Tag: John 8:44
Sunday rest and reflection: Pentecost and power!
Dearly beloved friends,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ! Another week is beginning and God’s people gather in buildings, homes, and small groups to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! We are so blessed to know Him and love Him! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Jesus is being praised around the earth in every country and culture.
However, many still do not know Him. Over half the earth’s 8 plus billion people still have not heard of Jesus Christ. Many are lost in false religions and are entering eternity under God’s wrath. His Church is charged with going and telling every one! To do this Jesus and His Father sent the church the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in each one who is saved and has repented of sin. He wants to fill us with “living water” and power to share that “living water” with the lost of the world.
Many Pentecostals seem caught up with emotional experience of God and speaking in tongues and even the gifts of the Spirit. They go from meeting to meeting craving more of God’s presence and desiring to see miracles. This is all well and good, but misses the mark! God gave the Holy Spirit to equip us to be His witnesses to the lost world. Jesus commanded His disciples to go and He promises us that the signs and miracles will follow us as we are out doing the work of ministry and reaching the lost! We must leave the meeting empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to reach our lost friends and family.
Listening to God’s directing voice helps us know when to talk and when to be quiet and pray. We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit for then we pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-28) We build ourselves up in our faith as we pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20) No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Father so we desperately need the Spirit for evangelism. (John 8:44, 16:8-11) The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to speak and act in the face of persecution. God has empowered His Church!
As you attend church this Lord’s day, pray that the place where you meet will be shaken by God! Ask the Lord to fill you again with the Holy Spirit! Go into the week to fulfill God’s command to reach the lost!
In His Love, Pastor John
Would you lie to God?
Scripture reading for November 6: Acts 5-7
Lying is a sin! One of the ten commandments states that we should not give a false accusation against a neighbor! (Exodus 20:16) God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19) Lying causes mistrust because lies are usually found out and the person’s character is degraded by all who know the truth. Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches! A lying tongue hates the one it hurts! (Proverbs 26:28) A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9) The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)
The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Very early in the history of the new church, Luke recorded the story of a Ananias and Sapphira, who told a costly lie. Acts 5:1-16.
Ananias and Sapphira sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church. The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord. Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all. It was only wrong to lie about what they had given. Scripture doesn’t say why they did this. It may be that they wanted to look good to other church members . It may be that they dedicated more than they were willing to give and decided to keep some back. Whatever the reason, both husband and wife died for telling less than the truth.
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men, but to God.”” “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)
This should make each one of us evaluate our own hearts and giving. We need mercy more than ever! This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business! Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment! God is building a holy church that will reflect His character of Truth! The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth given to us as a gift!