This Blog is sincerely an inspired “food for thought” Word from GOD: Are you an original called By GOD or a copycat “capitalizing and duplicating” (coveting) one’s GOD’s given gifts and talents?
Often time, I’ve wondered: Why GOD, as I move forth in the power of your work, it appears, someone attempts to copycat? Is it capitalizing and duplicating, or am I provoking to love and good works? And, this is the Word in which GOD revealed.
Acts 19:1-20: Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun.
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passing through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples (followers of Christ),
2He (Paul) said to them (certain disciples), Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed (in Jesus Christ)? And they (certain disciples) said to Paul, We have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Ghost.
3And Paul said to them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him (Jesus Christ) which should come after him, that is, (believe in Christ Jesus).
5(Now) When they heard this, they (certain believing disciples) were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost (the Power of GOD) came upon them (certain believing disciples); and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
7And it was about twelve men present.
8And he (Paul) went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9But when several were hardened (hearts), and did not believe, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude (spoke against GOD), Paul departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
10And this continued over the course of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11And God produced special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12So that from Paul’s body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Here it is:
13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon themselves to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We command you by Jesus whom Paul preached.
14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did attempt to copycat, duplicate the power of GOD that was bestowed upon Paul by GOD.
Apostle Paul, born-again believer, preached, baptized, and cast out demons in the name of the LORD by the power of the precious Holy Spirit. He was, no doubt called by GOD to do the work he did unto the glory of GOD.
I also like to think of it as the Anointing of GOD. But, check it out, even the devil recognized the God given gifted and talented one(s).
15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?
The evil spirit asked, WHO ARE YOU? Who are you capitalizing: copycatting and duplicating the power of GOD!
16And the man, in whom the evil spirit was, it (the evil spirit) leaped on them: seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, and overtook them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
WOW!
17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
MY GOD! Let’s us provoke to love and good works, in otherwise, encourage, inspire, empower, and motivate the one who is called, Anointed in the power of GOD, By God, for the glory of GOD, instead of attempting to copycat, “capitalizing and duplicating” (coveting) one’s GOD’s given gifts and talents!
Selah.
10 comments:
Thanks for the blessing of the Word today.
Katrina Williams
Wonderful insight....great sharing of the scripture.
JoJoism#90:
"I not only dance to the beat of my own drummer, but my drum is often a banjo with one string!"
JoJo Tabares.
"Amen Minister Valerie Allen. It is so important not to get caught up in competition and coveting of someone else's spiritual gifts. What the Lord showed me in this scripture is how important it is to know Jesus Christ for yourself in a personal relationship. These vagabond Jews were travelling from town to town exorcising demons calling on a list of names of various false gods (for money) and when they saw the power of the Spirit of the Lord operating through Paul in the name of Jesus, they decided to imitate what Paul had done and call on the name of Jesus. We all know that there is power in the name of Jesus, but what the text is teaching us is that we have to be walking in true relationship with Jesus before we can even begin to cast out demons or do any miraculous sign or wonder in that Name. God is calling us into true relationship with Him, and when we know Him and worship Him in spirit and in truth then and only then will demons tremble when we call upon that name. We have a prime example of this in Luke chapter 10 which shows the 72 disciples coming back to Jesus after he had sent them out with power: (Luke 10:17-20) 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Great food for thought. Thank you for your post!
Yes and again great point about imposters. The seven sons of Sceva did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. They did not "know" Jesus as Paul did. We often want to walk in God's power without walking in covenant relationship with God. We cannot have the power outside of having the God who is the power! Love it! The Bible says, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free!"
Pastor Rebecca Simmons
New Creation Christian Ministries
The Kingdom Church
87 1st Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Senior Pastor Anthony Simmons Presiding
AMEN! WHEW! WOW!!! GOD Bless You Pastor Rebecca Simmons! THE PREACHER IS IN THE HOUSE! Thank You for your "Bold" comment via THE RIGHTLY DIVINE WORD OF GOD!
"Sounds, good, does seem like a two part piece. First it was on the copycat then about the ones who didn't really know Christ but wanted to cast out demons. I'll check it out. 'Good stuff'! I'll share the blog in God is in the Equation Group."
Adrienna Turner
"Love it! And it is Food for thought. The only thing I can think of as to why people would rather be a copycat, because they don't Trust or have Great Faith enough to Step out of the Box and can be original in God. Is it FEAR? Let me tell you we always singing the song 'I will do a new thing in you whatever you ask for whatever you pray for nothing shall denied sayeth the lord!'
Well, when he begins to download what he has patterned for your life to be like any other than why do you hinder where God is trying to lead you!
It's ok...Step out into the New and allow God to use you mighty and different…We are different, but on the same road to save souls and what he has patterned for your life will only bring beauty when we come together.
I would have to share my personal experience in this area later...As Praise & Worshiper...Oh My..."
Leading Lady Diana Washington-Flagg
Power Praise & Worship Ministry
1420 S Wood Avenue
Linden, New Jersey
Pastor Jamont Flagg Presiding
"Amen Lady Flagg.
Although imitation and copying in the form of coveting is prohibited by God, there is a form of imitation that is encouraged. Paul; tells us to imitate him (1 Cor. 11:1) and (1 cor. 4:16) as he imitates Jesus.
The Bible tells us to imitate what is good and not what is evil (3 John 1:11) and there is one more scripture that tells us to imitate those who inherit the things of God by faith (Hebrews 6:12) and (Hebrews 13:7).
The important thing to remember in imitating someone else is your motive. If you have a motive to bring God glory and not to compete with others or to get glory for yourself, imitation is not a bad thing.
There are a lot of advantages in copying the successes of others.
There's an old saying of "Why reinvent the wheel?"
Find someone who is successful doing what you want to do and follow their example putting your own twist of individuality into your efforts.
No one can do what you can do like you!
Interesting topic.
Love you ladies and thank you to Minister Valerie Allen for opening up this topic today.
Note: All scripture reference was taken from the NIV."
Pastor Rebecca Simmons
New Creation Christian Ministries
The Kingdom Church
87 1st Street, Elizabeth, New Jersey
Senior Pastor Anthony Simmons Presiding
"I AM ORIGINAL BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE KALEDA! ONE THING WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE TRY AND COPYCAT SOMEONE YOU BETTER BE CAREFUL FOR YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT PERSON HAD TO GO THROUGH TO GET WHERE THEY ARE! JUST BE WHO GOD CALLED YOU TO BE AND IF YOU DO NOT KNOW, ALLOW GOD TO SHOW YOU! THERE IS ONLY ONE YOU AND ONLY YOU CAN BE YOU NO MATTER HOW MUCH ANYONE ELSE TRIES TO COPYCAT!"
Kaleda Carthran
"It's simply human nature for one to copycat another and put a new twist on it." AMEN!
Yonnetta Robinson
Hairstylist
Diva Design
Hillside, New Jersey
Closing out on the final comment of hairstylist, Younnetta Robinson, I thank All who commented and liked via Facebook.
Only GOD knew how this inspired "food for thought" Blog would take off as it did, inspire, encourage, motivate, and empower.
GOD Bless you!
Sincerely,
Minister Valerie Allen
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