And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are

sealed unto the day of redemption.

(Eph. 4:30)

Last I wrote, I was discussing the fact that it is the Holy Spirit that draws all to God. Scripture says, "There is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:11). Today, I'll like to look at how we are kept by His power.

Two friends are going through equally difficult times. They had worked at the same industrial plant before they lost their jobs. Just as it seemed as if things couldn't get any worse, their wives were also let go.

As things became more difficult, a mutual friend offered them a solution. He said, "Withdraw all the money on your credit cards and then report your wallet stolen. You'll get to keep the money and your credit will not be damaged."

One of the guys thought it sounded good. The other one said, "No thanks, because my God shall supply all my needs if I wait on Him." (see on Phil. 4:19). Needles to say, one man is now serving time for fraud and the other is serving the Lord as a Minister of the Gospel.

You see, when we have Christ we have the power to live right. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to lead us away from sin and unto salvation. However, without Him, we walk according to "the prince of the power of the air," and are lost (see on Eph. 2:2).

Today, understand that the Holy Spirit leads us away from lust of the flesh and the desire to sin (see on Eph. 5:16). Then, as King David prayed, we should pray. "Take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit" (Ps. 51:11, 12).

So today, If we are Christ and have His Holy Spirit, we will be kept until the day of redemption. Walk with the Lord!

Thursday, August 08, 2002

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father,

I have sinned against heaven, and before thee

(Luke 15:17)

We all know the story of the prodigal son. After spending all his money and eating pig's food, he finally came to his senses, so we say. He said, "I will arise and go to my father." However, what many of us don't understand is that it was God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, who gave him that thought.

Scriptures says, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:11). When sin entered the world, Adam and Eve fled from the presence of God "Because their deeds were evil." And like them, "Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19, 20).

Nevertheless, scriptures says, "He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Now, because He loves us first, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) and the Holy Spirit is constantly seeking to save all that was lost. Therefore, although no man desires to come to Him, He draws us with His Spirit. Scripture says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44).

Listen to His voice this morning and be saved.

Tuesday, July 16, 2002

"Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." John 2:5

Often times, we as Christians take offence to what our Catholic brothers teach and preach. The minute they start their Mary Doctrine we denounce them as being wrong. However, we MUST FOLLOW MARY! Let me explain.

Jesus had come into Cana of Galilee when both He and His disciple were called to a marriage feast. When they arrived, there was a call for wine, but none was to be found. Mary, His mother, seeing the situation and being the proud mother that she was, ran and told them that her Son, Jesus, would provide. The permission was granted and Mary turned to the men and gave some poignant advice, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."

This morning, we must take the same advice given by Mary. We must live by "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," Matt. 4:4. Like Mary, who believed in following her Son, we must follow Him.

The command is given by Christ Himself, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me," Mark 8:34. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me," John 10:27. "If any man serve me, let him follow me," John 12:26. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," John 14:15.

Will you obey the words of Mary and do whatsoever Jesus says? Will you obey the words of Jesus Christ and follow Him? Will you deny self, take up your cross, keep His commandments and receive eternal life?

The choice is yours today. What will you do?

Friday, July 12, 2002

Which Side

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve?

Joshua 24:15

Even before Francis Scott Key wrote his immortal lines, "the land of the free and the home of the brave," settlers in the free world were fighting for freedom. Today, men still are fighting and dying for the greatest ideal in the world--freedom.

However, all must answer this pertinent question, "Am I free or brave?" Am I free from debasing habits that bind me to sin? If not, am I brave enough to confront those foes that have captivated the strongholds of my mind and fight until I win? Do I prize eternal freedom enough that I will fight until the death today?

Jesus died to give us that power and to restore man to his original condition. His death on the cross "destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. 2:14, 15, italic supplied). His plan of redemption set man free from the bondage and servitude to Satan, making man free to act, think, and choose.

There are only two possibilities of control: God or Satan. Who controls you? Which side are you on?

Further studies (Romans 6:16, 8:14; Gal. 5:16-19, 25)

Monday, June 10, 2002

False Spirits in Our Midst

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1.

Satan has long been preparing his final effort to deceive the world. From the beginning he sad, "Ye shall not surely die." Step by step, he has moved to have his false doctrine accepted by all. Today, many of us have sadly accepted his teaching by placing our dead loved ones either in heaven, hell or floating around in some ghostly state. No one dies anymore!

But scripture says, "I saw three unclean spirits like frogs . . . They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:13, 14.

Our only defense is the Word of God. Except we allow Him to keep us by His power and His written word, we will be swept away. Remember, it is only those who "received not the love of the truth," that will be sent strong delusions and be lost. (2 Thess. 2:9-12).