AN INCREASE OF POWER DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE GERMAN SPEAKING WORLD AND THE PERSECUTION THAT WILL COME WITH IT

Last weekend I ministered in Freilassing, Germany. Sunday morning I discerned Jesus walking by me as the healer. You can read some of the reports from people here: http://www.gkmission.org/de/news/wunder

Over the last years I poured myself out for the German speaking world and I’m grateful for all the miracles that God has done for His children. I can say one thing for sure, Its not like that we have „too many“ miracles happening. Although it is true, that for example at an event at my home base in Handenberg just recently we had way over 20 spontaneous healings on one day, it is also a reality that many people go home still being sick - no matter when - no matter where. Instead of trying to figure out whose fault it is (for most part the preachers fault anyways - in my opinion), I believe that there is a way in which we can position ourselves for MORE.

Some will have to really think this through, if they really want what they are about to read. Whenever Gods power increases, persecution increases as well. Bill Johnson said that "all ministries that have expressions of power and demonstrations of the supernatural through them, will experience persecution, one way or another."

People will begin to talk negatively about ministers, who have authentic miracles following their ministries on a regular basis - and the established system and religion will react out of insecurity.

On the other hand what we will also see, is that our acceptance everywhere goes directly hand in hand with the absence of notable miracles. Essentially, it is our choice: Miracles + persecution; or no miracles + human security.

I have to say that over the years I always assumed that God can move through people that aren’t perfect. Rightly so, if that were not the case, nobody could ever be used by God and He certainly wouldn’t have been able to use me. We are complete in Christ but none of us are perfect.

A more extreme example for that is the church in Corinth, they certainly experienced Gods moving, although they were carnal and even had a lot of compromise within their midst.

1. Cor. 1:7
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

They had access to everything that God had for them; however, it is interesting that Paul didnt have to give them instructions because they had too many miracles and healings happening, but in regards to their dealings with the vocal gifts.

1 Cor. 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

They had a lot of vocal gifts (prophecy, tongues, interpretation) but it appears that they didnt have an excess of power gifts (gifts of healings, working of miracles, gift of faith). Perhaps they shared all kinds of impressions they had, on a level of prophetic encouragement (1. Cor. 14:3). There is nothing wrong with that, as long as it´s not being underestimated and also not overestimated.

Christians can be carnal and still operate in gifts, but only to a certain degree. Power gifts require more faith as vocal gifts and sin weakens faith.

For the first time I saw, something that I had never seen before - a lack of healings and miracles can definitely be the result of a lack of holiness.

Some may be outraged now, because we know that the gifts of the Spirit are „gifts“ and not „rewards“ - that is very true. However, to move in power and to receive it requires spiritual sensitivity and perceptive is he, who has a clear conscience. One piece of advice: The only way you can misunderstand this word is through interpreting it this way: „So that means that more miracles happen through the good christians.“

What I am talking about is having a deep trust in the shed blood of Jesus, the cross and the resurrection - this is what I am talking about. So, repentance - back to the cross - away from human tradition and dead works, onwards to grace and a life in His presence.

Paul said to Timothy
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. (1. Tim. 1:18-19)

Why did they suffer shipwreck with regard to the faith? Not because they didn’t confess the Word of God enough. Not because they didn’t attend church. Not because they didn’t read their bibles regularly. It was because they have rejected a good conscience.

Many people who go to church every Sunday have suffered shipwreck with regard to their faith, this is way it is so difficult for them to receive from God.

As I received this Word in my devotion, I realized, that this needs to start in the pulpit for us preachers. And then it needs to move on to the believers.

If there is disobedience - repentance and consecration to God. When there is too much Netflix and too little prayer - repentance and consecration. When there are too many beer and wine bottles in the fridge, because it has been acceptable way too long to just have a bit of alcohol on a regular basis - throw it in the trash. Away from all self-justification and more of the Holy Ghost.

1 John 3:18-24
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Philipp J. Schmerold, March 2019