Charismatic Christians and Friends

"The Charismatic Christian"
Isaiah 44:1-5 | Sunday morning, March 2, 2003
By P. G. Mathew, M.A., M. Div., Th.M.
Copyright © 2003 by P. G. Mathew
But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the Lord says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel."
Isaiah 44:1-5
Our Greatest Need
The presence of the Holy Spirit is the distinguishing difference between a believer and an unbeliever. Paul tells us, "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us . . . . The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:12,14).
Without the Holy Spirit, we live by our natural instincts, always seeking to gratify the cravings of our sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, disorder, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Our greatest need is a new Pentecost—a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be empowered to live holy lives and proclaim the gospel in the world.
The Bible tells us our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. The truth is, the Holy Spirit was sent on the day of Pentecost and he has not gone away! The Holy Spirit has been given to the church forever, yet as individuals and as a church we must pray for a fresh experience of the Holy Spirit.
Context of Revival
With this in mind, let us look at Isaiah 44:1-5, where we are told not to fear because of God’s promise: "I will pour out my Spirit."
The context of this passage is Isaiah 43:22-28, which describes the deep trouble Israel was experiencing. Jerusalem had been destroyed, the temple was burned down, and the people were exiled from the land. All of this was divine judgment on the people of God because of their sins and stubborn refusal to pay attention to the word of the prophets.
But despite all the troubles, did God forget his people and his covenant purpose for them? Was God unfaithful to his promise to be their God? Would the stump of the tree of Israel never sprout and bear fruit again in the land? The answer to all these questions is no. Despite their sin, God’s people would be revived. So in Isaiah 43:18-21 we find a wonderful promise God made to his people:
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
God’s purpose is to have a people throughout history who will proclaim his praise. This purpose and election always stand, so in Isaiah 43:25 we are told what God would do for his troubled, sinful people: "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Here the emphasis is on the sovereignty and might of God, who always takes the initiative in our salvation. God blots out our transgressions and does not remember our sins, not because of any merit on our part, but "for [his] own sake."
What an amazing promise! Israel merited the wrath of God; but here God promises she will be saved. He does not explain here how his wrath can be removed. But later in Isaiah 53, God reveals his plan of salvation coming through the substitutionary death of the Suffering Servant.
God Speaks in Grace
Isaiah 44:1-5, then, gives us several reasons why we must not be afraid. "But now listen, O Jacob. . . ." First, God wants us to listen.
There are earplugs today so well-designed that one cannot hear anything through them. The Holy Spirit says it is time we took our earplugs out so that we may hear the word of God.
"Listen!" God says this to all who have troubles. Why should we listen? Because God is about to speak the word of salvation. Notice, he says, "Listen, Jacob!" The name Jacob means "deceiver" or "supplanter." Jacob stands for us who are sinners. Yet God’s favor rests upon Jacob. He is an elect sinner.
So the first reason we need not fear is that God is still speaking in grace to us. Though we are sinful, we are his people.
"My Servant"
Second, God says, "my servant. . . ." According to the Bible, to be a servant of God is to be in a position of great trust and honor. Abraham was called God’s servant and friend, as also was Moses, Joshua, David, and Jesus.
It is a high privilege to be called God’s servant. By nature we are the servants of the devil. But when God calls us, he liberates us from the devil’s slavery and makes us servants of God. Either we serve the devil or the living God. There is no neutrality.
ways thought a charismatic Christian ment Love of Christ Nancy

Hello everyone!!!!! Just wanted to let ya'll know I'm praying for you, and pray for me too. God Bless.
One thing we can do in this group besides encourage each other is to pray for each other.

skstargazer, I'll keep praying and see if I can help you find a good group. God Bless

Hello Leul, I join with embraced and the others to say I am so sorry and we all will be praying for you. Ya'll sound like an awesome group. Any insite you wish to share is welcome here. God Bless you.

Leul Welcome!
Sorry to hear about the loss of your leader. May the Lord bless you in your efforts to continue in zeal for Him. All are welcome here...

Hello everybody may peace be with you.

We are a small Catholic Charismatic group. We are people who hunger and thirst for God; we are people who pray and seek to see the face of God; we are people called in the Name of God, who are trying to humble themselves under the powerful hand of God; we are people who are trying to turn away from the wicked ways of the world. Dear brothers and sisters, our mentor and leader died in a car crash accident 6 months ago and we are trying to focus and keep his legacy. We need your support please keep us in your prayer.
God bless you.

denwiles
Thanks for the response. I haven't had much success finding a prayer group so far.

Hello Robbie, Hope it is ok If I call you that. Anyway welcome and yes I will check it out. Your thoughts are welcome here. God Bless you and I look forward to talking with you some more. God Bless

Embraced thank you! God Bless!!!!!!

Hello,
I'm Robbie and just joined. I have a myspace. Found in my profile, is the myspace address. Charismatic? I'm not sure? I have written of Biblical scripture and faithful commentary. It is not a literary work, yet I find it to be institutional. Why institutional? I find it regaurds knowledge and study. Whether it can be classified as Catholic? I do not know, yet I am a Catholic person. Being Catholic, does this mean my accuracy follows the Catholic Faith. May-bee I am offering critiqe of a everlasting hope.

I feel as spirit led, and felt led of the Holy Spirit through the years. As I was driven by what? Developing this process of Biblical interpretations.
If you may be interested? Please check out EveryDay Faith, no, not the Everyday Faith journalism show! But the bible study of inspiration I am talking about.

Thanks,
standing by, Robbie