Category: Holy Spirit

Washing of Regeneration

according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Titus 3:5

What is the washing of Regeneration? The Washing of Regeneration is associated with the “New Birth.” It is like a sunny Spring morning after the shower of rain. When new growth appears as flowers emerge from the ground and leaves spring forth on the trees. Everything becomes new, and one can see the beauty of it. It is a divine act that is imparted to all repentant sinners to a higher plane of existence. Regeneration is a divine act of a repentant sinner to a new life in Christ. It is what I see in God’s creation. Thus, the nature of regeneration takes on certain aspects within a believer. These aspects are a new birth, a cleansing, a quickening, a new creation, and a resurrection. This, to me, is the essence of regeneration, and it is as Myer Pearlman wrote in his book titled “Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible,” which was published in 1937. This is the Christian who is begotten of God, who has gone through a thorough washing to be regenerated.

Are you not begotten of the Father God through the love of Christ? Are you not born again, as Jesus stated in the Gospel of John, chapter three, verse 7? Being born again is God’s creative work through the Holy Spirit. It is like the birth of Spring within our gardens. It is the grace of God at work in our lives. With the birth comes a cleansing from your burdens and the stress of life. The word “washing” is having a bath to wash away the dirt and grime we have picked up on our bodies. Think about how the trees are dusted with dirt from the wind, or from birds cleaning themselves on the trees, leaving grime and waste on the trees. When the rain comes, it washes away the dust and the grime on the trees. Christians experience the same when they work out in the world, touching unclean things or associating with those who are against them because of who they are in Christ. Anything that defiles one’s life is to be washed away so that new life may be experienced. This could be considered a time of reckoning for you personally when the Holy Spirit brings conviction upon your heart about something.

Remember that “Regeneration” is a divine act of a repentant sinner to a new life in Christ. The new life is experienced by the quickening of the Holy Spirit. Notice the scripture at the beginning of this devotional in Titus 3:5? At the end of this verse, it states, “and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised each believer in John chapter 14:16 and verse 26. The Holy Spirit is the comforter whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things and will help us to remember what is important in our lives. Everything we do should be guided by the Holy Spirit. This is tested by the word that is written in the Bible. We may not know everything that we need to know. This takes time and a period of growth in walking out your Christian walk-through faith. It is understanding who the bread of life is. Is he more than just a place to come and get your personal needs met? Is this not what Jesus was referring to in John 6:26-27?

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

John 6:26-27

What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? So, many try to do the works of God in their own flesh. What was Jesus’ answer to this question?

 This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:29

Wow! What an answer. It is not doing great works but believing in him whom God sent. If we labor at all, it should be to know him, for He is the Bread that brings us life. This in itself is a revelation, even when we ask for something in our prayers. You may not be in your right mind to receive what God wants to reveal to you because you may be in unbelief. Like King David, we must ask that our sins be blotted out and that God would create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us [see Psalms 51:10-12]. There is no arrogance in David’s attitude; it is a total surrender to the will of God. The Holy Spirit will impart the new life within us so that we can have our fellowship restored with God. This will bring the new creation within your heart and soul. There will be no doubt that you are not sealed with the Holy Spirit, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [see 2 Corinthians 3:17]. This is the glorious change each believer goes through, and this is continued throughout a believer’s life.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

We are changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Can you imagine that? Maybe it is too high a concept for us to reach or even think about. Have we witnessed this in others? Have we witnessed this in our own lives? This is the question of the hour, when we are struggling to find answers. Our Lord is in the business of reconciliation and in building up the temple of God. Is this not what the Apostle Paul questioned the Christians at Corinth by saying, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [see 1st Corinthians 3:17]. Let the wise man beware, for God will take them in their own craftiness, [see 1st Corinthians 3:19]. What Christians need is constant renewal of the mind, soul, and spirit to be like Christ. Therefore, we need to feed upon the word daily. For most Christians, this was done once a week by attending a service. The question is, is this enough? All services help to build up and edify Christians in their walk, living out the will of God through Christ. A Christian must learn to stand on their own two feet and walk in their own faith, not the faith of others. A Christian must grow and have a deep personal relationship with the Lord, knowing who they are in Christ. This enables them to stand on a firm foundation in Christ, knowing that they have a heavenly Father who will hear their prayers, even in unusual circumstances.

We must see a change in our nature, character, desires, and purposes in the way we are living every day. There must be something new for us to see in living as a Christian. There must be a progression in our growth. We must grow daily and have love for God as well as for others. Regeneration is the change that God, through the Spirit, brings to us. The revelation of what is new or learning something about our Lord concerning our personal needs. We need to experience this on a personal basis. This is more than just a religion, which is the act of doing some kind of ritual in a specific order. Rituals can become a law to which man can be bound. Christianity is not meant to be a ritual. Christianity is through the person of Jesus Christ. A Christian who has believed in who Christ is and is now living a life under the grace of God. This is where liberty is. It is always through the love of Jesus Christ, for He gave His life for us.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:1

Christians must stand fast in the liberty they have received from Christ and not go back to what they were before they came to Christ. There should be no shallowness in our walk as a Christian. We are born of the Spirit to receive spiritual food that will bring us to the Kingdom of God. We partake of the new divine nature of Christ to walk in newness of life. The practical side rests in that love, having remorse against sin, and having victory that overcomes the world, which is done through faith in who He is. We continue on this path until the resurrection of our bodies after death, or until Christ gathers us at His coming.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord. “

1 Thessalonians 4:17

This is the resurrection of life eternal to be with the Lord forever. The washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit is very important in our walk as Christians. The very nature and virtue of Christ is now within us through the Holy Spirit, and this will take us into sanctification, which is the separation from the things of this world unto the holiness of God. This is dedication and consecration of our lives to God for His service. The Christian walk is never stagnant; it is always moving. If you find yourself stagnant and parched, get on your knees and pray for revelation of what caused it. Ask God to reveal the truth to you and be ready to receive the answer. He is always ready to receive you when you surrender yourself to him. May you continue your walk with a cleansing, a quickening in the Spirit, a growth in the image of Him as a new creation, and in the final resurrection of Christ our Saviour.

Be Filled with the Spirit

“And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:18

Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit and not to walk in the flesh. Have you not been quickened together with Christ and saved by grace? If we have been quickened with Christ and saved by grace, we should be walking in the Spirit whereby we have been sealed unto the day of redemption [Ephesians 4:30]. This is the gospel of your salvation that the apostle Paul spoke about in Romans.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

Romans 1:16

Jesus Christ’s resurrection brings in the power of God. It was Jesus Christ himself who spoke of the promise of the Spirit’s indwelling in the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 16, which states, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” Oh, how we need the Spirit to guide our path in these days. The Holy Spirit is to be our comforter and guide in everyday living. Jesus did not want us to be orphans; He wanted us to be His children. The Holy Spirit is to teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance [see John 14:26]. The Holy Spirit will also teach us what we need to know and hear in the Holy Scriptures. We are to be filled and led by the Spirit so that we do not go back under the law, where the works of the flesh bring us back into bondage. The works of the flesh that we were saved out of such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying’s, murders, drunkenness, raveling’s, and such like as is stated in Galatians 5:21. If we are in Christ, we have crucified the flesh with its desires. We put to death these desires by binding them in the name of Jesus. We are no longer under its control, and the Holy Spirit comes to dispel those desires.

Have you received the Holy Spirit? This is a question for every believer in Christ. If you are a believer in Christ, you are His disciple, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit of God. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives to teach us every day, for temptations are visible, and we must make decisions not to fall into their depths. How can we compare spiritual things with spiritual [see 1st Corinthians 2:13] if we do not have the Spirit of God residing within us? We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to lead us into the truth of God’s word and to discern its meaning. This is more than just mere head knowledge of the bible. This is a deep, heartfelt knowledge that becomes a proven fact in your life. It is proven because you are walking in it and experiencing it firsthand. The apostle Paul states that the natural man cannot receive and know the things from the Spirit of God [ see 1st Corinthians 2:14]. We must have the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and keep us in the glorious light of Christ. There is so much disillusionment and false teaching regarding the Holy Spirit that the Spirit is literally stamped out of our lives as well as the church. When this happens, we become dead in Christ rather than alive in Christ.

After I got saved, I went with a small group to another church where the pastor laid his hands on our heads to receive the Holy Spirit. We all started to speak in tongues. Was this wrong? No, it is no different than what happened in Acts 8:17 and Acts 9:17. I went back to my church, and word spread in the church about the young people who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The pastors of the church said it was of the devil, and those who spoke in tongues were to stop. I happened to miss the service where this was said, but I had a long discussion about it with one of my friends. My faith stumbled. I could not believe that something so joyous was of the devil. The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Quench not the Spirit.” Some churches are doing exactly that, quenching the Spirit of God. Why? Because they do not understand, nor believe in the Holy Spirit. For the church, it was a matter of control within the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit has not been taught within the church and is therefore devoid of knowledge about the Holy Spirit. In fact, some believe that it was only for a specific time period of the early church in 30 AD.

At that time, I was not assured that what happened to me was good or bad since I was a new believer in Christ. The truth about the Holy Spirit I kept to myself, and I struggled with it for a while, not being completely sure about the work or presence within the believer’s life. However, when I had my prayer time or when I sang in church, I knew I still had God’s Spirit residing within me, for I sensed His presence. This was a heartfelt experience, and I know I was praying and singing to a person. That made a big difference in my life, just knowing to whom I was praying and singing to. That God was real in my life and that I had experienced His divine intervention. It was not magic; it was real, and God proved it to me. The Apostle Paul said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,” [Galatians 5:25]. To walk in the Spirit is the process of sanctification, where we are being transformed into the image of Christ. A.W. Tozer commented that the average Christian lives a worldly life that is not much different from that of the unconverted person. There must be a change from what we were to what we now are in Christ; otherwise, we nullify the work of Christ on the Cross.

Our God is our protector, healer, and provider. He will always provide us with what we need in life as long as our faith is grounded in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we have been given the privilege to pray to our Heavenly Father. It is through Jesus that we can also receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus stated that “he that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water,” [John7:38]. Look at the next verse in John 7:39, where it states that He spoke about the Spirit, that those who believe should receive the Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth.

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

John 4:22-24

I pray that you know to whom you are worshipping. Every believer should have the living water flowing out of his heart, which is the Holy Spirit. Every believer should know to whom they are worshipping and praying. Every believer should test the spirit to see if it is of the Spirit of God.

“Try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:2

The Holy Spirit will always point to Christ; if it does not, it is not of the Spirit of God. Remember that Satan has his spirits as well. That is why the Apostle John told us to test the spirits in 1 John chapter 4. Look at verse three of John chapter 4, where he states, “every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” In fact, John states that this is the spirit of antichrist, and is already in the world. So, there is the spirit of antichrist, and there is the Spirit of God. Know the difference. Be assured that you stand in the liberty where Christ has made us free from all the works of the flesh. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter to help us walk as disciples of Christ. This is the down payment of our inheritance (the Holy Spirit) until the redemption of the purchased possession [see Ephesians1:13-14]. Read Ephesians 5:16-20:

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:16-20

If you lack the Holy Spirit in your life, ask God to fill you with His Spirit in the name of Jesus. Read the Gospel of John chapter 14, verses 13-26. It will happen as you believe.

NOTE: Read last week’s post titled, “We Have Obtained an Inheritance.” There has been a technical issue preventing the post from being sent out.

Saved by the Washing of Regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Titus 3:5

Saved and washed by Regeneration through Christ. Regeneration is the new birth into the family of God. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God,” [see 1 Peter 1:23]. Regeneration is a total washing of sin and anything else that is unclean to a newness of life. It is a spiritual renewal from death to life. This is the new life imparted by God through the Holy Spirit. In other words, one cannot achieve the process of regeneration on their own. Regeneration requires the Holy Spirit to do the work of being born again. The apostle Paul stated that it is the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.

It is not by our own works of righteousness, but by the mercy and grace of God. We are quickened into a new creation through the operation of the Holy Spirit. We are born into the Spirit of Christ.

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that if any man be in Christ, then he is a new creature. A new creation and whatever was before is now passed away. We must believe that this is so. This means that a change took place within the individual. The result is a new nature, character, desire, and purpose in life. This is why Paul stated, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature,” [Galatians 6:15]. Are you a new creature in Christ? Have you experienced the spiritual renewal and the remission of sins? If your life is alienated from the life of God, then repent now and ask God to reveal what is holding you back from becoming a new creation in Christ.

We are to be renewed in the Spirit of our mind through the word of God. Paul tells the Ephesians to put off the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. [see Ephesians 4:24.] We are not to give place to the devil by going back to our old ways of life. No, there is a change to take place within our nature. That change comes by faith in Jesus Christ. Our part is to repent and have faith in Jesus who is the giver of everlasting life. Jesus who died for our sins on the cross. Jesus told Nicodemus the following:

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5

Born of water and the Spirit. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Our soul, body, and spirit are quickened by the Holy Spirit. This seems hard to believe, but it is true and can only happen when we have surrendered all to Him. Sometimes a person may need more time in surrendering all to Jesus. An individual may need time in gaining an understanding on how God works. When we believe in Christ, the ministry of reconciliation begins. This is the process of reconciling all men to God. When we believe, our position changes. When we believe, we are adopted into the family of God. This is the privilege of becoming His child. There are three effects to regeneration. It is adoption, spiritual union with God, and righteous living.

There must be a demonstration in an individual character and nature by letting go of the past life and witnessing the victory over sin and temptation. The fruit of the Spirit must work through the individual into the image of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and gentleness as is stated in Galatians 5:22. Every day we must surrender our self-will to that of the will of God. We must know within our own heart that we have been changed. We are justified by faith. As we believe Jesus who is the author of our faith, He will finish the divine work through the Holy Spirit. We must go on to perfection in God. To be complete in Him. There are three stages to perfection. That of positional in Christ, continuing in absolute perfection in Christ towards maturity, and ultimate perfection at the time of His resurrection.

As a believer in Christ, we take all things to God in prayer. We do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, for those who believe are sealed with the inheritance until redemption. [see Ephesians 1:14]. We are dependent upon the divine acts of God through the Holy Spirit. Thus, with the washing of regeneration, we have a clear conscious before God and man. We are renewed through the Holy Spirit every day to do the will of God.

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

The Gift of the Spirit is by Faith

Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:2

The gift of the Holy Spirit is given by Faith. In otherwards one must believe in the giver of the Holy Spirit. Who is the giver? It is Jesus Christ. Listen to what Jesus said.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”

John 14:16

Jesus said He would pray to the Father for the comforter to come and be with us forever. Can you imagine what this means? I am still amazed about the Holy Spirit and how the church can so easily overlook its work within the believer’s life. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth that the world cannot receive but we who are Christians should know him for He dwelleth within you [see John14:17]. If you are born again and baptized in Christ, you have the Spirit of Christ living inside you. The Holy Spirit will help our walk and give us directions. The Holy Spirit will help us to understand the word of God. The Holy Spirit will open our eyes to see the will of God. We will not stand alone when we acknowledge the Holy Spirit presence in our life.

Look at what happened to those who were disciples of John the Baptist. The apostle Paul asked them if they have received the Holy Spirit since they believed? What was their response? “We have not heard whether there is a Holy Spirit? [see The Acts 19:2-3]. Paul told them that John Baptized with the baptism of repentance, but they should believe in Jesus. Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied [see The Acts 19:4-6]. Can you imagine these disciples of John speaking in tongues and prophesying.

This was my experience. Repentance and knowing that I have sinned. Jesus who for gave me and washed me clean from the guilt of sin. Being born again into a new life to where I could be free from the burden of sin. This is the liberty we have in Christ. This happened in 1974 when the movement of the Holy Spirit [the charismatic movement] begun in Seattle, Washington. I was not the only one, there were others. A group of young people wanted all what God had to offer them. We were hungry for more of God. We ended up at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington. When the altar call was given, we flew to the alter and Dennis Bennett laid hands upon our heads, and we began to speak in tongues. At the time we did not know anything about the Holy Spirit.

Mainline protestant churches were experiencing outbreak of the Holy Spirit were people spoke in tongues. I was at the time attending the Presbyterian church on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle. I was a part of the youth group that meet weekly at the church. I heard from a brother that the Elders of the church had a meeting and announced during a service that I had missed, that the speaking in tongues had to stop. That it was of the devil. I was confused for why would God give us the gift that was from the devil? Later I found that this was really a matter of control within the body of Christ. It was not what the elders would endorse. Having had this experience stunted my growth as a Christian, but I began to read books on the subject and study in the Bible what the Holy Spirit was all about. The issue is ignorance about the Holy Spirit and not moving in the will of God. Remember the apostle Paul said, ” I speak with tongues more than ye all,” [1 Corinthians 14:18].

Needless to say, the charismatic movement carried on in the 80’s and the 90’s here in the Pacific Northwest. As I moved in the Spirit and performed Gospel music in many churches, God was manifesting himself among the people with healing. The Holy Spirit will always point to Christ. If it is any other Spirit that only speaks of itself, it is not the Holy Spirit. John tells us to test the Spirits whether they be of God or not [see 1 John 4:1]. Ask if Jesus Christ is come in the flesh [1 John 4:2]. If they do not answer or state no, it is not of the Holy Spirit. We must grow and know the will of God. There should be no fear when God has supplied us with the answer in the word of God [the Holy Bible]. The Holy Spirit will teach us and show us what we need to know. We can read about the Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 to 14. Do not deny the Holy Spirit work in your own life. You do not need anyone to lay hands on you today to receive the Holy Spirit. Pray, ask, and believe in faith and receive the Holy Spirit.

When the Spirit Comes

“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” John 16:8

When the Holy Spirit comes what will He do? Jesus said that the comforter will not come unless He departs. Jesus departed from the earth and now He sends the Holy Spirit to reprove the world of sin, righteousness and of judgment. In the Gospel of John chapter 16, Jesus spells out the three-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth about sin, righteousness and judgment. Look at verse eleven were Jesus states the prince of this world is judged. Let us remember that the prince of this world is Satan. Satan is organizing those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus. Satan uses principles of force, greed, and selfishness. The Spirit comes to reprove the world of force, greed, and selfishness and our righteousness comes only from the Lord Jesus himself, who is the final sacrifice for humanity’s sin.

Inge Schultz

Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

2 Thessalonians 2:13

God has chosen us to salvation, which is freedom from sin. Sanctification is the process of becoming holy in the sight of God. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings sanctification to those who believe in the truth of the Gospel of Christ. We are bound to give thanks to God for the process of the Holy Spirit that we were chosen to be saved from sin through the process of the Holy Spirit converting each one of us into the image of Christ through our faith in Christ.

Inge Schultz

Visions and Dreams

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”

Joel 2:28

Have you had any visions and dreams? Have you read the book of Joel? Did you know that Joel’s name means the Lord (Jehovah) is God. Joel was a prophet, and he predicted the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come upon the disciples as well as believers in Christ. Have you ever received a divine announcement or revelations? Visions are given for direction of what is to come and also for moral and spiritual deficiencies.

Some do not believe in visions and dreams, but they have not stopped in the body of Christ. Today, Believers in Christ are receiving visions and dreams as God’s revelation of what will occur at some future date. Joel prophesied that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. No one will be denied as the Spirit of God will move upon sons, daughters, old men and young men. When I was fourteen years old, I had a dream of moving to another country and what would happen. At this age I had no idea what that dream was really about, but I knew within my heart that something would take place. I heard my father crying in the garage when I awoke from this dream, and I knew it would happen. In 1971, my family moved to Perth, Western Australia.

In the 80’s my young son had a vision that our 1968 Dodge Van would catch on fire. He was afraid to go into the van. My husband went around the van looking underneath the van and could not find anything. We got into the van ready to go but smelled fuel inside the van. We got out and my husband checked inside the van and pulled open the motor cover and saw that the fuel filter was leaking. He had to fix it before we would get into the van. Even a young child can have a dream/vision of some event and we parents need to take it seriously and be willing to investigate the circumstances to find out the reality and truth of the dream.

I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all.”

Numbers 11:29

Moses envisioned God’s Spirit would come upon all the Lord’s people and now this is a reality. Peter in the Acts chapter two verse 17, explains the speaking of tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. This is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel. The Holy Spirit came after the ascension of Christ. This is the power that came from on high. Jesus spoke of the Comforter; the Holy Spirit would come not only upon the disciples, but on those who are believers in Christ. Visions and dreams are given as warning signs to some impending actions. Visions and dreams are also given in judgement in regard to morality and having a pure heart and conscience before God.

The revelation of God is progressive. The Holy Spirit moves gradually or in stages among believers in Christ. The Spirit moves among those within the body, and no one knows where the Spirit comes from.

The wind bloweth where it willeth, and thou hearest the sound of it, but canst not tell from where it cometh, and where it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 3:8

We are to heed the warning signs of visions and dreams such as John vision of Revelation. We are to pray to the Father for interpretation of our visions and dreams and wait patiently for its outcome. Some visions can take place within a day to a couple of years, while others may take over twenty years. Visions and dreams are meant to direct us in some way in the path God has for us. Visions and dreams come when you least expect it. Visions and dreams are given to direct us in the way we should go.

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

1 Corinthians 12:11

We cannot take credit for a gift that God gives man, yet many will say that they have been given a gift as if they own it and have the right to be above someone else. There is no class status when it comes to gifts of the Spirit. The apostle Paul tells us that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit,” [see 1 Corinthians 12:7].

The Spirit is given to every man to profit and not just a few men. It is to benefit all believers in Christ. Those believers in Christ allow the manifestation of the Spirit to flow upon them and through them. Christ has “ascended up on high and He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men,” [see Ephesians 4:8]. If you receive a vision or dream, write it down and pray about it. Watch and wait for it to unfold and know that God loves you. Keep in the word of God and talk to him about what you have received.

The Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Juicy sweet fruit in a bowl, but how does that relate to the Holy Spirit? Fruit in this passage of scripture is from the Greek word “Karpos,” which means fruit of the trees. I always find it interesting in deciphering a moral or spiritual lesson of what is written in the Bible. What about the word “Spirit”? The Greek word is “Pneuma,” and at the end of Galatians chapter five, the word Spirit is capitalized. This means it is talking about a personality, a person with a character. This is the Holy Ghost, the third person of the Trinity. The Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit working in us and not by our own self-effort. The Apostle Paul is talking about the character of the Holy Spirit and the fruit it produces. The Holy Spirit will always point to Christ. The character of Christ is love, joy, peace, and so forth. There is no other law that will produce good fruit in which we live and walk.

We are to be conformed into the image of the Son [see Romans 8:29], so we will have the Son’s character working through us to reveal good fruit ready to be picked from the tree. The Spirit helps us to become free from our sinful habits and to become more like Christ. This is the sanctification process of every Christian. The continual renewal by the Holy Ghost inside believers in order to be set apart for Christ. 1st Thessalonians 4:4 states, “that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor.” This is the will of God that we are set apart for the Lord. We are being changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ. Paul exclaims, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” We must not abuse that liberty we have in Christ and go against anyone and do them harm [see Galatians 5:13]. We are not to be consumed by doing evil to another person. What did Paul say in verse 14 of chapter 5 in Galatians, “for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

In order to bear the good fruit of the Spirit one must receive essential nutrients. The conditions of a fruitful life for a Christian are cleansing, abiding, and obedience. Some of us need daily cleansing of unwanted dirt in our life. Abiding and obedience go hand and hand together. With Obedience comes abiding in Christ who is the true vine. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” Just think about how the father God is pruning, lifting up the vines that have fallen, and wrapping them up around the trellis to tie them up. The Father is the vinedresser, and Jesus is the true vine to where we are brought to the Father. How amazing that our heavenly Father comes and takes part in caring for those who are abiding in the vine.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4

We abide in Christ through faith. And it is through faith that we ask for help to have our heart cleansed on a daily basis. There is not a day that I do not ask God to forgive me for my behavior of complaining, getting angry, or acting selfish. Sometimes we ignore our behavior, but he wants us to take those things to the Lord in prayer. Abiding in the vine is also seeking God’s word. Reading the word daily to feed our mind and spirit for renewal of who we are in Christ. We are to meditate on the will of God that we may “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” [see Romans 12:2]. Jesus said, “if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you,” [see John 15:7]. Jesus goes on to say that we are to continue in His Love. This is where obedience comes into the picture. Read and ask, and it shall be done unto you. Ask for His love to rule your heart and serve one another through the love He has given us. Abide in Christ and stay connected into the vine and you will find that love, joy, and peace will come forth in your life.

To abide in Christ is to put to death all things related to the flesh such as indecent behavior, fornication, envy, hatred, hostilities, idolatry, and witchcraft, [see Galatians 5:19-21]. Those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, [see Galatians 5:24]. This means to take up the cross daily and put to death anything that is contrary to the will of God. Through prayer we put to death these things in the name of Jesus. We ask God to cleanse us from the power of these things that would control our life. We are no longer servants to uncleanness and iniquity, but through the cross of Christ we have become servants of righteousness unto holiness, [see Romans 6:10]. Whatever you yield yourself to is what you will become. Christ has raised us up from death to newness in life. The apostle Paul states, “our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin,” [see Romans 6:6]. This is the victory we have in Christ Jesus. Dead to sin in the body, but alive unto God. Yield yourself to the Holy Father and allow him to be your vinedresser. Remember, it is Jesus through the Father who sends us the Holy Spirit as our comforter, [see John 15:26].

Take time to read the following scriptures: John 15:1-14, and Galatians 5:13-26. As you mature in your walk with God, you become the fruit that others see and enjoy. This is your testimony of the goodness of the Lord, how the Father who is the vinedresser, takes care of you. Let us forever stay within the vine and allow the fruit of the Spirit to come forth in our everyday living as a child of God.

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Oil for Light

Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute forever in your generations. He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.”

Exodus 25:6-7

He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the Lord continually. The light is to shine continually before the Lord. Do you have enough oil in your lamp? Is your lamp continuously burning so that the light can shine in the darkness around you. Where does the oil come from? What about the golden lampstand that Zechariah saw in a vision? Think about it! Is it possible to keep the light burning? Yes, it is possible, for all things are possible with God. In the book of Revelation there is a warning to the church in Ephesus that the lampstand can be removed, [see Revelation 2:5]. The importance to believer’s everywhere is to remember where we have fallen and repent, so we do not lose our own candlestick. How can we keep the oil burning in our own life so that we will be ready for the coming of the Lord. We must not lose our first love that we witnessed within our own heart. It was through Jesus Christ that we have first seen the light of his love and the forgiveness for our sins.

The love of Jesus for humanity in his sacrifice on the cross has brought us back from sin into the light of God. This is so amazing, but the reality of it seems to have dissipated within the Christian church. It is so easy to make up excuses such as it was only for the early church. Yet, this lamp is to burn continuously, for generations. No one can change the truth of the word of God. The word is God’s will and testament to all humanity. Jews and Gentiles. It does not matter of what race you are, for God’s word will stand forever throughout eternity. You will either chose to believe it or not. For believer’s the warning is given to Ephesus, the church at the end of the apostolic age. Not all believers were walking in the truth of Christ. Remember that the vail or curtain at the entrance to the Holy of Holies was torn in two after the death of Jesus on the cross. At that time, no one could have imagined what his death would mean to those who believed in the son of God. The apostle Paul reveals this in First Timothy, chapter 2. Let’s look at verse 5 of chapter 2.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 2:5

One mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus. Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Under the Aaronic priesthood, nothing could be made perfect. Aaron even paid tithes to Melchizedek who was a type of Christ, [see Hebrews chapter 7]. Christ being the Priestly-King brought the earlier law that was a carnal commandment into the power of God that now is an endless ever living life. How amazing is this that we would have now an everlasting priesthood through Christ where the light will ever shine for all generations. We must remember what Jesus said about himself, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life, [ see John 8:12].” The light of life is in Jesus. Jesus is the light that shines in a dark place to reveal the truth about men’s sins. Jesus had the anointing oil that burned strong in shining the light of God. In Luke 4, verse 18, it stated he was anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and to recover the sight of the blind.

Jesus is our example for the continued burning of the oil in the lamp, for shining light in those darken areas of our life. It is this anointing oil, which is the Holy Spirit that burns the light through Jesus, and this is carried on through those who believe in the Son of God.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

In Matthew chapter 5, we are given the reason why we are to let our light shine before men. It is so men may see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. Our light is on a lampstand, and it is fed by the oil that is poured forth from the Holy Spirit. Are we missing the oil of the Holy Spirit? Are we hiding the light so no one can, see? What about the foolish virgins who asked for oil? It is up to each individual to carry their own oil in their lamps. It is the measure of faith in receiving that oil in order for His light to burn through us.

For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Luke 11:10

Are you asking for the oil. The father will not deny you when you ask for it. Look at verse 13 of Luke chapter 11, “how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” How much more shall the Father give the Holy Spirit to you who asked him for it? Just remember that you must be blameless as you stand before God before you can receive the Holy Spirit. That is why we should pray daily for anything that our own conscience would bring before us as sin. Sometimes we may find ourselves just wandering around not sure where we are going because we have not prayed about it or asked God about it. You cannot get it from another person or demand it. You must ask God through Jesus for the oil.

Do all things without murmurings and disputing’s, that ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

Philippians 2:15

We must not hide the light under a bushel but on a lampstand where it can shine the light in the house, [see Matthew 5:15]. We need the Holy Spirit who is the oil for our lampstand. Oil is the symbol for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit forms the church. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. This is the Church Age that we are living in at the moment. However, in the future after the rapture of the church, God will maintain a witness in the world through the two olive trees where the oil will burn in the lampstand. The two olive trees represent Joshua and Zerubbabel who fulfill Zechariah’s vision in chapter three and four of Zechariah. You can read about these two amazing men that God uses during the tribulation period at the end of this age, as a witness to those on earth, [see chapter 11 of Revelation]. These two prophets represent the tribe of Israel and Judah.

Joshua and Zerubbabel will have 3 and a half years to witness upon the earth. You too, are a witness upon the earth if you are a believer. The importance of your testimony is not to be taken lightly. Each person who is a believer, has a testimony of Jesus. If your testimony is not based on Jesus, then it is vanity. In Revelation chapter 19, at the end of verse 10, it states, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” That oil of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness to Jesus in who He is and what he has done for us on the cross. The oil keeps the fire burning for our daily walk and fellowship with God and each other. The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and point us to Jesus who has reconciled us back to the Father God. This oil of the Holy Spirit will give us the victory over the flesh and will guide us towards service to each other and those around us. It is the oil that sheds the love of Christ within our hearts. The oil we have today is from the Father and Jesus prayed to the Father to give us the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth that will dwell within each of us.

This oil will continue to burn the light as you yield yourself to Him and not hinder His power in your life. Let the oil abide in you forever.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;”

John 14:16

Sanctification by Faith

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

2 Thessalonians 2:13

What about Sanctification? Sanctification is a word that is not often spoke about, yet it is one of the most important aspects of a Christians position in Christ.  A. B. Simpson, founder of Christian Missionary Alliance spoke of the “Fourfold Gospel,” which is Jesus Christ as the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. Have you ever thought about Jesus as your sanctification? The Greek word for sanctification is “hagiasmos,” which means separation, or setting apart. Did you know that this is “the will of God, even your sanctification?” [see 1 Thessalonians 4:3]. As a young adult, I learned about the importance of being set apart for a special purpose. I did not know what that special purpose was at that time, but I did know that I was saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. That Christ was my savior who rescued and delivered me from danger and destruction. The power of God literally saved me from death more than once in my life.

The apostle Paul was thanking God for those who were at Thessalonica. God had chosen them to receive salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. They accepted the truth about Jesus Christ that he came in the flesh, died, and arose from the cross. Christ death on the cross and resurrection has freed us from sin. This brought reconciliation to God and the purification through the Holy Spirit. The process of being made holy and pure is what sanctification is all about. It is God’s will for each Christian to continue in the process of sanctification. This process is done through faith in Christ, and it is worked through the Holy Spirit. The aspect of sanctification is vital to every believer in Christ in that it establishes our position with God. It is why Peter stated, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [see 1 Peter 1:16]. To sanctify is to be made Holy. It is hard for us to believe that we can be holy. Holy in our actions and in our conversations. Just look at the apostle Paul’s life. Paul a Pharisees was persecuting Christians in Rome. Listen to what Paul said about what he done.

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.”

Galatians 1:13

Noticed how Paul did not deny what he had done in the past. He had persecuted the church of God and wasted it. A voice from heaven asked Paul the question, “Why do you persecute me?” “I am Jesus whom you persecute.” [see Acts 26:14-15]. Just think about it if you persecute a brother or sister in the Lord, you are persecuting Jesus. It was Jesus who revealed this to the apostle Paul. It is clear that God had chosen Paul for a specific purpose and that purpose was to make him a minister and a witness of the truth about Jesus, [see verse 16 of Acts chapter 26]. Oh! What a witness Paul was to the early church and look at verse 18 in chapter 26 of Acts.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Acts 26:18

Open our eyes and turn us from darkness to light, oh Lord, from the power of Satan to God. That we may receive the forgiveness of sins. Take note of the end of the verse that states, “sanctified by faith that is in me [Jesus].” These are the words of Jesus Christ. We are all sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. Why, because Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, [see Hebrews 12:2]. Our faith is in Jesus who is the object of our faith. Sanctification takes on two essential points. The first point is the objective which is in the person and the finished work of Jesus. The second point is the subjective which brings provision by the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent in the process of sanctification. God has called us to holiness which means the state of being holy. Are you continuing to be in the state of holiness? Can you see how the apostle Paul’s life was changed from hostility and ill-treatment of Christians to loving them in Christ Jesus.

Every Christian should be changed in their actions and characteristic from hatred, rage, hostility, and anger to the characteristics of Christ, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, and temperance.  As Christians we continue to be sanctified through the word of God. Jesus prayed to the father for those who believed that they would be sanctified through God’s truth. [see John 17:17].  We must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, [see Hebrews 11:6]. The body of believers in the church is subject unto Christ. We are now under the control of Christ through the Holy spirit and not under the power of Satan. We yield ourselves to God the Father because Christ has reconciled us unto God.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

Ephesians 1:4

It may be hard to understand that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world and that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. We all should have similar experiences on how we have been changed in our actions to the characteristic of Christ. Sanctification is a process that is worked out daily in our Christian walk because it is by faith, and that is how we are set apart unto God. If we purge ourselves daily of unwanted actions and or feelings, we will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and ready for the master’s use and prepared to do every good work, [see 2 Timothy 2:21]. This reminds me of a song written by A.A. Whiddington and Albert B Simpson titled, “Not I, But Christ.”

  1. Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted.
    Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard.
    Not I, but Christ, in every look and action.
    Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
    • Refrain:
      Saved from my sin and myself, dear Lord,
      Saved to be filled with Thee.
      Self-crucified, so now not I,
      But Christ, that lives in me.

Remember it is not I, but Christ in every thought and word.

The Spirit Gives Life

It is the Spirit that giveth life; the flesh profited nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 6:63

The “Spirit” gives life, stated Jesus. In the scriptures the Holy Spirit is linked to the living waters. How long do you think you would survive without water? The general consensus is that humans would not survive 3 days without water. 60 to 74 percent of the human body is made up of water. A lack of water brings dehydration which causes headaches and fatigue. Organs and cells within the body start to break down and the end result is death. Even when a person is fasting, they are to drink water to ward of dehydration, so important is water to all human beings. No water means death. Have you ever considered the importance of water? Every living thing on earth needs water. With climate changing around the world, harvesting water will become a priority.

Recent dry spells in certain areas of the world have caused drought conditions. California is one state listed that is known as a drought state, but recent snowfall and rain have lifted some areas out of drought conditions. When it rains in Botswana, Africa it is a joyous occasion for the rain waters bring new life to the environment. Seeds that are locked into the dry sandy dirt begin to grow. I always look forward to Spring when after the rain has come, it brings new growth of flowers such as the crocus and daffodils. I turn to look at the Camilla tree for its beautiful pink blossoms. This reminds me how important it is to have water, for it gives us life. Jesus was adamant when he made the following statement.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.”

John 7:37-38

Out of an individual’s heart shall flow rivers of living water. What does it mean to have rivers of living water flowing out of a person’s heart? Remember the women at the well who Jesus spoke with in John, chapter 4? Jesus said, “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life,” [John 4:14]. This is every believer’s current possession as well as the future. That living water is the Holy Spirit. It means continuous life.

The Holy Spirit is the spirit that gives us life. The truth is that many churches are dead because they deny the Holy Spirit to come and minister to the needs of the people. Man cannot fulfill individual’s needs like the Holy Spirit of God can. It is the Spirit that gives us life. The Spirit comes and renews our weak body, mind, and soul. The Spirit comes to bring healing to our physical bodies. The Spirit comes to bring repentance and forgiveness. This is why today Jesus continues to pray and intercede on our behalf [ see Hebrews 7:25] as well as the Holy Spirit when we are so troubled that we cannot pray [see Romans 8:26]. If you are dry and thirsty, in need of a drink, then come to Jesus who will send you the Holy Spirit as your comforter. Break with tradition and allow the Holy Spirit to come and bring renewal to your own life. Do not deny him access into your life, ask and you will receive.

At the beginning of this year, there has been a word for Christians to return to the Lord. Return to your first love which is Christ. Remember when you have first received the love of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and became a new person in Christ. There are those who have fallen away from their first love, [see Revelation 2:4]. Remember where you have fallen and repent. Remember that whatever is not done in love is nothing, and it is not profitable according to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. We should check ourselves to see what spirit we are in when doing things for the Lord and reconsider our position.

Before there is any movement of the Holy Spirit, there first must be repentance. The Holy Spirit is gentle and pleading within the heart of man to come to Jesus and repent. Repentance is having a sincere regret or remorse about a behavior that has followed a different path other than the path of Christ. Have you heard about the Asbury revival? It was stated that students have come to the alter repenting. A renewal is happening in the hearts of these young people thus they are experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we come to the Lord and repent and worship him renewal begins. So precious is this renewal that one will experience His presence and know that through His Spirit we experience the Spirit that gives us life. When we lift up Jesus in worship, He will be present in our midst, and this allows the Spirit to move among the people. Wonderful healing and forgiveness will flow like rivers of living water. Are you thirsty for the living water? Come to Jesus who will give you a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. Bow down before him, for He is Lord of all. Let us have the freedom of worship in our hearts and in churches around the world that we may see Jesus and begin revival again by the Spirit of God who gives us life eternal.

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The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24

Let us bow down and worship Christ the Lord. Let us ask for forgiveness for our sins and allow His Spirit to flow within our heart with rivers of living water, for this is the Spirit that gives us life. Spent time everyday giving him praise and begin to see the glory of the Lord within your own life.

The Anointing

But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.”

1 John 2:20

The anointing oil has taken on a religious meaning to the point of some mystical phenomena that has happened. Throughout history items of Christ have been known to carry some kind of spiritual power like the holy grail. The holy grail is the cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper. It was said to have healing powers, but for the knighthood it was a spiritual journey towards eternal life. The journey to know more about God and His son Jesus Christ, but most of all it was a journey in learning how to gain immortality. The quest itself was a test of the character of a knight. It was to see if a knight was worthy of service to their King. The quest was the search for spiritual enlightenment, but it also revealed the weaknesses of the human heart of man to which they had to overcome.

Every human being is on some kind of quest either for good or bad. That quest is a revelation in who they are as a person. The quest builds character in who they become as an individual knight. Some will find the light, and some will not see it. The quest to see the light are those who are seeking the kingdom of God. Walking in light speaks to the fellowship we have with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. That fellowship only speaks to the truth of who we are in Christ and that we are sinners who are forgiven because we confess our sins to God and each other. We know that we are weak, but through Christ we have become strong. The blood of Christ is the divine provision for our atonement. Our walk should reveal the character of Christ within us. There should be no hatred in the body of Christ.

He that loveth his brother abided in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.”

1 John 2:10

Those who walk in love will not cause a brother or sister to stumble. Those who walk in love will help their brother or sister by edifying them and building them up in the Lord. They will be doing the work of Jesus. What did Jesus say to his disciples after he washed their feet?

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

John 13:15

Jesus is our example, and we should heed his call and not our own individual calling. We are not greater than our Lord Jesus Christ even though some may think they are. This was in the very next verse [16] of John chapter 13. He that is sent is not greater than the person who sent him. There is no competition for a position in Christ or even a special service that a person may be called to. Have you heard about Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit who was chosen to serve tables and the widows. Stephen had done great wonders and miracles among the people. Stephen went out in a blaze of glory seeing the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand [see Acts chapter 6 & 7]. Stephen a man who not only helped the widows but preached to the Sanhedrin about the prophets of God and how the people always resisted the Holy Spirit. He had the unction from the Holy One and spoke the truth to the Sanhedrin. In the Old Testament only the Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed with oil, but in the New Testament something has changed.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teaches you; but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.”

1 John 2:27

Who was John referring to when he said, “but the anointing which you have received?” Who is it that teaches us? We must go back to the gospel of John chapter 14, verse 26, which states that the “Comforter” who is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in Jesus’ name shall teach you all things. We must remember that the Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus. A lying spirit will deny that Jesus is the Christ, but not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that is sent by the Father to each person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God come in the flesh. This is the love of God to reconcile the world back to God.

Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Colossians 1:20

Christ has reconciled us back to God. What a glorious action of God to bring us back into fellowship with him. This should stir your heart to have the anointing, the unction from the Holy One who will teach you all things and that you will walk in it. The unction that will teach you the ways of God, the wisdom of God, that you may be made perfect in Jesus Christ. We must be settled in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. If we are not, we cannot become perfect in Christ. We are walking in unbelief, for we are not willing to receive the Holy Spirit. The hope of the gospel is Jesus Christ who prayed that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. Do not become stiff-necked and resist the Holy Spirit like the Sanhedrin. We need that anointing oil to flow in us and to perfect us in Christ Jesus. We need that anointing oil to abide in us and help us in our weaknesses. We need that anointing oil in order that we may be bold like Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit. The unction is also for service.

How can you serve God without the unction [the Holy Spirit]. You can’t. If you do it is done in the flesh and not in the Spirit of God. “The flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,” [see Galatians 5:17]. We must have the outworking of the Holy Spirit which is Christ in us the hope of glory. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. There is no glory in man, for all glory goes to God in what He has given unto us. He has given unto us His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit. It is from glory to glory that we are being changed into His image. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, [see 2 Corinthians 3:18]. Why did Jesus say, “if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, [John 7:37]?” What would we be drinking? If we believe on Jesus as the scripture has said, Jesus stated that out of his or her heart shall flow rivers of living water. Are you thirsty?

If you are thirsty then come to Jesus for the living water that flows down from the Father. This is the Holy Spirit that gives us life and the way to fellowship within the body of Christ. This is the mystery of the power of God. The working where great wonders and miracles will happen among the people. God will bless those of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, [Isaiah 57:15]. If you need your spirit revived and your heart, come to Jesus and pray for it. “Will thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee, [Psalms 85:5]?” Let us not go back to being foolish, He will show us mercy and grant us salvation. “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven,” [Psalms 85:11]. Let us walk in his steps and see His glory. Let the unction from the Holy One come and fill us forever. Let us walk in it and speak in boldness of the coming of our Lord. Let us become His trees of righteousness.

Trees of Righteousness