The Flesh Doesn't Count

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). 

I've discovered that nothing we do actually counts, so far as God is concerned, unless it is done in the Spirit. This means that everything we do has to be done whilst totally dependent on the Holy Spirit for it to register in Heaven. 

John 6:63 tells us that "it is the spirit that quickeneth." This means that the Holy Spirit gives life. It goes on to say "the flesh profiteth nothing." This means that anything done in the flesh is dead. It has no life or worth because it is the Spirit that quickeneth; it is the Spirit that gives life!

That's quite a scary thought. To think that there are so many things that I may have been doing that have been a certified waste of time because I was doing it with my own will power, with my own strength - in the flesh. Ei! We value our time and our efforts so much. But is it possible that they have counted for absolutely nothing? 

For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4). 

So, as Christians, we are to walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh. For anything we do to be of value or to count for something, we need the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit everyday single day. 

Jesus was the One talking in John 6:63. He said the words that He speaks unto us are Spirit and are life. That implies that we can walk by the Spirit by feeding ourselves with the Word because the Word is Spirit and life!

Lord, we ask for grace to walk according to the Spirit and to bury our heads in the Word, in Jesus' name. Amen.

#JoyUnspeakable

Blood, Sweat & Tears

He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:41-44 NIV). 

This Scripture brings me so much comfort. God is willing man, God is just so willing to help us, to lighten our load, to show us that we are not alone, to show us that He is Immanuel, God with us! 

Jesus was in such agony for you and I that he prayed more earnestly for God to take such suffering away from Him. But, my God, He said "yet not my will, but yours be done." Jesus loved us so so much (and still does!) that despite that pain, He was still willing to go and endure the Cross for us. He endured to the very end. Wow. 

I read this Scripture at a time I was feeling so down. It lifted me from that place to a place of peace. I figured that whatever I was feeling could not compare to what Jesus felt. I almost felt like I had no right to even feel the way I did. I mean, He was in such agony that he sweated blood. Blood! I now know where the phrase "blood, sweat and tears" came from. This wasn't just a cliché saying for Jesus. It was his very experience, for mere mortals like you and I. 

Imagine. 

I want someone to know that, ah, Jesus loves you so much. I want someone to know that God is so willing to help you. Sometimes, He may not take you out of that situation but if you only ask, He will give you that strength. He will give it to you. I'm saying this because I experienced it this very week. He will. He is willing! 

But we have a responsibility. Notice how Jesus withdrew to go and pray. I find that when I feel down, it's easy to want to tell someone. But Jesus withdrew to talk to the Father and when he felt such anguish, God strengthened Him as He prayed more earnestly ( - big lesson there)! God is willing to give you want it takes to endure. 

Will you let Him? Just ask.


#JoyUnspeakable
http://joy-unspeakable-247.blogspot.co.uk/p/beauty-for-ashes.html  

The Potter

But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21 NIV) 

This Scripture just made me reflect on the messages I've been hearing at church on how God used people like Peter and Paul in the Bible to work miracles and how God used people like Smith Wigglesworth and William Seymour to spearhead revivals that brought so many to Christ. These were ordinary men but were used by God for special purposes. They carried the presence of God. They walked with the Holy Spirit. These people, just to name a few, were pottery for special purposes. 

I don't know about you but I want to be made and molded for special use! 

I've discovered that for God to use you, you have to be separated. Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily entangles you (Hebrews 12:1). Walk with the Holy Spirit. Bury your head in the Word. Desire God and nothing else. Press into His presence. There is so much more in God for us! There is so much that He wants to use us for! But He needs our attention.

The Trans-Generational Gift

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord will call." (Acts 2:38-39)

Today's blog post is just to emphasize the need for the Holy Spirit. 

We have been praying for God to release His Holy Spirit on us afresh. It may seem that this prayer is just for us. No! It's not. It's bigger than us. It's for our children too and even those who are far off; for all whom the Lord will call. 

The Bible goes on to say: With many other words he warned them; he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." (Acts 2:40) So by asking for the Holy Spirit, we are securing our futures; we're ensuring that the generations are safe! Our children need us; our families need us, whether they know it or not. The generations to come need us! We have to stand in the gap!

What I love about this Scripture is that it says it's a promise! (Acts 2:38) God is certain to answer our prayer for the Holy Spirit, with us and future generations in mind! 


#TheTransgenerationalGift #GreatAwakening

It Is Not For You to Know

"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8)

Often, we want to know all the details about what God is going to do in our lives, at what time, when, etcetera, etcetera. But the Bible says "It is not for you to know...but WHEN". Brethren, we can be assured that God will surely come through for us by that statement "but when". We don't know when. But it will surely come to pass. Have faith!

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

Because it will surely come,

It will not tarry." 

(Habakkuk 2:3)

Lessons From John

It's been a while but I'm back to share some lessons I've learnt from the Book of John. 

John 1

v.12-13: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." 

What I got from these verses is that until we believe, then we are not in line with God's will. It seems obvious to a Christian but it was emphasised just that little bit more when I read these verses. When we believe, our existence becomes solely for the will of God - we're not an accident or here because our parents wanted children but we are born of God; born of His will. No one is an accident. But this can only be realized and appreciated when we BELIEVE. Believe what? Believe in Jesus as Lord. Verse 12 says 'we have the right to become...' It's like, now we have the right to fulfill our purpose and destiny because now we are in His will as children of God.

John 2

v.4: "Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come." 

John constantly says that Jesus left where He was, or where there were certain crowds because His hour had not yet come. He was sensitive to times and seasons and to His time and His season. Ecclessiastes 3:11 says "He has made everything beautiful in its time." It shows that it's so important to be sensitive to the time and season you are in. Key lesson!

v.16 "To those who sold doves He said, 'Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a market!' " 

My study Bible summarises the explanation for this verse quite nicely:  
'God's temple was being misused by people who had turned it into a marketplace. They had forgotten, didn't care, that God's house is a place of worship, not a place for making profit. Our attitude toward church is wrong if we see it as a place for personal contacts or business advantage. Make sure you attend church to worship God.'  

John 3

v.34 "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit."

So no matter how much of the Holy Spirit we ask for, there's always more of Him to be given to us! Glory!

John 6

v.26-27 "Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

People were looking for Jesus not because of the miracles He performed but simply because the miracle brought food which they ate, enjoyed and were full. They were pursuing Jesus for that temporary pleasure. They wanted to have their stomachs filled and that was all. We shouldn't just seek God for temporary things. Seek Him for what will last, like more of His Spirit, like desiring the gifts of the Spirit...

John 9 

v.2 "His disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' "

This shows that some illness, diseases or health conditions are caused by sin.

v. 11 "...He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see."

So it was after his obedience that he received his sight. His miracle was predicated on his obedience! Disobedience can delay our miracle!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Sweet Holy Spirit

For too long, we have ignored the Holy Spirit. I know I have.

When Jesus finished His work here on earth, He said, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever-" (John 14:16, AMP).

Just dwell on that for a second...

Jesus did not leave us comfortless on His return to glory. He did not leave us as orphans (- such love)! When God said I will never leave you nor forsake you, He meant it. (See Hebrews 13:5.)  

So, why do we choose to live as orphans? We have the Holy Spirit with us - forever! But we must have a hunger for Him in order to receive a fresh dose of Him everyday. We have to practice His presence (acknowledge Him daily) and not go on with our lives as if He does not exist.

I thank God for the great awakening that has hit us. What I mean is, at my church, we are currently experiencing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit. He is reviving us once again, breathing on us afresh, reminding us that we cannot do anything apart from Him.

This is such a crucial season. We are in the midst of a revival. We have to cut out all the junk that we allow to infiltrate our lives: the music we listen to, the programmes we watch, gossiping, entertaining nonsense. Even taking offense at what people say or do can grieve the Holy Spirit. It's not possible be completely sinless - yes, but that's why grace abounds. And with that grace, we must separate ourselves, on purpose, from all this junk for the sake of the Holy Spirit who is holy.

Today's blog post is to me as well as to you. There are things I've written here that very much apply to me. Truth is, I'm hungry for more of the Holy Spirit. We sing this song "There must be more than this, Spirit of God we wait for you." And it's true. In this Christian walk, there must be more than this; there is more than this!

I sincerely hope that this has stirred up a desire in your spirit for more of the most Holy Spirit. I plan to do more posts on the Holy Spirit soon, since there are a few more things I wanted to say. But for now... 

...I'd like to leave you with some websites and links that are all about the great Azusa Street Revival, where the Holy Spirit swept across a place in America. I tell you, mighty, unimaginable things happened. Find out here:

• http://www.revival-library.org/pensketches/am_pentecostals/seymourazusa.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRcxcv7TWBc&list=PLiOYrPH-cxJT-XssZ9v9g5S5Xi9ZIkz6s
• http://www.azusastreet.org/AzusaStreetTestimonies.htm
• http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/199904/026_azusa.cfm