America’s First Gay President:

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

America’s First Gay President:

Mr. President

President Barak Obama announced recently in an ABC News interview with Robin Roberts that he was in favor of “same sex marriage.” In the same interview he further stated that being in favor of the arrangement was the “right thing to do”. A Gallop poll taken in early May showed that by a 54-42 percent margin American adults consider gay and lesbian marriage relations “morally acceptable”.  What does this say about our 21st Century society? Twenty-five years ago such attitudes would have been laughed out of town. Jesus the Lord told His disciples if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. (Matt. 10:14-15). The Apostle Paul lays out a proposition that is difficult to refute. Look at this Biblical pronouncement.

Romans 1:16-32 (NKJV) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. This is Paul’s message to the Romans and to all of us.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  The man Paul speaks from his heart what will happen to those who veer of the path of truth. They knew God, but they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. These actions on man’s part caused God to give them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error.  God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness;

• Genesis 18:20 (NLT) 20 So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.

• Genesis 19:24 (NKJV)  Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.

• Jude 1:7 (GW)  What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities near them is an example for us of the punishment of eternal fire. The people of these cities suffered the same fate that God's people and the angels did, because they committed sexual sins and engaged in homosexual activities.

Our society seems to be on the a slippery slope to destruction. The Romans passage clearly identifies the violators of God’s original plan for marriage, i.e. one man and one woman. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature, i.e. lesbianism.  Likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error.

Friends, our lives cannot be governed by the polls. The Apostle Paul reminds us of men professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. No matter what the consensus of the so-called enlightened might be  the final word is in the hands of the Almighty God, in whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17 (NKJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. God’s plan is to bless and gift men & women with things that are good and perfect.  However,  if man strikes out based on his own misguided beliefs and forsakes the divine plan of God his fate is sealed by trusting in his own plan rather than in God’s. When men and women pursue their selfish desires and commit sexual sins and engaged in homosexual activities, no poll or politically correct belief will serve God’s righteous judgement. 

Do IT Now! # 3

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB) 

 The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ. 

Do IT Now! # 3

Best Friend Phil Bongiorno Desk Motto

James 4: 14 How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog-now you see it; soon it is gone. TLB . 

WHAT IF..You were told that you had only six months to live--What would you do? What changes might you make in your life? You might write letters to friends expressing your appreciate and love for them. Perhaps you would seek out people whom you have wronged and ask for forgiveness. The bad news might jog your memory of an old debt and thus you would repay that which has been overlooked. What might be the first thing you would do tomorrow? 1 Chron 29: 15 For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace. TLB 

THE POINT DEAR FRIEND IS, DON'T WAIT TILL YOU ONLY HAVE SIX MONTHS TO LIVE. DO IT NOW! 

JESUS HAS GIVEN US A GLORIOUS GOAL 

John 15:7-8 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV 

 James 5: 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. NIV 

1 Peter 1: 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. NIV

 Matt 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. NIV

 Rev 3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. NIV 

 Heb 10: 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. NIV 

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you, Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain, NIV 

In conclusion, realize that God's provision is for FULLNESS OF LIFE. Strive to BE A PRODUCTIVE FRUIT-BEARING believer. Finally - BE UNCOMPROMISING in FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST. Remember the POINT DEAR FRIEND IS, DON'T WAIT TILL YOU ONLY HAVE SIX MONTHS TO LIVE. DO IT NOW!

Do IT Now! #2

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Do IT Now! #2

Best Friend - P. Bongiorno - Desk Motto

James 4: 14 How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog-now you see it; soon it is gone. TLB .

WHAT IF..You were told that you had only six months to live--What would you do?  What changes might you make in your life? You might write letters to friends expressing your appreciate and love for them. Perhaps you would seek out people whom you have wronged and ask for forgiveness. The bad news might jog your memory of an old debt and thus you would repay that which has been overlooked.  What might be the first thing you would do tomorrow? 1 Chron 29: 15 For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace. TLB

THE POINT DEAR FRIEND IS, DON'T WAIT TILL YOU ONLY HAVE SIX MONTHS TO LIVE.  DO IT NOW!

JESUS HAS GIVEN US A GLORIOUS GOAL

John 15:7-8 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV

THOMAS CARLISLE wrote, "Genius is the capacity for taking (' infinite pains.." .

THEODORE GEISEL'S manuscript had been rejected 23 times when ran into an old college friend who was the editor of Vanguard Press. Twenty minutes late a contract was signed and Geisel became the world's most successful author of Children's books. You probably know him better by his pen name: Dr. SEUSS ...

RICHARD HOOKER spent 17 years writing a humorous war story and was turned down by 21 publishers before William Marrow bought the book. You've seen the TV program based on Hooker's book titled MASH!

RICHARD BACH was rejected by 18 publishers. But he persisted and persuaded Macmillian Company to publish a short run of just 7,500 copies of his book. Today millions of copies have been sold all over the world you've seen it and perhaps even read his Jonathan Livingston Seagall. Together these three authors faced 62 rejections - but that did not deter them -- THEY PERSISTED --

How about the man who wanted to make the bible a living story for young children. He took drafts and manuscripts of his proposed ideas to every religious publisher in the country NOT ONE would publish for him. Determined and convinced that what he was doing was good he took all his assets and opened his own publishing company at great financial risk for himself and his family. Today friends, those first rejecters wish they had listened because the newly organized TYDALE HOUSE has published MILLIONS & MILLIONS of Ken Taylor's LIVING BIBLE.

RICKY HENDERSON the all-time base stealer in baseball history - stole 119 bases in 1982. But his name is also in the record book for being caught stealing more times than anyone else. The irony of this story to become the all-time base stealer. Henderson FAILED more times than anyone else. But what do we concentrate on the STOLEN bases or times FAILED?  Friends, its not how many' times you FAILED that COUNTS -- BUT HOW MANY TIMES YOU KEEP COMING BACK AND PERSISTING. SO PICK YOURSELF UP DUST YOURSELF OFF AND GIVE IT ANOTHER GO!!

Job 17:9.....the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger. NIV  "..will hold.." Means perseverance/persistence--if employed you will grow stronger and stronger. 

Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. NIV

Heb 12:1 ...since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. N IV

James 1 :12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, r=>. because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. NIV

Some real meat to chew on for all those who want to please God!

To be continued

Do IT Now! #1

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Do IT Now! #1

James 4: 14 How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog-now you see it; soon it is gone. TLB .

WHAT IF..You were told that you had only six months to live--What would you do?  What changes might you make in your life? You might write letters to friends expressing your appreciate and love for them. Perhaps you would seek out people whom you have wronged and ask for forgiveness. The bad news might jog your memory of an old debt and thus you would repay that which has been overlooked.  What might be the first thing you would do tomorrow? 1 Chron 29: 15 For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace. TLB

THE POINT DEAR FRIEND IS,  DON'T WAIT TILL YOU ONLY HAVE SIX               MONTHS TO LIVE.  

DO IT NOW!

JESUS HAS GIVEN US A GLORIOUS GOAL

John 15:7-8 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. NIV

John 10: 10 I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. NIV.  God's expectation is for His children to possess: 1) Fulness of Life. 2) To be productive Fruit-bearers. 3) To be 100% sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ. The key to meeting this mandate is understanding the WORD; HEARING the Word and HEEDING the Word! Matt 7:24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. NIV

Matt 7:7-8 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. NIV

Matt 7:13-14 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. NIV

Luke 11 :28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the (\ word of God and obey it." NIV

John 14: 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. NIV.

Victory, Overcoming, Successfulness are directly connected with being ACCOUNTABLE, RESPONSIBLE AND OBEDIENT.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SAID TO SOMEONE, "HAVE A GOOD DAY!" . These words imply that fate or circumstances control your destiny. Which Is Just not True. We need to start saying, "Make It A Good Day!"

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW said, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are, the people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want. And if they can't find them, they make them..,"

JOHN WOODEN chalked up a string of NCAA Championships as r">. coach of the UCLA Bruins basketball team- he says, "Nobody is defeated until he starts blaming somebody else!"

You see friends, EACH of us must accept the RESPONSIBILITY for our own lives. Our lives are not determined by: Luck, Fate, The Stars, Heredity, The Weather, Your Spouse, Your Parents, Your Boss, Circumstances, or The Economy. When we'll accept our responsibility then our hearts will be charged with COURAGE & PERSISTENCE. There is NO other way to say it. You are responsible for what you are and what you have become. PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT, SUCCEED OR OVERCOME ARE THOSE WHO ACCEPT ABSOLUTE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND PERSIST.

CALVIN COOLIDGE said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION ARE ALL POWERFUL.. ·

NAPOLEON HILL said, about Thomas Edison and Henry Ford - "...1 found no quality save persistence in either of these men that even remotely suggested the major source of their stupendous achievements..." 

THOMAS EDISON said, "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration... "

To Be Continued

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #6

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #6

Essential with the Fruits of the Spirit

The Fruits of the Spirit Continued:  Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GENTLENESS: A man does not show his greatness by his bombast not by pushing people around. Although the Holy Spirit, by His infinite power, brought creation into existence, He is gentle as a dove and easily grieved. God is not only all-powerful, He is is gentle. The Psalmist said, “They gentleness, hath made me great...”  Ps 18:35.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GOODNESS: What greater testimony could be given of a man than that Barnabas, “For he was good man, full of the Holy Ghost...”  Acts 11:24.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS FAITH: Not all have the special gift of faith. But if one is full of the Holy Spirit, his faith will grow into supernatural faith..

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS MEEKNESS:  Here we have something supernatural. The natural man seeks to impress others. The natural man constantly seeks to compare himself with others, to his own advantage. But the fruit of the Spirit causes a man to seek the lower place, to give honor to others. Humility is the true path to exaltation. James 4:10 (NLT) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS SELF-CONTROL:  Only the the Spirit of God can give us balance. Man is naturally given to extremes and excesses. Let God bless the man more than his brethren, and the possibility is strong that he will be puffed up. But the Holy Spirit seeks to give us balance and self-control in all that we do.

Opposed to these beautiful fruits of the Spirit are the fruits of the FLESH. Paul identifies them for us in Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

COMPARE THE ABOVE TO THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT - BELOW:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT FALL INTO CATEGORIES:

The first CATEGORY of fruits are,inward and come from God alone (love, joy, peace)

The second CATEGORY of fruits are concerned with a believer’s relationship with others (patience, kindness, goodness)

The final CATEGORY of fruits focus on character traits that guide a believer’s life (faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

Galatians 5:5-6 (NLT) But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us....What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

A WORD FOR DADS #2

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)
The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

A WORD FOR DADS #2

In the previous article we discussed the importance to TEACH and to PROVIDE. Today we’ll finish “A Word for Dads”.

Third; TO NURTURE: A. One who nurtures or fosters, educates. The nurturer is one who creates an environment that conditions and influences. Ephes.6:4 And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice. (TLB) In other words, fathers don't irritate and provoke their children to anger. If you do you'll exasperate them to resentment. What are we saying? Create the kind of atmosphere that produces loving discipline with godly advice.

Fourth;TO CONTROL: 1 Tim. 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (KJV) 1 Tim. 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (TLB)  This is one of many prerequisites for a man to qualify as a Bishop or a pastor.  A similar statement is made regarding a deacon’s children as well.. (V: 12) 1 Tim. 3:12 A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. (TLB) A well balanced family who obey quickly and quietly. You begin this work early in their lives. When their little, little tots. You need to manage your home consistently the old time-worn cliche "Do as I say and not as I do..." will not produce well ordered homes. Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, They must be made to do what is right.

Fifth; TO LOVE: Titus 2:4 These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children, Our educational program in the home must have its origin in Biblical principles. Deut.6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (NIV)  This is your Responsibility Love the LORD. Study the WORD. Train your children to do the same. Man has an intangible inner vacuum which responds to LOVE. Love is an experience. What your child sees of God in you is what he is going to understand about God. When your child experiences LOVE from YOU (father and/or mother) he experiences the presence of God.

We have shared some marvelous insights that were developed through raising our four great children. We didn’t always, hit the ball out of the park, but by God’s grace our daughter Debbie Sheridan Krebs is home with Jesus. Our son Clayt, III, and two daughters  Dawn Kollar, Darla Young are each ordained AG ministers serving in three great churches.

Talk about A HAPPY FATHER’S DAY - I’M HAVING ONE!

l to r back row- Darla S Young, Dawn S Kollar, Debbie S Krebs & Clayt, III

A WORD FOR DADS #1

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

A WORD FOR DADS  #1

Happy Father's Day

The scriptures clearly teach us that the Heavenly Father has given to us the very best that Heaven had to offer.. Our wonderful God had given us a powerful "role model" to which we can pattern our relationships with our children. The Bible has a lot to say to fathers/parents regarding our dealings with family and we're going to zero-in on some of His expectations for us.

I believe His declarations to us from the Word and duties incumbent upon fathers and/or parents. His first requirement for us is;

First; To TEACH: Deut.6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them vvhen thou sittest in thine house, and vvhen thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (KJV) We need to understand that our chiId(ren) have basic characteristics. Physical; mental (rational, logical); emotional; moral; social and spiritual. If these areas are to be developed in his or her life they will need; 1. Information; 2. Attitudes and character; 3. Skills. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, [2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, [3] and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you wi II understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (KJV)  In this passage God proposes three things for every living being...1. KNOWLEDGE = information 2. UNDERSTANDING = the ability to evaluate facts 3. WISDOM = the ability to make judgments considering facts. These are the greatest values in life...which project out into eternity. Proverbs 24:13-14 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. [14] Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (KJV) The greatest value is wisdom and it has its own reward. Deut. 6:1·5 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you,... [2] That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep a/l his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou. and thvson, and thvson son, all the days of thy life,... [4J Hear, 0 Israel: The Lord our God is one L:droLo [5J And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Parents and/or Dads are expected by God to TRAIN their children Diligently & Daily. How do we know this is to be a daily procedure? Deut 6:7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. NIV The religious education of children (v. 7): "Thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children; and by communicating thy knowledge thou wilt increase it." Those that love the Lord God should do all they can to capture the affections of their children to LORD. This would help preserve the cause of Christian faith in their families. Thou shalt focus on them diligently with thy children. Frequently repeat these principles to them. Try all ways of instilling the Biblical truth into their minds, and hearts; In the same way one would sharpen a knife, it is turned first on this side, then on the other. "Be careful and exact in teaching and instructing our children; The goal being to sharpen them, and put an edge upon them. Bishop Patrick tells us here that Moses thought his law was very plain and easy that every father might be able to instruct his sons in it and every mother her daughters. Moses taught in Deut 6:6-9 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. NKJV In other words take every opportunity to teach/discuss with those around you the divine truths; Dad's must LOVE the Lord; STUDY His Word; TEACH his children to do the same. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go. (KJV)

Second; TO PROVIDE: 2 Cor. 12:14 .....for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (KJV) 2 Cor. 12:14 for I don't want your money. I want you! And anyway, you are my children, and little children don't pay for their father's and mother's fs'ti-doof the other way around; parents supply food for their children. (TLB)  Food, clothing, shelter are all necessary needs. Yet they are only able touch the natural man. More important is the example in Righteousness, Holiness, Godliness, Mercy, Love, Kindness, Gentleness & self control.  1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (KJV)  The believing father is to make PROVISIONS for his family. Materially, Socially, Emotionally, Morally, & Spiritually.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #5

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #5 

NINTH: ONE SHOULD HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO EXERCISE THE GIFTS FULLY:

The Divine Source

It appears that in some cases God bestows a gift upon a person, even before birth Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV) "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Even so, it is necessary that the Spirit of God anoints the person at least in a measure, before the gift can properly operate. Certain of the gifts were manifested in a ministry of the apostles, even before they received the full Baptism of the Spirit. Jesus commanded them to heal the sick and cast out devils. (Matt. 10:8).

Since it is clear that the disciples did not have the baptism at that time, we see that the gift did operate in a measure with a partial anointing of the Spirit.They are manifested in far greater power in those who have received the full baptism. The manifestation of certain gifts in the ministry of Peter because evident only after he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

For example, neither Peter nor any of the other disciples knew that Judas was intending to betray the Lord, see Mark 14:17-21; John 13:21-30. And even when Jesus practically told them they still did get the significance of His words. Yet, after Peter received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, he instantly discerned the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphires. Check out Acts 5:1-11. As far as speaking in other tongues, none of the disciples manifested the gift until after the Day of Pentecost.

On the Sea of Galilee when the storm arose, the disciples showed only a human faith, Matt. 8:23-26. But you’ll note after thy received the Holy Spirit , they had faith for great miracles, even the raising of the dead. Look up Acts 5:12; 9:36-42.

TENTH: TO PRODUCE THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT:

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 We have mentioned that the Holy Spirit give power to live a holy life. But holiness set apart by itself is negative. The Holy Spirit does more than this. He bears the fruits of the Spirit-resulting in a positive change of nature, and even of personality. Here is a vast field for consideration of which we can merely take the briefest notice.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT LOVE: Love is the greatest thing in the world. Jesus showed what the real proof was that a man was a true follower of His, when He said,34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;...35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."John 13:34-35 (NKJV) Love works no ill or evil to one’s brother. Love is the fulfillment of the whole law.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY:  Psalms 28:7 (NLT)  The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The Puritanical religion held the view that a Christian should always wear a long face. But Jesus strikes at that concept by declaring that even when men are fasting and denying the flesh, they are not to be “as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance” Matt. 6:16. Many think of Christ, when he walked the earth, as a sad, melancholy man. This picture is quite misleading. Although Christ was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, this refers to the to the sorrow He bore for the world, not to His own. Sad people are usually that way be cause of their own troubles. Yet even as Christ went to Calvary, He could say in, John 15:11 (NLT) I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS PEACE: The true evidence of conversion is the peace of God that comes within the heart. The world is restless, frustrated, and disillusioned. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. See Ecc. 1:1. One of the greatest purposes of the indwelling Spirit is to produce peace in the heart of the believer - the peace that passes all understanding.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - LONGSUFFERING: Who but the Holy Spirit can give us understanding and patience in our relation with the less spiritual saints.A person who claims to have great spiritual gifts and loses his temper when things don’t go his way, only betrays his own carnality and inconsistency.

To Be Continued

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #4

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #4                            

Pentecost - Upper Room

Thus far we have stated six reason why every Christian should receive the Holy Ghost; (1) If Christ and the Apostles why not us?; (2) The Holy Ghost gives power to witness; (3) He gives power to live a holy life; (4) He is our comforter abiding forever; (5) He is our “refresher” spoken of in prophecy; (6) He’ll “Quicken” our mortal bodies:

SEVENTH: HE GUIDES THE BELIEVER INTO ALL TRUTH:

John 16:12-13 (NKJV) 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Some denominations that deny the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost have drifted into rationalism and unbelief, which then denies the virgin birth, the miraculous, the born-again experience, and some more have even been ensnared in such Bible dishonoring teachings as the theory that man is descended  from the brute beast. These errors have never troubles the Pentecostal movement. Anyone who has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, intuitively knows that any teaching that claims man to have a blood relationship with the animal kingdom, is false.

Of course, it is possible for a believer to receive the Holy Spirit and still be subject to mistakes. It is possible for him to chose error, since God never takes away a man’s free will, (1 Tim 1:19-20; 2 Tim 2:17-18). But if he is obedient to the light he has, the Spirit of the Lord will keep him from serious error. A Spirit-filled person usually becomes conscious that a Christian’s walk is a holy walk. Hundreds of persons testify that without  a sermon being preached on the subject, and without anyone saying a word on the matter, the Spirit of the Lord caused them to drop such things as, smoking, drinking, and patronizing of the worldly places of amusement.

It should be understood, however, that believers have a measure of the Holy Spirit, even before they receive the baptism. Jesus told the disciples before Pentecost, John 14:17 (NKJV) 17 the Spirit of truth...you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Romans 8:9 (NKJV) 9 ...the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. In fact, the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding people into he truth, begins even before conversion (John 16:8). However, the Spirit is able to lead men into “all truth” more effectively after they receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. An illustration of this is the fact that the disciples, before the the Day of Pentecost, could not understand why Christ need go the cross, (Matt. 16:21-23). But after Pentecost, all this became clear. Read Acts 2:22-36.

EIGHTH: BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL HELP YOU RAY SUPERNATURALLY:

Romans 8:26 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. We do not have to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to pray. God is gracious, the Spirit of God in His convicting power will help the sinner to pray the publican’s prayer. As we have seen, the new convert has a measure of the Spirit and will be able to receive many answers to prayer.

But there is  something more than this. When the full baptism of the Holy Spirit comes, and we yield to Him, we will fine that the Spirit of God with in us, will intercede and help us to pray and get answers to difficult problems. As the above verse indicates, none of us knows how to pray as we ought, but if permitted, the Spirit of God will make “intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”. The Apostle Paul tells us that he prayed both with the Spirit and with the understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NKJV) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #3

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #3

FIFTH: THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST IS “THE REFRESHING” SPOKEN OF IN PROPHECY:

Isaiah 28:11-12 (NKJV) 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, "This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest," And, "This is the refreshing"; Yet they would not hear.

The Holy Ghost is not only the Comforter, but the speaking in tongues, which follows the infilling of the Holy Ghost, is the “rest” and “refreshing” for “the weary” which God has promised to the believer.

The human race in it’s wandering away from God finds itself in a state of unrest and lack of fulfillment. Their search for happiness through trying to accumulate material possessions, always ends in disappointment and disillusionment. Jesus sharply rebuked this philosophy of earthly riches. Luke 12:15 (NKJV) And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

But there is one satisfying experience that can never supply the soul. God has promised the Holy Spirit for whosoever will.  “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh”. “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” The infilling of the Spirit with speaking in the unknown tongue is as the prophecy declares, the “rest” and the “refreshing”. And to this truth millions will testify.

SIXTH: THE  HOLY SPIRIT WILL QUICKEN OUR MORTAL BODIES:

Romans 8:11 (NKJV)   But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We know that Divine Healing is accomplished by the power of the Spirit. “The power of the Lord was present to heal.” But God’s purpose goes further than healing. It includes Divine health, as 3 John 2 declares,, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth”.

The supreme event of history was the resurrection of Christ from the dead.The great miracle was wrought by the Holy Spirit of God. That is, the lifeless body of Jesus was raised from the grave through the power of the Holy Spirit. But the Apostle adds that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead has been given to the believer to quicken his mortal body. Notice that the Apostle is not at this point talking about the future resurrection, but he is speaking of the quickening of this mortal body. As the context shows he is referring to the life that we are living NOW!.

The time of the resurrection has not yet come, but in the meantime the Spirit will quicken our physical bodies, so that we may have the strength necessary to perform the work hat God has called us to do.

Dr. A.B. Simpson, the famous preacher of a generation ago, who did much to restore Divine Healing to the Church, tells how that as a youth he was handicapped with a frail; body. After the Sunday services, it took him to the middle of the week, before he had strength enough to begin preparations for the service the follow Sunday.  Because of his sickly condition, he became an object of pity- a circumstances that brought him almost to the point of despair. However, it was while he was in that condition that God revealed Himself to him as his healer. But more than that, God showed him that He would be his health, if he would wholly  depend upon Him.  And so it wast that the Spirit of God came upon him and quickened his life to such a degree that within three years after he was healed, he preached no less than a thousand sermons.

Of course, any blessing bestowed by the Holy Spirit, must be appropriated by bold faith in the same way any other blessings are obtained. Many have experienced this quickening, and it is one more of the great benefits which is given by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, that He came to give life, and life more abundantly.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #2

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost #2 

This is a continuation of Why Every Christian Should Receive the Holy Ghost.

Third: BECAUSE THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES POWER TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE.

Romans 8:1-2,13 (NKJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 


Here we are told that the Holy Spirit frees us from the law of sin and death. Without the Spirit man’s attempts to live a holy life are futile and in vain. He cannot in his own strength live an overcoming life. He will fail again and again, as Paul describes in his autobiographical experience in Romans seven. Indeed man’s self-righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. Romans 8:9 (NKJV) ...Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. But the experience as received on the Day of Pentecost, represents a fuller measure of the Spirit. He was WITH the believer, but now He is IN him.

It should be pointed out, however, that the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not automatically make a man holy nor an idea Christian. These saints in the Corinthian Church received the Spirit Spirit, and “they came behind in no gift”. Yet they were very carnal and required strict discipline and correction by the Apostle Paul. While the infilling of the Holy Spirit gives the believer power to live a holy life, nevertheless man is a free-will moral agent and therefore it cannot be guaranteed that every believer will live up to that responsibility.

FOURTH: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A COMFORTER WHO WILL ABIDE FOREVER:

John 14:16 (KJV) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

The Holy Ghost is the Comforter who is come to abide for ever. What a thrilling thought that this glorious Holy Spirit who moved on the darkness at the dawn of creation and caused the light to shine forth, comes to abide, not for a day, a month, or a  year, but forever! A million years from now He will still be with us to guide, comfort and give us eternal fellowship with God. Here then we see the absolute need of the Holy Spirit beyond all else. He identifies Himself with us. Through His indwelling presence, we become the Temple of God.

How all material blessings pale into utter insignificance beside this great Comforter! How the abiding presence of the Spirit makes our worldly possessions as worthless trinkets in comparison! Solomon spoke the truth when he said, “All thing are full of labor, man cannot utter it; the eye is satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” The earthly pleasures of this world can satisfy for only a little while, and in time pall the appetite. How sat to see great men as they never end, suddenly realize that all the honors of the world that they have ever gained, lose all value as they move into the land of shadow from whence none ever returns. Death rings down the curtain, and hustles them into the great unknown. No wonder Solomon came to this conclusion



The Sword of the LORD!

Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NASB) Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; 



Ecclesiastes 12:1 (MSG) Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, 


The Good News is, he who has the mighty Comforter need never fear the “evil days”, for as the scripture says, “At evening time it shall be light.”  (Zech. 14:7).

The glorious Holy Spirit infilling is the only thing that can fully satisfy the human soul. Man is so made that he is not complete in himself. In his soul there is a “vacuum”. If it is not occupied with God, it will eventually be filled with that which is evil. Luke 11:24-25 (NKJV) 24 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.