How to Receive the Supernatural

The Portal to the Supernatural: Fifth of Seven

Guidelines: The United Methodist Church and the Charismatic Movement

Elohim is a great philanthropist. He has donated to your cause and mine in many ways and at many times. Tell Elohim what you want, then expect a gift!  Also, Elohim is a speculator. He is willing to invest you with his best gifts, if you promise to win others with them. For once you receive Elohim's best gifts, you have a responsibility to use them to his esteem.

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Asking Alms of Yahweh

Acts 3:1,2 (NIV) One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. {2} Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.

This man, crippled from birth, had been placed at the Beautiful Gate every day for probably twenty-five years. This was a great place to ask folks for something, for hundreds would be passing on their way to afternoon prayers. And the Beautiful Gate was very comfortable. For behind him stood the great temple, where he could hear the gusting winds of praise and prayer going up to the heavens. As he looked out, our man could see the scenic beauty of the Mount of Olives, where Yahshua had encamped, taught, and prayed, and had sweat great drops of blood for our sins. The lame man felt close to Elohim at the Gate.

It was in this historical place that our man worked for his living, asking alms. In those days it was no disgrace for a handicapped person to ask others to supply their needs. In fact, there was a scriptural mandate to do so. For there were no social welfare programs then, and though many lived in impoverished conditions, there was no "culture of poverty" then as now. No, our man was hard at work every day -- his business was asking. He was not content to be a burden to society. And he was not the type for religious bellyaching, like, "Well, I guess this is just Elohim's will for me." On the contrary - he was actively and persistently pursuing a better life.

This lame man represents us folks who make our living by asking alms of Yahweh. Most of our daily prayers consist of petitioning Elohim to supply our needs. Before Elohim, we are beggars; but we receive our mandate to beg from Elohim's Word. And if we too are sitting at the Beautiful Gate, in the place of praise, looking outward to our Mount of Olives and to the promises of Yahshua, and we are diligently persisting in prayer, then we may expect to be heard.

{3} When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

Our man knew everybody in town; everyone had come through the Beautiful Gate at one time or another. By this time, he knew that he may as well not waste his breath asking alms of the vast majority of passersby. You see, he had cultivated his donors. He knew in whose pockets his sustenance resided. He had long before identified the cheerful givers of the prayer-meeting crowd.

He knew Peter and John. He had experienced the charity of the Nazarenes many times. So now he had great faith that he would receive something from them. He specifically asked Peter & John for money, because that is what he wanted, that's what he'd received from them before, and he expected them to give him money now.

Elohim is a great philanthropist. He has donated to your cause and mine in many ways and at many times. Tell Elohim what you want, then expect a gift!

Also, Elohim is a speculator. He is willing to invest you with his best gifts, if you promise to win others with them. For once you receive Elohim's best gifts, you have a responsibility to use them to his esteem.

{4} Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" {5} So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Because Peter had been baptized with the Set-apart Spirit, he was able to work in the spiritual gifts. As he gazes into the man's heart, he uses a gift called "discernment of spirits" to tell that no demon is causing our man's lameness.

Then he uses a gift called "word of knowledge" to discover whether our man's intention is right before Yahweh. Next, Peter makes a righteous judgment that our man is innocent before Elohim; and that he has the faith to be healed.

Likewise, Elohim peers into our hearts and knows our intentions (Heb 4:10)! He does not gamble away his treasures blindly, nor donate pearls to swine. He gages whether our intention is right, whether we are living in expectant desire, and whether we will be responsible in using his gifts.

Now, the lame man doesn't analyze the situation as the Apostle does. He has no spiritual gifts to discern what Peter is going to give. But still he follows Peter's command, "Look at me!" He's enraptured, and in a state of expectation that he will soon receive something great. Even before he holds the coin in his hot hand, he has the assurance that he's going to receive.

Before their first baby came, a husband and wife went to LaMaze classes. There the nurse told them all about what would take place during the baby's birth. In passing, the nurse said that on the last night of the hospital stay, the couple would be treated to dinner.

As they continued their tour, the mother-to-be was thinking of all the exiting things that would be happening when the baby arrived. Barely able to contain herself, she turned and whispered to her husband, "Honey, I'm getting so excited!" "Me too," he replied. "I'm going to order the lobster."

Both parents were expecting to receive -- but the mother would receive a better gift, for her expectations were high, and her hope was assured every time she felt the baby kick. She would nurture the baby into adulthood, and she knew it. The father received assurance that he'd have a lobster soon. He'd enjoy it, but before long that lobster would be "out the vent" and gone.

St. Paul tells us to "pray for the best gifts." The best and longest lasting gift apart from eternal life that we may receive from our Lord is the Baptism in the Set-apart Spirit. Pray for this gift diligently, with great expectation, with perseverance, and you will birth it in due season.

{6} Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Yahshua Messiah of Nazareth, walk."

While our lame man and Peter are gazing into each others' eyes, Peter tells him that he can't give any money. Peter has a greater gift than a mere shekel -- Peter commands our man to walk in the name of Yahshua. Our man can't believe what's coming out of the Apostle's mouth. He just kinda sits there amazed, pie-eyed, red-faced, overwhelmed, that Peter would make such a claim.

Friends, like this man, we just want a little bit of nothing from our Elohim -- a few green pennies will be just fine -- a little ol' dole of beans here and there. Even though Elohim owns it all, and runs it all, we settle for a crumb.

Two Pitifully Humble Saints

One poor lady gave me a little card to keep in my wallet. She'd written her motto on it. It said, "Lord, give me what I need, but not what I want." This sounds so humble. But what it really means is, "Lord, keep me miserable and selfish." Another humble saint always prayed, "Give us these things if it be thy will, Lord." That's another way of saying "Whatever rotten thing happens to me, Lord, it's all your fault!"

This type of praying is so selfish. We're here to establish Elohim's covenant and help the poor. We have a big job that takes big spiritual gifts, big financial gifts and an unselfish attitude. We can't afford to ask Elohim for a measly nothing. For whatever we ask for, if it is to be used to establish the Kingdom in some way, it shall be yours! We need something big, and soon. You need the very best gifts, and you need them soon.

We must change our outlook on receiving gifts. If you want a some little hand-out, and you find your way to Elohim's throne room somehow, you certainly will get a morsel to tide you over. But you'd be better off dreaming big then asking big instead, so as to reap a gigantic harvest not only for you, but for many.

{7} Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

Peter was so sure that Elohim was healing our man, that he reached down and yanked him on up. Instantly, our man received healing. Here Peter works a combination of spiritual gifts -- healing and miracles.

If you are ignorant about the things of Elohim, you need a spirit-filled teacher to yank you up. If you've got old-fashioned notions about the gifts of Elohim, or prejudices, you need a spirit-filled apostle to yank you up and show you how Elohim moves.

If you are full of false teaching about spiritual gifts from listening to "Christian" Radio, then you need to be yanked away from false teachers.

If you just won't believe that spiritual gifts are for you, you need Elohim to yank your pride up or down a peg.

Many of us need someone to take us by the shirt-collar and yank us up to our feet -- we could use some yanking-up -- so that we might throw away our spiritual crutches and come into the light of Elohim's promises. Are you open to what Elohim is saying to you? Do you need a Yank?

{8} He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising Elohim. {9} When all the people saw him walking and praising Elohim, {10} they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Too many people had seen what had happened. Our man had received abundantly more than he had asked for. HE WAS HEALED! He could no longer return to his old profession. He had to find a new job. He had to get out there and use his legs to help establish Elohim's Kingdom by telling others what Elohim had done for him.

Yes, now he must make his way under new power and new abilities.

Yes, now he must enter the temple instead of remaining out.

Yes, now he must run up the side of the Mount where Yahshua walked.

For now he was a man of new responsibilities, new directions, new sensibilities, new priorities. He had received what he wanted his whole life from Elohim. And now he would glorify Elohim walking tall and straight, and fearing nothing.

This story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate is the model for receiving anything from Elohim.

1. You must be convinced of Elohim's power and willingness to give.

2. You must be specific in your askings.

3. You must persevere in your praying. (Wait upon Yahweh.)

4. You must ever look into the face of Elohim expecting to receive.

5. You must be willing to take responsibility when you do.

Let me now end with a story of receiving from my own experience.

In February 1993 I was serving a church in which the women weren't allowed to speak from the pulpit. I had been teaching these woman about the Baptism with the Set-apart Spirit. I claimed, "you women can be free to be what Elohim wants you to be rather than what Jim wants you to be." (Jim was the lay leader who didn't want women to talk.) I set up a date, March 23rd, one which I promised that, if the women would be in prayer and expectation, Yahshua would baptize each one in his Spirit, and make new and powerful women of them.

The women were diligent in prayer and study. March 23rd came, and I had brought in a spirit-filled lady evangelist to minister. Because the evangelist was a woman, only about 20 people showed up, including six women who wanted to receive something from Elohim.

Now these women were no saints. And several didn't like each other. Mozelle was a mean-spirited gossip, yet she wanted to be baptized in the Set-apart Spirit and move in the gift of tongues. Irene was high-strung and superior, yet she wanted to be baptized in the Set-apart Spirit and cleansed. Regina had a reputation as bad as her temper, but she wanted the baptism in the Set-apart Spirit and to move out in the gifts. Laura had a spirit of negativism and defeat, but she wanted the baptism in the Set-apart Spirit for an attitude readjustment. Joan was eaten up with cancer, but she wanted the baptism in the Set-apart Spirit and a healing. Nina was suicidal and self-loathing, but she wanted the baptism in the Set-apart Spirit to see heavenly visions. Lizzy was slightly retarded due to a stroke, but she felt she needed the Baptism with the Set-apart Spirit to be healed.

At the end of the service, the lady evangelist called these women forward and laid hands on each one. She gave them each a new name. In simple words, she asked Elohim to send his Spirit down upon them and fill them to the full. Tears began to roll as the Spirit fell, then hands began to raise to Elohim. Praise welled out of the mouths of these women -- Mozelle began to speak with other tongues. Demon after demon flew out the widows from these ladies -- they received a tremendous catharsis, and they received healing and wholeness, and were gloriously baptized in power and tears of joy.

Then something even more wonderful happened. As I was playing the piano, the women formed a circle and began to dance together in the spirit. Yes, even in the dead Methodist church. Around and around they went, laughing in glee, one in the middle, then the other, all shedding tears of joy and singing in the spirit. Things have not been the same there since.

Friend, be convinced that Elohim wants to pour his Spirit out on you. Ask Elohim specifically for the Baptism with the Set-apart Spirit. Persevere in prayer, and never cease asking. Look into the face of Elohim in expectation and longing. And when you receive, take responsibility as a powerful Apostle of Yahshua Messiah.

Jackson Snyder, July 19, 1992

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