It is very wise to recognize and know the spirit which we follow to insure that our children are being directed in the right direction. Satan is very clever in knowing how to deceive us when we lose sight of the steps that we take and we don’t take the time to know the message which is being delivered. For instance, Satan will sit back and allow us to go forward in worship because he knows what will take place when we get caught up in our emotions when we don’t have the spiritual wisdom and discernment to simply recognize what is right and what is wrong. This is where Satan often deceives us in the spirit because He wants us to think that we are following God when we could be leading to a division in the body of Christ.
There is unity in the body and harmony in the spirit of God that teaches each of us in love to learn from one another and how to respect each parties function within the direction of God. There is nothing wrong with us enjoying the spiritual high of God but if we do not recognize the importance of staying in tune with God in our emotions then we are setting ourselves up for a hard fall. We learn this in the lesson of Joshua and the Israelites when they ran out in front of God in their emotions after conquering the city Jericho.
It is vital for our youth and for every child of God to understand how to handle our emotional highs with our emotional lows that we face in this journey of life. Jesus Christ (NEVER) separated himself from the sinners nor the world and Paul supported the church that was first established by God with Moses as he lead the people out of captivity to reach the freedom that we receive in God’s promise. Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul addressed the people and the church not to bring division but to correct what was wrong by God in not properly following the Lord’s instruction. Division came because of Satan in the people for not humbling themselves to receive the Truth in the Word of God. Our Lord taught us how to walk in this world through Moses and the Israelites in order for us to maintain the freedom that has been given to each of us today in the spirit of God through Jesus Christ by having order and self discipline to keep our homes and our nations intact.
The Lord plainly teaches us how to listen, when to move, how to run, how to respect, and even how to walk in order to maintain our balance in this life. For if we just jump out on a tight rope without knowing how to reach the other side when the winds of Satan come our way then we really need to take a step back to learn how to walk with God rather than trying to do it on our own. Life has good times and life has very hard times and if we don’t know how to walk on our own under God with the love of Jesus in our hearts then Satan is just waiting at the door to hold us down when we fall.
It is very easy to speak out against what we see, but in true love that is directed by God we are to stand in faith while sharing the love of Jesus Christ. God shows us what is not right by others to help shape us into who He wants us to be. As we mature and learn to trust in God it is our duty to standfast in love within the winds of sin in this fallen world. It is when we take matters into our own hands that we cause divisions in our relationships to the point that they can cause anger and separation.
As long as we know the steps that we take in the Word of God and know how to act in love when we face confrontation then we are on the way to understanding how to follow God rather than acting out in our emotions. Regarding the Ramp in Hamilton, Alabama there are good points as well as there are bad points which we can find in any church or in any human being. It is great to see our youth speaking of God rather than chasing the world and watching them be set free from their suppression of Satan who wants them to lose hope in this life. But the part which is raising a flag of concern is the gift of speaking in tongues due to the confusion that it is bringing in the body. Speaking in tongue is a gift from God that no man can give or is to teach to another. The dangers of this practice in public display comes when someone does not know how to stand on their own under God and wants to be accepted into a group to feel loved by the people instead of learning to receive the gift in faith.
The Word of God teaches us in 1 Corinthians 14 about the gift of the Holy Spirit and we also learn the importance of decent and orderly worship. For there is a time to speak and a time not due to the confusion that it can bring upon the people. In reference to someone claiming to be chosen or to be a prophet this should be addressed with caution to insure that Jesus Christ is being properly edified and to insure that we lean on God rather than man. It is not our place to reveal something to someone but we are to lead by example and allow the Holy Spirit to give the confirmation rather than trying to reveal something for our own glorification. There is a big difference between being called and actually being chosen and many people have misled the people with this misunderstanding in the word of God.
There are good things taking place at the Ramp as well as some things that are causing some confusion in the church. This is where we as parents must understand the places our children attend and we as leaders in the church teach others how to recognize the proper spirit of God to insure the steps that they take. For God is not the author of confusion and if someone doesn’t understand what they are walking into then they need to take a step back to prepare for what they might face. We all encounter things in life that are different from time to time but one thing that we all must recognize is the importance of the unity within the body. It is vital to teach our children how to live in this world and not of this world through the love of Jesus Christ as they learn to hold on to the cross to maintain their balance in life… amen
James Harrison / Servant
mark says
I keep getting posted from a “review” that was shared online about the Ramp and when I have time to review them I keep getting drawn back to respond.
In your review you stated, “The Lord plainly teaches us how to listen, when to move, how to run, how to respect, and even how to walk in order to maintain our balance in this life. For if we just jump out on a tight rope without knowing how to reach the other side when the winds of Satan come our way then we really need to take a step back to learn how to walk with God rather than trying to do it on our own. Life has good times and life has very hard times and if we don’t know how to walk on our own under God with the love of Jesus in our hearts then Satan is just waiting at the door to hold us down when we fall.”
I agree with the first part of your sentence, I’m just don’t believe it has anything to do with maintaining balance. I do know this, you were made for Glory. It is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. This talk about seasons may be truly in a worldly sense, but if you have received the Holy Spirit and abide in the Father’s love you were made to bring Glory to the Father. To live from Glory to Glory.
We have an inheritance, the promised land has been given to us to dwell in. The Kingdom of God is being advancing. We are to defeat the works of the Devil, not run from him or worry about him. Resist the Devil and he will flee, he cannot stand up the the presence of God. When you walk into an environment with the Holy Spirit and you speak love, the enemy’s walls literally crumble. The absence of evil is was the focus of the old covenant. The presence of God in the hearts of His Beautiful Bride is the desire of the Father. He wants to commune with you.
If it was all about balance and our being able to understand God before we did or approved anything, how impressive of a God would that be?
This inheritance we have been given is amazing. We need to occupy the land that has been given to us by The Father. If the Kingdom of Heaven is advancing and aggressive men take it by force, then why do so many groups of people take on a defensive posture and point out all the weaknesses in the Church (which may only be areas they don’t understand)? When an evil spirit goes out of a house and travels through dry places only to come back and find the house swept and in order, it brings back with it seven friends each worse than the original. When the house is healed (void of evil) it is not enough until it is filled with the Presence of God. The absence of evil is not enough. We need His presence, not man’s limited understanding.
admin says
No one likes the word balance because it requires skills, self-discipline, appreciation, reverence & order. Balancing is about knowing where and how to stand as we continue to move forward as God directs. The skill comes in through being rooted in the Word of God to overcome the waves and winds that try to knock us off course.
Yes, we are conquerers and ambassadors but the missing link that many are not teaching is how to be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove in order to live in this world and not be of this world. There was an author named Sun Tzu that wrote a book titled The Art of War and he taught to go behind the enenmy lines in order to learn their ways and conquer in love.For a true swordsman never pulls his sword and true victory is the art of surrender.Is this not what Jesus taught?
When Jesus says to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves we must recall this in order to continue to move forward as God direct the steps..
mark says
I don’t believe Jesus was talking about balance when He said be wise and gentle. I think we live in a world so concerned about what the enemy is doing people forget what God has done and is eagerly waiting for us to do in response. To continue with the thought of balance, it’s like people are so afraid to make a mistake (for fear of punishment or fear of man) that they hug the balance beam and scoot across it. Then they climb down off the balance beam, take their bow and expect a 10 from the judges and we give it to them. We have been encourage to run the race, a race we have already won.
By the way, a by product of an encouraging word should leave the person feeling encouraged. I did not see that in your review of the Ramp and I believe you were made for greater things than being critical.
admin says
If you can not see the importance of balance then pray for God to give you this understanding. I know my calling and please know that this article was never meant to be critical but informative.
For Jesus is a conquerer but it was always carried out in love….
admin says
I give all glory to God…For it is He and not I…
Vanessa says
My eldest son in College went to a church to help out with worship. The rest of his family left the church we had been at for 14 years and joined to help. The Pastor started taking the kids to the Ramp. They were all fired up after the first time, but it wore off after a few days or so. Then a few months later, same thing. The pastor started playing music from the Ramp, which was hard for us older folks to worship with. Then he started testing people, “If you don’t fast for so many weeks then don’t come to church here” Then money disappeared that was supposed to be for the children’s materials. Then our son can’t return our calls or texts. He started skipping school and using money we gave him for school to go to the ramp. He can’t get a part time job because he has to go to the church in the middle of the night to practice music. Or youngest son was a musician and because of admitting to a sin he commited a year earlier was told he couldn’t play and that our oldest son the new worship leader was the only one he wanted on stage. Then a meth addict came along and even though she got up on stage a week later and said she did drugs again and that morning was cussing her boyfriend about cigarettes, he put her on stage to lead singing. That was it. We tried to leave the pastor got in our faces and told my husband to make me go inside. He said he’s never wrong and will not appologize for anything he does. Then he lied and said he never said 3 months but then he said that our youngest son’s heart was not right and the drug addicts heart was. We left but our oldest is still there. The pastor texts him constantly all week all hours. So I had him blocked. I feel the man has got caught up in some weird idea of a church cult. He believes that he is the only one who hears from God and he is always right everyone else is wrong.He ran some other people off too. His m.o. seams to be test the people, if they don’t fall in line or if they disagree with him he punishes them and makes up stuff to hurt them. Our son and other people can’t seem to see the truth. I don’t understand why they all seem to think they have to go to the Ramp every few weeks. I think if they have to rely on the feeling they get from being at the ramp to keep the religious fever going in the church, something must be wrong. Its like they think they have to have that high excited feeling all the time. The pastor monopolizes our sons time and has put a wedge between us. When our son tried to spend a weekend with us the pastor kept texting him telling him to come back so he left. I just don’t know whats going on. The ramp may not have anything to do with the Man but I don’t think God would want a Pastor to cause a child to disregard and disobey his parents. I don’t know how to make our son see that the man is not good. I’m so afraid he will talk our son into marrying his daughter and then we will lose him forever. As a side note the last time our youngest went to the ramp he came home wanting us to throw out his tv, video games, and he said he was going to give away all but one set of clothing and the ramp people told him to go into the wilderness without anything for 6 weeks. our daughter was told to throw away her medicines. I don’t agree with those teachings.
admin says
First off we must recall a few of the commandments of God. Loving thy neighbor as thyself and honoring our parents in order to live a long and healthy life. The Lord despises rebellion and no where does He teach us to not obey our authorities unless they are ordering something that is simply not right by God. On the other hand we have a responsibility to speak the Truth in love without waver and when this is not done then it opens the door for complacency.
I am witnessing a lack of teaching in the Word of God and the Lord continues to show me the dangers of acting in our emotions without the Lord directing our steps. Jesus was always approachable and He taught out of love with full authority. I have witnessed as you the ramp up and then the drastic downs of children as well. Why does this happen you may ask? It is simple, there is a needed balance between the water and fire in order to maintain the longevity of our Christian walk with Jesus. The Lord showed me this need of balance through Moses and the Israelites as they were led out of bondage by cloud by day and fire by night. For a cloud is made up of water and when we follow Jesus which is the living well by day then the Lord will keep us warm and protected by night in order to carry on as He instructs.
I would like to visit with you and your family and your church as you are led to help open up the lines of communication in order to help repair these cracks through the Word of God that holds it all together. Please contact me through our contact page as you are led.James
james says
In addition it is completely out of line from the Word of God for someone to direct someone to throw away their medications. Jesus did not heal every single person that He came in contact with but only those that truly believed.
As someone grows in faith without someone trying to push their decisions God gives the direction to the individual on what to shed and when. It is only our place to spread the Good News and teach the True Word of God while allowing our Creator to open the eyes of each individual.
Now I must say that I have no spleen and the world says that I am to take shots due to my weak immune system but since I have been getting closer to God the only time that I get sick is when I open the door up to doubts. God has brought me so far that I cant explain and there is a balance on the needed medications verses the doctors just trying every single thing they can. This is another subject but we must recall if we did not need doctors then God would not have created doctors and if God said we did not bneed medicine then He would have not given us the wisdom to make it. The object is though to grow our faith without doubts and allow God to heal and maintain our health in a balanced diet with exercise and obedience. Read Deuteronomy 28 to see Gods promise and the curse….
mark says
Praise you God for the strong passion and love of Christ that exists among each of us. As I read the comments of this thread again, I aim to encourage you.
Too often, when the Holy Spirit’s presence is felt, moves, manifests, youpicktheword, the all to natural response is doubt.
Here are some of my thoughts; the Church has been meeting around a message taught by a person on Sunday morning and this has become the Main Event. The message itself and the way it is taught has become something that is idolized. “Great Message Pastor” tickles the ears of many professional teachers/pastors every week. But few services end with a questioning congregation asking that the Message be better balanced with the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil He said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” This statement intrigues me more that anything Jesus said when I ponder the word “balance”. It is written in the Scriptures that Man shall live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Jesus said, my sheep hear my voice.
Jesus did what He heard and saw the Father do. He is our greatest example. And He left so that the Helper could come, “the Spirit of Truth”.
When I hear people question Church gatherings full of emotion it baffles me. Love is emotional. I don’t know how someone could experience the Love of God without emotion. God is Love. It is interesting that emotional gatherings most often challenged are best described as being filled with “Freedom” and “Joy” but emotional services marked by crying are more widely accepted. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength. David, a man after God’s heart wrote Psalms and played the harp.
And along the lines of healing…while Jesus did not heal every person he came in contact with, Jesus did heal all who asked him to.
I’m also trying to understand your reference to reading Deuteronomy 28 to see God’s promise and the curse? We have been set free from the Curse; Jesus became the Curse for us…unmistakeable LOVE. Thank you Father.
As write this, I sense that you know all this. Let’s not allow our lack of experience to cause us to stop asking God for more revelation, more love, more Heaven on Earth.
admin says
Good to hear from you Mark and thank you for your words of encouragement. You made a comment of something you sensed when writing and may I recall to you Job 38:36, “Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart?
There is nothing more excruciating to the flesh than waiting upon the Lord. For my flesh fights the spirit but the spirit triumphs over the flesh….Seasons come and seasons go. The object is to recognize the season at hand and enjoy the flow…May God bless you and please return for further post…
daughter of a King says
Sir, I understand your argument completely. However, at the Ramp’s Winter Conference (December 29-31), a woman who had an issue with her back began to worship the Lord in the congregation- her back popped and she was healed; 5 men from an 80’s party in the next room (who had probably never HEARD of the Holy Spirit) were given wristbands when they didn’t even register to come because they were more intruiged by the Spirit of God than by getting drunk on New Years Eve; and on top of that and thousands of other testimonies, someone got up out of a wheelchair!
Is God not all-wise? Does His Spirit not give wisdom and knowledge and understanding in abundance? Obviously, the Spirit is moving in the Ramp’s Ministry, because it IS bearing fruit- people are being HEALED, and LIVES are being changed.
So, are you really “protecting the sheep” or are you simply concerned that the Spirit of God is not really all-sufficient? Because if you believe the Spirit to be all-sufficient, your argument against Karen’s ministry should have ended at the moment you saw it to be bearing fruit.
James says
to daughter of a King,
I am not denying the power of God or the gifts of the spirit. The reason for this post that was written several months ago was for awareness to those that are coming from churches that have never experieced the gift of speaking in tongue and for the leaders in the church to prepare their flock for new areas of the pasture without coming home in shock.
Another reason for this post is due to the lack of teaching in the Word of God that is taking place in our churches and this is causing many people to act on their emotions without developing their senses between good and evil.
Please understand that I am not working against any true movement of God for I am only doing what the Lord directs. One of the things I teach at Balanced Life is how to walk in the spirit while being held in the hand of God because when we learn to walk with Him on our own is when we truly get to experience the King at His throne.
Please don’t feel that you have to go somewhere to experience the fullness of God for He wants us to experience it right where we are from our homes, our schools, our work and especially in corporate worship with other believers.
May the Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven…..lets learn how to grow together in the natural flow of God to sharpen the iron of one another…
admin says
For understanding purposes can you please enlighten me with the meaning of the chant from the ramp in calling down the fire of Elijah? I would like to hear from someone in leadership from the Ramp that can help me develop the picture in what is being said.