Tag: Holy Spirit
Not for sale!
Scripture reading for May 16th: Acts 8
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 8:18-22 “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostle’s hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.””
In this time of the last days, many false teachers are out for money. They are seeking power, new fads, or something that will help them make money. The apostles encountered Simon who had been making money off of sorcery. Simon saw what the apostles were doing by laying hands on the people and the resulting baptism of the Holy Spirit and he wanted in on the action. He offered money to get this power and was soundly rebuked by Peter for having a heart that was not right with God. Peter emphasized that this power was not for sale at any price! Simon’s best action would be repentance and prayer to God for forgiveness and a right heart!
Observations for over-comers: Beware of those who want the gift of the Holy Spirit for the wrong reasons! Don’t be quick to lay hands on everyone to receive this precious gift of power. Repentance and salvation must come first! “My son, pay attention to My wisdom, listen well to My words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.” (Proverbs 5:1-2)
Anyone Thirsty?
Scripture reading for April 14th: John 7
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 7:37-39 “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow within him.” 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.”
Jesus was attending the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the three times Jewish men were required to come before the Lord in Jerusalem. This feast celebrated the completion of the harvest and commemorated the Israelites” desert wandering where God miraculously supplied water for all from the rock. The custom was to pour out jars of water before the Lord and when they were doing that, Jesus stood up and made the declaration that anyone who was thirsty could come to Him and drink! The result would be a spring of ‘living water’ welling up within! Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit who would come into believers after His resurrection!
Observations for over-comers: G0d”s people, who are over-comers, are thirsty for the Living God! We go to Jesus and drink our fill! It becomes a flowing spring inside us! “O God, You are My God, earnestly I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)
Blessing and promise!
Scripture reading for April 5th: Luke 24
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 24:49-52 “”I am going to send you what My Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple praising God.”
Jesus spent forty days ministering to His disciples and strengthening their faith for the mission He had chosen and prepared them for. His final emphasis was to remind them to wait for the “Promise of the Father”. This was the gift of the Holy Spirit that would empower them to be effective witnesses in the hostile world. (Acts 1:8) Christ’s final words as He ascended to Heaven was to bless those faithful followers. He was now their new permanent High Priest and gave them the blessing! (Numbers 6:22-27) God was smiling on His people! They returned with great joy and continual worship as they faithfully waited!
Observations for over-comers: The blessing and the promise are both vital to our over-coming the world, flesh, and the devil. We must have all God freely gives us and receive it by faith! “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you in His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Fire!
Scripture reading for January 5th: Matthew 3
John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, came on the scene when Jesus was nearly 30 years old. He preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and that all men needed to repent. John wore the clothes of a prophet and lived in the lonely places of the Judean wilderness. Matthew records that he was the one spoken of by Isaiah, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.'” (Isaiah 40:3) Many people came and confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River.
When the Saducees and Pharisees came to observe, John warned them of their need to repent and be baptized. He told them that having a genetic tie to Abraham was not enough with God. God was looking for fruit of obedience in each life and would judge all who had none! He also warned them that there was one coming after him who would be more powerful and honored. The “Coming One” would baptize men with the Holy Spirit and with fire, not just water! This One would gather in the faithful, but punish the wicked! (Matthew 3:11-12)
Jesus then appeared to be baptized by John. John recognized Him as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus was insistent and John baptized Him. As Jesus came out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down and rested on Him like a dove, and a Voice from heaven stated: “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Water baptism is a step of obedience that all disciples should follow. But Jesus also is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit and Fire! Go after all He has for you!
Living well in evil days!
Scripture reading for December 1st: Ephesians 1-6
Ephesians contains amazing spiritual truth and insight for those in Christ’s church. There is a wealth of encouragement and some fantastic prayers that lift us into the realm of God. The simple Gospel is explained in Ephesians 2:8-11 in an easily understandable form. The church and it’s purposes are laid out in Ephesians 4:1-16. Following that, there are practical instructions for wise living for those in Christ. I have often used these chapters in counseling others over the years I have ministered. The last chapter helps us with spiritual warfare and the armor of God. We are in a battle against wicked forces in the heavenly realm!
“Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20
The only way to live wisely in these evil days is to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit! This is not a one-time experience of speaking in tongues or an emotional high at a Christian meeting. It is a personal relationship with God the Holy Spirit. As we live full of the Holy Spirit, we live a life of worship. We do this when we are alone with God and when we are around others. When we are filled with the Spirit, we speak graciously to others. Our speech is pleasing and in harmony with the Spirit of God.
Our speech is to be filled with thanksgiving to God the Father for everything. We realize that everything we have is from God. Our strength and health, as well as our material possessions, are gifts. We are blessed by our relationship with God and realize all the blessing of being in Christ! (Ephesians 1:3-12) Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs come from our hearts as we are filled with thanksgiving!
Living water!
Scripture reading for November 1st: John 6-8
Thirst is a great motivator! When we were farming in Iowa, during the hot summers we had some jobs that made us very thirsty. Picking up hay bales on a humid afternoon with no breeze really worked up a thirst. Staking bales in the barn was a hot job! We also cut sunflowers out of the soybean fields with a machete working up a good thirst!
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” “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 7:39-39
On this last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the custom was to get two large jars of water from the pool of Siloam and pour it out as an offering before the Lord. It was probably at this time that Jesus stood up and spoke to the crowd. He invited those that were spiritually thirsty to come to Him. He promised that if they would drink of His life, a life-giving stream of “living water” would flow from within them. John interprets this prophetic word of Jesus as referring to the Holy Spirit being poured out after Jesus’ ascension. The Holy Spirit would be a life-giving spring that would bring rivers of refreshing and life to those who would believe on Jesus and receive the Father’s blessing!
Are you “thirsty” from your hard work and labors in this sin-filled world? Jesus calls for us to come to Him for the relief we need. He was glorified as He ascended into heaven and was seated at God’s right hand. He poured out the Spirit on the day of Pentecost! He alone is the source of this spring of special “living water”. This water is obtained by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Living Water: there’s no other drink quite like it!
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday May 4th, 2014
Dear Friends,
As we finished the reading of the Chronicles, the history of the Old Testament Church should jog our own memories! The Israelites had the temple and God’s presence in their midst. They had priests and kings placed by God as leaders and prophets to call them to godly conduct and a relationship by faith. But this people rejected the call of the prophets and the people and leaders got involved in the world and neglected God! They reached a point of “no remedy” but loss of their land and temple and then captivity!
We certainly have something better! We have a New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ! We are now living stones in the New Temple and the glorious Presence of God in the Holy Spirit lives in us! Let’s gather today as His Temple and Bride to pray, worship, partake of Holy Communion, and hear His Word! Jesus is coming and He is our remedy! We must be about His business!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
Full assurance of faith!
Scripture reading for December 5th: 1st John 5:1-21
One of the favorite tricks of our enemy, the devil, is condemnation. After we make a commitment to Christ, he loves to keep us in doubt about our faith or the level of our faith! He doesn’t bring assurance, but constant doubt and fear of rejection by God. John, as a wise pastor, brought assurance to his flock by sharing truth in a spirit of love!
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His Child as well. this is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” (1st John 5:1-4) John emphasized that faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God was the key to living a life of love and victory. Anyone who said they loved God and hated his brother was a liar. (1st John 4:19) Faith was simple and worked through love. Faith must be centered in God who alone is love!
Jesus Christ has given us three witnesses to verify that He is the Christ. John was again emphasizing that Jesus came as a man who was the Son of God. At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit came down as a dove and the Father Spoke: “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) This is the witness of the water. At Jesus crucifixion, the centurion declared, “Surely this Man is the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) This is the witness of the blood. The Holy Spirit testifies that Jesus is the Christ by His resurrection. (Romans 1:4) In Jewish culture, all truth was established by two or three witnesses! (Deuteronomy 19:15)
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1st John 5:11-13) We can have full confidence before God when we believe in His Son!
The Holy Spirit and Missions!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Acts 12:24-13:15
We see the Holy Spirit deeply involved in the missions effort of the early church. At Antioch, the church met with various prophets and teachers gathering together for worship and fasting. During a worship service, the Holy Spirit spoke through one of the prophets, giving a word of knowledge and instruction. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2) The church continued the time of fasting and worship and then laid hands on these men and sent them on their journey. The Holy Spirit had already been leading them and this word confirmed that now was the time to go.
They went by boat to the Island of Cyprus. They went to the Jewish synagogues and preached to the Jews the word of Christ. As they traveled, they met a Jewish false prophet and sorcerer named Elymas, who was an attendant to Sergius Paulus, the Proconsul of the island. Sergius Paulus sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. They were opposed by Elymas and he tried to hinder their ministry. The Holy Spirit rose up in Saul (Paul), and he looked at this sorcerer and rebuked him: “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” (Acts 13:10-11) This blindness came on Elymas immediately and when the Proconsul saw this happen, he believed!
These missionaries traveled from city to city, led by the Holy Spirit. Their pattern was to go first to the Jews and preach Jesus Christ. When opposition arose from the Jews and religious spirits, they went to the God-fearing Gentiles who were open to be saved. (Acts 13:42-48) This was the word of the Lord that they followed and God through the Holy Spirit brought a harvest among the Gentiles! When persecution came up against them, they did what Jesus had taught them, shaking the dust from their feet they went to another city! (Acts 13:51-52) Even with the persecution, these disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit!
Live appearances!
Scripture reading for June 1st: John 20:1-31
After witnessing the mockery of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion the disciples were filled with grief. They had left everything to follow Jesus and had been so full of joy at what they learned in His presence. They had heard Him tell them about going away and then they would see Him again, but they really did not understand. Now they felt hopeless, not knowing what to do next. But they had not seen the last of Jesus! He was not dead, but alive!
The women who were close to Jesus were the first to see Jesus alive. John tells about Mary Magdalene who had gone to the garden tomb while it was still dark. (Luke mentions “women”.) When she arrived, the stone was rolled away from the tomb. Mary Magdalene ran and told Peter and John, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” (John 20:2) John records that he outran Peter, but Peter arrived and went in first to examine the tomb. There were the strips of cloth that had been used to wrap the body lying there. The burial cloth that had covered His head was neatly folded, separate from the linen. The body was gone. John records that he saw and believed. (John 20:8-9) They did not understand from Scripture about the resurrection, however. Jesus would later show them this!
After the disciples went back home, Mary stood there by the tomb, weeping. She looked back into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had laid. They asked her, “Woman why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put Him. At this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.” Jesus spoke to her and she thought it was the gardener until He spoke her name, “Mary”. She was told to go and tell “My brothers” that Jesus was alive! (John 20:15-18)
Finally, Jesus showed Himself to the brothers, coming into a locked room without assistance. He showed them his hands and side. He spoke peace to their troubled souls and gave them a gift, breathing on them! “Receive the Holy Spirit!” (John 20:22) The second Adam was a life-giving Spirit!