Home     Daily Devotionals     Who We Are     What We Believe     Contact


Welcome to Our Newly Remodeled Website!

This website has been developed to help you understand the Word of God, the Holy Bible. We believe that the Word of God holds the keys to a peaceful, fruitful, joyful life. Jesus said that the "truth shall make you free." As you walk with Jesus and learn what the Word of God teaches you will find a new found freedom in your life.

Some of the teachings on this website may be unlike any you have ever heard. Let me encourage you to keep an open mind and also to search out what is being taught here to see if it lines up with the Bible or not. If you have problems with any of the lessons and don't agree. Send me scriptures and we can discuss your differences. Many of the lessons contained in this website will step on the toes of traditional Christianity. Jesus said that the "tradition of man makes the commandment of God of no effect." It is time to get rid of tradition and believe what the Word of God really says!

Online Bibles
The Bible Gateway
Online Parallel Bible
Bible.com
Bible Logos.com
Blue Letter Bible

Study Aids
Biblios
GloBible
Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society
The Dake Annotated Bible and Other Study Material

Information About Cults
Utah Lighthouse Ministry

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

 

The Spiritual vs. The Spectacular

“Smith Wigglesworth (June 8, 1859 – March 12, 1947), was a British evangelist who was important in the early history of Pentecostalism.” From Wikipedia.

Now if you are not Pentecostal, please don’t immediately dismiss this devotional. Wigglesworth was a very interesting fellow. When I began my earnest walk with the Lord at the age of eighteen, it was recommended to me that I read “Smith Wigglesworth, Apostle of Faith” by Stanley Howard Frodsham. I would also recommend it to you.

2 Corinthians 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV)

7for we walk by faith, not by sight.

The word “sight” actually means our five physical senses. As believers, we are supposed to walk by what the Bible tells us and believe it, rather than what we hear with our ears, see with our eyes, taste with our tongue, smell with our nose, or feel with our hands!

One of the stories I remember about Smith Wigglesworth is when he was traveling. At the time, in England, the main mode of transportation was by train. The train he was on had stopped and he had a long wait to catch the next train. It was a Sunday morning so he decided to walk around to see if he could find a church in which to attend services. He found a church that wasn’t far from the train station. He walked in and took a seat in one of the pews. Everyone in the church was sitting quietly and no one was at the pulpit. After several minutes of everyone sitting quietly, Wigglesworth whispered to the man next to him asking what was going on. The man explained to him that, in their denomination, they didn’t have designated clergy that were responsible to give a sermon each week. Instead, they would meet and wait until someone felt the “anointing” of the Holy  Spirit and that person would go to the pulpit and share what he felt God had laid on his heart. When Wigglesworth heard that, he immediately rose and went to the pulpit and shared what was on his heart. After his message, several people gave their lives to the Lord and some were healed.

Wigglesworth explained to the people that the anointing is always on God’s word whether you “feel” anything or not.

Isaiah 55:11 English Standard Version

,,,so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The Bible does not say, “it shall not return to me empty as long as you have goose bumps and feel the Holy Spirit moving.” The word is true no matter what! If God lets you have a feeling,  that is good but you CANNOT base your faith on those feelings. You MUST base your faith on what the word of God says! What many people feel is “the anointing of the Holy Spirit” is nothing more than an emotional high that, many times, includes goose bumps and other things. All false religion’s members report having the same kinds of feelings at times yet we understand that their feelings and experiences could not possibly be from our God!

In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual gifts that Christ has given to the body of Christ. I have seen believers operate in these gifts many times. I, myself, have operated in all of these gifts at one time or another. One thing I’ve noticed is that many believers, when they feel like they have a word from God for someone else, will begin with the words, “Thus saith the Lord!” I have seen times that what they had to say was from the Lord but I have seen times that the person just flat missed it. But here is my point, if the message you have is from God, you do not have to preface it with the famous four words, “Thus saith the Lord!” God’s word will stand on its own merit. I have personally delivered a word to a certain individual and have made a point of NOT using those four words. What I had to say to them was just as important as if I were to say “Thus says the Lord!” but as their pastor at the time, I wanted them to see that God’s word is the same whether it is spoken softly, screamed out loud or delivered in one of many different possible ways. We should learn to listen to what God is saying without thinking it has to “look” spectacular.

A very wise man once said, “The supernatural (the things of God) are not always spectacular. Please read this, understand it and get it into your spirit.

Paul said we are to desire the best spiritual gifts. It is amazing how many of our modern denominations and churches deny the very gifts the Lord has given us instead of desiring them. How sad is that? When God’s word is delivered it WILL accomplish that which God meant for it to. That is a promise and look at what the word of God says about His promises:

2 Corinthians 1:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us

Many churches teach traditions that are not compliant with true doctrine from the word of God. I have seen believers get angry when I show them a tradition they hold to dearly is not scriptural. God’s word will stand long after the traditions of men are rusted and worn away!

The Book of Mormon says toward the end that if you have read it and if you pray about it, God will give you a “burning in your bosom” which should show you the “truth” of the Book of Mormon. Well, any serious student of the Bible knows that the Book of Mormon is a completely different doctrine than the Bible so feelings cannot be used to determine the truth or veracity of a belief.

Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.

Jesus didn’t have good things to say about those that are always looking for signs and the same could be said about those that are always looking for feelings! Feelings will come and go but God’s word will not. Put your trust in His word, the Holy Bible, not in feelings!

All articles, graphics, images, photographs and other material are © copyright 2000 to present by Jay S. McMullan and/or his assignees. Do not copy without written, expressed permission.