Would I be out of line saying, "Eight or nine, out of ten Christian's are without power from the Holy Spirit?" If this is true, should it be this way? No! I don't believe that!" So the question is, "How can we get this power from God?"
In Rev.3, concerning the letter to the 7 churches, we can read about the many positive things, and also the unfruitful work that existed then, and yet remain in our churches.
In John 3, the Pharisee Nicodemus came to the Lord at night. So why did he come at night? Its obvious; he didn't want to be seen with Jesus in the day time. I believe he came more for curiosity; but surely not to seek wisdom. Yet, Jesus gave Nicodemus a sound lesson on life. Did Nicodemus get it? No! He understood Christ only in part.
Unlike the apostles, who were given a much fuller view of Christ's teachings, Nicodemus was given only a peep holes view. Jesus showed the apostles miracles, spoke in parables, and they practically walked in His footsteps for three years. For a lack of a better term, they were "Lifted up to heaven by His teachings."
But poor Nicodemus was left scrambling, and groveling in the dust of the ground. He left spiritually hungry. In the South, we would say, "He got no soul food."
Can you imagine what was going on in his mind? He was probably thinking, "Look at me! I am a member of the Sanhedrim! I have authority! I have power! My peers look up to me, as do the people! Who does this man Jesus think he is? he's nothing but a Nazarene! If seen with Him, I will lose respect, authority, and possibly my position in the Sanhedrm."
A lesson Nicodemus teaches us: never think yourself as higher than, or equal to our Lord, or to any other person; none of us are sitting with the gods. It would be more advisable to humble yourself before God and men. I don't mean humble like some little, wimpy cuddly teddy bear, but as a man, a women, an ambassador of God; a messenger of His gospel. Have confidence, because we have the truth.
Only in humility can we be overcomers; conquers for Christ. I suppose you can call yourself a Christian if you don't come to the Lord in humility; but you will be a Christian without power.
Nicodemus was a powerful man in his own circle of friends, yet powerless before God. Today there are those who carry and wield great authority in politics, science, religion, medicine, sport, etc. Yet these are of the world, and without Holy Spirit power.
A good example of the differences in power can be seen with David, and Goliath. This man Goliath was physically strong, a true giant; and I would suppose fearful to look at. He overcame his enemies with intimidation, and physical strength.
On the other hand, David was small, young, un-intimidating, yet he carried the sword of the Holy Spirit. This made David greater in every way. He easily overcoming Goliath, striking fear into the enemies camp; even filling his own people with amazement. From a shepherd to king with one swipe of his sword. Now that's what I call, "Holy Spirit Power."
Lets compare Nicodemus with the woman at the well. She came for a pitcher of water, and went home with the whole well. She drank of the living water, and was so overjoyed because she understood fully what, and who this man was that stood before her: and she believed. And like most other women would, she could not help herself; running into town, and telling everyone about her experience.
Here is a reason why I believe women are going to be resurrected a few days after us men. The Bible said, "There will be silence in heaven for a short time."
O my, bad joke, Only kidding, sometimes I can't resist.
One more example. John 7, is where every one of us should be in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,
"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water."
Nicodemus wallowed in the dust; the woman at the well took home the whole well. Yet Jesus tells us that rivers of living water can flow from us.
There's a story about a man who lived by a stream. In the summer months the stream would dry up; and in the winter the water would freeze up. His stream was good only at certain times of the year. When his stream was useless, he had to depend on others.
Is this you? are you useful to the Lord only part of the time? Do you at times have to humble yourself before strangers, asking them to fulfill your requests? Your eternal security is for the taking, all you have to do is reach out to God.
Have you let our society, our culture, or even your particular denomination restrict you from receiving fully the Holy Spirit? Are the 4 walls of your church preventing you in any way? Salvation comes only from God, and not from any man. Don't be like Ponce de Leon who spent his life looking for the mystical "Fountain of Youth." All he had to do was open up the pages of his Bible.
I consider it an honor, and privilege to serve Jesus Christ. Even though my well's pump may have a few warn out washers, and sprung a few leaks; I will continue to pump out as much of our Lords living waters to a thirsty world as I can.
Remember; the deeper you dig; the fresher, clearer, more pleasing is the taste of the water. And so is it with searching out the riches of our Lord Jesus Christ in His spiritually filled word of life.
Eph.3:20-21, "Unto him (believers) that are able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the (Holy Spirit) power that worketh in us, Unto (them) be glory in the church (body) of Christ Jesus."
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com
In Rev.3, concerning the letter to the 7 churches, we can read about the many positive things, and also the unfruitful work that existed then, and yet remain in our churches.
In John 3, the Pharisee Nicodemus came to the Lord at night. So why did he come at night? Its obvious; he didn't want to be seen with Jesus in the day time. I believe he came more for curiosity; but surely not to seek wisdom. Yet, Jesus gave Nicodemus a sound lesson on life. Did Nicodemus get it? No! He understood Christ only in part.
Unlike the apostles, who were given a much fuller view of Christ's teachings, Nicodemus was given only a peep holes view. Jesus showed the apostles miracles, spoke in parables, and they practically walked in His footsteps for three years. For a lack of a better term, they were "Lifted up to heaven by His teachings."
But poor Nicodemus was left scrambling, and groveling in the dust of the ground. He left spiritually hungry. In the South, we would say, "He got no soul food."
Can you imagine what was going on in his mind? He was probably thinking, "Look at me! I am a member of the Sanhedrim! I have authority! I have power! My peers look up to me, as do the people! Who does this man Jesus think he is? he's nothing but a Nazarene! If seen with Him, I will lose respect, authority, and possibly my position in the Sanhedrm."
A lesson Nicodemus teaches us: never think yourself as higher than, or equal to our Lord, or to any other person; none of us are sitting with the gods. It would be more advisable to humble yourself before God and men. I don't mean humble like some little, wimpy cuddly teddy bear, but as a man, a women, an ambassador of God; a messenger of His gospel. Have confidence, because we have the truth.
Only in humility can we be overcomers; conquers for Christ. I suppose you can call yourself a Christian if you don't come to the Lord in humility; but you will be a Christian without power.
Nicodemus was a powerful man in his own circle of friends, yet powerless before God. Today there are those who carry and wield great authority in politics, science, religion, medicine, sport, etc. Yet these are of the world, and without Holy Spirit power.
A good example of the differences in power can be seen with David, and Goliath. This man Goliath was physically strong, a true giant; and I would suppose fearful to look at. He overcame his enemies with intimidation, and physical strength.
On the other hand, David was small, young, un-intimidating, yet he carried the sword of the Holy Spirit. This made David greater in every way. He easily overcoming Goliath, striking fear into the enemies camp; even filling his own people with amazement. From a shepherd to king with one swipe of his sword. Now that's what I call, "Holy Spirit Power."
Lets compare Nicodemus with the woman at the well. She came for a pitcher of water, and went home with the whole well. She drank of the living water, and was so overjoyed because she understood fully what, and who this man was that stood before her: and she believed. And like most other women would, she could not help herself; running into town, and telling everyone about her experience.
Here is a reason why I believe women are going to be resurrected a few days after us men. The Bible said, "There will be silence in heaven for a short time."
O my, bad joke, Only kidding, sometimes I can't resist.
One more example. John 7, is where every one of us should be in the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,
"If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water."
Nicodemus wallowed in the dust; the woman at the well took home the whole well. Yet Jesus tells us that rivers of living water can flow from us.
There's a story about a man who lived by a stream. In the summer months the stream would dry up; and in the winter the water would freeze up. His stream was good only at certain times of the year. When his stream was useless, he had to depend on others.
Is this you? are you useful to the Lord only part of the time? Do you at times have to humble yourself before strangers, asking them to fulfill your requests? Your eternal security is for the taking, all you have to do is reach out to God.
Have you let our society, our culture, or even your particular denomination restrict you from receiving fully the Holy Spirit? Are the 4 walls of your church preventing you in any way? Salvation comes only from God, and not from any man. Don't be like Ponce de Leon who spent his life looking for the mystical "Fountain of Youth." All he had to do was open up the pages of his Bible.
I consider it an honor, and privilege to serve Jesus Christ. Even though my well's pump may have a few warn out washers, and sprung a few leaks; I will continue to pump out as much of our Lords living waters to a thirsty world as I can.
Remember; the deeper you dig; the fresher, clearer, more pleasing is the taste of the water. And so is it with searching out the riches of our Lord Jesus Christ in His spiritually filled word of life.
Eph.3:20-21, "Unto him (believers) that are able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the (Holy Spirit) power that worketh in us, Unto (them) be glory in the church (body) of Christ Jesus."
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com
