Went to my first Charismatic church services and have some questions

[whitestar]

I tried to post earlier and ended losing the whole thing...so will keep this one shorter and hope it goes through..

I was raised in regular Christian churches where they teach about Jesus but don't actually DO what Jesus taught us to do. In other words, no laying on the hands for healing, no annoiting, no tongues (though I don't think Jesus spoke in tongues but His followers did) and the many other things He did when He was with us on earth.

Because of the major behavioral problems my son was having..where nothing esle was helping, I learned about spiritual warfare by a friend on the net. At first I thought she was nuts...lol...but she told me to research it in scripture and pray about it so I did....and the Lord told me to listen to her...so I did. I learned how to rebuke the evil spirits bothering my son and if I hadn't seen it for myself I would have never believed it...but within minutes he would calm down and be normal again. He was having severe voilent rages, attacking me and others and even hurting himself. Nothing was working, therapy, meds, behavior mods ect.

Last year it got so bad was kicked out of school for raging...four teachers had to restrain him. I was taught how to retrain him to, too keep him and myself safe....I could go on and on about this but the point is nothing esle has worked. I do the spiritual warfare without him being aware of it either.

So I was very interested in this church that one of my son's friends goes too. My church did nothing when I went to them for help with my son... I even asked about having the elders do the laying on hands and annoiting him...the pastor talked about doing it but that was as far as it got. Well aftr five years of just not getting anywhere with this church and other things going on..we quit going.

So anyway this new church does spiritual warfare, tongues, slaying of the spirit and the preacher yells when preaching...none of these things (well other then the spiritual warfare now...lol) have I ever been around in any church.

I am reading the thread on slaying of the spirit...I am getting alot of flack about that and other Christians telling me the scriptures offered do not mean anything like what they do in these churches and that I should run, not walk away...

So I would like to know more about this and why does the preacher yell like this? Is there a reason? It hurts my ears and make it hard to understand him. I would like to go some more to this church...I am just sick of all these other churches not doing what Christ taught us to do....but I also don't want to be involved in something that isn't backed up by the bible too. So I am confused. LIke I said I am very interested in the spiritual warfare...because the battle with my son is ongoing for one thing...and the more I learn about it they more I feel everyone is involved in spiritual warfare wheather they realize it or not....(we sure see it on here don't we?)

Thanks!

God bless
whitestar

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Well whitestar, as to why the preacher yells it it hard to say. But I would venture to say it is just because he's passionate about what the Lord is saying through him. I know people in my church, who it is just a bit too loud for them and they just put cotton balls in their ears so it won't hurt. They can still hear, it's just not so loud.

You obviously have come to know the difference in doing spiritual warfare and not doing spiritual warfare. And since the response in your son is so quick I would say it is definately a spiritual issue.

I would incourage you, if you have not already done so, to also get your son into these meetings as well. And learn how to make the changes lasting and permanent.

Hopefully, that has helped some. Be blessed.

 

[whitestar]

Thanks...I have no idea if they are having any special meetings right now on spiritual warfare...what I have done, I have done on my own, not through any church. We got stuck on his anxiety though which caused alot of his behavior problems. But then one day when I was looking up some scriptures for a different study I found wheree Jesus' discinples were not able to cast out a demon in this boy. They asked Jesus why and He said this kind can only be cast out through fasting and prayers.

So I talked to my friend on the net about this and we talked about how I could fast, (I have never fasted because I have low blood sugar and have to eat every few hours to keep my blood sugar up) and she gave me some ideas on how to do it safely.

Well one day (before I had the V-8 I was going to drink to keep my blood sugar up) I was working out in the yard and felt God pressing me to do the fasting while laboring...sometimes if I am working I can go without eating longer..(I know I am strange...lol) so I fasted while laboring and praying for my son.

Well it worked...his anxiety was greatly reduced and he was able to go on vacation out of state with his grandma and grandpa...something my sisters didn't think he would beable to handle because of his anxiety.

I can't say he is 'cured' he still has problems with terrible nightmares from time to time and still sleeps on a mat on the floor in my room. But he is so so much better.

He is having to repeat first grade because after he got kicked out last year I tried to homeschool him. I have a major learning disablity and back problems and he would panic when trying to learn to read or write or even do math.

He was tested with an LD in all these areas last spring too. But he brought home his report card the other day and is doing just fine! He wanted to go back to school and seems to really enjoy it, unlike last year where he was coming home in tears and saying he hated school. We moved though so he is going to a different school and has a MUCH more postive and upbeat teacher...unlike the one he started out with last year...

He works on his reading with NO anxiety...is above average on his math and works on his writing...and shows no signs of any anxiety....so very very different then from last year. So I do believe in spiritual warfare...its had a very dramic affect on him.

What do churches usually do in this respect? I have no clue since I never attended any churches that dealt with this.

God bless
whitestar

 

[Iddie4him]

I am glad that you found some way to wage a winning battle against the evil that had ahold of your son. I will pray that you ( your family too.) can continue to make great strides of progress with your son's behaviour. God Bless..

 

[Lee]

I can't say he is 'cured' he still has problems with terrible nightmares from time to time and still sleeps on a mat on the floor in my room

whitestar, I have the same problem too. It was not until I got into the first year in college, that I finally knew how to fight against the constant nightmares and seeing the movements of shadow. It was something that I had for such a long time I do not even remember when I first had it. Anyways, I finally learned to fight against it by first believing that I am facing a demonic force. Then I believed that I have faith in the name of Jesus Christ who has authority over this spirit that oppressed me.

This problem did not just disappear right away. It is a struggle lasting for a while. But I find alot of comfort now sleeping alone and going to bed at night.

whitestar, I can only recommend that we as Christians must study more about our enemy and do not underestimate the forces of demon. I am now reading on some books about Christian leaders with personal experience in deliverance ministry like Derek Prince's We Shall Expel Demons, Francis Macnutt's Delieverance from Evil Spirits, and other books by authors like Charles Kraft and Doris Wagner.

 

[Andrew]

Welcome whitestar!

You have a lot of questions but just stick around here in the charismatic section, read thru the threads, get the feel of what a "charimatic setting" is like and I'm sure you'll begin to understand a lot of things.

It's good that the Lord is moving your forward out of a "dead" powerless church into one ablaze with life and the power of God. It may or may not be the one you went to but just keep reading your Bible praying and God will lead you to a good Spirit-filled church!

 

[AlabamaMan]

Andrew and the rest have gave some great advice! I know you asked about your preacher yelling...for some preachers I know they get louder when the Spirit moves on them, most of the time they don't even notice how loud it is LOL. You just keep praying and reading your bible and God will show you what's right and what's wrong. You seem to be doing a great job of that already!

Even if you feel this church might not be the one for you, you can visit other charismatic churches as well until you find one that you feel God has lead you to.
I am praying for you and your son. God bless!

 

[whitestar]

Thanks all...right now I am in a battle in a thread over whether slaying of the spirit is bibical or not (on a different message board) I have read some great testimonies from those who have experienced it. I am studying the scriptures posted on here on this subject. It seem people have heard so much negative things about this and the churches that do it that they just won't even study the scriptures on it. It seems clear to me these scriptures sure do show these people were affect by the Holy Spirit in a very powerful way...and I don't understand why others don't see that...just because the bible does not say "slay in the spirit' doesn't mean that is not what it means. I don't think the word trinty is in the bible either, but we know it is true. Neither is the word rapture or even bible! lol.

I had posted over there to get some feedback but no one seems very interesting in actually figuring out what these scriptures mean...so I am studying them on my own.

I image some churches and some people do abuse this, make a show of it, just like with speaking in tongues, but that does not mean we should throw out the baby with the bath water either.

This church is certainly totally different from what I am used too...but I do feel like the Lord is guiding me there ....and I know better then to ingore Him...lol. Its out of my 'comfort zone', but after witnessig how the Lord has healed my son, I can't stay in a church that does not even teach spiritual warfare let alone any of the other blessings given us in the bible.

So I am trying to learn...and be opened minded. I will read through more threads on here. Thanks!

God bless
whitestar

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Thanks all...right now I am in a battle in a thread over whether slaying of the spirit is bibical or not (on a different message board) I have read some great testimonies from those who have experienced it. I am studying the scriptures posted on here on this subject. It seem people have heard so much negative things about this and the churches that do it that they just won't even study the scriptures on it. It seems clear to me these scriptures sure do show these people were affect by the Holy Spirit in a very powerful way...and I don't understand why others don't see that...just because the bible does not say "slay in the spirit' doesn't mean that is not what it means. I don't think the word trinty is in the bible either, but we know it is true. Neither is the word rapture or even bible! lol.

Yes. . .you'd think a connection would be seen. However, as you're experiencing, it is very difficult to change one's opinion when suddenly what was believed to be wrong is discovered afterall to be true. I commend you on your perseverence.

I had posted over there to get some feedback but no one seems very interesting in actually figuring out what these scriptures mean...so I am studying them on my own.

That is why we now have the "Charasmtic Forum". Before, we could not logically discuss any of this without being "run out of Dodge".

I image some churches and some people do abuse this, make a show of it, just like with speaking in tongues, but that does not mean we should throw out the baby with the bath water either.

I believe the general reason for abuse is the lack of knowledge and training. I grew up in the Penticostal environment and basically thought the only time you spoke in tongues was when the Holy Spirit came upon you so strongly that you had no control of the speed and/or tone of what was being spoken. And of course since it was that way with tongues it must be that way with interpretation and also you spoke in King James English

Since I have had more training in both areas, I find that I operate in them more fluidly and more precisely, more frequently, and makes more sense.

This church is certainly totally different from what I am used too...but I do feel like the Lord is guiding me there ....and I know better then to ingore Him...lol. Its out of my 'comfort zone', but after witnessig how the Lord has healed my son, I can't stay in a church that does not even teach spiritual warfare let alone any of the other blessings given us in the bible.

So I am trying to learn...and be opened minded. I will read through more threads on here. Thanks!

God bless
whitestar

God Bless You whitestar.

When saying to have your son attend the services too, it was not limited to spiritual warfare services. Just being in the presense of God during these services can bring changes too.

 

[alonenomore2]

When I was saved,it was at a Billy Graham crusade.I felt the overwhelming presence of God there,but had absolutely no idea what it was.I became so on fire afterwards that I went from church to church and read my bible and prayed constantly.My wife and I finally settled into a Pentacostal church in Florida.If anyone had told me that I'd ever set foot in a Holy Roller church,I'd have told them they were crazy.I can't imagine going to a quiet laid back powerless church.I am so grateful to have found churches that believe in God's power today.No where in the word,have I ever seen,this is only for now.Later you will be alone and have to do this without me.God is alive and never changes.He must be saddened by dead churches.

God bless you in your search.

 

[themuzicman]

Praise God for your victories in the spiritual realm and the healing your son has received!

As for the yelling preacher and some of the other Charistmatic items, keep in mind that there are a variety of Charismatic churches that embrace the gifts and work in power, but don't have a screaming preacher!

I'm not telling to switch churches, but just to keep that option open, to pray about it.

As for being slain in the Spirit, you won't find any doctrine about it, so it is somewhat controversial. However, if you ask God for discernment and continue in the Word, I think you'll find that He'll let you know what is of Him and what is not.

Michael

 

[whitestar]

Thanks all, and I am sorry I didn't get back here sooner. I was having alot of problems with this board loading so very very slowly! Clicking on anything...to read a post or do a reply would take several minutes for the page to load and I was getting pretty frustrated with it.

I went in and changed some opitons and it seems to be going faster now...still a little slow but much much better.

Anyway, I have read some really awesome stories about nonbelievers being slayed in the spirit and as a result accepting Christ into their life. I am pretty impressed with that. Most of the nay-sayers seem to have no experience with it...though two said they were in churches that did this but didn't really explain why they thought it was false...mmmm. But then as I said, I realize anything can be abused or misused because its not done in the spirit of God.

Thanks for your input all!

God bless
whitestar

 

[alonenomore2]

2 John 9

Whosoever transgresseth,and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,hath not God.He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,he hath both the Father and the Son.

You just have to listen to know who they follow.

Hope you find what you seek.God bless you.

 

[Ecclesiastes]

Hey Whitestar!

Welcome! I don't know if there are any conventions on spiritual warfare now but I know of some excellent men and women of God who have books about this subject.

Check out Rev. Marilyn Hickey: www.mhmin.org
Check out Rev. Kenneth Hagin Sr, and Rev. Kenneth Hagin, Jr.: www.rhema.org
Check out Bishop Keith Butler: www.wordoffaith-icc.org
Check out Rev. Rick Renner (He has a large tape series on this subject): www.renner.org

Those are just some who have books on angels and demons and spiritual warfare. Stay Blessed.

ECC

 

[whitestar]

Thanks ECC I got a tape by R.C.Sproul on angels and demons that was very good...and another pastor...can't think of his name now, his show on the Christian radio station is called "Living on the Edge" that did a series on spritual warfare that was very very good. I will check out those sites.

God bless
whitestar

 

[kukumot]

Hi Whitestar,

(We are old friends from another board)..........

I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth to the great responses you have already received.....

As you have learned, if you rebuke what seems to be a demon, and the circumstances immediately change, then it must have been a demon after all.

I am just thrillled with the changes in you and your son as a result of learning to fight the true enemy....

Keep up the good work!

Karen

 

[whitestar]

Thanks Karen... I am trying to do it with myself too...I head read about reburking illness and pain and bad feelings, ect...so I have tried doing that for myself. It has helped some but the change comes slower...have no idea why.

Sometimes I feel this terrible dark cloud just come over me and I feel emotionally and physcially horrible! I felt that way this morning in fact so reburked it because I wanted to go to this new church again. Usually on days I feel like this I just stay in and don't get anything done.. Anyway I made it and did ok...

I still missed the sermon though..sitting with Nate in children's church but I did see something I NEVER saw him do before. He was actually trying to sing to one of the songs in church. I got all teary too...can't help myself.

He always hated the singing at the other church and would refuse to sing in children's church...

And he really likes being able to take communion too...

So it was good for both of us! So glad I made it again.

Glad you made it over Karen.

God bless
whitestar