The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Written by my wife)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

My favorite parable from Jesus is The Parable of the Lost Sheep.  It is proof that Jesus loves us and does not want any of us to perish spiritually.  He is actively seeking out each and every one of us, and wants to welcome us into His fold.

There is more than one version of this parable, so I'll start with the one from Matthew:

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.  “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.  Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.  Matthew 18:10-14
 
As I am writing this, I am realizing there is so much to say on this topic, that it may be difficult to say all that is rattling around in my brain.  I pray I can convey all God is laying on my heart. 
 

 
First of all, Jesus already gave His life for us.  He shed us holy, sinless blood on the cross with the desire that we might live with Him forever. 
 
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16
 
Christ does not have to do anything else; it is up us to choose to accept God's precious gift.  Yet, in spite of this fact, God still actively seeks each of us out and calls us to Him.  He will search for the one lost sheep that has wandered away.
 

 
I would next like to focus on what it means to be lost.  The bible makes it clear that we are all like sheep that have gone astray.   
 
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6

Or put it another way:
 
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23
 
Which means we are all in need of God's saving grace.  In another blog I will explore more on the topic that, although God is full of grace and mercy, there is a whole lot more to salvation than most churches preach.  For today, I will keep it more simple.
 
We all have sinned, but being a lost sheep does not just refer to those who have not received Christ as their Savior.  For one thing, we all sin most every day (without losing our salvation), which means we confess our sins daily.  There are those, whoever, who have been saved and have backslidden.  Therefore, to me this parable is also about those who received Christ as Lord of their life, then later fell away.  In other words, one can become lost again, even after God found you.
 
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.  Revelation 2:5
 
There is no shame in admitting that we have done wrong and allow God to change us from the inside out.  Sometime that requires a daily cleansing and always a daily self-examination of our hearts.
 
Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalm 119:175-176

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 

 
Jesus loves us all very much and wants to rescue us from a life of sin.  He will never stop chasing us.  His Word shows He has compassion for us and longs to capture us forever.  He wants to teach us, guide us, direct us, encourage us.  He wants us to cling to the folds of His robes and learn at His feet (by daily reading the Bible).
 
And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.  Mark 6:34
 
Once we have been rescued, we are to remain changed.  We are not to give into the temptations of the world.  Reading the words of Jesus will really encourage and guide you in your daily walk.  Obviously, there is nothing wrong with the Old Testament and I love and study the entire bible.  However, if you truly want to learn and grow and be worthy of being rescued, studying the gospels and really allowing Jesus' own words to sink deep into your heart and soul will transform you.  I can say from experience that really focusing on the words of Christ will make you calmer and feel more at peace with every day life.  It will make it easier to live a life set apart from the ways of the world.   
 
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  1 Peter 2:1-3 & 21-25
 

Jesus referred to Himself as "The Good Shepherd," and He is indeed good.  Life is often full of pain, sorrow, and frustration, but God's love never changes.  Jesus is the only way to Salvation and a life of peace. 

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.   “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.  The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.   “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”  John 10:7-18

Since I started with the Parable of the Lost Sheep from Matthew, I will end with the version of Luke: 

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying:  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.  Luke 15:1-7
 

Understanding The New Covenant

Understanding  The New Covenant

 

Colossians 2: 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,  17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

There are many groups today that are teaching that God requires Christians to be Torah observant, but this is contrary to Scripture. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and wiped out the requirements of it, as well as taken it out of the way, through his death upon the cross (Col 2:14-17).  The Lord’s atonement provided for a new covenant that is based upon faith, as well as grace (unmerited favor).  The Law given to Moses by angels was necessary to teach us about sin, it was our school master, and as children the Israelites were kept by it, but as children they were also slaves to it (Gal 3:19-25).  But through Christ’s atonement upon the cross we have now been justified by faith, and are no longer slaves to the Law, but free men, who are sons, heirs of God (Gal 4:1-7). To put the heavy yoke of the Mosaic Law upon the necks of free men is to bring them under bondage, as well as a curse (Gal 3:10-14). The apostle Paul said that to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage by trying to be justified by the Law, will make you estranged from Christ, as well as fallen from grace.

 Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Under the old covenant of the Law, men were required to be circumcised, as a sign of being in covenant with God, but the sign of being in covenant with Christ today, is water baptism. Through water baptism we proclaim, as well as identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Under the old covenant, if a person was caught in adultery they would be stoned to death, but Christ said, that he who is without sin cast the first stone. Also, Christ taught that the old custom of eye for an eye, or tooth for a tooth, was replaced by turning the other cheek when slapped or wronged. Also, the dietary laws of the old testament were set in place to symbolize sin, but all food is declared to be clean through prayer, (Mark7:14-23) (1 Timothy 4:1-5) (Rom 14:1-6).

 I have never met a truly Torah observant person in my life. If a person buys a shirt that is a mix of polyester and cotton he is in violation of Torah, or a farmer raises two different crops within the same field, he is also in violation of Torah. If your house has mold in it, you are required to burn it down according to the Mosaic Law. I could go on and on with many examples of how it is impossible to keep the old Law.

 The early new testament Christians, as well as Christians  today, were and are, being influenced by those who teach that we are required to keep the Mosaic law.  The Apostles and Elders of the church at Jerusalem, under the leadership of James, the brother of Christ, made a decree concerning this matter. They were all in agreement, that the keeping of the Law should not be required of the Gentile Christians. They only asked that they would abstain from sexual immorality, eating food sacrificed to idols, eating of things strangled, as well as, the consumption of blood.  No further requirements were put upon these new converts.  But the new testament is clear that we need to be born again in order to be truly saved.  To be born again, we must repent and turn away from our sins, as well as, live a separated lifestyle from that of the sinful world.  We must truly make Jesus Christ the Lord of every area of our lives. The Law and the Prophets are fulfilled in one statement, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, as well as love your neighbor as yourself.  Below, I have listed the Scriptures addressed in this writing.    

 The Jerusalem Decree

Acts15:19  Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,  20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.  21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them:  The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment—  25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.  28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:  29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

 

Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3: 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”  11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”  12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 Purpose of the Law

Galatians 3: 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.  20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.  22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.  24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Galatians 4: Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all,  2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.  3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born  of a woman, born under the law,  5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”  7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Two Covenants

Galatians 4: 1 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?  22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.  23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,  24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—  25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—  26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.  27 For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband.” 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.  29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.  30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”  31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Galatians 5: 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.  4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Galatians 5: 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

Dietary laws

Mark 7: 14 When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:  15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.  16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!” 17 When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  18 So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,  19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”  20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.  21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,  2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,  3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;  5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.  2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.  3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.  4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

 

Islamic Terrorism Threat

 

Islamic Terrorism Threat 

Recently, we witnessed the horrific attacks in France that was carried out by Islamic extremists. One week prior to these attacks, the Lord warned me about them. These type of attacks are very small in comparison to what is coming upon the world soon. We also witnessed the crash of a Russian passenger plane in the Sini Peninsula of Egypt, in which over 200 people died, it is believed that this plane was most likely brought down by a bomb, or a surface to air missile. In response, Russia has prohibited all flights from Egypt from entering their country. The Islamic State terrorist group has declared Jihad (holy war) on every nation that is opposing them in Syria, as well as Iraq.  Around a year ago, the Lord gave me a dream that Islamic terrorist groups would shortly begin to carry out attacks here in America, and some of the attacks would eclipse 911. The Lord specifically named the Islamic State terrorist group, but he also made it clear that they would not be working alone. God’s hand of protection is being removed from America, because America has removed God from their lives. God is also not pleased with the brutal war campaign that America, as well her allies, waged against Iraq and Afghanistan. This war was unjustified in the eyes of God and judgment will be the result. Another reason for the soon coming judgment is the legalization of gay marriage, the Lord told me over four years ago that the Supreme Court would make gay marriage the law of the land and that judgment would soon follow. This country has become Sodom and Gomorrah, how can we expect God’s blessing or favor.

 The Lord also showed me that the result of Islamic terrorism, will be an economic collapse. There will also be an unsuccessful revolution by some groups against the government. This will eventually be put down, but it may lead to martial law. I believe that Russia will most likely strike America during this time of chaos, when America is most vulnerable. We will be plunged into war and eventually China will join Russia in this war. China will one day occupy this nation, as a new world order comes on the scene. Those who are wise, will prepare for this time and should seek God as to where to relocate to. Get out of the cities ASAP, and go remote!

 I love America and I pray for my country. This nation, was founded as a Christian nation, and once it was a light to the entire world, but now America has gone after strange gods, and has removed God, as well as his laws, from sight and sound. As a nation, we need to repent, and seek after God, and return to the Father who has blessed and prospered this nation, but this will not happen. The sun is going down upon mankind and the twelfth hour is now upon us. For more information, please read my posting entitled, War, Famine and Endtime Preparation. http://twelfthhourendtimeministries.blogspot.com/2015/01/war-famine-and-endtime-preparation.html

 

 First Seal: The Conqueror

Rev 6:1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”  2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Second Seal: Conflict on Earth

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

 

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.  6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

 

Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.”  8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

 

Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.  10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

 

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.  13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.  14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.  15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,  16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!  17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”    

Dream of the Pilgrim

 

 

Dream of the Pilgrim

 

On August 2, the Lord gave me a dream similar to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. Although the dream was not as long or as detailed, as Bunyan’s dream, it was at least two hours in length. I will give a condensed version of the dream. As the dream began, I was looking down upon a ship that appeared to be from the Colonial era. Then I was standing within the ship talking to my wife, I explained to her that we were in Plymouth, Massachusetts and the ship was a reproduction of the Mayflower. We then discussed how America was founded as a Christian nation, as well as how most Americans have removed God from sight and sound in order to pursue their own pleasures. I also understood that Christians are pilgrims passing through this world, with the responsibility of sharing the Gospel with the unsaved.

Then I noticed a large staircase ascending into the air with many rooms attached at different levels. I began to ascend the staircase, and I entered a room that resembled a ballroom filled with people dressed in formal attire. I was told by the Lord that these people were lovers of pleasure more than of God, and most of them never read a single verse from the Bible in their life. I then noticed that many of the people were carrying glasses of wine in their hands, and most were drunk.
 
Then I entered a room filled with men drunk from the wine of sin, and there was broken glass everywhere. Many of the men were passed out, and some were dead. Then the Lord said to me that the wages of sin is death.
Then I entered another room filled with men that had lost all hope and they were very depressed. I could feel their despair and it was quite overwhelming, it gave me a strong sense of compassion for these men. The Lord said that this was the place of despair, and true peace was found only in a relationship with him.
 Then I noticed a room at the very top of the staircase, and it was very high in the air. I entered the room, and I noticed a pulpit with three crosses engraved on it, as well as altars for kneeling all around the room.  Above the room there was no ceiling, only a beautiful sky filled with the golden light of God’s glory. The Lord said to me that this was the place of repentance and new birth. I understood that if a person would repent of their sins, as well as put their faith in Christ, that they would experience true peace, as well as joy, and would discover the true meaning of life. Then I departed the room and began to descend the staircase.

I then noticed a man climbing the staircase toward the upper room, he was covered with leprosy, and he stank with a pungent body odor from sin. I felt unconditional love for this man and I would do anything I could to help him, I didn’t care what he looked like or the smell that came from his body.  I reached out my arm to him and asked if I could give him a hand.  I helped pull him up, and I gave him a hug, and told him that I loved him. I told him that I knew what was in the upper room, and he replied, “Don’t tell me, I must find out for myself.” Then before the man ascended the staircase to this upper room, I told him that things were going to get a whole lot better! Then the Lord told me that after this man repented of his sins and experienced the new birth, he would be healed from sin, as well as given a white garment.  This was the end of dream.

 I awoke from this dream in tears, because I could feel the
love that God has for his creation. I understood that God loved mankind so much that he was willing to leave his throne in Glory and become a man and die on the cross for us. The Lord is willing to forgive us of all of our sins, no matter how big they are if we will repent of them, repentance means to turn away from them. The Lord is very patient, as well as merciful with each of us, he gives us time to grow in our Christian walk. We enter the Kingdom of God as a baby, we learn to walk by taking baby steps at first, we also start off on milk, then eventually we mature to strong meat. The Lord does not expect perfection, but he does expect us to grow spiritually, as well as to produce good fruit (Galatians 5). We are also called to be set apart from the sinful world, if a person is truly born again it will show in their lifestyle. Also consider these Scriptures.

 1 John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Timothy 6: 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Cor 7:10  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Luke 15:7  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

  1 Cor 6: 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.                 

The Finish Line

The Finish Line

 

Most churches today are not teaching their people the truth in regard to salvation. They are taught that by simply reciting the sinner’s prayer that they are saved and the angels are singing in Heaven. The sinner’s prayer is a great prayer when done in sincerity, but this alone does not save a person’s soul, it is just the beginning. Most churches today are not teaching their people to repent of their sins and to be born again. To be born again, a person must become a new creation in Christ, and this means to be set apart from the world and unto God. The Apostle Paul addressed his letters to the saints in Christ, the word saint means, set apart ones, so Paul’s letters were to the set apart ones. In Romans chapter six Paul teaches that we are not to continue in sin but we must live for Christ. If Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of your life then his attributes will be apparent in your life. Christ said that any tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Also note, that in the following verse Paul said that we are being saved, therefore we must never become complacent in our spiritual walk .  2 Cor 2:15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

 

This life of probation, may be compared to running a race. We run this race of life hoping to obtain the prize, which is eternal life with God, but if we do not complete the race and cross the finish line, then all is lost. Even Paul said that if he didn’t discipline his body to bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Paul was saying that like a runner in a race keeps his body in good physical condition, we must also keep our spiritual body in good condition so that we might be able to cross the finish line and win our crown.  1 Cor 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Christ said that those who endure unto the end shall be saved, if we fail to cross the finish line in victory, then all is lost. Matt 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matt 24: 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.  14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. The lukewarm church of the end time is preaching a greasy grace message that makes people feel good, instead of  teaching them the truth. When there is no distinction between the sinful world and the saints, then the salt has lost it’s savor and the truth has been turned into a lie. If we live, dress, talk, as well as act like sinners, then we are lost as well. Christ made atonement upon the cross for sins committed in ignorance, as well as for sins that are repented of. If we do not repent of willful sins, then there is no forgiveness. Atonement is not automatic, it follows repentance. No one is perfect of course, but we are called to righteousness, and this means to live right.

 

Many people profess to know God but deny him by their actions. If we know Christ then we should have the mind of Christ, as well as bear good fruit. Christ said that if you love him then you will obey his commandments.   Titus 1: 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.  15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

 

  Also, consider the parable of the sower of seed.   Matt 13: 18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:  19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.  20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.  22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” In this parable Christ illustrates how many people fall away from the faith because they have no strong root. The seed is the Word of God and many people don’t understand what they read and the wicked one (Satan) will deceive them and steal what was sown in their heart, these have fallen by the wayside. Others who have no root, endure for awhile, then fall away from Christ because of hard times, or persecution, or tribulation, these people may hold prominent positions within the church, or may have been professing Christians for years, but they usually blame God for some tragedy or circumstance in their life and fall away. I have known many people who have fallen away from Christ due to hardship. Others, the deceitfulness of riches or the cares of the world, choke the word and they become unfruitful. God’s Word teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil, but many of the television evangelists, as well as mega church leaders are into money worship and are leading the masses astray, the prosperity gospel is the polar opposite of the teachings of Christ. Christ said, that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of an needle, than for a rich man to enter Heaven. But he who received the seed on good ground, produced fruit, thirty, sixty or one hundred fold. Not every Christian will produce the same degree of good fruit, some may produce only 30 fold fruit, but they are still doing their best to pursue Christ. If we produce zero fruit then we are in serious trouble. The parable of the sower of seed, very clearly shows us that it is possible to fall away from Christ.

 

The Book of Revelation was given to the Apostle John by the angel of Jesus Christ. Within Revelation, Christ gave warnings to the various churches that they must keep the commandments of God or they would be cast away. In Rev 2:4 Christ told them that they had left their first love, he told them to repent, and do their first works over or he would remove their lampstand from it’s place. He also told the church of Sardis to repent, because their works, were not found to be perfect before God. Christ told the church of Laodicea that because they are lukewarm that he would vomit them out of his mouth. As you can see, the Word of God teaches us that it is very possible to fall from grace, due to sin, or lack of faith. It is time for the lukewarm churches to wake up and stop leading people astray. James states the truth very clearly, when he said that faith without works is dead.

 

Rev 2: 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

 

Rev 3:1  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.  2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

 

Rev 3: 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—  18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

        

Christian Marriage Principles

Christian Marriage Principles

 

Satan’s desire is to destroy the Christian family in order to ruin our testimony, as well as render us useless for God’s work. That is why it is important for our marriages to be grounded in Christ, for if Christ is the foundation, then when the storms of life come, our marriages will remain strong and unshakable. It is also important to remain clothed with the armor of Christ to be able to stand against the evil one in these dark times. Our society is trying to redefine marriage by legalizing gay marriage, but God is the author of the marriage covenant and he has determined that it is between a man and a woman. It is sad that in our public schools today, gay marriage is being endorsed, as well as encouraged, I believe that this is a sure sign of the end of the age.

Choosing the spouse that we will spend our life with is the most important decision that we will ever make, only our relationship with the Lord is of more importance. That is why we should seek the Lord with fasting and prayer concerning whom we choose. It is also very important to thoroughly get to know the person before making that lifetime commitment. I have known young people who were in such a hurry to get married that they hardly knew their spouse and then suffered the consequences. It is a good idea for most people to get pre-marriage counseling from their Pastor or another Christian counselor before walking down that aisle. Spiritual, as well as emotional maturity is very important to a stable marriage. Women want a man to be confident, strong, as well as be a spiritual and physical leader, and men want a woman to be nurturing, loving, supportive, and Christ centered.

A Christian should be loyal to their spouse in every way and should never flirt with the opposite sex. I have witnessed many married people flirt with others in the workplace and it is very disturbing. Many of these people were professing Christians and one was even a pastor in his fifties. We live in a very promiscuous society where people are bound by lust, and believe that there is grace for everything. Many believe that it is okay for a married person to have friends of the opposite sex but this is seldom innocent. I have witnessed these friendships between professing Christians of the opposite sex and it always led to an emotional bonding, and the men always developed feelings for the woman. Your spouse is the person that you should be emotionally bonded to, not Joe or Sally in the workplace. Fraternization is the first step toward adultery.

Our so-called progressive society has blurred the roles of men and women. A man is called by God to be the leader of the family and his wife is called to be submissive to him, but our society calls these old fashioned values archaic. I don’t believe that a husband should be abusive or a dictator to his wife, but should love her as his own body and be willing to give his life for her, Ephesians 5:22-25.  A spouse should put the needs of their mate before their own, as well as be tender hearted towards them. If biblical principles are applied to a marriage there will be harmony. Wives should honor their husbands and allow them to be the leader of the household and never be condescending or controlling. And children should respect their parents and not try to rule over them. A big reason for the dysfunctionality of the family today is due to what people view on television, as well as the internet. The liberal culture is shaping the lives of our children, and many men are addicted to pornography because of this technology.

Another big problem today is that families don’t spend quality time together. Our lives are busy and quite often both parents work and our children are being raised by babysitters, as well as television. Most jobs today require a person to be married to them instead of their spouse. If possible, a mother should stay home and raise her own children and the father should take a job where he has the time to spend with his family. Most kids today seldom see their fathers and this is not God’s plan for the family. Work is honorable but a paycheck cannot replace a parent. Sometimes it is better to live in a smaller house and drive a cheaper car in order to have more time with your family. Below is a list of scriptures on marriage.

 1 Cor 7: 1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

1 Cor 7: 10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Ephesians 5:22  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

The Afterlife

 

 

The Afterlife

 

There are two prevailing views of the afterlife. One is called soul sleep, it teaches that the soul/spirit of a person goes into temporary extinction after the death of the body until the resurrection, the other teaches that the soul/spirit goes immediately to Paradise or Hell. Both views, are considered to be orthodox within Christianity. I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that the soul/spirit of a person survives the death of the body and we will examine what the Bible teaches. 

First, I would like to share two visions that I have had of Paradise. After spending some time in prayer, I fell asleep and I found myself standing in the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. The grass was very lush green and full of all types of flowers, and everything glowed with a white celestial light. There were also many trees, of all varieties and I saw butterflies, as well as heard birds singing. The colors were more vivid than anything that I have ever seen on earth. There was a bright blue sky overhead and I heard angels singing above me, but could not see them. I could hear the gentle, soft, strumming of harps, and the angels were singing, “holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come”. I then woke up from this experience wishing that I could remain in this place forever. I understood in the vision that this was the abode of the departed spirits, awaiting their resurrection. 

The second vision that I have had of Paradise occurred around a year later. Both visions, were given me due to the death of family members. The second vision also occurred while I was asleep. I dreamed that I was standing on a cliff overlooking a beautiful sea that was smooth as glass in appearance. There was a very comforting warm breeze blowing on me from this sea. The sky was glowing with many colors similar to a sunset, but without a sun, because God gives the light upon his celestial kingdom. I saw people dressed in white robes conversing with one another, in what appeared to be an amphitheater next to the sea. I recognized some of the people to be departed family members. Everyone appeared to be in their twenties, as well as perfect in appearance. These night visions confirmed to me what many others have shared with me over the years. I have had six co- workers share with me their near death experiences at varies different jobs that I have worked, also my late mother had many visions of the afterlife. 

I do not believe in eternal torment, because God is not a monster, he will not torture a person for all eternity. I believe that Hell (Sheol, Hades), is the prison where unsaved souls are kept until judgment day. I believe that this prison may have different sections or levels of punishment. I have talked to different people who experienced Hell during a near death experience, and they all described Hell as a very cold, dark pit. Although the apocryphal books are not canon, they show us that the Old Testament Jews very much believed that the soul of a person went to Sheol at death, to either Paradise or prison to await their resurrection. 

  The Bible teaches that after the thousand year reign of Christ on earth, Hell will give up it’s dead for the great white throne judgment. Every man will be judged according to his works, and everyone who’s name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. It says that both Hell, as well as the unsaved will experience this second death. I believe that this destruction of Hell, as well as the unsaved souls is extinction, not eternal torment. The words forever or eternal in the original Greek language of the New Testament, is better translated as a final decree or an irrevocable judgment. In other words, when you read eternal fire or being tormented forever, it is referring to a judge lowering his gavel and decreeing his final judgment, not literally burning forever. The Bible mentions smoke ascending forever and ever in the description of the destruction of Babylon, but we know that Babylon is not still burning, this is indicating a final judgment or eternal decree. In Jude, we read of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as described as suffering the vengeance of eternal fire, but we know that these cities are not still burning today. Jude 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Once again, eternal fire means an irrevocable decree. The Bible mentions the destruction of the unsaved souls many times within both the old, as well as the new testament, and this will occur at the great white throne judgment.  Ezekiel 18: 4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die. Matt 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 

 

I would now like to give scriptural evidence against the soul sleep doctrine. The Apostle Paul said that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  2 Cor 5:6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.  8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Paul also said that he was hard pressed whether to remain in the flesh, or to depart and be with Christ. Philippians 1:22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.  23 For  I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.  24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. These scriptures prove that Paul believed that the soul of the Christian went immediately to Christ at death. Paul also mentions a man who was caught up into Paradise in the third heaven. 2 Cor 12: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.  3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—  4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ said to the thief on his right hand, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise”. Luke 23: 39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” The Lord also gave us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus died, and was carried by the Angels to Abraham’s bosom (Paradise). The rich man also died, and was tormented in a flame in Hell. Abraham and the rich man carried on a conversation and Abraham said to him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent. But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” This passage is clearly speaking of conscious souls having dialogue in Sheol. Abraham even mentions that some will not be persuaded even though one rise from the dead. Yet some Christians claim this passage is speaking of after the resurrection, but anyone who reads this literally knows otherwise.   

Luke 16: 19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.  20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,  21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.  23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’  25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.  26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house,  28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’  29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’  30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”  

When Christ died, he descended into Sheol and preached the gospel to the souls in prison who were disobedient during the time of Noah. These unsaved souls died during the flood of Noah but were given the chance of salvation after death.  1 Peter 3: 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

1 Peter 4: 6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

These scriptures prove that the soul/spirit survives the death of the body and goes directly to Paradise or prison to await the resurrection of the body. God Bless!

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

 

In order to live an overcoming Christian life in these dark times it is essential that we be filled with God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, he is the portion of God’s Spirit that indwells us, as well as ministers to us. It is God’s will that we all experience the fullness of God and that is only possible by receiving his Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not automatic with salvation, it is a second act of grace that must be sought after with prayer accompanied by faith. The experience known as the baptism in the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Ghost, is where the Holy Spirit actually comes to indwell a person, as well as immerse them in power. Many teach that when you are born again you receive the Holy Spirit, but this is not the case. Acts chapter eight gives us the example of the Samaritans who had accepted Christ as their Savior, as well as were baptized, but they had not yet received God’s Spirit. Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,  15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.  16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 There are examples within Scripture where the Spirit is given through the laying on of hands, but this is not the only way. One cannot put God in a box, this means that God does things his way and not according to man’s doctrines. Although there are many examples of the Spirit being given through the laying on of hands, the Apostles were filled with the Spirit in the house where they were seeking God. My parents both received the Spirit while praying on their knees in their bedroom. At that time they had never heard of tongues or Pentecostals, they both felt a wind enter the bedroom and my Dad spoke in unknown tongues and my Mom interpreted. They were whole-heartedly seeking God and asking him for all that he had for them. My parents were later in the prophetic ministry for over thirty years and they witnessed many miracles done by God’s Spirit. The old time Pentecostals understood that you must seek after, as well as tarry for the Holy Spirit. This means that you don’t give up if you don’t immediately receive the baptism. A person must repent of their sins and become a clean vessel for the Spirit to enter. Sinful bondages, as well as un-forgiveness may block a person from being filled.

 If you are baptized in the Holy Spirit you will most certainly know it, for you will either feel God’s Spirit upon you, or you will experience one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Most people speak in unknown tongues when they are filled with the Spirit, but not always. The evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is one or more of the gifts of the Spirit at work in your life. 1 Cor chapter twelve lists the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.  1 Cor 12: 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.  6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.  7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,  9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit,  10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The gift of speaking in unknown tongues comes in two forms. There is a prayer language that benefits the believer only, and there is the giving of a message in tongues to an assembly that must be interpreted. Here are scriptures concerning the prayer language. 1 Cor 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands  him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

  The apostle Paul teaches that gifts of the Spirit must be done in an orderly manner. 1 Cor 14: 26 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.  27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.  28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.  29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.  30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.  31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.  32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

We are living in the end times and there is a great apostasy (falling away from the truth) occurring within the churches. That is why it is crucial that believers use discernment concerning the manifestation of spiritual experiences. There are many counterfeit revivals occurring with demonic signs and wonders that are deceiving many believers. Within these false revivals people are barking like dogs while crawling on the floor, mooing like cows and roaring like lions. Many are experiencing drunkenness to the point that they are being pulled over by the police after leaving a revival. Some people are even falling out on the floor in restaurants laughing hysterically. God is not the author of confusion or lawlessness, Satan is. Drunkenness, uncontrollable laughter, making animal sounds, sticking to the floor, heads shaking back and forth, are examples of the demonic manifestations occurring. Revivalist Todd Bently was having an affair with a woman during his Lakeland revival. He later divorced his wife and married this woman. This is an example of the immoral behavior going on by many so-called revivalists.

 These same manifestations occur within Kundalini Hinduism, as well as other forms of occultism. David Wilkerson has some good videos exposing the demonic within Christianity. Back in 2013 I posted some videos on this on my Facebook page. Many Christians are afraid of supernatural experiences because of the demonic manifestations, but we need to allow God’s true gifts to be in operation within the church. It is not good to quench God’s Spirit or to be afraid of it. For God does give visions, dreams, work miracles, heal the sick etc. We need to pray over experiences and use sound judgment. The reason for this unholy spirit that has invaded the church is loose living, as well as unsound doctrine. The preaching of holiness has been replaced by the lukewarm grace for everything doctrine.

Here are some more scriptures on the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

 Acts 2:1   When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place.  2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.   4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  

Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.  15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.  16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.

19 I will show wonders in heaven above

And signs in the earth beneath:

Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,

And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.