FULL of the Holy Ghost

If I was to ask: “Name things that people are FULL of….?” I would get a wide range of answers.  Some responses, I would not want to hear or read.

Have you ever heard someone say, “He/She is so full of themselves!” ?

It’s a milder way of saying they are very self-centered and conceited.  They are very absorbed with their own self.

I’ve also heard, “They are so full of life!”

          Meaning, they are very lively, active, spirited, and energetic.  They’re exciting and entertaining to be around.

Another phrase used at times is, “They are so full of it!”

          The implication is that the person is not telling the truth. They are talking
nonsense. In other words, they may have claimed to have accomplished some task of feat but the hearer is highly doubting the truth of their words.
          For instance: I once knew a young man who was watching extreme sports.  It didn’t matter what was happening, he would quickly claim, “I’ve done that!”
or “I can do that!”  He was bragging on himself, but the validity as to it being
true was not believed.

A term used to describe a crowded place would be to say, “it is full of people.”  Typically, most just say it’s really crowded in there.

          This phrase can be a positive or negative depending upon whether you’re happy
           there’s a lot of people there (such as in Church) or unhappy there are so many
           people such as in the mall and stores around Christmas time.

That’s also a Biblical phrase “full of people”

          Lam 1:1 – how doth the city sit solitary that was full of people!

 

The Bible also talks about being ‘full of’ things…

Egypt became ‘full of swarms of flies’ when God sent plagues because Pharoah would not let God’s people go free. (Ex 8:21)

God warned against committing certain sins which would cause the land to become ‘full of wickedness’. (Lev 19:29)

Haman became full of wrath and full of indignation when he saw that Mordecai, the Jew, would not bow before him. (Esther 3:5, 5:9)

The Bible states the mouth of the wicked is full of cursing and deceit and fraud. (Ps 10:7)

Ecclesiastes 10:14 warns that a fool is ‘full of words’ – that person rattles on endlessly and never knows when to stop speaking.  They will have the last word, but what is lacking is depth and meaning of their words. I saw a quote, “Many who are empty of sense are full of words; and the least solid are the most noisy.”  This is not referring to those who are teaching and sharing wise counsel and study.  It is referring to those who prattle on, making your head hurt as you look for a way to get away from them.

Job proclaimed in his sorrow, “man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)

Those are some negatives but the Bible also references some positive uses of that phrase….

Ecclesiastes 11:3 shares wisdom, “If the clouds be FULL of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.”  God’s people knew this to be true before scientific studies were created.

Abraham was said to be ‘full of years’ when he died at 175 years of age (Gen 25:7-8)

Joshua is said to have been FULL of the spirit of wisdom. (Dt 34:9)

The Priest was instructed to bring within the vail a censer FULL of burning coals of fire from off the altar and to have his hands FULL of sweet incense. He was not to come with just a few but the censer and his hands were to be FULL. (Lev 16:12)

Psalm 29:4 proclaims the voice of the Lord is FULL of majesty!

The writer of Psalm 48:10 penned, “Thy right had is FULL of righteousness.”

We know there is a lot of wickedness on the earth right now, but Psalm 33:5 reminds us the earth is also FULL of the goodness of the Lord. Paul explains in Acts 14:16-17 that although the nations of the earth walked in their own ways and served false gods, the one true God did not leave them without a witness of who He was and His goodness.  Paul preached to the unbelieving that God still continued to do good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Psalm 78:38 + 86:15 along with several other verses remind us the Lord our God is FULL of compassion. Psalm 119:64 says He is FULL of mercy.  If it wasn’t for His compassion, mercy, love, and forgiveness, we would have no hope!  We would still be lost in our sins. Aren’t you thankful our God is FULL of compassion?!

Isaiah prophetically foretold that one day the earth shall be FULL of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Is 11:9)

The definition of FULL means….Containing or holding as much as possible; having no empty space….there’s no more room.

 

On the day of Pentecost, the 120 that were in the Upper Room were FILLED with the Holy Ghost.  (Acts 2:4)

God sent Ananias to pray for Saul, later called Apostle Paul.  He instructed him in what he must do to be saved, prayed for him to receive his sight, and he was filled with the Holy Ghost.  (Acts 9:17)

 

Some may contend that these Scriptures are merely referring to when we FIRST receive the precious Gift of the Holy Ghost, speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. Yes, we are FILLED with the Holy Ghost at the first…meaning we become FULL of the Holy Ghost.  But, we need to continue to STAY FULL of the Holy Ghost.

 

The Holy Ghost gave Peter and John boldness to be able to preach about Jesus before all the rulers, and elders, and scribes, despite being considered uneducated.  It was a testimony to all present that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS!  I want people to be able to tell that I have been with Jesus! The rulers finally let them go so they hurried to find and tell the other disciples what had just happened.  As they prayed, the place was shaken and all present listening were FILLED with the Holy Ghost which gave them boldness to speak the Word of God. (Acts 4)

When the Apostles needed to appoint men to take care of the widows and take care of the business of serving tables, they did not just choose anyone.  They looked for certain qualifications and chose those who were honest and FULL of the Holy Ghost and wisdom. (Acts 6)

Among those chosen was Stephen. Stephen, who was later stoned, was said to be FULL of faith AND of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 6:5)  Stephen was able to walk in power and do great wonders and miracles BECAUSE he was FULL of the Holy Ghost. 

It was because Stephen was FULL of the Holy Ghost that he was able to forgive and ask God to forgive those who were stoning and taking his life from him. Can you imagine the excruciating pain he was feeling as the stones pelted his body and head, creating wounds, blood pouring out, possibly breaking bones?  Yet, he didn’t pray, “God, get ‘em!” Instead, he prayed, “God, forgive them and lay not this sin to their charge.” He was basically praying, “God, don’t keep record of this sin.  I’m not.”  It was a witness to Saul, who later became Apostle Paul, as he stood there holding the stoners’ coats.

It was said of Barnabas that he was a good man, and FULL of the Holy Ghost and of faith.  Because he was FULL of the Holy Ghost, many souls were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:24)

There is one thing that we need to make sure we’re full of….that’s the Holy Ghost!

I know I’ve mentioned the 10 virgins often lately but their lamps were FILLED, they were FULL.  The wise were not only FULL of oil, but they also had extra stored up.

They prayed until they were FILLED with the Holy Ghost and then they prayed some more. 

The Bible reveals the Holy Ghost is supposed to be like a RIVER of living water, not just a jug, or a pond, or a lake.  It’s supposed to be a RIVER. A jug, a pond, or a lake can become stagnant waters if they sit too long without any fresh water flowing in to replenish them. But a River is constantly flowing with fresh water passing through so as not to become stagnant waters.

Jesus said, “he that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow RIVERS of Living Water.” (John 7:38)  Notice, Jesus said RIVERS, not just a single river.

Do you know what the job of a river is?

          To carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth.

When we are FULL of the Holy Ghost, rivers of Living Water will flow out of us in all directions, providing water and nutrients to parched barren souls. 

God doesn’t give us the Holy Ghost just for ourselves.  He gave us the Holy Ghost so we can reach out to others and lead them to Jesus.  

The Holy Ghost will give us the right words to say at the right time IF we are FULL of the Holy Ghost. 

Don’t be content to have been filled once. Don’t grow lukewarm in your walk with God. Stay FULL of the Holy Ghost.          

Submit and Resist

The Bible reveals how to combat the devil in James 4:7....

(1) Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

(2) Resist the devil, 

(3 - and we are promised)  he will flee from you.

Why is submit mentioned first? 

Because it is opposite of what the devil operates in = which is rebellion.

Submit to God

Resist the devil - resist rising up in rebellion

Many want a title, a position, the authority but they do not want to be under authority. Many fight and resist submission. They're resisting the wrong thing. 

The centurion, although he had authority with many soldiers under him who had to obey his command, realized he had to remain under authority himself. (Mt 8:8-9)  He had to be submitted to those over him in the way he expected the soldiers under him to be in submission.  He had to be their example. 

You want the devil to submit to the authority and power you have over him through the Holy Ghost? You must first be submitted to God and the spiritual authority He has placed over you. 

Submit  - Resist - and the devil will flee from you. 

False Teachers and Heresies

2 Peter

1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

* Calling someone pernicious implies that they have little regard for morals and are willing to harm others to get what they want.   Their ways and their teachings will have a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. 

They will twist the Truth and Scripture to fit their way of thinking and the desire to appease the will and wants of the flesh. 

This goes hand in hand with 2 Timothy 4:3-4

4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You will not be able to endure or stomach sound doctrine if you're not praying and reading your Bible daily and fasting often.  The will and desires of the flesh and what it wants or thinks the Scriptures are saying will override what the Scripture and the Spirit is truly saying to the Church in these last days. 

I've heard some discard what the Bible clearly states and warns against as merely being "cultural".  No, my friend,  if the Bible says it, it can not be disregarded just because it is something you do not want to believe.  

That is another reason why these newer translations which are translations of other translations are dangerous.  They are watering down the Truth of the Gospel to twist and  fit what they want to believe. Scriptures are omitted or changed....some subtly, others drastically.  

James 4:4...the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

This is not referring to people but rather worldly ways. If a teaching is drawing you closer to worldly ways rather than closer to godly ways, you are listening to a false teacher, whose ways and teachings are to appease the flesh and appeal to the crowds. They are not caring for your soul. They care more for popularity and notoriety. If they truly cared for your soul, they would be warning you against the wages of sin that leads to death. 

True Church Growth defined

How do you define true Church growth? 

It's not uncommon to get excited and say, "look how we're growing" when you see saints change from one Church and start attending your assembly (as long as the change is coming, not going ;) ). But is that true growth?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.  To me, that's merely your own gain, not God's if they're already saved.  And unfortunately, not always but the majority of those time, those Church "transfers" bring problems with them, especially if they have a history of (as we used to term it) Church Hopping.  They bring problems when they come, and unless change and spiritual growth truly happens, you can be assured eventually they're going to "feel" to change churches again...usually sowing division and discord in the process. (Yes, we love them and try to help them as best we can, but we also watch and pray in the meantime).  

True Church Growth is seeing a sinner repent of their sins, be baptized in the saving name of Jesus, and receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in that heavenly language.    

Oh, yes, we're here to help the saved stay saved, the struggling to overcome, but our greatest mission should be to go into the highways and byways and compel them to come in. The fields are white unto harvest but the laborers are few. 

When we see the lost become saved, THAT is true Church growth.  Lord, help me to be a soulwinner!

Originally posted to FB 6-12-18

Will you hear Depart from Me or Enter In?

 Matthew 25:1-13  KJV

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The foolish did not stay full of the Holy Ghost.  They didn't stay prayed up.  They wanted the wise to share what they had, but others can not give you what they have. You have to get it for yourself.  Others can pray FOR you, but that won't fill your lamp with oil.  You have to do your part and pray.  

You have to take the time to talk to Jesus and get your lamp filled.  It is your responsibility to get full of the Holy Ghost and stay full of the Holy Ghost.  Don't let your prayer life lag and fizzle down. Don't be lulled to sleep and become numb spiritually lest you wake up one day to find it's too late.

Those foolish virgins awoke to realize they were no longer FULL of the Holy Ghost.  And while they went to pray and see if they could shake their self and feel God's presence one more time just as Samson did, the Bridegroom came and took those who were ready and FULL of the Holy Ghost. 

It was too late! They desperately wanted to enter but heard the dreaded words, "I know you not!"

Jesus issued a direct warning in Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

We must do God's will.  What is God's will? Whatever command He's given us in His Word, the Bible.

Sin can not enter there.  We must get all sin and iniquity our of our life...big and small.  We're quick to notice the bigger sins in others, the noticeable sins, but what about the small ones we think no one sees? But God sees....haughtiness,  pride, anger, hate, lust, rebellion against spiritual authority, gossip, slander, backbiting, little to no Bible reading and prayerlessness....yes, those are sin as well because you’re neglecting time with Jesus.  

We do not want to hear those dreaded words spoken, "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity!" 

My posts may not be the positive,  encouraging  klove stuff but I will post what God leads me to post. 

Our goals to hear Him one day say, "Well done! Enter in."  So, examine your heart,  repent and cleanse yourself from all sin, praymore, read your Bible more, draw closer to Jesus.  His return is getting closer. We want to be ready. 

The Necessity of PRAYER

 Sunday afternoon, as I was praying concerning this Bible study, I felt God was directing me to study on how often the Jews pray.

The Jewish law requires the Jews to pray at least three times a day at three specific times: morning, afternoon, and evening. 

It does not specify how long they are to pray, but the Bible does mention that they went to pray at the hour of prayer. And the there are specific prayers they are to pray at certain times.

 

Daniel - followed that rule despite a law being passed that he would be fed to the lions if he prayed to any one or any god other than King Darius for 30 days.  It would be easy to make excuses to follow that law…

·        It’s only 30 days

·        It’s more important that I live so I can continue doing God’s work

·        I don’t have to really pray, I can still think about God, God knows my heart

·        But Daniel understood the necessity and importance of prayer

·        Time spent in prayer was more important that daily food or even his life

Daniel 6:10 – Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

·        Three times a day, Daniel would kneel to pray

·        He didn’t try to pretend to pray to Darius to save his life.

·        No, instead, Daniel continued to pray three times a day

·        he boldly opened his windows and prayed to the only One who we all have to stand before in the end

·        He knew we all are going to die one day and it’s better to die pleasing God than to live pleasing men.

·        Would we be that bold?  We can be – the more we pray.

 

Peter and John were faithful to pray during the hours of prayer.

·        Acts 3:1 – Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

·        Peter was used mightily by God because he spent much time in prayer.

 

 

Cornelius, the Centurion – Acts 10

·        He was a devout man, feared God, was a giving person, and prayed to God ALWAYS (this word means constantly = diapantos G1275)

·        He had been fasting (Acts 10:30) and must have been praying because around the 9^th hour of the day, which is the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1), he saw a vision of an angel come to him

·        The angel said, ‘your prayers and your alms (giving) are come up for a memorial before God’ (Acts 10:4)

·        God said his prayers had come up as a memorial before Him

·        God noticed His giving but mentioned his prayers were a memorial to God FIRST …  giving is good but – God takes notice of our prayers!

·        Then the angel told him to send for Peter, who would tell him what he needed to do.

·        The next day, Peter was praying around the 6^th hour when God gave him a vision and told him to eat what was traditionally considered unclean to the Jews.  Peter was extremely hungry yet he refused to eat anything unclean. Yet, God’s response each time was, “what God has cleansed, don’t call common (meaning polluted).” God was using this vision to teach Peter not to consider anyone to be unclean or unworthy of salvation.

·        Peter went to Cornelius’ house, a place forbidden to enter by the Jews because the man and his home who were considered polluted (Acts 10:28).  Yet, he went because God had told him to, and he preached about Jesus. 

·        While Peter was preaching, the Holy Ghost began to fall on everyone who heard the preached Word (Acts 10:44), and they began to speak with tongues and magnify God (Acts 10:46). 

·        Peter then commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 10:48)

·        But none of this would have happened if Cornelius and Peter had not been faithful to pray.

 

Zacharias, a priest who became the father of John the Baptist, was performing the duties of the priest. 

·        His responsibility was to burn incense when he went into the Temple of the Lord.

·        As he burnt the incense, the people were to be gathered outside praying during the time of incense.

·        Revelation 8:4 – the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

·        Incense is sweet smelling - Our prayers come up as an incense before God

I’ve been trying to help the Sunday School children to understand the importance and need to pray and read their Bible every day….to build a relationship with Jesus.

·        Friendships/relationships are not built by just occasionally talking to someone.

·        They are built because time is invested and conversations happen often

·        Abraham was called a friend of God BECAUSE he spent time talking to the Creator. 

·        Can you imagine having that close of a relationship with God?

·        To be called a friend of God as Abraham was – he wouldn’t have been called God’s friend if he didn’t talk with Him often

*Prayer is us talking to God.

*Reading the Bible is God talking to us.

The more you pray and read your Bible, the more you’ll begin to hear and recognize God’s voice.

One of the children asked me how you will be able to tell know if it’s God’s voice or the devil’s.

I explained that the devil will not try to tempt and entice you to do something that’s good and right….he will, however, try to make something look good and try to justify something that goes against the Bible.

·        Some say: “You don’t need to go to church to be saved”

·        Yet the Bible instructs us to ‘remember the sabbath to keep it holy’ and ‘forsake not the assembling of yourselves together’

·        We need the pastor to instruct us and teach us what God’s Word says

 

·        Some say: “you can do the same thing at home that you do at church”

·        Are you really?  Are you reading your Bible, praying, singing songs of praise and worship?  Are you keeping the sabbath holy?

·        You still need a pastor – that’s Bible – and the Bible still instructs we need to go to Church.

 

·        Some say: “I don’t need to pray or pray much. God knows I love Him”

·        Then prove it!

·        A relationship is not maintained and will not last if the husband and wife do not communicate often and express their love…often.

·        Yet, people treat their relationship with Jesus so lightly.

·        When that happens, it becomes a one-sided relationship.

·        Gradually, a person will choose the things of the world over time with Jesus

Sunday, the children sang the song, “Lord, I lift Your name on high.”

The chorus talks about how He came from heaven to earth to show us the way of salvation.  Then, from the earth He went to the cross, my, your, our debt to pay…”

Take a moment and think about the cross.  Really think about it.

Think of all that Jesus went through, the agony, the excruciating pain as that whip tore the flesh off His back time and time and time again as they swung it while mocking and reviling Him.

Think about the pain Jesus felt as the crown of thorns was being pushed into His scalp.  He felt the Blood running down His face and His back. Then to feel a robe mockingly placed over His bloody wounds and later removed again.

He was spit on and struck.

Think about the excruciating pain He felt as they began to hammer those nails through His flesh and bones.

Think about Him hanging there, naked, writhing in pain, struggling to breath.

We don’t want to think about it.  It’s awful!  It’s horrifying!

But think about all that He felt and tell me we pray enough?

Think about all He endured and how He must feel when we make excuses and say we don’t think it’s necessary to pray very often or very much.

How must Jesus feel when people treat prayer, Bible reading, and Church attendance so lightly after all He endured and went through….for us?  All of which are time spent with Him, giving Him attention, honor, and praise that He is more than worthy of.

I saw a video from a foreign country. People were walking up and down the streets, trying to stay under the covers of canopies to avoid getting drenched from the pouring rain. But yet, when a sound was made, they all stopped walking, knelt down on the wet muddy ground with rain pelting their heads, and prayed….they did this, not for the One true God but to a false god who will one day have to confess that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.

If they are that dedicated to stop what they’re doing to kneel and pray in mud and pouring rain, how much more should those of us who are Blood bought Born Again Christians being dedicated and faithful to prayer? 

We don’t have to stop and kneel in mud and pouring rain yet we should not neglect being diligent and dedicated to pray and seek God’s face more and more and more.  Especially as we see the endtimes unfolding.

Prayer is more important that our daily food or necessary air that we breath.

Prayer is time spent in God’s presence.

I don’t believe we can ever pray enough. 

Jesus is deserving of so much more time and honor than what we give Him.

God said in His Word that when we seek Him, He will be found by us WHEN we SEARCH for Him with all our heart. (Jer 29:13). 

There is a difference between merely searching and searching with all our heart.

It will take more than just a casual prayer time.

The old saying used to be, “they’re too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good.”

I disagree. 

The more you pray, the closer you’ll draw to Jesus, and the more you’ll become a vessel that can hear His voice and He can use to reach this lost and dying world.

God, Help Us To Trust You More

 This Scripture was coming to my mind as I woke this morning...

Rev 21:8 - But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The fearful will also have their part in the lake which burneth with fire?

I pondered on this. Many are full of fear. So Much turmoil and strife and troubles. They don't know why tomorrow holds or even today.  

So, why the fearful?

Because fear is the opposite of trust. Fear is not trusting God to see us through whatever may come or provide for our every need as His Word promises. 

Then my Bible fell open to this...

Psalm 121 KJV

121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

God has promised to keep us.  Do you trust Him? He wants us to.

My husband,  not knowing what I was typing or what God laid on my heart, pulled up this song and began to play it...

🎵 Jesus,  Jesus,  how I trust Him.

How I proved Him o'er and o'er

Jesus,  Jesus,  precious Jesus 

Oh for Grace to trust Him more. 🎵

God, help us all to trust You more 🙏