That is mostly what convinced me in talking to you Michael, I can feel you believe this gift is open and freely given to all but I still see it as a personal confirmation. I probably am the most guilty - I did look into on clips from the internet. I saw film clips of people sounding (what's a good word?) unpleasant to the ear. But I was never in the room with it, so if there was a rise in spiritual energy, it would probably make a huge difference to me because I know I can feel that. What bothers me most is no understanding - no translators. God already knows what's in my heart, the Holy Spirit/God does not need to converse with Himself without my understanding. But you say you eventually understand what you pray, if not at the time, after. The early clips I heard do not sound quite the same as the ABC report, altho similar, they don't sound as unpleasant as the ones made in the 60's. I wonder about this - is it imitation has changed it? the message? the early clips don't show anyone rolling on the floor - sometimes it's just an audio tho. For me? I need to understand - and I give no special points to Anokian, anymore than I do someone who speaks ancient Greek. I understand the joy you speak of - all personal confirmations give that. Who said healing has passed? I see and hear of miracles all the time. It is always awesome. Some we barely notice they can be so mundane. But we don't understand the process by which these are granted, to who and why?
The 60's? That was a few years ago. I mean, given your limited exposure it would be hard to sort with just those few experiences. If you went to one of those hang off the rafters, roll all over the floor places where they all speak tongues then I am sure it would be common as sliced bread and you would be on my side saying Preach it Mike!!!
I first saw tongues in prison, had no idea what it was. I grew up baptist and they say that type of thing is not real or passed away. The sincerity of this men and their love, plus the Miracles I saw changed my mind. Nobody put me down for not speaking tongues and nobody even bothered to ask me if I wanted to.
As for healing? by his stripes we are healed. All things Jesus said are possible to them that believe. It's not up to God, its already there for anyone that will believe. We need to spend less time asking and hoping and more time thanking and believing.
I never ask God for something I see in His Word. If he said it, then it is so and I believe it. A Lamborghini is not in scripture, I would have to ask for that.
Being a noob and preaching Jesus everywhere in Prison it got some folk upset. This white skin head group that was in to druid and Satan worship. It got them real upset at me in the Kitchen where I worked with them. I guess to me they needed Jesus and I seemed to be the only one in the Kitchen that knew Jesus.
After warning me to keep my mouth shut many times, one of them put bleach and window cleaner in my big cup of coffee I always sat by the station I was cooking at. I took a big gulp before I knew anything and it felt like someone just removed my lungs. I can't describe the pain, I could not even inhale hardly.
It almost put me into shock, I don't think I could move or breath. It's times like this you can't do anything physical but you can choose what you believe. You can choose to be afraid, or you can choose no fear and be strong in the Lord. We have choices and it's these Choices is where you see God move in amazing ways, or you attend a funeral. Your own or someone you love.
(Attending yours is not really optional in most cases)
See, unlike a lot of believers I meditated on these scriptures because when it comes time to lay my hands on someone sick, I don't need any doubt getting in the way. It just so happens Jesus also said something else in there.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Mar 16:17-18)
I never planned to use that part of the scripture for myself, but there I was, trying to just get a little air and in intense pain.
I use to stand in my cell and look at my hands. I would say these hands are commissioned by Jesus to destroy cancer in peoples lives, My voice will cast out devils who torment others. My hands are anointed of the Lord to destroy all forms of sickness and heal cripples. Those are the things I would meditate on and build myself up in faith.
It just so happened I would also confess over if I drink any deadly thing, It can't harm me. Just because it was part of that passage.
I think God Jesus said that the day I drank that coffee, because when I got just enough air in I said........ "Father, forgive them, I thank you ahead of time, that you said if I drink any deadly thing, it shall not harm me. Thank you Lord.
No fear, no worry, I had confessed that scripture so long that it was more real than the fact I could no feel my lungs or breath. After I said that I was slowly able to get more air, then more. The burning was horrible but I just kept getting more air as I could.
The devil is screaming at me to get help, lay down, I knew his voice in my head. No way devil, I am going back to work, If Jesus said it would not hurt me, then bless God I am not hurt.
I did hurt but I stood straight up and walked over to my work station and started to work again. By the time I got back to my dorm, all I could taste and smell was bleach but no burning and no pain inside my stomach.
the next day I was fine. It was also that day all 7 of them were moved out of the kitchen for various reasons. None to do with me but God moved and they were all gone that next day.
It was a few months latter that blond head kid that use to run with them saw me eating. Not seen him in a long time and he asked if He could sit with me. I said fine, sit down. As soon as he sat down he started to bawl like a baby. He said he saw me drink what they put in my coffee and he said He heard what I said. He said when He saw I was fine like nothing happened he knew My Jesus was a whole lot stronger than his Satanic Worship. He said he also heard me say forgive them.
He got pulled out of the kitchen for fighting in the dorm, but he said that next day he went to church service and gave his life to Jesus and stopped hanging with those guys. He said he asked the Lord if he could just meet me one more time and He did.
So you have to understand Silk, when I see Jesus say something, to me it's just a fact. I don't try to reason it out. Others want to reason out tongues and everything else. Child like faith Sister, Moves mountains for any that will be a child.
Your a baby in spirit years, right?
Blessings.