Why the difference in manifestations today

You may ask what is happening to believers today when you consider these scriptures; Mk. 16:15-18, (These signs shall follow them that believe). John 14:26; 13:16; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:2-4; 38-39; 3:6-8; 3:14-15; 4:10; 5:3-11; 8:29-39; 9:33-42; 10:44; 11:15-16; 12:7-9; 14:8-10; 18:10; 19:13-16; 20:9-10; 28:3-5. These brethren like Peter, Paul, Philip and the early apostles and disciples were saved, baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost; evidenced by speaking in tongues, and different manifestations in most cases. This was the promise to all believers, (and if you asked the Lord for the Holy Spirit He will give you according to Luke 11:13), and they spoke with boldness and signs and wonders followed the word preached. The Lord confirming his preached word with diverse manifestations.

We have in these last days received the same promise of salvation, baptism, speaking in tongues; but not many are followed by the Lord, confirming his word with signs and wonders. Yet many are filled with the Holy Spirit. Few people give reasons why there are not such manifestations of God’s confirmation following their preaching. Such reasons include the following:

Some claim they are waiting for power to come, but I ask from where will, it come. Is it not from the Holy Ghost presence: and you already claim you are Spirit filled? Except you deny the presence and are expecting another source of power. This anointing is on, in certain dare places, but not in places of complacency, pleasure, compromise with the world or denatured by wrong teachings or doctrines. You must have a personal revival, awakening to have the out pouring in your soul. The brethren of old received the Holy Ghost and it changed their lives. You ask what is happening to believers today?
The devil tells us the right time is coming and God is in control.
Some say we are waiting on the Lord.
Some claim they are waiting for the quick short work.
Some have definite dreams and visions they claim confirm when the power will come.

If we do not wake up and act, seeking the Lord, then the highway and hedges brethren will receive the manifestation while we watch. God is no respecter of persons. This is our time, we are the generation and God will not force us to act upon his promises. The early apostles and disciples acted differently than we of today, for the following reasons:

The apostles and disciples of old were single minded, to the point that they shared and had all things in common, (Acts 2:44-47); but we have not followed in their steps.
The Lord called Peter, Paul, James and John and many others and they followed him without looking back. Today we give many reasons to question our callings of God.
They of old took God at his word; but today we claim to want to pray through to be sure, and only ending up prayering ourselves out of the call or word of God.
They of old only moved or acted on God’s word or leading. Today, it is by committee.

The issues of today are truly that we are wallowing in the pleasures of this life; including computers, social media, science and technology, credit card system, fast transportations, false religions and the deceit of politics, promising us utopia. Some of these advancements are not bad of themselves, but when humans abuse them, they in turn enslave the humans. Such as social media, credit cards, television and cell phones. When you abuse these things they make it impossible for you to deny yourself if serving God; picking up your cross and following Jesus Christ like the apostles and early disciples. Look at in our days; people like William Branham, Neal Frisby, T.L. Osborn and some others were faithful to God in their calling and followed God unquestionably. You can see the difference in their Christian work and walk with Jesus Christ. They were men of like passion; why are we so different today.

Some people are waiting for their healing to come at a special time of spiritual outpouring; when Jesus Christ already paid for it at the whipping post, and then the Cross of Calvary. The truth is that when we believers preach the gospel, there is manifestation of healings, miracles, signs and wonders; because it is the Lord who follows us to confirm his word. If it is preached right, with the anointing that goes with it. It is difficult to find much of such confirmations of the Lord these days, because of pleasure consumed world. Where there is persecution going on, God’s presence seems to be more abundant, and more people are saved as God confirms his word following their preaching.

The apostles and early disciples were:

Dedicated and committed to the gospel.
They were focused on the mission given to all believers. They walked the streets, witnessing to the street people, in every nuke and corner, not only in air conditioned and crowded centers. They did like Christ, preached one on one, like the woman at the well. How will they minister to the blind, lame and leprous that cannot come into such privileged places? Jesus Christ went out to where they were to help them.
They took God at his word.
They lifted the name Jesus Christ and not their own, in every circumstance, (1^st Cor.1:11-18).
They denied themselves and carried their crosses and followed Jesus Christ.
They were not distracted from the word of God by the cares of this life.
They were looking for a city, but many of today are content with their present home and social standing; that they are not sincerely looking or believe for another city. Even if there were another city some want to enjoy the present first and their actions show it.
Many have lost the fire of the Holy Ghost through procrastination, (since the fathers died all things remain the same, (2^nd Peter 3:4-6); thinking they have all the time: but the apostles worked with the idea that according to the Lord, He would come in an hour you are not thinking of, giving them the quality of urgency, that seems to be lacking today.
They were totally occupied with the goal of pleasing the Lord. But today we want to serve God but are determined to make certain achievements before turning to God fully. The need to get a good education, get a good job, marry, have children, build an ideal house and much more. These are good but by the time you turn to serve God, some are too old that they begin to plot the lives of their children to make up for their failures with God. These often come out of a guilty conscience.

When and how will the outpouring and manifestation get to you? When you are not focused, you are distracted and full of procrastination; and cannot take God at his word and promises. Remember each one must give an account of themselves to God. You may be rejected by God and not know it, because you are not determined or yielded as to know the mind and leading of God in your life: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance,” (Rom. 11:29).

The outpouring will come in the name of Jesus Christ and knowing who He really is; and denying yourself. There will be revival in the individual’s lives before the move of God will be seen in the body of Christ. The outpouring and manifestation is Christ Jesus himself working in holy, pure and submitted vessels, Time is running out, Jesus Christ can call for the translation anytime. Did you live or are you living to the full spiritual potential God gave to you, by the promises in his word; “And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following,” (Mark 16:20). What is wrong with this our generation? Why are we so different in response, compared to the brethren of old; yet it is the same God, the same Christ, the same salvation, Holy Spirit, but difference in outcomes. We are the problem with all things been equal. It is time to mend our ways before it is too late. Hebrew 11 is a chapter of God’s hall of fame; but those who fail will end up in the hall of shame and disappointment. Faithfulness, loyalty and obedience to the word of God, Jesus Christ is the answer. Make your calling and election sure as you examine yourself, (2^nd Peter 1:10, and 2^nd Cor. 13:5).

158 – Why the difference in manifestations today