Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 12/13/2010

Question
I've been praying the last couple weeks for God to let him show me what I should do in life because I have been so lost in ..I just wanted to know his will and his purpose for me was I prayed that he would use me in some big way. Well every day my family gets up and we watch joice myers ironically she was talking about visions and purposes in your life and doing Gods will. that second day we got up and watched her message..and it was on the same thing, after we finished watching it I went up stairs and all of a sudden something hit me ...Something was telling me strong deep down that for this Christmas I am suppose to get a group around 20 people who are young adults like me together to help out volunteer for christmas and make a difference in someones life. But not just christmas but on other events as well basicly a volunteer group who go around and make a difference in peoples lives It was if they were word not coming from me but put in my head I was so overwelmed that I started crying and praying to God giving him praise.I even started praying in tongues I laughed a people who do that.I was so freaked out I started getting chills...I went down stairs and start crying in front of my parents telling them what happened. I was in shock I couldn't believe I was telling my parents I saw a vision..cus I'm not that spiritual in fact..I'm a coward..I'm everything but a leader and I have barely have any friends. That same day I got up started making calls to volunteer places...I got everything set up ...made an sent out invitations on facebook made a bunch of fliers to hand out to young adult. And I'm planning on hitting the colleges tomorrow i have never responded to somethings so fast in my life..and actually made plans and got them done its as if I was doing stuff that I know I never would of done before! But sometimes I'm wondering if I'm insane or I was just emotional that day. Does God still call people ??? sometimes I feel like this whole thing is dumb and maybe it was just all in my head.. cus now I feel a little confused..not a lot of people have responded and I'm a little lost I feel a little dumb as maybe it wasn't from GOD and I don't feel the same feeling as before i'm really confused How do you know???

Answer
Hi Danielle,

   I spent about two hours working on answering your question, but I see you have not read it. I hope things are well with you and that you have not been hindered from reading the response. Thank you for reading the answer.

   My answer-----------------

   It is very difficult for me to respond to your question and this is why I have been slow to respond.   I needed time to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance.    I know that you are a sincere young person who loves the Lord and wants with all her heart to serve Him.  I do not want to discourage you in any way, but to help if I can, and in doing so tell you God’s truth, even if it goes contrary to what you have been taught.   It is God’s word that tells us God’s mind and His will for our lives.  As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
               “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)    
        God is saying that we must follow His word the Bible in order to be perfectly in His will and equipped with what we need to serve Him, which means we must know and live the truth to help others.
     First you say you listen to Joyce Meyers each morning.  Two things disqualify Joyce Meyers from being someone to follow or even listen to.   First is according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:7 God does not  called a woman to be a preacher or pastor....that includes Joyce Meyer.  (Go to http://bible-truth.org/1Timothy3-2.html to read an article that explains what God says about woman preachers)  
     I have listened to her also.   About 3/4 of what she says is psychology....not biblical truth.  She is what is call a “motivational speaker” and she teaches psychology mixed with some scripture to give it validity.    She uses sincere, people who are honestly seeking the Lord in their lives and she uses them for profit and it has made her a multi-millionaire.  The money people send to her has made her a multi-millionaire, with expensive homes, cars, tailor made clothes and even her on private jet.   Her annual income is at one million dollars per year, plus all expenses.  Sincere people send her  money to reach people with the Gospel...not to make her rich.

    The New Testament addresses such people. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not." (2 Peter 2:1-3)
    The phrase "who privily shall bring in Damnable heresies" means these false teachers secretly in their teaching slip in false doctrine mingling it with the scriptures. There purpose is identified in the phrase "with feigned words make merchandise of you." In other words their goal is to make money off gullible people who are unaware what they are doing. They will use enough Bible words and scripture to seem to be teaching God's word, but they actually are teaching heresies.

    Note the following web sites that expose Joyce Meyer's heresies.
       http://www.trinityfi.org/press/JoyceMeyer6.html
      http://www.forgottenword.org/meyers.html
      http://www.equip.org/articles/the-teachings-of-joyce-meyer

       Jesus also addressed people who supposedly "preach" and do wonderful things in His name and at the same time are robbing God's people:

            "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:21-23)

      Only God's true word truly helps and neither of these people preach God's truth. Jesus said "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)
      Paul warned Titus of similar false teachers in Titus 1:9-13. Note what he said was their reason.... "Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake." (Titus 1:11) "Filthy lucre" is money.

     Honestly I do not enjoy exposing false teachers, that is what Jesus, Peter, Paul did in the New Testament.   One thing to consider is that f a person is teaching lies in Jesus' name...who are they really serving?
       
     Your willingness to follow what you think the Lord is leading you to do speaks well of your commitment to the Lord.  I wish more people had the same desire and attitude toward commitment as you do.    Certainly God does call people to serve him in various ways.   One thing though is clear, if God is leading it will be clear to you and not be confusing.  You might question God’s leading, which is normal and which you should do, but if the Lord is leading He will open doors and make the way clear to you.   When the Lord called me I was reluctant at first, but I continued praying for the Lord clear guidance.  In time I knew my calling was His will.  
    One think is important though.  You should talk to your pastor and get his advise and input.  If the Lord is directing you to this, others will also see the Lord working in your life.   One other thing I think I should mention is this.   When God calls to us a ministry the call is also to study and prepare ourselves.  After I knew the Lord’s will for my life, which is the testimony of most pastors and Christian leaders I know, I began to study and prepare.  That meant I went to Bible college and be trained.  For five years I studied the Bible and after I graduated continue to study.  To teach others we must know God’s word.   That does not mean one cannot witness for Christ, but if we enter into a public ministry we must be learned so we can teach others.
    Please understand I do not want to in any way discourage you from following the Lord.  I commend you for being willing to be used by the Lord.   I also know that I have seen some try because they were not prepared and they failed which was a great discouragement to them.  I do not want to see that for you.  
     My advise would be to prayerfully and carefully move forward in your efforts to follow what you believe the Lord is leading you to do.  Read and study God’s word and let that be your focus. Seek counsel from your pastor.
     I hope this helps....I prayed this morning that the Lord would use this in your life to strengthen you and that He would direct all you do.
If you have further questions or comments please write.

Cooper P Abrams III
Romans 12:1-2
http://bible-truth.org
                        "You cannot serve God without serving others."
      "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity"  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 )

For a clear explanation of God's plan of salvation please go to: http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html