Miracles, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues were temporary sign gifts limited to the apostolic age and have, therefore, ceased.

[VictoryinJesus]

Miracles, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues were
temporary sign gifts limited to the apostolic age and have, therefore, ceased.

Makes me think of: 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

But when that which is perfect is come…interesting is the gifts are given for “the perfecting of the body.” Notice: the Signs are not for the perfecting of the bible but for edification of the Body, in perfecting. Not the coming of a perfect bible as the completion.

But we are told of that which is not able to make any perfect. You said to speak in tongues were for a sign…a sign of what? To me it’s a sign foretelling of a “like mindedness” having one language, one voice. To me tongues are a sign of Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.


Same as circumcision made with hands was a sign of …circumcision without hands. (Circumcision of the heart)
A temple made with hands…foretelling of The Temple made without hands.
Same as water baptism foretells of “buried with Him and haven risen up with Him in Newness of Life.”

But just because circumcision made without hands was “for a sign” same as the temple made with hands and water baptism…they still all foretell of something which remains and which is more Glorious. Corinthians 3:9-13 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. [10] For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. [11] For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious. [12] Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: [13] And not as Moses, …which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfast look to the end of that which is abolished:

Point is…
If Physical healings foretold of …the Spiritual Healing to come. Then “healings” have not been done away with. Consider what is to judge not by sight? Sight says…do you “see” any “physical healings”? No? Then God doesn’t heal anymore but healing was only for a sign…a Sign of what Healing? Jesus Christ said “I only do what I see My Father doing. I only say what I hear My Father saying.” Since God is Spirit …how was God healing and speaking that Christ saw? The Healing Jesus Christ was foreshadowing in revealing the Work of God, who is Spirit?
if healing foretells of Spiritual Healing then healing has not been done away with. Same with tongues…in “I will turn the people a put language”
Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
For example: John 4:23-27 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [25] The woman said unto him, I know that Messiah comes, which is called Christ: —-when he is come—, he will tell us all things. [26] Jesus said unto her, I that speak unto you am he. [27] And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seek You? or, Why talk you with her?

 

[GTW27]

Think there is a communication problem here.

No there is no communication problem here. The words are before you. His words are before you. They will not be explained away. Heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will never pass away.

 

[GTW27]

I will take leave of this thread but I might stop back with another testimony to balance out the lack of faith and to show, "I The Lord do not change".

 

[Johann]

You speak of tongues were for a sign…a sign of what? To me it’s a sign for telling a “like mindedness” having one language, one voice. To me tongues are a sign of Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

Incorrect--and I have answered, biblically--just as I took time to put this together you must make time to read and not "second guess"

 

[Johann]

I will take leave of this thread but I might stop back with another testimony to balance out the lack of faith and to show, "I The Lord do not change".

No need--be merrily on your way.

 

[BlessedPeace]

What evidence? Refute what is posted or hold your peace.

Prove what you posted or hold yours.

Anyone who has experience in the blessing of healing in the face of incurable diagnosis know your claims are false.
Don't dare tell any Christian what God cannot do.

We know better.

 

[Johann]

We know better.

Of course you know better.

 

[ScottA]

Anytime a Christian seeks for miracles and signs rather than for God's word they are moving in a dangerous direction. The church has always been subjected to false teachers promising personal revelation and performing signs. The Bible warns about these evil men, in particular:


2Pet. 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
2Pet. 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2Pet. 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2Pet. 2:2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
2Pet. 2:3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

The Apostle John also warned about those who try to fool believers by their signs and prophecy:


1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;

We should avoid such people and seek the word of God. When we become students of God's word, we are taught by the Spirit to discern good from evil and press on to spiritual maturity (Heb 5:13-14).

We must rely on the context of Scripture to guide our interpretation, and by context we mean the entire Bible, particularly the New Testament. Here are some general guidelines we follow when relying on Biblical context to understanding how to interpret and apply Jesus' teaching:

1. Who did Jesus address with His comments? Did He repeat his comments to multiple audiences?
2. What application did Jesus make, if any?
3. How did Jesus' audience respond to the comments?
4. Do the New Testament authors repeat and extend Jesus' comments to a larger audience?
5. Do we see evidence of Jesus' comments at work in the Church today?

As an example, let's examine the passage from Mark 16 using these questions:

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16:16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
Mark 16:17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

1. Who did Jesus address with His comments? Did He repeat his comments to multiple audiences?

Jesus was speaking to the eleven immediately before His ascension. These were His last words to the Apostles. Therefore, He never spoke these words to other believers apart from these eleven men.

2. What application did Jesus make, if any?

Jesus says that these men should go into the world and preach the Gospel, and the signs He lists will "accompany" those who believe. The Greek word for "accompany" is parakoloutheo, which means "to follow closely to investigate."

Jesus wasn't saying that the new believers themselves would have such powers, but rather that when new believers are converted to belief, their conversions would be followed closely by miracles in order to satisfy those who might investigate the legitimacy of such conversions. This statement is perfectly consistent with the scene we saw in Acts 3, when Peter's conversion of the paralyzed man was "accompanied" by the man's supernatural healing.

So the application Jesus makes is that the Apostles should expect to see supernatural proof accompany their work as evangelists to validate their ministry among the people.

3. How did Jesus' audience respond to the comments?

Immediately, the Apostles began to follow Jesus' words of instruction. Peter and John began declaring the Gospel and producing the miracles Jesus described, beginning in Acts 2 and continuing throughout first century. Famously, Paul encounters a deadly snake in Acts 28:3-5, but he is not harmed by the bite. These experiences confirm that Jesus' immediate audience accepted Jesus' words as a literal truth for their lives and lived accordingly.

4. Do the New Testament authors repeat and extend Jesus' comments to a larger audience?

In a word, no. None of the New Testament authors ever teach Jesus' words as a universal truth for all believers. The letters from the Apostles give no authority to believers in general to speak in tongues, cast out demons, heal the sick or handle deadly animals without harm, etc.. Consequently, we should not assume to receive such gifts or powers without specific evidence that the Holy Spirit has chosen to gift us such powers.

On the other hand, we do know that men apart from the eleven Apostles in the early church were gifted to heal and cast out demons (i.e., Acts 8), but these men were also operating under the authority of the Apostles and within the time of the early church. Consequently, we should conclude from the context of Scripture that while such powers are possible outside the office of Apostle, they are not commonly available to believers today nor are believers encouraged to seek or expect such powers.

5. Do we see evidence of Jesus' comments at work in the Church today?

We rarely see such powers at work in the Body of Christ today, especially as a consequence of conversions. Remember, Jesus promised that these signs would "accompany" conversions. Though supernatural healing, demonic exorcism and other miracles do occur in the Church today from time to time, they are not the common experience when people come to faith. In the earliest days of the Church, they were commonly associated with conversions, but today they are not.

Since we know that such power must come from the Spirit, we can conclude that the Spirit has not purposed to make them as prevalently today as He once did in the early Church, which is in keeping with their intended purpose to validate the conversion within the early Church.

Yours in Christ Jesus

The occurrence of miracles is from God and not to be muddled with the seeking of signs which is from men. These must be rightly divided by the source of each, as they are completely different.

Again, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thus the issue is not with God but with men and their unbelief...of which you yourself are a prime example. You do not see what you do not believe and therefore speak as if it is a general reality. But Jesus clarified this issue, and you have not taken it to heart.

As it is written, "But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house. Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:4-6).

 

[Johann]

The occurrence of miracles is from God and not to be muddled with the seeking of signs which is from men. These must be rightly divided by the source of each, as they are completely different.

Again, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thus the issue is not with God but with men and their unbelief...of which you yourself are a prime example. You do not see what you do not believe and therefore speak as if it is a general reality. But Jesus clarified this issue, and you have not taken it to heart.

As it is written, "But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house. Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:4-6).

I would recommend you read Miles Coverdale on how to study the Scriptures and have no problem you aggressively lump me in with unbelievers @ScottA

 

[ScottA]

I would recommend you read Miles Coverdale on how to study the Scriptures and have no problem you aggressively lump me in with unbelievers @ScottA

I recommend you read Jesus and not lump me in with those you send elsewhere.

 

[Johann]

I recommend you read Jesus and not lump me in with those you send elsewhere.

I would recommend you read the Pauline epistles and keep the passive/aggressive attitude to yourself--thus far you have refuted nothing.

 

[Lizbeth]

I would recommend you read the Pauline epistles and keep the passive/aggressive attitude to yourself--thus far you have refuted nothing.

I would in all sincerity like to recommend you lay what you believe about this subject on the altar and ask God about it.

James 1:5-6
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

Remembering that His strength is perfected in our WEAKNESS. Faith is of the SPIRIT, and we need more than our initial deposit of it......would someone who believes as you do have faith to ask God in faith and to hear from Him? It's sad that many prefer to rely on the strength of their own carnal mind and that of other men and writers rather than coming to the Lord in weakness and asking Him to judge the matter and show them the truth. He's alive you know...we can and should ask Him things.

 

[Johann]

I would in all sincerity like to recommend you lay what you believe about this subject on the altar and ask God about it.

James 1:5-6
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

Remembering that His strength is perfected in our WEAKNESS. Faith is of the SPIRIT, and we need more than our initial deposit of it......would someone who believes as you do have faith to ask God in faith and to hear from Him? It's sad that many prefer to rely on the strength of their own carnal mind and that of other men and writers rather than coming to the Lord in weakness and asking Him to judge the matter and show them the truth. He's alive you know...we can and should ask Him things.

Just quoting Scriptures @Lizbeth and would suggest you read them all--in context and refute and correct where you can--there's a reason for posting this topic.


PRAYER A DISPENSATIONAL STUDY
In this lesson we shall learn that prayer is certainly a dispensational study. No Christian,
in this age of grace, in the light of Romans 12:17 to 21, would pray any of the many imprecatory
prayers by God’s most spiritual servants under the reign of law.

Note Matthew 21:22 - I Timothy 2:8 - John 14:13: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall
ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I
do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

Every one should know that God does not hear the prayers of unsaved people, no matter
how religious and sincere and earnest they may be.

But James 5:16 is always true, “the effectual
fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” “The ear of the Lord is open unto the cry of
the righteous.” (I Peter 3:12).

It is true, that Stephen, when dying, prayed unto the Lord Jesus; but that was for Israel’s
benefit concerning the Son of man. (Acts 7:51 to 58). The Son instructed His disciples to pray to
the Father.

It is true that many spiritual Christians claim rich blessings praying to Christ and the
Holy Spirit. But strictly speaking prayer should be offered in accordance with John 14:13 and
Romans 8:26, to the Father, in the name of the Son, through the intercession of the Holy Spirit.

Christians well taught in the Scriptures, do not address the Saviour, as “Jesus.” When we
speak of our Saviour, let us call Him our Lord Jesus Christ.
Note Romans 8:26 and I John 5:14: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for
we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession
for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” “And this is the confidence that we have in Him,
that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”

These two conditions of answered prayer have been a great blessing in my own Christian
life, together with James 1:5 and 6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering: for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and

tossed.” And let us never forget Psalm 66:18, “if I regard iniquity, in my heart, the Lord will not
hear me.”

I confess that I am impotent and ignorant apart from God’s Divine wisdom from above
made known to me by the indwelling Spirit: “And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is
the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of
God.” Romans 8:27.

Only in this way can any Christian ask according to God’s will.
As we study the prayers of Luke 18:13 - Acts 10:4 - Acts 8:15 in the light of I John 2:2-
Titus 2:11 - Ephesians 1:13 and 14, and especially in the light of the Lord’s message of
reconciliation committed to Paul with the dispensation of grace, (II Corinthians 5:18 to 21), no
Spirit-taught messenger of grace will tell any sinner that he must pray to be saved or pray
through to receive the Holy Spirit. God’s “grace” way is not of works - not by works - not of
yourself. (Ephesians 2:9 - Galatians 3:2 - Titus 3:5 to 8) - Salvation and the Holy Spirit are
God’s “grace” gifts when the sinner believes. Christians should pray without ceasing; should
pray for one another, with all prayer and supplication for all saints and for all things. (I
Thessalonians 5:17 - Philippians 4:6 to 8 - Ephesians 6:17 and 18 - James 5:16).
Note these prayers in God’s program of grace: Philippians 1:9 - Colossians 4:2 - II
Corinthians 13:7 - Romans 12:12 - I Timothy 4:5.

https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ONE-HUNDRED-AND-SEVENTY-BIBLE-LESSONS.pdf

PRAYING GOD’S WILL
PRAYER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
~ Luke 22:42
1. Prayer is Not a Democracy
a. It’s normal not to know how to pray. It’s normal to think prayer should work for you.
b. Prayer does not have the purpose of making your voice/vote heard before God.
c. “God loves to answer petitions that are signed by more than one signature,” really?
d. Prayer has the purpose of aligning our will with God’s, not God’s will with ours.
e. We pray by the will of God, according to the will of God, and for the will of God.
f. For prayer to work for the will of God, we must know the will of God.
2. Men Who Prayed God’s Will
a. Abraham prays and a man is healed – Genesis 20
b. David’s heart desire prayers – Psalm 37:4, see 37:5, 9, 11, 23, 29, 31, 40:8
c. Solomon’s prayer of dedication – 2 Chron 7:14 overshadows 6:1, 4, 8, 17, 19, 40-42
d. Daniel prays to return to Israel – Lev 26:39, Jer 29:10-14, Daniel 9:2-6, 13, 17-21
e. 12 disciples prayed for a kingdom to come and daily provision/protection – Luke 11:2-4
f. Jesus knew the will of God that he had to die, and why – Luke 18:33, 22:20
g. Jesus prayed “not my will, but thine, be done” Luke 22:42
h. John knows what to pray for with a Spirit unction – 1 John 5:14-15, 3:22-23, 2:27, 1:9
i. Every prayer prayed the will of God, and their own aligned with it.
j. How do you get prayer “to work”? Know how God is working.
3. The Will of God Today
a. Prayer works according to how God works.
b. How God works (what he does) has changed, therefore prayer has changed.
c. We are not Israel, not under law, and strangers from the covenants/earthly kingdom.
d. God’s will today in the revelation of the mystery of Christ given to Paul - Rom 16:25
e. God will have all men be saved and come to knowledge – 1 Tim 2:4
f. God will have you walk in what you know now, sanctified, grateful – 1 Th 4:1-5, 5:18
g. It is easy to read and know the will of God than it is to pursue it in prayer.
4. Praying Under Grace
a. All the physical/political/covenant prayers changed to spiritual/ministerial/grace prayers.
b. We know not what to pray when we don’t understand His will/spiritual things - Col 1:9
c. Prayer works by understand what God is doing, pray accordingly, and watch - Col 4:2-4
i. God’s will is revealed, and it is glorious! Are you praying that your will be done?
ii. God’s grace is sufficient. Are you praying thinking it is not?
iii. We are dead, bought with a price, in His service: we work in prayer for His will
d. You can stand perfect and complete in all the will of God – Col 4:12
e. Struggle knowing what to pray? A good prayer might be, ”Thy will be done. Not mine.”
Justin

 

[ScottA]

I would recommend you read the Pauline epistles and keep the passive/aggressive attitude to yourself--thus far you have refuted nothing.

I shook your tree and the fruit...well, it's enough. So let it be written.

 

[Johann]

Here is MacArthur on your verse @Lizbeth

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:4 perfect. Not a reference to sinless perfection (cf. 3:2), but
to spiritual maturity (cf. 1 John 2:14). The testing of faith drives believers to
deeper communion and greater trust in Christ—qualities that in turn produce a
stable, godly, and righteous character (see note on 1 Pet. 5:10; cf. Gal. 4:19).
complete. From a compound Greek word that lit. means “all the portions
whole.”


JAMES—NOTE ON 1:5 wisdom. James’Jewish audience recognized this as the
understanding and practical skill that were necessary to live life to God’s glory.
It was not a wisdom of philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in
the pure and peaceable absolutes of God’s will revealed in his word (cf. 3:13, 17)
and lived out. Only such divine wisdom enables believers to be joyous and
submissive in the trials of life. ask God. This command is a necessary part of the
believer’s prayer life (cf. Job 28:12–23; Prov. 3:5–7; 1 Thess. 5:17). God intends
that trials will drive believers to greater dependency on him, by showing them
their own inadequacy. As with all his riches (Eph. 1:7; 2:7; 3:8; Phil. 4:19), God
has wisdom in abundance (Rom. 11:33) available for those who seek it. See
notes on Prov. 2:1–8.

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:6 ask in faith. Prayer must be offered with confident trust in
a sovereign God (see note on Heb. 11:1). with no doubting. This refers to
having one’s thinking divided within himself, not merely because of mental
indecision but an inner moral conflict or distrust in God (see note on James 1:8).
wave of the sea. The person who doubts God’s ability or willingness to provide
this wisdom is like the billowing, restless sea, moving back and forth with its
endless tides, never able to settle (cf. Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21; Rev. 3:16).

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:8 double-minded man. A lit. translation of the Greek
expression that denotes having one’s mind or soul divided between God and the
world (see note on 4:4). This man is a hypocrite, who occasionally believes in
God but fails to trust him when trials come, and thus receives nothing. The use
of this expression in 4:8 makes it clear that it refers to an unbeliever. unstable.
See notes on 1:6.

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:9–10 lowly brother . . . the rich. Trials make all believers
equally dependent on God and bring them to the same level with one another by
keeping them from becoming preoccupied with earthly things. Poor Christians
and wealthy ones can rejoice that God is no respecter of persons and that they
both have the privilege of being identified with Christ.

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:9 boast. This word refers to pride in a privilege or
possession; it is the joy of legitimate pride. Although having nothing in this
world, the poor believer can rejoice in his high spiritual standing before God by
grace and the hope which that brings (cf. Rom. 8:17–18; 1 Pet. 1:4).

JAMES—NOTE ON 1:10 his humiliation. Refers to the rich believer’s being
brought low by trials. Such experiences help him rejoice and realize that genuine
happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God’s grace, not earthly
wealth.

 

[Johann]

I shook your tree and the fruit...well, it's enough. So let it be written.

--is firm, rooted, unshakable-you might want to give it another go.

 

[Johann]

I would in all sincerity like to recommend you lay what you believe about this subject on the altar and ask God about it.

James 1:5-6
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

Remembering that His strength is perfected in our WEAKNESS. Faith is of the SPIRIT, and we need more than our initial deposit of it......would someone who believes as you do have faith to ask God in faith and to hear from Him? It's sad that many prefer to rely on the strength of their own carnal mind and that of other men and writers rather than coming to the Lord in weakness and asking Him to judge the matter and show them the truth. He's alive you know...we can and should ask Him things.

What I enjoy about Wiersbe--@Lizbeth

Let—a Surrendered Will (1:4, 9–12)
God cannot build our character without our cooperation. If we resist Him, then He chastens us into
submission. But if we submit to Him, then He can
accomplish His work. He is not satisfied with a halfway
job. God wants a perfect work; He wants a finished
product that is mature and complete.
God’s goal for our lives is maturity. It would be a
tragedy if our children remained little babies. We enjoy
watching them mature, even though maturity brings
dangers as well as delights. Many Christians shelter
themselves from the trials of life, and as a result, never
grow up. God wants the “little children
” to become
“young men,” and the “young men” He wants to
become “fathers” (1 John 2:12–14).

Paul outlined three works that are involved in a
complete Christian life (Eph. 2:8–10). First, there is
the work God does for us, which is salvation. Jesus
Christ completed this work on the cross. If we trust
Him, He will save us. Second, there is the work God
does in us: “For we are his workmanship.” This work is
known as sanctification: God builds our character and
we become more like Jesus Christ, “conformed to the
image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). The third work is what
God does through us—service. We are “created in
Christ Jesus unto good works.”

God builds character before He calls to service. He
must work in us before He can work through us. God
spent twenty-five years working in Abraham before He
could give him his promised son. God worked thirteen
years in Joseph’s life, putting him into “various testings”
before He could put him on the throne of Egypt. He
spent eighty years preparing Moses for forty years of
service. Our Lord took three years training His disciples, building their character.

But God cannot work in us without our consent.
There must be a surrendered will. The mature person
does not argue with God’s will; instead, he accepts it
willingly and obeys it joyfully. “Doing the will of God
from the heart” (Eph. 6:6). If we try to go through trials without surrendered wills, we will end up more like
immature children than mature adults.

Jonah is an illustration of this. God commanded
Jonah to preach to the Gentiles at Nineveh, and he
refused. God chastened Jonah before the prophet
accepted his commission. But Jonah did not obey God
from the heart. He did not grow in this experience.
How do we know? Because in the last chapter of Jonah,
the prophet is acting like a spoiled child! He is sitting
outside the city pouting, hoping that God will send
judgment. He is impatient with the sun, the wind, the
gourd, the worm, and with God.

One difficult stage of maturing is weaning. A child
being weaned is sure that his mother no longer loves
him and that everything is against him. Actually, weaning is a step toward maturity and liberty. It is good for
the child! Sometimes God has to wean His children
away from their childish toys and immature attitudes.
David pictured this in Psalm 131: “Surely I have
behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned
of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child” (Ps.
131:2). God uses trials to wean us away from childish
things; but if we do not surrender to Him, we will
become even more immature.

In James 1:9–11, James applied this principle to
two different kinds of Christians: the poor and the
rich. Apparently, money and social status were real
problems among these people (see James 2:1–7, 15–16;
4:1–3, 13–17; 5:1–8). God’s testings have a way of leveling us. When testing comes to the poor man, he lets
God have His way and rejoices that he possesses spiritual riches that cannot be taken from him. When
testing comes to the rich man, he also lets God have
His way, and he rejoices that his riches in Christ cannot wither or fade away. In other words, it is not your
material resources that take you through the testings of
life; it is your spiritual resources.
We have three imperatives from James so far:
James 1
852
count—a joyful attitude; know—an understanding
heart; let—a surrendered will. He gives a fourth.
Ask—a Believing Heart (1:5–8)

The people to whom James wrote had problems with
their praying (James 4:1–3; 5:13–18). When we are
going through God-ordained difficulties, what should
we pray about? James gives the answer: ask God for
wisdom.

James has a great deal to say about wisdom (James
1:5; 3:13–18). The Jewish people were lovers of wisdom, as the book of Proverbs gives evidence. Someone
has said that knowledge is the ability to take things
apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together.
Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. All of us know
people who are educated fools: they have brilliant academic records, but they cannot make the simplest
decisions in life. I once met a gifted professor on a seminary campus, and he was wearing two hats!

Why do we need wisdom when we are going
through trials? Why not ask for strength, or grace, or
even deliverance? For this reason: we need wisdom so we
will not waste the opportunities God is giving us to
mature. Wisdom helps us understand how to use these
circumstances for our good and God’s glory.

An associate of mine, a gifted secretary, was going
through great trials. She had had a stroke, her husband
had gone blind, and then he had to be taken to the hospital where (we were sure) he would die. I saw her in
church one Sunday and assured her that I was praying
for her.
“What are you asking God to do?” she asked, and
her question startled me.
“I’m asking God to help you and strengthen you,”
I replied.
“I appreciate that,” she said, “but pray about one
more thing. Pray that I’ll have the wisdom not to waste
all of this!”
She knew the meaning of James 1:5. [A woman after my heart!]

James not only explained what to ask for (wisdom),
but he also described how to ask. We are to ask in faith.
We do not have to be afraid, for God is anxious to
answer, and He will never scold us! “He giveth more
grace
” (James 4:6). He also gives more and more wisdom. The greatest enemy to answered prayer is
unbelief.

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Miracles, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues were temporary sign gifts limited to the apostolic age and have, therefore, ceased.

That's what satan is telling everyone!

 

[rockytopva]

The Apostle Paul begins his discourse by saying...

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:4

The Apostle Paul ends his discourse by saying...

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. - 1 Corinthians 14:39

I enjoy services where there is a good time in Worship, followed by a good time in the Word, and concluded by a time in prayer at the altar. At the church I currently attend there are probably a dozen of musicians. Some skilled in the percussion, keyboards, and string instruments. And sometimes even a word in tongues. I enjoy services where all the gifts are in operation.

 

[rockytopva]

The Apostle Paul begins his discourse by saying...

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:4

The Apostle Paul ends his discourse by saying...

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. - 1 Corinthians 14:39

I enjoy services where there is a good time in Worship, followed by a good time in the Word, and concluded by a time in prayer at the altar. At the church I currently attend there are probably a dozen of musicians. Some skilled in the percussion, keyboards, and string instruments. And sometimes even a word in tongues. I enjoy services where all the gifts are in operation.

There are many churches that could use some gifting of the Holy Spirit. A man of the 1800's tells of being tortured by a church where it was only a time in the word...

"Grandfather was kind to me and considerate of me, yet he was strict with me. I worked along with him in the field when the weather was agreeable and when it was inclement I helped him in his hatter's shop, for the Civil War was in progress and he had returned at odd times to hatmaking. It was my business in the shop to stretch foxskins and coonskins across a wood-horse and with a knife, made for that purpose, pluck the hair from the fur. I despise the odor of foxskins and coonskins to this good day. He had me to walk two miles every Sunday to Dandridge to Church service and Sunday-school, rain or shine, wet or dry, cold or hot; yet he had fat horses standing in his stable. But he was such a blue-stocking Presbyterian that he never allowed a bridle to go on a horse's head on Sunday. The beasts had to have a day of rest. Old Doctor Minnis was the pastor, and he was the dryest and most interminable preacher I ever heard in my life. He would stand motionless and read his sermons from manuscript for one hour and a half at a time and sometimes longer. Grandfather would sit and never take his eyes off of him, except to glance at me to keep me quiet. It was torture to me." - George Clark Rankin