No, I wouldn't say that the gift of prophecy died with the Old Testament prophets. The gift of prophecy is mentioned in I Corinthians 14. It specifically speaks of the gift of prophecy as to be used for strengthening, encouragement and comfort. The source of the gift of prophecy within the Body of Christ comes from the same spirit (the Spirit of God). See I Corinthians 12: 1-11.

Corinthians was a church. It was an extension of the first church that began witin the book of Acts. The Christian church of today is an extension of the original church as the church is the bride of Christ. The church is the "body of Christ" because we are one flesh with Christ as His bride (see Ephesians 5: 23-33).

I think that you understand who are the false prophets. The "real" prophets, or those who are here to edify you so that you can live a better life existed in the Holy Bible, and are here on earth today. The test of who is real and who isn't can be discerned. You may remember that I John 4: 1-3 it says: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You aught to test the spirit of the person who is believed to be speaking a prophetic word to you. I John 4 gives you one. You should also read the scriptures previously referred, Deuteronomy 18:14-22 and Jeremiah 23.

The prophet that comes from God doesn't need, nor will ever use the devices of astrology, karma, and numerology to speak to you. The prophet speaks what the Lord has for them to say. It is an utterance that comes from the Word of God, and will never contradict the Word of God.

Again, please let me know if there are any questions. I'll be able to answer them until 5 today in between doing work here in my office.

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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited June 22, 2001).]

Donald Lawrence & The TriCity Singers say it well in the song "Minister to You".

I'll quote only the first verse...

When I was in the SPIRIT, God showed me some things, explained some things, revelead some things. When I was in the Spirit, God pointed out some things, that I needed to know. He showed me my enemies, and my friends, too. How to look at my troubles and walk right on through. If you need to know God's plan for your life. Get in the Spirit. Let the LORD minister to you.

God is my counselor. Only He can direct my path. For He knows all things that I am going through. When I go to HIM in prayer, He already knows the situation. I don't have re-explain anything to Him. He already knows, because my life is PRE-DESTINED BY HIM. Only HE can take you through.

If you a wondering when you're going to find a husband - - take that to God. He knows exactly the date, time and place that you're going to find that man. He also knows who that man is already.

If you're wondering how your children are going to turn out - take that to God. He has a plan for their lives already.

***My personal testimony:
This week has been a blessed week for me. I found out some very serious things about my life this week. I was adopted as a child. I've known that I was adopted all along. Well, just yesterday, I found my birth mother and spoke to her for the first time in my life. I embarked upon my search for her just 2 weeks ago and yesterday, found out her name, address, and phone number and spoke with her. All of my life I have wondered about her and wanted to know when would I ever find her. Well, I took that to God in prayer as a child. It's a prayer that I put in God's hands many, many years ago that I would someday find her. The actual search for her only took me 2 weeks to do. So, there's only one reason why I didn't find out this information years ago. That is because God was not ready to reveal that to me yet. He has pre-determined my life. I truly believe that God led me through my search over the past weeks. And for this, I praise God and thank Him for hearing my prayer and answering me.

I'm sorry, but Miss Cleo could not help me with this. And I don't have to pay $1.99/per minute (or whatever she costs) to talk to God. And He's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. He's open on holidays and in leap year, too.

PRAISE HIM!

[This message has been edited by prayerfull (edited June 22, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by prayerfull (edited June 22, 2001).]

I thought you were leaving!!! You'd found another foum http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Anyhooooo! I like to read up on astrology, just because it's entertaining. But I do often follow some of the princibles of Fengshui in my home decor. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by THICKNCHOCLATE (edited June 22, 2001).]

Prayerfull,

Congratulations in finding your birth mom! I KNOW that only God can provide the kind of timing that was essential in your instance. God's timing is always right! I'm rejoicing with you! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks for sharing your testimony. It is wonderful to see God and the promises of His word manifest in your life, isn't it? Praise ye the Lord!

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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited June 22, 2001).]

I guess I should mention that there is a HUGE difference between consulting witches, demonic spirits, and folx like ms. cleo...and astrology, which is based on scientific and spiritual study of the stars. Western culture is the only culture that separates science from religion/spirituality.

I know little about numerology.

And although astrology is often linked to sorcery and satanic reference, I do believe people often possess certain characteristics based on their birthright. What I don't believe, is that you can open a newspaper or magazine and find out that you're going to fall in love at midnight tomorrow or something sillier.

I'm right on with the karma responses: You do reap what you sew, and it's ALWAYS worse when it comes back around.

Reincarnation: People who've had near-death experiences often talk of being received in Heaven by angels who've lived more than once in order to complete some form of learning, or to impact society at God's direction. Example: The little boy who dies of AIDS and attracts world attention because he's only 8 or 9 years old.

Numerology deals with numbers (of course)-the deal with this is to find your number, and from that, it is similar to astrology in the fact that it is supposed to give a baseline for characteristics and traits that you may have in life.
When you take your birthdate, add the numbers together, and from that you get one single digit number, the number that you refer to when checking your charts.

Example: if you were born on July 4, 1980
7 (july) + 4 (day of birth) + 1+9+8+0=29---> 2+9=11--->1+1=2=your number

Usually these guides are found in the back of magazines (Cosmo, Elle, etc.) and they use them as another source of "future-telling".

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"Mind ya own, stay true to ya own, be ya own."

Peace and God Bless
*Classy_Diva5*

Thank you for that explanation of numerology. I honestly had no idea what it was all about. I have not come across those guides before (as I don't often read those magazines). But now I will work with that forumla to get my "number". This is all very interesting...

I believe in karma, because I know through experience that whatever goes around comes around. You definitely reap what you sew.

When it comes to astrology, numerology, and other "ologies(LOL)", I had mixed feelings. I used to read my horoscope faithfully in the past, until I read in the Bible that it was a tool of evil. Since then, I pay no mind. I guess what intrigued me in the past was the fact that when I read my horoscopes, 9 times out of 10 they were on point; I was like http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif! But now that I know that it is used by the enemy to trap us that believe and follow the Lord, I stay clear.

Reincarnation is something that I believe is possible if you believe in it. I personally do not believe in coming back after death as another walking, talking lifeform here on earth.

For those that are interested in names and some of the traits, meanings and the "hidden powers" behind it, http://www.kabalarians.com/gkh/your.htm
can give some more information.

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"Mind ya own, stay true to ya own, be ya own."

Peace and God Bless
*Classy_Diva5*

[This message has been edited by Classy_Diva5 (edited June 22, 2001).]

oh yeah...i forgot...that's right...that is proof positive ret cher that it is of the devil...how could i be so blind...? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I believe in karma simply because I believe that what goes around comes around and you reep what you sow.Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you want more, give more. I could go on and on with sayins that seem to reference Karma. I also believe in the phrase Karma is a .... Well yall know the rest.

I would have to say I agree the most with Sable, 1Woman Of Virtue, and TOA.... Read, READ, READ!!! Do your own RESEARCH! Whatever is RIGHT FOR YOU, that's just up to YOU to discern. But choose your belief system (be it religious or otherwise) understanding WHY you believe the way you do.
Are you Christian? Yes: WHY?
Are you Buddhist? Yes: WHY?
Do you consult astrology, numerology, etc... to determine/understand/investigate ANYTHING? Yes: WHY?
These are things you should know... Know your HISTORY. The same way we SFs research our Sororities of Interest we should research our "religions", belief systems, careers, etc. How can you participate in something of which you know no history??

If you believe something, you should be able to equivocate it's validity with things NOT NECESSARILY related to it's explanatory subject matter.
i.e. (I will pick on Christianity here) If you are a Christian and you want to explain to someone WHY you PRACTICE/PROCLAIM Christianity ... then you should be able to do so far beyond the realm of "Cuz my Mama said so" or "Cuz the Bible says"

Black folks, in my opinion, especially need to develop a full understanding of Christianity & it's factually historical roots, outside of primarily Biblical research. You may uncover a whole lotta something that you thought nothing of in the first place.

Pan-African studies... ahhh, the beginning of my enlightenment. Hey, where is AKA_Monet?


Oh and Professor, that touched by an Angel tiff was pretty dern hilarious.

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"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it."
Henry David Thoreau

[This message has been edited by novella000 (edited June 23, 2001).]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SableCherub:
[B] cool... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif there are a lots a bibles out there...which one will you be using?
http://www.booksbygod.com/

I'll be using the King James Version and my Strong's Concordance

I do not believe in astrology or numerology because I believe in the only true and living God. I believe in HIS son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. I believe in the Holy Spirit which was sent to be a comforter unto us all. I believe that Astrology/Numerology are works of the devil and are only associated by familiar spirits. This to me is a form of witchcraft, which is an abomination to God.

what are you basing this belief on...scripture? or what has been told to you? and if based on scripture...which scripture(s) are you basing this on?

astrology: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=114997&tocid=0

numerology: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=57910&tocid=0

karma: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=45785&tocid=0

[This message has been edited by SableCherub (edited June 23, 2001).]