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the purpose of God working is to glorify His name. Another thing that happens when God works, particularly in a worship setting, is the edification (building up) of the saints.
The problem with your gold dust and oily hands (or is it gold hands and oily dust? I get confused)...
Write this down: God is NOT Santa Claus. His goal is NOT to make us healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. His goal is for us to become like Him, and for His name to be glorified. For some folks, that means sickness, trial, and being broke. For others, it might mean material blessings. But it's up to God. Anyone who commands God to rain down gold dust is certainly testing God (a no-no, Jesus said it), and does not recognize God as God (presuming that we can tell God what to do). I do NOT want to make those actions a habit, and I pray you don't either. God tells us to not take His name in vain. The above example is a perfect example of the breaking of that commandment.
the purpose of God working is to glorify His name. Another thing that happens when God works, particularly in a worship setting, is the edification (building up) of the saints.
The problem with your gold dust and oily hands (or is it gold hands and oily dust? I get confused)...
- There is no scriptural precedent for it. Don't throw the computer & cell phone argument out. They don't deal with worship. This is supposedly a Divine manifestation...and that is dealt with scripturally.
- This doesn't edify the body. It's not building anyone up. Even with tongues, that was about the building up of the body and ultimately glorifying God. This does neither.
- It sounds to me that the motivation behind this is selfishness. You said earlier,
Write this down: God is NOT Santa Claus. His goal is NOT to make us healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. His goal is for us to become like Him, and for His name to be glorified. For some folks, that means sickness, trial, and being broke. For others, it might mean material blessings. But it's up to God. Anyone who commands God to rain down gold dust is certainly testing God (a no-no, Jesus said it), and does not recognize God as God (presuming that we can tell God what to do). I do NOT want to make those actions a habit, and I pray you don't either. God tells us to not take His name in vain. The above example is a perfect example of the breaking of that commandment.
- "Is it real" and "Is it of God" are indeed two different questions. The forum is doing a very good job, IMO, of answering the latter. Therefore, if it's not of God, then whether it's real or not is immaterial. Run away from it!
- As far back as Biblical times, people wanted Jesus to "put on a show," and perform miracles to impress the crowd. That is not the way of God. He is not a circus performer. When He performs miraculous works, it is to bring glory to His name, not elicit applause from the crowd.
- Benny Hinn talked about this garbage as early as 1999. He has proven to be a false prophet...many of his "miracles" are fake; he lives greedily and in gluttonous wealth; he begs for money constantly; he performs "miracles" to impress the crowds; and he preaches a heretical person-centered, prosperity gospel. So we have an example here of a false prophet pushing a form of "divine manifestation." Since the prophet is false, why should we believe the manifestation?
- "... their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumbling block of iniquity. (Ezek 7:19 NKJ)
- Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mat 7:22-23
- If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; --- This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. (Job 31:24-28)
No. It's not of God. It may or may not be real, but that's not important. Make sure you're involved in a good church that teaches God's word. The more you hear God (through your time with Him daily, prayer, Bible study, and the teaching of the Word and discipleship you receive at church), the better you will recognize His voice.
Think of it like this: If I called you on the phone today, you wouldn't know who I was...because you don't know my voice. But if I called you every day for ten years, you would immediately recognize my voice on the phone--because it has become familiar to you. As God's voice becomes more and more familiar to you, you will be sidetracked less and less by issues like this.
Sorry for the long post...but if it's not clearer to you after reading this, I know of nothing else I can do.
Think of it like this: If I called you on the phone today, you wouldn't know who I was...because you don't know my voice. But if I called you every day for ten years, you would immediately recognize my voice on the phone--because it has become familiar to you. As God's voice becomes more and more familiar to you, you will be sidetracked less and less by issues like this.
Sorry for the long post...but if it's not clearer to you after reading this, I know of nothing else I can do.
