God's Treasure Hunt

 King Saul of Israel had failed miserably. God commissioned Samuel, the prophet and high priest, to find a new king. God sent Samuel on a treasure hunt. He was to find the young man chosen by God and anoint him as the next king.

Where was Samuel sent? Not to Jerusalem and not to a noble family. God sent Samuel to a farm. The farmer had strong and handsome sons.

Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 1 Samuel 16:10 NIV84

The farmer had another son, but he was only a boy.

Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” 

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 1 Samuel 16:11–12 NLT

Samuel was directly led by the Holy Spirit.

Today many of us are so wise in our own eyes. We are taught that we have the whole Bible and theological training. We think we no longer need the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Or else we do what we think is right and assume we are led by the Spirit.

Some Christians are too easily led by emotional impressions, but it is dangerous to rely on our own human understanding of the Bible without the help of the One who inspired it.

And what are the results of this educated Christianity? In many formerly Christian countries, Christians are merely tolerated. The power and glory of God are not found in most churches.

Many churches have excluded the Holy Spirit, just like King Saul, but God is looking for outsiders and children like David who will continue His work with the love and power of the Holy Spirit.

 Agostino d' Antonio, a sculptor of Florence, Italy, wrought diligently but unsuccessfully on a large piece of marble. "I can do nothing with it," he finally said. Other sculptors, too, worked with the piece of marble, but they, too, gave up the task. The stone was discarded. It lay on a rubbish heap for forty years.

Out strolling one day, Michelangelo saw the stone and the latent possibilities in it. It was brought to his studio. He began to work on it. Ultimately, his vision and work were crowned with success. From that seemingly worthless stone was carved one of the world's masterpieces of sculpture—"David!" (cf: 1 Samuel 16:13)

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 15,000 ILLUSTRATIONS SIGNS OF THE TIMES By Dr. Paul Lee Tan  

 You may be rejected by the world and even other Christians as a worthless stone. God still has good plans for your life.

God Speaks to You and Every Believer

 In the Old Testament, God led His people by giving directions to prophets, priests and kings.
God often spoke in direct supernatural ways to these ordained leaders, and the people were expected to follow these directions.

When Jesus released the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, everything changed.

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NIV

Christianity is either supernatural or it's nothing. We are called to be fruitful and multiply.

There is a Christianity that does not welcome supernatural revelations, healings and the active presence of God doing surprising stuff.

The Reformation achieved some good things in its time. Salvation through faith in Jesus was preached. The Bible was translated and restored to the people.

But the Reformation was very incomplete. God is the god of miracles. 

Faith in a God who only did miracles 2000 years ago will not impact the world today.

When Christianity is truly alive and healthy, every believer hears the voice of God and every believer follows Jesus directly and personally.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; Jn 10:27 NASB95

In the Old Testament, the people of God only heard the voice of God indirectly, through the Bible and the words of the prophets who spoke for God. We still read the Bible and it is God speaking through His perfect revealed word.

But how do you know what God is saying to you now?

The Bible says different things to different people in different passages. Is God telling you to rest in His love or to radically change your life?

•     Is God telling you to hide His truth in your heart, or to tell everyone what you believe?

•     Is God telling you to marry or to stay single?

•     Is God telling you to preach in Africa or stay at home?

•     Is God telling you to work in a job or to be a missionary who trusts Him to provide?

Bible reading alone will not answer these questions. Many people resolve this difficulty by putting themselves under the direction of a priest, pastor or spiritual adviser. This is putting a man in the place of God. 

It is Old Testament thinking, but it is common in the church. It is like the old-fashioned Roman Catholic system, where the priests told the believers what the Bible says and what they should do. I hope you don't think I am against Catholics. Many Catholics love Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit.

What is God saying to you now?

There is nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel and teaching but this must not be a substitute for growing up in faith yourself. A Christian who is spiritually healthy is able to receive direct personal communication from God Himself.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 NASB95

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Rev 3:20 NASB95

In the New Testament, every believer is invited to hear the voice of God and to share with others what he hears.   

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17 NIV

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Cor 14:1 NASB95

Some Miracles Take a Long Time

 Nowadays, some couples want to live without children. Some women only want to have one or two children. They want to pursue a career first and only try to get pregnant when they are 35. Many then have problems and end up paying a lot of money for artificial insemination.

In the biblical era, it was quite different. A woman was expected to be married, and there was great shame in being childless.

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Lk 1:5–7 NIV

Elizabeth was old and despite her strong faith and devotion, and her many prayers, she remained childless. Had God forgotten her? She was faithful, but was God not faithful?

But God had a plan for her. She was to be the mother of a great prophet. Her son was John the Baptist.

Sometimes our faith and patience must be tested for years before God can perform a great miracle and give us even greater blessings.

When Moses fled Egypt at 40 years old, he was not a prophet and was not at all ready to rule a nation. After 40 years as a shepherd in the desert, he was able to begin fulfilling his destiny.

Abraham was to be the father of many nations, but he received this promise at about 75 years of age. He had to wait until he was almost 100 years old, and his wife was over 90 before they had their promised son.

Sometimes we see miracles happen very quickly. I know of a family that had a baby who was completely deaf. Before the little boy was 18 months old, he and his mother attended a service where the preacher prayed for him. A week later, he could hear a little, and three months later, he had 100% normal hearing.

When Jesus performed miracle healings in the New Testament, it didn't take long. The sick recovered dramatically. This also happens today, especially in revivals, but there are also healings where the recovery time takes longer, but the healing is still miraculous.

For many years I was a member of a congregation with a wonderful pastor. The pastor became ill. He was very close to death because of cancer, but God healed him. His recovery took quite a long time and afterwards he was never strong, but he lived for more than ten years. His ministry after his healing was even better and more blessed than before.

Before the war, there were no antibiotics. A pastor in England became ill with tuberculosis, which at that time was incurable. The pastor believed in miracle healings and he prayed that God would heal him.

The Holy Spirit promised him that if he would pray two hours each day, God would heal him. He believed and obeyed. He prayed every day and he gradually recovered completely.

In the Bible, we read how devout Jews and Christians somehow, in some mysterious way, received messages from the Holy Spirit. God has not changed. He still speaks. It is part of His nature.

Do you know God's voice? You can learn to listen to God. Ask God to help you. He can heal the deaf ears and also awaken a listening heart in you.

Holy Spirit, Counsellor, Helper, Guide

 The Holy Spirit is your guide.

There are many stumbling blocks on your way, but the Holy Spirit comes from Jesus. He is God himself, God with us, as Jesus was with his first disciples. 

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor* (also helper, comforter, or advocate) to be with you forever. Jn 14:16 CSB

*PARAKLETOS. Literally one called alongside; (counsellor, helper, comforter, advocate)

Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counsellor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. Jn 16:7 CSB

Jesus spent three years with His disciples in the flesh, but Jesus says that fellowship with the Holy Spirit is even better than knowing Jesus in the flesh.

Have you experienced this truth? More importantly, have you experienced this reality?

The Holy Spirit is like the pilot who knows how to steer the ship safely into the harbour.
There are so many obstacles in your life, but we often focus on the obstacles instead of focusing on God.

One obstacle is the fear and bitterness that comes from painful memories, but God can help you escape from those hurts.

Perhaps you were bullied and are no longer in that situation.

Your boss used to bully you, but now you have a better boss. The Holy Spirit can help you pray for the bad boss and be thankful for the better boss.

Jesus teaches us to love our persecutors, to bless them, not curse them.

Can you do that? It is impossible for us humans. It goes against our human nature. But with the Holy Spirit you can become like Jesus himself, step by step.

With the Holy Spirit we can forgive, bless, give thanks and hope, but without experiencing communion with the Holy Spirit all this is impossible.

Being Led by the Holy Spirit

 You love God. You experience his love in his presence. The Holy Spirit is not just a theological term for you. You know Him personally, but you are perhaps sometimes misunderstood in your congregation.

You may hear teachings in church that don't sit right with your intuitive spiritual mind.

Preachers and church leaders are flawed people, just like you. They study the Bible and theological teachings and they do their best. Even if they want to learn directly from the Holy Spirit, just like you, they can make mistakes, just like you.

It may be that you hear a teaching or a prophecy from God himself in the church, but you sense that God wants to lead you a different way. God has a unique plan for each believer.
 
Is your personal conviction wrong then? Maybe you have misunderstood God's guidance in your life, but maybe not.

A few years ago I was in a very good church where the leadership followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. I attended a very good meeting every Friday evening.

After the service, the pastor took to the streets in the nightclub neighbourhood. Many others also joined in. They spoke to many people on the street about Jesus. That was undoubtedly from God and I went along too.

But I was tired after my work and the next day I was tired too. I prayed about it. I was supposed to preach the gospel, but how and when?

I realised that I could communicate God's message best on the Internet. I needed peace and quiet and time to pray, read and write.

I continued to attend the wonderful Friday night service, but I stopped going out on the street.

I know Christian women who visit brothels to help prostitutes. I know a woman who came out of the brothels through her ministry and is now very faithful and active in God's service.

Are you called to do this? I also met a preacher who once visited a brothel because God sent him to save a woman. Not everyone can do that and not everyone should try.

What do you hear from God? How can you best follow Jesus?

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

It is very good if you can find a good church where the leadership serves with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but it is even more important that you are familiar with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your own life.

Knowing God Personally

 If we believe in Jesus, we are forgiven and saved from eternal death.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

What is this faith by which we are saved? Many are baptised as babies, but they do not know what has happened.

Some are baptised as adults, but there is no trace of brotherly love and mercy in their lives afterwards. Some become loving people, but others become merely religious and self-righteous.

‘everyone who lives and believes in me.’ Jesus speaks of an enduring life that is determined and characterised by faith.

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Jn 8:31–32 NRSV

What does ‘continue in my word’ mean?

You should read the Bible every day? A good idea, but is that what Jesus meant?
Keeping God's commandments? Also good. We must not disobey God's commandments.

Jesus taught the Bible very differently from the pious Jews of his time.

Jesus was one hundred per cent a Bible man, but he spoke of something different, of a living relationship with himself.

Jesus rebuked the pious Bible experts who listened to him.

“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf.
Yet you refuse to come to me to have life. Jn 5:39–40 NRSV

What did Jesus mean when he told the Jews to remain in his word?

They should live as Jesus himself taught. It is not enough to agree with biblical truth. We must put Jesus' teachings into practice every day.

But how can we love our enemies? Not just be nice to difficult people, not just pray for the conversion of sinners, but really be touched by the love of God for evil people?

We must take the teachings of Jesus seriously, but that is not enough.

When Jesus called his disciples to follow him before the cross, it was both a command and an invitation to live in personal communion with him. Peter and Andrew had to leave their fishing boat behind. Matthew had to give up his business.

Back then, Jesus was a travelling preacher. Following him often meant travelling with him.

Even today, there are newly converted Christians who have to leave their job or their home, but many should stay where they are.

What does discipleship mean today?

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Rom 8:14 NRSV

We do not have visible fellowship with Jesus today, but we do have God's invitation to experience fellowship with his Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not a theological concept, but a loving person, a person who loves you like Jesus himself.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor 13:14 NIV

We can only live the way Jesus wants us to live if we allow ourselves to be changed inwardly by the love of God. Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to bring about this inner healing.

Let the Roots of your Life be in God

 In many churches, you hear a call. The preacher gives an invitation to all those who do not know Jesus personally to accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, Jn 1:10–12 NRSV

Many pray with the pastor and ask Jesus to come into their lives and forgive all their sins. Then we see how some experience a completely new life. They think differently. They speak differently and they live differently.

But sadly, we see others who do not change. Some stay in the church for a while and then disappear.

Others stay in the church, learn to adapt and become religious, but their colleagues at work see no trace of God's love in their lives.

What is the difference?

Jesus explained that the message of God's grace is like a seed. The seed must fall into the ground and take root.

Are you ready to let God's Spirit work deep in your soul? Jesus is no longer on earth in the flesh, but He has sent His Holy Spirit to us.

• The Holy Spirit wants to help you.

• The Holy Spirit wants to heal wounds and scars in your soul.

• The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of love.

• The Holy Spirit is the spirit of Jesus Christ. He is like Jesus himself, but invisible and closer than breathing.  

If you give the Holy Spirit space in your soul, you will be able to read the Bible in a new way. God's word will come alive for you.

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,

and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ” Jn 7:37–38 NRSV

You are like a plant in God's garden. Without roots and water, you will die.

Where are the roots of your life? In your job? In your family? In your church?

God gives us work, families and churches. These are gifts from God, but only God himself is the source of your eternal life.

And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. 

Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. Col 2:6–7 The Living Bible, Paraphrased

The Holy Spirit in You

 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Mt 5:48 NIV

There are several Bible verses where you can find the expectation that we can be completely free from sin, and must be without sin.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:1 NIV

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Rom 6:1–2 NIV

Sin poisons your life. We must never lightly appease or tolerate sin.

But the Bible also warns us that we will never completely reach the goal of sinlessness.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:8–9 NIV

The apostle Paul experienced a painful inner struggle against sin and guilt.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Rom 7:24–25 NIV

As the apostle John wrote (above), we will never be 100% without all sin, but if we focus on our faults and sins, we will live a miserable life.

An empty glass may not be completely empty, just as a good life is not completely sinless. An empty glass is full of air.

How can you get rid of the air? If you pour water or coffee into the glass, the air has to come out.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Gal 5:16 NIV

You can never obey God through virtuous exertion. It is impossible.

You can only satisfy God by living in a close personal relationship with the Holy Spirit every minute of every hour of every day.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, Eph 5:18–19 NIV

Paul says that we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again and live in loving fellowship with God and other Christians.

In this way we will live in God's light, and God's light reveals what is evil and casts out darkness.

The Holy Spirit is your Guide

 When Mary became pregnant, her fiancé Joseph was shocked because he was not the father. An angel of the Lord visited him in a dream and explained God's plans to him.

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Mt 1:23 NIV

The Father was actually God Himself! We are familiar with this now, but imagine how staggering this was for Joseph! But Joseph believed God.

How often does God Himself intervene in this world, but devout Bible-believing Christians assume it must be from below? Conservative unbelief is a major obstacle for God in our generation, just as it was in the New Testament when the Pharisees questioned everything.

How can we distinguish between what comes from God and what does not? Bible knowledge is important, but the Pharisees in the New Testament were the world champions in Bible knowledge.

In the New Testament, lepers, corrupt officials and prostitutes recognised Jesus as the Son of God, but most Bible experts misinterpreted everything.

The Word of God is our standard in everything, but how we understand God's Word can often be miles away from God's wisdom.

We cling tightly to certain proof texts that confirm our beliefs, but why are we always so sure that our beliefs are always 100% flawlessly correct?

No one is flawless in this life. Is your faith based on the teachings of the Reformers? We find considerable disagreement among the leaders of the Reformation.

Calvin claimed that the supernatural gifts of the Spirit in the New Testament were only for biblical times. Many Reformed Christians believed the gift of prophecy was not intended for later generations.

The leader of the Reformation in Scotland was John Knox. His doctrine of salvation was exactly like Calvin's, but he was recognised as a prophet, and so was Luther.

Many Reformed Christians in our time do not believe in miraculous healings. Martin Luther didn't believe in it at first either, but later he prayed for miraculous healings and God healed.

If we cling inflexibly to doctrines, we can often be wrong.

God sent his Son from heaven to die for our sins and open the way to eternal life.

But before his death on the cross, Jesus was Immanuel, God with us. The Bible experts of his time had spread many erroneous doctrines, but Jesus rejected their faulty theology.

Then Jesus promised that after his ascension, God would still be with us.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Jn 16:13 NIV

This refers to the inspiration of the writers of the New Testament but not only that. The same Holy Spirit inspires all believers in all generations. We all need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what God is saying to us in prayer and in our reading of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit helped the Reformers and later theologians, but they, like us, were not flawless. Each of us needs the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need anyone to teach you. Instead, his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in him. 1 Jn 2:27 CSB

So should we ignore all Bible teachers and reject all theology? No. We must be teachable, but each of us must be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, just like Joseph, who experienced a visitation by God's angel in a dream and he obeyed.

Learning to Know the Holy Spirit

When you give your life to Jesus, God himself comes to you and lives in you, right in you.
‘God in you!’

If this is just a theological term for you and not an overwhelming experience, then something has gone terribly wrong.

For many Christians, the Holy Spirit is just a theological doctrine.

But in the Bible, the Holy Spirit was audible, tangible and sometimes even visible.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit came upon 120 disciples, both men and women.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Acts 2:2–3 NIV

God is unchanging. He is still God and the Holy Spirit has never changed.

I was in a prayer meeting with my wife. Our little son was also there. We felt the presence of God. Later, our little boy told me that he saw blue flames on our heads.

About ten years ago, I was in a meeting with my wife and about 25 other Christians from Germany, the UK, Australia and Sweden. We all felt the glorious presence of God. Some saw a white cloud in the middle of the room, but I didn't. Later I saw digital photos where the white cloud was visible.

Jesus promised that his disciples would be filled with the Holy Spirit after his resurrection and ascension, and that happened right in Acts chapter 2.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Jn 7:37–39 NIV

How can ‘rivers of living water’ be just a theological term?

Some Christians want to hold on to a dry, sober religious tradition. They hear rumours of charismatic gatherings where some people go a bit crazy. They warn that we should avoid all dramatic phenomena.

But if we avoid all dramatic experiences, we will no longer have a biblically based Christian life. In the New Testament, Christian discipleship was characterised by dramatic manifestations of the Holy Spirit.

Paul was also familiar with dramatic revelations and miracles. Jesus and Paul never said that God's glory was only a special offer for a limited time.

Paul said that we should test everything. Some Christians have not learnt this.

Some are excited by every dramatic experience. Others don't want to immerse themselves in the streams of the Holy Spirit at all.

What did Paul teach?

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18 NIV

Don’t stifle the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies,
but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 1 Th 5:19–21 CSB

Paul did not say we must avoid everything that seems dramatic.

He said we must not avoid or reject, but test. You can't do that with Bible knowledge alone.

We must learn to recognise the Holy Spirit with our spirit.

It is sad that many Christians throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Resurrection Power for You

When Jesus was arrested in the garden, the disciples panicked.

Peter went berserk.

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jn 18:10 NIV

Then Jesus was arrested, and the apostles fled.

All of them deserted him and fled. Mk 14:50 NRSV

Peter tried to remain faithful, but he too failed.

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” Jn 18:25 NRSV

Jesus prepared his disciples very well for this tough test. Nevertheless, they failed.

Jesus had given them wonderful promises.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. Jn 14:1–3 NRSV

These marvellous promises in the Gospel of John are also for us. Perhaps the Holy Spirit has personally communicated comforting assurances, as he did with the apostles at that time. Nevertheless, you have often failed, and so have I.

Take courage. Jesus visited the apostles after His resurrection. Then He gave them His Holy Spirit and glory.

God transformed them.

Jesus understands that we don't just need Bible knowledge and doctrines. We often need powerful experiences and dramatic visitations because we are weak without God's presence.

Jesus also wants to transform us, you and me. Expect God to do something powerful in your life. Don’t be content with passive conformity to evangelical customs and formulas.

Experiencing the Holy Spirit

 In Mt Mk Lk and John we see again and again how people were entangled in impossible problems. It was only when Jesus came on the scene that they got out of their troubles. They needed a miracle. This was impossible for people, but no problem for the Son of God.

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. Mt 8:16 NASB95

I thank God for modern medical science. I have five doctors in my family. But there are so many sick and disabled people who, even with the best care, are just limping through life.

Thanks to modern medicine, many people are living longer, but for many people it is an uphill battle. They survive, but they have to deal with health problems on a daily basis.

Jesus is no longer on earth in the flesh. Even if Jesus were still here in human form, he would only be in one place.

But imagine if Jesus was with you in the flesh every day. You could expect all kinds of miracles. We can read about this in the New Testament. Do you think Jesus would have been any different?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8 NASB95

The first apostles before the cross had Jesus as their daily companion. Imagine what that would be like. But at the Last Supper, Jesus said something amazing.

“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. Jn 16:7 NASB95

Jesus said it is better to have the Holy Spirit in your life than to be in the bodily presence of Jesus every day! Wow!

Jesus helped people time and time again with numerous miracles that they needed to get out of painful problems and illnesses. With the Holy Spirit, we can expect God's help in the same way. In the Acts of the Apostles, the first Christians experienced the fulfilment of this expectation.

Why don't we experience this today? Because humanism and philosophical unbelief have blinded us like a dark shadow on Europe and other countries in the western world.

We hear testimonies of miraculous healings from Africa, Asia and South America. The dead are raised from the dead. Even when Christians in Europe hear such reports, many react with scepticism. Everything is questioned.

Jesus wants to give you the power, love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We can experience the Holy Spirit as a companion and friend, just like the first Christians in the Acts of the Apostles.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 2 Cor 13:14 NASB95

This can not only be a beautiful blessing for you, but a daily experience. Jesus wants to give you this kind of fulfilment in your life.

God is not Moody

 Are you in a bad mood sometimes?

That's normal for us humans, but God is not a moody person.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Jas 1:17 NIV

Our love may fluctuate with our moods, but that doesn't affect God's love for you one bit.

We are mortal beings. Our biological nature is weak and changeable, but in your mortal body is an immortal spirit.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 2 Co 5:1–2 NIV

This life on earth is a time of learning and testing. We can learn to live with an awakened spirit by living in close fellowship with God's Spirit.

God has given you supernatural means of communication to grow beyond your flawed nature.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Jn 7:37–39 NIV

If you have given your life to Jesus, you can expect Jesus to flood you with the Holy Spirit. You may drink if you are thirsty.

But don't draw back like many conservative Christians. Jesus wants to bless you much more.

When you are flooded and filled with the Holy Spirit, God will be a wonderful companion and guide.

Some conservative Christians don't want to seek a new experience with the Holy Spirit. They say they were filled with the Holy Spirit when they were converted.

Some Pentecostals do not want to seek more blessing because they have already been baptised with the Holy Spirit.

But Paul taught plain language.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18 NIV

The original Greek text is clear that Paul is not talking about a one-off experience, but about a way of life.

You can ask Jesus to fill you with his Holy Spirit every day.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?

Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Lk 11:11–13 NIV

Are You Ready for the Coming of Jesus?

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 20–21 NIV

It is so important to build yourself up in your faith. So many of us are too dependent on others for our spiritual inspiration. This is a sign of spiritual immaturity, but many Christians have been this way for years.

It's not wrong to ask a pastor or evangelist to pray for you.

But the Bible speaks over and over about your faith, your prayer, your devotion.

These two verses talk about your holy faith.
This includes your holy faith, your prayer in the Holy Spirit, how you keep yourself in the love of God, how you prepare yourself for the return of the Lord Jesus.

This text is not only meant for the church, but also for each individual Christian.

• You must build up your holy faith.

• God wants to hear your prayers.

• You must keep yourself in the love of God.

I love events where the blessing of the Holy Spirit flows, and my faith is inspired by the faith of others.

But neither Jesus nor Paul ever described the Christian life as a series of blessed meetings.

• Are you ready to stand before Jesus when he returns?

• Will Jesus ask how often you have been to church?

• Will Jesus ask if you have always been a good member of a church?

A very active young member of the church felt frustrated because his busy life made it difficult to spend quality time with non-Christians and he realised that he was not reaching out to people who needed Jesus.

He arranged to spend some time with a friend who didn't know Jesus, but this meant missing one of the several weekly church meetings he normally attended. His absence was interpreted as unfaithfulness by his group leader.

Unfortunately, this pressure to conform to church expectations is not uncommon. This religious pressure creates a powerless Christianity.

If you are constantly trying to please other Christians, it affects your relationship with God.

Jesus said:

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Jn 5:44 NIV 

In Matthew 13, Jesus explains how the gospel is like seed. He who believes is like a plant from the seed.

“The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;

yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. Mt 13:20–21 NASB95

In difficult times, many Christians withdraw from the faith. What determines your destiny is not your regular attendance at church or your ministry in the church.

How is your time with God in your bedroom? 

The Way out of Nomansland

Are you in no man's land?

Do you need healing? You have prayed. You have believed. The symptoms are diminishing, but your recovery is obviously not complete.

Hold fast to God's promises!

Before the last world war, penicillin had not yet been invented. An English preacher had tuberculosis and prayed for healing.

He did not get an instant cure, but he sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God told him to pray two hours a day and he would recover.
 
He was obedient and he gradually became completely well.

Many sick Christians pray for healing, but they are disappointed. When Jesus healed before the cross, he never failed. He healed everyone who prayed for healing, without exception.

What can we learn from Jesus? He had different methods. For example, he often healed by laying his hand on someone.

Jesus also gave instructions to his disciples.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mk 16:17–18 NIV

It is curious that Jesus first emphasises deliverance from demons. When Jesus healed the sick before the cross, he often cast out demons, because sickness is often associated with demonic activity.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 NLT

Jesus was the anointed one par excellence. He was always full of the Holy Spirit and ministered with unlimited power, but we need more help from the Holy Spirit.

An important and very powerful tool is the gift of tongues.

Some think that this gift was only for the first Christians, but in Mark 16:17-18 Jesus speaks of the signs that are to follow those who believe.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: …. they will speak in new tongues;

This statement is not limited in time.

To release God's miraculous power, we need to cultivate a deep relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Rom 8:26–27 NIV

How can we enter into this deep realm? Paul gives us an important indication of how he cultivated his close relationship with God.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 1 Cor 14:18 NIV

Paul explained that he did not want to speak in languages in meetings because he wanted to help people through prophecy or Bible teaching.

So when did Paul speak so much in languages? In his personal prayers.

When we cultivate our relationship with God through the Holy Spirit, we learn to perceive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We can learn to receive God's specific instructions, like this English preacher who was told to pray two hours a day to receive God's healing.

Women Preached in the Bible

 The women also spoke for God. Acts 2: The sons and daughters prophesied. Peter and 119 other men ... and women spoke God's words, opening the door of salvation with the keys of the kingdom.

On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the cross, 120 disciples of Jesus were dramatically filled with the Holy Spirit.

Peter was no longer the coward who denied Jesus. He stood up fearlessly and spoke words of power to the crowd. These words of power and life were the key to the kingdom. They opened the door of salvation to 2000 listeners that day.

The prophetic words of Jesus were fulfilled.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Mt 16:19 NIV

When God gives words of grace and truth, they are words of life for anyone and everyone who will receive them.

But was it only Peter who spoke God's life-giving words that day?

There were 120 disciples who spoke words from God to the crowds that day. They spoke in languages they had never learnt, and the listeners from many nations understood God's message in their own languages.

Who were these 120 disciples? Were they only men who had been ordained to preach?

Peter clearly rejects this idea.

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, … Acts 2:17 NIV

So did the women also proclaim the gospel in a public meeting?

In chapter 1 of Acts we have a clear confirmation of Peter's revolutionary words, although they were not Peter's words, but the words of the Holy Spirit quoted by the prophet Joel.

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14 NIV

Yes, the women were there too. There were also women among the 120 disciples. The women also spoke to the crowd with the authority of the Holy Spirit.

What do keys do? They lock and unlock doors.

The words of Peter and the other 119 male and female disciples unlocked the door of salvation and locked the door of condemnation for all those who believed and received their message.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Mt 16:19 NIV

Locking and unlocking is another way of saying binding and loosening.
Jesus gave his disciples the keys of the kingdom, keys, not just a key.

Keys represent God-given authority.
Words of inspired preaching, teaching, prophesying and witnessing are all keys through which God opens the doors to reach people with His goodness and power.

So who has the authority to bind and loose or to lock and unlock?

• Only Peter? Clearly no.

• Only the apostles? No.

• Only the ordained preachers? No.

• Only men? No.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Mt 18:18–20 NIV

Where two or three male or female disciples are together in unity and harmony, their words of faith and believing prayer can bind or loose, can lock or open spiritual doors.

Partnership With God

It is very important that we recognise our human limitations.

As a human being, I am only a very flawed part of a world that has been badly corrupted and mismanaged by my fellow human beings.

As a human being, I can only partially resist the corruption of this world with great effort and willpower.

In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:26–27 NASB95

Despite all my endeavours, I remain a human being who is not fit to live in the presence of the holy God.

As a human being, I cannot save the humanity around me because I myself need salvation.
Jesus told his chosen apostles:

“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. Jn 15:5 NIV

The apostle Paul reminds us:

… it is not that we are so competent that we can claim any credit for ourselves; all our competence comes from God. 2 Co 3:5 NJB

God created you to enjoy a close relationship with Himself.
He loves you completely. His love is so warm and tender.

He wants you to stay safe and secure in His beautiful love every hour of your life.

This is such a sweet experience but God not only wants to give you joy but also the fulfilment of a meaningful life with Him.

He wants to give you a share in His great mission to save the world.
God is calling you into partnership with Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

You cannot even begin to work with God without a close connection with Him through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told His disciples:

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.” Ac 1:8 NIV

This power enables us to heal the sick, bring people to faith in Jesus, and minister to drug addicts.

But we must always be aware that this power is not ours, and we cannot minister without the help of Jesus himself.

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NJB

Our goal is to bring people into intimate fellowship with Jesus through God's love so that they come to know God as their Heavenly Father.

This makes no sense if you yourself do not live in close fellowship with God.

We Need the Holy Spirit

I was listening to classical music on the radio this morning. I love this music and the presenter was excellent. 

This presenter was born female, but is a now a man married to a woman. He had surgery and has ongoing male hormone therapy.

When I first heard this presenter, she was a woman, and I later learned, a lesbian. 

When I heard his voice on the radio this morning, my reaction was to pray earnestly for him, for blessing, mercy and salvation.

In the past, I have sometimes enjoyed her (or more recently his) musical commentary and sometimes felt uncomfortable about his or her gender identity, but I did not pray earnestly.
How should we respond to people like this?

Many Christians respond as moral crusaders or culture warriors, but I doubt if this is effective. 

Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14.6

But in John’s gospel, we read that Jesus is full of grace and truth.

From his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.

The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  Jn 1:16–17 NRSV

Jesus is the embodiment of truth, but grace comes before truth. Jesus also died for homosexuals and transsexual people.

If I was a pastor and I had to minister to a person like this, how would I respond? I have no idea.

If you think the bible gives you precise instructions about this, I think you need to think again. 

I think we need to prayerfully seek guidance in each situation. Traditional bible based evangelical thinking is just not fit for purpose in these confusing times.

Supposing a Muslim man with two or three wives is converted to faith in Jesus Christ. How would you counsel him and his wives?

We need the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit on how to apply biblical principles.

We also often need to step back, pray, and let the Holy Spirit deal directly with the person we are trying to reach. Only God himself is able to deal with situations like these.

God loves you. You can choose to respond.

 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. Jn 12:32–33 NIV

Jesus was not compelled to die on the cross. Although he was arrested, he could have escaped. However, he chose to sacrifice his life willingly to bear God's judgement for us.

Jesus was not coerced; he acted out of love.  Jesus does not want to force you and me to accept his love and forgiveness. Instead, he desires to win us over through love.

Unlike conscripts in armies who do not obey voluntarily, Jesus does not want any involuntary slaves. He loves you and wants to win your love. True love is always voluntary.

God's love is always active.

So he told them, “My Father is working until now, and I too am working.” Jn 5:17 NET

Are you feeling discouraged or stuck? Where is God?

God is at work in your life even when you feel frustrated. If you ask where God is, it's a sign that God is whispering to your soul. Where does the thought of God come from? From God himself.

Remember that there is a good God who wants to help you, so please don't give up.