TONGUES is a precious gift from God
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Might as well get the "Are you kidding?" factor out of the way right off the bat.. lol
When I was a child I noticed the cover of a lot of my comic books said "Written by Stan Lee". I thought it was just a convenient made up name (and part of the comic aesthetic). But didn't think much more about it. When I was 18 I got baptized and received the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. So now God is my Dad so to speak, and I started praying about most anything that bothered or mattered to me.
Some years later I was flipping through the channels and happened across an interview with Stan Lee. I thought "Hey, this is actually a real guy!" and decided to watch the interview, even though it seemed rather low-budget. Turns out he made a lot more characters than what I knew of... almost ALL the characters of what is now the 'Marvel Universe' in fact. It was a smaller industry then but superhero movies were gaining popularity. The interviewer continued to follow him through the house, asking about different characters... how he comes up with the ideas... where he does his best work, etc. Mr Lee was honest and open about everything including his relationships with the corporations making the movies.
It was all pretty tame until the last question which went something like this "Does it ever bother you that you're living on about $40,000 per year while they're making millions off of the characters you created? His demeanor changed suddenly and in a way that made it obvious that for a long time he had been telling himself that it didn't bother him and that it was somehow "Okay". But the look that took over his face clearly said "No, Stan, it is NOT okay". He may have even asked "Why did you have to ask me that?" In almost the next frame the interviewer was soon standing outside on the front steps. The interview was OVER.
That bothered me. I started praying and asked "God, I know that you deal with important stuff like salvation...and this is just comic books... But that just doesn't seem right. Is there something you can do?" and probably prayed some more because I was upset.
The next time I heard of Stan Lee, I heard he was suing the corporation(s) that were using his created characters. I thought "Good for you".
The next I heard was that he'd won and was going to receive 10's of millions of dollars in back pay, would have a cameo in (and would receive royalties from) every film featuring one of his characters for the rest of his life. And I think receive something like 10% of the gross of each film. (to the best of my recollection.)
Thank-you Jesus.
Now I'm sure someone will think or say "That had nothing to do with your prayer." *Shrugs* perhaps I've just seen God do bigger things, and move on less fervent prayers than how I was praying for Mr. Lee. Plus, I asked God to create justice for Mr. Lee and I got to see it come to pass. That is thanks-to-God worthy in my book (and his, technically). Besides, the next one is a lot more "me and my prayer" involved and still has to do with sizable sums of money. Yet nay-sayers will still nay-say, and praisers will still praise. \o/
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
When I was a child I noticed the cover of a lot of my comic books said "Written by Stan Lee". I thought it was just a convenient made up name (and part of the comic aesthetic). But didn't think much more about it. When I was 18 I got baptized and received the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. So now God is my Dad so to speak, and I started praying about most anything that bothered or mattered to me.
Some years later I was flipping through the channels and happened across an interview with Stan Lee. I thought "Hey, this is actually a real guy!" and decided to watch the interview, even though it seemed rather low-budget. Turns out he made a lot more characters than what I knew of... almost ALL the characters of what is now the 'Marvel Universe' in fact. It was a smaller industry then but superhero movies were gaining popularity. The interviewer continued to follow him through the house, asking about different characters... how he comes up with the ideas... where he does his best work, etc. Mr Lee was honest and open about everything including his relationships with the corporations making the movies.
It was all pretty tame until the last question which went something like this "Does it ever bother you that you're living on about $40,000 per year while they're making millions off of the characters you created? His demeanor changed suddenly and in a way that made it obvious that for a long time he had been telling himself that it didn't bother him and that it was somehow "Okay". But the look that took over his face clearly said "No, Stan, it is NOT okay". He may have even asked "Why did you have to ask me that?" In almost the next frame the interviewer was soon standing outside on the front steps. The interview was OVER.
That bothered me. I started praying and asked "God, I know that you deal with important stuff like salvation...and this is just comic books... But that just doesn't seem right. Is there something you can do?" and probably prayed some more because I was upset.
The next time I heard of Stan Lee, I heard he was suing the corporation(s) that were using his created characters. I thought "Good for you".
The next I heard was that he'd won and was going to receive 10's of millions of dollars in back pay, would have a cameo in (and would receive royalties from) every film featuring one of his characters for the rest of his life. And I think receive something like 10% of the gross of each film. (to the best of my recollection.)
Thank-you Jesus.
Now I'm sure someone will think or say "That had nothing to do with your prayer." *Shrugs* perhaps I've just seen God do bigger things, and move on less fervent prayers than how I was praying for Mr. Lee. Plus, I asked God to create justice for Mr. Lee and I got to see it come to pass. That is thanks-to-God worthy in my book (and his, technically). Besides, the next one is a lot more "me and my prayer" involved and still has to do with sizable sums of money. Yet nay-sayers will still nay-say, and praisers will still praise. \o/
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
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TOTALLY Agree! + There are Several Bible study Rules that should be heeded.
Many are claiming today, that "the Holy Spirit" taught them, but when they
are disobedient to one more of these Rules then we should be Very Cautious
that we are NOT "being Deceived By Any Means." Amen?
GRACE And Peace...
Many are claiming today, that "the Holy Spirit" taught them, but when they
are disobedient to one more of these Rules then we should be Very Cautious
that we are NOT "being Deceived By Any Means." Amen?
GRACE And Peace...
TOTALLY Agree! I have on "ignore" those who:
1) Condemn me, having "been Saved By God's GRACE Through a living faith," that
I am really lost, because they apply, From the Previous dispensation: "faith
WITHOUT works is dead," to Today's Dispensation Of God's Pure GRACE!
2) Judge/condemn me, because NO ONE (in their opinion of osas) can Really
"know that he/she Has God's FREE Gift Of ETERNAL Life!" (1 John 5:13 +
God's OPERATION On All HIS New-born babes In CHRIST! +
God's ETERNAL Assurance!)
3) And, alas, the current subject about "tongues" there are some critics who:
Judge me (never having "spoke in tongues") that I am "NOT filled with The Spirit,"
or: Condemning = DON'T "have the Spirit at all."
Judge me, that I am "missing out on a SECOND blessing from God," NOT ever
"speaking in tongues." What about God's EVERY Word, for me, when He Saved me?:
Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath
blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
How can there then, be a SECOND one??? I'll simply go With God's Word!
Judge/condemn me, because I believe "That Which Is PERFECT Has Come,
and, therefore, "tongues have ceased" According To The Scriptures.
So, just the same Serious question remains for prayerful/Careful
Consideration of ALL diligent BIBLE students:
IF God's Pure and HOLY Word Of Truth Is NOT PERFECT, THEN, please pray tell:
What is IT? IF it is IMperfect, then how can I (or anyone else) Trust IT,
Or The Almighty God, WHO Gave IT to us? Why would God "MAGNIFY..."
an IMperfect word "...ABOVE All Of His HOLY Name!" (Psalms 138:2)
-----------------------------------
Thanks Be To God, HE Alone Will Be my Judge, According To HIS PERFECT
And Trustworthy Word Of Truth. Amen?
Thus, I believe, and thus I have spoken. Please Be Encouraged In CHRIST,
And In His PERFECT Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!
my own personal Bible study Of: 3 gifts Superseded By God's THREE Gifts!
1) Condemn me, having "been Saved By God's GRACE Through a living faith," that
I am really lost, because they apply, From the Previous dispensation: "faith
WITHOUT works is dead," to Today's Dispensation Of God's Pure GRACE!
2) Judge/condemn me, because NO ONE (in their opinion of osas) can Really
"know that he/she Has God's FREE Gift Of ETERNAL Life!" (1 John 5:13 +
God's OPERATION On All HIS New-born babes In CHRIST! +
God's ETERNAL Assurance!)
3) And, alas, the current subject about "tongues" there are some critics who:
Judge me (never having "spoke in tongues") that I am "NOT filled with The Spirit,"
or: Condemning = DON'T "have the Spirit at all."
Judge me, that I am "missing out on a SECOND blessing from God," NOT ever
"speaking in tongues." What about God's EVERY Word, for me, when He Saved me?:
Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath
blessed us with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
How can there then, be a SECOND one??? I'll simply go With God's Word!
Judge/condemn me, because I believe "That Which Is PERFECT Has Come,
and, therefore, "tongues have ceased" According To The Scriptures.
So, just the same Serious question remains for prayerful/Careful
Consideration of ALL diligent BIBLE students:
IF God's Pure and HOLY Word Of Truth Is NOT PERFECT, THEN, please pray tell:
What is IT? IF it is IMperfect, then how can I (or anyone else) Trust IT,
Or The Almighty God, WHO Gave IT to us? Why would God "MAGNIFY..."
an IMperfect word "...ABOVE All Of His HOLY Name!" (Psalms 138:2)
-----------------------------------
Thanks Be To God, HE Alone Will Be my Judge, According To HIS PERFECT
And Trustworthy Word Of Truth. Amen?
Thus, I believe, and thus I have spoken. Please Be Encouraged In CHRIST,
And In His PERFECT Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!
my own personal Bible study Of: 3 gifts Superseded By God's THREE Gifts!
I would agree to this that A LOT of people saying such as you've stated,however it does not make invalid what thus saith the word,any promises or commandments,or helps.
We must match everything a person says to the word,if it holds true and we reject it that is on us.
I would be so ashamed if when I stand before Jesus he shows me my missed blessings of promises!
Instead of resisting what the Holy Spirit is,his gifts, purposes and power, use the word for him to reveal himself to you.
You have to be submitted, seeking the fullness of God in an humble way to receive from him.
I really wished you'd yeild instead of resisting. Ask God to reveal himself COMPLETELY to you.......and he will.
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Money-related Testimony #2
Not long after becoming Mayor of a certain small town, we rediscovered a decades-old problem with our sanitary sewer system which handles the drainage of residential water (as opposed to the storm sewer which handles the drainage of rain water).
We tried the simple fixes like assuring sump pumps and downspouts ran to the correct sewer system, yet the problem remained. It looked like we were going to have to 'bite the bullet' and fix this problem with real money.
Well this wasn't our first significant issue, nor the first I've taken to prayer. So internally I say "Well God, You did a great job fixing the Police problem and the Public Works problem... You wanna give us a new sewer too?" Having said this half-heartedly in the middle of a council meeting I didn't exactly sit and wait for a reply. So, accidentally, I'd left it "laying at the foot of the cross" as people say.
We contacted an engineering firm, did a camera survey of our piping, and created photo album documenting the problems plaguing the southwest 1/3 of town.
MEANWHILE... a severe thunderstorm hits the area and the Governor declares our county a disaster zone. FEMA funds became available for damages proven to have been created or worsened by the storm. We already have "Before" photos. So we send the camera down again for "After" photos, and submit the application. Our reasoning was "Hey, maybe we'll get 7, 10 or maybe even $30,000". It was worth a shot.
NOTE: I’m abbreviating the remainder of the story.
While waiting, the engineers show us a cool new process of fixing sewers by re-lining them. (Pipe Re-lining Video here) We LIKE the relining option.
FEMA’s reply arrives: “We’re giving you $714,000”.
...We’re ecstatic...
We ask the engineers “Is that enough to re-line the pipes?” Engineers say “Yep.”
God says to me “But you didn’t ask for re-lined pipes.” I reply “Does that mean…??”
Someone notices FEMA’s numbers are based on a pipe depth of only 2 feet. (Ours are buried up to 28’ deep).
We submit a plan for re-lined pipes to FEMA along with a Thank-you letter and mention of the depth error.
FEMA replies “We acknowledge the depth miscalculation. We’ve increased your funding to $1.1 MILLION accordingly. We REQUIRE that you replace all damaged pipe with brand new. If it costs exceed that amount, we’ll cover that too.” (paraphrased)
Total cost of project $1.7 Million. FEMA covered $1.4 Million because we did a few extra projects while the ground was tore up.
CONCLUSION: Yep, it meant God was going to give us NEW, not relined sewer piping according to the original request. Is God good? (UNSPOILER ALERT: Yes. Yes he is.)
Thank-you Jesus!!
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
Not long after becoming Mayor of a certain small town, we rediscovered a decades-old problem with our sanitary sewer system which handles the drainage of residential water (as opposed to the storm sewer which handles the drainage of rain water).
We tried the simple fixes like assuring sump pumps and downspouts ran to the correct sewer system, yet the problem remained. It looked like we were going to have to 'bite the bullet' and fix this problem with real money.
Well this wasn't our first significant issue, nor the first I've taken to prayer. So internally I say "Well God, You did a great job fixing the Police problem and the Public Works problem... You wanna give us a new sewer too?" Having said this half-heartedly in the middle of a council meeting I didn't exactly sit and wait for a reply. So, accidentally, I'd left it "laying at the foot of the cross" as people say.
We contacted an engineering firm, did a camera survey of our piping, and created photo album documenting the problems plaguing the southwest 1/3 of town.
MEANWHILE... a severe thunderstorm hits the area and the Governor declares our county a disaster zone. FEMA funds became available for damages proven to have been created or worsened by the storm. We already have "Before" photos. So we send the camera down again for "After" photos, and submit the application. Our reasoning was "Hey, maybe we'll get 7, 10 or maybe even $30,000". It was worth a shot.
NOTE: I’m abbreviating the remainder of the story.
While waiting, the engineers show us a cool new process of fixing sewers by re-lining them. (Pipe Re-lining Video here) We LIKE the relining option.
FEMA’s reply arrives: “We’re giving you $714,000”.
...We’re ecstatic...
We ask the engineers “Is that enough to re-line the pipes?” Engineers say “Yep.”
God says to me “But you didn’t ask for re-lined pipes.” I reply “Does that mean…??”
Someone notices FEMA’s numbers are based on a pipe depth of only 2 feet. (Ours are buried up to 28’ deep).
We submit a plan for re-lined pipes to FEMA along with a Thank-you letter and mention of the depth error.
FEMA replies “We acknowledge the depth miscalculation. We’ve increased your funding to $1.1 MILLION accordingly. We REQUIRE that you replace all damaged pipe with brand new. If it costs exceed that amount, we’ll cover that too.” (paraphrased)
Total cost of project $1.7 Million. FEMA covered $1.4 Million because we did a few extra projects while the ground was tore up.
CONCLUSION: Yep, it meant God was going to give us NEW, not relined sewer piping according to the original request. Is God good? (UNSPOILER ALERT: Yes. Yes he is.)
Thank-you Jesus!!
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
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