Friday, January 10, 2020
Getting to Know the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson
Hallelujah, "the Holy Spirit does not manipulate us with feelings!!!! I know Him by what He is doing in me and the fruits of His ministry."
Sin Does Not Work For Many People
Sin has not worked for many people and yet they keep doing it over and over again expecting a different result.
Einstein said this: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. "
So many arrogant and self righteous people keep acting this way over and over again while destroying their relationships in the process.
Instead of confessing to be cleansed to restore what they lost, they keep hoping others will just get over it and accept their angst that destroys.
Irrational!!!!!
What these people need to know is that arrogance and self righteousness is sin and must be expunged from their life. The only way it can be removed is if Christ makes them into a new creation in which they no longer want to be like this, rather they will love to be like Christ.
Relationships are only restored through confession of sin as well as a desire to be changed by Christ. Then those who have been offended can legitimately be forgiving.
Those who refuse to confess cannot expect a relationship to be restored when the offended party cannot trust them to be different from their normal responses.
It is when there is confession and sorrow over sin that the offended party can forgive to restore. There must be renewed trust, but this cannot happen when the offender thinks they did no wrong and has no desire to act differently.
We cannot continue sinning and expect relationships to remain secure.
Matthew 18:15-16 "15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’…"
Einstein said this: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. "
So many arrogant and self righteous people keep acting this way over and over again while destroying their relationships in the process.
Instead of confessing to be cleansed to restore what they lost, they keep hoping others will just get over it and accept their angst that destroys.
Irrational!!!!!
What these people need to know is that arrogance and self righteousness is sin and must be expunged from their life. The only way it can be removed is if Christ makes them into a new creation in which they no longer want to be like this, rather they will love to be like Christ.
Relationships are only restored through confession of sin as well as a desire to be changed by Christ. Then those who have been offended can legitimately be forgiving.
Those who refuse to confess cannot expect a relationship to be restored when the offended party cannot trust them to be different from their normal responses.
It is when there is confession and sorrow over sin that the offended party can forgive to restore. There must be renewed trust, but this cannot happen when the offender thinks they did no wrong and has no desire to act differently.
We cannot continue sinning and expect relationships to remain secure.
Matthew 18:15-16 "15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’…"
A Faithless Generation Seeks a Sign
A Faithless Generation Seeks a Sign
There are signs but we do not seek them and they are backed up by Scripture.
Many people are looking for signs and practicing rituals when they should just be reading their bibles and believing God.
It is lack of faith that seeks after a sign.
Matthew 16:4 "4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” "
There are signs but we do not seek them and they are backed up by Scripture.
Many people are looking for signs and practicing rituals when they should just be reading their bibles and believing God.
It is lack of faith that seeks after a sign.
Matthew 16:4 "4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” "
The Devil's Tactics Have Not Changed
The same tactics that the devil used on Eve to cause her to be against God he is using today in all families.
The devil still says: "you can be healthy and wealthy if you just pretend God will give it to you" AND "if God doesn't give it to you He should."
God says: Jeremiah 49:4 "Why do you boast of your valleys, your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, 'Who can come against me?'"
The devil says: "if you are a good Christian everyone will love you."
God says: John 15:18-20
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
The devil still says: "God is withholding information from you that you need to know. There is special knowledge that you need to figure out for yourself."
God says: Proverbs 4:10-12 "…10 Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble."
The devil still says: "your mother and father didn't do enough for you, you should reject them."
God says: Ephesians 6:1-3 "1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”…"
The devil still says: "Your mother/father was mean and your father/mother was the one you can influence on your side."
God says: Proverbs 6:20-21 "20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.…"
The devil still says: "looking good to others makes you a better person."
God says: John 7:24
"24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
The devil still says: "as long as you do the right kind of rituals you will be close to God."
God says: Matthew 7:7-9 "…7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ 8 You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” 9 He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the commandment of God to maintain your own tradition.…"
The devil still says: "You can divorce if you want to, God lied when He said that divorce was not of Him."
God says: Malachi 2:16
"16 For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
The devil still says: "You don't have to think of others you must love yourself first."
God says: Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…'
The devil still says: "you need to fit into the culture to be effective Christians."
1 John 2:15-18
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."
So many things the modern church is protecting today are lies from the devil. He has a foothold in many if not most church gatherings today.
Seek Christ not men!!!!! Hallelujah
The devil still says: "you can be healthy and wealthy if you just pretend God will give it to you" AND "if God doesn't give it to you He should."
God says: Jeremiah 49:4 "Why do you boast of your valleys, your valleys so fruitful, O faithless daughter? You trust in your riches and say, 'Who can come against me?'"
The devil says: "if you are a good Christian everyone will love you."
God says: John 15:18-20
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."
The devil still says: "God is withholding information from you that you need to know. There is special knowledge that you need to figure out for yourself."
God says: Proverbs 4:10-12 "…10 Listen, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble."
The devil still says: "your mother and father didn't do enough for you, you should reject them."
God says: Ephesians 6:1-3 "1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”…"
The devil still says: "Your mother/father was mean and your father/mother was the one you can influence on your side."
God says: Proverbs 6:20-21 "20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck.…"
The devil still says: "looking good to others makes you a better person."
God says: John 7:24
"24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
The devil still says: "as long as you do the right kind of rituals you will be close to God."
God says: Matthew 7:7-9 "…7 They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ 8 You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” 9 He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the commandment of God to maintain your own tradition.…"
The devil still says: "You can divorce if you want to, God lied when He said that divorce was not of Him."
God says: Malachi 2:16
"16 For I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts. “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”
The devil still says: "You don't have to think of others you must love yourself first."
God says: Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…'
The devil still says: "you need to fit into the culture to be effective Christians."
1 John 2:15-18
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."
So many things the modern church is protecting today are lies from the devil. He has a foothold in many if not most church gatherings today.
Seek Christ not men!!!!! Hallelujah
Impact of the Devil's Influence!
This may be a little superficial on the face of it but perhaps it says something to us about the offer of salvation to the whole world.
When we walk into the animal shelter where the kittens are kept, we desire to get to know all of them. The ones we accept are those who come to us, those who are interested in us. We leave alone those who run away or try to bite us. This might be similar to the offer of salvation to everyone. Christ died for everyone and extends His love to everyone but most will not want Him. The ones we take home with us are the ones who want us.
There were two thieves on the cross beside Christ. One of them acknowledged the glory of Christ and asked to be remembered in his repentance. The other thief mocked and rejected Christ. The one who asked to be remembered was in paradise with Christ that very day. The one who refused Christ had to die on that cross and go to hell.
Mankind has a choice to make, trust in Christ because of His payment for our sin and go to heaven or to reject Him and go to hell.
The choice is simple but pride looms large over those who think they want to be bigger than Christ, just as the devil did in heaven. The devil is going to hell for his rebellion and so are people who reject Christ.
The astonishing thing about those who reject Christ is that Christ offers an eternity with pure love and justice while the devil offers them an eternity of death in hell. This is just how irrational the mind of a rebellious person is, so angry and so foolish they will reject Christ to have their own way even if it sends them to hell.
These same unregenerate people act this way with born again believers. They are so bent on being superior, just like the devil, having their own way, just like the devil and exacting revenge, just like the devil, that they are unable to see truth and the benefit to themselves if they trusted Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
When we walk into the animal shelter where the kittens are kept, we desire to get to know all of them. The ones we accept are those who come to us, those who are interested in us. We leave alone those who run away or try to bite us. This might be similar to the offer of salvation to everyone. Christ died for everyone and extends His love to everyone but most will not want Him. The ones we take home with us are the ones who want us.
There were two thieves on the cross beside Christ. One of them acknowledged the glory of Christ and asked to be remembered in his repentance. The other thief mocked and rejected Christ. The one who asked to be remembered was in paradise with Christ that very day. The one who refused Christ had to die on that cross and go to hell.
Mankind has a choice to make, trust in Christ because of His payment for our sin and go to heaven or to reject Him and go to hell.
The choice is simple but pride looms large over those who think they want to be bigger than Christ, just as the devil did in heaven. The devil is going to hell for his rebellion and so are people who reject Christ.
The astonishing thing about those who reject Christ is that Christ offers an eternity with pure love and justice while the devil offers them an eternity of death in hell. This is just how irrational the mind of a rebellious person is, so angry and so foolish they will reject Christ to have their own way even if it sends them to hell.
These same unregenerate people act this way with born again believers. They are so bent on being superior, just like the devil, having their own way, just like the devil and exacting revenge, just like the devil, that they are unable to see truth and the benefit to themselves if they trusted Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 "…13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…"
Obeying God not Man
Amen, we can work and work and work to convince someone who only becomes angry at the attempt, they are wasting our time. It might actually be a lack of faith to think we must keep trying, God can do it better than we and knows their heart better than we do.
When we discern that someone is not listening and hostile toward us and God it is prudent and wise to leave them alone. God will tells us when to do this it is best to listen to Him.
However in order to hear God on this matter we must pray and obey the Holy Spirit when He speaks. Too many people pay more attention to the cultural voices around them that keep them in bondage to relationships that diminish their walk with Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
It is sin to carry on with someone who has rejected God, its a form of disloyalty to Him.
Alan Brayshaw said the following;
" Don't waste Your time with People that do not want to be Delivered. They do not want to Change. They like the demons Controlling them. They are just looking for attention but deep down they have no desire to be Holy and Know JESUS. They already have spiritual adultery in their heart. God would deliver them but they kinda like feeling alittle dirty. Without Holiness no one will see the Lord. "
" Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. " Hebrews 12:14
When we discern that someone is not listening and hostile toward us and God it is prudent and wise to leave them alone. God will tells us when to do this it is best to listen to Him.
However in order to hear God on this matter we must pray and obey the Holy Spirit when He speaks. Too many people pay more attention to the cultural voices around them that keep them in bondage to relationships that diminish their walk with Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 " 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.…"
It is sin to carry on with someone who has rejected God, its a form of disloyalty to Him.
Alan Brayshaw said the following;
" Don't waste Your time with People that do not want to be Delivered. They do not want to Change. They like the demons Controlling them. They are just looking for attention but deep down they have no desire to be Holy and Know JESUS. They already have spiritual adultery in their heart. God would deliver them but they kinda like feeling alittle dirty. Without Holiness no one will see the Lord. "
" Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. " Hebrews 12:14
A Statement Can Sound Good and Be Wicked
A statement that sounds good but is unbiblical.
"The best gift you can give yourself is to spend more time with God."
Why is this statement not of God? Its because it is a self focus. We do not spend time with God for ourselves, we spend time with Him because He deserves to be worshiped, to be asked His desires for us that glorify Him.
Many of the modern mantras we hear that sound spiritual these days have a self focus rather than a focus on God's right and desire to be worshiped and consulted.
1 Chronicles 16:29).
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness”
Psalm 95:6
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker”
In the Lord's Prayer given to us by Christ we are told to come to Him in worship first, asking for His will in our lives, asking for our needs to be met, forgiving those who have repented just as He did and to protect us from evil.
When we asked the Lord for forgiveness of our sin, we are then to forgive others who ask for our forgiveness.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’"
The focus of prayer ought to be to come to Christ in humility and worship of Him. When we do this then He will give us the desires of our heart that are in line with His desires.
Psalm 37:3-5 "…3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.…"
Notice in this passage that God will answer our prayers when we trust in Him, delight in Him and commit our ways to Him. This means that we will not be telling God what we want, we will be asking Him what He wants.
"The best gift you can give yourself is to spend more time with God."
Why is this statement not of God? Its because it is a self focus. We do not spend time with God for ourselves, we spend time with Him because He deserves to be worshiped, to be asked His desires for us that glorify Him.
Many of the modern mantras we hear that sound spiritual these days have a self focus rather than a focus on God's right and desire to be worshiped and consulted.
1 Chronicles 16:29).
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness”
Psalm 95:6
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker”
In the Lord's Prayer given to us by Christ we are told to come to Him in worship first, asking for His will in our lives, asking for our needs to be met, forgiving those who have repented just as He did and to protect us from evil.
When we asked the Lord for forgiveness of our sin, we are then to forgive others who ask for our forgiveness.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “Pray, then, in this way:
‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.
12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’"
The focus of prayer ought to be to come to Christ in humility and worship of Him. When we do this then He will give us the desires of our heart that are in line with His desires.
Psalm 37:3-5 "…3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.…"
Notice in this passage that God will answer our prayers when we trust in Him, delight in Him and commit our ways to Him. This means that we will not be telling God what we want, we will be asking Him what He wants.
We Have God's Strength
We all need God's Strength to carry on in a world that has rejected Him. Even those who claim to be Christian seem to be hostile to the truth, only loving those who support their sinful hearts and full of angst toward those who deeply love the Lord and all His ways.
Isaiah 41:10
"10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’"
Isaiah 41:10
"10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’"
How Much Do They Mention God
YES! A good test is to see how much they speak about the Bible or God. How much they bring up spiritual matters without being prompted is also a clue. We talk about what we love!
When we are choosing a spouse or friend it is good to evaluate their responses to you when you bring up the things of God. If you find yourself remaining silent about God in front of them chances are good they have shown they are not interested often enough that you have stopped sharing your heart about God with them.
Alan Brayshaw said this:
"You met your future Spouse at Church? You have a 80% chance they are NOT Born again"
When we are choosing a spouse or friend it is good to evaluate their responses to you when you bring up the things of God. If you find yourself remaining silent about God in front of them chances are good they have shown they are not interested often enough that you have stopped sharing your heart about God with them.
Alan Brayshaw said this:
"You met your future Spouse at Church? You have a 80% chance they are NOT Born again"
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