Not Five-fold but Manifold!

I do not know from where we have got this notion that there is only a five-fold ministry within the church and that you need to be at least one of these five, to be of any use to the church. First of all, it is mentioned in this portion of Ephesians that Christ gave gifts to men. And Paul very clearly mentions other gifts elsewhere, so that we know for sure that this list is not exhaustive. Secondly, just because Paul mentions the gifts in ‘noun’ form (e.g. prophet instead of prophecy) instead of the ‘verb’ form seen elsewhere, we take it for granted that this list is more important. Paul also mentions that these are gifts given to equip the saints which always rankled me, because some of the gifts are not just for use within the church. But then I saw that they are also meant to build up the body of Christ, so we cannot just call them ‘equipping gifts’. Of course, there are the greater gifts that Paul wants us to covet, but surely the nature of the gifting is not a sign of how much the Lord has blessed you.

The point that I am trying to make is that there are manifold gifts within the church and there should be no frustration in a saint for not graduating in any of the five! There are more; and what is more important is that he or she has a longing in their heart to serve the Lord. Those who are not in the five are not children of a lesser God! Their gifting may be a bit discreet for others to classify clearly but the Lord knows and there is equal reward waiting in heaven. 

No more great manifestations!

In the times that we are now living in, I am sensing in my spirit that there are not going to be any more great moves of God through miraculous signs and wonders. I am sure to ruffle a lot of feathers here but we just have to think clearly and reflect on what is happening to the church world wide. The church at present is in no place to discern what is of God and what is not.  There is so much of deception going on and deceptive spirits are feeding on the dearth of sound teaching. Signs and wonders are nowadays being manifested in the demonic spheres to an extent that God cannot send a genuine revival in the midst of such confusion. Miracles are supposed to be a means to cause people to turn to God and glorify Him but when the miracle itself is worshiped, then the devil has an easy run. I perceive that God is not going to awaken the world through the miraculous. The miracles will happen more on an individual level only and the church cannot draw in the crowds any more through extraordinary miracles. We just don't see it happening. On the other hand, God is disciplining His church because we are so shallow and worldly minded. When there is such shallowness, the miracle would not bring the desired effect. The righteous are scarcely being saved and God is right now in the process of sifting the wheat from the chaff. Jesus has to prepare His bride and the Spirit is leaning on that side. The only thing that can save the church is to bring in the fear of God and that is exactly what God is doing. I know that I am swimming against the tide in saying these things but some of us are forced to do so. I only hope that I have a few takers. God help us all.