Word of warning to Christians:
You should not covet the ability to perform signs and wonders. Instead, you should live in obedience to God, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, and reaching out a hand to help those in need. Those lusting over miraculous power and abilities are no better than Simon the sorcerer, who sought to purchase the power that Peter had through God. Do not get caught up in coveting powers that are God's alone to decide who uses and who does not.
"But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." (Acts 8:9-24).
God's power cannot be purchased or taught to conjure up. Beware those who teach or train how to achieve possession of God's power to perform signs and wonders. It is a first step to witchcraft (witchcraft essentially is trying to control something that you do not have the power or authority to control). It is up to God alone to decide who will have the power to perform miracles. God decides who will receive which spiritual gifts. We can't manipulate God into giving us a particular gift. No book purchased, seminar attended, or church service will teach you how to achieve the power of God. Do not be deceived. God will not give miraculous powers to those who are not living in obedience and are not ready to forsake all to follow him. He will not bestow power upon those who desire to use it for their own personal desires. God's powers are not used to bring glory or fame to ourselves. God's power is only used to glorify HIM and bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Do you want to perform signs and wonders? Why? What purpose do you want to achieve? And what price are you willing to pay? Those who do work in the true power of God and with miracles know that they will pay the price with their life. They will be forsaken by family, ridiculed, beat up to the point of death or maiming, imprisoned, and killed. Are you ready for that? Are you really? Following God in this radical way is not easy. Make sure you are ready because he won't give this gifting to those who are not willing to follow him not only to death, but to forsaking life as we know it. If you are not ready for this, don't expect miracles to follow you.
Mat 16:4b (NIV) "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign." People don't preach this scripture too often....because Christians are always looking for miraculous signs. I tell you these signs are not for strengthening a believer's faith...Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We are to live by faith, not relying on miracles but living in obedience to God whether or not we see anything exciting. The signs are for those who do not believe, because they are not living in faith. They are to show the world "God is here. God loves you!"
If you desire to manifest miraculous power, you need to check your heart and your priorities. It has become more important to you than obedience to God. Align yourself with God's will. Humble yourself, and get right with God. Don't worry or obsess about obtaining power. If you are truly living for Christ and putting Him before your own agenda, then if you are ever in a situation where miraculous power is needed, GOD will decide when and where it will be used, and it will bring HIM glory, not money, fame, and popularity to you.
You should not covet the ability to perform signs and wonders. Instead, you should live in obedience to God, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all, and reaching out a hand to help those in need. Those lusting over miraculous power and abilities are no better than Simon the sorcerer, who sought to purchase the power that Peter had through God. Do not get caught up in coveting powers that are God's alone to decide who uses and who does not.
"But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." (Acts 8:9-24).
God's power cannot be purchased or taught to conjure up. Beware those who teach or train how to achieve possession of God's power to perform signs and wonders. It is a first step to witchcraft (witchcraft essentially is trying to control something that you do not have the power or authority to control). It is up to God alone to decide who will have the power to perform miracles. God decides who will receive which spiritual gifts. We can't manipulate God into giving us a particular gift. No book purchased, seminar attended, or church service will teach you how to achieve the power of God. Do not be deceived. God will not give miraculous powers to those who are not living in obedience and are not ready to forsake all to follow him. He will not bestow power upon those who desire to use it for their own personal desires. God's powers are not used to bring glory or fame to ourselves. God's power is only used to glorify HIM and bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Do you want to perform signs and wonders? Why? What purpose do you want to achieve? And what price are you willing to pay? Those who do work in the true power of God and with miracles know that they will pay the price with their life. They will be forsaken by family, ridiculed, beat up to the point of death or maiming, imprisoned, and killed. Are you ready for that? Are you really? Following God in this radical way is not easy. Make sure you are ready because he won't give this gifting to those who are not willing to follow him not only to death, but to forsaking life as we know it. If you are not ready for this, don't expect miracles to follow you.
Mat 16:4b (NIV) "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign." People don't preach this scripture too often....because Christians are always looking for miraculous signs. I tell you these signs are not for strengthening a believer's faith...Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We are to live by faith, not relying on miracles but living in obedience to God whether or not we see anything exciting. The signs are for those who do not believe, because they are not living in faith. They are to show the world "God is here. God loves you!"
If you desire to manifest miraculous power, you need to check your heart and your priorities. It has become more important to you than obedience to God. Align yourself with God's will. Humble yourself, and get right with God. Don't worry or obsess about obtaining power. If you are truly living for Christ and putting Him before your own agenda, then if you are ever in a situation where miraculous power is needed, GOD will decide when and where it will be used, and it will bring HIM glory, not money, fame, and popularity to you.
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