In a funny little battle of wills with my wife, who would like to take down all our Christmas decorations the day after Christmas, and myself, who would prefer to keep them up the Twelve Days of Christmas, our outside angel came down today. Our tree made it until the Eleventh day of Christmas this year. It was the only thing left besides the angel until today. My wife is still winning, but I’m gaining a little ground.
Today is January 6th, Epiphany in Christendom, celebrating the arrival of the Magi from the east as recorded in Matthew chapter two. They came to King Herod’s court in Jerusalem, then on to Bethlehem, becoming the first gentiles to have an epiphany — the realization and revelation that Jesus was the promised Messiah, God in human flesh, the prophesied King of the Jews.
I attended a men’s Bible study this morning on the Book of Revelation. Our teacher noted the difference in appearance between angels coming from the presence of God and those fallen angels released for a time from the bottomless pit. That got us thinking about how life-changing it is to behold God.
I immediately thought of the Aaronic blessing, where the LORD told Moses to instruct Aaron, the High Priest, how to bless the sons of Israel. It’s a blessing repeated over believers for more than three thousand five hundred years now. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Similar verses came from men in the class. “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (I John 3:2 NKJV).
We are told in the Bible that no man can look upon God’s face. “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” (Exodus 33:20). But we can look upon Jesus, as the Magi did, and start to live differently. Jesus said that’s why He came, to show us the Father.
I also think that every time a believer, with the help of the Holy Spirit, catches a glimpse of God while reading the Bible or by a revelation elsewhere, they become a little more like Him. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (II Corinthians 3:18).
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (II Corinthians 4:17-18).
Happy Epiphany! And may you have many more epiphanies in 2022. Godspeed and Shalom.
Last night, I took my wife on a Christmas date to see “Christmas with the Chosen.” It was inspiring and wonderful, like Christmas is, especially for the chosen — those who have, or are given, eyes to see and ears to hear the story of the King. It’s in theaters nationwide for three more days if you want to enjoy it there and show your support for The Chosen. Soon it will be free on the web.
A quick sidebar is for those who haven’t heard. The Chosen is a wildly popular and highly acclaimed film series about the life of Jesus Christ. It’s crowd-funded and has produced two seasons of eight episodes each, with something like 318 million views as of today in every country of the world. It’s viewable free, thanks to supporters, on YouTube, FaceBook, and its own app. This film series is beautiful, fresh—inspired, and inspiring.
As a dark cloud seemingly descends on our country and world during these past two years, this film series is a good reminder that it was that way when the King came the first time, to humble parents and humble people, in a place we know as Bethlehem Judea, within tiny Israel. It’s encouraging to remember also something the Scriptures say, “But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21 NLT).
Recently in conversation, a quote about Christmas came up, “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas” (Calvin Coolidge). Indeed, everyone should cherish peace and goodwill. Certainly, everyone should be plenteous in mercy. And those things are rightly celebrated at Christmas. However, Christmas is a time and a season, and perhaps a state of mind, to focus on the king whose advent makes these things possible on a wide scale in a dark world at spiritual war. Christmas is about Christ more than about his rule and reign, his attributes, or even His kingdom. It’s about the gem of creation — God becomes a man. A Son of Man to tell us about God, His kingdom, His rule, His purpose, His Person, and then to send us His power in the form of His Spirit to live this life and make peace, goodwill, and mercy possible on the earth and in our realm of family and friends. And to dwell with us.
Some might ask, “Isn’t the point of Christmas love, peace, mercy, truth, good?” I’d say yes, of course, these are the things we celebrate which are made possible by the King and are descriptive of the King. But I would add that people think and act as if they can bring these qualities to bear on the earth on their own. History would demonstrate that we really can’t in any widespread or lasting degree. We need a righteous, kind, powerful king to affect what we celebrate at Christmas and desire year-round and lifelong.
Christmas is a time and a season to be still, to be quiet, and focus on this gift from above — a baby, a gift of power and love. A king is born — beautiful, personal, good, enabling. He is mighty to reign and enforces justice in the middle of His enemies all around. His rule ensures the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth and goodwill to men.
Worship and give thanks — honor and celebrate the King.
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“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (I Timothy 1:17 NASB).
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace” (Micah 5:2-5a).
“…for He gives the Spirit without measure.” John 3:34b
Isn’t that an intriguing verse and thought? It’s a wonderful thought that Father God, gave to Jesus His Son, “the Spirit without measure” for His earthly sojourn. Then if you read John 3, the whole book of John, or really the whole New Testement, looking at what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, you can’t help but see that Jesus sent to His disciples, His bride, those Who believe in Him, the same “Spirit without measure.” Incredulous, isn’t it?
I’m not sure we believe it? If we do, we don’t act like it!
I was recently in a men’s Bible study and discipleship group for nine months, called “The Journey.” It was focused around a single verse, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NIV). Toward the end of our time together we looked afresh at what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit and His place in the Christian life.
The ten of us were from different denominational backgrounds, so this required us to look at the material anew, considering what we had been taught in our various backgrounds, but also what the Bible clearly says with a fresh look, discarding doctrinal baggage that might not be as accurate as we had been led to believe. No one seemed threatened by this, instead all seemed strangely encouraged and leaning forward into the new light being shed upon the Scriptures, and the possibility or reality of experiencing a different life with the Holy Spirit. Indeed we all had the feeling the class coming together was orchestrated by the Spirit and at His invitation as we met, and especially when our time together was finished. It didn’t feel like our group was in any way exclusive, but it was also felt we were there by invitation only.
That brings us back to John chapter 3. This must be the most important, insightful, and instructive teaching about the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Here you see Jesus, “a teacher sent from God”, meeting with Nicodemus, “the teacher of Israel,” sharing about God and spiritual truth. I think it’s safe to infer from Scripture that Nicodemus was humble, loved truth, feared the Lord, and had perhaps a better understanding of the Bible and its revelation of God than anyone else in his day.
This is a fascinating setup! The Spirit Who gave the Word meets the best disciple and teacher of the Word in his day. The result must surely give revelation and insight into God and the spiritual nature of life on earth — the reality of how things are and how they work. If you look at John 3 through this lens, you will see far into the vastness of God, and also His nearness and intimacy. There is nothing more intimate than a birth, and then caring for the life of a young child.
Nicodemus begins, “We know you are a teacher sent from God, because no one can do the miracles you do unless God is with him.”” (John 3:2 NCV). Almost as if to say, “I know why you’re here, and the answers you seek,” Jesus answers him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NASB). Then shortly thereafter Jesus adds to His first statement, “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). In the same context and almost in the same breath, Jesus tells him in verse seven, “Don’t be amazed by this.” This spirit life is as different from the natural life as these many miracles you have called to mind. And the Spirit’s activity is as hard to grasp and understand as how the wind operates, yet it’s as easy to feel and hear as is the wind, once you’re born of the Spirit. Isn’t this the clear teaching of Jesus? Are you amazed at it’s simplicity and clarity? Is it what you’ve been taught?
Don’t feel too badly if you haven’t been taught, Nicodemus wasn’t aware either, nor had he been taught this truth obviously, until now. Then Jesus said something that on the surface seems a bit out of place, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). I’ve often pondered if that might have been one of Nicodemus’ favorite Bible stories, or a time in Israel’s history that he had been given some special revelation about? By Jesus bringing it up, did Nicoemus realize that Jesus was looking into his mind, personal history, and heart? Or was it that in the days ahead, Jesus’ crucifixion to be exact, Nicodemus would see what was happening, realize Jesus had predicted it, then connect the dots with the serpent being lifted up in the wilderness, and believe Jesus to be the Son of Man, just as He said? It could be either or both. We have evidence that Nicodemus gave up his position and career to become a follower of Jesus. He was with Joseph of Arimathia giving the body of Jesus a proper burial.
“A Teacher Sent From God”
Let’s go back to John 3 — the clearest, most succinct teaching on the Person and purpose of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, from “a Teacher sent from God” to “the teacher of Israel.” This is more than a convergence of the Word and the Spirit. It’s more like the Spirit Who gave the Word, giving more insight into the Word and its Spirit Guide Who was speaking through Jesus. The Holy Spirit was about to be sent to function more intimately in the affairs of God and man. I can’t think of anything more important to know and experience. The book of Acts and all of Scripture would lend validity to this fact.
In twenty-one short verses the necessity and function of the Spirit is described to one who knew the Word well and had received much revelation about God. This was mixed in with a brief glimpse of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, and then a few verses about the grace or gift of eternal life — the redemption plan of God for the whole world, experienced by those who want eternal life and believe Jesus to be the Christ of God. Then, for Nicodemus’ questioning or for our understanding, Jesus ended the discussion with the psychology of belief and nonbelief, practicing evil or truth, and loving light rather than darkness. These issues revolve around free will and the motives of the heart. This has to be one of the most profound and enlightening conversations in the whole of Scripture. And it would all hinge on the Spirit, giving eyes to see, and giving a different type of birth and sebsequent life. Do you see that? Do you want that? Ask God in prayer to help you if you do. It’s His to proffer, and His to effect.
John’s Final Testimony About Jesus and the Spirit
In the final verses of John chapter 3 we see John the Baptist disciples asking him questions and making observations about Jesus. John the Baptist simply gives credence to the fact that Jesus came from above and everything he says is true with the proper perspective. It’s a miniature or reflection of Jesus conversation with Nicodemus, but this time with those who believe in part, and know in part — followers of the prophet. The conversations are not visibly connected by space and time, yet they seem connected with many similar elements, like the reflection of an image in a pool of water.
The last four things John says are particularly interesting and telling, as he mentions the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit in context with each other. He also speaks about “belief” and “eternal life,” just as Jesus did in the conversation with Nicodemus. Here are the four last words: (1) “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true” (John 3:33). (2) “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure” (John 3:34). (3) “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand” (John 3:35). (4) “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
These are the last recorded words we have from the prophet John the Baptist, “a man sent from God” (John 1:6 NIV). He was “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God'”(Isaiah 40:3). Jesus added to John’s credentials, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptizer” (Matthew 11:11a). Jesus also says of John the Baptizer that “He himself is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:14, Malachi 4:5-6). Do you think that the last recorded words of someone so spiritually sensitive and devoted to God might be true? Could they be some of the most distilled truth from someone who lived his life apart, who lived his life with God? Could they be important to you? Indeed they are foundation stones on which you can build your life and your afterlife. Ask God in prayer to help you see, to give you His Spirit without measure. Prepare yourself for grace, and a new way of life — in fact a new life.
Correct but not Politically Correct
In Jesus conversation with Nicodemus we see these words, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man” (John 3:10-13).
The same thoughts are repeated at the end of John 3, “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony” (John 3:31-32). It’s not clear to me if these are the words of John the Baptist, who has just been quoted by John the Apostle who wrote the Gospel, or the words of John the author, but it’s beautiful how this point of contention is clearly stated again, like reflections in a mirror of pool of water. It’s even more telling than beautiful.
What does it tell us? Without being born of the Spirit, we cannot see the things of God or know God Himself. If Nicodemus the Bible scholar and teacher of Israel couldn’t apprehend God with just his mind, why do we think we can? Or that it’s our job to make the issue more clear for others than Jesus made it, and left it. That is God’s job by His Holy Spirit. Thankfully to those who believe Jesus’ testimony, “He gives the Holy Spirit without measure.”
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“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:9-10).
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him” (John 14:6-7).
“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:26-27).
I recently received a photo of a Bible text from a friend in a men’s group with some verses circled in red. Below that, he asked the question, “Do you think this is possible today?”
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42-47 ESV).
I gave it some thought then replied with what came to my mind. “Yes, I don’t see why not. God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. It’s possible. It’s happening in places around the earth, I believe.” He was asking if what was happening in the early church should be happening in our churches today.
I awoke this morning with that question on my mind, and a couple of verses came quickly to me, followed by other thoughts as I got up and journaled. First, I’ll share the verses, then the thoughts.
The Verses
“Those who cling to vain idols leave behind the gracious love that could have been theirs” (Jonah 2:8 ISV).
“The wind blows where it wants to. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. That’s the way it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
The Thoughts
The Spirit moves where He wants to move. Those born of the Spirit and those born by the Spirit sense where He’s moving and are carried along by His power in that direction. These people include sailors, pilots, army scouts, accountants, teachers, business people, laborers — spiritual adventurers. They are those who exercise faith in God and risk following his Spirit, those who become adept and practice doing so, who make it their very lifestyle and passion.
These are people like David, the shepherd boy, and king who the Bible says “… served the purpose of God in his own generation” (Acts 13:36a NASB). Is it possible to live a life like his? Or like Amos, the fig grower? Or like Elijah the prophet? Or Esther the orphan? Or Ruth the Moabitess? Or Abigail, caught up in a bad marriage? Or rather perhaps a good marriage to a bad person? Where is the wind of the Spirit blowing in each of these person’s lives and in their times? Ask yourself that.
Someone has said that wisdom begins with asking the right question. We may not be asking the right question in this case. Do we look at the church in Acts and try to mimic it? Is that a reasonable approach or course of action in our day?
I say, “yes and no.” “Yes,” in that it’s a valid expression of what a church or people flowing in the Spirit of God can look like, just like the lives of the Bible characters listed above are examples. I say “no,” in that our job is not to take one of these demonstrations of life in the Spirit and try to replicate it precisely in the flesh or in our power.
We see the Spirit wind blowing in the lives of individuals and a group of people. We get insights into the actions of the Spirit and the lives of people who experience the Spirit’s life and power. We see the Spirit’s peace and power flow in their lives and in their times.
Men love to emulate a model to take credit for accomplishing success in the process or feat. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV), writes Paul. Or, as explained by an Old Testament prophet, real spiritual progress is accomplished in humans, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6b).
It’s good to look at the examples in Scripture to learn about the Spirit of God moving and working among people. We also learn about the people God chooses, blesses with his presence, and entrusts with his power. Yet, it’s best to ask what the Spirit is doing in our day and how we can function as a son or daughter of the gentle breeze — the Holy Spirit.
In Acts, we see the Spirit of God moving in power to birth the church and establish the kingdom of God in some measure with the first advent of the King. In the times of the prophets of Judah and Israel, we see the Spirit moving in judgment and redemption to save people from idols and themselves and turn their hearts back to their Creator Redeemer. In Esther and Daniel, we see the Spirit, boldly but in his hidden, understated way, moving in the lives of chosen people to effect righteousness and peace in two gentile, world-ruling kingdoms. In Ruth, it’s about two people, or a few people, in a backward time and place, knowing their God, walking in faith, being empowered by the Spirit to give birth to a king, and eventual, godly direction and leadership for a chosen but impoverished nation.
What is the Spirit doing in your day and life is the best question to ask. The next best question might be: “How do I hear him? How do I know him? How do I learn to flow in His power, presence, and leading?”
It’s possible because he’s always on the move to save, redeem, and call needy people and lost sheep out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Seek him. Ask him to show you how to become and stay a son or daughter of the gentle breeze — the Holy Spirit.
I get that phrase from the life of Elijah, one of the most powerful prophets in the Bible sent to the idol-ridden, northern kingdom of Israel. They were in a deceived and spiritually dark time like ours. The Bible tells us that “Elijah was a person just like us” (James 5:17a ISV), not some made-up superhero. He was spiritually sensitive, as we can come to be. Yet, he had his ups and downs on his spiritual journey, which should give us insight and encouragement.
One time on Mount Carmel, he heard the Spirit and moved in power, calling down fire on a sacrifice to God in the presence of the people and the king. Then he prayed for rain ending a three-year drought. Immediately after that, he experienced a very low point. In fear for his life due to the death threat from an evil queen, he ran to Horeb, the mountain of God. There he hid in a cave, praying for God to take his life because he was “no better than his fathers,” apparently at hearing God’s voice and moving in the Spirit, exercising courage and faith.
A mighty wind came upon the mountain, and an earthquake, followed by fire, but none of these moved Elijah. “Then there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Finally, there was a gentle breeze” (I Kings 19:12 CEV), which Elijah recognized to be the Spirit of God. At the coming of the “gentle breeze,” Elijah came out of hiding to hear God provide revelation, restore vision, and instruct him to continue his journey.
That’s my prayer for you and myself — that we simply, humbly become and remain sons and daughters of the gentle breeze — the voice and leading of God’s Spirit. May we be moved by that gentle breeze whether we live in a time of correcting judgment, or the birth of something new, or both—godspeed as you journey.
Don’t be overly amazed about this. Just experience it. Be willingly led by the Spirit wind as you come to apprehend or hear His leading and come to see what He is doing. Jesus told Nicodemus that he could. And he’s telling you that you can.
It’s not hard! You don’t have to understand it completely. In fact, you won’t! John 3:8 and Proverbs 3:5-6 tell us not to lean on our understanding, rather expect to be moved by the wind of the Spirit. You have to sense it and follow those leadings and impressions. By training your senses through obedience to what you hear, you will improve. It’s a sixth sense, one the world does not experience, but one the believer uses to see into the spiritual realm and bring heaven’s goodness to bear on earth.
You will learn to recognize synchronicities. You will know to pay attention to some dreams and reject others. You will expect visions. You’ll not be surprised when awakened at 3:33 AM anymore. You will get up and journal or meditate in silence and listen to what thoughts come to you. You will listen for what the Spirit might say. Through practice, you can learn to distinguish between your ideas and His thoughts. Through familiarity, you will learn to discern His voice from others, like you recognize the voice of a family member or close friend.
Hindrances to Knowing the Spirit
Does this spiritual exchange of information get to be foolproof? I’d say no, it does not. The Scripture would indicate that dark spirits can operate on these same frequencies or spiritual impressions. The Scriptures record that even “Satan can appear as an angel of light.” So that scares many away from desiring social intercourse with the Holy Spirit. But it shouldn’t. Trust God, He’s more powerful, and He is good. We know this spiritual communication is a fact of life, whether we want to bury our heads in the sand and ignore it or not? You have undoubtedly had bad dreams that disturbed sleep, had no rhyme or reason, and scared you. They seemed disjointed with no discernible message. Do you think those came from God? Yet, we know that dreams can be valid from the Scripture and shared human experience. They may warn us about something or someone. They may give us a glimpse into our destiny or what God intends for our future. We may need the help of interpretation or more dreams, but they don’t scare us, and we don’t forget them when we sense their validity.
Another thing that drives many with a western mindset away from this spiritual communication is the fear of making mistakes. What if I hear incorrectly? What if I hear from a dark spirit or my imagination? Fear of failure and fear of making a mistake robs us of life that might have been ours. Trust God. Get to know Him through His record of interacting with people in the Bible. Then you will know if what you hear sounds like something He would say. But don’t wait until you are a Bible scholar. Remember He also sent a guide, the Holy Spirit. He will help you. He will train you. He will show you the way you are to go. Sometimes it will involve courage. Obedience to what you hear will always require faith and trust. Each obedient action leads to better hearing, more confidence, more trust, more spiritual insight. Initially, the Spirit probably won’t speak to you the same way He spoke to Moses, Elijah, the prophets, the apostles, or Jesus Himself. But He desires to speak and commune with you. It’s both a gift and a learned skill to hear. It’s to your great advantage to listen, obey, and enjoy that relationship of intimacy, seeing, and adventure—godspeed on your journey.
The Joy of Knowing the Spirit
You will come to hear of someone having a word of knowledge and see it for what it is. You won’t be surprised, seeing it as the Holy Spirit wanting to illuminate something or help someone. I know of many examples personally, but not as many as I would like to see and experience.
It only stands to reason that if you know it happens and that it’s a valid expression or communication of the Holy Spirit, you’re going to participate in it by faith. All of the gifts work by faith and leading, by leading and faith, by hearing and obeying. Afterward, the spiritual power flows, and you see it, sense it, and are in awe of it.
There are times you are not aware of it. Only the person receiving your word of encouragement, word of knowledge, or prayer, is affected deeply by it. They may not even show you this outwardly. But inwardly, between them and the Lord, they know and are moved or stunned by what is said, prayed, or laid bare. It will affect their life, if not immediately, in the days to come, as they surrender or come to know the Spirit themselves. God is very understated like that. Expect it often to work this way. Have faith that you delivered the message and trust God with the results. When people sense a message is supernatural or from God, they’re seldom inclined to shoot the messenger. Relax, be humble, be caring, be loving, be gracious, be courageous. “… wisdom is proved right by her deeds” (Matthew 11:19b).
Again, it stands to reason that if you don’t understand how the Holy Spirit works, even a little bit, or haven’t seen Him in action, you’re going to stand by and gawk. You’ll be more in shock and doubt than a willing participant in God’s grace as it’s pouring out.
“…because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high.” Luke 1:78
I have eight examples listed in the journal I’m referencing right now. And I’d love to share them as demonstrations of what I’m talking about because they’re convincing and fun to recount. But I feel the Spirit impressing me not to do so, instead to let my words be few and leave the convincing between Him and you, the reader. He’s reminding me of the Scripture, “Your ears will hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21a).
In a men’s group recently, the discussion about the Holy Spirit was excellent! Most of the guys were open to new truth and revelation as long as it was in the Bible, but having a Baptist background like me, I wondered how it would go? The same could apply to many denominations, as you will note.
“Why,” it was asked, “does the church in the west, or we have trouble with the Holy Spirit?”
Honest answers proffered and discussed included:
Our educational system is Greek modeled, materialistic, and further influenced by the French Enlightenment, stressing the intellect and neglecting or rejecting the Spirit.
Our churches are affected and infected and have not understood nor taught what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit is mystical and mysterious, so He’s not easy to know if you have the mindset mentioned in 1. and 2. above.
Because of excesses seen or reported, we’ve been skeptical of those sects or denominations who claim to have experienced the Holy Spirit. Some have acted like they have some corner on Him, or have Him in their box, so we’ve rejected them and their teaching, likely throwing out the baby with the bathwater.
Why are our eyes and minds closed? Don’t we love the truth? Are we that afraid of error? Why wouldn’t we trust God our Father to lead us into all truth? One of the most important truths is that we can have and should have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual blindness is more rampant, embedded, and systemic in our lives and churches than we have thought! This omitted teaching and missing experiential relationship with the Holy Spirit is one area that demonstrates that fact. One member of our group just finished reading “The Heavenly Man.” It’s about Brother Yun, a leader of the underground church in China, who the Spirit constantly led. My friend brings it up often, and I can tell the book has changed his thinking about the place of the Holy Spirit in the church and his personal life.
In Isaiah chapter six, we find another clue why we in the community of believers haven’t known the truth about the Holy Spirit and are consequentially spiritually dull. The Lord is understated and doesn’t appear to those disinterested, but usually to those who are humble or desperate and hungry to know Him. Grace is free, but it is not cheap. Grace is costly, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer told the modern church in “The Cost of Discipleship.” He found the German church in his day asleep and deceived, like the Jewish nation of Isaiah’s day. The Lord told Isaiah to speak to the people whatever he heard from the Lord, but also told him the people would not hear, by and large. They had grown dull of hearing because of idolatry and the lack of intimacy.
Jesus on The Holy Spirit
What did Jesus have to say about the Holy Spirit? “Much!” is the answer. I’ll point out a few things for brevity. Let it serve as a springboard to do your research and study. It’s easy to see that the Holy Spirit was a significant focus for Jesus and an essential part of his plan for us.
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7 ESV).
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV).
Paul on the Holy Spirit
The Apostle Paul had much to say and demonstrate about the Holy Spirit. In Acts 19, Paul going to Ephesus met a group of believers outside of town and asked them a meaningful, telling question.
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:2 ESV). Doesn’t that describe or define the church in the West? In America? In our city? We have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit, it seems.
At least we act like it. While we do experience the Holy Spirit from time to time, it seems we do so without being aware. It appears we are wired by God for 220 volts and are living on AA batteries.
There isn’t awareness. There isn’t the practice. There isn’t the experience. There isn’t the hunger. Biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit as an abiding part of our lives doesn’t exist in many churches. The Bible teaches that God sent the Holy Spirit in Christ’s name to dwell with us and in us, to be our Helper. Is He a part of your reality?
The Acts 19 account goes on to say there were about twelve men involved. That’s not a significant number. God is not into big numbers, apparently. I wonder what kind of wonders these twelve accomplished after that experience and for the rest of their lives? Later in the same chapter, we read, “God was performing extra ordinary miracles by the hand of Paul” (Acts 19:9 ESV). Paul continually said it was the Holy Spirit working through him.
We Should Know the Spirit
Back to our reality, the Holy Spirit goes about his work of refining us, convicting us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He is molding us into the image of Christ, to be his friends and his bride, the church, the “ecclesia?” the called-out ones. But it seems there is so much more available from Him for us and through us if we understand the working of the Spirit.
John chapter 3 is telling and instructive about the role of the Holy Spirit. Jesus talks to Nicodemus, “The Teacher of Israel,” a man schooled and skilled in the Bible, and tells Nicodemus there is more. Someone has said, “God did not leave us just a map. He left us a guide.” The map is the Bible, and the guide is the Holy Spirit. Scripture completely supports this convergence.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6 ESV). “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8 ESV).
I was up this morning at 6 AM with coffee pondering the fact that it’s been twenty years since the fateful events of 9/11, 2001 impacted New York City and shocked the world. I rode the four wheeler to the end of the mountain to watch the sunrise and to continue to ponder these things.
It seems even twenty years later there are more questions than answers? But plenty of answers for those who can see, whose eyes are open, spiritually open to the puzzle before us and around us.
A prayer just came to my mind, and I jotted it down in my journal. “Help us Jesus to see, and deliver us from evil. Rescue us, and have mercy on us. Amen.” “Rescue” was the central theme of the theatrical production “Jesus” that we saw in Branson with my sister and her husband Thursday afternoon. We need his rescue like never before. And we need his power for living in this day and hour.
“The walls are broken down, the gates are burned with fire, and the people are in great distress.” Those words are recorded in the book of Nehemiah after Nehemiah, cup bearer to the king of Persia, inquired of his relative who had just come from Jerusalem about the status of his home city and country. Twenty years later, this seems like an accurate description of the church in America, and of America itself, since 9/11/2001.
But to those who fear His name, these are only harbingers and signs that the Holy, the Almighty, is on the move. These are signs that his grace abounds more and we can expect it, because sin is abounding more. These are calls to paths of power, calls to light and living, calls to rebuild, while facing spiritual enemies all around, and very near.
Do you see it? Do you hear it? I hope you do, and are preparing to act in obedience to whatever he tells you to do. Godspeed! And enjoy the adventure of the times He has given you to live, with Him.
An eclectic group of books laying beside me as I journal this morning…
“They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” Nehemiah 1:3 NIV
“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” Romans 5:20 NLT
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
Sundown this evening begins Rosh Hashanah 2021 or 5782 on the Hebrew calendar, the new year. It also begins the Feast of Trumpets, ten days called “The Days of Awe,” “Days of Repentance,” days of restoration of relationships.
According to Wikipedia, traditionally Rosh Hashanah is the “anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman according to the Hebrew Bible, and the inauguration of humanity’s role in God’s world.”
There is only one commandment regarding Rosh Hashanah, “Blow the shofar.” “The sound of the trumpet lets us know something is happening — something wonderful. It is an invitation to once again give our attention to the Lord and usher in His presence.” (268chruch.org)
Also the year 5782 is right on the threshold of the 6000 year mark the ancient Jewish sages and early church fathers thought would end man’s rule in the earth and usher in the 1000 year reign of the Messiah, King of the Jews. “Lactanius wrote: As there has been 2000 years from Adam to Abraham, and 2000 years from Abraham to Christ, so there will be 2000 years for the Christian Era and then would come the Millennium (the remaining 1000 year reign of Christ on earth)!” 2 Peter 3:8 CEV (thenational.com)
If the date of Jesus crucifixion was April 3, 33 AD, as I’ve come to believe after researching the matter,(some hold to an earlier date), then add 2000 years and you get 2033 as a possible starting time frame for the Millennium, probably in the fall, if the Feasts of Israel are God’s prophetic time piece as many suppose, around the Feast of Trumpets. Subtract 7 years for the seventieth week of Daniel or the great tribulation and you get 2026. Thus the rapture of the church could come at anytime prior or during these years according to many prophecy and eschatology scholars of the Bible. At any rate, 2000 years since Christ appearing is coming quickly!
Take up your trumpet! And blow it. Sound out the message of truth. Sound out the alarm.
When you hear the trumpet, react, awaken, repent, draw near, and welcome your King! He is coming. He is near…
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” I Tim 1:17 NIV
Some dear young friends of ours recently had a new baby boy and named him Justice Malachi. On an instagram post the mom quoted Ps 37:28.
“The LORD loves Justice…”
Lovely, and true!
It’s a strong name isn’t it? Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament, you might say the last prophet before the 400 years of silence before the first advent of the King, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, and His forerunner prophet, John the Baptist, and the New Testament of the Bible. Malachi in Hebrew means “Messenger,” or “Messenger of Yahweh.”
The name “Justice” is powerful and telling too, especially in our country, church, and day. Many people are confused about real justice, what it is, and just who is responsible for establishing or maintaining it.
If you are an agnostic or a secular humanist, who doesn’t believe God matters, then you are responsible for deciding the definition of justice and how to establish and maintain justice yourself. You’re acting as your own god. Or you will say that human government or consensus is responsible for this determination, definition, and execution.
If you are a Bible believing Christian, you will have a high view of God, and an experiential relationship with Him, and realize that He defines, establishes, and maintains justice from on high, just as He says in the Bible, and history demonstrates.
I think all humans have an innate understanding of what justice is, perhaps because we’re created in His image. But if you haven’t looked at the definition lately, with all the hubbub about social justice, maybe a definition is in order. Then let’s reflect on a few things the Bible says about justice.
jus·tice/noun (from Oxford Languages)
just behavior or treatment.”a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people”
a judge or magistrate, in particular a judge of the Supreme Court of a country or state.
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“Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” Ps 97:2
“The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” Ps 11:4
“For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” Ps 37:28
“Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, In due time their foot will slip; For the day of their calamity is near, And the impending things are hastening upon them.” Deut 32:35
“for these are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” Luke 21:22 AMP
“For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”” Heb 10:30
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
“I am not an African. I am not an African American. I am an American, and I wouldn’t want to be anything else. America doesn’t owe me anything. American has blessed me beyond measure. If anything, I owe America.” These words are quoted from “Fault Lines“ written by Voddie Baucham Jr., a man’s man, raised as a boy by a single mom in Watts. They are printed along with a complete look at the current social and church issues of “social justice,” “Black Lives Matter,” “critical race theory,” “intersectionality,” etc. which are part and parcel of the same world view. He has read their background material carefully and quotes it accurately to show how it distorts truth, history, and the Bible. He does all this with a very kind, but prophet-like, child-like honesty.
This is the most important book I’ve read this year. I’ll probably blog about it and these issues a couple more times then move on to more productive things. But it’s a deception that needs to be exposed and addressed, so you can take a stand, or understand what’s being said, why it’s being said, and what’s at stake. Do your own research, but this book is a good place to start and end. The 20/20 men’s reading and friendship group that meets in my home recently spent four sessions discussing it and we all feel the same way.
Warning, there are parts of it that are a bit academic, but that’s because he’s a college president and an academic himself. Also, the terms and their meanings have to be defined and understood before they can be discussed. But his story telling, personal history, and Spirit-led sharpness shines throughout and certainly in the end.
It’s hard hitting, factual, informative, and he addresses the things you’ve wondered about, as the media have promoted the worldview of the radical dissidents in reporting the violence and looting of the protesters.
In the end it’s going to be a good jumping off place or segue to several blogs on lies and deception, world wide delusion really, which has been an interest and study of mine for some time, and something the Spirit continually points out to me as the main answer to, “How can these things be happening?” In the church of Jesus Christ, no less!
It you’ve been puzzled by this topic, and these events of the last year, along with the pandemic, this is a good read, and a good place to start, in your search for the truth of the matter, and what to do about it. Godspeed as you journey, and shalom.
