Can You Hear Me Now?

Can You Hear Me Now?
by Brotha DC

Steps Ordered by God

I recall being in a situation where I witnessed a horrific multi-vehicle accident on the highway I frequently travel. I thanked God for ordering my steps so that I might miss that situation.

²³The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].
²⁴Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.
²⁵I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.
²⁶All day long they are merciful and deal graciously; they lend, and their offspring are blessed.
²⁷Depart from evil and do good; and you will dwell forever [securely].
²⁸For the Lord delights in justice and forsakes not His saints; they are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked [in time] shall be cut off.

Psalm 37:23-28 [AMP]

A friend questioned me about my assertion that God protected me from that event. His question:

Are you saying that the people who were in that crash did not have
their “lives ordered by the Lord?” Or, for that matter, the people who lost
their lives in Katrina in New Orleans, or the big earthquake in Japan, or
the floods all over the world every year, or the recent tornadoes in the
south… were they all not spared because the Lord wasn’t ordering their
lives?

Deep, questions. Is it true that God is playing favorites, or that He chooses to ignore certain people in favor of others?

At the risk of falling into a theological quagmire, I provided the most honest answer that my understanding could generate. After all, this is the kind of idea that theologians spend countless hours discussing… and debating. This is the type of philosophical conundrum about which thousands of pages of dissertation are written.

Thinking back to the tragedy of 9/11, I recall a common thread while listening to the stories of those who survived... or who missed the tragic events altogether.

Many who survived said that “something” told them to sleep in late... or that “a feeling” led them to be a few hours late that day. One gentleman offered to buy his daughter a sandwich for her lunch and she insisted on going to a deli that was so far off his beaten path that it set him way behind his typical schedule and, as a result, caused him to miss what might have been a fatal encounter with the followers of Osama bin Laden.
Even more interesting is the interview with a gate attendant who saw the two men who would crash one of the jets into one of the world trade towers. This gentleman said that he had “a funny feeling” about those guys... but the line was long and he didn’t want to delay the flight.

I think a lot of people have those funny feelings... or feel a prompting from that “Je n’ai sais pas” that tells them to do or not do something. What most people fail to realize (or, to accept) is that these is not just random premonitions or some sort of intuition. What is it?

God is talking to you!

God is saying, “Hey, watch out... something is about to happen.”

Perhaps, if some of the victims of that wreck that I witnessed were interviewed, one might hear them say things like:

• “Something told me not to turn on my blackberry while driving...”
• “Something told me to watch the road and not fiddle with the radio...”
• “I had a feeling I shouldn’t have sped up to cut off that 18-wheeler...”

God speaks to His chidren. Unfortunately, those not in a personal relationship with Him are not tuned into His frequency and may often miss the message. In my experiences and observations, even those who have given their lives to Him through Christ Jesus often allow things to drown out that still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).

I myself miss it quite often, but lately have been exercising myself to be more attentive -- and it pays off. If you are inclined to do the same, be aware of a few important things:

The Inner Witness

As a born again believer, the Holy Spirit of God lives and resides within you. You are His temple.

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

1 Corinthians 6:19 [AMP]

God is not a billion miles away. He is right there... closer than your skin as the poet wrote. We don’t need to get into a prayer line or a confessional booth. We can boldly go to the throne of Almighty God Himself just like a child will crawl into his daddy’s lap for comfort, for love, for whatever we stand in need of. God is our Abba (the Hebrew word for Daddy) Father.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Hebrews 4:16 [AMP]

For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

Romans 8:15 [AMP]

And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the [ Holy] Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father)! Father!

Galatians 4:6 [AMP]

As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].

Psalm 103:13 [AMP]

We are His sheep (Psalm 95:7 and Psalm 100:3). He is our Shepherd (John 10:14). He speaks to us. We incline our hearts to hear Him.

The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.

John 10:27 [AMP]

We must listen to and hear the voice of the Lord. How do we do so?

¹⁶But they have not all heeded the Gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed (had faith in) what he has heard from us?
¹⁷So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).
¹⁸But I ask, Have they not heard? Indeed they have; [for the Scripture says] Their voice [that of nature bearing God's message] has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the far bounds of the world.

Romans 10:16-18 [AMP]

We need to have faith in order to be pleasing to God -- to believe that He is God, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). As we spend time in the Bible... and communicating with God through constant prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), we will grow in our ability to hear from God.

As if to prove His power to speak to us... the Lord gave Judypie the following on this same topic.  Coincidence?  Nope.  Just Him ordering our steps.

The Word and His Voice
by Judy Ann

Thank you Father, for teaching and training me to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. I’ll not follow the voice of a stranger. Your Voice and Your Word agree; You and Your Word are one. Thank You for Truth that exposes the false and counterfeit. I delight in Your Word, which is eternal. Your Word is Light dispelling the darkness. Your Word is Life swallowing up death. Hallelujah! I praise You in the name of Jesus. Amen.

God Directs Your Path
by Judy Ann

Father, may I always listen for Your gentle whisper. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to take me by the hand and guide me into all the truth. He speaks only what He hears, and He will tell me what is yet to come. In all my ways I acknowledge You, and You shall direct my path. In the name of Jesus, I thank You for Your great love for me. Amen.

^11-12 Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by."

    A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper

1 Kings 19:11-12 [MSG]

But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].

John 16:13 [AMP]

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

Proverbs 3:6 [AMP]

Lord’s Path
by Judy Ann

The Lord’s path is paved with love and mercy for everyone willing to stop and ask for directions -— for those who cling to His life-giving promises.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

Psalm 25:10 [AMP]

Prayer to Begin the Day
by Judy Ann

Father, I come before You rejoicing, for this is the day that You have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. To obey is better than sacrifice, so I am making a decision to submit to Your will today, that my plans and purposes may be conducted in a manner that will bring honor and glory to You. Cause me to be spiritually and mentally alert in this time of meditation and prayer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

This is the day which the Lord has brought about; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 [AMP]

Samuel said, Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 [AMP]

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2 [AMP]

It Consumes Me

Earlier, we touched on the struggle between flesh and spirit. When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, our spirits are born again. Our flesh (or human nature), however, does not change. At least, not immediately. While some people may see radical shifts in their personalities, their language, their habits... the sin nature is still present and must be dealt with on a daily basis.

What was the Apostle Paul’s experience?

¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].

Romans 7:15 (Amplified Bible)

As we read in verse 15, our behavior can often be baffling or bewildering. The Holy Spirit within us prompts us to do good works... but then our flesh tries to get us to do the opposite. Even when the Spirit wins and we do the right thing, the flesh then tries to take credit or glory for what was done. And, when we get called on that, it is frustrating because our original intentions were good. Yikes! Who will deliver us from this wretched condition?

²⁵ O thank God! [He will!] through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) our Lord! So then indeed I, of myself with the mind and heart, serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:25 (Amplified Bible)

Yes, thank God that we don’t have to try to live the Christian life on our own power and ability. In fact, we can’t. We can try... but then the flesh gets in the way and we screw it up. So, allow the Spirit of the Lord to live it out through you. Allow Him to consume those things that are not like Christ so that he can empower you to live a life that is Christ like. Let Him love those unlovely people who work on your last nerve. Let Him complete those good works that He desires you to do.

Like Phil Keaggy and the Compassion All Star Band sang: Yield to the Spirit. He has the right of way...

Looking back at the Old Testament practice of sacrifice, the burnt offering was consumed and the glory of the Lord appeared in a powerful way. The response of the people was to worship... as the power of God was in that place.

¹ WHEN SOLOMON had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. ² The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. ³ And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire came down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

2^nd Chronicles 7:1-3

We wrote It Consumes Me in response to that scripture as an expression of our personal desire to have the presence of God consume all that is within us... like refiner’s fire purifying gold, we want to be holy -- set apart for the Master’s use.

The sweet delight of the pain of life
that draws me to another day
on goes the fight to uphold the light
the God to Whom i give all praise

His precious love -- it consumes me
The Holy Dove -- it consumes me
His Throne, His righteousness
The zeal to serve my God -- it consumes me

No sting in death just a peaceful rest
When Jesus comes, it won’t be long
Life is a joke where the “un-awoke”
Pursue the things that’ll soon be gone

To be the best -- it consumes me
To pass this test -- it consumes me
To see the battle end
And enter in His rest -- it consumes me

The sweet delight Of the pain of life
There’s something here i’m trying to find
Within my grasp what i hope will last
Am i a fool? Am i just blind?

My tears, they fall -- to extinguish
Those flames that are causing me anguish
about what i can’t distinguish

My heart’s desire -- it eludes me
The tightrope wire -- there to prove me
Send Holy fire -- to consume me
You’re my desire -- Lord, consume me

The Indwelling Spirit

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NASU)

Love motivates faithfulness and obedience. Therefore faithfulness and humble obedience is an expression of love. This is the only proper evidence of love to Yeshua, for mere profession is no proof of love; but that love for Him which leads us to seek to know and do all His will, to love each other, to deny ourselves while sacrificing to serve others and to keep our faith and trust in Him through trials, perils and tribulations without faltering is true attachment and oneness with Him; love is the “perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:14).

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;” (John 14:16 NASU)

When Yeshua says, “I will ask the Father,” apparently He is speaking of a time after His crucifixion, after having made atonement for the sin of the world, that He would become the Mediator between God and man; and through His mediation and intercession shall all the blessings of grace and glory be acquired.

The Greek word parakleeton used here not only signifies a comforter, but also an advocate, a defender of a cause, a counselor, patron, and mediator. Yeshua is so termed by the Apostle John is the book of 1^st John 2:1, where the common translation renders the word advocate. Yeshua is thus called, because He is represented as transacting the concerns of our souls with God; and for this cause, He tells us, He goes unto the Father (John 14:12).

The Holy Spirit is also called an advocate, because He transacts the cause of God and The Messiah with us, explains to us the nature and importance of the great atonement, shows the necessity of it, counsels us to receive it, instructs us how to lay hold on it, vindicates our claim to it, and makes intercessions for us with unutterable groaning. In fact, all that Yeshua was while with His disciples so is the Holy Spirit with those who believe in His name.

As the death and atonement of Yeshua will be necessary to man until the conclusion of the world, so the work of the Holy Spirit must be continued among men until the end of time: therefore says Yeshua, He shall continue with you “forever,” teaching, comforting, advising, defending, and interceding for you and for all His followers to the end of time.

“that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and WILL BE IN YOU.” (John 14:17 NASU)

The Holy Spirit, whose essential work is to manifest, vindicate, and apply the truth is thus called the Spirit of Truth. The Gospel of Yeshua, taught and revealed only by the Holy Spirit, is Gods truth; it exposes falsity, removes error, and teaches the knowledge of the true God---shows the way to Him, saves from vanity and illusive hopes, and establishes genuine joy in the souls of those who believe; His truth is the “power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).”

The word “world” in the above verse means: those who are influenced by the lustful desires of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the boastful pride of life (1^st John 2:16). Now these cannot receive the Spirit of Truth, because they do not have spiritual eyes to see Him, have no spiritual discernment and they attend to nothing but the dictates of their corrupt passions and affections, and will accept no influence but what can be an object of their senses. The word of God requires a heart that is empty. A heart filled with earthly projects, carnal interests, ambition, thoughts of becoming rich in worldly goods, and with the love of the luxuries and pleasures of life is not fit to receive the word of truth.

From many of these ungodly men spring all the hostile and indifferent religions of the world. While affirming the existence of God they deny all validity of revelation. In these debase and corrupt religions men of corrupt minds seek God; but in their vein religion He is not to be found; and therefore, they become infidels and atheists worshiping false gods and denying the Spirit of the living God. God, in the operation of His hands, and in the influences of His Spirit, is found everywhere except in the perverted passions of men.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 NASU)

Here we see the oneness principle. To receive the promised Spirit is to receive the presence of the Father and the Son; to reject the Spirit is to reject their presence also.

“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19 NASU)

The world can no longer see Him because He is not in bodily form but we can see Him by way of revelation; and because He lives we live also. We who believe in His resurrection are resurrected with Him for we are one with Him in His death, burial, resurrection and eternal life.

“IN THAT DAY YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM IN MY FATHER, AND YOU IN ME, AND I IN YOU.” (John 14:20 NASU)

When He says, “In that day” He speaks of the day of His resurrection and in His resurrection is solid proof of His oneness with the Father and that He lives in us by way of the Spirit and by love and faith we live in Him.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21 NASU)

He who has heard, taken hold of, he who possesses my commandments by way of revelation and is obedient to them is the one who loves the Messiah and he who loves his Savior is loved of the Father. This is further evidence of the union of the Father and the Son. Yeshua will also love them, demonstrating clearly the same union. The kingdom of God is one. His people, though they may be Jew or Gentile, are one. They are united to each other and to God, and the bond which unites the whole kingdom is the love of the one Savior---Yeshua, the Son of God.

James C Sanford

The Holy Spirit and Jesus

“¹³ Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴ But John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ ¹⁵ But Jesus answering said to him, ‘Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he permitted Him. ¹⁶ After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, ¹⁷ and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased’.” (Matthew 3:13-17 NASU)

It seems evident that the Holy Spirit coming in the complete bodily form of a dove indicates Jesus receiving the fullness of the Spirit as opposed to being in part. Therefore He also received the fullness of power. Thus it appears that John, and the others with him, witness God the Father anointing His Son Jesus with the fullness of the Holy Spirit at the beginning of His ministry.

In the book of Acts we read the following.

“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38 NASU)

Hence the Holy Scriptures bear witness also that following the baptism with water He was also baptized or anointed with the Holy Spirit.

The question is often raised, why Jesus should have needed the Holy Spirit for His ministry?

The explanation is:

• When God breathed the breath of life into man He put His Spirit in him.
  
  
• Thus man is dependant on the Spirit of God for life and for his daily performance of his true functions (Genesis 2:7).
  
  
• Apart from God’s Spirit man malfunctions and fails to accomplish his true destiny.
  
  
• In becoming a man The Word of God (John 1:1-2) emptied Himself of His godly nature and put on the human nature (Philippians 2:8; John 1:14);
  
  
• Thus, he required the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, notwithstanding that He was sinless, thus full of life and having a divine nature; setting him apart from sinful man who He came to save.

The gift of the Spirit in fullness to Jesus at His baptism was no doubt His formal and public anointing for His Messianic work. The baptism of Jesus could not have the same significance with that of sinful men; for the symbolic cleansing from sin had no meaning for the One who was sinless. Yet as an act of formal public consecration it was appropriate for Him, for in doing so He began to establish baptism by water as a sign of the New Covenant. It also signified the close of His private life and marked the beginning of His ministry of salvation of mankind.

It is likely that there is a connection of the anointing of the Spirit with that of water baptism, as seen in the Book of Acts, is traceable to the anointing of the Spirit of Jesus at His own water baptism. But we note that baptism in the Spirit did not supersede water baptism.

The anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit qualified Him in two particulars for His ministry. The Holy Spirit was the source of His own endowments of power for the endurance of temptation, for teaching, for casting out demons, causing the lame to walk, the blind to see and the healing the sick, for His sufferings and death, for His resurrection and ascension.

The Holy Spirit’s coming upon Jesus in fullness also qualified Him to bestow the Holy Spirit upon His disciples. John the Baptist proclaimed that it is He who shall baptize in the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; see also John 20:22; Acts 15:1). It was especially true of the King of the kingdom of God that He be anointed for His office, and the term Messiah (Mashiach, equivalent to the Greek ho Christos), meaning the Anointed One, points to this fact.

In the book Matthew Chapter 4, verse 1 we are told that after Jesus was baptized and received the Spirit that He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. In the book of Mark, chapter 1, verse 12 declares that after the baptism “straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness (KJV).” In the book of Luke, chapter 4, verse1 more fully declares that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” and that He was “led in the Spirit in the wilderness during 40 days (KJV).” The impression that the narratives of the temptation give is of energetic spiritual conflict. The spirit of Satan warring against the Holy Spirit of God as Satan makes his attack upon “The Word of God” in human form. Therefore as Jesus entered into His ministry He was subject to the ordinary conditions of other men in an evil world.

One should not entertain the thought that the temptations of Jesus ended at the close of the forty days. Later in His ministry, He refers to the disciples as those who had been with Him in His temptations (trials) (Luke 22:28-29). Jesus did not walk the earth as God, but as human and a part of the world that He must overcome, so while it is true that He came into the world sinless and righteous, it can also be said of Him that He achieved righteousness.

James C Sanford

The Holy Spirit and the Anointing

Much was made of the anointing oil under the law, and that which it represents is of primary importance under the gospel. Anointing in the gospel message refers to the anointing with the Holy Spirit by Jesus, which brings understanding to the saints of God.

The Apostle John wrote:

“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth.” (1^st John 2:20-21 NASU)

And again he wrote:

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.” (1^st John 2:27 NASU)

This anointing is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). The anointing occurs physically with a substance such as oil, myrrh, or balsam, which is done symbolically of the Holy Spirit (James 5:14). Therefore it is a spiritual anointing; whereby the Holy Spirit fills a person's heart and mind with the love and truth of God thus healing from within and throughout the entire being of man.

The Holy Spirit also calls and qualifies ministers for their work (Acts 13:1-2), the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” He makes them “overseers over the flock (Acts 20:28).” He “hears,” “speaks,” “teaches,” “guides into all truth,” “glorifies Christ,” “receives of Christ's things,” namely, from the Father and Son, “and shows them,” “brings all Christ's words to His people's remembrance,” “shows things to come,” “knows the things of God,” “searches all things, even the deep things of God,” and “reveals them” to those who have “ears to hear” (1^st Corinthinans 2:9-15; Revelation 2:17, 29; 3:13, 22); therefore He is divine.

The Holy Spirit, with whom saints are anointed for holy services, is indispensable to ministers if they are to serve the Lord acceptably. To enter into the ministry without the anointing of the Spirit would be sins rather than service to God. Whenever ministry from the pulpit is without unction from the Holy Spirit, it is of the intellect of man and serves no good purpose for God!

Further, without His aid the intended worship services are but a noisy religion and a vain oblations, and the inward experience is dead. The prayers, praise and meditations, and efforts of the congregation are void of any spiritual value. A holy anointing is the soul and life of reverence and devotion to service, and the absence of this anointing is not only grievous but also disastrous.

James C Sanford

The Holy Spirit and the New Birth

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He exercises the power of the Father and the Son in creation and redemption. He is the power by which believers come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. He is the teacher of all truth in all heavenly and earthly languages (Acts 2:3-11). Through the teaching of truth He is the unifier of all the kindred in the body of Christ, the Church. He is the water that washes by the word; and He is the fire that purifies the soul. He is the eye of the believer through which the Father and the Son are seen in all their glory. To know the Holy Spirit is to know the Father and the Son.

Like the eyes of the body through which we see physical things, the Holy Spirit is seldom in focus to be seen directly because He is the one through who all else is seen. Through the eyes of the Lord Jesus He is brought into focus that we might know of His presence and His work.

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5 NASU).

When the Holy Spirit convicts a person of sin, through repentance, he becomes a candidate for baptism by water (Acts 2:38); but the water that is used on the occasion is only symbolic of the work of the Holy Spirit in teaching and guiding the candidate in the ways of righteousness; as “by the washing of water with the word (Ephesians 5:26 NASU);” without the baptism in the word the “washing of water” means nothing. Although a person is cleansed of sin through the sacrificial work of Christ the soul is considered as in a state of defilement, because of past sin: now, by the Holy Spirit teaching the word, the soul is to be purified from its defilement, and strengthened to walk in the way of holiness. Our Lord, the Living Word of God, washing the feet of His disciples cleansing them of where they had been walking, typifies this (John 13:1-17).

When John the Baptist came baptizing with water, he gave the Jews the plainest indication that this would not suffice; that it was only typical of that baptism of the Holy Spirit, under the likeness of being purified by fire, which they must all receive from Jesus Christ (Matt 3:11). Therefore, our Lord asserts that a man must be born of water and the Spirit; as “by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:6 NASU),” which cleanses, refreshes, and purifies the soul.

[Unless one is born of water and the Spirit]

Our Lord is using the word “water” symbolically as being baptized into the word of God by the Holy Spirit. This is also typified by water baptism; signifying the believer being baptized into Christ, the Word of God, being buried with Him and also being raised up with Him in the newness of life (Romans 6:3-11). This is all the work of the Holy Spirit performing the word of God in the work of regeneration (new birth) of the believer.

We also see the use of the word “water” symbolically as the “word;” as in: one must be born of the word and the Spirit. This can best be illustrated by the event of the angel Gabriel bringing the word of God to Mary (Luke 1:26-38). As Gabriel spoke the word of God, Mary heard and believed and submitted to the will of God, and the Holy Spirit brought into being the Christ Child in Mary’s womb. In the same manner when a person hears the anointed word of God and is convicted of sin (believes), repents and summits to the will of God, by faith he has received the seed (word) of God and a new life is conceived in the womb of his/her soul by the power of the Holy Spirit; thus he/she is brought into a new life of love and fellowship with God by the word and the Spirit; as in “born again.” This new life in the womb of the soul is likened unto leaven hidden in a lump of dough; by the work of the Holy Spirit the new life soon leavens the whole lump.

 James C Sanford

Mission Impossible

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4 NASU)

Now faith is hearing, believing and obeying God. Knowing God is a just God we must believe that He gave both Cain and Able instructions concerning the sacrifice. Able followed God’s instructions and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Rather than following God’s instructions Cain devised his own plan---he did what he wanted to do and totally failed in his efforts to please God.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” (Hebrews 11:7 NASU)

Noah was warned of a devastating flood that was to come upon the wicked and then was given instructions to build an ark; Noah heard God, believed Him, and built the ark according to God’s instructions. Thus he “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith;” he was pleasing to God.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8 NASU).”

Abraham was called and given instructions; he heard, believed and obeyed, thus it was reckoned unto him as righteousness; he was pleasing to God.

Before ascending into heaven Jesus commanded His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had been baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). And then He added,

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even in the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NAS)

The disciples followed His instructions and did as He had commanded. They waited in prayer and one accord; not knowing when the Holy Spirit would come but never doubting that He would.Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came anointing all who had been faithfully waiting for Him (Acts 2).

Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit the apostles began to speak with great power and authority. As the people heard the anointed preaching they became convicted of their sins and cried out,

“Brethren; What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

With these instructions,

“Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NASU)

Three thousand heard the message, followed the Spirits instructions and by “grace through faith” they were added to the church that day.

Throughout the Book of Acts we read accounts of the Holy Spirit giving instruction to our Lord’s Apostles; they followed these instructions with great success.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 1l:6 NASU)

To take a “leap of faith” without instructions from God is to take on a mission impossible. One may meet with some success or even great success in the eyes of men and self but he cannot be pleasing to God.To please God one must receive the gift of faith.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NASU)

The word of God quickens the spiritual ear and causes the soul of man to hear His instructions. When the hearer believes these instructions and acts upon them he has received the gift of faith; thus he is pleasing to God.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 NASU)

And there are those who take off on their own without instructions from God (take a “leap of faith); or like Cain, have instruction but do not follow them but do their own thing. These are on a mission impossible.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS’” (Matt. 7:21-23 NASU).

Our heavenly Father tells us to seek Him and He will reward our efforts with instructions for living a life pleasing to Him (Hebrews 11:6).

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1 NASU)

James C Sanford

George Michael Praises Benefits of Marijuana

We were amused at the news today that pop star George Michael admits to being addicted to prescription drugs. Michael was quoted on a British talk show that he believes that the world would be a better place if everyone smoked marijuana.

Perhaps George needs to read Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.

Smoking marijuana may give you a high... but it is temporary, and you will need to pay some dealer for it.

The Holy Spirit will give you more than a high... He will abide with you forever and you don’t have to pay.

Smoking marijuana will damage your lungs and impairs your judgment. The Holy Spirit will heal your diseases and will give you wisdom and understanding.

Let’s pray for George and others who seek their fulfillment from dead weeds and not from the Living God.