Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Abiding in Jesus the Vine
To abide in Christ is to walk by faith and allow the Holy Spirit to make us into a new creation. We must surrender all to Christ and let his love shine forth to others. To know Christ, is to know and show love. Christ is the vine, and we are the branches. Apart from Christ no one can bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-25) is the evidence of a transformed life. We come to Christ as we are, salvation is a free gift that can never be earned through holiness or works. We are saved by grace alone following true repentance. God gives us grace to grow in him. We take baby steps at first and require milk. However, we need to grow spiritually and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, as well as transform us from the inside out. What Christ is looking for in his bride is faith and love. There are nine fruits of the Spirit, the greatest is love, and the other eight revolve around love (see 1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
It is truly as the days of Noah, and the attributes of Satan are visible in most people’s lives. As Christians, we must go against the grain of our cold society and let the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ shine through us. If you have bitterness in your heart toward others, I urge you to let the love of Christ melt away the ice on your heart. Even the roots of bitterness are an open door for the devil to have a stronghold in your life. If you have animosity toward someone, let it go, and let the peace of God rule in your heart and mind.
We have all heard of the golden rule, but did you know that it was coined by Jesus? (Luke6:31) "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." How many of us truly obey it? Would you want someone to cheat you out of your money or lie to you? Would you want someone to deny you a warm place to stay, or a hot meal if you were in need? Do you desire to have someone give you the cold shoulder in your home or workplace? The answer of course is no. We all want to be loved and showed kindness from those around us. Regardless, of how others treat you, as Christians, we are to show unconditional love toward all, including the unlovely. You may think this is impossible, but with Christ all things are possible. If God's Holy Spirit dwells within you, you have the power to overcome the evil society, and show forth God's attributes. If the church will reflect Christ to the world, we will save many from Hell. Hypocrisy will destroy your testimony, and push people away from Christ. Be real and let the good fruit of God's Spirit shine forth in your life.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Mark 13:3-8, 13-14, 21-27, & 32-37: "When shall these things be?"
Mark 13 speaks of Christ's return. This chapter, as well as Matthew 24 and Luke 21 all make it very clear that it will be "after the tribulation."
**Fellow believers, please let's not divide on this issue. Prayerfully study God's Word and love one another whether you agree or disagree.**
The Bible gives instructions on what the Christians should do during the tribulation to stay safe. Verse 14 says, "flee to the mountains." When you read Revelation 12:6, it also says we must flee to the wilderness to be safe. If we follow God's instructions, we will be kept safe. If we realize there is not a pre-tribulation rapture and prepare now, we can be safe during times even more perilous than we are seeing now (this will include storing food before the great famine comes mentioned in Revelation 6:5-6).
(Mark 13:3-8, 13-14, 21-27, & 32-37) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?"
And Jesus answering them began to say, "Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."
"But in those days, AFTER that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. AND THEN shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. AND THEN shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Speaking and Praying in Tongues.
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.
Tongues are an unknown language that is spoken by those who have been filled with God's Holy Spirit (also known as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit). Tongues may be the languages of men or of angels. (1 Cor 13:1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
When a person prays in the Spirit and with understanding, they are praying in tongues with the understanding given by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is making intercession for them and others through this unknown language. Tongues are both a sign to you in prayer, as well as a sign to unbelievers within an assembly where a message is given.
1 Cor 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
(Isaiah 28:11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Intercessory prayer is standing in the gap for others. It is praying for their needs, protection, health, as well as spiritual condition. It is important to also pray in tongues in intercession for others. You may not fully know what to pray for on behalf of others, but the Holy Spirit does.
Praying in tongues is also beneficial when a person is engaging in spiritual warfare. When you are under any form of attack it is good to pray in tongues. If you have a nightmare, or a person is persecuting you at work, school, home, or everything seems to be going wrong, it is good to take a moment and pray in tongues, either silently, or vocally.
Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
The gift of tongues is also given to some for giving a message within an assembly of believers. If a person gives an audible tongue, it should be interpreted by one or more people within the congregation. See 1 Corinthians chapter 14 for how to use tongues decently and with order.
The Bible is clear that not all speak with tongues, or interpret, these are gifts of God's Spirit given as he wills to those who have been baptized and filled with his Holy Spirit. Many churches teach that the gift of tongues is the evidence that a person has been filled with the Spirit. Tongues are normally the evidence of the baptism in the Spirit, but not always.
The apostle Paul said:
(1 Cor 14:18 ) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all
(1Cor 14:5) I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is the that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
There are people filled with the Holy Spirit that don't understand or believe in tongues, or other spiritual gifts. Many within holiness churches and groups experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit without many of the manifestations. Many live a transformed life, full of good fruit, which is the most important evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Many Nazarenes, Wesleyan, Free Methodists, Church of God etc. testify to the life-transforming power of the Spirit in their lives.
In order to receive the gift of tongues, you must seek God for the baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to ask the Father for the Spirit because the Father gives good gifts to those who ask. If you feel tongues coming into your spirit and mind, you need to open your mouth and speak by faith. God will not force tongues out of your mouth because it comes from faith. Allow yourself to babble until a distinct language comes.
I'm an old school Christian that is not into Christian entertainment, but into God's Word. I believe that we are saved by God's Grace alone and Not by our works. However, many churches are Not teaching their people about sincere repentance and getting the sinful bondages out of their lives. After we are truly saved through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, we need to learn to Walk in the Spirit and bear good fruit (Gal 5). You cannot walk in the Spirit by your own merit. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that you are able to live an overcoming life and bear good fruit. You must turn the reins of your will and life over to God and let him refine you and make you into a reflection of him. If the Holy Spirit dwells within you then you must allow him to manifest the attributes of God. You can only put down sin in your life by surrendering to God's Spirit.
The true gifts of the Spirit should be commonplace within the church today. A healthy church that teaches sound doctrine, will not quench God’s Spirit, but will allow God entrance to their services. God should not be put into a box, he should be allowed to speak, teach, as well as lead the service.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues
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.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
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 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.
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 the 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.
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 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.
Are you Empty Inside, or Have you Been Filled with God's Holy Spirit?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Christ said that the Kingdom of God resides within us. You must be filled with the Holy Spirit to be a citizen of God's kingdom. Salvation is not complete without being indwelt (baptized and filled) with the Holy Spirit. We are saved by faith alone in the finished work of Christ upon the cross. However, you must put your faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We come to Christ as we are and allow his Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out.
Many churches teach that when a person accepts Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit immediately. The truth is that a person must seek after and ask God for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13). Salvation is a three-step process, you must repent of your sins and make confession of Christ, be water baptized in Christ, and be filled/baptized/indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
The Holy Spirit not only empowers us to spread the gospel, he also transforms us into a new creation (born again). God is the potter, and we are the clay that he molds into his own image. It is impossible to live a holy life separated from the sinful culture, without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
There are nine gifts, as well as nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to a believer according to God's will (1 Cor 12). The fruit of the Holy Spirit should be present in the lives of all believers (Galatians 5).
Please read my teachings on the Holy Spirit from these links.
Final Hour Holiness Ministries: Speaking and Praying in Tongues
Final Hour Holiness Ministries: The Message of the Full Gospel
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.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord 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.
The UK is being hit by the storm named Eowyn. It is called a once in a hundred-year storm. It is producing 100 mile per hour winds and tornadoes. All of the UK and Ireland are affected by this rare storm.