Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

Friday Proverb – What Comes After the Church is Taken?

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rapture23

Perhaps not many view the Proverbs and Psalms as being prophetic.  After so many decades of Bible study, I see Prophecy in almost every line of the Bible.  As is understood, the Lord reveals things to us in stages.  Most often, Old Testament events and poetry, describe an actual event such as Passover – which is a picture of something far more dramatic in the future.  Such is the case with this Proverb.  At face value, it does not seem to reveal much to the casual reader – but we are here to see what it really says.

Proverbs 11:8

The righteous is delivered out of trouble,

Only those who are truly born-again of the Holy Spirit of God, will be delivered – because only the truly born-again – are considered righteous.  When we repent, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we obtain His righteousness – which guarantees our deliverance.  None of the troubles, trials and tribulations of this present life and time, can compare to the Great Tribulation, and the judgments that will befall everyone on earth at that time.

Please do not allow the recent crop of preterists to worm their way into your faith in the deliverance promised to you by God in His Holy Book.  It is described over and over again – even in this short Proverb.  Every Word of the King James Bible is true – and you can trust it implicitly.  Read it literally, and with faith.

and the wicked cometh in his stead.

That’s right.  As soon as the church is taken up – The Wicked One will swoop in. Just as a vacuum needs to be filled – this will happen in such a way – that it will not be readily apparent to those who are not alert.  Since mankind always seeks to worship something or someone they can see, it will happen all too easily.  The Holy Spirit that is indwelling believers here on earth, will leave along with the righteous that are being delivered.  Once this happens, the only thing that was restraining the power of anti-christ will be gone!  It will happen, but, we will NOT BE HERE TO SEE IT!

2 Thessalonians 2:6-8

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.

sage

Friday Proverb – Our Life and Hope

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The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 

Proverbs 10:27

While the Word of God does not guarantee a long  earthly life to truly born again believers, it does follow reason that those who fear Him, and forsake sinful lifestyles will have better health and greater joy in life.  While we are in our flesh – we long to be with Him, and  having the knowledge of His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence will prevent us from taking a detour into the dark side. 

Living the Holy Spirit filled life is a matter of surrendering our wills to His will.  It is a matter of getting rid of our household gods and fleshly desires,  and allowing the Holy Spirit to completely fill us.  And while it seems that the wicked are holding sway at this moment in time – remember – that to God – there is no time!  Time only exists here on earth – it is not a part of the heavenly realm. 

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 

Proverbs 10:28

Yes – we must fear our Creator – but we must also hope in Him.  One need only see the hard, brittle, look in the eyes of the abrasive atheists when they are attacking the Bible and Bible believers.  It is a cold, dead expression – void of hope.  And if the eyes truly are the window to the soul – what does that tell us?   There is death where there is no hope – spiritual death.  And then in the not so far off future – eternal death in the Lake of Fire. 

We can be truly glad of heart, and take joy in the fact that our futures are already secure, and written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  There is no reason to fret over evil doers – because their future is already determined if they remain unrepentant.  What a terrible thought. 

The next time you hear news of murders, corruptions, and all the sundry evils that satan has in his arsenal, it would be wise to think where your hope is.  It is not here! not in America, not in anything other than our blessed savior – Jesus Christ. 

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

[Forgive me.  I so wanted to post a video with the classic hymn – “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand,” but was unable to find one without a sensuous back-beat.]

sage

Family Theater – God’s Outlaw – William Tyndale

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=Lc6a-VqGfLU%3Fsi%3DAGPIHy2fkDUskfCX

Tyndale’s famous,  selfless last words –

“Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”

We should all say right now –

“Lord, open the king of America’s  eyes.”

If you were raised Roman Catholic, as Jim and I were, and feel any discomfort from some of the teachings, or if you feel that something is seriously missing – that is the Holy Spirit urging you!  

Jesus saving.

Matthew 11:27-29

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Response to a Bible Critic

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This comment was posted to the old blog – Thoughts of an Old Man.  In the interest of letting this person be heard and responded to by as many people as I think she would like –  I’m posting the comment here.

I know this was written ages ago, but the bible has God all wrong. The bibles God doesnt exist. Mainly because too many human faults are put upon him and glorified as something powerful. What need would an omnipotent being have for hate, judgement and anger? Its such a waste to US as a species, why would he lower himself to our level? Many people turn to the books written by man to place their entire faith on but his truth is in no book. It’s inside us. We are born with it. I know this will sound stupid and naive to you, but the Bible never spoke to me. God did. Not conversationally, of course, but with every sunrise, every hug, every smile of my daughters face, THAT is the word of God. Not some letters spewed onto a page and translated as rule. Living by that book has destroyed civilizations, eras, and us as a humanity. It is the false prophet. And generations have died from it.  [dawna reisner]

Let us address the commenter’s  main  premise – that one can self determine the nature of the Godhead.

Immediately – we can observe that the writer has done two things:

  1. Committed idolatry by creating her own god
  2. Blasphemed the Word of God by saying that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, lies about Himself.

We may condense her opinion into one statement.

I don’t like what the Bible says – therefore it is untrue. 

  • If the Bible does not “speak to you,” that means you are not born of the Spirit.  

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

  • By saying that the Bible is the false prophet – that is committing the unforgivable sin, by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author of the Bible. 

2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

  • In saying that the Bible has been the cause of the world’s woes, more blasphemy is committed.

Psalm 138:2   I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

  • Blaming the Bible, rather than man’s exceeding sinfulness,  is the same sin committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden when he blamed God.  This is also blasphemy.

Romans 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

  • Denying your own complicity in the cumulative sins of mankind, is proof that you are outside the faith.

1 John 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.

When I first read this comment, I could not believe it was genuine, and likely the antics of a troll because of the provocative nature and specious quality of it.  But, as I thought on it, The LORD convicted me that whether genuine or not – it could still be examined and a Scriptural argument developed for it,  because even internet trolls need to be witnessed to, and we all encounter people who posit  the same belief system. 

The Abundant Life – #4 – The Spirit Filled Life

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John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

It is a fact, that the Holy Spirit indwells every truly born again believer.  Though we may be weak, immature, and imperfect – if we have been “born again” of the Spirit – He dwells in us.  1 Cor. 6:19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  Rom. 8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.

It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit indwell us – but does He have us in such a way that He may fill us with the “Abundant Life?”  Contrary to the teachings of prosperity preachers – the abundant life can not be found in our environments or circumstances, or in the many material things that we may possess.  It is only found in the infilling of the Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 5:18

 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

EPHESIANS 5:18 IS A COMMAND!  TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO BE SPIRIT-POSSESSED, SPIRIT- EMPOWERED, AND SPIRIT-CONTROLLED.  

1. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we might have joy.  Eph. 5:19-20 –19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

2. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for service.  Acts 6:3 – Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 

3. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be a witness.  Acts 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

4. We are filled with the Holy Spirit for the hour of persecution.  Acts 7: 54-60 –

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.  55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,  56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.  57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,  58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.  59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

5. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may  “walk in the Spirit.”  Gal. 5:16-26 –  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

6. We are filled with the Holy Spirit that we may be led by the Holy Spirit.  Rom. 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

WE CAN ONLY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IF WE DESIRE HIM TO FILL US.  THEN WE MUST ASK HIM TO FILL US.  AND FINALLY, WE MUST BELIEVE THAT HE FILLS US. 

Living Water

John 4:14

 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The Abundant Life – #3 – The Separated Life

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The separated life is simultaneously positive and negative.  The old adage – “be in the world, but not of the world,” was derived from the topic of this article.  

Romans 1:1

 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. . .

Read that carefully!  We are to be “separated unto the gospel of God”!  This is  POSITIVE SEPARATION.

2 Corinthians 6:17

 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

We must come out of ANYTHING that is contrary to the perfect will of God. This is NEGATIVE SEPARATION.

FOR THE BELIEVER – TO BE SEPARATED –  MEANS TO BE SANCTIFIED (SET APART) FOR SALVATION AND SERVICE

1. The Word of God has the power to separate the believer from sin.  John 17:17 – Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth.  Ps. 119:11 –   Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

2. God the Father has the power to separate the believer unto the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thess. 5:23 – And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. God the Son has the power to separate the believer unto righteousness, “not having spot, or wrinkle.”  Eph. 5: 24,27 –  

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; 

26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,

27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

4. God the Holy Spirit has the power to separate the believer unto salvation and service.  2 Thess. 2:13 –  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

If we are not separated, we can still have a relationship with God, but we can not have fellowship with Him.  This is the problem of the dominant church spirit at this time – Laodicea.  The majority of churches are now so closely allied with the world, there is no fellowship with God.  They may be united with Him at Calvary, but separated from Him in sin.  

Isaiah 59:1-2

59 Behold, the Lord‘s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

Without separation we can have:

  • Influence without power
  • Movement without achievement
  • Trying without trusting
  • Serving without success
  • Spiritual battle without victory

WITHOUT SEPARATION UNTO GOD – OUR ENTIRE CHRISTIAN WALK WILL BE “WOOD, HAY, AND STUBBLE.” 

THE TRULY ABUNDANT LIFE IS ONLY MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST – MADE REALITY BY SEPARATION UNTO HIM. 

How to Witness for Him – Introduction

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One day, as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw two fishermen, Simon (later named Peter) and his brother Andrew.   He said unto them . . .

Matt. 4:19

Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

SOUL WINNERS ARE MADE – NOT BORN!  FOR YOU TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS – YOU MUST BE TRAINED, EQUIPPED, AND MOTIVATED BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

Our Lord spent three years teaching and training His disciples in the art of soul winning.  After His resurrection, He told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the “promise of the Father.”  [Acts 4:1-8]  When the disciples asked if He would restore the kingdom right then, He told them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.”  It is not the job of the church to predict or focus on the Tribulation,  or be continuously searching for hidden meanings in natural events.  Our job is to witness!  “and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

ANY BELIEVER WHO ACQUIRES THE KNOW- HOW, CAN BECOME AN EFFECTIVE SOUL WINNER!

You can know –  that you and the Holy Spirit are a witnessing team. 

Acts 5:32

 And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.

Therefore, when you are witnessing, remember that you are not alone! 

1 Corinthians 6:19

 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

WHEN YOU WITNESS, YOU CAN TRUST THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DO THREE THINGS –

  1. Illuminate the mind of the unbeliever.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit.  All lost souls are in spiritual darkness.  2 Cor. 4:3 –  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
  2. Stir the heart of the unbeliever.  As Peter preached Christ to the listeners . . . Acts 2:37 –  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
  3. Move the will of the unbeliever.  When the prodigal son “came to himself,” and returned home he said. . . Luke 15:18 – I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. . .  The prodigal had a change of will. 

Many graduates of Bible schools have learned all of the up-to-date techniques for “modern” soul winning.  They may even be able to quote the necessary Scriptures without flaw, and stir an emotional response from their audience.  But, if witnessing is not done in the power of the Holy Spirit, all their witnessing efforts will be ineffective.  As we progress though this series on effective witnessing, please keep your heart and mind open to the Holy Spirit, and be willing to become Fishers of Men. 

Attributes of the Holy Spirit – #3 – Sins Against the Holy Spirit

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This is  very solemn study, and should be taken most seriously.  In the first two parts of this series, the deity and demonstration of the Holy Spirit were looked at.  This third part examines the fact that since the Holy Spirit is God – He may be sinned against by both the believer and the unbeliever.  The Holy Spirit is not the unique property of the “elect,” nor any other special group or individual that claims to be “anointed,” by the Holy Spirit, or self appointed to be endowed with special powers of the Holy Spirit. 

SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT –

  • The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  

This sin is committed by unbelievers, and is often called the “unpardonable” sin.  It has no forgiveness.  The enemies of Jesus were guilty of this sin, when they accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan, when He claimed to do it by the power of God.

Matt. 12:24 – But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.  Matt. 12:28 – But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

  • The sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.  

As anyone who witnesses to the lost knows, this one is heartbreaking to watch as the unbeliever rejects Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Acts 7:51 – Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

  • The sin of quenching the Holy Spirit. 

This  sin is committed by believers, when they allow sin to go unconfessed.

1 Thess. 5:19 – Quench not the Spirit. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Is.59:1-2  – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.

  • The sin of lying to the Holy Spirit.

Ananias and Sapphira were deceivers, rooted in jealousy.  Paul said they tried to mock God. 

Acts 5: 1-11 – But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.  

GALATIANS 6:7

 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

judgement seat of Christ

MATTHEW 12:31-32

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Please do not take this lightly.  If you have not repented, humbled yourself, and asked Jesus Christ to save you, then you have committed the unpardonable sin. 

Please, right now, admit that you are a sinner, that you know you can not save yourself, and ask Him to enter the door of your heart.  It’s as simple as that – believe that He is God, that He and He alone paid the price for the your sins and the sins of the entire world, and ask Him to give you new life, by being born again of His Holy Spirit.  If you think you’re a good person, or you’ve kept the rules of  your particular religion – then you are lying to the Holy Spirit.  Repentance means turning from your sinful self to the Lord.  In God’s eyes there are only two kinds of people in the world.  Saved – and unsaved.  Please choose today – choose an eternity with Jesus.