6 Really Bad Charismatic Doctrines We Should Retire - J. LEE GRADY

6 Really Bad Charismatic Doctrines 

We Should Retire

5/7/2014 J. LEE GRADY

I will never apologize for being a charismatic Christian. I had a dramatic experience with the Holy Spirit many years ago, and nobody can talk me out of it. I love the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence in my life and His supernatural gifts. I love to prophesy, speak in tongues, pray for the sick and see people changed by the Spirit’s power.

At the same time, I’m aware that since the charismatic movement began in the 1960s, people have misused the gifts of the Spirit and twisted God’s Word to promote strange doctrines or practices. Seeing these errors never caused me to question the authenticity of what the Holy Spirit had done in my life. But I knew I had to stay true to God’s Word and reject any false teachings I encountered.

My simple rule is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (NASB). In other words: Eat the meat and spit out the bones.

As I have traveled throughout the body of Christ in recent years, I’ve experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. I love God’s people, and I know there is a healthy remnant of Spirit-filled churches that are striving to stay grounded in biblical truth. But I also know we have reached a crossroads. We must clean up our act. We must jettison any weird doctrines we might have believed or practiced that are hindering our growth today.

Here are a few of the worst errors that have circulated in our movement in the past season. You may have others that need to be added to this list. I believe we are grieving the Holy Spirit if we continue to practice these things:

1. "Touch not My anointed." Chances are you’ve heard this weird doctrine based on 1 Chronicles 16:22. In an attempt to discourage any form of disagreement in the church, insecure leaders tell their members that if they ever question church authority, they are “touching the Lord’s anointed” and in danger of God’s judgment. Let’s call this what it is: spiritual manipulation. It creates worse problems by ruling out healthy discussion and mutual respect. Church members end up being abused or controlled—or even blacklisted because they dare to ask a question.

2. Dual covenant. We charismatics love and respect Israel. Some of us even incorporate Jewish practices in our worship—such as wearing prayer shawls, blowing shofars or celebrating Hebraic feasts. These things can enrich our Christian experience—but some leaders go too far when they begin to teach that Jews don’t need to believe in Jesus Christ to experience salvation. They imply that Jews have special access into heaven simply because of their ethnic heritage. This is a flagrant contradiction of everything the New Testament teaches.

3. Inaccessible leadership. In the 1980s, some charismatic ministries began to teach pastors and traveling ministers that in order to “protect the anointing,” they must stay aloof from people. Ministers were warned to never make friends in their congregations. Preachers began the strange practice of skipping worship on Sunday mornings—and then appearing on the stage only when it was time for the sermon in order to make a dramatic entrance. Shame on these people for attempting to justify arrogance. Jesus loved people, and He made Himself available to them. So should we.

4. Armor-bearers. The same guys who developed item No. 3 started this strange fad. Preachers began the practice of surrounding themselves with an entourage: one person to carry the briefcase, another person to carry the Bible, another to carry the handkerchief. Some preachers hired bodyguards … and even food-tasters! The armor-bearers were promised special blessings if they served preachers who acted like slave-owners. Reminder: True leaders are servants, not egomaniacs.

5. The hundredfold return. Before his death in 2003, Kenneth Hagin Sr., the father of the faith movement, rebuked his own followers for taking prosperity teaching to a silly extreme. In his book The Midas Touch, he begged preachers to stop misusing Mark 10:28-30 to suggest that God promises a hundredfold return on every offering we give. Hagin wrote, “If the hundredfold return worked literally and mathematically for everyone who gave in an offering, we would have Christians walking around with not billions or trillions of dollars, but quadrillions of dollars!” Hagin taught that the hundredfold blessing refers to the rewards that come to those who leave all they have to serve God in ministry.

6. Money cometh. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for giving money publicly to be seen by others. Yet in the 1990s, some charismatics got the wild idea that God would release a magical blessing if we would drop wads of dollar bills at the preacher’s feet while he was in the middle of his sermon. Leroy Thompson of Louisiana popularized this flamboyant practice with his infamous 1996 sermon, in which he encouraged people to shout in King James English, “Money! Cometh to me now!” Then the people would run to the front of the auditorium to pour cash into his coffers. The money came, for sure, and more cash-hungry preachers jumped on the bandwagon. Taking an offering became a form of exhibitionism, and Christians began viewing their offerings like lottery scratch-offs.

God requires holiness not just in our behavior but also in our doctrine. Let’s discard these and any other foolish teachings that have brought confusion and dishonor to the body of Christ.

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma. You can follow him on Twitter at@leegrady. He is the author of The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale and other books.

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA MAGAZINE by email.

Love For His People Editor's Note: I totally agree with Lee on these six points. Having worked with three ministries over a total of 24 years, from 1987-2010, before starting Love For His People in July of 2010, I had seen, experienced, and sometimes clutched my teeth while observing these abuses myself. I am sorry for any part I had in them. (The "not touch my anointed", "body guard" and "armor-bearer" were three I particularly knew about.)

May the good Lord deliver us from that which does not bring Him glory, while at the same time bringing shame on us among the people.

Steve Martin

Founder

Ukrainian Jews Flee Violence, Fulfill Prophecy

Ukrainian Jews Flee Violence, Fulfill Prophecy

Julie Stahl and Chris Mitchell, CBN News  May 7, 2014

JERUSALEM, Israel -- The disintegrating situation in Ukraine has led to an increase in anti-Semitic attacks against Jews living in the country. Many Jews are talking about escaping to Israel.

Nineteen Ukrainian Jews arrived in Israel this week after escaping the violence engulfing their country. Others still wait and worry about relatives left behind.

Ilena Hila Feingold, who has lived in Israel for many years, works for The Jewish Agency.

"I'm from Donetsk. I arrived to Israel in 1991 with my family but still now I have in Donetsk my aunt," Feingold told CBN News. "She's 86 and I'm very worried -- what about her, I don't hear about her. I'm only praying that it will be okay."

Feingold's job is to help other Jewish people come home to Israel.

"For the Jewish people it's different and it's different in all cities -- in the Western part of Ukraine, it's not the same to the eastern part -- but the one thing is common that we feel that the Jews want to go to Israel more, [many] of them," Feingold said.

In the early 1990s, more than a million Jews immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union, many of them from the Ukraine. That tapered off, but now immigration from the Ukraine has risen more than 100 percent in the first months of 2014.

Ilena and Daria, friends in their early twenties, arrived on this week's flight.

"It's a difficult situation in my country. I'm from Ukraine; that's why I'm here and I love Israel," Daria said. "I've been here many times. I have relatives here. That's my country."

Ilena came earlier on a study program and now she's back to stay.

"Oh it's a hard situation. Everyday people are dying there," Ilena said. "I don't know if it's safe for now to be there for Jews."

The flight that arrived in Israel this week was sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which began helping Jews immigrate to Israel more than 25 years ago.

"The Embassy has already helped more than 40,000 Ukrainian Jews; sometimes it was in times of conflict like this," ICEJ spokesman David Parsons said. "This seems to be another occasion where Jews are in danger in the Ukraine. There have been an increase in anti-Semitic attacks and they're wanting to come home."

Parsons sees this return as a part of biblical prophecy.

"We do believe that the return of the Jewish people is fulfillment of God's promises to bring the Jews back," Parsons told CBN News.

"Some Christians sort of focus on the dark side of prophecy -- Who's the anti-Christ? When is Armageddon going to happen? -- but we focus on the positive side, the return of the Jews," Parsons said.

"Even in the Hebrew prophets it speaks of gentiles assisting with this," he continued. "And we see ourselves in Scripture as those gentiles that God has beckoned to, as it says in Isaiah 49, come help with the return of the Jews back to the land."

Watch the video: Hungarian Jews Leaving for Israel

Israel Furious Over American Charges of Espionage

Israel Furious Over 

American Charges of Espionage

Wednesday, May 07, 2014 |  Israel Today Staff  

Share on bloggerShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on gmailMore Sharing Services

Related Stories

• Gingrich: There are no Palestinians!
• Israeli views of Obama increasingly unfavorable
• Obama visit to Israel aimed at influencing coalition talks?

Topics:

America

US intelligence officials say Israel has “crossed red lines” in its spying on America, according to a report published in Newsweek on Tuesday. According to the report, in closed door meetings the Americans expressed growing concerns that the Israeli “friends” had gone way too far in their espionage activities on US soil.

The remarks were reportedly made during intelligence briefings to members of Congress amidst ongoing discussions over whether or not to remove visa restrictions on Israelis wishing to visit the US. Currently, Israelis require a pre-approved visa to visit the US, while Americans can enter the Jewish state without any prearranged permits.

Newsweek reported that the American intelligence officials are most worried over what they said were Israeli’s constant efforts to obtain industrial and technological secrets. The officials insisted that while this is true of all nations, Israeli spying in America far exceeded that of any other ally.

  Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren responded by telling Israel’s Ynet news portal that the allegations of Israeli spying were simply untrue. “Israel has not spied against the United States since the Pollard affair, period,” said Oren. “I do not know if there are people in the business and commercial arena that conduct espionage, as this happens all over the world, but no one is spying [in America] on behalf of the Israeli government.”

Another Israeli official told Ynet that it was probably a case of some American politicians who are opposed to removing visa restrictions on Israelis. “Anyone who opposes the removal of visas for Israeli has only to bring up the topic of intelligence security,” he said. “It always works.”

Another official said the entire affair carried the “stench of anti-Semitism.”

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also weighed in, telling Israel Radio: “We’re talking about lies and falsehood, simply libel which is baseless and unfounded. I am sorry that there are apparently anonymous elements in the United States who are simply trying to maliciously spread false accusations.”

Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates from ISRAEL TODAY.

Why a Mother’s Prayer Can Change Everything by RUTH L. WHITFIELD

                                          A mother's prayer is powerful. (Lightstock)

Why a Mother’s Prayer Can Change Everything

5/6/2014 RUTH L. WHITFIELD SPIRITLED WOMAN, cHARISMA mAGAZINE

I remember seeing my mother kneeling at the side of her bed and praying aloud for each of her children and grandchildren. That memory is forever etched in my mind, and I will never forget sensing a strong presence of God through her intercession. I came away with a sense of reverential fear and trust that no matter what would happen to any of us, God would honor her prayers on our behalf.

My mother is in heaven now, yet it’s a comfort to know that the Lord continues to honor those prayers. It encourages me to continue to pray for my own children and grandchildren no matter how uncertain their futures or what they are currently facing.

I am sure that there are bittersweet moments for each of us whose parents have gone on to be with the Lord. We remember them. We miss them. We now realize how wise they really were. Our hope in the Lord is that we will see them again and enjoy His presence together.

Except for Eve, the mother of all living, we’ve all been blessed with mothers. Our mothers helped shape who we are today—for good or not so good. We learned from their example and from their mistakes. And when we had children of our own we realized what a challenge they faced raising us.

Some of us are privileged to have our moms around to help us with our own children. They bring the wisdom of experience and offer their time, love and energy to the task. What a blessing to have a doting grandma to pour unconditional love on our offspring!

But even with all that, the Holy Spirit is our best adviser, teacher and counselor. He knows what’s best for each child and can give us the insight to know what each needs and how to pray His will concerning each one. God hears a mother’s prayer.

I am thankful for His instruction and “coaching” as I grappled through years of raising an autistic son in a ministerial fish bowl filled with well-meaning parishioners giving “expert” advice concerning things they knew nothing about. Without the Lord, we would not have made it. Time and time again, He would admonish me to trust Him with our son.

That was not an easy task. We would place him on the altar, so to speak, and then quickly take him off, load ourselves with worry, then place him on the altar again. Then we’d call on the Lord for help and take one day at a time doing as He directed. The result was miraculous! Today, he’s a grown man who loves and serves the Lord, can earn a living and is active in the men’s group at church. Surely, God is worthy of our trust.

Surely, He knows what’s best for us and for our children. He is totally trustworthy.

Sometimes we worry when we don’t see our children going in the direction we feel would be best for them. Yet we have His promise that if we raise them and train them in the way they should go, when they are old they will not depart from them (see Prov. 22:6). Though they may stray as they try to find their own way in life, they will return to what was instilled in them (see 2 Tim. 3:15). It’s a promise.

Perhaps you are a single parent wrestling with raising your children and working full time. You feel exhausted and overwhelmed. You wonder how you are going to make it through another day. Take heart. You are not alone. The Holy Spirit will provide and direct you each step of the way. Our Father hears a mother’s prayer. Trust Him.

If God has blessed you with a special-needs child, know that He has given you a treasure. It may not feel that way sometimes. You may feel as if you are the only one carrying the responsibility relating to your child, your spouse, your other children and the household. And if you also work outside the home it’s a balancing act like no other. But His grace will enable you to do all He requires of you. You will learn the meaning of unconditional love and enjoy deep fellowship with Him. His love and grace is available—and it’s free.

Perhaps your children are grown and your mom is in her golden years and needing care. The tables have turned—you are now the caregiver and she is the one needing your help. It’s difficult for her to transition from total independence to needing care and provision. Do you struggle with the demands of your own family and her needs? Well, you are not alone. Honoring your mom in this season takes as much grace as handling a household of kids, a special-needs child, a full-time job and a cranky husband. But God is able to sustain you and go even beyond your need. He is there to give you His sufficiency, rest and restoration as you take time to get alone with Him.

No matter what season of life you are walking through, the Lord is there for you.  Whether you see yourself as a daughter honoring her mother, a mother enjoying her children or one who is pulled in many directions at once, our God is more than able to provide you with everything you need to make this the most wonderful season of your life. Remember that God answers a mother’s prayer. Happy Mother’s Day!

PRAYER POWER

This week surrender yourself and your children to the Lord and thank Him that He is ever present in every season of your life. Ask Him for the wisdom that is readily available and that He alone can give. Thank Him for the expected outcome, plans and purposes He has for you and your family. Pray for those who have sons, daughters and loved ones in the military. Ask the Lord to strengthen their faith and bring them comfort during this season of separation. Pray for protection over their sons and daughters as well as our own nation and its leaders. Prov. 22:6; James 1:6

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive SpiritLed Woman by email.

What if God Really Did Do This One Thing? by ALEX KOCMAN

We like to keep God in our own theological box, but the hardest pill to swallow in the book of Romans is that God is perfectly justified in condemning or saving whomever He pleases. (CreationSwap/Travis Silva)

What if God Really Did Do This One Thing?

5/6/2014 ALEX KOCMAN  CHRISTIAN LIFE NEWS

Whenever I’ve had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with someone, perhaps the biggest regret I have in every conversation ismaking too little of God’s justice.

We pray for help, healing, guidance, and the salvation of others. We thank God for good things, like food in our stomachs and a roof over our heads. When we’re feeling inspired, we give God some holy attention in worship. And, in moments of great clarity, we may even have the wisdom and soberness to thank Him for the cross.

But almost never do we dare let our minds wander to God’s justice—much lest praise Him for it.

What if God _________?

Theologians argue in circles over God’s sovereignty and our own free will, and countless volumes have been written throughout church history with little consensus. And in the name of unity, many young Christians tune the whole thing out.

But as a result, one of Paul’s most frightening verses has been profoundly ignored.

“What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy…?” (Romans 9:22-23a)

Many believers, upon reading this verse, will barge into Scripture to douse the fire of this verse. “Surely God doesn’t create people just to send them to Hell,” we are quick to specify—and rightly so, of course.

But that said, the problem is that Paul’s point isn’t mainly to teach a theological principle about how we get saved. His main point is to ask one question:

What if?

What if God did have full control over who chooses Him and who didn’t?

What if He did have the ability to force everyone into Heaven by trusting the Gospel, but to glorify Himself, He didn’t?

Am I suggesting that God made certain people just for the hell fire? Certainly not. But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, consider this.

Before You Answer…

How you answer the questions of God’s sovereignty in this passage is not the point. The point is that God has the right to do whatever He wants.

He is not arbitrary, unjust, or egotistical.

He is, simply put, God.

He does nothing that’s inconsistent with His perfect justice and righteousness—even forgiving us required that His wrath be unleashed against a substitute. But His sense of justice is just a wee bit superior to ours.

Are we okay with the possibilities that opens up?

Respectable thinkers can make compelling arguments for both sides of the Calvinism/Arminianism debate. But whoever you are, as soon as you find yourself clinging at all costs to, “God can’t do _______,” you might be thinking in the flesh.

We all must realize already that God would have been perfectly justified not to saveanyone at all; why are we so quick to limit the character and behavior of a God whom we can only access at a blood-bought, great and terrible price?

“Perfect love casts out fear,” we cite over and over again, reminding ourselves that we don’t have to be scared of God. But even this oft-used verse implies that there was some fear to begin with in need of being cast out.

In other words, God is fearsome—yet the sacrificial punishment of Christ grants us the tremendous gift of full access to His love and mercy only, Christ having absorbed all His justice and wrath.

The mercy bought to us at the cross gives us access to the same God who proclaimed against His own chosen people: “Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger; the staff in their hands is my fury!” (Isaiah 10:5, ESV)

Regardless of where you stand theologically, do not forget that you—the clay has no right to question the potter (Romans 9:21).

The Right Reaction

Biblical theology has its place. But, to butcher Paul’s words from Romans 11 and 12…

Who can fully understand the depths of the riches of God’s knowledge, planning, and power over the human heart? Who can give God advice? To whom does God owe anything? Answer: no one.

By contrast, everything—from the greatest galaxies to the insects crawling the earth, including you and the person you’re sharing the Gospel with—is all for God, from God, to God, and through God. His glory is chief.

So give Him glory sacrifice yourself to Him, and let Him transform your limited human mind.

Old word...but still new and fresh every morning.

On our book self...from our father's and the Promised Land.

Reading and knowing His word is a great privilege.

Any time is a good time to read His Word.

He will lead you 

in the way you are to go.

Arise! Shine! For your light has arrived - ISRAEL365

Arise! Shine! For your light has arrived, and the glory of the Lord shines upon you. ISAIAH (60:1)   קוּמִי אוֹרִי כִּי בָא אוֹרֵךְ וּכְבוֹד יְ-הוָה עָלַיִךְ זָרָח ישיהו ס:א ku-MEE o-REE kee va o-RAYKH u-kh'VOD a-do-NAI a-la-YIKH za-RAKH

Today's Israel Inspiration The miracle of the State of Israel and its independence has inspired thousands of souls to connect with Zion in an extraordinary awakening.  From northeastern India to southern Spain, from the coast of Portugal to the shores of Brazil, countless numbers of people are looking to explore their Jewish ancestry and return to the Holy Land. "Israel Returns" offers a helping hand to those wishing to return to the Land with both material and spiritual support. Join them in bringing all of Israel's children back to her borders, and may we merit to herald the final redemption. Support "Israel Returns" and receive a beautiful Shofar » Celebrating Israel in India While awaiting their chance to return to Zion, Jews in India celebrated Israel Independence Day.  "Israel Returns" runs cultural, educational, and Hebrew programs around the world, preparing Jewish communities for aliya.   Watch Here » New Israeli Law Proposed Based on Ben-Gurion's Declaration Sixty six years ago, David Ben Gurion declared Israel the independent state of the Jewish nation. Now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to enshrine that identity in a Basic Law.   Read More » Silk Scarves from Israel Surprise your mom this Mother's Day with a beautiful silk scarf made in Israel. From a lovely selection of pomegranate designs to Jerusalem scenes in a variety of colors, choose from your heart.   Get this Great Gift & Free Shipping » Today's Israel Photo Noam Chen's incredible photo of Independence Day fireworks in Tel Aviv this past Monday night.   See more photos by Noam Chen »   Thank You Help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day for $25 and download our beautiful "66th Independence Day Photo Album."   Get our Independence Day Photo eBook » “The Devotions Speak to My Life Every Day” It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365! Stay in Touch »   Thank you for the devotions and beautiful pictures. The devotions speak to my life every day and I enjoy guessing where the pictures are from. Good morning from Arizona, Your daily meditations and stunning photos bring back wonderful memories of two visits to Israel in recent years. We are Christians who pray for the peace of Jerusalem to cover all those who live on the lands of their forefathers and foremothers. Babbie Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

Copyright © 2014 Israel365, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for daily Israel Scenes and Inspiration on our website,www.israel365.com. Our mailing address is: Israel365 36 Ein Gedi Street Ramat Beit Shemesh 99000 Israel