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The Holy Spirit Church for Today |
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HEALING PRAYING & BELIEVING FOR THE REVELATION BY FAITH BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT & OBTAINING YOUR HEALING DELIVERANCE SWITCHING ON YOUR FIREWALL IDENTIFYING & CASTING OUT DEMONS CAUSE & EFFECT OF GENERATIONAL SIN EXPOSING RELIGIOUS SPIRITS KINGDOM REVELATIONS JESUS CAME TO TURN WATER INTO WINE THE VINE AND THE TREE I AM UNDER GRACE THE GOOD SEEDS REBELLION IS WITCHCRAFT PRESUMPTION IS SIN CHASTISEMENT IS LOVE HE CAME FOR THE SINNER THE SIN FROM WITHIN GOD'S LOVE SIN AND THE COVENANT THE HOLY SPIRIT SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS MANY FALSE PROPHETS SHALL RISE & DECEIVE MANY  In Mark 9, John tells Jesus that he and the other disciples stopped a man casting out demons in His name because the man was not following Jesus like they were. Jesus replies that they should have just let him carry on because as long he was not working against them, he is on the same side as them (V.38-40) You see, not everyone that casts out demons is a prophet. Jesus said such people may call him Lord, prophesy or do many wonderful works but He will deny them because they only hear His words but do not do them; they do not follow Him (Matt.7:22-24).
These are false prophets who look like sheep but are wolves inside. The way to recognise a prophet is by the fruits they produce; not whether they speak in tongues, prophecy or cast out demons. You see, the children of God receive the seed of promise of the Holy Spirit by faith to produce fruits. Good seeds produce good fruits and corrupt seeds produce evil fruits (Matt.7:15-20; Rom.9:7-9; Rom.4:13; Eph.1:13). The 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit including righteousness, truth and holiness (Eph.5:9; Rom.6:22) should be evident in the life of a prophet. Even if a prophet has ever given a word, sign or wonder that comes to pass, it does not mean he will never err. The Lord may use the prophet’s error to test us; whether we follow God or listen to the prophet (Deut.13:1-4) God can use anyone for His purposes, even a non-believer (Jer.43:10). As all gifts and callings are irrevocable (Rom.11:29) and those who believe can cast out demons (Mk.16:17), any supernatural or spiritual demonstration does not indicate a prophet or follower of Jesus. Both good and corrupt seeds will grow together until harvest time for without the corrupt seeds, the good seeds will not be apparent (Matt.13:30; 1Cor.11:19). But we really ought to be more concerned with our own walk with God rather than judge who might be a false prophet for the Lord knows who are His and the heart of those who are towards Him (1Cor.4:5; 2Tim.2:19). A prophet, like everyone else, is still being sanctified (2Tim.2:21) and we should all be working out our salvation with holy fear and reverence (Phil.2:12) until the day of judgement.  Israel broke their covenant with God (Isa.24:5; Jer.11:10) not only because the people failed but also that the leaders offended God. They did not fear God or speak the truths of God. They did not turn people from sin to draw closer to God. As messengers of God, they did not walk in peace and equity with God or had knowledge of the precepts of God. Instead, they caused people to stumble over the law and misunderstand God's plans (Mal.2:5-7). They took to strong drink causing erroneous visions and judgments (Isa.28:6-8) and even slept with helpers of the congregation (1Sam.2:22). Some were violent with their wives yet appeared in grand garments of holy status belying the truth of their marriage (Mal.2:14-16).
God hates hypocrisy but hates it even more in leaders of His people. These leaders honour God with words but have no relationship with Him, teaching doctrines and theologies of men (Mat.15:7-9; Jer.2:8) God was blasphemed among the Gentiles because of such leaders (Rom.2:24) It was so hopeless that God lamented over who would teach His people the right knowledge and doctrine (Isa.28:9). So what could God do to keep us close to Him? God declared that in future, He would not depend on poor leaders to teach His people or let them get in the way of His relationship with us! He said that He himself would put His laws in the hearts of those who reverence Him as God (Jer.31:33-34; Heb.10:15-17) This is through the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things and help us remember the teachings of Christ, the Word of God that we have learnt (Jhn.14:26) The Holy Spirit is for those who thirst, ask and believe on Jesus (Jhn.7:37; Luk.11:13; Acts.19:4). By the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are adopted as children of God and unified into the body of Christ to fulfil our calling ((Rom.8:16; Eph.4:4). We only become the sons of God when our lives are led by His Spirit (Rom.8:14) Are you in a relationship with God? Does He speak to you? Do you hear Him? Make certain you know Him personally and not through another person, teacher, program, organisation or book. Know Him by His Word so that He may lead and teach you Himself. There is no God like Him!  As Christians, we believe that the world was formed by God, that His words brought light into the earth (Gen 1:3) We believe God called out the land, waters and the heavens and spoke out the sun, moon, stars, trees and animals into existence (Gen 1:6-26). We believe what we see are made by things we cannot see (Heb.11:3) In other words, we believe in the unseen spiritual realm (Heb.1:11).
Now, God made a covenant with Abraham to be his God and heavenly Father (Gen.17:7). Like a father, God wants to bless Abraham and his generations forever and like a son, Abraham, and therefore his generations thereafter are to obey and honour God's ways. To break the covenant would be as sin against God (Isa.24:5). After God rescued Abraham's descendants, the Israelites, out of Egypt, they continued doing whatever was right in their own eyes (Deut.12:8). They didn't know they were breaking the covenant or the consequences of it. Thus God gave His statutes for them to understand sin. When God declared His statutes, they became spiritual laws that would govern the invisible spiritual realm forever; like gravity that is unseen but exists. The old covenant was fulfilled by obeying God's laws and was sealed by the outward circumcision of the flesh. Today, the new covenant is fulfilled by obeying the inward convictions (Jhn.16:8) of the circumcised heart (Heb.8:10) sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13). When we accept God as our heavenly Father, we also come under the spiritual implications of this everlasting covenant. All the curses of disobedience and blessings of obedience that were decreed by God are still in force (Deut.28). Though they were God's chosen people, the Israelites did not attain God's righteousness (Roman.10:2-4) because of their disobedience and unbelief (Heb.3). Only 2 out of 600,000 men made it to the Promised Land (Num.14:30). If they who were promised the blessings of God from the beginning were cut off, what more those of us who have only been grafted into the covenant? (Rom 11:21-26). So listen and obey the convictions of the Holy Spirit that you may walk in the righteousness of God and come into the amazing plans and blessings He has for you.  In the beginning, God created man to have a relationship with us for eternity. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, we were no longer righteous by Him and became carnal and spiritually disconnected from God. Eternal life in the spiritual realm ended for man (Gen.2:17). As time went on, the gap between a holy God and sinful man widened, a relationship hindered because we did not know His ways and thus sin and corruption filled the earth (Gen.6:5). From Adam to Moses, generations returned to earth as dust, unable to go back to God in eternal life (Rom.5:14). God loved us and still wanted a relationship with us but being full of sin and unrighteousness, how could we draw close to a holy God again? Thus, God gave us His requirements to live by so that we would understand what sin is. The Israelites agreed to follow God's ways by a blood covenant (Ex.24:7-8). This is like an oath or promise, sealed by the blood of bulls or goats (Heb.10:4). But they kept walking contrary to God's ways, breaking the covenant and so kept sacrificing animals to atone their sins (Isa.1:11-17) They were trying to be righteous by works instead of learning or changing from the heart and perfected the art of animal sacrifice instead of perfecting their walk with God. Now God knew that we could not attain His righteousness in our own strength, so God spilled the blood of His son Jesus Christ, the most perfect and unblemished lamb to atone for all sins forever, putting an end to ineffectual and religious practices. Jesus died so that His Holy Spirit could be shed for us in a new covenant (Rom.5:5) where God puts His laws into our hearts and mind so that we may become of His righteousness by the Holy Spirit and not by religious works (Heb.10:16-18, Titus.3:5). God loved us from the beginning; while Adam’s sin separated us from Him, God made it possible, by the ultimate sacrifice of His blameless son, that we might return to Him in eternity (Rom.5:19). God is not interested in religious rituals. He wants a relationship with you. His arm is still stretched out today (Ps.136:12) to receive all who will change from the heart, turn back to Him and walk in His ways (Luk.15:11-31). God’s love.  In biblical times, people saw Pharisees as righteous and dutiful and saw tax collectors as greedy and dishonest. In Luke.18, Jesus teaches on the heart of God with a parable about two kinds of believers praying in a temple. Jesus said the Pharisee prays, standing tall and proud. He compares himself to the tax collector and boasts that he fasts twice a week and gives tithes. He then thanks God that he is a better man than the tax collector (v.11-12). The tax collector looks down as he prays. He pleads God to be merciful to him and admits he is a sinner (v.13). Jesus then says that the tax collector is more righteous than the Pharisee (v.14), completely opposite to how people saw them! Today, we may judge someone who smokes, has a tattoo or does 'bad’ things as a greater sinner than ourselves and judge someone as righteous because they are dutiful or do good works. This is not how God judges because we judge in the flesh and lean unto our own understanding (Prov.3:5) while God looks inside, on our hearts and weighs our intentions (1Sam.16:7). All of us are sinners who have come short of the glory of God (Rom.3:23). If we think we are worthy and in good standing with God just because we go to a religious building, do good works or give tithes, then we are like the Pharisee. Jesus is not interested in those who pride themselves in being ‘good’. Jesus is interested in the humble sinner whose heart is right towards God, whose heart has been circumcised to the Lord (Jer.4:4). When Jesus said he came for the sinners and not the righteous (Luk.5:32, Mat.9:13, Mk.2:17), He is saying that He came for those who own up to their sins, who recognise they need God, who seek His grace and mercy and are willing to change. Change comes from within when we yield and surrender our own will and transform by renewing of our minds to come into God’s perfect will for us (Rom. 12:2). It says in Psalm.25, ‘Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will He teach sinners in the way. The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach his way’ (v.8-9). When we start to acknowledge our sins from the heart, God will show us His will and way for us.  When God created Adam and Eve, He had hoped to establish a relationship with them for eternity. When they were obedient, they stayed pure and undefiled in the garden (Gen.2:8). When they disobeyed God, the end of their eternal life and the corruption within them began because of their knowledge of good and evil (Gen.2:17). They were banished from the garden and they and future generations, meaning us, could no longer be with God like before. This was how sin began and separated us from God (Isa.59:2). Now, the knowledge of good is not the knowledge of God. When we know what is good, we may try by our own will and strive in our own strength, to do ‘good’. This can become a heavy burden to carry. Being religious is like that; doing good to appear good instead of becoming righteous according to God by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls this hypocrisy (Matt.23:25-28). The knowledge of evil works like this; when we know what is evil or bad, we are somehow tempted to choose it. Many people know telling lies or stealing is wrong, but they still do it! That was what Adam and Eve did; they knowingly acted on the thoughts that were contrary to God. Evil is manifested by disobedience; an unwillingness to listen or follow. Whether doing good or evil, both are set in motion by our own desires, by our own self-will and not by God’s will. The sin within us is when we choose to do what we want, instead of surrendering ourselves and do what God wants. Jesus said that from within the heart of men proceed evil thoughts (Mk.7:20-23). This is where the battlefield is, where we must bring the thoughts of our hearts that are contrary to God to the obedience of Christ and the word of God (2Cor.10:5, John.1:1). He that is within us that is greater than he that is in the world is the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4). He helps us in the battlefield to overcome sin when we allow Him or allow the Christ within us to be risen (Gal.4:19, Eph.4:13). Jesus didn't do what He wanted. He did what God wanted Him to do (Luk.22:42). God has a will for each of us, a purpose for which we are made and it is His hope that you will come to that knowledge and fulfil your calling (Eph.1:18, 4:4).  In today's world, we show love by buying gifts or by doing 'something nice' for someone. People may purposefully spend time together or help someone as an expression of love. When we think of love, we think of romantic songs, candlelit dinners and red roses. Love seems to be a fluffy emotion that also includes the adoration of a famous person or brand. Love revolves around making another feel 'good' and panders to emotions. How much has this carnal and material world influenced our ideas of love? How did we come to think or believe that all these relate to love? Are these instances really love? God's definition of love is not quite the same. His love is sacrifice, for He sacrificed Christ for our sakes. In doing so, God's measure of love is love beyond what we earn or deserve. And unlike the world, God's love corrects, much like how a good parent corrects a child. Correction may not 'feel' good, but it is certainly one of God's expressions of love. This correction comes by the conviction of the Holy Spirit as a sense, a knowing or a hearing of an inner voice. When we experience the witness of the Holy Spirit in us revealing our mistakes, it is for us to yield and repent in order to become more sanctified. God chastens those He loves and those He considers as His sons and daughters. This leads us to produce the fruits of righteousness and holiness, which is needed, if we are to hope to ever meet God (Hebrews.12:5-14). So, rejoice when the Holy Spirit reveals the unrighteousness in your thoughts, words or deeds towards others. It is for your correction. Rejoice, for the Lord regards you as one of His. God perfects us by revealing the truths of ourselves to repent so that we become vessels of honour for His purposes (2Timothy.2:20-26) but we must be willing to receive correction and change our ways. Remember that God first loved you (1John.4:19) and that He chose you and called you out of the darkness into his marvellous light (1Peter.2:9). God, who is love (1John.4:8) and your heavenly Father corrects you so that you may come into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians.4:13). Be encouraged that in correction, God is preparing you to fulfil His plans for you.  In John.8:1-11, a woman who had committed adultery was brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees. By law, she was to be stoned to death. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees to cast the first stone if they were sinless themselves. No one did and they left the woman alone. Jesus then turned to the woman and said that He too (the most sinless and perfect man) would not cast a stone and condemn her. His last words to her were to 'sin no more'. You see, before we knew Christ, we were all carnal beings in our sins. When we confessed Him as Lord and saviour, He became the atonement for the remission of all our sins. We were then given the opportunity to start over again; just like the woman whom Jesus saved and forgave. When Jesus came between us and sin, His atonement was made not for us to continue in sin but so that we would stop doing the things that displeases God and be as perfect before Him. This means we find out what our Lord approves of. But many who have accepted Christ as Lord, presume they know what is good and right in His eyes. They use their own thinking and logic instead of finding out what God says. There is a way which seems right to man, but that way only leads to death (Proverbs.14:12) Even to presume what is right or wrong is a sin to God (Psalm.19:13). It means you are not turning to Him to guide and lead you; you are turning to yourself, to your own thinking or perhaps someone else’s' opinion instead. God has an amazing plan for you; one that you are specially made for. When you presume what's right or wrong and how you should take your next steps, you are not allowing Christ to be the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews.12:2). Stop presuming and start growing your knowledge and understanding by the word so that you can listen better and obey in faith. Deuteronomy.17:13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. Romans.6:1-2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid… Psalm.19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  You are God's creation - He knew you before you were formed in the womb and He created you for His purposes (Psa.139:13-18). You are in God’s plans and you have been built to fulfil a part in the entire scheme of salvation and judgement. You are also loved and precious in God's sight (John.16:27). You see, no one decides to know God by their own will. It is God who draws us to Him (John.6:44). So, if you know God and believe in God, then you have been called of God (Rom.8:28). Now, God made Moses, Abraham and Jesus for His purposes, even Samuel, Anna, Jonah, Elisabeth, Peter, Paul and many more. The common thread for all who were called was that they listened. They drew close to God, listened to what He said and obeyed. This meant they walked perfectly in God's plans for them (Matt.5:47, Rom.12:2). Now there are many mentions of witchcraft in the bible which is the use of divine spiritual powers like familiar spirits or mediums (Lev.20:6). It can be in the form of magic, charms or spells. It includes divination, sorcery, enchantment, soothsaying and even astrology (2 Kings.17:17, Acts.13:6). Essentially, it means going to another source, that is not of God, for guidance and direction, much like what Pharaoh, Saul or King Belshazzar did (Gen.41:8, 1 Sam.28:7, Dan.5:7). You see God made us for His purposes, not for the purposes of some other alternate divine power. When we choose to listen and obey the instructions of a medium, an astrologer or sorcerer, we are actually going head on against God’s plans for us (Mal.3:5). The sin of witchcraft is death (Rev.21:8) and God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. However, His grace is now available for us to repent and turn away from all these practices before it is too late. Rebellion is like witchcraft because to rebel is to be contrary to instructions and contrary to obedience. Hence, the penalty is the same as dabbling in witchcraft. We encourage you to listen and obey God's will for you so that you may receive the promise to the saving of your soul (Heb.10:36-39). Rejoice, as there is now no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk according to the Holy Spirit of God (Rom.8:1). |