How about Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, and Elijah standing on the Mount of Transfiguration and neighing like horses or laughing uncontrollably? They would not be laughing, because they were discussing Jesus' death that was soon to come. Neither will we be laughing uncontrollably when we are bearing our personal cross behind the Lord Jesus.

This is not to say or imply that our discipleship must be one of gloom and doom. Neither is it to claim that there are not times when we laugh in the Spirit. But all of our gifts are under our control as we are discipled by the Word of God and all are to serve to build up the Body of Christ.

If our gifts or personal spiritual experiences are exercised for our enjoyment and we are having "fun in the Son," as someone expressed it, then we need to go to the Lord and ask Him if we truly are being faithful disciples.

It just doesn't seem real to me. The present renewal is a Jesus and spirit I do not know. Maybe I am out of step with the great new refreshing.

But I indeed can picture Paul and Peter as commanders of regiments of dead-living saints descending on the white war stallions, forming on the dried-up bed of the Euphrates and attacking Antichrist in the plain of Megiddo.

Perhaps the key question is, where is the "renewal" leading? The Lord says (it is conjectured), "The bar is open. Drinks are on me. Let's all get drunk and laugh uncontrollably." Does such hilarity give us the ability to judge between good and evil and the willingness and strength to choose the good and reject the evil? Are these the good works that cause the unsaved community to glorify God?

Does such abandoned behavior result in our being conformed to the moral image of Christ and usher us into untroubled rest in the perfect will of God? Does it create in us iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to the Father?

Do twisting, jerking, falling on the floor, cause us to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways so God will hear from Heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land?

If so then count me in.

If not, if these commotions are delicious emotional experiences that lead only to a craving for more of the same, then such practices are not accomplishing God's will in the present hour when the Spirit of God is calling for repentance and the strict observance of the commandments of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. I don't wish to be part of anything that is not in perfect accord with the mind of the Spirit.

"Lord Jesus, You told us there would be deception attending Your return. We know nothing apart from You. You told us to test the spirits. Help us to distinguish between that which is from the demons and that which is from You. Help us to know the truth.

"We pray in Your holy name. Amen." (from Joel's Army)