Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 June 2014 Acts 4:31

14 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acts 4:31.     And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Oh Friends, it’s Saturday! Yeh, and you’ll notice that no evil spirits took hold of you yesterday, Friday the 13th. (smile)

That’s because you believe in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Christ is immensely stronger than any evil spirit that exists. Our downfall though is when through ignorance and/or foolish pride, we don’t acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and then follow His lead and guidance.

And yes, we’re going to continue looking at the works of the Holy Spirit after its widespread dispersal on that fateful day of Pentecost. And that’s because my people the Holy Spirit is such an integral part of our Christian lives, and if we don’t understand its use and its immense power we’ll be selling our faith and ourselves short. So please bear with the ole fella as he tries to raise our understanding of the most important element in our lives. (smile)  

Yesterday we saw, where in the face of the multitudes glorifying God, and the lame man healed in their presence through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Jewish rulers had no just cause to punish Peter and John, so they simply threatened them before setting them free.

‘And being let go, they went to their own company (companions), and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine (plot) vain things? The kings of the earth stood up (took their stand), and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.

For of a truth against thy holy child (servant) Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel (purpose) determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by (through) the name of thy holy child (servant) Jesus.’ (Acts 4:23-30)

Oh my brethren, how beautiful and heartwarming it is to our most gracious and wonderful God, when believers unite in praise and prayer! Remember, as Jesus so avidly and faithfully promised: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)

And was He ever amongst that group of believers that day!

Hear the Good Book tell it, through the words of our Bit: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’

Oh Friends, what a mighty mover and shaker is the Holy Spirit of Christ! And the scholars remind us: ‘4:31. As with Peter in verse 8, so now the whole body of believers experiences a renewal of the controlling influence or filling of the Spirit. See the note on 2:4.’

That deals with the difference between being baptized with the Holy Spirit, or the first anointing as a new believer, as opposed to the being refilled and refreshed at different stages of our walk of faith. Back in verse 8, Peter was recharged with the Holy Spirit which enabled him to stand up and boldly speak to the Jewish rulers.

And not only were the believers emboldened that day by the Holy Spirit, but their communal living was also vastly enriched. ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation (encouragement), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 4:32-37)

Oh my people, how good and how pleasant it is when believers dwell together in unity!

And though we know that kind of communal living won’t work properly in our society, there’s no need, no reason why we can’t be a more caring and considerate community of believers. The problem there is that we allow the world and its ungodly ways to come between us. For despite all the talk we talk, we’re still ruled by the things of the world and not by the things of God.

Yuh see how none of those early believers lacked for anything, and everyone was given as they had need? Hn! In our society though, so many lack and have need, while others have excess that they will not share. We’re always looking for a way to increase. And generally that’s not a bad thing…but at what cost? At what cost to others in our community, and at what cost to our relationships with our families and with our God?

That’s the question we need to ponder today my people; how much is our involvement in the ungodly world destroying our godly nature. Remember, we must be IN the world, but not OF it.

So let’s seriously consider our positions, then, with God’s ever-available and always generous help, try and come up better. For that’s eternal wisdom. Much LOVE!

…for though we be Jew or Gentile…of different creed and race…we all fall under the same all-encompassing LOVE of Jesus…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 June 2014 Acts 2:2

08 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acts 2:2.     And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

 
Oh Friends, it’s the Day of Pentecost! Two thousand years ago, some fifty days after Jesus’ triumphant resurrection, where He defeated, hell, death, the grave and that foolish crook Lucifer, and some ten days after His ascension, the Holy Ghost came to earth as a beautiful storm; a storm of wind, laced with fire-like appendages.
 
As the Good Book describes it: ‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord (purpose or mind) in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’ (Acts 2:1-4)
 
What a mighty act of our mighty God! Thus fulfilling the promise Jesus made to the disciples just before His ascension. ‘And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ (Acts 1:4-5)
 
Oh my people, the Lord was at work back then, just like He is now. That’s why we sing: ‘The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet. The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet. Moving here, and moving there. The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet.’
 
Yes my people, the Holy Ghost power is busy all over the world, moving just like a magnet. So if you have even one iota of metal, one iota of Jesus Christ in you, be careful, or rather be joyous, for it will target you. And please don’t try to resist it; instead, let it fall graciously upon you, for there’s nothing as remarkable as the Holy Ghost power in all the heaven and the earth!
 
Ah Friends, what a day that day of Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit was first showered down en masse on all believers! Before that it was given to special people who God needed to do great works for Him, like the prophets. But since that day in Jerusalem, each and every believer is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
 
As you can see from verse 5 above, Jesus promised that ALL would be baptized with the Spirit, as they came to the faith. And as the scholars point out, though the first set of scriptures only said that they were ‘filled,’ (Acts 2:4) they were indeed baptized with it.
 
Baptizing is the permanent placement of the Spirit in us, while filling is the continuous regeneration of that power. That means we have to continually renew the controlling influence of the Spirit in our lives, like a rechargeable battery, so that it can abide strong and powerful in our beings, and thus lead and guide us successfully in all righteousness and truth.
 
Now that day of Pentecost we’re talking about was not the first one, but it was an annual feast day in the Jewish calendar, occurring fifty days after the Feast of the first fruits, hence the name Pentecost in Greek. (Lev.15:15-22) And though it only lasted one day, it was certainly a joyous occasion, although I doubt that any of them could have been as joyous as that one when the Holy Spirit made its democratic appearance, beginning the promise of filling all and sundry that believed.
 
And that first day was truly a red letter day, for when the people in Jerusalem heard about the spectacular happenings, they came to where the apostles were, ‘and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue (language or dialect), wherein we were born?’ (Acts 2:6-8)
 
Oh yes Friends, there were all different kinds of people from many different places living in Jerusalem at that time, but yet these poor, uneducated Galileans spoke to each one of them in their own language. Glory Hallelujah! No lesser force than the mysterious movement of the mighty Holy Spirit was involved! Some people even mockingly said that they were drunk, but Peter, in his finest hour, got up and spoke to them. Read Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-42.
 
But my people, Peter’s speech was so great that day that I have to share the end, knowing that many of you won’t check out the scripture. (smile) ‘Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
 
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward (crooked) generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:38-42)
 
And all God’s people declared a loud, ‘Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!’ Yes Friends, what a red letter day that was, and we still talk about today it in tones of awe and wonder!
 
However my people, it’s time for us to be moving on, so I’m going to exhort us, on this day of Pentecost 2014, to get downright friendly with that Spirit of Jesus that indwells us, and today recharge, refill our spiritual batteries, so that we can be guided aright and do Jesus’ work with the excellence and diligence that’s required of us. That’s a mark of true sincerity and everlasting wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation)…but be filled with the Spirit… (Eph.5:18)

 

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 May 2013 Acts 2:4

22 May 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  Acts 2:4.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Oh my beautiful Friends in Christ Jesus! How goes it this awesome Wednesday morning eh? I sure hope it’s going as well as possible with all of you. And if by chance it’s not going too good, then please don’t despair, turn to God, cry out to Him, lay your troubles before Him, and He will definitely help you through whatever problems you’re facing. That’s His faithful promise.

So ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering: (for he is faithful that promised:) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and to good works.’ (Heb.10:23) Now that shouldn’t be anything new or strange, because that’s our basic mandate for earthly living. 
 
And with those few words of preamble, we’re going to jump right into our Bit, before I get sidetracked again today. (smile) ‘And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’
 
A couple days ago, we began trying to explain the workings of the Holy Spirit, centred on its two basic aspects; baptism and filling. We talked some about baptism, today I want to finish that and move on to the filling aspect. Now most of today’s Bit will consist of the scholars’ explanations, because they do a much better job than I can.
 
And we’ll begin with some of their thoughts on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, based on this scripture, where Jesus is talking to the disciples. ‘He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.’ (John 7:38-39)  
 
The scholars then explain that, ‘One of God’s purposes since the beginning has been to dwell with humanity and enjoy fellowship with us. He does it in this dispensation through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1) occurs automatically when a person is saved; (2) is not an “experience” but produces spiritual experiences; (3) remains permanently; (4) is the basis of all the other ministries of the Holy Spirit; and (5) is the source of new life in the believer.
 
Illustration: When Paul met 12 disciples of John who did not know of the Holy Spirit, he knew they needed to be saved. So he preached the gospel to them (Acts 19:1-5).
 
Application: The Holy Spirit’s indwelling should motivate the believer to be careful not to harm his body nor indulge his body in sin. (1 Cor.6:19). (First Ref, Ex.35:31; Primary Ref. John 7:37-39; cf. 1 Cor.12:13)’
 
That gives us a basic foundation on the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Now let’s turn to a bit more in depth explanation of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, based on this verse: ‘For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond (slaves) or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.’ (1 Cor.12:13)
 
The scholars explain: ‘The baptism of the Holy Sprit is an act whereby the individual believer becomes united with Christ. Even though the effects of the Holy Spirit are realized at a believer’s conversion, which is thus experiential, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not experiential.
 
Illustration: The fact that all the Christians at Corinth were baptized in the Spirit shows that the baptism of the Holy Spirit does not itself eradicate the sin nature. Some Christians are confused as to when the baptism occurs.
 
There are four biblical answers to this question: The theological answer states the baptism of the Spirit is the effect of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and that the believer is united with Christ by this baptism. (Gal.2:20) Initially, the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred on the Day of Pentecost when the new church was baptized by the Spirit. (Acts 2:2) Personally, a Christian is baptized in the Spirit at the moment of conversion (vs.13) As the believer submits to water baptism, he testifies of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Rom.6:4-6)
 
Application: Because all Christians have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, they should also submit to the biblical ordinance of water baptism and become a part of a local church. (First Ref. Matt.3:11: Primary Ref. 1Cor.12:13; cf. Eph.1:13)
 
Oh Friends, that should suffice for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s hope we’re all better informed now on that point.
 
As per the filling of the Holy Spirit, the scholars explain that ‘Though verse 4 (our Bit) mentions only the filling with the Spirit, both the filling and baptism occurred. Christ promised that the baptism would occur (1:4-5) and Peter later affirms that it did happen at Pentecost. (11:15-16) (1) Following Pentecost every believer receives the baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor.12:13);hence the New Testament never commands the Christian to receive it.
 
But the filling of the Spirit is not experienced by all believers, and so is commanded. (Eph.5:18) (2) The baptism is permanent, happening but once for all. The filling is ongoing, occurring continuously as seen in the present tense imperative of Ephesians 5:18, that is “Keep on being filled.”
 
The verse commands: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (riotousness), but be filled with the Spirit.” Since Paul compares the influences of wine and the filling of the Spirit, the word control can aptly express the idea of either.
 
The filling of the Spirit is the controlling influence of the Spirit within the believer. Such control is neither universal nor unending, thus it must be commanded and does recur within the believers (cf.4:8,31) Peter and the others had been previously filled on Pentecost (vs.4)
 
The adjective ‘full’ expresses the abiding character of a Spirit filled man. (6:3,5; 7:55;11:24); but the participle form ‘filled’ (used in 2:4; 4:8,31; 9:17; 13:9) expresses an action performed at that moment.
 
The baptism is the act by which Jesus, through the Spirit, at conversion brings the believer into relation with Himself and makes the believer a part of God’s people, the church. The filling is the continuous experience within the Christian whereby the Spirit, who already indwells him, keeps control over his life.’
 
Ah Friends, I do hope that those explanations from the Bible scholars help us all to understand the reasons for and the workings of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. It can be confusing for believers, but like everything else practice, study, and personal experience are needed for each of us to mature and grow in our walk with Christ.
 
So please study the material, there are lots of references in the explanations, look them up. For others can tell you all sorts of stuff, but until you look them up for yourself, you’ll still be lacking in true and total understanding.
 
Please realize that it’s ever so important for each believer to read the Word them self, to fully grasp its real meaning. And there’s plenty for us to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest today, so let’s get to it nuh. Much LOVE!
 
…the Father created the universe and all therein…Jesus paid for its sins…and the Holy Spirit helps us to walk a righteous path…
 
 
 
   
  

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