WHO AM I?

Hopefully, you have read the two previous blogs concerning "Who is the Holy Spirit?" 

Now let's consider this question "Who Am I"? And why is it so crucial to ask such questions concerning each of us?

Tragically, so many members of the human race generally think that when we leave this earth, we will automatically go to heaven! Therein lies a serious problem. What is this "problem" you might ask? 

Praise God, many, many people have indeed, thankfully, gone to heaven and are with our Triune God, but tragically, so many people could care less, including many "church-goers" and they do not go to heaven! Thus, where are you in this?

Consider beginning with the critical question: "Am I truly in love with the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit?  And how can I continually prove this in my loving walk with the Triune God?  Just “declaring such” will not “prove it!” 

I have been asked about the special function of each member of the Trinity...the executive is the Father (God), the architect is the Son (Jesus), and the contractor is the Holy Spirit.

It has been said that "When one is truly in love, it is not an exaggeration to just talk/act in such a way! Also, it has been said that we need a "lightness from darkness in our lives and just where does one get such a light?" From our precious God - and do you have such a Light?  (Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider "Discovering the Jewish Jesus-- Host of TV/radio broadcast) 

And where do we get darkness?  "...darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters and then God said, let there be light; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So, the evening and morning were the first day..." (Genesis 1:3-5)

Let's consider what Paul declared in the book of Matthew 20 "The mainspring of Paul's service is not the love for men, but the love of Jesus Christ." And just how is that concerning us? 

As is written in Oswald Chambers in the book "My Utmost for His Highest (1935)” -

                  "If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, 
                  we shall soon be crushed and broken-hearted,
                  for we shall often meet more ingratitude from
                  from men than we would from a dog; but if
                  our motive is to love God, no ingratitude can
                  hinder us from serving our fellow men. When
                  we realize that Jesus Christ has served to the
                  end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin,
                  nothing that we meet with from others can
                  exhaust our determination to serve men for
                  His sake."

  Considering "Who am I"? 

- To what do I sense owing indebtedness (owing gratitude) to my Lord Jesus

-  Being aware I can only do as the Lord Jesus works in me in my indebtedness

-  Am I a bondslave of the Lord Jesus realizing I am not my own?

-  Am I free to be an absolute slave of the Holy Spirit?

-  And what is my "foundation" made of ...? Slippery sand or solid rock of the Lord Jesus?

-  How do I start my day? 

Worrying about what is ahead of me or going to the Lord in prayer trusting Him to guide me in peace and praising Him and empowering (to be talked about later) me to accomplish?

-  How do I end my day?

My wife and I holding hands greeting the Lord God, and Jesus with the Holy Spirit literally providing us immediately with real peace in our very beings - we are truly blessed with such peace and then we consider repentance and forgiveness of our sins (privately), then we begin our prayer followed by our night's sleep! 

-  Please remember a Christian must have been "baptized and empowered with the Holy Spirit"! 

                        To be continued in Blog 4...

 BE GLORIFIED, ALMIGHTY GOD, BE GLORIFIED

GOD THE FATHER, JESUS THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Before continuing with the Holy Spirit blog, it is a bit late in sharing this incredible topic regarding a very crucial question: "Easter - Christian or Pagan?" However, I am sorry that I was not able to have this ready for your reading prior to what millions tragically have just "celebrated!"

Have you ever given thought to such a question? This information comes from "Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH)." I would so encourage you to read "http://www.hope-of-israel.org/easterfr.htm" - that is, if you are willing to read incredible truths concerning the "question"! The "whole world"- especially those who declare themselves Christians have been so deceived by the devil! Consider what John the Apostle wrote: "And we know that we are of God, and the WHOLE WORLD lieth in wickedness (John: 5:19)."

The English word "Easter and the German Ostern come from a common origin (Eostur, Eastur, Ostara, Ostar) which meant the rising or growing sun (Hope of Israel Ministries)." 

How many of us would get up on a Sunday morning to attend the sunrise service - I, in my ignorance, did so for many years and praise God, no more! And the Bible condemns holding a sunrise service - "the temple at Jerusalem was oriented to the east; to worship the sun one had to turn his back toward the temple (Ezekiel 8:16)."

I played the saxaphone in the high school Easter parade to honor the "goddess of spring"... as millions of others did through-out the country! Consider the "myriad of customs" - such horrible errors as Easter customs: "Easter colored eggs and bunny rabbits, Easter parades, new clothes, hot-cross buns, etc." Keep in mind that "today's Easter has its roots deep in ancient paganism -- centuries before the birth of the Messiah -- and its rites have scarcely changed!" We will not find the word "Easter" in the Bible, thankfully! I would recommend various encyclopedias be checked as well! The word itself, in the context of a religious festival, as the encyclopedias explain, comes from the name of a Pagan Goddess -- "the goddess of Spring" (Ralph Woodrow in Babylon Mystery Religion). There is so much more to read concerning such ungodly and pagan traditions and customs... for you will be so blessed with God's truths, and His only! Tragically, how many millions of Christians and "man's" churches have been deceived by the devil for centuries? Please keep in mind that a serious Christian must not in any way, shape or knowledge consider what is so erroneous regarding what Satan has "pulled" on mankind! Always remember thankfully, it is NOT Easter for Christians, but Resurrection Sunday! Praise God to be sure!

Continuing with the Holy Spirit blog - Keep in mind that ''Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11)" who is the third person of the Trinity, our Comforter who draws us to Christ, convicts us of sin, enables us to accept Christ as our personal Savior, assures us of salvation, enables us to live victorious life, understand the Bible, pray according to God's will, and share Christ with others (NKJV Bible- Word Wealth 7:6)" Such a gift and blessing to be sure, for those who truly desire to do so!

Such a blessing in that the Holy Spirit is providing me these blogs which are being written for each of you - praise God...and may they be such a blessing for you!

Let's begin with the flesh (sin)! Why you might ask! For the value of our lives will be determined either by our sinful lives-provided by the Satanic world or that which Almighty God (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) has provided such a fruitful and abundant godly life for us by the sacrifice of our precious Jesus who died for us on the cross "and he (us) who does not take His cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me -- the cross is an instrument of death, symbolizing here not the bearing of any particular burden or distress, but a willingness to give one's life sacrificially for the Master (Footnote-Matt.10:38 NKJV)" and three days later, Jesus raised Himself to praise God and for 40 days to get the disciples ready to do their "jobs!" Thankfully, we Christians can live an incredible life provided to us by the Holy Spirit Who baptizes and empowers His people! More about "the Holy Spirit empowers" us as we go! My wife and I were baptized and empowered by the Holy Spirit, thankfully! I became a spirit- filled pastor with the Holy Spirit who empowered me last year declaring "You have will have a ministry of 'setting the captives free.'" That truly came quickly when I was in the hospital twice last year. The Holy Spirit brought various hospital staff to me and incredibly they were brought to the Lord or encouraged if they were already Christians! And I have had other incredible opportunities since in doing so - thankfully, no man's church for us anymore! We have our "church" at home with the Holy Spirit.  Keep in mind there are millions of "man's" churches throughout the world tragically - with "pastors, ministers, popes, etc. doing their "thing"! 

Let's consider God's church - I would encourage you to spend time reading 1 Corinthians, especially chapter 14:26-40 (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible NKJV) I know there will be readers who might well reject these scriptures - however, these are Godly scriptures!

“Order in Church Meetings”

"How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him be keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God… For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women (wife) keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says…Let all things be done decently and in order."

Keep in mind the footnote for verse 26 - "each of you...": The things of the Spirit are for every member of the body of Christ, not an elite few." The footnote for verse 35 – "your women…" adds: "and not to embarrass her husband in public. The Bible does not assign rigid social or church roles to men and women, but it does place headship and authority in husbands as an abiding principle for this age."

Now then, what is it going to be - life with Satan or an incredible life with the Triune God? An incredible life-long decision to be sure! What a blessing being with the Triune God!

Consider this -"if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrightness (1 John 1:9).” It is written in Psalm 50:15, "Call on Me in the days of trouble; and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (NKJV).” Thankfully...amen!

Thus, be encouraged Saints, be encouraged, praise God, for He will never leave nor forsake us! "And O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I serve the Law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin (Romans 7:24-25 NKJV Bible).

 Consider this, saints:

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ as weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors - not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (Romans 8:1-14) NKJV."

Saints, always be encouraged in using our lives for our Triune God Almighty and finally, being so strong in our precious Lord and in the power of His might! However, be so very aware and so very careful of Satan for he is, as always, trying to destroy God's people! Amen! 

                   Be Glorified Lord God Almighty, Be Glorified for Our God Reigns 

The question is "WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT"?

                                GOD THE FATHER, JESUS THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT,

                                                     AND WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

                                                                        

It is most importent in the blogs to come, that you truly come to understand why it is so very crucial for us Christians to "glorify God in our very beings and in our spirit," considering that you hopefully have at some point, given your life (born again) to the Lord God Almighty!

Thank You, precious Lord God Almighty (God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) for what a blessing it is to being able to share such incredible and most helpful Godly information from the Holy Spirit, for believers tragically during my writing of blogs for five years 8000 readers were cut off by the Satanic enemy using man in the year 2000!! 

Not long ago, I began asking the Holy Spirit: "Would You have me writing my blogs once again?" Finally, the Holy Spirit encouraged me, I believe, to do so - thankfully, and praise God! So here we go...what a blessing, and hopefully what you continue to learn, will so change your spiritual life and your very being like never before - it truly will...been there, done it, and will continue to as long as the Lord allows me! 

As we go, I will reveal such scriptural truths...count on it and be so very blessed, for you will be spiritually working as the Holy Spirit guides and directs you through your Godly life, as did the disciples of old!

Talking about "spiritually working as the Holy Spirit guides us...", I must share with you an incredible experience of the Spirit empowering me!  

Several years ago, my wife and I were visiting our daughter and family in Kansas City. It was nearing supper time and we learned that there were five tornados headed our way!! Our son-in-law truly surprised me when he declared that he had ordered "take out for supper" and asked me "should we go pick up our supper?" Concerning what was happening with those five tornados, I was truly dumfounded as you can imagine! I thought for a moment and decided to "take a chance!"  Off we went to the restaurant which was about 10 miles away...wondering if I had made such a dumb/dangerish decision! We were about half-way when I heard the Holy Spirit say: "pray this for your son-in-law: for you made the correct decision going and when you arrive, you will hear the word "dissipate" as you enter the restaurant, you will hear on the television, the weatherman declaring: "Folks, you will not believe this, for the five tornados approaching us are no more, for they have dissipated!" We got the food and headed home with no tornados! I could not have had that incredible experience had I not been empowered by the Holy Spirit! Praise God, to be sure!

And just what was the powerful spiritual lesson concerning this incredible experience? The Holy Spirit at work! - the experience of the five tornadoes and Him empowering me, thankfully and how many times He has and continues to empower me...praise God, and He will empower you, IF you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit!  Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit and the original 12 disciples were baptized by Jesus before He went to the Father after the 40 days, for they were born again and then filled with Holy Spirit and empowered to accomplish God's plans. 

I will share just how critical the blogs are for you who desire to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and not just read them but be so very active with them! I so wish you would have been able to read those from the beginning many years ago!

I want to share something with you concerning my blog prior to its being shut down several years ago. There were many, many "unknown" foreign blog readers - 50 foreign countries known at that time!  And at that time there were 20 Ukrainian Christian readers...tragically, now they are being destroyed - incredible!  Obviously, we must pray for them, to be sure and certainly ask the Holy Spirit to rescue His people world-wide! 

 I heard at that time from an unknown blog reader who wrote to me declaring: "Well said, my brother.

Please pray for me that through the strength of the Holy Spirit I have received; I can better serve the Lord. Thank you for your prayers. May our Lord Jesus truly bless you and your family!" And you, Godly reader, can be empowered with the same Holy Spirit's strength IF...!

 

Now, let us concentrate on the crucial/critical aspects of our precious Holy Spirit Who has baptized us! One can actually begin to learn/live in Genesis in the Bible - please be so very careful as to the Bible from which you read/study...so crucial in that you could well being deceived, tragically! How so, you might ask? Keep in mind that Satan has his deceptive "bible" on the shelves in Christian Book stores world-wide...truly, for I had such an experience in my early Christian life and into the trash it went!

Consider this...for just WHO is providing us with incredible wisdom, empowerment, gifts, fruit of the Spirit, of our sanctifier - the One who separates us "from the sinful setting for a secular purpose" (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary). Thankfully, our Lord God Almighty has for all those believers who SEEK (again with the incredible wisdom from the Holy Spirit) to be spirit-filled and this is what we will focus on! Hopefully, by now many, many of you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and indeed, are beginning to benefit from all that which He is providing and empowering you in accomplishing the works of the Holy Spirit- thankfully and it began when Jesus was to leave the earth after the 40 days with the 12 disciples who were then baptized in the Holy Spirit. Tragically, the majority of Christians and their churches throughout the world have no idea of Who the Holy Spirit is and His powerful Godly significance...for tragically, they stop with Jesus. And just who is responsible for such? Satan! 

Consider Romans 8:14-17: "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors - not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God!" Consider just who are you, a believer who wishes to be those who live in the flesh or those who are sons of God?

I would, also, encourage you to read the "Spiritual Gifts" Romans 12:1-8.

Consider what is written in Ephesians 4:30: "...and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption! Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as the Holy Spirit forgave you." Praise God to be sure! In the flesh, we as humans give a large breath thinking that is impossible!  Please keep in mind that we are NOT by ourselves in that the Holy Spirit is providing each of us who so desire, thankfully, and keep in mind what is written in Genesis 22:14 - Jehovah-Jireh "The Lord will provide!!" Always keep in mind He means what He declares!

It is crucial for us go back again to Genesis 1:1...which is the "In the beginning," the Bible's opening verse (Kingdom Dynamics 1:1- New Spirit-Filled Life Bible NKJV). Many believers look at verse 1 as just "GOD" - wrong - for "God" is Himself, Savior Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - All in One!

In Zechariah chapter 4, we are told "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."  This is in reference to the fact that Zerubbabel was the governor and responsible for building the temple project, not by the flesh, but by "My Spirit!"  (New Spirit-Filled Life Bible) And thankfully, this truly applies to us...obviously, however, there are tasks that indeed we truly need to accomplish in the flesh...such as "brushing our teeth!"  

And how does a born-again Christian become Spirit-filled?  All one must do is ask the Holy Spirit to baptize you! 

For example...years ago, I thankfully was given a book entitled The Holy Spirit and You written by Dennis and Rita Bennett. Dennis was an Episcopalian priest in Fairfax, Virginia and we had the blessing of hearing him teach. Both he and his wife were baptized with the Holy Spirit and the Episcopalian Church fired him for doing so! 

Back to my book experience, I must believe the Holy Spirit provided such an incredible experience for me truly! I finished reading the book and sat there to absorb what I had read! It wasn't long before I asked the Holy Spirit to baptize me, and He did so! Consider Acts 1:8: 

                                 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost (Spirit)

                                 is come upon you; and ye shall be witnessed unto me both in

                                 Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the 

                                 uttermost part of the earth."

Consider this "The baptism in the Holy Spirit is the outflow of the power of God the Holy Spirit

from where He dwells within the believer - in the Spirit- to inundate, or baptize, the outer man, soul, and body. It is a release of the Spirit. When this takes place, then the Holy Spirit can pour from the believer

into the world like 'rivers of living water,' as Jesus promised" (John 7:38 and page 7 of The Holy Spirit and You) 

As I had done so, a new unknown language came to my mouth. This is called "speaking in tongues!" I took the book to my wife and shared what had happened and her reaction was "you now have the gift of speaking in tongues" and have been doing so since! She had been talking in her tongue for some time. The next morning, I was on the way to the elementary school where I was principal and suddenly, the Holy Spirit visited with me with such incredible peace, and I begin singing in my "tongue." I never sang in the car before...such a blessing! I could have "flown" to school! Praise God and thank You Holy Spirit. Talking about "peace" - for some time, as we prepare to pray in the evening, the Holy Spirit brings such peace to both of us just before we pray! Such a blessing, to be sure, for we sleep with such peace...keep in mind Exodus 14:14:

                                  "The Lord will fight for you: you need only be still"!

                             Are you ready to ask the Holy Spirit to baptize you - simple as that

                             and you will truly become an empowered child of the living God and 

                             your life will be blessed like never before as will others. Truly!

                                       

                                              Be Glorified, Lord God Almighty, Be Glorified

To be continued...

WHO AM I?

GOD THE FATHER, JESUS THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

BLOG 6

I am beginning Blog 6 with these two critical questions – first, have you surrendered your life to the Lord God Almighty, which brings you in the Kingdom of God (being born again)? Second, and most important, have you asked the Holy Spirit to “fill/baptize” you with Him? 

If this blog is new to you, may I strongly recommend you read previous blogs concerning the Holy Spirit. 

Why is it essential that I continue to focus on the Holy Spirit? 

It is imperative that we as believers give much emphasis to what is written:

“See then that you walk circumspectly. Not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (Eph 5:15-21)

If you have not asked Him to fill/baptize you, you are, tragically powerless in your walk with the Triune God.  Powerless in that the Holy Spirit is the Lord Jesus working through Holy Spirit not only to hear, empower, guide and direct the Spirit-filled saint, but provide one with “workable” gifts and fruit of the Spirit. If one is born again and has gone no further, I repeat, he/she is indeed powerless in accomplishing that which the Holy Spirit has for those who are indeed, Spirit-filled!

Let’s visit Matthew 3:4 where we find Jesus coming from Galilee, to be baptized by John the Baptist. We find John trying to prevent baptizing Jesus, declaring “I need to be baptized by You and You are coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John allowed Him. “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

It is in Chapter 4 that we see the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil!  Thus, the beginning of Jesus’ empowerment by the Holy Spirit for forty days and forty nights (fasting). During that time that the deceiver, Satan, tried his best to lure Jesus into his “way of life” and worshipping him. 

Thankfully, Jesus declared “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.” In verse 11, we read “Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”  Thus, the ministry of Jesus began on earth for 3 years + until His death on the cross, with the declaration of His last three words “it is finished”. Thankfully, He had accomplished on earth what His Father had planned for Him, praise God! As it is written, Jesus was resurrected and for the next 40 days He visited with His disciples continuing to teach and empower them for the things to come. However, it is crucial to declare that even though Satan left Jesus “for a season”, he came back to harass Jesus until Jesus returned to the Father, as he constantly harasses us believers! 

Please keep in mind, that we saints are not to be fearful of the devil, for we as believers, must stand on the commands/promises of the Lord, keeping in mind what is written, and therefore, how crucial it is for us to spend much much time reading, understanding and being obedient as to what God Almighty has written in His Word! For by not doing so, it truly keeps us as believers, ignorant, and guess who “claps and smiles” when we are not growing in what is written in the scriptures and as well not being obedient as to what is written!  Also, it is crucial to know just who the deceiver is – more on this in a future blog – for it is mandatory for us to know just who we are fighting in the spirit world! Also, keep in mind that Satan never wins, concerning God’s born-again children, although there are times when we think he has!  Remember, he is the deceiver and destroyer! Appropriate to comment – another powerful reason for believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit!

It is appropriate at this point to encourage you to check out which Bible you are reading and studying.  Truly, there are several Bibles which I trust, such as:

*  The New Spirit-Filled Life Bible (Jack Y. Hayford-   Executive Editor)

*  Dakes Annointed Reference Bible (Dake)

*  ESV STUDY BIBLE (English Standard Version)

*  Exegeses - The Ready Research Bible – A Literal translation and Transliteration of Scripture (Herb Jahn exegete)

* The Amplified Bible (Zondervan Bible Publishers)

* Messianic Jewish Family Bible – Tree of Life Version (Jewish Voice Ministries)

* NLT Bible (New Living Translation)

I am sure there are others, but I encourage you to evaluate the Bible(s) you read and fervently study! I never thought I would declare that there are Bibles are not worthy to have in one’s library! But, there is a “famous” well known Bible that I would not encourage believers to purchase! 

Years ago, when I read the reliable research concerning this Bible, I was truly disheartened for there are so many scriptures that are either mistranslated or omitted!  Be on guard and alert, saints. I would label this Bible as a weapon of the “deceiver”! I would strongly recommend asking the Holy Spirit for His wisdom concerning this crucial item – for it is written “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,  who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

Lastly, I would highly recommend The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary, introduced in 1957 with the express purpose to educate/clarify believers of the complexities of the Bible.

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.  And their righteousness is from ME.” Says the Lord. (Is. 54:17)

and,

“Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He is in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit who He has given us.” (1 John 3:24)                                             

Thus, it behooves us Christians to be so very aware of the powerful warnings for each of us:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God. Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore, they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:1-6)

Thank You, our loving and caring God Almighty for these critical warnings. 

More to come in Blog 7.

BE GLORIFIED LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, BE GLORIFIED

WHO AM I (HOLY SPIRIT) Blog 5

 

Please keep in mind dear Christian reader what the focus has been concerning the Holy Spirit Blogs 2, 3 and 4.

There are many “unknown” foreign blog readers whom I suspect do not reveal their location because they do not want to put to themselves in danger! Please pray for these “unknown” readers.  We have no idea of the dangers they, as Christians, are living in.

Just recently, I heard from an “unknown” blog reader who declared “Well said, my brother. Please pray for me that, through the strength of the Holy Spirit, I have received; I can better serve the Lord. Thank you for your prayers. May our Lord Jesus truly bless you and your family.”

It is such a blessing to know that there are believers who are blog readers throughout the world, and you would be amazed as to just how many there are in other countries. I am keeping a log each time a new country unknown reader is added.  In fact, as of now, there are 50 known countries – the Ukraine thus far has 20 readers! Praise God for such a blessing in reaching precious Spirit-filled believers world-wide! 

My constant prayer is “Lord, thank You for continuing to enlarge my ‘tent pegs’ concerning new readers.” (Isaiah 54:2)   Thankfully, He is indeed answering my prayers! I would so appreciate your prayers as I create each blog in Godly truth under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I will continue discussing the awesome significance of the Holy Spirit, His gifts and fruit.  Please keep in mind that He is One of the three of the God head – God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and the Holy Spirit – who provides comfort for us believers who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit through Jesus.

It is crucial at this point to read what is declared in John 14:16-18 concerning Jesus’ relationship with the Holy Spirit and just what is happening to His disciples,

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will never leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

Jesus declared in verse 18 that He “Jesus” is coming in the person of the Holy Spirit. In John 16:16 we learn:

“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

The believers, who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit have been so blessed with incredible gifts/fruit (1 Cor 12-14 and to be discussed in Blog 6) are tragically in such a minority! We must always keep in mind just who the Deceiver is blocking.  The Deceiver is blocking millions of people from being born again and, as well, blocking precious saints from accepting the Holy Spirit into their lives and not being empowered to accomplish all that the Holy Spirit provides for His children.  He is blocking them, as just mentioned, from the “gifts and fruit” of the Holy Spirit, and to have our sins forgiven when we confess them!

This is an opportune moment to ask, especially for new readers, “How is one who is ‘born again’ to be baptized in Holy Spirit?” Consider this, that one must first confess his/her sins and ask the Lord to be “born again”. Then, a believer must ask the Holy Spirit to “fill/baptize him/her with His fullness”, and then establish a relationship with Him, giving the Holy Spirit full reign of his/her life, focusing on Him and being “still” so as to hear His “still small voice” saying “this is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:18-21) and seek to discover your Spirit-given “gifts and fruit”, as we will discuss in Blog 6.

When Jesus was preparing to ascend to the Father 40 days after His resurrection, He gathered His disciples and shared with them just what was to happen to them. As He shared with them what was to be, they were more than baffled, perplexed and frightened at His leaving them to be with His heavenly Father.  In their minds, they truly believed that He was going to establish a new Jewish Kingdom and wrest political control from Rome and rule forever!  Can you imagine what their thoughts and discussions were as He revealed what was to happen to Him shortly?  Obviously, they were thinking in the flesh but, thankfully were soon to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. May I strongly recommend you re-read the first two chapters of the Book of Acts to learn more concerning the Holy Spirit and as a result, thankfully, God’s church was born (which not long after, tragically became “man’s church”)! That sequence of events is a blog of its very own to be written about later.

Consider this, Jesus was sent to earth by His Heavenly Father for a “season” (33 years thereabouts) (John 20:21) and as we know, tragically paid an incredible horrific price to “set the willing” free, i.e. giving us salvation, being set free (thankfully) from having to live in the flesh and its sin.

The believer, who has been so blessed desiring to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, has been given spiritual gifts/fruit in the Spirit – such as the incredible supernatural gift of “empowerment”! What is the meaning of empowerment?  

“Authorization, to give legal/moral power, being able to declare/command a thing” (American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828)

We are empowered in the flesh and by the Holy Spirit. For example, in the flesh, we apply for a job, we go fishing/hunting, driving a car, work in a hospital, etc. Let’s label these skilled people as those who are empowered in the flesh. Obviously, God has gifted us to be able to do so, however let’s begin by considering those who are spiritually “empowered” by the Holy Spirit to accomplish the following as examples:

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, an whatever you lose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mat. 16:19)

We who have been Spirit-filled are empowered (given authority) to bind and loosen, without being Spirit-filled, sadly, one is not able to bind and loosen.  Also, we who have been, are indeed, able to “declare a thing”!

For example, as Jesus declared in Mat 8:23-27:

“Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest (a storm stirred up by the devil) arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. So, the men marveled, saying ‘Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?’”

In a prior blog concerning our empowerment for “declaring a thing”, I shared that since I have been authorized to take my authority in that Jesus (Holy Spirit) lives within me, I (and you) take my dominion rights as a child of the living God and speak in the Name of Jesus to whatever storm is harassing me – whether it be a storm coming my way (especially the 5 tornadoes that were coming our way when we were visiting in Kansas years ago, and I took my authority and declared “peace be still to them” and they ceased immediately with the meteorologist declaring that he was dumbfounded, a dog barking constantly, or even sickness which needs healing! For example, in healing, after I learned of my Holy Spirit empowerment and was affected with arthritis in my hand, I declared “peace to the storm to the foul ‘spirit’ of arthritis” and it immediately ceased, every time it tries to return, I take my dominion rights, as each Spirit-filled believer has the same authority.  I strongly encourage you, as a Spirit-filled believer to “by faith” take your dominion rights and “declare a thing”. Please keep in mind that it must be declared in that Name above all names – Jesus the Christ!!  I learned years ago that arthritis is indeed a “spirit out of the pit of hell”! In closing this blog, I will encourage you to begin learning about the foul spirit world – remember, Satan is out to destroy God’s born-again believers. We must remember the scripture “Greater is He that is in us, then he (the devil) who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)

There will be a blog concerning this topic as well as gifts/fruit of the Spirit in the days to come.

Be Glorified Lord God Almighty, Be Glorified

WHO AM I? (GOD – HOLY SPIRIT)

BLOG 4

Why spend so much time concerning the Person of the Holy Spirit? Keep in mind that He is of the Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – thus, the triune God.

Let me begin with what is written in John 15:5 “I (Jesus) am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

We must relate this to the “fruit of the Spirit” And consider that without us, He will do nothing! How does one “bear much fruit”? By being filled with the Holy Spirit. What “fruit” are we talking about? We find this fruit in Galatians 5:22,23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.”

Consider that without the first “fruit” (the Holy Spirit’s) love, we cannot accomplish what He has for each of us as it relates to how we think of loving ourselves and others!

As has been discussed in Blog 3, Jesus was getting ready to ascend to the Father and He told the disciples to “go do the things He did while on the earth, but far greater things” . . . not in quality, but in quantity!

Tragically, all too often, we find ourselves “doing” something in the flesh (our carnal state/our doing things on our own) and neglect the guidance of the Holy Spirit! Obviously, it does not mean we are to disregard doing necessary appropriate things in the flesh, for we have been given the ability and common sense to accomplish such things as shopping, keeping ourselves and the house clean, going to work, knowing just what to eat, getting enough sleep, playing a sport, driving, etc.!

Flesh, in this sense, is actually a “carnal state” and “the body as distinguished from the soul.”

Consider a few of the scriptures concerning flesh:

Genesis 6:3, “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he indeed is flesh . . .”

Galatians 5:16,17, “I say then, walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the spirit. For the flesh lusts against the spirit and spirit against the flesh and these are contrary to one another so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

Romans 8:8, “They that are in the flesh cannot please God”

1 Cor 15:50, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.”

However, there is that aspect of the flesh that we must consider and avoid, which is labelled SIN! How are we to deal with sin? Obviously, the topic of sin could well be a blog in and of itself for another time. The scripture at 1 John 1:5-10 is critical to our understanding of sin. Verse 9 provides the most powerful strategy on how to deal with our sin(s). 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Hopefully, you noted the impact of the tiny word “IF” in that verse. Further, I would add we should “immediately” confess our sin(s)! That is like God declaring (after our confession(s)) - “what sins?” For they are caste into the sea to be remembered NO MORE by Him and by us!

Tragically in the body of Christ, there are far too many believers who have been carrying their sins for so many years and years.  Could it be that the Satan is constantly reminding them of these past sins and could well declare “gotcha”? We call this “bondage”! Please keep in mind the promise of the Lord – the moment we confess our sin(s), we are cleansed of “all unrighteous” to be remembered no more. Give thanks for that tiny word “IF”!! Thank You, Lord God Almighty for “setting us free from all that besets us.” As is written in Romans 6:23, we must keep in mind “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Amen and amen.

Praise God for such a blessing and a rescue from our precious Lord!

Therein lies our comfort, peace and realization that “all is right with my soul and with our Lord God Almighty!” Consider what is written in Galatians 5:24,25:

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions     and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Thus, at all costs, avoid the “lust of the flesh” as we crucify the flesh!

Returning to John 15:5, what does “abides in Me” mean? The dictionary meaning is “to rest, dwell or to stand firm”.  (American Dictionary of the English Language – Noah Webster 1828) Thus, it is so crucial that we examine ourselves daily to determine just where we are in “resting, dwelling and standing firm” for our walk with the triune God depends upon it. . . Amen?

Blog 5 will begin with the Jesus telling the disciples that because He is ready to ascend to the Father. He will leave them (us) with another Comforter, Teacher, Helper, Convictor of sins, a Sanctifier (making us into the image of Jesus), who will empower those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Thus, what is the significance of “empowerment”? Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit, or do you need to ask Him to baptize you with His Spirit as Jesus was in the river Jordan? Jesus needed to be empowered in order to begin His 3-year ministry – Matthew 3:16,17; 4:1-11 – and thus His ministry of setting the captives free began! Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow.

If you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you too have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish what the Holy Spirit has for you to accomplish.

The question must be asked “What ‘fruit’ of the Spirit is at work and, as well, what are the ‘gifts’ of the Spirit that are active in your life?”  The gifts of the Spirit will be discussed in Blog 5.

Why would a born-again Christian not want to have “all that the triune God has for him/her?”

If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, all you have to do, as you did when you were born again, is ask the Holy Spirit to “fill” (baptize) you with His spirit, keeping in mind what the scripture declares in Matthew 21:21,22:

“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done.’ And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.’”

And then be at peace and allow the Holy Spirit to do His incredible work in you for your life will be so changed for the rest of your life here on earth as you walk as a Spirit-filled child of the living God and less and less in the flesh.

                   BE GLORIFIED, O LORD, BE GLORIFIED 

Consider this request…if these blogs have blessed you over the years, would you share them with others? You might be interested in knowing that these blogs are now being read in 40 plus countries. Pray with me that other countries will be introduced to them as well. It is written in Isaiah 54 “’Enlarge’ the place of your tent and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inhabit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.” Amen?

WHO AM I? (GOD)

BLOG 3

Concerning the Holy Spirit and fire image . . . the scripture declares “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Mat 3:11).

Hopefully, you have read Blogs 1 and 2 concerning WHO AM I? (GOD).  Blog 3 of this series contains crucial knowledge concerning the Holy Spirit!  It is imperative to reiterate that the Holy Spirit is One of the Triune God – Elohim, the plural God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It is most crucial that when we see the word “God” we must also be aware of just Whom we are referring to – Our Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.

At this point, if you truly desire to be walking in the fullness of God’s Biblical truths, I highly encourage you to have as part of your library/study resources, the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – with Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) Dictionary, in order to truly understand what is being declared in the Bible.  Use this reference as one would use an English dictionary to truly understand the significance of a word in English.

When are we first introduced to the Holy Spirit in the scriptures? That occurs in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God (Elohim as described above) created the heavens and the earth!”  We also read in Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image’”.  Please be aware that the initial role of the Holy Spirit was to produce then and now, “life-sustaining breath to man at creation”. (As provided in a footnote to Genesis 6:3, New Spirit-Filled Bible). To be very clear, that does not mean that man becomes Spirit-filled at birth or when born again for that matter! To reiterate, the process must be “man must request to be born again and then at some point, request to become Spirit-filled.” Note: some born again Christians are Spirit-filled immediately as Jesus was when John the Baptist baptized Him in water.  As well, consider Cornelius, who was filled with the Holy Spirit immediately when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

It has been noted and you would be interested to know that it has been said that there are approximately “100 references to the Holy Spirit throughout the Old and New Testaments.” (Gift of the Spirit – God’s Plan for You, CBN)

There is an incredibly vast difference concerning the Holy Spirit at work in the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit at work in the New Testament.  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was so very selective just whom He empowered for the task at hand.  Consider some whom the Holy Spirit empowered, for example - Adam, Noah, Abram (later renamed Abraham), Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, the prophet Joel, Isaiah and Israel itself in order to be protected from its enemies, Ruth, and Esther – to name a few.  We could continue to name others, but, these are examples of the Holy Spirt being selective as needed, in contrast, thankfully, not so in the New Testament!

I must ask you this crucial question - “have you invited the Holy Spirit into your life?” If not, I beseech you not to let another day go by in so doing. In Blog 4, we will be discussing the “gifts and the fruit” of the Holy Spirit.

I addressed the process of being baptized with the Holy Spirit in Blog 1, but for those of you who have not had the opportunity to read “Who am I”, Blogs 1 and 2, I will reiterate the process for you who so desire to have your “surrendered heart set ablaze” – this is what the Book of Acts, which I so encourage you to not just read, but study and take to heart - the “Acts of Jesus/Holy Spirit”, for Your walk with the Triune God will never be the same again and you will be empowered to minister powerfully by the Holy Spirit as He leads you, using the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, praise God.

At this point, you could well ask, “Why are you spending so much time discussing the Holy Spirit?”  If a Christian believes that functioning just as a “born again believer” is “the entirety to the Christian life”, tragically, he/she is not able to accomplish all that the Holy Spirit has for each spirit-filled empowered believer.  His/her ministry is so very lacking – the devil and his minions have so deceived millions of believers, unfortunately!

Before one can be baptized with the Holy Spirit, he/she must be born again. Then, with a surrendered heart and sins confessed, simply ask the Holy Spirit “to be filled with His Spirit and by faith, declare out loud, that you have indeed been ‘baptized by the Holy Spirit’”, and watch the Holy Spirit over time empower you to accomplish the Lord God Almighty’s work on earth through you.

Again, remember that as Jesus was getting ready to ascend to heaven, He told the disciples to “Go do the things I did while on this earth, but even far greater things”.  Things being the operative word. (Mat 10:5-15; 28:16-20; Joh 14:12; 20:21) – not to produce more by ourselves, but with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.  In addition, He promised them that He was going to leave them and us with “another Comforter, Helper, Teacher, the Sanctifier who convicts us of our sins.” (Joh 14-16; Heb 2:11). Thank You, Lord God Almighty!

This would be an appropriate time to also inquire “have you been water baptized?” This action is a public statement of repentance and union with the Triune God?”

Remember Saints, we are at war! As I shared with you before, it is written in Matthew 11:12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent (us) take it by force.”  If we don’t know who our enemy is, we cannot win the war, Amen? Which means that we must fight the battle empowered by the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind what is written that “without Him, the vine and we as the branches can do nothing” (Joh 15:4-8) and implied, without us He can do nothing.

Thus, our enemies . . .

    * The world

    * The flesh

    * Satan and

    * Man’s church

Each of these will be discussed in Blog 4.

Again, why would I “choose” to focus on the Holy Spirit, you could well ask? It is crucial that I do so! Please hear me, for I believe it was not I who chose to do so, but it was the leading of the Holy Spirit. There would be times when He would awaken me in the early morning hours to “take up the pen”, for I am just the writer of this blog, the servant of the Lord, as were the writers of the Bible!  Always, before I begin writing, I ask the Holy Spirit to provide and anoint the thoughts that He so wants His saints to hear and “go do”, for how will the saints know unless they are told?

In the coming blogs, we will continue the study of the Holy Spirit and as well, deal with spiritual warfare, especially in Ephesians 6:10-18 focusing on the “Whole Armor of God”.  We must always keep in mind, that in order to win the battle which takes place in our Christian lives, again, we first must know just who are our enemy is . . . amen? 

Consider this in closing:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” (2 Cor. 10:3-6)

Be Glorified, our precious triune God, the Father, Son,

and the Holy Spirit, be Glorified