WHAT Signs Follow Those Who Believe & What's Real?
By Joni Ames (JoniAmes@aol.com)
www.joniames.org 

There are so many things going on "in the name of Jesus" these days that it is important to take a good look at what JESUS has to say.

Many are claiming that the 'signs' and 'manifestations' that are happening are 'from Him.' Are they? What did Jesus have to say about that? What did HE say that the signs would be that would follow those who believe in Him?

Mark 16:17-18 says: (17) And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

I can't tell you how many times I sat in meetings where 'stuff ' was going on and my spirit just didn't bear witness or agree with it. But because so many others (even those who were 'big names') were saying they were 'of God,' I kept my mouth shut. Not only that, but I sometimes sat there 'bashing' myself and wondering if I was even really saved, since 'everyone' else seemed to think what was going on was God! - However, in time, I began to realize that I was truly hearing from the Lord, and that those who are deceived can operate in mega doses of control and intimidation in the form of a religious spirit in order to continue to do their thing.

Little by little, I began to notice that wherever the 'hype' had been at, bizarre and demonic things began to happen in people's homes and lives as well. I began to realize that the 'hype' and 'soul power' those people were operating in opened a door to the demonic, rather than God's power.

In Matthew 12:38-45 it says, "(38) Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." (39) But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."

In Matt. 24:24 Jesus says, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

We are NOT told to BELIEVE EVERYTHING. In fact, The Word tells us totally the opposite. In 1 John 4:1 it says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - So it does NOT make you a bad person, or sinful, if you don't immediately believe something. It makes you smart!

While I've seen some true cases of a speck of gold dust or a feather here or there, I've seen the maximum abuse and lies regarding it.

I had someone come to me, seriously distraught, because they knew that an international minister was 'faking' the appearance of gold on himself. In fact, a dear friend of theirs were helping him to 'put it on' in the form of a clear gel before the meetings, and then as it dried, it would crack, flake, turn color, and appear as 'gold' manifesting on them.

Some are going wacko over the "gems" appearing in meetings. Some think they are being 'smart' by having the 'gems' tested, but even if they do, that doesn't mean they are from God. Why? Because some are purchasing bags of gem chips and throwing them during services, just to see who will be (as Barnum & Bailey called it) the next sucker to believe it. - And some attendees try to 'help' things out by bringing their own gems and throwing them onto the floor in crowds. They soothe their own consciences by saying that it helps boost the faith of the people.

Things like this are frightening. Matt. 16:26 tells us, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

It has truly grieved me to see some of the folks I know come along side of some of the modern day gospel shysters (meaning: one who is professionally unscrupulous). And even worse - to see some that I know picking up their practices to draw in the crowds and/or finances. Very sad. Eternity is more important than that junk.

WHAT IS TRUE MINISTRY?

The Bible says that there are those who will say that Jesus is the Christ, will heal and cast out demons, and do all kinds of ministry, but still deceive many, and still go to hell.

Jesus warned of this in Matthew 24:3-5: (3) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (4) And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. (5) For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many."

And in Matthew 7:21-23: (21) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (22) Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' (23) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus described true ministry as feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, providing shelter for the homeless, providing clothing for those who had need of it, and visiting those who are sick or in prison. He said if we did these things for others, we would be doing it for Him. And if we did not, we were refusing Him.

In the end, He would say to those who did these things, "'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

And to those who did not practice that, He would say, "'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

So stop bashing yourself if you are not having major visitations of angels, manifestations of gold, or gems, or feathers. Chances are, if you are doing the above, you ARE entertaining angels, but are unaware of it!

(1) Let brotherly love continue. (2) Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:1-2)

HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT IS 'FOR REAL'?

Jesus says, in Matt. 7:16 & 20, "(16) You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?" (20) "Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

We are warned that untaught and unstable people will twist the scriptures to try to 'prove their point': 2 Peter 3:16-18: (16) as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (17) You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (18) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

And in Gal. 2:4-5, we are warned about false brethren that would come in to try to steal our liberty in Jesus and bring us back into bondage.

So again, we must go back to taking a look at the fruit. What happens after you sit under a ministry? are you encouraged in the Lord? Is your life changed for the better? Or do you end up feeling drained, stupid, and back into some sort of bondage?

TRUE APOSTOLIC MINISTRY

Another problem is the false 'apostolic coverings' that have been rising up.' Many pastors are hungry for true apostolic oversight. However, true apostolic ministry is developed through relationship. It is not going in where there are already works in progress, announcing that you now have authority over them, and compelling them to pay you to use your ministry name and logo, while you are too busy enlisting others into your 'apostolic network' to provide true relationship. Or by making demands on others. True apostolic ministry is mothering or fathering the emerging leaders, and protecting them from the wolves - not BEING one!

I would say to those of you who seek mentoring to be cautious who you let have authority in your life, and what kind of authority you let them have. Many people can have authority WITH you, without having authority OVER you, and causing you to pay them for that stress and distress!

A word for many of you who have been grieved over lack of relationship: God is allowing you to feel that so that you will understand that need in others' lives. In fact, it is in being what it is that you need that you will find fulfillment and realization in the fact that He - the Lord - is that for you.

There is a precious story told about the apostolic couple Priscilla and Aquila In Acts 18:24-28: (24) Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. (25) This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. (26) So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (27) And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; (28) for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

In these days, we really need mothers and fathers of the faith who will teach, train, and encourage the exuberant itinerant ministers who, whether meaning to or not, are leading the sheep over cliffs with their hype and soul power. True apostolic ministry is seeing mothers and fathers of the faith in action, helping to ground and lead the younger ones into greater realms of truth.

It is also frightening to see some of the leaders of our day who have allowed some of the exuberant 'ministers' to speak into their lives be exploited from the pulpits. When the Lord opens the door for us to minister to 'famous' people or those in government, it is a sacred trust. We are not to try to make ourselves 'look big' by telling the world about it! That is private business! Gal. 2:2 says: "I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but PRIVATELY TO THOSE OF REPUTATION, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain."

Some simply need some lessons on "manners in ministry."

There have been times that I've given referrals for others in ministry that I've known. It is my heart to raise up and send others out, so that's what I do. However, I've gotten 'burned' by some that I've 'helped along the way." One guy took the referrals and abused that privilege by going back and forth to that area several times in a year. That can be financially draining for congregations, as well as exhausting. The people finally called me and let me know what was being done, and I said, "Then tell him you can't have him any more. You are under no obligation or contract."

If there is a little notoriety, some have demanded huge amounts of money, expensive five star hotels, large crowds, and a large honorarium. One pastor told me that one young lady demanded Perrier instead of regular bottled water when she ministered!

Oh, if we only had a brain! - Or at least a some manners and maybe even a dose or so of humility!

Acts 28:30 & 31 tells us that the apostle Paul did a house group: (30) Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, (31) preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

LET'S LET THE HOLY SPIRIT BE OUR 'ELIJAH!'

It would be good to remember what Jesus told us in Matt. 11:14-15, "14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

Jesus was speaking of The Holy Spirit. We need to have the Holy Spirit to be our Elijah, not any man. We need to be so 'tight' with The Holy Spirit that we will know and not be afraid to speak out and say what is or is not of Him.

Jesus warned us about what was in man: "(Jesus) had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man." (John 2:25)

It is sad how many seem to want to be around the "big dogs" in ministry. And the sad part about it is, those 'big dogs' are usually far too busy to give what we are looking for. The ones going after that eventually part from or disagree with those leaders on some point, and often turn sour. Gal. 2:6 is pretty clear about the outcome, " from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man--for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me."

When we allow the Holy Spirit to be our Elijah, in John 14:26 Jesus says, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I (Jesus) said to you."

In John 15:26 & 27, Jesus says, "(26) But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. (27) And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

As we cry out for The Spirit of Truth to show us the truth, He will. As we truly seek for more of Jesus, we'll get it. The "key" is still Jesus, and relationship with Him:

Jesus says in John 15:1-5: "(1) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (3) You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. (4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

LET US CRY OUT FOR DISCERNMENT

How can we get the discernment we need to not be duped in these times?

Proverbs 2:1-9 tells us: "(1) My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, (2) So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; (3) Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, (4) If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; (5) Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. (6) For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; (7) He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; (8) He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. (9) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path."

BALANCING THIS OUT

God can do anything He wants. He parted the Red Sea. However, it is NOT religious to question and test the spirits, and to use the BIBLE as our plumbline 'acid test' when we have an "icky feeling" about something.

We tell our children, "If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, take that as a heads up and get away from them." I believe God loves us enough to give us enough common sense and discernment that we can rely on Him in these circumstances.

PRAYER Father, we do not want to be judgmental, but we also do not want to be deceived. Please give to us the wisdom and discernment we need to get through these times. We believe in and trust you to do so. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who will quicken us and let us know the truth when we ask! Lord, we want Your true manifest presence with the kinds of signs and wonders that followed You - Salvations, healing, deliverance, prophetic encouragement. Amen.