Testing the Spirits

Today's Readings: I Cor. 12:1-11; I John 4:1; and I Thes. 5:21
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In these verses, God gives his Church instructions regarding spiritual gifts and their uses. God does equip the church with his Holy Spirit to minister to the Body of Christ through their use for the common good.

In many churches, however, the use of the gifts have been hijacked by personal agendas or misguided people with good intentions, but a lack of biblical order. The Bible makes it clear that there is a pattern and an order that governs the use of the gifts. Not only is there an order that should be followed, there is also a responsibility to confirm the use of the gifts by "testing the spirits." This test confirms that what is happening is really of God. God will never contradict Scripture or his character. Consequently, if a prophecy or interpretation should ever disagree with Scripture, it cannot be of God.

I often receive words of prophecy or exhortation via e-mail from respected ministers around the world. On most occasions, these messages align with Scripture and I can receive them as a word from the Lord. However, there are times when even respectable and dependable ministers make mistakes. On these occasions, I read through their message and I compare what they say to Scripture and to what I know in my Spirit to be God's way of moving.

For my devotional time today, I encountered a prophecy from a respected leader that just did not sit well with my spirit. I went through line by line and tested each statement against the Word of God and against what I believed to be the character and will of God as he has revealed consistently through history. I know it is long, but I want to show my work below: My thoughts are the ones in color interjected between the original prophetic word:

Please note the reference and all names within have been removed so as not to offend the particular ministry. i am not critiquing a minister, just testing a word!
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I am a watchman and try to watch carefully for patterns and trends that affect each of us. The enemy loves to change times and laws.Therefore, he will use worldly structures and controls to hinder Kingdom advancement. TRUE

Praying for Supply Lines to Open, Economic Shifts to Occur, and the KINGDOM TO ADVANCE! If you have not been able to watch this month'sXXXXXXXXXXX class, "XXXXXXXXXXXX", you can still register to watch that "on demand" through August 30. Go to our webstore to purchase that e-ticket. If God is giving this as a word, there should not be a charge to his people for the word of the Lord....Christ instructs us that the messages are for the common good of the body, not the financial good of one ministry. We have some great leaders to help you in the future to understand the faith realm God is calling us to NOW! For our next class we have invited XXXXXXXXXXXX, a minister leader in XXXXXXX and a market leader with XXXXXXXXXXX. We will be discussing trade structures. XXXXXXXXXXXXX, another business leader, recently shared some financial insights that I will share below.The Word from XXXXXXXXX..

I want to encourage you to re-read what the Lord spoke to me while we were at the XXXXXXXXXXXXXX conference in XXXXXXXX. I want to be sure we are processing the word correctly. This is a good thing...making sure we process God's words correctly...I'm just not sure they are doing so this time.Therefore, what God said was: "Watch for an economic shift by the end of this month. Between August 24 and October 17, there will be great changes in the financial system. Be aware that the banking system ha snot finished making its changes. We will start into an accelerated shift in structure. The government is in an open rearrangement." (Seethe full word below.)

I do not believe that the Lord is talking about a big Stock Market Crash or a Bank Run. This could happen, but that is not the overall issue to understand. There is a full rearrangement of the economic system going on worldwide. If you have not read XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, there are chapters in each book on wealth that could help you. Here is one perspective that is important for you to understand. Even though the dollar is changing and fluctuating, this is a time your dollar could really work for you to acquire resources. Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. While God wants good stewardship, we are NOT to be concerned with wealth building! This is a prosperity message that is dangerous because it places the focus of Christians on making MONEY not on GOD and His work... Remember the Word in Jeremiah 17, cursed is the man who trusts in man. Money is from man, not God. I don't accumulate a lot of money (especially now) but I am provided for beyond my needs because God is faithful to give what I need when I need it. I don't pursue wealth, it comes to me by God's blessing when he wants me to have it. Many banks have resources they have acquired from loss. These resources could be redeemed by those who have extra dollar buying power. You could seek to acquire resources. Some banks must move now to alleviate themselves from the over abundance of failed loans and corresponding properties. This could be a catalyst for Kingdom advancement. However, no one seems to have extra dollars to "take the land". This is a misapplication of Scripture. The Israelites took the Promised land because God gave it to them and they had to be obedient to trust him for it. They had to be obedient to march into the land trusting that God would take care of the enemy. Furthermore, when they did fight, It was God that won the battles at Jericho and who caused the sun to stand in the heavens. WE are to trust GOD, not to take upon ourselves the burden of financial aggression. If we look at the "giant" that is controlling economic structures and choose to shrink back, then we could lose ground and miss an opportunity to advance now. Also, this could leave an open door for a thrust from a dark side to control the land and The Devil can do NOTHING apart from what God allows him to do. Our trusting God to provide for us in his way and his time will not be considered "inaction" of which the devil can take advantage. Even if worldly property and institutions are consumed by the enemy, God cannot be defeated, nor can we as his heirs. God will give us Kingdom authority regardless of what we physically possess. During the Tribulation, when the 144,000 sealed Jews will remain, do you think it will be by prosperity they will succeed...because they own a bunch of buildings and lands, or do you think it will be by the supernatural power of God... after all at some point the very ability to buy and sell will be in the hands of the enemy... our accumulating wealth will not change that.keep the land from being occupied with those who hold God's plan.

So here is what I have done personally: I cashed in my retirement and paid off debts; Paying off debt is the best investment you can make. Since the Bible confirms we are to owe no man anything, this is a word from the Lord.
I gave to the future of the land; I helped some others advance; I made sure the XXXXXXXXX accounts were up to date; I helped two children advance; we analyzed foreign currency, such as the Australian Dollar, Euro, Turkish Lira, etc., to see how currencies are moving world-wide.

I do not think that this is a reactive type of prophetic word - just a word to be prepared by October 17. The economic structure as we have known it will not be same, so if you are buying stocks on the same basis and understanding of a system of yesteryear, you will probably not see the return you are looking for. You should be cautious in this endeavor anyway! The Bible says to avoid quick gain... Stocks promise high yield, but come with high risks...I believe there are more stable forms of investing God's money.I always like to get perspectives from others. Yesterday, I visited with a successful business friend of mine, XXXXXXXXXXX, who gave the following wisdom:"There is a way out of this famine supernaturally and what the Lord has begun He will finish. <--- that was the best truth yet! It is supernatural and it is the Lord. He did tell me to prepare myself to negotiate very shrewdly and consider all options! I know that I must let go of some assets and if this requires drastic cuts that is OK. Bankruptcy may be an option to be evaluated and considered.This line worries me...Bankruptcy is an institution of the world that allows people to forgo paying off their debts and keeping their words as good stewards of their finances because they are looking for a way out. I really do not believe that running to bankruptcy is a very biblical thing to do. Bankruptcy ruins your financial standing and as a Christian you are still obligated to keep your financial word and pay off your debts....TRUST GOD FOR PROVISION SUPERNATURALLY I feel we must understand and know all options in order to see our way into the future and receive strategy to take a key turn.BUT BEHIND EVERY STRATEGY IS GOD...He is to whom we should be looking!

I believe it is a time to expect the supernatural and place a high demand on the Spirit of God to move. YES! Absolutely! I hear the Lord reminding me of a word you gave last year around September that said we must move and do something even if we make a mistake. This is a mentality of 'I refuse to stand still and perish in the famine.' The example you gave was climbing up on the high board and jumping when you did not know how to swim. Passion must still be tempered by WISDOM....

I hear the Lord saying, 'Out of desperation comes creativity, and for a season I will be like an artist that paints a new picture with many colors.' My normal personality is to focus in on 1 or 2 things to maximize profits, and now I am painting all over the canvas to find the new. I am not sure what I will create. Hope that makes some sense!

I feel we should move in the entrepreneurial anointing and pioneer.....there is not a path to follow that has been cut out for the season ahead. Therefore, we must open the way.WRONG! God will open the way before us and He will plow out a path... don't go path finding on your own...wait until you see the path God has created for you! The bible is full of people who jumped ahead of God and got in big trouble. . . Anyone remember King Saul, he was nervous because the prophet wasn't showing up and his army was growing restless. Saul took it upon himself to make the sacrifice...for his actions, God chose a new king!We have to cut the path and be the forerunners in this season so others may follow. God is the only one people should be following...Follow me as I follow God. If people see us doing anything, it will be us following God. Businesses must be birthed and others are being linked into their destiny and choices will be presented. If we will dig the well, God will fill it with water for us to drink from in the future. Again, this is getting ahead of God... Don't just assume you can do something on your own and then ask God to bless your efforts. God will only bless what we do when we do what he has told us to do. Isaac ran into many problems when digging wells. It was only when he returned to his father's (Abraham's) wells, the ones God instructed to be built, that he had success. And don't forget Saul from above as another example of this point.

I also hear that many 'churchy people' or 'religious people' will not be able to see the new thing God is doing to impact the world. The wealth is there to be transferred. AGAIN, do not be pursuing wealth, be pursuing God. But we must see and move in His timing. True and in his WAY and his DIRECTION! Businesses are coming forth that 'church people' will say,'You should not have linked up there and you can't take money out of that arena.' However, the Lord is saying, 'Align and watch Me give you entry way to fields you have never entered before!'"Just make sure your alliances are biblical...Be not unequally yoked applies to all facets of our lives, including business...That is Scripture.

Here Are Some Points to Watch NOW! The way the Church gathers and strategizes is very key for days ahead! Here are some points for us to embrace at this time in history:Shifting, Changing Laws! The enemy loves to change times and laws.Therefore, he will use worldly structures and controls to hinder Kingdom advancement. We must stay active in Civil Government.I agree, but we must also be in the business of changing hearts above changing laws. If we don't change the heart, it will not matter what the Law is. Sinners break laws...Therefore, you must convert the sinner before you convert the law. Frankly, if you change every one's hearts, the laws won't matter and they will change on their own! How we vote is how we are visited in the future. Politically motivated shift sin laws and governmentally influenced ventures and investments will produce blame and create power wars that divide and control certain institutes of societies. all the more reason to focus on the heart over the law.

Changing Supply Lines! Go back and review the Gold Market in every decade so you can find your pattern for the shift that will take place in currency in each season! Money, economic regulations, and changing financial structures do not affect the Kingdom, but do affect how we build the Church in days ahead. The church is part of the kingdom. Still, God will provide for the church within the framework of his Kingdom plan. If he does not, then the asset shift we must be prepared for (as he mentioned earlier) will be the giving up of our grandiose buildings and lavish wastefulness in a return to small group churches meeting in homes or caves. Unregulated derivatives will continue for a while longer. This will cause the Banking System to change drastically and expand the supply of money and credit. This creates another bubble waiting to burst. For instance, in the United States,individual States are losing revenue and beginning to cut services.Some effects from this are: the poor will get poorer; a decline instate workers; a cut in medical services; a lack of Medicaid funding for the elderly; a decline in education decline; a potential for violence; and the exhaustion of unemployment benefits. Yes, so change people's hearts! God can provide for us despite all these things because our hope is in him, not the systems. When he does provide for us, people will be curious about the God who supplied for us and will come to him for salvation.(after all, the poor will always be among us.)

Slavery structures must be reviewed. Watch your debt structure!Develop a plan for debt management and alleviation.GREAT! Ask for favor with institutes.WRONG, ask for favor with GOD...he'll handle the rest. Watch governmental manipulation beginning from July 2009.Many institutions will attempt to manipulate debt to make money. Debt produces poverty. We must watch debt patterns in our lives, counties,cities, and nations.

Changing Economic Structures Worldwide! Inflation could happen at anytime, so always have a plan for inflation. Consider your ways! Have plans to diversify your investments and resources. Do not put all of your eggs in one basket. Do not have a basket so "tight" that you cannot remove or add or redirect resources into Kingdom purposes and plans; your funds must not be so restricted that you cannot move in God's timing of shifts. For instance, keep watching and moving your natural resources, gas and oil to gold and silver stocks at the appropriate timing. This person sounds WAY too invested in things of the world. Watch the emerging markets of China and India. (I am sold on watching this!) Watch products that enhance the land such as fertilizer and other agricultural-related ventures. Biotech developmental groups are always key for us to watch. His Kingdom is a sure thing in times of shifting economic trials!The church is not now, has it ever been, nor should it ever be a guide to investing in things other than GOD! .. . Beware of quick gain! Trust in God and lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven!!!!!

Restoring Waste Places! Carefully watch the cities where bulldozers begin to demolish old structures. Watch as the Repairer of the Breach calls us into a rebuilding season. Certain cities must be transformed.

Realignment of Nations! There will be "chess move" made by Russia and China to counteract the dollar base of world currency over the next 18months. This will affect many systems, but will fall short in complete governmental dominance and control. Israel will become more and more the center of discussion and division in nations in days ahead. China is attempting to create a new reserve currency. China is gathering and securing gold resource throughout the world. The effect will be that anew world currency base is developing.Inevitable conclusion based on the Revelation.

A Major Shift in Training in God's Kingdom Plan. We must develop creative skills! We must become sensitive to the problems of people.We must address every obstacle as a challenge with a solution that is available. AKA the people, not money We must not fear causes because we know the Spirit can produce results through us.

We must be motivated by a covenant expression of God's plan in the earth through His vision rather than through money.If he would have said this at the beginning, he would not have needed to print everything before this point? We must be adaptable and observant to the changes around us. We must see the world around us differently, ask a lot of questions, and synthesize things from an intuitive perspective. We must become a fluent, flexible and imaginative people who are not afraid to be original and divergent in our thinking processes. So long as we are not divergent from God's plans.

We Must Align and Be Trained for the Future! God has a battle array and an order that will reflect His holiness in days ahead. We will have a new vocabulary, a new presentation of identity, and a new dimension of authority as we enter the next season. i don't understand this.. Our identity in Christ is unchanging, so I don't know what he is talking about... Furthermore, there is "nothing new under the sun." So again, I just don't get this paragraph. New trainingstructures are being developed to help God's people understand theircovenant blessing and spiritual inheritance.