29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Matthew 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Matthew 10:41: He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.Revelation 11:18: And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Many of lives little irritations occur when or we do or say things intended for good. Take for an example; Jesus and the Phrases, Paul and the Jewish leaders, or take Spirit filled believers and non filled of all denominations. To the Spirit filled who knows the difference there is no question as to the necessity. To the unbelieving, fearful and doubtful it is a point of denial. Denial of every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Denial of the existence of the Holy Spirit. Denial of the intent and benefit of the full council of God. Thereby further denying those instructed by them (the self same unbelieving), of the birthright, of the inheritance, of the sons and daughters that should prophecy. I have been told that I am, "stuck on the Spirit". He judged me for wanting people to acknowledge and seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was by a person of influence regarding the importance of, "Ears To Hear". He may be well intentioned but lacks spiritual discernment, and ears to hear. He cannot tell right from wrong, as all I sought to publish an awareness of the Holy Spirit, even though he says and believes that he is a Christian. I'm sure he has been a victim himself of having been instructed about the evils of speaking in tongues. Totally, a man without understanding. But, denying throwing out the baby with the bath water, doesn't help. In fact it puts them in the place of unbelieving, because they do not believe the whole truth. What they do believe is in fact, another Jesus.
They believe in a Spiritless Jesus. They will say that they believe, it's just not the one that is written of in the Bible. But, can Jesus be separated from truth? Can Jesus be seperated from the Holy Spirit? Can who the Holy Spirit is, be serepated from the biblical description? They believe that the Gift of the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost (one in the same) was for a time only. The latter days ended with the death (physical) of the apostles. Or they believe that only a select few receive the gift, but they themselves would take it if it overpowered them. Some believe that they still do have the Baptism, but don't know anything about how it effects them. Unfortunately the Spirit of Truth does not bear them witness. A sad lot to be sure. Yet they are the leaders of three quarters of the world's Christian population. To their blame, they have raised up a faithful following that will repeat their unbelief loudly and often. They regard themselves as "Defenders of the Faith", they may even be part of the 10 virgins, though their end is the same as sinners.
How important is it to continue in Jesus word?
John 8
31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Simple enough words, unless your heart is hardened or your hearing is blocked because of pride. If you , we ,us continue in Jesus words we are His disciples and we are free! Jesus words included that He had to go so He could send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. But, you say, I'm a religious person, I was never in bondage, I believe in Jesus. Well that's not the point is it sir, or madam, if you sin, and you do, then you are the servant of that sin. That sin will exclude you from the House of God, but if, that is if you abide in the Son, and the Son abides in you, then you are and will be free, indeed. The question is if we once believed a part or portion of who Jesus is how do we sin? What is required to be included in the House of God? Does unbelief count as sin? Am I required to believe all that Jesus said He was and would do? Then?, Today?
Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Deuteronomy 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
In a way I feel so inadequate to proclaim the importance of the Holy Spirit. The third person of the one and only true God. The very voice of the One who reveals all truth. The One who causes us to know truth when we hear it. The One who discerns intentions of the heart. The One whose meekness is precious and sweet. The one who will never overpower you, but boldly empower you. The one whose words will be in your mouth if you can hear. The One who when He enters your life He brings gifts as proof, credible evidence of His presence in your life. Proof positive that you are accepted of God. How can you ever acquire the Oil of the Spirit if you don't even have the Lamp of Truth?
L,J,P&HG Dave
3 comments:
Oh how true, they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof..and in the process brother they rob themselves, oh how precious the gift of the Holy Spirit is, without Him I could not survive for He is the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Helen B.
ps...I am being so very encouraged, blessed and edifyed as I read through all these blessed posts today
Hi Dave, thank you for your message - I really enjoyed it. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus, but many people don't want Him for Who He is. They only want Him for signs, wonders, power....well that's all they'll get, sadly. I once went to a dead, sin-filled traditional church where the choirmaster said "I think we've had enough songs about the Holy Spirit now..." I don't think they even knew Who He was. On the other extreme, I have been to churches where the emphasis is on 'the Holy Spirit' only and there is no gospel preached either. You can not have the Holy Spirit without Jesus or Jesus without the Holy Spirit - the Spirit is self-effacing, He only ever leads us to, and reveals, Jesus. So, where the Gospel is not preached, you will get all kinds of demonic and counterfeit manifestations which accompany works of the flesh. I believe that the gifts of the Spirit are definitely still for the believer today, and we should desire to serve with our gifts....but, I also agree that most of the rubbish out there posing as the Holy Spirit is not of God at all. I can understand people being cautious. The greatest work of the Holy Spirit indwelling us, I think, is to give us power to overcome sin, and it is the fruit which is paramount. I pray in tongues, but I also respect those who don't pray in tongues, because I look at the fruit in their lives - the manifesting of the character of Jesus. Thanks again Dave - I've said my bit!! Really enjoy your comments on Michaels's blog also.
Bonny
Bonny,
Thank you for your kind words. You are correct about many "spirit filled Christians" and their lack of understanding. I to have seen all sorts of foolishness by blind guides and believers alike. Romans 16:18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. What I address is more of what has been kept back from believers. As you know: Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Well a little hindrance can stop up the most desiring ears, no matter where it comes from. Perhaps your friends that have fruit but no faith to enter in have been hindered. I do not me mean that as a criticism but an observation, they don't enter in for some reason. When the Holy Spirit enters He brings gifts, but all speak in tongues. It is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the difference between those that believe fully and partially. So many times people have to unlearn a small but critical error so they can enter in. Just because someone has fruit doesn't mean that they have oil in there lamp. All it means is that they are virgins, not a bad thing, just not enough. "Ears to hear", is what will be required. That shows a child like faith to believe. That has allowed us to enter in to the Comforter, the earnest of the Spirit, the recognizable oil that can burn when lit. It is what will allow us to see in the darkness of the vacuum of not striving with man and sending strong delusion.
L,J,P&HG
Dave
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