Saints, it's time to grow up spiritually;  your victory is in this process (Part II)

 Last week, the Holy Ghost and I shared with you the message (the start of a series of columns on this subject) of  "Growing Up Spiritually," a series that the Holy Ghost gave to my pastor/father in the Gospel, Dr. Lynn Morrison Jr. of Baton Rouge, La., to preach. While he preaches it from the pulpit, I'll preach it from the keyboard

One thing I'm seeing is that the Spirit of God is moving in this direction through other men and women of God, pastors/ministers, not just in Baton Rouge and in Fort Worth but in a multiplicity of other places. Though we may put our own titles on the message, or our own individual styles, it remains the same unadulterated message, inspired by the Holy Ghost.

Before I get started, I'd like to send a shout out to Potter's House member and friend Zahira Sims of Grand Prairie, who made certain that my wife Sheree and I had our own transportation during our stay here in this great city of Fort Worth, Sheree's hometown. Zahira's pastor once preached that "Favor Ain't Fair!" Thank you, Lord, for favor.

Also, a shout out goes to Fort Worth pastors Robert and Mildred Vaden, and intercessor Sheri Williams. Sheree and I fellowshipped with them at the Vaden home last Saturday evening and there was a powerful move of the Spirit that went forth. Of course, we expected it.

By the time we left the Vaden home early the next morning after hours of fellowshipping and worship, we witnessed another mighty move of the Spirit as saints who received supernatural healing (including one woman who testified of how she was 100% healed of 100% blindness in her eyes) gave their testimonials before a packed house at the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at Ambassadors of Christ Christian Center, 5430 Miller Ave.

Ambassadors pastors Chris and Regina Spellmon were used of the Lord to bring forth supernatural healing all over the place. And what I love perhaps more than the healing itself was the fact that they followed up the laying on of hands with instructions to the people God sent them, teaching them HOW TO STAY healed and delivered. If there's no follow-up message, or word, addressing the How-To's of ministry and deliverance, then being delivered means nothing. Because an ignorant Christian who's been delivered of a particular challenge will fall back into bondage, if he (or she) isn't taught how to be continually whole of his (or her) afflictions (Mark 5:34).

Long introduction, huh? Yeah, but it was needed. Now, the continuance of what we discussed last week:

 There are some awesome ministries here in Fort Worth. At the same time, there are far too many whose leadership hasn't yet tapped into the Holy Ghost fire that it takes to teach deliverance to God's children or win new souls over to Christ. So, I thank God for this "Growing Up Spiritually" message, and the move that's going forth to carefully explain the process of spiritual growth.

For years, we've heard the misquoting of scriptures or misapplication of these scriptures ("the Lord works in mysterious ways"/"this battle is not mine, it's the Lord's") in messages that went forth in church congregations. And because these scriptures were either misquoted or misunderstood, or were taught by pastors/ministers/teachers who shared this misinformation by carnal understanding rather than divine revelation (which comes only through diligently seeking God's face/an individual walk), the saints were (and continue to be) left in the dark about the things of God. And there is no delivering power in these churches.

Yes, God does work in mysterious ways (to those who don't know Him or care to know Him). But He gives us, His children, 66 books and a Counselor to reveal those mysteries. And yes, the battle IS the Lord's, but we have a part to play. There are some things He expects us to do. It ain't all on Him. Amen?

On that note, I quote the Lord Jesus, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7)."

 I submit unto you, friends, that He is talking about the "inner" ear, the spirit man within you, which receives counsel/direction from the Spirit of God, which also dwells in the heart of every believer. The way you "overcome," brethren, is by feeding your spirit daily the Word of God. Let me back up. The way you overcome is when you place yourself under the submission of a Holy Ghost-LED man or woman of God (church headship) who will TEACH you how to "hear" with your "inner ear" what the Spirit (of God) is saying to the "churches" (the body of Christ/YOU).

Don't be deceived, folks (Galatians 6:7-8). You have to be trained to hear the voice of God, His Spirit. This is not something that you can just hear with your physical ear, or your own understanding (apart from a Jesus-endorsed pastor). In fact, your natural ear (or outter ear) will be a tool used by the enemy to deceive you, if you don't receive the proper training (through submission to a Holy Ghost-LED man/woman of God) on how to try what you hear with your natural ear by the power within your inner ear (1^st John 4:1-6).

If you don't get the proper training, you have nothing protecting you from error which is taught by the unlearned, or folk with no revelation knowledge. Error uncorrected leads to death. Until next week, see ya. Grow up, saints!

( Min. Donald Lee's at donjlee@bellsouth.net Visit www.Lynnmorrisonministries.org )