Matthew 7:16 - "You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
Romans 14:17 - "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
John 15:5 - "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
"Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more, I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened."
Ask…is what they are saying comforting you, bringing you closer to Jesus? Or to get you to cower in fear of the man made dominion to obey or else you will be cursed by God? We don’t have to give money “or else!” Ask…is the money to the ministry being used to help the people or make the minister more wealthy? Paul’s gathering of an offering was for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He owned nothing and bragged not about his experiences or calling.
Paul speaks of equality: “Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As the Scriptures say,“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
Salvation is a free gift and Christianity is a relationship. God supplies all we need and our wants. The Gospel is free.
The seed is the word of God. 30, 60, 100 fold is the harvest of the Word of God depending on the growing conditions of our heart. “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:23
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
“And they said to Him, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your Name”….notice all the ministers sharing their prophecies…and dreams….more than the Scripture. Who teaches the Word as the seed, the Word that is able to save your soul? James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”
Prophecy has its place to edify, exhort, and comfort; not to give guidance and control the pathway of someone’s life. Read the New Testament. This isn’t Biblical, and is another gospel serving a fake Jesus. If someone says, “I had a dream about you…I have a word for you…” RUN! No thank you, the Word of God will suffice. Also, remember as a born again Christian, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you.
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26
“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” 1John 2:27
What Jesus is saying to the Church