.
If it's not in Spirit and in Truth, it's counterfeits -- the one thing we've been warned of the most by Jesus and his Apostles for these last days.

How can GOD Bless heresy or a disregard for His Word, when He exalts His Word above His very Name?

We should be walking-talking Bibles, read of all men, Daily and there's no excuse Not to be.
Only The WORD of Life gives that Genuine, lasting "Life" of Christ Himself - and signs and wonders are Not a test for the Genuine - and that's in His Word!

J

jimp Jun 12, 2011

hi, jig you are not giving enough credit to the Head of the church. your negativity defies the moves that are going on around the globe of real revival and do not promote faith in God to do much of anything. i am more excited about the church now than at anytime in the 48 years i have been seving the Lord. GO into the world...millions of people are being reached with the true gospel ofJesus and are becoming disciples of the Lord.in my city the churches have never been more united to bring revival and we see great strides.let the revival start in us and let us carry it to those around us,praying God will show up on the scene and redeem those He shed His blood for...len ravenhill used to tell me about people that knew the word of God but did not know the great and mercyful God of the word.jimp