The Pentecostal Experience- the Gifts. Part 3.

Introduction
The Holy Spirit, who is the third person of the Trinity manifests the gifts for the benefit of the church. No one has control over the working of the gifts. These are given as the Spirt of God wills to whomever, He sees is fit for the good of the body of Christ.

The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Cor. 12:1-12 Paul states, “Regarding spiritual things, brothers, and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. 8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues (heavenly and earthly languages), and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things. 12 For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body—though many—are one body, so too is Christ.

Different Members in One Body
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether Jews or Greeks or slaves or free, we were all made to drink of the one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not a single member, but many.

How do we KNOW whether it is the Holy Spirit or the person trying to use manipulation.
The Word of God is what we base our interpretation on. If we know the Word of God and if we surround ourselves with Godly people who will mentor us then we will understand the workings of God in our lives. This why God tells us to study the Word of God. Also every point must be established by the Word of God. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I Cor. 13:1

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (handling the word of truth with precision.). 2 Timothy 2:15.
Make every effort [Do your best; Be diligent] to ·give [present] yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who ·is not ashamed [or will not be shamed] and who ·uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth].
2 Timothy 2:15 Expanded Bible

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teaches you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrew 5:12-14.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39.

The Gifts the Spirit Proclaim Jesus as Lord!
So, I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. I Cor. 12:3.

Three Categories of the Gifts
In these verses there are expressed nine gifts, manifestations, or ways in which the Holy Spirit manifests Himself either through a person publicly or privately.
The gifts are divided into three categories.
• Gifts of Wisdom or Knowledge. Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, and the Discerning of Spirits.
• Gifts of Utterance. Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, and Prophecy.
• Gifts of Power. Gifts of supernatural Faith, Healings, and Miracles,

Gift of the Word of Knowledge
God is all knowledge-He knows everything! The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural gift. The Word of Knowledge and Wisdom can manifest itself in many different ways. It can come in a audible voice, a vision, or even in a dream. Some say that I Cor. 12:8 is natural knowledge but the Holy Spirit states that He gives supernatural gift of knowledge. The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of certain facts in the mind of Father God.
It is manifested through visions. Acts 9:1-12. God told Anaias to go into the street and go to the house of Judas to seek Saul of tarsus and pray for him.
It is manifested through an Inward spirit. 1 Sam.3:4-10. Samuel heard a voice call his name and told him to speak to Eli.

Gift of the Word of Wisdom
Once again it is the Holy Spirit manifesting to a person as He wills. The gift of knowledge at times works with the word of knowledge. Acts 9:10-16.
10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so that he may see again.” 13 But Ananias replied,[f] “Lord, I have heard from many people[g] about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem, 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on your name!” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:10-16.
But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. I Cor. 14:3.
One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the [b]world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 11:28-30.

Here we can see that the Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom and the Discerning of Spirts was operating. But we must test the spirit to see if it is really coming from the Holy Spirit.
As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 21:10-11.

The Gift of the Discerning of Spirits.

Now, remember we are talking about the discerning of spirits, which is part of the category of the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge. Everything was in the realm of knowledge, facts, events, purpose, motive, origin, destiny, human, and divine, or satanic natural or supernatural past president of future comes within the focus of these three gifts. It’s important for us to understand that everything that is physical, emotional, and psychological has its roots in the spiritual realm. The discerning of spirits gives us insight into the spirit world. This is not mind reading as some have suggested. It is more limited in range than the other two spiritual gifts, because this revelation is limited to a single class of objects, spirits. This Is that the discerning of devils or evil spirits. It is a supernatural insight into the realm of the spirit world, both good and bad. This, of course includes evil spirits but too many people thought discerning evil spirits is all the gifts that are refers to.

In Exodus 33: 20-23 when Father God let Moses look into the realm of spirits, He said to Moses you cannot look at my face, but I’m going to pass behind you and put my hand over your face. What Moses saw was a likeness of God in the spirit realm. All throughout the word of God, we encountered people who had visions who have seen the similitude of God. They didn’t see God they saw a likeness of God. In Isaiah 61 Isaiah said, “I saw the Lord sitting upon high and lifted up. This was a manifestation of the discerning of spirits. The apostle John and his vision on the isle of Patmos he saw seven spirits before the throne of God. That simply meant that John was seeing into the spirit realm and seeing the difference of an aspects of the Spirit of God.

In Acts 16:16-18 the apostle Paul knew that this young woman was possessed by a spirit of divination. Notice Paul dealt with the spirit, not the person. After her deliverance, the girl couldn’t tell fortunes anymore. The spirit of divination had left her. Supernatural manifestations in the realm in which we live, originate from one of two sources, God, or the devil. Many things are she miraculous to us actually do not come from God. We must not forget that Satan is a supernatural being also. Too often people are ready to follow anything whether is backed up by scripture or not.
In Romans 8:14 tells us for as many as our led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. The scripture does that imply that all the sons of God can be led by the spirit of God as in the discerning of spirits. This does not imply regarding the discerning of spirits as we see in 1 Corinthians 12:8-12 does not state or even imply that every believer would have this gift is given as a Spirit of God wills.

The Pentecostal Experience- Holy Spirit’s Indwelling in Believers.
Part 2.

Introduction.
One of the central truths of the evidence of the Holy Spirit and dwelling and believers is speaking in tongues. This physical evidence of a spiritual experience is convincing proof that believers have, and did receive the infilling or fulness of the Holy Spirit apart from being born again. The Lord Jesus Christ, his apostles to tarry and wait for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus ascended to heave and the Holy Spirt descended upon believers so they would receive power from on high.
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all in one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Crowd’s Response
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2:1-13.

Manifestation of Speaking in Tongues
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:44-46.
The above example of Peter preaching the Word of God after his dramatic vision of the sheet, filled with all man of unclean beasts being let down from heaven, was guided to the house, Cornelius, a Gentile, to proclaim God ‘s salvation through Jesus Christ. As Peter spoke to Cornelius and his household regarding the remissions of sins for the blood of Jesus the Holy Spirit fell on all of those people there, and they spoke with other tongues.
And as I (Peter) began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things, they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” Acts 11:15-18.
Please take notice that the speaking of tongues convinced the Jewish brethren, at Jerusalem, that the gentiles also received the gift of the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. It’s been my experience that this is the best time that people should be filled with the Holy Spirit has when they’re born again. There is no suggestion here that the gentiles Christians had to wait to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul at Ephesus.
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? So, they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So, they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Here yet is another example of the Gentile believers receiving the infill of the Holy Spirit. These men were all new converse, and had been followers of John the Baptist. They believe John ‘s message when Paul came to them and told him that Jesus Christ was a promised one, they had died on the cross, and been resurrected they should believe on him, and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with other tongues and prophesied.
I have seen this happen in my own personal ministry, where people who have received the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues, and in prophesy. One time when I first came to the Lord, I was attending a meeting with the Catholic charismatic renewal, called the city of Angels, I was in a gathering with about 500 people in a very large building. A man stood up and began to prophesy in tongues, and I immediately received the interpretation of this message. However, I was such a young believer. I was quite timid and sharing this the leader of the meeting said that they would not do anything else until the person who received the interpretation shared the message. I must have waited for at least 20 minutes, and I walked up to the leader and told him that I had received the interpretation of the tongues presented. I told him what the message was and he had me stand up in front of this entire crowd and give the interpretation. Wow what a surprise and blessing!

The Door to Spiritual Gifts.
In the study of the scriptures, we have seen that speaking with tongues is the initial and supernatural, sign or evidence of the Holy Spirit in dwelling. Speaking with tongues is the doorway to receiving spiritual gifts. I found my own life the more I pray, and worship God, in tongues, the more manifestations I’ve seen other gifts of the spirit take place, some people say they’re only interested in the other gifts of the spirit, yet not in the speaking in tongues for fear of ridicule. But we must understand that the Holy Spirit is a giver of all gifts, and we are told to seek them earnestly. In the Corinthian Church there, was an abundance of speaking with tongues. Everybody was speaking in tongues and there was no interpretation so Paul told them they’re the only two or three should speak in tongues and another should interpret the interpreter should not be pressed for an interpretation but she kept silent in the church until it came forth I Corinthians 14:27-28. I have seen in Pentecostal churches that sometimes people get very excited and don’t follow orders. But Paul said in I Corinthians 14:18-19.
Just because some people act out of order within church, we should blame God or resist the speaking in tongues. Once again, we are told to desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit and He will manifest them as he will.

The Pentecostal Experience- the Giver. Part 1.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (heavenly & earthly languages) as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4.

Introduction.
Many people think that Father God only uses certain types of people who are holy and dedicated to Him. People think that the Father God only uses pastors and evangelists and teachers of the Word of God. And yes, He does but He also uses the average everyday person who surrender their lives to Him. Much is accomplished for those who surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. But in this study, we will see that those who yield to God will experience a quickening to their faith and life. I have over the years experienced the Lord God using me in tongues, the interpretation of tongues, prophecy, discerning of spirits, the word of knowledge, and healings.

The Giver-the Holy Spirit
Then I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Counselor, Comforter, Helper) to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept, because it does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him because He resides with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of it. So then, exalted to the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out what you both see and hear. Acts 2: 32-33. Jesus prayed to Father God would send another Comforter to abide with the church forever. Many people concentrate so much on the experience that they miss the reality of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’(Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39. Here Jesus is talking about regeneration of the person when he spoke to the Samarian women at the well when He stated, “water springing up into ever lasting life.” The second is the baptism of the Holy Spirit when He stated, “will flow rivers of living water.’

The Holy Spirit- An Ever-Present Source of Power
The New Testament gives facts that the father sustains towards believers. 1. God is for us. (Rom. 8:31). 2. God is with us. (Heb. 13:5). 3. God is us. (1 Cor. 3:16).

Our Bodies are the Temple of God.
Many Christians don’t really comprehend that their bodies are the temple of God. In a theological perspective we must understand that the Great one, God Himself dwells within is which is in direct contrast with Old Testament theology. Christians complain about a lack of power, or lack of ability, when the Lord God says we are complete in Him and lack nothing.
This whole concept is knowing that this is our Redemption trough Christ Jesus.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. I John 4:4.

The Old Testament Finished!
In the Old Testament the presence of God was kept within the Holy of Holies and only the high priest could enter with extreme caution once a year to make atonement for the sins of Israel. Before Jesus died, He stated, “It is Finished”. What was finished? Josephus, a Jewish historian stated that when Jesus stated “It is Finished” the curtain separating the Holy of Holies was rent in two. The curtain was 40’ wide, 20’high, and 4” thick. It was torn from top to bottom thus ending the Old Testament. From that time God never again dwelt in a man-made building. Born again Christians are now the dwelling place of God. If you are conscious of this there will be no fear, anxiety, doubt, in your life. The devil will never have a place in your life to oppress you. We will never be defeated by circumstances of life. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

Remember that scripture is progressive in nature up to the coming of Jesus and His redemptive work on Calvary.
We must understand that the old man ends with the cross and the new man begins with the resurrection of Christ. It says in the scripture “if any man is in Christ he is a new creature old things are passed away and behold they are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. The cross terminates the first creation and out of death there’s brought a new creation in Christ the born-again person. I truly believe we don’t understand the new creation. In the Old Testament you will never find anyone born again. In the Old Testament you’ll never find anyone where God dwells within them. In the Old Testament man had to go to the temple to communicate with God. In the New Testament God is within us. We are His temple. We communicate with Him through our spirit. If we are in Christ then Christ comes to us by free grace without any effort on our part but is built on the solid ground a simple faith. How does this become real in our experience. This is the essence of this teaching. Recognizing who we are in Christ. Understanding that our old man is dead and we are new in Christ. Abiding in Him is realizing that God has done the work in Christ and not in us. And the all-inclusive death of Adam there is the all-inclusive resurrection in Christ.

Many people want to live in the Old Testament. The Old Testament was a tutor pointing Israel to the coming Messiah. God‘s laws were written on stone in the Old Testament and the New Testament his laws are written upon our heart. The New Testament does what the Old Testament could not do. The Old Testament showed men their sins but there was no power to overcome them because Christ had not died and resurrected yet. Why don’t we see the teachings and the themes presented in the epistles in the Old Testament or the gospels? The reason is once again that the officials was written to the new creation church. There are no new creations,’ born-again people in the Old Testament. There were no born-again people presented in the gospels. In fact, we found that even those who closely followed Jesus did not understand His purpose. They did not understand his plan of redemption, nor the reason why he had to be crucified. It was not until the end of gospel of Matthew that Peter had the revelation from the Holy Spirit When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, but who do you say I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. Matt. 16:13-20.

So, when was this complete? It was not until the completed work of Jesus on Calvary with His death, descension into hell, His resurrection and glorification. Now He is seated at the right hand of Father God and scripture stated we are seated with Him. And all power is given us to us as His church. We are the eyes, mouth, hands, and feet on our Lord Jesus on earth. Let us look at some scriptures to help us understand this very important concept.

Father God revealing His Son, Christ Jesus in the Gospels!
We can see even in the gospels we see God the Father pointing to Jesus. In Matt. 17:1-7, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses (The Law), and one for Elijah (The Prophets). “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
Also, our Lord said that in the hearing of the scripture that he quoted was completed. In Luke 4:21, “He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus stated do not think I have come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law. What do you mean fulfill the law? Fulfillment of the law was to complete what it could not do. The Law only showed man his sinfulness but did not give him the power to overcome sin and its dominion. In His death and resurrection not only did Jesus pay the ultimate price of his death but He created a new race that never existed on the face of the earth before these are called Born Again Christians. The New Testament church should live in the epistles. You do not see in the gospels the biblical truths as stated in the epistles. The Gospels narrate the life and history of Jesus but not of the resurrected church. That is clearly expressed in the Epistles. This is why the epistles were written. It was and is written to the Resurrected Church. To those who are born again!
In 1 Cor. 15:45, “And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam (Jesus) is God come in the flesh. He is a life-giving the Son of God. His words are spirit and life. Romans 8:29. Jesus is the first begotten of many brethren.

Abnormal Behavior- Ramon, a case study of Antisocial Personality Disorder and Violence.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32.

Introduction.
What is considered truth as many see it today is self-serving. This is a struggle that mankind has continued to skirt around for its own convenience. The truth is that we must understand if mankind was able to save themselves from chaos and pain in their lives there would be no need for intervention. Truth as Father God sees our lives is much different then how we see our lives. His truth is absolute, not relative. His truth ultimately will bring about wholeness in every area of our lives if we surrender.

This will be a teaching on how hurting people continue and will hurt others until that pain is recognized by them, released, forgiven and healed. Pain that people experience is not understood by them so they strike out at others. But we must understand that there is a definite evil architect behind the scenes causing and manipulating our very existence to chaos. The actors in this chaos are the ones themselves who have been hurt and continue to hurt others.

The problem that I have as a Christian psychologist is that modern day psychological interventions leave out the spiritual realm. We fail to realize anything and everything physically, emotionally, and psychologically has its roots in the spirit. The topic of our discussion will take us into the journey into darkness of a person’s life who lives in utter destruction.

This is an exact problem with coming up with a definition of what is considered abnormal behavior. What is considered by one group as normal maybe will be consider by another group as abnormal. In a traditional sense methodology of defining abnormal behavior has been using statistical norms. But this really does not address the lack of dimensionality when evaluating impairment, that may be considered abnormal what is psychopathological and what is not. We live in a time where what some would consider normal such as drunk driving, drug use, anger, resentment are considered normal anxieties and quite common, and therefore harder to evaluate or consider as abnormal behavior.
Defining abnormality, as the absence of optimal or ideal characteristics is another possibility. However, most normal individuals are not that close to ideal. In general, abnormal behavior is behavior that significantly differs from consensually agreed upon norms that in some way harmful to the differently behaving person and to others.

They’re basically four categories of what is considered, abnormal or abnormality.
1. Deviant – deviant refers to behavior that differs from socially accepted standards of conduct, and in many cases, the word has a negative connotation.
2. Different-different also suggests behavior that very scientifically, at least, statistically, from accepted norms, but it does not usually have negative connotations.
3. Disorders – disorders imply the lack of integration and behaviors; the result may be impairment of one’s ability to cope with various situations.
4. Bizarre – bizarre behavior that differs extremely socially accepted norms, in addition, demonstrates in adequate coping patterns and disintegration of behavioral patterns.

DSM’s-Diagnostic Terminology.

Most psychologist agree with the DSM’s in accessing. The first DSM was published in 1952 and revise in 1968, 1980 and 1987. There were numerous changes and the criticisms of the DSM’s are very valid by many professionals within psychology. It appears also from this writer’s perspective that the DSM has become a very much a political tool to incorporate groups and behaviors that at one time considered abnormal and deviant. In my assessment from not only a psychological perspective but also from a theological evaluation I see many things that from a Christian point of view I reject.

Perceptions of Abnormality.

As previously indicated perceptions of abnormality have a wide range of definitions from sociopolitical to psychosocial perspectives, and even cultural influences. They term that I embrace regarding the differences of perspectives, is called the psychosocial construction of one’s reality. What does really mean is that how a person grows up and mature-can differ greatly not only from one culture to another, but from one’s experience of phenomena to another. Also, Life-span development theory plays a role by measuring how an individual moves from one developmental stage to another or remains stagnant in one stage or another.
An example could be that if a person grows up in a more affluent environment, may not understand the reality of a person growing up in an oppressive and economically depressed environment. To one culture domestic violence can be an act of machismo, and is not necessarily accepted in another culture that is more democratically inclined regarding equality of the genders. In some cultures, males have more freedom than females within the same family. This inequality breeds a clash within families that embrace these differences.

Guidelines for Judging Abnormal Behavior.

There are guidelines that are general in nature that have all throughout history, modern research studies, and across most cultures that are consistently relevant to a judgment of ab mortality, these criteria can be summarized as follows.

• Some recurring behaviors that seem indicative of potential, developing, or existent mental disorders are 1. inability to inhibit, self-destructive behaviors, 2. seeing or hearing things that others in the culture that are not there, 3. sporadic and random outburst of violence, 4. consistent, inability to relate, interpersonally in effective manner, 5. persistent, academic or vocational failure, 6. anxiety or depression and 7. inability to conform to codes of behavior, whether one verbalizes a desire to do so or not.

• The most consistent criteria, for deciding whether any specific individual is abnormal are 1, the deviance or bizarreness of behavior from the norms of society, 2. the continuity, or persistence of disordered behavior, overtime, and 3., the resulting degree of disruption in interpersonal and interpersonal functioning.

• The continuum of behavior ranges from clearly normal adjustment to abnormal adjustment. Most people’s behaviors are in the middle range and are more difficult to assess as abnormal. But most researcher and practitioners agree that abnormal behavior patterns are seldom inherited genetically but genetics can play a part in making one more predisposed to abnormality of one sort or another.

• The causes of any one abnormal behavior pattern are usually multiple.

• Indicators of abnormality are not necessarily obvious or flagrant. In many cases, the signs are uncommon and/or subtle.
• Both long-term and transient social value systems, affect judgments as to whether a person is abnormal.

• A psychological handicap often has more negative effect on interpersonal relationships than does a physical handicap.

• The label of psychological abnormality often remains with a person, even after the disorder no longer exist. Such a label, and people’s expectations and responses, may prolong, psychological disorders.

• In most societies, this substantial overlap between judgments of mental abnormality and criminal behavior. Such examples are that specific behaviors may receive either label or depending on who is doing the labeling.

Meyer & Weaver, 2007.

Ramon, a case study of anti-personality disorder and violence.
I met Ramon in the mid-80s as I was serving as a volunteer chaplain in one of our local county jails. I served as a volunteer chaplain for about two years and it was during this time that Ramon was released from custody. Ramon was in his early 20s. He’s a very thin young man probably couldn’t have weighed more than 120 pounds and his height was approximately 5’7”. He had brown hair and green eyes. He had a strange look about him which I attributed this to his collective trauma and lack of spiritual foundation.

He stated to me that he was from Honduras and his life was terrible. When he was growing up, he stated his mother worked her entire life as a prostitute at different bars. She would beat him continuously and even bring home men and women to sexually abuse him. He made it very clear that he hated women and men, and that when he went into the Roman church to vandalize it, he was getting back at it. He never really wanted to detail what he meant by that.

He stated he had several cases for under the influence of alcohol, some violent behavior due to fights that he claims was in self-defense, domestic violence in past relationships, and that his conviction at that time for being in custody was a drunken disorderly, and he was arrested in a Roman Catholic Church for knocking down statues and defacing church property. He stated most of his life growing up was surrounded by violence and extreme sexual, mental, psychological, and physiological abuse.
During this time, I had completed two master’s degrees one was in Applied Clinical Sociology, and the second one was a Masters of Divinity. I had these graduate degrees and was exposed to psycho-social therapy and some expertise and psychological disorders.

It appeared to me that Ramon was suffering from anti-personality disorder, and as he grew up, supported my diagnosis of psychopathology. He verbalized many times that if he could, he would’ve killed his mother. He stated he fantasize out of young age of how he would kill her. His violent outburst would be accompanied by alcoholism and marijuana. I worked with Ramon for approximately eight months during, and after his release from custody. Towards the end of this time, he went into a mortuary defacing property, and knocking over coffins. After this arrest, I lost contact with him and he disappeared.

I go back to say what I indicated earlier about the emphasis of psychosocial construction of one’s reality. Had a terrible childhood, in which he was physically, sexually, and physiologically abused. He said many times that he would drink and use drugs to try to forget the unending pictures of violence that he saw his mind constantly. His psychosis was accompanied by depression. There was a lack of attachment and bonding in his life by his caretakers which led to feelings of abandonment. He said many times, and he trusted no one and that he was he would just die and disappear. He never presented a plan for taking his life, but he made it clear, he wished that he was never born.
I’ve had many cases like Ramon in my private practice, searching for healing and restoration. I even conducted a healing of memories that I learned from a former colleague named Agnes Sanford, which did help him to some degree. I think if he would’ve not disappeared, and we could’ve continued with counseling, he would have experienced more advancement.

Social Psychological Theories

Social psychology views behavior as resulting from interactions between the person and his or her environment. One explanation for Ramon’s tendencies towards crime and violence what he learned and experienced from his mother when he was a child, and the other people that abused him. I know he was suffering from a lack of attachment and bonding because he did not feel that his mother loved him. Cognitive dissonance theory maintains that a person with two conflicting believes, believes the tension or stress, and is motivated to find ways to remove the conflict as a child. He realizes that not only his mother, but the people that she surrounded him with were very cruel and inflicted much punishment upon him. He stated that every time if got into a fight especially with women he was beating his mother by proxy.
The influence of stress and behavior as a related theory. Stress theory of behavior is that everybody has weaknesses and strengths, and when the stress increases, a person, weak area it triggers are more likely to surface. It appears that when Ramon confronted conflict with women in his life stress increased, and so did his actions of violence, and self-medication.

Conclusion
It is much as the series that we covered could possibly explain what Ramon was suffering from. We did not spend enough time to see much progression in his life. There are many causes for potential violent behavior in one’s life. Along with the causes of this dysfunctional occurrences, that he experienced, there is somewhat a consensus of intervention that therapy could afford. As a Christian Psychologist I also believe when one experiences devastating collective trauma that increases over the years if this is not healed. People can be healed through the process of time to deal with resentment, unforgiveness, using the healing of memories, and prayer for the client by the practitioner. I have seen many instances when a person commits the time and effort towards healing it comes about through dedication to the process. However, we are always in a hurry; Father God is not.

Interventions

1. Violence is seen as an inherent part of human behavior and individual psychotherapy is used to modify, personality, behaviors, and patterns, and of course medication to dismiss anxiety.
2. Violence is this consequence of social learning. It would’ve been great if family therapy could have been started to help him with social situations building social skills for self-assertion without violence.
3. Violence is a consequence of frustration and other situational factors traditional psychotherapy could be used to help change coping patterns, reinforcing, positive experiences, and extinguishing violent behavior.
4. Violence is mean of communication has seen as an expressive therapy to substitute alternate means of expression of feelings, without violently acting out.
5. Violence and aggression is interpreted as a protection of territorial, integrity, and body space. This has to do with a sort of training to improve the sense of self and self-esteem.

Prediction of Violent Behavior.

As a Christian psychologist with my PhD as a researcher/practitioner with 20 years of academic training and 50 years in working with people both in the fields of Human Services and Law Enforcement there is little that I have not seen in my journey. I have extensive training in both psychological disorders and behavioral profiling. I have counseled hundreds of people both in our communities as well as in our prisons systems. And in this on-going endeavor It has been long journey in the same direction leading people to the Cross of Calvery.
There is no easy way to predict violent behavior because it cannot be consistently accurate. However, I know that I have seen many people make dramatic changes in their lives as they surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ for healing. I am convinced there are no loss causes for God and people can be healed and become all that God intends them to be. I dedicate this teaching to all those who seek the absolute truth of the Lord Jesus Christ so they may be set free. John 8:31-32, “Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”.

The message of the cross is what sets Christianity apart from every other philosophical system or religion? For more than 2000 years, the facts about Jesus of Nazareth, have been proclaimed on every continent, and to every people from every walk of life. When someone considers a Christian message what exactly are they accepting or rejecting?
I had a pastor one time tell me that his congregation was afraid of the cross. What does this mean? I told him that he and they must be born again to understand the power of the cross. I told him that this is the gospel that we are to preach. Rom. 1: 16-17.
The message of the Cross of Jesus is a victory cry over all the power of darkness. The Lord Jesus once and for all defeated the devil himself and the on-going enemies of the cross. Any who says they are ashamed or afraid of the cross are still living in darkness.

The Cross

The cross-is an instrument of torture upon which Jesus died – is the most well-known symbol of Christianity. What could possibly explain a two millennium-long fixation on something so horrible. One clue is that Jesus final words on John 19:30 when He uttered as He died;” It is Finished “. That victorious declaration spoken in a mist of what looked like humiliating defeat tells us Jesus saw the events as an accomplishment. But how could a tragic end to Jesus amazing teaching miracle work mystery ministry be an accomplishment?
Jesus taught that He came to seek and save the lost. and Luke 19:10 “He said he came to give his life for many”. Mark 10:45. On the cross, a divine transaction took place. It was his life for ours – a ransom paid to buy us back from our loss condition. That’s why the day Jesus died it is called Good Friday, not tragic Friday. Jesus, death on the cross complete the work Father God gave Him to do, because his mission was not just a teach us, but to die for us. All that is left for us to do is personally accept that wonderful gift for ourselves. “God, so loved the world that he gave his only one, and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

The Resurrection

As grand was the accomplishment on the cross was, the story doesn’t end there. On the third day, the stone that covered the grave entrance was rolled away, and Jesus came back from the dead. He was alive, never to die again. Mark 16:6-7 “he is not here said the angel and Luke 24; 2-7 the disciples looking for him at the tomb found an empty tomb and the resurrection declared Jesus is Victor over death, humanity, most unsolved problem. By rising from the dead, He showed that even death was no match for His power. Without the resurrection, Jesus, life was unique, but his end was just like every other human being, who is ever walked to earth. Faith in him under those circumstances would be foolish– a criticism is understood by both Christianity adherence and distractors. “if Christ is not raised from the dead, your faith is futile “wrote the apostle Paul, just a few decades after this event I Corinthians 15:7. Yet in fact, the resurrection did occur. Jesus, life and mission become the most powerful events of this world has ever seen. Therefore, faith makes sense. And if we failed to trust in Him –considering what He has done for us – disbelief seems foolish. The resurrection assumes that power beyond human comprehension is available to the followers of Jesus. Everything changes when we visit the foot of the cross and stare in wonder at the open doorway to the tomb.

The Holy Spirit

And there’s more! The power of the resurrected, Jesus comes to us through his Holy Spirit. After his resurrection, Jesus told his followers that the same Holy Spirit, who showed up at his baptism, in the form of a dove would be with them and in them. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” Acts 1:8. God ‘s desire is for every Christian to have access to His personal presence and power. At Pentecost, 50 days after his resurrection, that’s what happened. What does his powerful Person do in our lives? Jesus was clear; the Holy Spirit comes on us, and dwells in us, so we may be His witnesses by being like Him.
The Holy Spirt Himself brought a two-fold ministry to the church.

• First, He empowered the church to fulfill the Great Commission given by Jesus to go and preach the message of the cross and its victory. To heal the sick and brokenhearted, and to being deliverance to the captives of Satan. Matt. 28: 16-20 and Mark 16:15-20

• Second, to increase and build the body of Christ. The character and power of Jesus has; we can have by believing in what He wrote in scripture. His Spirit produces fruit in us, and the apostle Paul describes exactly what that looks like “the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22- 23 in other words the Christian life. These characteristics demonstrate that God is at work in Jesus followers. And when we allow God to work is us His power produces these qualities in us, the natural result is that non-Christians sit up and take notice. If the fruit of the spirit is a Christian life, the fruit of the Christian life is more Christians.

The Cross, the Resurrection, and the Holy Spirit. These set Christianity apart from every other religion. Take one away, and you don’t have the whole story embrace them all and your life will never be the same.

It Takes Two-The Prayer of Agreement.
Introduction
There are many prayer promises in the Bible but one of the most important ones in my perspective is Matthew 18:19. But I have seen that many Christians go through life having a knowledge of the word having read the word and even studied Matthew 18:19 but really don’t understand how to appropriate in their lives.
The Lord God did not put promises regarding prayer and scripture just to fill up space. He is not like us to talk just to talk. He put those promises for our benefit and for us to act upon. We need to know how to make those promises ours and put them into action in our lives.
Once again, I must state again to have strong faith in the Word of God will create the reality of answered prayer of in our life. Abiding also means maintaining a good relationship with God striving to lead a godly life walking in love and faith.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. His word is speaking directly to our inner man (our spirit man). As we grow in God, we exercise our ability to grow in faith. This is the key to successful living and having prayers answered. Remember to have prayers answered we must walk in love and appropriate them for ourselves.

Prayer of Agreement
“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again[a] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18-20.
The first thing we should notice is verse 19. It says as shall be done for them of my Father, which is in heaven. This assertion is the strongest way to say I will do it. In this scripture, Jesus promise it shall be done for them of my father, which is in heaven, he also stated and John 14:14 “if you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.”
Many Greek scholars indicate that the translation in Greek is much more precise than what we have in English. Idioms cannot be translated into English and does not translate their full meeting. The Greek rendering of Jesus statement if you shall ask anything my name and even if you don’t have it, He will make it for you. So basically, the Lord Jesus Christ is saying that he stands ready for people of faith who appropriate this scripture in prayer that is according to His Word.

Authority to Bind and to Loose!
Remember that Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
First of all, this is what most Christians believe is only for those gathered in church but this is not so. What Jesus was saying whenever two people agree on earth He is present there with them. Remember you agree on earth first to bind or loosed then it is sealed in heaven. The real problem is to find two people that really have the same faith to agree and stand their ground when the enemy attacks. Why do you think the enemy attacks so much Christian marriages because how powerful would they be in agreement to bind or loose.
But unfortunately, many Christians are bound by the devil instead of binding the devil. They are defeated and depressed. Instead reigning in this life through Christ Jesus they are struggling and striving in every area of their lives because they don’t know their authority given to them by Jesus.
I remember that when I found the building to start the ministry it was filled with drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves, and criminals. I agreed with Brother Miguel, Brother Jose and his wife Anita. who were my right-hand people and we agreed that this building would be used for the gospel. We called the building into the service oft the gospel. We bound the works of the devil there and loosened that inside. We began to preach the saving knowledge of Jesus. One by one they accepted the Lord and many came back to attend the church and become effective soldiers for the Lord.

Multiplied Prayer Power.
How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight… Deut. 32:30.
We might be a prayer warrior but hove powerful is when we have another prayer warrior with us. The Lord Jesus used many people over the years to bring about victory in difficult times.
I remember one time when we were teaching the Word of God and one large young man on drugs walked into the church right up to the pulpit and hit me in the face. And yelled that He hated God. The church and the pastoral team got on our knees and prayed for this young man. We bound Satan in his life and loosed him unto God. Two weeks later he came marching into the church once again and that time he knelt at the alter and gave his life to Christ. This is the result of multiplied prayer power.
Another example is when I was ministering in Mombasa Kenya, Africa in the bush. It was late and in the middle of my teaching on deliverance and healing a group of people brought in a young girl on a makeshift gurney withering and screaming. Immediately the church began to pray and bind the enemy and that young girl was healed and delivered from the power of the devil.

The Holy Spirit in the Ministry of Prayer.
Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26.
As you are aware our ministry is a Pentecostal ministry, we believe in a gift of the Holy Spirit. We believe in the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in the deliverance of people from the power of the devil, and we make no apologies, because we have found it to be the power of God.
I was born again in 1972 at the age of 22 and one year later in 1973 I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, while attending they revival meeting conducted by Kenneth E. Hagin. I was slain in the spirit and after I woke up, I was speaking in heavenly tongues. The gift is speaking in tongues is a very powerful tool that the Lord has given us to intercede.
In 1976 I was called by the Lord Jesus to minister to the Spanish Speaking people which came by a prophetic word by the elders. The Lord has confirmed this to me previously but I wanted confirmation from the elders. I stated I am willing but I don’t speak Spanish. They prayed over me at that time and the Lord Jesus gave to me the ability to speak Spanish. A lot of people don’t believe this about my testimony but I direct them to the Word of God in Acts 2:1-11. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all in one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Crowd’s Response
And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

As you know from our YouTube channel I also teach in Spanish. I have never been to school to learn the Spanish language but I can speak, read, and write in Spanish. God equips those who He calls.

The apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 14:14 “for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayers, but my understandings unfruitful.” This is because we really don’t know how to pray for certain things. I do a lot of praying in tongues for both edification of my own spirit, as well as for people that we intercede for. With our natural mind, we really don’t know how to help people in many situations. But in Romans 8:26, it says “the Spirit of God helps us to pray in the spirit (tongues) for that very situation with groanings that cannot be uttered in articulate speech. The Holy Spirit is not sent to pray for you, He is sent to help you in this area of prayer as well as many other things. There are many things or feelings that you have within your spirit that you find hard to express but if you pray in tongues for any situation, it is the Holy Spirit in His ministry of prayer that brings about success. I do most of my praying in the spirit because we come into contact with a lot of different people in a lot of different situations and we don’t know what is going on with them, but the spirit of God does. Praying in tongues gets the job done. When nothing else will the Holy Spirit makes intercession through us to bring the throne of grace in their time of need.

The central truth of this teaching is that Jesus gave us the right and authority to use His name. This is our power of attorney. This occurs when we are born again and become new creations in Him. God hears and answer prayer. He’s not deaf and He’s not blind. But too many people just really don’t understand how prayer works. God left his word for us so we would know how prayer should work. Some people just hope that sooner or later is going to work out but that’s not prayer. That’s not faith that’s not standing in the name of Jesus.
There’s a term in law-enforcement called standard ground. There is a spiritual comparison to this, that we need to stand our ground on God ‘s Word, and let heaven earth and hell know that we believe it and stand on it like everything else believers must grow spiritually. When we are babies in the Lord he moves in different ways for us, but he expects us to grow.
The Bible teaches. There is a similarity between physical growth and spiritual growth. “As newborn babes, desires, the sincere milk of the word that you may grow up thereby. First Peter 2:2. No one is born a fully grown adult. We are born as babies and grow up. No one is born as a fully grown Christian either. Christians, or newborn babes, grow up. As we mature matured in the Lord we need to mature in His Word. As we mature in His Word our prayer life should mature as well.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. His word is speaking directly to our inner man (our spirit man). As we grow in God, we exercise our ability to grow in faith.
Abiding also means maintaining a good relationship with God striving to lead a godly life. This is the key to successful living and having prayers answered.

As Believers in Jesus, we have the Right to use His Name.

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18.

Some people still pray the Lord’s Prayer. When Jesus gave that prayer, it was a model of how we should pray to the Father before Jesus was glorified. Once Jesus was glorified through the cross of Calvary, the format of prayer changed. Now, we should pray to the Father, using the name of Jesus. When we use the name of Jesus for either individual needs, or when we deal with the devil, Jesus said, “in my name they shall cast out devils.”
When Jesus pointed the 70 disciples and sent them forth, Luke chapter 10 verse 17 says, and the 70 returned again with Joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through the name. In Acts 16:16-18 we read that Paul cast out the evil spirit of a girl using the name of Jesus. “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:16-18.

Speaking In New Tongues.

Jesus said in “my name… they shall speak with new tongues” Mark 16: 17-18. Every believer has the right to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and to speak in new tongues.
Personal testimony. Acts 2:7-12, “Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
Drink any deadly thing accidentally. Mark 16:18- personal testimony.
Using the Name of Jesus!
Jesus gave us the legal right to use his name. The Father knew that the name of Jesus when used by his disciples to set captives free. Many believers don’t live an overcoming life. The Christians state that they are overcome by the devil. Every time they talk about how hard it is they’re giving devil the credit. Every time they talk about how sick they are they brag about the devil. Every time they say that it doesn’t look like they’re going to make it they’re bragging on the devil. Isn’t it about time to brag upon Jesus and all that he’s done for us?
The reality of the name of Jesus is that we only have to believe and He does rest. His name is the measure of His ability. The measure of the ability of the Lord Jesus Christ is value of His name. And all that is invested in that name belongs to us, for Jesus gave us unqualified use of His Name.
• In Prayer
In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Jn. 16:23-24.

• In Spiritual Combat
And these signs will follow those who [a]believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18.
• The Great Commission
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-

• His Eternal Presence
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20.

Making Prayer Your Priority!
The whole concept of prayer is central to the life of a Christian. If Cristian do not pray. They will see Little or no victory in their life. Prayer is the utmost importance in our lives. Christianity is a living faith and touch with a living. God who hears an answers prayer. Simply talking into the ceiling is not prayer. Going to church for 20 minutes on Sunday is not prayer. Listening to a sermon that is given at church is not prayer. Putting in the offering plate $5.00 is not prayer.
As with anything else in our lives, both professionally and personally, we want to see results. If you do not receive results two things are happening number one, you’re not walking in love, as a Holy Spirit would want us to. We are harboring some type of unconfessed sin to God And we have the form of religion without the power. God is stated that we have been given all things through Christ Jesus. If we are lacking, it’s not on God side and probably not even on the devil side. It’s on the person you see in the mirror.
God is still in the business of making miracles. He still listens and answers prayer. He says that we lift Him up and maintain our relationship and fellowship with Him. All things are possible. Pray in the name of Jesus because Jesus stands behind His Word. When we pray, we come, according to God ‘s word, and your prayers will not fail.

Basic Steps to having a Victorious Prayer Life- Part 2

This is Part 2 series about prayer that deals with a fundamental aspect of praying that gets results. If the believer will faithfully follow the steps regarding prayer, they can be sure of an answer from God. It may not always be the answer they want, but they will have an answer is the central truth of this teaching. To have strong faith in the Word of God will create the reality of answered prayer of in our life. Abiding also means maintaining a good relationship with God striving to lead a godly life.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. His word is speaking directly to our inner man (our spirit man). As we grow in God, we exercise our ability to grow in faith.
This is the key to successful living and having prayers answered.

Videos to watch. “Put Off, Put On”, Foundational Steps for Effectual Prayer, and Invisible Barriers to Healing.

Review.
In the previous lesson, we covered four points.
Number 1: decide what you want from God, and be specific in your petitions.
Number 2: read the scriptures that cover your need. Have God ‘s word firmly planted in your heart, and be prepared against Satan attacks.
Number 3: ask God for the things you want. Be specific.
Number 4: believe that you receive. Develop a stubborn faith that refuses to look at circumstances, a faith that produces results.

Step 5: Refuse to doubt God’s Word.

We must refuse to doubt. The devil is an expert putting doubt and mental pictures of failure in your mind if you allow him. Never doubt one minute that you have the answer in the word of God.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Apostle James states that doubt is of the devil and we must be resistant and eradicate every image, suggestion or feeling that does not contribute to your faith. You must concentrate on things that contribute to your positive biblical confession for what you need from God. Remember that our carnal nature is at enmity with God. Satan will try, and again to put doubt in our hearts. And it is in this realm the battle of confession is fought, and won. Our carnal nature states that our thoughts are governed by observation, association, and teachings. This represents our five senses.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. 2 Cor. 10:3-6.

Our mind is the battlefield. This is where Satan fights the hardest to defeat us. We must control our thoughts. See Video; “Think on Purpose”.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:8-9.

Step 6: Think and Meditate on the Word of God.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22.

We must understand to have a fulfilling and victorious Christian life we must make the Word of God number one in our lives. We must change the way we see ourselves in the kingdom of God. There is a great little book by Kenneth E. Hagin called, “in Him”. This little book changed my life when I first read it. The kingdom of God and God’s word was finally open to me as I meditated on the scriptures that Brother Hagin explained.
God’s Word say that Father God hears and answers prayer. Furthermore, God’s word must be an integral part of our lives. The only way Father God works is through His Word.

Many people and pray but never see the answer to their prayers and doubt God’s power and love towards. The secret is in the following scripture.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 NIV.

If God’s word abides and remains is us, we have a solid foundation. Many people who have received this TRUTH have seen marvelous miracles when the doctors gave up on them.

Step 7: Give God the Praise for the Answer!

The word says that Father God inhabits in the praises of His people. People in the middle of their problems don’t understand that God is working behind the scenes in our lives to bring about healing, deliverance, prosperity, and abundant living. But once again they want miracles using the faith of the Apostle Thomas. I won’t believe it until I see. Worry and anxiety in the way to answered prayer.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil. 4:6.

Prayer is answered by praising Father God as we lift our voices in gratitude and thanksgiving. Don’t speak about how big your problems are but speak how big is Father God and His promises. Make every prayer a statement of FAITH and praise, not a statement of UNBELIEF.

Remember, THINKING faith thoughts and SPEAKING words of faith leads our hearts to Victory. The way we think is the way we will speak. And the way we speak is how we will live.

Abraham is a great example of how believing God and His word turn an impossibility for man becomes a miracle when we praise God.
As it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations; as he had been told, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:17-21.

Review.
Number 1: decide what you want from God, and be specific in your petitions.
Number 2: read the scriptures that cover your need. Have God ‘s word firmly planted in your heart, and be prepared against Satan attacks.
Number 3: ask God for the things you want. Be specific.
Number 4: believe that you receive. Develop a stubborn faith that refuses to look at circumstances, a faith that produces results.
Number 5: Refuse to doubt God’s Word.
Number 6: Think and Meditate on the Word of God.
Number 7: Give God the Praise for the Answer.

Basic Steps to having a Victorious Prayer Life- Part 1

This will be a two-part series about prayer that deals with a fundamental aspect of praying that gets results. If the believer will faithfully follow the steps and prayer, they can be sure of an answer from God. It may not be always the answer they want, but they will have an answer is the central truth of this teaching. To have strong faith in the Word of God will create the reality of answered prayer of in our life.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. His word is speaking directly to our inner man (our spirit man). As we exercise the God KIND of faith our ability increases in the knowledge of God. Abiding also means maintaining a good relationship with God striving to lead a godly life.

This is the key to successful living and having prayers answered.

Videos. “Put Off, Put On”. Foundational Steps for Effectual Prayer. Invisible Barriers to Healing.

Step One; What you want from God.

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do”. James 1:6-8

The above scripture demonstrates to us the extreme importance of being decisive and what you want from God. The apostle James stated that if any man waivers or their double minded, or can’t make up their mind, they are unstable and all their ways, and they can’t expect to receive anything from God. Many believers are indefinite in their prayer life. When I ask them what they’re praying about sometimes they just say blessings. One person stated he was praying just to pray. Of course, there is one kind of prayer. We pray to worship and have fellowship with God, but in this lesson, we are dealing primarily with praying to get an answer to our needs. If we are not careful does general type of praying will carry over to other areas but we need to be specific about certain needs that we have in our lives.
When my wife sends me to the grocery store to get tomatoes, I don’t come back with peaches. She would say I told you specifically to bring tomatoes. The same thing is true about prayer. A lot of people have many misconceptions regarding prayer thinking that they need to spend hours praying for God to hear them, God is not deaf nor is He blind. If we spend three minutes, praying in faith for what we need, God has heard us and whatever you need from God be very specific.

Step 2; Find a Scripture that covers your Need.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8

In order for us to receive what we need from God, our prayer must be based on God‘s word. As we meditate on his word, and confess his word, we will live his word. His word is spirit and life, and it will be built into our inner consciousness, or our spirit man. Once this takes place, our prayers will line up with the word of God and in our time of need we are prepared. For instance, the devil has many people with doubt, and wants to rob us from God ‘s promises. Jesus said to Satan in the wilderness when he tried to make him doubt, he said it is written that man shall not live by Bread alone, but by every word of God then Satan took him to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and he sailed. He said to Jesus, if you were worship me, I will give you all these kingdoms. Jesus did not contradict him or say he was a liar, because when man fell sin rained, and Satan became god of this world. However, Jesus said to him it is written, thou shall worship the Lord thy God and him, and only him thou shall serve. Then finally, Satan took Jesus up to a very high top of the temple, and said to him cast self-down, and again, Jesus answered him with the word of God, saying it is written, thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:3-12.
If Jesus used the word of God to defeat the devil, so do all believers must follow Him and do the same. The word of God is our weapon when we face temptation and doubt you find the scripture that says it is written and meditate that confess and live that you’ll be prepared for any attack of the devil.
In the matter of guidance, we must search the scriptures to see what God has to say about any situation. If the scriptures don’t promise us what we may be seeking then we don’t have any business praying for it. We should not want anything that the word of God says we shouldn’t have. Many people try to pray beyond their faith. It is a word of God that gives us faith, so faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 The reason people do not pray with confidence, and faith is because they do not know the word of God. They may hope, but they don’t know it. They have religion, but they really don’t have Jesus. If we learn God’s word and lean upon God’s word, he promises to fulfill every need we have.

Step 3; Ask God for those things you Need.

Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

God knows what we are asking for even before we ask why then we need to ask.
First to exercise our faith by speaking His word which builds our Inner man (spirit). Also, by speaking His word we are exercising and releasing our faith.

“Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8.
Who are them? Those who don’t know Father God. Them are people who are caught in a lifestyle of doubt thinking by continually asking they will convince a anger God and win Him over to their side.
But we must believe.

Step 4; Believe That You Receive!

People want the blessings of Abraham with the faith of doubting Thomas.

7 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:17-21.

Understanding true faith in God and His word comes from knowing that He does not fail. We fail and try to blame God or the devil when it is our lack of faith.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:23-25.
For this reason, I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. Amplified Version. Mark 11:24.
To finally understand there are two kinds of knowledge: Sense Knowledge and Revelation Knowledge that pertains to all that God has stated in His Word. Remember the enemy will fight you every step of the way and he begins in your mind. If we do not mature in our relationship and understanding the Word of God the Devil will come back stronger with more lies and situations to hinder our faith.
Our prayers are not being answered because we are judging obstacles and situations using their five senses. Scripture states that our mind (carnal nature based on our five senses) is at war with the things of God. They judge everything according to their carnal fallen nature. But our heavenly Father God has provided all things to us.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. 2 Peter 1:2-4

As you Think you will Speak. And as you Speak is how you will Live!

Crime Scene Reconstruction & Analysis

Introduction.

Crime scene reconstruction and analysis involves a lot of different steps not only from the fields or disciplines of criminology but also psychology as well as sociology and theological implications. Forensics is a very vast field that covers not only victimology, criminal evidence, forensic pathology as well as sexual offenders.
This video will cover very briefly a case that I had many years ago and how I used crime scene reconstruction and analysis as well as criminal profiling that helped me immensely in solving the murder of this young child. I invite you to look at several other different videos that we have regarding both criminological and psychological that describe and discuss both lifespan development and the psychosocial construction of a person’s outlook on life.

Overview of Steps Involved
• Because crime-scene reconstruction develops a likely sequence of events at a crime scene with physical evidence, testimony, and reenactments, proper documentation and collection
methods must be used for all types of evidence.
• Investigative personnel may bring some expectations or biases to reconstruction, and these can have a negative effect on the process. It is, therefore, very important for personnel to
practice objectivity, or professional distance.
• The processes of deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and falsifiability are very important to the reconstruction process, but they must be differentiated and used properly.
• Investigators must be aware that the fallacies of bifurcation, generalization, and false linkage can impede a search for the truth. Avoiding these fallacies will help investigators
maintain objectivity throughout the reconstruction.
• Crime-scene reconstruction is a team effort that requires the expertise of various professionals, depending on the kind of case.
• Information gathered from direct physical evidence provides a definite conclusion or direction, whereas circumstantial evidence provides a lead but no definite conclusion for
reconstructing the crime.
• Testimonial evidence from eyewitnesses is sometimes highly subjective and heavily biased and must be used in reconstruction only if it is corroborated by physical evidence.
• Reenactments of events at a crime scene can be carried out by live personnel, mannequins, or computer-generated models.
• Evidence used in a crime-scene reconstruction must have a complete and valid chain of custody.
• In order for physical or testimonial evidence to be used in reconstruction theories, the chain of custody of items and the integrity of testimonial evidence must be established.
• Individual items of evidence are first analyzed and tested separate from all other evidence; items should not be linked or grouped together during the initial phase of the
investigation. Once all items have been evaluated this way, they may be coupled with other items of evidence that are clearly linked.
• Different categories or types of crime-scene evidence have to be studied with very specific techniques and considerations during the investigation. The kinds of evidence that may be
found at a crime scene are highly diverse, and knowledge of techniques for processing each is needed to recover all pertinent information.
• The reconstruction team must bring together all the linked groups of evidence and information to form theories about how each group of linked items was created by individual events at
a crime scene.