The moving of God

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At 02:01 AM 2/23/98 -0600, CSterrett wrote:
>I have been considering whether or not to attend Bible school for a few
years.  
>There are certain classes though, which, while they seem harmless, I don't
see the
>total need for them.  Like for example, one class helps you structure a
sermon, and
>teaches you how to present it, making emphasis on certain words or points.
 I ask 
>though, if we are mearly a vessel, allowing the Holy Ghost to use us, and
speak
>through us, why do I need to learn how to do these things?  I look at
Moses or Paul,
>both having speaking problems, yet the Lord tells Moses to not worry, that
He would
>speak for him and through him.  
Hmmmm, well I do know one thing, The Holy Ghost does use what is there in
the first place. I was gifted by God IMHO to speak. I achieved the highest
honors in National Forensics and was urged to be a orator many times. I do
not use what I slept through when we were in Bible College, all the time
but do appreciate when I open up a greek verb, that I know that future
postitive possessive tense is in use. I do not always use sermon notes, but
have been allowing the Holy Ghost to fully use me. I have studied a
scripture to "death" and then in the pulpit or in the interaction with
another, it comes out completely opposite to what I had studied. Oh other
occasions, the studying time was not there, but the knowledge from previous
secessions was brought to mind and the flow went. If I had not studied
prior, there would not be any progress. Now I do know that the book of Acts
says there were "ignorant and unlearned men" also that they spoke with
boldness as the Spirit gave then the words. Moot point to consider, since
that the Jewish mind spent a lot of time studying by nature. We do not
study how to prepare a sermon for the fun of it. It does help sometimes to
have SOME notes.

You further went on-
>I am not against Bible colleges, or furthering ones education.....
>But I do ask, where have the week long, month long, revivals gone?  The
revivals
>which started at 6 or 7, and did not end until after midnight, with tear
soaked altars.
>Why is it when fire and brimstone is preached in the 90's, saints cry out

We have lost the tear soaked altars out side of the begging and pleading of
the preacher. Also there are not any personal Bethels. I have a book called
Pentecostals In Crisis. (available still from PPH in STL)  I have a copy
from years ago, but the message is clear and strong- we need new vigor of
prayer in our churches.
Fire and brimstone? I had the priviledge of knowing Harvey Howe. He was
very sick, but he many time when you  would come in the room would have his
head in his frail hands and "was just praying". Odd, that at anytime I ever
went to say hello, he was "just praying". The man prayed and prayed and
still prayed. Good luck now getting someone there 15 minutes early before
services.
You gave an excellent posting Chris, I end my reply with the thought of my
Pastor, which I have sought to adopt. I want to Minister, not just to
preach. I do not care if anyone gives me highfives, I want to see someone
changed and full of the Holy Ghost. 

Brian Berger, Manchester, NH

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<BK.Berger@mci2000.com> <brian_berger@juno.com>