Article Library

Read Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NASB)

Let’s return to basics...two foundational issues. One has to do with salvation, the other with being Spirit-filled.

Salvation is a gift. God reached out to you and me at the cross, where His Son paid the penalty of sin by dying in our place, and He gave us eternal life in His Son. All He asks is that we reach out in faith and take His gift.

Read James 5:16

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16)

Ours is a world of enormous pain and hurt. Every one of us knows someone who is enduring an intensely difficult time of physical or emotional trauma—or both. We know sincere people of faith who have prayed for healing in their lives...and still they suffer. We are also aware that there are those today who claim to have been healed instantaneously.

Read Psalm 16:11; Colossians 3:15

You will make known to me the way of life;In Your presence is fullness of joy;In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11 NASB)

One of my mother’s favourite rules for us kids was, “You can’t trust your feelings.” To this day I can clearly recall her words warning us against relying on our emotions: “What you really want, son, are the facts. Facts are your friends. Feelings will change on you.”

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1

Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. (1 Corinthians 8:1)

This is a good time for me to pause and mention three basic warnings so that our flying closer to the flame will take place without fear of getting our wings singed.

Intellectualism

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. (2 Corinthians 12:7–8 NASB)

Read Acts 20:22–24; Philippians 1:21–22

“And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22–24 NASB)

Read Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NASB)

This very familiar verse of Scripture points out how God’s message can penetrate deep within us.

Don’t hurry past those words just because you may be familiar with the verse. God’s truths are able to enter into our “soul and spirit,” exposing to us “the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Read Psalm 139:13–14; Genesis 1:27; Romans 8:14–16

For You formed my inward parts;You wove me in my mother’s womb.I will give thanks to You,for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Wonderful are Your works,And my soul knows it very well.(Psalm 139:13–14 NASB 1995)

When God created humanity, He put something of Himself in each of us. Unlike the beasts of the field or the birds of the sky or the blooming plants in the dirt, He placed within us His “image.”

Read 2 Corinthians 10:5

We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB)

When learning about the filling of the Spirit, balance is always preferred to extremes. So as I previously reminded you: Keep your balance in all things. A scriptural word for it is moderation. Stay reasonable, Christian friend. Don’t go home and start praying for some middle-of-the-night visions; that’s not biblical. Keep a level head. Don’t get weird.

Read Ephesians 5:3–18

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 5:15–18)