A Christian buddy came more than asking that numerous of us pray for her. Despite performing each of the “right” Christian things, she had been entertaining doubts about her faith.
Within the course of our prayer, as I was reminding her of what Scripture says about how God sees her, within a gruff tone of voice, with furrowed brow, she scolded me, speaking in the third individual, “She does not deserve it! She doesn’t deserve it!” Within a couple of hours, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, she was free from demonic bondage using a total change of countenance and has, because then, moved forward with marriage and ministry.
On an Easter Sunday morning, as I was attending a Baptist church service, a man sat praying, head bowed, as the congregation headed for the exits. I approached him and asked if I may pray. He ignored me. I laid my hand on his shoulder to pray. The moment I touched him, he bolted upright, started swaying like a cobra about to strike, and started growling as he pointed, “I hate him! I hate her! I hate this church!”
My attempts to minister were interrupted by well-meaning folks asking if he needed medication or asking if they ought to get in touch with an ambulance. When the man became unable to open his mouth to speak, I commanded the spirit to release his tongue. Immediately, he was capable to understand me then and speak intelligibly in response to me. I told him I was available for additional ministry by the Holy Spirit nevertheless it was obvious there was no faith present to provide him at that moment. I made him aware that, till he got assist, this WAS his Christian life and he WOULD experience these manifestations once again. I left only to be bombarded with queries all through the week by people who were there.
The young man, it turned out, was a much-beloved seminarian.
Last week, as a group of us had been praying, the Holy Spirit showed me a vision of a new attendee standing with tears in her eyes, within the middle of a Civil War battlefield, dressed within a Confederate soldier’s uniform, looking at her spouse, dressed in Union blue. As I shared this vision after our prayer time, the woman buried her face in her hands and cried. Her close friend nudged me and whispered, “You study her mail.”
On another occasion, a Christian business lady contacted me requesting prayer over among her several facilities across Texas. This particular facility was not prospering at all and she could not aid but contemplate closing its doors. That certain place had an openly lesbian manager which attracted openly gay staff. I went on a Thursday night with ateam. She met us there. We prayed and, inside ten days, the facility’s numbers had been improving already. The lesbian manager could not understand it. Inside a memo I saw, she wrote, “We should be living correct.” A week ago, the manager resigned as did numerous from the most blatantly gay employees.
I could write numerous individual encounters like these, moments when the Holy Spirit took manage, flushed out an unsuspecting demon, healed, delivered, set totally free or came by means of having a vision, word of wisdom or word of understanding. He is no respecter of persons; the gifts He has shared with me, He wants to share with you.
Query is, are you willing? Do you desire much more?
We’re SPIRIT BEINGS Having AN EARTHLY Encounter. We’re ALIENS.
We’ve no permanent citizenship in this planet. Even though we are citizens of the United States, the reality is the fact that, as a Christian, our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil three:20). As the book of Hebrews says, “Here we’ve no lasting city, but we seek the city which can be to come” (Heb. 13:14) For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as had been all our fathers: our days around the earth are as a shadow, and there is certainly none abiding. (1 Chron 29;15)
We’re ENAGED Within a SPIRITUAL WAR – a term not found in Scripture, but the idea is taught. Mankind is caught within the midst of a spiritual war with all the holy God and His angels on 1 side and also the evil Satan and his demons around the other.
(2 Cor 10:3-5) “For although we live inside the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with usually are not the weapons in the world. On the contrary, they’ve divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and each pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every believed to create it obedient to Christ.”
(Eph six:11-12) Place around the complete armor of God to ensure that you are able to take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark planet and against the spiritual forces of evil inside the heavenly realms.
(Rev 12:7-8) And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, as well as the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not powerful adequate, and they lost their location in heaven. The fantastic dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent referred to as the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole globe astray. He was hurled towards the earth, and his angels with him.
IF WE RESIST THE DEVIL, HE WILL FLEE
(James 4: 7) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
WE Do not have THE POWER TO RESIST SATAN ON OUR Own
(Jude 9) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing using the devil regarding the physique of Moses, didn’t dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
TO RESIST THE DEVIL, WE Need to Place Around the Complete ARMOR OF GOD
(Eph six:10-12) Put around the full armor of God to ensure that you are able to take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle just isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark globe and against the spiritual forces of evil within the heavenly realms. Consequently put on the full armor of God, in order that when the day of evil comes, you may be capable of stand your ground, and following you’ve carried out every thing, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, using the breastplate of righteousness in spot, and along with your feet fitted using the readiness that comes in the gospel of peace. Additionally to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you’ll be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil 1. Take the helmet of salvation and also the sword in the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray inside the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in thoughts, be alert and always preserve on praying for each of the saints.
Jesus’ personal mission statement: “He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, as well as the opening [of the prison] to them which can be bound; to proclaim the year from the Lord’s favor.” (Isa 61:1,2)
GOD Allows TEMPTATIONS, BUT Often Offers AN ESCAPE
(1 Cor ten:13) No temptation has seized you except what exactly is frequent to man. And God is faithful; he is not going to allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. But when you are tempted, he may also provide a way out so that you’ll be able to stand up below it.
SATAN KNOWS THE SCRIPTURES AND TRIES TO MISUSE THEM
As described in Matt four:3-10 and Luke 4:3-12, throughout the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, Satan quoted Him Scripture several instances. Jesus replied each and every time with extra Scriptures refuting Satan’s attempts to take things out of context or only use component of a section.
(Matt 28:19-20, Lk 9:1-2 and 10:1-3).
As well several American Christians have grow to be passive and fearful. Others are satisfied to merely acknowledge the right issues and attend church services and activities. This sort of life-style is really different from that which Jesus demands of His followers.
We need to preach and teach concerning the kingdom of God, focus on the doctrine of Christ, heal the sick and set the captives free of charge.
Why will be the Holy Spirit referred to as getting “holy”?(HOLY: Belonging to, derived from, or related using a divine power; sacred.) Distinguishes Him from EVIL spirits.
SAD Information Relating to THE CHURCH As well as the HOLY SPIRIT
A majority (61%) agree that the Holy Spirit is a symbol of God’s presence or power but is not a living entity. (2001)
Amongst the segments in the population a lot more probably than other individuals to deny the existence of the Holy Spirit as a living entity are Catholics (73%), non-Christians (68%), and non-whites (68%). (2001)
A majority of all born again Christians reject the existence from the Holy Spirit (52%). (2001)
WHY May be the HOLY SPIRIT Essential?
There’s no topic more essential in Christianity than that of the Holy Spirit. Unless this really is effectively understood, a large portion from the Bible, and particularly the NT, remains unintelligible. However, a just view of it will do greater than a information of any other particular subject to offer harmony, clearness, and consistency to what could be discovered to all other matters presented inside the Word of God.
In spite of the importance of understanding the Holy Spirit and His place within the life of a Christian, there’s a lot confusion and superstition in the minds of many people about the Holy Spirit
Who is THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1. An individual with qualities
two. NOT, merely an “influence”, or “impersonal force” that emanates from God.
3. We ought to regard the Holy Spirit as a “He”, not an “it”!
I. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S Character
A. THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS…
1. He “expressly says” that some will depart from the faith – 1 Tim four:1
two. The Spirit spoke and gave directions to Philip – Acts 8:29
three. He spoke to Peter and gave him charge regarding the Gentiles – Acts 10:19-20
4. He spoke to the brethren at Antioch concerning Paul and Barnabas – Acts 13:1-4
B. THE HOLY SPIRIT TEACHES…
1. He was to teach the apostles all issues – Jn 14:26
two. Please note that Jesus consistently refers for the Holy Spirit as “He”, not “it” (implying a private becoming, not an impersonal force) – Jn 14:16-17
C. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEARS WITNESS…
1. He was to testify of Jesus – Jn 15:26-27
two. Just as the apostles (who had been “personal beings”) would bear witness, so also the Holy Spirit
D. THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES, HEARS, SPEAKS, TELLS…
1. He would carry on and total the perform started by Jesus – Jn 16:12-13
two. Jesus regularly refers to the Holy Spirit as “He”
The Holy Spirit is really a real individual who came to reside inside Jesus Christ’s accurate followers right after Jesus rose in the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 2). Jesus told His apostles…
“I will ask the Father, and He will provide you with an additional Helper, that He may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the planet can’t receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you understand Him simply because He abides with you, and will be in you. I’ll not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn 14:16-18)
The Holy Spirit isn’t a vague, ethereal shadow, nor an impersonal force. He is an individual equal in each and every way with God the Father and God the Son. He’s considered to become the third member from the Godhead. Jesus said to His apostles…
“All authority has been offered to Me in heaven and on earth. Go as a result and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name from the Father as well as the Son as well as the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I’m with you usually, even to the end in the age.” (Matt 28:18-20)
God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And all the divine attributes ascribed towards the Father as well as the Son are equally ascribed for the Holy Spirit. When someone becomes born again by believing and receiving Jesus Christ (Jn 1:12-13; Jn three:3-21), God resides in that particular person via the Holy Spirit (1Cor three:16).
E. THE HOLY SPIRIT’S Primary Part
1. He bears “witness” of Jesus Christ and tells people’s hearts regarding the truth of Jesus Christ. (Jn 15:26, 16:14).
2. He acts as a Christian’s teacher/guide (1Cor. 2:9-14).
3. He reveals God’s will and God’s truth to a Christian. Jesus told His disciples…
“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all issues, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (Jn 14:26)
“When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into each of the truth; for He won’t speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (Jn 16:13)
four. The Holy Spirit was given to reside inside those that think in Jesus, in order to create God’s character inside the life of a believer. Within a way that we can’t do on our own, the Holy Spirit will develop into our lives really like, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Instead of trying to be loving, patient, type, God asks us to rely on Him to produce these qualities in our lives. Therefore Christians are told to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25) and be filled with all the Spirit (Eph five:18).
5. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to carry out ministerial duties that market spiritual growth among Christians (Rom 12; 1Cor 12; Eph four).
6. The Holy Spirit also performs a function for non-Christians as well. He convicts people’s hearts of God’s truth concerning how sinful we’re — needing God’s forgiveness; how righteous Jesus is — He died in our spot, for our sins; and God’s eventual judgment from the planet and those who don’t know Him (Jn 16:8-11). The Holy Spirit tugs on our hearts and minds, asking us to repent and turn to God for forgiveness and a new life.
F. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORBIDS…
1. He prevented Paul and his companions from going into particular areas of Asia – Acts 16:6-7 This He did by “forbidding” them, and “not permitting” them, regardless of their initial efforts
G. THE HOLY SPIRIT INTERCEDES…
1. The “Spirit Himself (note Paul’s use of the individual pronoun) tends to make intercession for us” – Rom eight:26
two. Just as Christ “also makes intercession for us” – Rom eight:34 [All these operates in the Holy Spirit manifest personality]
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT POSSESSES Individual Characteristics
A. HE Has a Thoughts…
1. “the mind of the Spirit” – Rom 8:27 This suggests thinking on His own.
B. HE HAS Knowledge…
1. He “knows the father the son and the holy spirit issues of God” – 1 Cor two:11 just because the “spirit of man” (a personal getting) knows particular items. He has intellect.
C. HE POSSESSES AFFECTION…
1. Paul speaks of “the really like from the Spirit” – Rom 15:30 When have you recognized of an “impersonal force” that could really like? He has emotion.
D. HE Has a WILL…
1. “the identical Spirit operates all these issues, distributing to each and every a single individually as He wills” – 1 Cor 12:11 It was the Holy Spirit Who decided what individual received which present. Once more, these are all traits of a getting possessing intelligence and personality.
III. THE HOLY SPIRIT SUFFERS Private SLIGHTS AND INJURIES
A. HE Can be GRIEVED…
1. “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” – Eph 4:30 He could be created sorrowful through our willful neglect
B. HE Can be BLASPHEMED…
1. That’s, to become spoken evil of, as in attributing His deeds for the functions of Satan, the “unpardonable sin” – Matt 12:31-32
C. HE May be INSULTED…
1. 1 who has “trampled the Son of God underfoot” has also “insulted the Spirit of grace” – Heb 10:29 This is completed by sinning “willfully” – Heb ten:26
D. HE Can be LIED TO…
1. As Ananias and his wife Sapphira had been guilty of performing. Acts 5:three: “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie for the Holy Spirit…?”
E. HE Could be RESISTED…
1. As Stephen charged the Jewish leaders of performing – Acts 7:51 This they did by resisting the message and persecuting the messengers who have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Acts 7: 52-53
In my opinion, much too fantastic an emphasis has been placed on the gift of tongues – so much in order that an ungodly caste program in the haves and have-not’s has developed in some groups – despite the promise of Scripture that you shall get POWER (NOT tongues) when the Spirit comes upon you; power to become a witness (literally, a martyr). Request my study entitled “Speaking of speaking in tongues.”