MrLuke

Yes I understand that, and have experienced that too. But the heat sensation is with me always - its unusual to have times without, and thats what I always wonder about since I think I've only met one person who had similar (well, that told me about it). I guess I'm just thinking aloud in some ways, I just don't understand *why* and I like to know why things are the way they are!

Yes I agree too, God works even when we feel tired or don't feel anything at all in any way. But I still get curious

Haha yes.. people don't seem to be so involved with this topic do they Thats good, but emotions aside, anything else? The reason I ask this, and have asked people before, is because when I pray (but not necessarily *just* when I'm praying) I feel a 'heat' sensation/feeling all over and in me. Mainly in my hands its most intense and near my forehead. It's hard to explain, but generally that feeling is with me all the time, some days stronger than others. Usually stronger when praying for healing etc. I don't always tell people because some have acted a bit weird about it, and I've rarely met anyone the same - as in, feel it constantly, but I am curious who else can relate?

Ah the wonders of creation!

Thats really cool I like it when God breaks through in major ways like that

Hello everyone. Been a while since I've been here! I've seen some familiar "faces" around in some threads as I've browsed around today, which is nice! Anyway, to the point of this: This is something I've asked various people randomly over the years mainly just because I'm a curious person, and I realise that just because something is always the same for me it doesn't mean that it is "the norm" (if there is such a thing ) What do you feel when you pray? The answers have always been different to some extent, some more similar than others. But either way I'm curious to know peoples responses. I'll answer my own question later, I'm more interested in hearing about other people first!

We are going to work with a church in Jo'Burg, called Liberty City Church I think it is. So that will be our "base" and work out from there to the surrounding community. And you are not wrong either, God has already revealed to me that S. Africa is where He wants me to go as my 'calling' if you will! This will be my second time going to S. Africa to do short mission - exciting times! And thanks Damo for the encouragement, my girlfriend has just gone to the Phillipines for mission too this week! God is definitely gonna be working there with all these people coming and going hehe! I've been to S. Africa before last year, so I'm a little more prepared to see the things I will unlike last time where it completly broke me working with orphans with AIDs etc. Though in some ways, I'm not sure you can ever be prepared to see that! The Lord is my strength though!

I will do, don't worry!

I'm off to South Africa for 10 days as of 11.30am on Monday! I am going with a team of 10 from college and will be working in a church in Jo'Burg (led by DJ McPhail if anyone knows of him) and then doing some work out in the shanty towns and with orphans and AIDs victims etc! So, just thought I'd let you know what's happening and all that - keep me in prayer!

Now I'm not sure if that's completely accurate, because we are all weak in mind sometimes and doubt the things of God. We might feel it is from God, but then at the same time doubt it in our minds. Sometimes these things need to be trusted in faith (if we believe them to be of God) so that God can show us properly that it is something from Him. I know how you feel, I can relate completely! It is hard sometimes to find Christians who won't stare are you with a scared look when you foretell things either by prophetic or gift of knowledge. Although we are supposed to be "spiritual" people, it does sometimes seem that things of a spiritual nature freak people out! All I can say is be careful of who you trust in telling, and make sure you speak to someone who you do completely trust to believe you and not judge you; be that your church leaders or just a close Christian friend. I've seen these kind of things get all out of hand in just the last few months, where someone has trusted people who gossipped and then joking and comes about and everyone turns someone's genuine gift of God into a silly thing to "joke" about.

1)God deserves a lot more time than 71 minutes a week. I guess this guy has never been to an African church service! I was at one once that lasted 3 hours! It was amazing though and you don't even notice the time.. felt like I'd only been there an hour! So good

How do you think of dying? The body just giving up and ceasing to live? You need to look at it from eternal perspective.. the spirit in people doesn't "die" it just transfers from the physical world to the spiritual world. Jesus had God dwell in Him fully, dying was just the mortal man side that went, Jesus as God's spirit just went to heaven and came back to resurrect His body into it's glorified state - which is what the disciples saw. So God didn't cease to be for 3 days and then reappear, no, the bodily form of Jesus died for 3 days and then was restored and glorified!

Oh I realise that it's not all about feelings and stuff, believe me I'm very.. "down the line" you could say (for lack of better words!) about churches just being about emotions and tingly feelings because it plays people and they don't really grow and learn then. I just mean, when I'm in church, I just know God is there - it's not exactly a "feeling" as such in the way emotions are, but just a.. knowing. I dunno, can't really explain it. If you understand what I'm trying to get across hopefully you will understand what I originally meant? Anyway.

I always preferred and like this little story of explaining the Trinity..

First, what do you mean by "notice" God's Presence? Who would ever think that not being able to "feel or even notice God" is a heart issue. What I meant is, if God's presence is truely there then surely there would be some noticable fruits of that, even if just having a great sense of peace in the place. You gotta have some spiritual discernment when going into churches, because nowadays it seems you can't trust them all!

A true woman of her words OC Why not just tell the kids what they are and that only Jesus can "squash" them? Tell the kids the power of God and let them latch onto that from an early age. Maybe then we would have some Christians growing up who know their authority. (this is assuming your kids are christian of course.)

I see where you are coming from with what you say about some of the points, but at the same time I think you've got a bit of a chip on your shoulder too and just gone for an all out lash on everything this pastor has said without really thinking it through. For example, point 3. If you think about it, there's nothing wrong with wanting to come to a welcoming church is there? I don't think your sarcastic comment shows much thought there. And point 8 - I think all this pastor is saying is that if notices are to be given, then ones that are to the point in telling you what's going on is much more effective for people to remember (especially if there are lots of them) than mentioning an event and then waffling needlessly distracing from the main point. If there's a lot to remember, then bullet points are often a good way to help things 'stick'. Also I think point 13 is a fairly valid one. Sure, it's not all about "feelings" but if you're in a church where you can't feel or even notice God's presence at all in any way or form, then I would wonder about it a little! I disagree with some of the points made, but then some of the points this pastor makes are good ones to look out for - such as the friendly atmosphere etc, but I agree they shouldn't take priority over looking to see if the church is Biblically based. It's one thing to criticise carefully and thoughtfully, but it's another to get carried away in slander by annoyance, which is what I detect in your post.

Yes exactly! For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. -Eph 6:12

Too true. Just like weeds in the garden, gotta dig out the roots if you don't want them to grow back!

Honestly, the only name you need to know is JESUS'! Only once did He inquire of a name of the demons, but then you culd argue that "legion" wasn't really their name per se, but rather just a way of describing themselves as being one of many! All the other times Jesus never asked names, the apostles never asked names, no where else in Scripture is it said to ask names. Jesus didn't even tell us that we need to ask names, He just happened to do it one time for who knows what reason! But having said that.. I'm still curious as to what the book says on the subject!

I do not believe there is a spirit for every individual affliction, but I do reckon they can influence us to the point of having such thoughts and feelings/moods that can make us want to do crazy things against the "norm" of our usual daily actions. Either way, if you are having suicidal thoughts, I would say PRAY! Pray for God to protect you and help you have thoughts that are in line with what He thinks - meditate on the Scriptures and fill your mind with His Word and His Spirit!

Can I just ask then, why would we need to know the names of all these spirits? For what reason does this book give?

Thanks for the input everyone