While the ultimate fulfillment of this prophesy will take place at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ – it doesn’t mean none of these things shouldn’t be happening now. This scripture also demonstrates that God uses all of His people…not just the young, not just the highly educated, not just the inspired and enthusiastic, to forward His Kingdom here on earth. We are all called to be salt and light…to speak God’s message, in His name and under the influence of the Holy Spirit, to those the Lord brings across our path. That means you could very well be the Difference-Maker in someone’s life today.
Tag: holy spirit
Luke 11: 11-13 ” 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? “
We think we know what we want…but in our short-sightedness are we really asking for a stone from the Lord…when He wants to give us a loaf of bread? We naively think we know what’s best for us…when we really don’t have a clue. We have a good, good Father that wants to give us only the very best…so ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your petitions before the Lord…and pray God’s Will into your life, not yours.
Hebrews 10: 37-38 ” For in just a very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.’ “
The writer of Hebrews is paraphrasing Habakkuk 2:3-4 in this passage. He’s stressing that our spiritual walk is made up of constant, focused, decisions to trust and obey the Lord…even when we can’t see change. He warns us against retreating or drawing back from trials simply out of fear. If you’re in the middle of a storm today, don’t allow fear to rule your life…don’t hesitate when apprehension rises in your throat…rather make a conscious decision to listen to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit and walk by faith.
I Corinthians 12:12-13 ” The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Here Paul is comparing the human body with the body of Christ…the Church. Just as the many parts of the human body work together in complete harmony…each with its own unique purpose, the body of Christ – the Church and its many parts need to come together in like-mindedness also. And just like the human body, one part cannot work in isolation from the rest. That would be like one Sunday morning your heart getting up and deciding not to be part of your body that day! You may think that your presence at Church doesn’t matter…but it does…the whole body suffers when one part is absent.
John 15:26 ” When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth Who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me.”
Right before Jesus left this earth, He designated the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete…another of equal quality in His place. The Holy Spirit is called a Paraclete because He undertakes Christ’s office here while Christ is away from the world. Bearing witness to the absolute, ultimate, and saving truth of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gently nudges us ever in the right direction.
Ephesians 1:11 ” In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will…”
You are not a mistake. No matter what people tell you, God’s divine Will included you as an important part in this world. He has a unique purpose for your life here on earth…your birth was foreordained by Him…He knew you before you were even conceived. You are not a mistake, but a valuable part of God’s plan.
John 6: 67-69 ” ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.’ “
Other followers had turned away, but the Twelve Disciples knew something they didn’t. They had the certainty and assurance only given to them by the Father above. And this faith that Jesus was truly the Messiah was evident in Peter’s response…”Who else can we follow, for only You have the Words of Life…only You are the long awaited Messiah.”
Mark 13: 21-22 ” At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible.”
Jesus warns us of people who will try to seduce us away from the truth. Pseudo-christs acknowledge Jesus…but then claim to actually be Him, while anti-Christs oppose the true Jesus Christ and His power. Both will amaze the multitudes with wonders…both come in sheep’s clothing to deceive the nations. But the very last phrase of this scripture gives all Christians confidence. “…to deceive the elect – if that were possible.” The elect are us…chosen by God, and we won’t be deceived, for with the prompting of the Holy Spirit we will be able to discern good from evil…a testing of the spirits if you will, to know deep down when something just doesn’t look or sound right.
Luke 21:34 ” Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”
Dissipation…such an interesting word to be used here. It’s disgust and self-loathing, not to mention the hang-over from too much alcohol consumption. When our lives revolve around partying …it starts to take a toll on us physically and emotionally. We think we’re having fun…but are we? None us know the day we will die, and thinking that we’ll get right with God when we’re older and have sown our wild oats may never happen.
Luke 5:16 ” But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
It’s not that Jesus was anti-social or hated the crowds that pressed in all the time around Him…for He loved people. But He did require Father-Son time, and searching out solitary places to pray was essential for His wellbeing. When we’re alone by our self in the silence – we shut out the noise of the world…we gain God’s perspective…we hear clearly from the Holy Spirit. It was essential for Jesus…it’s no different for you.
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