Must Go Away
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7).
I am not trying to get you to sit and compare which is better, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. They are both vital to our lives. The question is not which is a better teacher. God in the form of the Holy Spirit is more effective in motivating, moving, and leading millions of believers at the same time. And Jesus-Well, He is Jesus!
Lets get real here for just a moment. Most of us have thought or said something along these lines in the past. We have secretly believed the disciples had a great advantage over us because:
They were able to sit and listen to the very words of Jesus. They were able to physically see Jesus’ face. They were able to physically hear Jesus’ words. They were able to witness how Jesus acted. They were able to walk with Jesus and bear witness to all His miracles.
What an advantage they had! How many of us have felt, “Oh, if only we could have been there, if only we could have seen what Jesus’ disciples saw! I know my walk with the Lord would be stronger.” Yet, Jesus told His closest followers very plainly it was to everyone’s advantage He needed to leave. He basically communicated, “Look, it is going to be better for you when I leave. For when I go away, the Strengthener will come.” It is the Strengthener, the Helper, and the Comforter who meets our needs from within. This was what these disciples needed and this same Holy Spirit is what we need today.
I know it is hard for us to grasp that we are better off with the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Did you ever notice in reading through the Gospels that when Jesus finished some of His greatest messages, the disciples still were clueless? They never went away with their faces aglow, their minds full of understanding, their hearts committed, and ready to work? They were blown away, but not radically changed. Instead, the record tells us that every time Jesus talked to them, He puzzled them. Those closest were perplexed. They couldn't figure Him out. Many times the disciples went away arguing about what He had to say. Jesus’ actions produced more questions and on occasions created disputes within their ranks.
The day after Pentecost, when the Spirit came. This same group was in unison, ready to face all of life’s challenges. Their faces were radiant and joy was in their hearts. Before the Holy Spirit came, they all ran from death and persecution. After the Spirit came, they welcomed persecution. This is what the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer. It was indeed to their advantage and to ours that Jesus was not with them.
We have the same access to the Father and Jesus through the Holy Spirit. We are simply not taking advantage of what we have. You I need to get to know the Holy Spirit. What we may need is a reintroduction to what it means to walk in the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit. This was Jesus’ desire.
The Lord only shares with us the things we need to know in their season. Jesus has been talking to the disciples about some very serious issues which He couldn't speak to them about in the beginning of His ministry. Now it was time for them to hear these new instructions. The focus of Jesus’ teachings was upon the type of relationship His followers would have with the Holy Spirit "not" the gifts the Holy Spirit brings to the relationship. This is very important for us to understand. If we would but first get the relationship correct with the Holy Spirit, then everything else would fall into place, including spiritual gifts.
“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. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;” (John 16:7-8).
I wonder if there are any verses of Scripture more frequently misread than these in (John 16). It is commonly quoted and read as though the Holy Spirit was going to come into the world and work directly upon the hearts of unbelievers, those who are not Christians. Those who read it this way leave the believer totally out of the equation. But if you read and interpret in this fashion, you have not read this verse correctly. This is not what Jesus was trying to communicate.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come (to you), He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
You see, the Holy Spirit is not coming to the world; He is coming to you, the church, the Christian, the believer. When He comes to the follower of Christ, this will convince or convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment. I believe this is what Jesus was trying to communicate. The Holy Spirit does not come to the world; He comes to us. Unless the Holy Spirit comes into our life and abides in us, He will not be able to accomplish all those things Jesus wants done in the world. If the world around you is "not " experiencing conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment, whose fault is it; God’s or Ours’s?
How many of us have gone to the grocery store in the past two weeks to buy milk, or some other type of drink. The supermarket always provides liquids in some type of container. We must have containers to carry our liquid refreshments. What if the store simply poured the milk into our hands? Obviously it would pour all out into the floor and be wasted. Well, at least we would get an ounce or two.
God always pours out the Holy Spirit unto containers, or vessels, if you will. The Lord did not send the Spirit to “float around“, but to indwell the hearts and minds of believers. The Holy Spirit is, He is a person of the God-head. Because the Holy Spirit is a Person, we must be willing containers which desire a relationship with Him.
The Holy Spirit will only get into the world (via) indwelling your life. If the Holy Spirit is not indwelling the world around you, it is because you are not carrying the Holy Spirit with you. You are an empty vessel. Jesus told us what to expect; I will send Him unto you!
We simply become a container of the Holy Spirit. The more space we give Him, the more of Holy Spirit we will have. The Lord doesn't want us to do the Holy Spirit’s job. This leads to man-made religion. Our job is to be filled.
Thursday 8 January 2015
Doubting
Matthew writes: (16:1) 'One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
The Pharisees were bound by tradition, so they opposed anything new. The Sadducees were bound by reason, so they opposed anything supernatural. Since Christ brought a new revelation of God and a new dimension of His power, both the Pharisees and Sadducees opposed Him. So Jesus warned His disciples: 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In a culture where people used yeast to make bread, Christ's point came through loud and clear. Just as yeast works silently and spreads slowly, so "doubt" and unbelief work the same way in our hearts and minds. Then Christ asked His disciples two questions. Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
He wanted them to know when their thinking was being negatively influenced by those around them so that they would be on guard against it. Who do you say I am?' Immediately Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, 'You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. There are things that people can teach you and if you're wise you will listen. But there are things that only the Lord can reveal to you and if you're wise you'll listen and do what He says. Paul said in Romans, 'Everyone has heard about your obedience. Obedience to God's will should be your number one priority. When your name is mentioned, no one should have any "doubt" as to the level of your commitment to Jesus. That their lives would be pleasing to God. 'That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.
Matthew writes: (16:1) 'One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
The Pharisees were bound by tradition, so they opposed anything new. The Sadducees were bound by reason, so they opposed anything supernatural. Since Christ brought a new revelation of God and a new dimension of His power, both the Pharisees and Sadducees opposed Him. So Jesus warned His disciples: 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. In a culture where people used yeast to make bread, Christ's point came through loud and clear. Just as yeast works silently and spreads slowly, so "doubt" and unbelief work the same way in our hearts and minds. Then Christ asked His disciples two questions. Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
He wanted them to know when their thinking was being negatively influenced by those around them so that they would be on guard against it. Who do you say I am?' Immediately Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, 'You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. There are things that people can teach you and if you're wise you will listen. But there are things that only the Lord can reveal to you and if you're wise you'll listen and do what He says. Paul said in Romans, 'Everyone has heard about your obedience. Obedience to God's will should be your number one priority. When your name is mentioned, no one should have any "doubt" as to the level of your commitment to Jesus. That their lives would be pleasing to God. 'That you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way.
Here Is What God Has Learned Me Over The Holiday Season:
Suddenly, God steps onto the scene and arrests our attention. Like a rogue wave, adversity crashes onto the peaceful shores of our lives and knocks us flat. Amazingly, the jolt awakens our senses, and we suddenly remember that God is in control, no matter what.
Romans (14:4)
'Who are you to judge someone else's servant? It is always a lot easier to stand on the sidelines and take pot-shots than to get involved and try to help. The Bible repeatedly warns us not to criticize, compare, or condemn one another. When we judge what someone else is doing in sincere faith, we are on dangerous ground with God. 'What right do we have to 'judge' someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right. Since we are not their 'lord,' we need to exercise wisdom and restraint.
Refusing to stand in judgment on those whose opinions differ from ours. Apostle Paul says: 'Why, then criticize your brother's actions, why try to make him look small? We shall all be judged one day, not by each other's standards or even by our own, but by the judgment of God' Romans (14:10-11).
Whenever we take it upon our self to analyse, scrutinize and categories one of God's children, four things happen:
1) We upset their Father.
2) We display our ego and insecurity.
3) We set the standard by which we ourselves will be judged.
4) We alienate people. When we get a reputation for being critical, people will avoid us like a plague. They know that if we criticize others we will criticize them too.
The Bible says: 'Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault' Romans: (14:19).
Someone said, 'The largest room in the world is room for improvement.' If we doubt that, look at the "disciples Christ picked" and promoted-then look in the mirror.
Suddenly, God steps onto the scene and arrests our attention. Like a rogue wave, adversity crashes onto the peaceful shores of our lives and knocks us flat. Amazingly, the jolt awakens our senses, and we suddenly remember that God is in control, no matter what.
Romans (14:4)
'Who are you to judge someone else's servant? It is always a lot easier to stand on the sidelines and take pot-shots than to get involved and try to help. The Bible repeatedly warns us not to criticize, compare, or condemn one another. When we judge what someone else is doing in sincere faith, we are on dangerous ground with God. 'What right do we have to 'judge' someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right. Since we are not their 'lord,' we need to exercise wisdom and restraint.
Refusing to stand in judgment on those whose opinions differ from ours. Apostle Paul says: 'Why, then criticize your brother's actions, why try to make him look small? We shall all be judged one day, not by each other's standards or even by our own, but by the judgment of God' Romans (14:10-11).
Whenever we take it upon our self to analyse, scrutinize and categories one of God's children, four things happen:
1) We upset their Father.
2) We display our ego and insecurity.
3) We set the standard by which we ourselves will be judged.
4) We alienate people. When we get a reputation for being critical, people will avoid us like a plague. They know that if we criticize others we will criticize them too.
The Bible says: 'Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault' Romans: (14:19).
Someone said, 'The largest room in the world is room for improvement.' If we doubt that, look at the "disciples Christ picked" and promoted-then look in the mirror.
Wednesday 7 January 2015
What If?
What if ? Can be a very dangerous question. When we are at a place in our life's and we don't want to be there. God has a word for us but it may not be one we want to hear. It's the same word Jeremiah brought to his people when they were slaves in Babylon, far from everything near and dear:
You're not going home anytime soon, so change your attitude, dig in and make the best of it. God placed you there to bless those around you. Instead of putting your life on hold waiting for circumstances to change, start sowing into other people's lives what you want to come back as a harvest in your own.
Why? Because when they are blessed, you'll be blessed too! Jesus said, 'Give, and it will be given to you, the measure you use, will be measured to you' Luke (6:38). Be determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be. I've learned that the greater part of happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. Paul: I have learned to be content in, every situation', Philippians (4:12). If you want to go from surviving to thriving, make the most of where God placed you.
We often miss the mark when we say to the many whom are single, the ultimate plan for them is to marriage. God's plan for those of us whom are not married, should be to ultimately seek the lord and listen to what He is saying. For one's singleness could become one of the highest spiritual plateaus they have ever known in their life. I don’t know any pursuer of God who has not had to forsake certain relationships in order to maintain spiritual purity. What are your boundaries? Allow the Lord to speak to these issues today.
What if ? Can be a very dangerous question. When we are at a place in our life's and we don't want to be there. God has a word for us but it may not be one we want to hear. It's the same word Jeremiah brought to his people when they were slaves in Babylon, far from everything near and dear:
You're not going home anytime soon, so change your attitude, dig in and make the best of it. God placed you there to bless those around you. Instead of putting your life on hold waiting for circumstances to change, start sowing into other people's lives what you want to come back as a harvest in your own.
Why? Because when they are blessed, you'll be blessed too! Jesus said, 'Give, and it will be given to you, the measure you use, will be measured to you' Luke (6:38). Be determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be. I've learned that the greater part of happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances. Paul: I have learned to be content in, every situation', Philippians (4:12). If you want to go from surviving to thriving, make the most of where God placed you.
We often miss the mark when we say to the many whom are single, the ultimate plan for them is to marriage. God's plan for those of us whom are not married, should be to ultimately seek the lord and listen to what He is saying. For one's singleness could become one of the highest spiritual plateaus they have ever known in their life. I don’t know any pursuer of God who has not had to forsake certain relationships in order to maintain spiritual purity. What are your boundaries? Allow the Lord to speak to these issues today.
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