Communion With the Holy Spirit book

 

 

2 Corinthians 13:14

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

 

 

Contents

 

1	My Personal Testimony	4
2	The Presence of the Father	10
3	Intimacy with God	18
4	Bible Study in Alamo/Danville, California	22
5	Shame	28
6	How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God	32
7	The Holy Spirit Speaks Through Dreams and Visions	39
8	I Desperately Need the Holy Spirit!	59
9	Be Ye Separate, Says the Lord	62
10	Davidic Worship and Intercession	67
11	Symbols of the Holy Spirit	108
12	Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit	116
13	Functions, Actions and Emotions of the Holy Spirit	127
14	Names of God	142
15	Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2	182
16	Tongues: Q & A	195
17	The Holy Spirit is Associated with Life	205
18	Gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13	208
19	Benny Hinn Conference Notes on the Anointing	237
20	Fruit of the Spirit – Love	261
21	Other Fruits of the Spirit	292
22	Biblical Colors	354
	Bibliography	358
	About the Author	360

 

Chapter 1

My Personal Testimony

 

Just to share some of my background with you, I was born and raised in the Assemblies of God Church. I grew up in Antioch, California (which is 60 miles east of San Francisco). It used to be a small town on the east side of Contra Costa County with a population of 3,000. However, over the years it has grown to over 100,000 residents and has gained honor.

 

Growing up, we attended a few different Assemblies of God Churches in the area. I grew up since birth being in an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit was free to move. I witnessed people being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. I saw the miracles and healings take place. I witnessed people being “slain” in the Spirit (falling under the power of God) when the Holy Spirit touched them.

 

I grew up in an atmosphere of Davidic style worship, and the anointing in the music and worship was so strong at times. I saw people dancing in the Spirit, and sometimes individuals would run around the sanctuary up and down the aisles when touched by the Holy Spirit.

 

It wasn’t always shouting and dancing, but often times everyone would be at the altar kneeling or worshiping God, with soft anointed sacred music playing in the background. I remember those special times of waiting on the Lord, and praying through until victory came.

 

I used to cry when in God’s Presence as a child, as the Holy Spirit touched my heart in a very deep way. I would lift my hands up to the Lord while we would be worshiping at church.

 

I gave my heart to the Lord when I was six years old. It was a Sunday afternoon or evening at home in our living room. Rev. Rex Humbard was preaching on television, and the salvation message he preached gripped my soul. I knew I was a sinner that needed to be saved, and so I told my mom that I wanted to ask Jesus to come into my heart.

 

She knelt down with me at the sofa, and I prayed after her a salvation prayer. When I did, I instantly felt the Holy Spirit rush into my heart and fill me with His Presence. I felt so much peace and joy fill my soul, and also felt a literal cleansing take place in my heart. I was a brand new creature in Christ Jesus.

 

I was filled with the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues.

 

At the age of 20, I began attending Full Gospel Church. Since that time, I have attended Charismatic/Pentecostal non-denominational churches in Northern California, including Family Worship Center in Pleasant Hill for 9 years, Shiloh Church in Oakland for 15 years, New Birth (Destiny) Church in Pittsburg for 3 years, and Light the Bay Church in Pittsburg for 5 years.

 

As a child, my brother and I attended a Baptist Christian School in Concord, California (which was 25 miles away) for five years called Higher Heights Christian School. It was the best school we ever went to. We learned all about the fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes and the Bible in general. They did not teach doctrine. When we had chapel, we did not lift our hands in worship as they did in the Assemblies of God, but the presence of God was certainly there. Most of the songs we sung were psalms set to music. I had stability in my life at this school, and I was excelling in my studies. I had several friends at this school and was very happy and contented.

 

This school kept on raising the tuition and moved the school over to a neighboring town called Martinez. My parents were weary from the 5 days a week commute to Concord and back in heavy traffic, and Martinez was even a further distance. They decided to switch us to a different Christian school closer to home.

 

When I was in the 6^th grade, my parents switched my brother and I to a different Baptist school right there in Antioch very close to home. It was one of the biggest mistakes for us to attend this school. We were out of the will of God, and it cost us dearly.

 

It was a brand new school that opened up and it was only a mile and a half from home, plus the tuition was less. However, it was never God’s will for us to be there. My brother backslid from the Lord while at this new school, and my life was filled with chaos and torment after being at that school.

 

Some of the kids used to talk down to me because I believed in speaking in tongues and they did not. I was made to feel ashamed, inferior and belittled for my faith. So I began to clam up and close myself off from others, and even began to close myself off from the Holy Spirit to a degree. I would resist the Holy Spirit to a degree. The Lord would be tugging at my heart, and I would push Him away.

 

With strife going on in our home, plus the instability of this school, I felt confused and battled with depression. The leadership at this school were unreliable and lacked maturity. The first year went okay (although it was never stable like Higher Heights was), but in October of the second year (when I was in the 7^th grade), there was a church split (in the Baptist School we attended), and the pastor stayed put while the principle and a couple of the teachers went their own way. I cannot put into words how painful and tormenting it was to experience a church/school split. My heart was torn into a thousand pieces. James 3:16 says that where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every demonic work.

 

The leaders that abandoned us kids at this school started their own school within three months. My brother and I transitioned over to their school in January of my 7^th grade year. However, those next five months were filled with confusion, strife, turmoil, instability, fear and torment. They moved to two different locations during that time. The principle had a sick enjoyment of giving out corporal punishment. The leaders lied to the parents and did not come through on their end of the deal. By this time, I had sunk into despair and would stay in my bedroom all the time, except when I had to go somewhere.

 

Meanwhile, war broke out in our home with my father’s bad temper. He was a changed man the last several years of his life, and was sorry for all he put us through years ago. While growing up, he had a very bad temper and was verbally abusive. He almost tore the family apart, but finally God got control of his life. He went to be with the Lord on August 26, 2020, and I really miss him.

 

My father’s anger added to the depression and despair I was experiencing beginning around age 12. He would always say very hurtful things to me on purpose. At the time, he was under the control of the devil, instead of being under the control of the Holy Spirit. The verbal abuse went on for the first 22 years of my life until I put a stop to it. The last 30 years he was a more meek man and had really gone through a transformation.

 

The last several years of his life he would give me compliments often, and tell me that he loves me. He also demonstrated his love by being such a servant leader in our family. He helped us with tasks, as well as with household chores. He helped me with my cats. He brought prepared food home to the family or went to the store for us. He very rarely raised his voice, as he is was very kind. He was a good provider for all of my life for the whole family.

 

I love my father and we became very close and got along very well before he passed on. He was a comfort to me since my mother passed away on July 4, 2019 from congestive heart failure.

 

If you have a family member who has a bad temper and goes into rages, there is hope. When you place them in God’s hands, He can change them into very meek and kind people, as He pours His love into their hearts.

 

At the beginning of my 8^th grade year, my parents placed my brother and I into the public school. My brother and I never did flourish and thrive in the public school. However, things got a lot better once I went to college. I did well at a Community College, but thrived the very most at Bible College (since ministry is my primary calling).

 

When my brother and I were teenagers, I chose to walk with the Lord and to serve God. My brother chose to walk away from God and to live for this world. My brother stopped going to church and refused to go to youth meetings and retreats. He was backslidden for 40 years, but is now serving the Lord.

 

I had such a hunger for God and for the Presence of the Holy Spirit during my youth years, and even in my adult years. I longed so much to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. I wanted more of God generally speaking.

 

Often the youth would go on retreats. This retreat happened to be held at a lodge in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada’s, north of Yosemite National Park.

 

At one of the services at the retreat, the leaders were praying that we would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and begin speaking with other tongues. I did feel something bubble up within me, and I began to speak with tongues. But then I stopped because I second-questioned if I was having a real experience. When I was at that Baptist School in the 6^th and 7^th grade, some of those students nearly stripped me of my belief in the power of tongues and I was closed off to receiving. I would question if the experience was real.

 

Also, my heart was filled with rage and anger, hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness towards my father and a few others who had hurt me. That right there closed me off to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My soul was clogged up and the Holy Spirit could not flow the way He wanted to, until I learned to forgive.

 

It took me years to forgive and let go of offenses and past pain. When you hold onto bitterness and unforgiveness it ties God’s hands. He is not free to flow as He would want to.

 

In my 20’s, I still yearned to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. Besides being locked up on the inside, I also had issues with my past religious upbringing. While all of those Pentecostal/Charismatic experiences were real, it seemed as if in my denomination that the church members would shout all the time, excessively. I felt that if I went to my own church group to have them pray over me, then they would all be shouting out their prayers, and then commanding me to begin to speak in tongues.

 

All I knew was that I wanted this experience to be for real (of speaking with other tongues), and not something hyped up. I wanted it to be a very gentle experience.

 

During my 20’s, I was heavily involved in Women’s Aglow. Women from many major denominations attended the meetings, including Charismatic Catholics. Thoughts came to my mind that for me to know for sure that me speaking in tongues is for real, then I would seek out prayer from the Charismatic Catholic ladies. They were conservative but very anointed! They had power with God! I knew that they would not be showing excessive emotionalism, or shouting, or nearly pushing me down when laying hands on me. And if I received the gift of tongues, then I would know that it’s of God.

 

So at one of the retreats, at the end of the service there were ladies at the front who were there to pray for people. I sought out one of the Charismatic Catholic ladies to lay hands on me and pray over me that I would receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. She began to pray, but then stopped. Then she spoke up and said that I was already filled with the Spirit, and all I needed to do is to open my mouth and let the Spirit speak through me. Then I was able to receive the language of tongues from that point on.

 

I guess I was expecting the Holy Spirit to do the speaking in tongues for me (like Him take over my mouth), but what happened is that I had to just begin speaking whatever syllables He put into my mind and spirit.

 

Since that time, I have spoken in tongues while praying (but have not prayed in tongues as often as I ought to, I have to admit). Several years ago, my tongues began to change to a different heavenly language (something like a Chinese or Asian dialect). About two years ago, the Lord spoke to me and told me that when I pray in that Asian dialect, then I am calling out to my Abba Father God. That really touched me deeply.

 

In an upcoming chapter, I am going to teach on the subject of tongues. If you have ever been in a service where everyone is singing in tongues (or in their prayer language) at the same time, it is so beautiful to experience, and the anointing is so strong. It’s like a taste of Heaven where there will be people there from all nations, tribes, kindreds and people groups all worshiping around the Throne.

 

 

 

Chapter 2

The Presence of the Father

 

Napa/Sonoma Valley in Northern California

 

 

Redwood Grove at Occidental, California (near the Pacific Ocean)

 

The event was a Women’s Aglow Retreat. The year was approximately 1992.

 

The setting was Sonoma County in Northern California. That’s an area where the grape vineyards are grown in the flat land as well as along the sides of the golden hills about 30-40 miles inland. There are wineries in the area. The landscape changes to that of a Redwood forested area, heading west towards the Pacific Ocean.

 

The town was Occidental, California, in the forest about ten miles from the ocean. The Christian retreat center was Alliance Redwoods.

 

The fragrance of the forest and the fresh crisp air was so refreshing to breathe in. There was a sense of peace taking walks along the trails, sitting near the creek hearing a gentle waterfall, hearing the birds chirp and just enjoying God’s creation. The fellowship with others was sweet to my soul. That weekend I discovered a fellowship much sweeter than any earthly relationship, and breathed in a Heavenly fragrance much more beautiful than any other aroma on this earth.

 

How could it be that just a mere sweet fragrance could be so intoxicating where you don’t want the experience to end? How could it be that such a delightful fragrance could be so transforming to my soul and impact my life forever?

 

There was a tangible Presence of God, or Anointing, or Shekinah Glory in the perfume itself.

 

Why was the Glory of God shining on my countenance after that experience of just breathing in this fragrance?

 

At the end of the Saturday night service, a group of us ladies lingered at the Altar just worshipping, singing praises to His Name and adoring Him. After we had been waiting in the Lord’s Presence for a while, I was standing near the front and began to smell a very strong aroma.

 

It was the most beautiful fragrance I had ever breathed in. There was delight, life, physical strength, and the Glory of God in the fragrance.

 

It had the scent of a mixture of frankincense, myrrh, spikenard, cassia, cinnamon, roses, cedar and other spices and floral scents.

 

It was as if that fragrance would come and go. One minute the aroma would be so strong. Then it was as if it would slowly fade as if to be from a distance, then as it got closer again, the aroma got stronger.

 

Now as I look back, I know that Jesus was there in Person, walking among us, but was invisible.

 

I know this because when the fragrance was exceptionally strong I also felt a Presence standing next to me. Then I would feel the Presence walk away and felt a breeze as He walked back and forth among us.

 

Since this was a new experience for me, I didn’t say anything to anyone to see if they were experiencing the same thing.

 

A few moments later, the president of Aglow, who was standing on the stage, announced that the fragrance of the Lord was there. That was a confirmation to me that this experience was real and others were experiencing the same thing.

 

Several of us ladies just basked in God’s Presence for a while with that beautiful abiding fragrance and Presence walking in and out among us.

 

What we experienced was the Shekinah Glory of the Lord, or Jesus Himself.

 

One woman said she didn’t necessarily smell the Lord’s fragrance, but felt a wind blowing in the place (and the doors were closed). The Holy Spirit, and Jesus, also manifests as literal wind blowing like on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

 

After we had been saturating in the Glory for a while, one of the Aglow leaders came up to the podium, got the microphone and said something that forever changed my thinking.

 

She announced the simple statement: “The Presence of the Father is in this place.”

 

How could that one statement forever impact my life and shatter old religious mindsets?

 

Being Trinitarian, I separated the Father, Son and Holy Spirit too much. They are also one (yes in unity, but also literally).

 

Jesse Duplantis and Kat Kerr who have been to heaven and witnessed it for themselves both said the same thing. They testified that the Father and Son are two separate Beings, each having their own Throne.

 

The Holy Spirit also has a form of a human body, but more transparent like, and much taller, with rainbows issuing out.

 

However, Jesus can literally “step into” the Father and they literally become one (1) Being. Then when He steps out of the Father, they are two separate Beings again.

 

Scriptures say that the Holy Spirit is the Presence of the Father (Matthew 10:20; John 15:26) AND the Son (Galations 4:6; Philippians 1:19). The Holy Spirit issues out of both the Father and the Son, and does their will. The Father and Son share the same Spirit.

 

John the Beloved said that Jesus comes from the bosom of the Father (John 1:18), and he meant it literally and not just figuratively.

 

I always thought of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as being so gentle and kind, and I had an easy time relating to them.

 

I grew up with a mindset that the Father was hard to please, a God of wrath and ready to punish you for any wrongdoing. I was afraid of the Father and lacked boldness to come before His Throne with confidence.

 

However, Jesus was approachable, and the Holy Spirit was my friend and Comforter.

 

I thought that if the Presence of the Father was present, that there would have been thunder and lightning, as He is so powerful.

 

This reminds me of the passage in 1 Kings 19:11-13 where Elijah heard God’s voice. God was not in the wind, earthquake or fire. His voice was a still, small, soft voice. The Living Bible says His voice was “the sound of a gentle whisper”.

 

I’ve learned that I need to be still before the Lord and become quiet to hear His Voice.

 

Religion does NOT believe that God is Good all the time.

 

I was always taught about the Old Testament passages where God poured out wrath and judgment on evil doers. However, I was mis-led by religion. God only poured out judgment and wrath on His enemies, and Satan, but not His children.

 

If you take a closer look at those Scriptures, often God put off judgment for hundreds of years, giving people an opportunity to repent.

 

The Father is actually very merciful and kind. And technically He is no longer the Judge. The Bible says that the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

 

I grew up with a father who was very mean, cruel and abusive. There was nothing I could do to please him or get him to love and accept me. He rejected and despised me even from the womb, because he didn’t want children, and then I came along. He always hated me and made sure that I knew that.

 

He was very jealous and angry with me because he wanted my mother all to himself, and resented the fact that my mother spent so much of her time taking care of me. And then 16 months after I arrived in this world, my brother was born. Then my mother now had a toddler and a newborn to take care of, plus her elderly sickly mother who lived with us for nine years until she went to Heaven.

 

He was abusive to the entire family and the dog, but especially targeted me for some reason. I had a very difficult time trusting the Heavenly Father and thought that maybe He felt the same way towards me that my earthly father did.

 

The Glory I felt that evening at the Aglow retreat was a very gentle Presence (and it was supposed to be the Presence of the Father).

 

The Presence was very nurturing, very tender, very sweet, very kind, very doting, very loving … almost like a loving mother who nurtures her young children, or a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings and protects them.

 

I received a whole new revelation that evening of the Father’s tender loving affection. I could never call God “Abba”. Abba was too affectionate … like calling Him daddy or papa. Now I call the Father “Abba” everyday when I’m in prayer, and we share a very sweet relationship.

 

The Presence of the Father walking among us and settling on us at the Altar after the Saturday night Aglow meeting in 1992 was the beginning of some major healing in my life, as well as the Lord calling me into ministry.

 

Progressively over the years, the Father has been giving me a deeper understanding of His Fatherhood. He said that He would be a Father to the fatherless.

 

After leaving the sanctuary that evening after the meeting, a group of us ladies went to the dining hall for a fruit snack before bedtime. While sitting at the table, the other ladies got their purses and Bibles, and headed back for their cabin.

 

I remained at the table by myself for a few minutes, and then suddenly that strong fragrance appeared out of nowhere and surrounded me. It seemed like I basked in that fragrance for a minute or two, then the fragrance faded away.

 

I got my purse and began to head back to my cabin for the night. On the way back to the cabin, I realized I had left my Bible on the dining room table. I went back to retrieve it.

 

When I went to pick up my Bible from off the table, that beautiful fragrance appeared again for a minute, and engulfed me, then faded away.

 

After returning to the cabin and climbing into bed, twice I smelled a faint aroma of Jesus’ perfume before falling off to sleep.

 

The next day, which was Sunday, the retreat ended around noon time and a group of us headed on home.

 

Later that evening, I attended the Care Group I was involved in at my church I went to at the time. I was still very excited about this new experience I had that weekend.

 

When I walked in the door, later on the leader in charge of the Care Group said that my face had a glow on it, and he knew that something transformational had happened. He knew I had been with Jesus.

 

At Care Group I shared what had happened and others were touched and seemed to express a hunger to experience God’s Glory as well.

 

Since that time, I have experienced breathing in the sweet perfume of the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit on several occasions.

 

Sometimes it happened in dreams which were Heavenly or Prophetic in nature. Other times it happened in waking life while worshipping with music.

 

A few times it happened in a church setting where people were soaking in God’s Presence, and a few times at Benny Hinn conferences when the Glory was strong or when watching his program on television.

 

I wish it happened more often. It’s been several years since it last happened.

 

Besides coming to a new revelation of who the Father is (so tender, so sweet, so doting), this was also a time in my life of being introduced to the concept of intimacy with Jesus (in spirit and soul).

 

Prior to 1992-1993 I had often spent hours soaking in God’s Presence privately at home, and feeling God’s Glory, but had not necessarily received teaching on the subject of intimacy with God.

 

God used several key people in my life to introduce me to this level of relationship with the Lord. The first person to introduce this teaching on intimacy with Jesus was Rev. Pat Chen www.firstloveprayer.net .

 

Pat Chen’s passion for the Lord was very contagious, and it put a deep desire in my heart to know Jesus in that intimate way as well.

 

Kat Kerr, Jesse Duplantis and others who have been to heaven all say that all of Heaven is filled with this lovely fragrance I have shared about. They all say that this fragrance is the Glory of the Father, and the aroma permeates all of Heaven.

 

When you begin to breathe it in, it is so intoxicating in a positive way that you don’t want the experience to end. Just the fragrance itself infuses life and strength into your body, and fills your soul with joy, peace and great delight!

 

The fragrance contains the tangible Presence of God, Anointing, and Shekinah Glory itself.

 

Romans 8:15-17 NKJV

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

 

Galatians 4:6 NKJV

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

 

Chapter 3

Intimacy with God

 

In the early 1990's, the Lord brought key people into my life to teach me about intimacy with the Lord. I had not really received any teaching on this prior to that time, although I had always loved the Lord and cherished His Presence since being a child.

 

I was ripe to hear the message about intimacy with Jesus, and I soaked it all in like a sponge. I was in my mid 20's, very lonely, wanting to be married sooooo bad. I thought that a man could fill the empty places of my soul and then I would feel complete, but came to learn that only Jesus can meet my deepest desires and complete me.

 

As I received the message on intimacy with the Lord, little by little I began to allow Him access into the secret chambers of my heart and sharing with Him all my secrets, my heartaches, my dreams ... everything. The Lord did promise me a husband, and that he would be a tremendous blessing to my life. But he would not be my source for meeting all of my needs. Only the Lord can meet every need.

 

One of the key people God used to teach me about intimacy with God is Rev. Pat Chen, www.firstloveprayer.net. She was a member of Shiloh Christian Fellowship in Oakland, California at the time (two years later God led me to begin attending Shiloh) and occasionally would come and minister to the women's group at Family Worship Center in Concord, California (now called Harvest Church). In 1995, Rev. Pat Chen came on pastoral staff at Harvest Church.

 

Below are notes that I took on April 30, 1993 when Rev. Pat Chen spoke on intimacy with God:

 

 

 

A.	Levels of Closeness
	1. Walking side by side with God 2. Face to face with Jesus 3. Intertwined with the Lord 4. One with God
B.	Intimacy = Entering into innermost character. Knowing someone to the very fiber of their being.   Intrinsic = inherent, innate, inbuilt, real, genuine, central, native, natural, inborn.
C.	God wants us to be as crushed powder, crushed to be poured out as a fragrance. He wants us to be broken before Him so that we are pliable as fine soil. It’s the only way we are going to reach full intimacy with Christ.
D.	Intercession = Praying on someone else’s behalf. Standing in the gap. Partnering with God to see His will done. But there’s more: we need to touch the heart of God. It’s not enough to say the right words. Silence before God is a form of communion and prayer before God.   Prayer means to ask earnestly, to seek the favor of, to entreat, to make His face pleasant (to delight God and to be delighted), to fall upon, to cry out, to ask, to worship, to supplicate, to beseech or request, to give thanks, to share thoughts, ideas and everything.
E.	A = Adoration C = Confession T = Thanksgiving S = Supplication

 

F.	R = Retreat (get alone with God) R = Relate (share your heart) R = Read (take in the Word of God) R = Record (write down what He shares with you)
G.	Jealous = demanding exclusive loyalty; protective of us. God is a Jealous God (Exodus 34:14).
H.	Communion = interchange of thoughts, agreement, fellowship, mutual union, giving and receiving.
I.	Why do we pray?   Because God wants us to. God is love and wants fellowship with us. He is Almighty, with eternal love. It’s to please God. It satisfies God.
J.	The greatest form of spiritual warfare is having intimacy with God. To kiss Him. His kiss is as equipping us with weapons. This is the other side of spiritual warfare.
K.	God does the work. He just wants us to pray, trust and be in His Presence. He does the work through us. Enjoy God and watch Him do the work.   When we are with Him, He fills us with all the power we need when it comes time to be used by God. Don’t underestimate God. He’s too small in our eyes. We put Him in a box. When we struggle with believing for something, then He’s too small in our eyes.   The only struggle we should have is travailing in prayer. Praying in tongues is very important. Be prayed up and be an open channel. Be a step ahead of what the devil is attempting to do. Satan is afraid of prayer. That’s why he tries to get us to slack off.   Through prayer, you bring power and changes to situations, and it saves the lost.
L.	Sitting Before the Lord.   Luke 10:38 – Mary was continually listening to Jesus. She was concentrating on Him. This word of “sitting” means to be established at Jesus’ feet, to be quiet, to listen, to humble yourself, to wait, to gaze upon. Second Samuel 7:18 talks about sitting and meditating upon the Lord.
M.	Meditation   The activity of calling to mind the various things that God has done. Holy thoughts consciously performed in the presence of God as a means of communion with God. Sharing your heart with the Lord. The purpose of meditation is that it clears one’s thoughts and mind. To ponder. To converse with oneself. To mutter.   Psalms 1:2, 119:48, 143:5; Joshua 1:8
N.	Rest   To colonize; abiding by the guidelines and meditations of God. Living in the world, but abiding by God’s Word.
O.	Being careful with vows you make. Ecclesiastes 5:2
P.	If you become disciplined in your prayer life, it will spill over and carry over into other areas of your life. You will start to get more disciplined in other areas.
Q.	Established To stand perpendicular; to make firm; to be prosperous; to render sure.

 

 

Chapter 4

Bible Study in Alamo/Danville, California

 

Kelli is a nickname that my family has called me since birth, as well as long-time friends. I go by “Kelli” most of the time. I go by my legal name Kathleen outside of my family. Kelli means “warrior maiden” and Kathleen means “pure, gentle” — what a combination of names!

 

Song of Solomon 1:2-4 NIV

2 Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth — for Your love is more delightful than wine.

3 Pleasing is the fragrance of Your perfumes (fragrant ointment or oil); Your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love You!

4 Take me away with You — let us hurry! Let the King bring me into His chambers. We rejoice and delight in You; we will praise Your love more than wine. How right they are to adore You!

 

In 1993 I began attending a women’s Bible Study in the Alamo/Danville area of Northern California. A woman from my church opened up her home. She had been healed of lupus and got her life back after being sick for so long. She began to teach Bible Studies in her home.

 

Women from my church, as well as women from many other churches in the area were drawn to this inter-denominational Bible Study. Usually anywhere from 30-50 women showed up. On a few occasions she hosted a major speaker, such as Barbara Wentroble, and the house was packed like sardines with a lot of women and men, around 100 people seated in folding chairs in the family room, living room, kitchen, dining room, hallway, foyer (her husband owned a business and they had a large home).

 

This was my first experience to be in an environment where women of all economic backgrounds worshiped together and became friends — from the poor college student to the multi-millionaire, and those inbetween. I came to realize that regardless of economic status, that we all shared common struggles — such as health issues, dealing with family relationships, many women were in unhappy marital situations or had problems with rebellious children. We all dealt with similar “women’s issues” (insecurities, the longing to be loved, the myriad of needs in a woman’s heart, shame from past failures, rejection issues, etc). Men deal with these things too and have very tender hearts.

 

At this Bible Study we studied the Word, prayed, and worshiped in song together, but the primary focus was on learning about intimacy with Jesus Christ.

 

(That is where I learned how to make a glory hoop … a glory hoop has glittery streamers, and the purpose is for beauty to worship the Lord with, to dance before the Lord with. I made mine with a rainbow pattern, to represent God’s covenant and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, especially for marriage and family.)

 

I was in an atmosphere where we were all in one accord all wanting the same thing, which is to know Jesus better and to know Him in a more intimate way. I’m referring to intimacy in spirit and soul, because our marriage to Christ is spiritual, not of this world (the flesh). Marriage of this earth is [intended to be] a picture of Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33). The Apostle Paul said it is a mystery … concerning Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32).

 

There are levels of intimacy with Jesus: 1) Friendship with the Lord 2) Divine romance with the King of kings and Lord of lords 3) Times of making love to the Lord (I'm talking about in spirit, not flesh) … usually that 3rd level of intimacy occurs during worship.

 

At this Bible Study we learned about becoming that Bride that Jesus is looking for, without spot or wrinkle. Revelation 19:7-9 (AMP) says:

 

7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.

8 She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white — for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God's holy people).

9 Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

 

Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

 

For one particular meeting, we met at another woman’s house in San Ramon, the city next to Alamo/Danville. This meeting was a little different than the Bible Studies. It was a special event where every woman (who wanted to participate) would share with the group, in some aspect, about their love for Jesus (to whatever level they felt comfortable).

 

For example, two women did a skit depicting Mary pouring oil on Jesus’ feet and just sitting at His feet soaking in every one of His words (while Martha was busy serving). There’s a time to serve and a time to just sit at the Lord’s feet.

 

Others sang a song, wrote a love poem to Jesus, did a choreographed dance before the Lord — everyone had a different, and unique, way of expressing their love for Christ.

 

I brought a card I had found and read it to the group and then sang a love song about Jesus. I can’t even remember what song it was. Afterwards we had a time of fellowship, as each woman had brought some kind of food dish to share.

 

The card to Jesus was dated September 23, 1994. The front of the card said: “I’m grateful for Your love.”

 

The inside of the card said:

 

“Dear Lord Jesus,

Your love is even more wonderful than I dreamed that it would be … never before have I been loved the way that You love me.”

 

“I’ll love You always. Kathleen (Kelli)”

 

Here is what the front of the card looked like:

 

 

Here is what the inside of the card looked like:

 

 

 

It was during the early to mid 1990’s that the Lord used many teachers to teach me about intimacy with God — loving Him with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength (some of these teachers were members from my church, guest speakers who came to my church, and other teachers in the Body of Christ on Christian television, or books by Christian authors). I studied workbooks about Christ and the Church depicted in the Song of Solomon.

 

The main keys (at least for me), I learned, to intimacy with God are communion through worship, prayer and knowing Him through His Word.

 

This was such a time of healing in my life because in the natural I had no husband to love, or be loved by. I longed to be married but it wasn’t the Father’s timing. I also dealt with the grief of “empty arms” because I wanted to have children. No husband meant no children (being single and adopting was not an option in my thinking).

 

I was so emotionally messed up and had so many insecurities. I struggled with a spirit of rejection. The Lord taught me that He could become my All in All. My earthly husband, who God promised, would be a blessing to my life and he would be the final healing in my life, but an earthly husband was never meant to take the place of Jesus.

 

Jesus is the only One who could understand me fully, love me unconditionally, and make provision for every need to be met. He’s the only one who could heal the wounds in my soul, restore my broken heart, give me the oil of joy for mourning, and make me whole and complete.

 

Colossians 2:10 says that we are complete in Him (Christ).

 

Chapter 5

Shame

 

It was the early 1990’s. I would have been in my mid 20’s back then. The church I was attending at the time, Family Worship Center in Pleasant Hill, California, hosted a one-day Women’s Retreat held at a hotel in Concord, California. I don’t remember who the special speaker was. I just remember the deep work of healing that the Holy Spirit was doing in the lives of the women present.

 

The Holy Spirit swept through the place, and women were weeping and wailing. Women of all ages. Married and single women. God was doing a deep Sovereign work.

 

Towards the end of the speaker’s message, the Lord began to prophetically speak through her that so many of the women in that room were wearing, as if it were, a black veil of mourning and shame. God wanted to remove that veil and replace it with a crown of beauty. He wanted to lift off the shame and reproach in our lives and give us a beautiful bridal veil to wear, since He is our bridegroom and we are His bride.

 

Women were carrying around shame, rejection and mourning for various reasons. For some, it was because of past or present abuse. For others, it was the broken heart of a failed marriage or having been widowed. For some, past immorality. For several single women, the feelings of being alone, feeling forgotten by God, rejection by men and living with the “stigma” of singleness because society says that we should be married or have a boyfriend.

 

For a few women who were married and having a difficult time conceiving a child, or had frequent miscarriages, they were in utter despair and grief. The pain of having empty arms was almost too much for them to bear especially when their friends and relatives were having babies.

 

Almost every woman there felt ashamed, for one reason or another, about her appearance or body image. Even the ones who seemed to be so beautiful were ashamed about certain things in their appearance. There were so many reasons why the women in that place felt shame, rejection and mourning.

 

The Lord was doing such a deep work of healing that day, tenderly holding us in His arms and whispering so gently, “I love you, you are my beautiful bride, I will give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I will give you beauty for ashes. I am your glory and the lifter of your head. I want to heal you and set you free. Those who look to Me are radiant and their faces are never covered in shame. I am the lover of your soul. I will never abandon you. I will never fail you. I long to share sweet intimacy with you, My bride. I want to romance you, dance with you, validate you. Only I can meet all of your needs. Would you give Me permission to come into those secret chambers of your heart and cleanse the deep wounds? Would you allow Me to heal the memories? I am the Lord your healer. You are so beautiful to me, My precious jewel. Would you allow Me complete access to your heart?”

 

What is shame?

 

In the Bible, there are many words translated as shame. The Hebrew and Greek defines shame as:

• To pale, to blush
• Humiliation
• Confusion, to be confounded
• Dishonored or not honored
• Reproach
• Disgrace
• Depised, Contempt
• Lightly Esteem
• Maltreat
• To wound, to taunt, to insult
• To expose, to defame, to rail
• Disappointment and delay
• To become dry

Notice that the last two definitions deal with disappointment, delay and being dry (parched). Shame leaves a sense of desolation to the soul. (Hope deferred also leads to feeling stripped dry.) Shame causes emotional barrenness.

 

The Lord wants to transform the ruins in your life into an Eden. He wants to turn the wilderness into a land that is lush and green with pools of refreshing water.

 

Shame is like a garment. The Lord wants to do a Divine exchange, and give us a garment of righteousness and beauty to wear if we will give Him our garment of shame and mourning. When you are ashamed, you feel bad about yourself and want to hide. Shame can become a lifestyle, where you always want to hide, or put up a facade so people don’t see the real you. The Lord says, “The walls you have built to protect yourself are not only keeping everyone else out, but also keeping Me out as well. Would you give Me permission to get close to you without you pushing Me away, keeping Me at a distance? Would You allow Me to go into every room of your heart?”

 

The Lord wants to remove that black veil of mourning, and crown our head with a beautiful white bridal veil instead. He wants us to hold our heads high knowing who we are in Christ. Our identity and validation come from Him and who He says we are. He says that we are kings and priests. He says that we are His beautiful and radiant bride. He says that we are complete in Him.

 

Whatever has happened in the past, whatever mistakes you have made, whatever injustices happened to you … it’s over with and done. The Lord is doing a new thing. Now it springs forth. Your past does not determine your destiny. God promises to give us a double portion recompense for what we went through.

 

Isaiah 61:7-8 says, “Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs. For I the Lord love justice.”

 

The Lord loves justice (fairness, equity). Whatever we went through in life that was unfair, the Lord wants to make it up to us in some way.

 

Even if we made mistakes and forfeited some things, God promises to restore double to us. The Lord is very kind and compassionate.

 

 

 

Isaiah 54:4-5 AMP

Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame. For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. For your Maker is your Husband — the Lord of hosts is His name — and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth He is called.

 

Psalms 34:4-5 AMP

I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.

 

Isaiah 60:1 AMP

Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you — rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

 

Chapter 6

How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God

 

Based on the book entitled “How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God”, by Kenneth E. Hagin, Sr., the three primary ways in which God speaks to us and leads us is by:

 

1.  The inward witness.

2.  The still small voice of our conscience.

3.  The authoritative voice of the Holy Spirit.

 

And, of course, God speaks to us through His Word. If we know the will of God in a certain matter, such as for healing, then we can have faith, confidence and boldness to receive it. The Word of God is the perfect will of God.

 

Mark 11:22-24 says, So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” NKJV

 

Proverbs 20:27 tells us: “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.”

 

In Scripture the belly speaks of a person’s innermost being, the spirit, the gut, the deepest part of man.

 

We are spirit beings, and have a soul (mind, will and emotions), and live in a physical body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

 

God speaks to our spirit. He gives wisdom, revelation, light and guidance to our spirit man. We are led by God through our spirit, not by our emotions, feelings, intellect or mentality.

 

Upon conversion, the spirit is instantly born again and becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus, but the soul is saved over a process of time, as it comes into the conformity of Jesus Christ and His Word. The mind can be in enmity with God, but listening to our spirit is a safe guide.

 

The number one way God leads all of His children is through the inward witness. If you wait on the Lord long enough, you will hear God speak to you.

 

To hear the Lord through the inward witness is to receive premonitions, intuition, promptings, leadings, guidance, a check in your spirit, a green/yellow/red light, a knowing about something even if you can’t explain it or don’t know all the details, peace in your spirit, a rhema Scripture that almost leaps off the page and speaks to your situation, things that are quickened to you (street sign, number, slogan, something preached in a sermon, etc.). On the inside, you will know what to do or what decision to make.

 

Kenneth Hagin gave the example of when he wanted to confirm a date to preach at a pastor’s church. He had half the letter written, then tore it up and threw it away in the wastebasket. The second day, the same thing happened. The third day, the same thing happened.

 

Jesus spoke to him in an open vision about that matter and told Kenneth Hagin that he was being led of the Spirit, because he would keep feeling a check in his spirit. A voice did not tell him to not go to that church. He didn’t receive a prophetic word about it. It was just a check on the inside that something was not right. That’s why he would only get half of the letter written, and then tear it up and throw it away. Jesus told him to not go to that church, because the pastor there would not have accepted the way Kenneth Hagin ministers.

 

Then Jesus reminded Kenneth Hagin of an invitation he had received from a small church to come and hold some meetings. The more Kenneth Hagin thought about it and prayed about it, the more of a velvety-peaceful feeling he felt in his heart. Jesus told him to go to that church and speak, as he would be welcomed there.

 

Then there is a chapter in Kenneth Hagin’s book about putting out fleeces. It may have worked for Gideon, but that was in the Old Covenant, and we are now living in the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit was only poured out to those in three offices back in the Old Testament (kings, priests and prophets). However, in the New Testament, ever since the Day of Pentecost, we can all be filled with the Holy Spirit and hear the Lord for ourselves, and receive guidance from the Spirit of God.

 

Kenneth Hagin shared about his experience in putting out a fleece, and if he got his fleece then he would assume it was the will of God. The fleece was that he would get 100% of the votes to be elected as pastor of a church in Texas. He got every vote! However, he was out of the will of God and the church that elected him was out of the will of God. He got fleeced, and the church got fleeced.

 

Putting out a fleece is a hit-or-miss method. The Bible says that God will lead us by His Spirit. Nowhere does it say that God will lead us through fleeces.

 

After that experience, Kenneth Hagin learned how to follow the Spirit of God, and hear God’s voice with clarity.

 

The more you develop your spirit-man, the easier it will be to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you.

 

The number 2 way that God speaks to us is through the still small voice of our own conscience.

 

The voice of the Holy Spirit is more authoritative, and almost audible at times. The still small voice of your conscience is more quiet.

 

When you do wrong, it is your own conscience that condemns you. Jesus condemns no one, although He convicts people of their sin. Our own conscience lets us know when we have missed the mark.

 

If our conscience has not been seared over, then it is a safe guide.

 

The Bible has much to say about our conscience. The Word of God addresses the various conditions of the human conscience:

 

 

 

 

 

Positive

 

·       A good conscience towards God – Acts 23:1

·       A conscience void of offense towards God and man – Acts 24:16

·       A good conscience, a pure heart, and sincere faith – 1 Timothy 1:5,19

·       A good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly – Hebrews 13:18

·       A good conscience, that if anyone speaks evil of you, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ – 1 Peter 3:16

·       Our conscience bearing witness between right and wrong – Romans 2:15

·       Our conscience bearing witness in the Holy Ghost – Romans 9:1

·       Keeping hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience – 1 Timothy 3:9

·       Keeping a clean conscience by obeying the law and doing what is right – Romans 13:5

·       Having a tender conscience in regards to personal convictions – 1 Corinthians 8:7-12; 1 Corinthians 10:25-29

·       Having a clean conscience because of knowing that you conducted yourself in sincerity, purity of heart, motives and deeds – 2 Corinthians 1:12

·       Pure conscience – 2 Timothy 1:3

·       Water Baptism that depicts that you are turning to Christ and asking Him to cleanse your conscience from sin – 1 Peter 3:21

 

Negative

 

·       Evil conscience – Hebrews 10:22 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·       Guilty conscience – Hebrews 10:22 (AMP, NIV, NLT)

·       Defiled conscience – Titus 1:15 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·       Corrupted conscience – Titus 1:15 (NIV, NLT)

·       Polluted conscience – Titus 1:15 (AMP)

·       Conscience filled with dead works – Hebrews 9:14 (KJV, NKJV, AMP, NASB)

·       Conscience filled with sinful deeds – Hebrews 9:14 (NLT)

·       Seared over conscience. The picture here is of a hot iron that sears over and hardens, cauterizes, seals shut, deadens or permanently imprints something (like cattle that are branded) – 1 Timothy 4:2. When a person has a seared over conscience, that usually means that they have violated and overridden their conscience so many times that after a while their conscience is no longer a safe guide. They no longer feel remorse for their actions. They don’t care anymore between what is right and what is wrong. Things they do that are wrong do not bother them anymore.

 

The Blood of Jesus has the power to break open a seared over conscience, and cause the conscience to become tender and sensitive again.

 

A Conscience Filled With Dead Works

 

This is mentioned in Hebrews 9:14. Dead works refer to things that are:

 

·       Unprofitable

·       Unfruitful

·       Have no life

·       Acts that lead to death

·       Do not add anything beneficial to your life but instead only serves to drain the life out of you

·       Actions that cause damage (such as abuse)

·       Attitudes that are toxic (such as unforgiveness, hatred, bitterness, unresolved anger, pride)

·       Crooked and criminal deeds

·       Iniquity

·       Wickedness

·       Craving the praise of man and doing things to make yourself look good

·       Any kind of deeds in which God is not impressed (even if man is)

·       Selfish motivation and ambition

·       Any works you do in which you will receive no reward in Heaven

·       Works of the flesh, such as those things listed in Galations 5:15-21. These include: biting and devouring one another, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelling, desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, and such things.

 

If the blood of animals (which was imperfect) could remove sin temporarily, and the sprinkling of blood by an heifer bring purification, then HOW MUCH MORE shall the Blood of Jesus (which is perfect) cleanse our conscience from guilt, defilement and dead works.

 

 

Other Things About the Conscience

 

·       We are convicted by our own conscience (if our conscience is not seared over and is a safe guide where we bear witness on the inside between right and wrong) – John 8:9

·       The Old Testament gifts and sacrifices offered were not able to perfectly (completely, fully) make clear the worshipper’s conscience. Only the Blood of Jesus can perfectly (completely, fully) clear our conscience – Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 10:1-10

 

The Blood of Jesus:

 

·       Purges the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)

·       Purifies the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (AMP, NLT)

·       Cleanses the conscience – Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV, NIV, NASB)

·       Jesus’ Blood sprinkles our heart from an evil or guilty conscience – Hebrews 10:22.

 

The sprinkling of blood in the Old Testament was for the purpose of purification. The priests themselves, and their clothing, was sprinkled with blood, the altar was sprinkled with blood, the Mercy Seat was sprinkled with blood, the utensils were sprinkled with blood. Almost everything was sprinkled with blood for purging and purification.

 

Hebrews 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

 

Our conscience resides in the spirit part of us, and so it is vitally important to keep a tender conscience so we can hear the Holy Spirit speak to us.

 

In Kenneth Hagin’s book, the number 3 way that God speaks to us is through the authoritative voice of the Holy Spirit.

 

Sometimes when God speaks in this way, it is almost audible. I’ve experienced this at times, but in my case it was “internal audible”, where on the inside I heard God speak to me (not in my thoughts, but in my spirit). Your spirit has ears and can hear. And your spirit can speak.

 

In looking back, I went through a short season of hearing God speak in this way. Then I came to the realization that God controls the volume of how loud He speaks. It’s as if He has a dial, and can control how loud or soft He speaks. After a few instances of hearing God speak clearly internal audible, then it was as if He began turning the volume down little by little. Now I hear God through the inward witness and through the still small voice most of the time. Once in a great while, I may hear a word or phrase in my spirit. For example, a few months ago I was praying about a matter in my family. Then I heard God say to me internal audibly “Walk it out.” That was the answer He was giving me and I knew what He meant.

 

Just because God chooses to speak audibly on some occasions, do not be desirous to hear “voices”, because the devil will accommodate you. If it happens and you hear God audibly in your spirit, that is one thing. But do not seek after it, as the enemy can deceive people by mimicking even God’s voice.

 

 

Hearing God Through Prophecy and Other Gifts of the Spirit

 

Sometimes the Lord speaks to us through the prophetic or words of knowledge. However, the Prophet of the New Testament does not hold the same status as the Old Testament prophets. A prophetic word in the New Testament should only confirm what you already know in your heart, and bear witness with your spirit.

 

Chapter 7

The Holy Spirit Speaks Through Dreams and Visions

 

I make a differentiation between a dream and a vision of the night. A dream is full of symbols. In a vision of the night, the scenes unfolding are more literal like it is actually happening in waking life, although you are asleep.

 

The Holy Spirit has revealed the Father and Jesus to me through dreams and visions of the night ever since the mid to late 1990’s.

 

1.            Jesus’ First Appearance To Me in November 2000

 

The first time Jesus appeared to me in Person in a vision of the night was in November of 2000. He took me by total surprise.

 

In the dream, the setting was daytime. I pulled into the driveway in my Toyota Camry. After I got out of the car and was taking things out of the trunk, I happened to glance to my right and was stunned when I saw Jesus standing in our front yard near the porch.

 

I laid everything aside, and then slowly began to approach Him. I was a little bit afraid at first, because He was a spirit being, yet He was totally tangible as well. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve seen it. That is how glorified bodies in heaven appear.

 

Jesus stood there with a serious expression on His face with His hands folded at His waist. He was approximately 6 feet tall and very slim but solid muscle. His hair was a sandy brown, and his hair flowed down a few inches past His shoulders. His eyes were blue. He has a light olive complexion. His beard and mustache were well trimmed.

 

He wore brown leather sandals and a white robe. The robe was mostly form fitting (and not the loose fitting shepherd’s or choir type robe). He wore a 4 inch wide gold belt around His waist between the bodice and the long skirt.

 

His eyes are what stood out the most. His eyes are penetrating and piercing, both literal and figurative. Literally, I felt invisible fire shooting out of His eyes burning holes in my heart and the heat penetrating inside of my body. I knew that He knew everything about me, but there was no condemnation on His part. He never said a word to me, as His eyes said it all.

 

When you stand in His Presence, there is nothing you can hide from Him. You are laid bare in His Presence, and you cannot lie or fake your way out of anything. You know that He could kill you if He wanted to or send you to hell, but He is very compassionate and merciful. You are also quiet at that moment too, out of respect and reverence, as He is a Holy God.

 

When you stand in His Presence, it is life transforming. You will never be the same ever again or view Jesus the same ever again. His Holiness and Majesty is almost more than a human person can withstand.

 

Just about the moment when I got within a foot or so of Jesus, all of a sudden He disappeared and I found myself standing in the middle of a Cloud. It was the Cloud of Glory, perhaps the one as in Moses’ Day. This Cloud was shaped like a funnel reaching two stories high, and inside of the Cloud were streaks of gold, silver and amber.

 

This was not the kind of Glory Cloud that made you feel good. This kind of Cloud was the type where you feel the TERROR of the Lord! As I already said, His Holiness and Majesty was so strong, that my body could hardly withstand it, and I thought I was going to fall down dead any second, and I could not understand how I kept on standing up when His terror and Holiness was so powerful, causing me to shake and tremble and panic.

 

I’ve heard people say that in hell, people experience not only the flames and other punishments, but also the terror of the Lord as well.

 

It feels worse than being electrocuted by thousands of watts of electricity.

 

When I woke up, I was very shaken up from the Glory Cloud experience.

 

The Lord gave me a high dosage of the fear of the Lord. It is one of the most frightening experiences you could ever have.

 

This vision of the night was a call to launch out into deeper waters of ministry, and to begin teaching on the fear of the Lord.

 

I have a teaching on the fear (holy reverence) of the Lord. It is in my book entitled: “King of kings – Knowing God Through His Names”, which is available wherever books are sold. In this teaching, I reveal 100 benefits from the Word of God for those who fear the Lord.

 

 

2.            Vision of Jesus Raising Dead Marriages From the Grave

 

On January 28, 2011 I attended an all-night prayer and worship meeting at my former church, New Destiny Church in Pittsburg, California, called a Harp & Bowl Meeting. During the meeting, the Lord gave me a vision about how He wants to heal and restore marriages.

 

In the vision, the setting was a chapel with a small stage or platform. I saw Jesus, and He was dressed in a long white robe. He was standing at the front of the chapel on the ground floor level in front of the pulpit with the stage in back of Him.

 

Right in front of Him on the floor level was a white adult casket which was open. (From my vantage point at the entrance to the chapel, Jesus stood on the ground floor level behind the casket.)

 

I knew Jesus was beckoning me to come and see who or what was in the casket. I reverently walked down the middle aisle of the chapel in slow motion and looked down inside the casket. The casket was lined with white satin and lace. I was stunned when I saw two gold wedding bands lying side by side in the casket.

 

I was speechless and remained very quiet and did not say a word. Then I looked up and looked into Jesus’ blue eyes. Then Jesus said to me with authority, “Do you believe that I can raise the dead?”

 

End of vision.

 

Now years later (2019), I believe Jesus was referring to my spiritual parents' Benny and Suzanne Hinn’s divorce, which happened around that time between 2010-2013. But three years later (2013), God resurrected their dead relationship and they remarried on March 3, 2013. It was a miracle. There was much rejoicing.

 

The vision also applies to other marriages that are dead or struggling.

 

God also wants to restore youthful functioning to married couples as well. God can do creative miracles.

 

Jesus wants to heal and restore marriages. He is able to bring resurrection life to a lifeless situation. Jesus is the mender of a broken heart. Nothing is impossible with the Lord.

 

Luke 1:37 (Amplified)

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

 

In this vision, I was awake the entire time. So it was not a dream, or vision of the night, but just a vision.

 

Peter had a vision around noon time. While he was on the roof praying and waiting for lunch to be served, he was in the Spirit. Then God gave him the vision of unclean animals, and told Peter to kill and eat. Peter had never eaten anything unclean before. Then God’s audible voice told him to not call the Gentiles unclean. God had called him to minister salvation to the Gentiles, as well as the Jews.

 

 

3.            Dream – Jesus Transforming Into Bag Lady – March 28, 2010

 

In the dream, I was inside of our house. I was in the family room and kitchen. I began to notice that Jesus was sitting in the living room.

 

He was wearing a long white robe. He just sat there busy doing something, although aware of my presence.

 

I walked over to where He was to greet Him. At first He ignored me. Then He gave me a cute little wave, although not really looking at me. Then He went back to what He was doing.

 

Then I began to approach Him again, and He transformed into that of a homeless bag lady with long sandy brown hair that had turned gray. She had a look of being forlorn and homely, her skin now leathery — like she had experienced a hard life.

 

Then I woke up.

 

The Scripture passage that came to mind is Matthew 25:33-46 that says that whatever you do for the least of the one of these, you do for Him.

 

During that season of my life, I ministered two Sundays a month at the local women’s shelter. That particular day on a Saturday night, I was considering canceling showing up the next day on Sunday afternoon at the women’s shelter because I was so tired. But Jesus showed me that when we minister to others, we are ministering to Him.

 

I did show up and we had a blessed meeting.

 

I would consider this an inspired dream from the Holy Spirit, as it contained symbols, and the set-up of the living room was different in the dream than it is in real life.

 

 

4.            Audible Visitation From Jesus To Address Doubt and Unbelief

 

I am thankful for the correction of the Lord and the lessons learned so that I can make adjustments in my attitudes in order to qualify to receive my full inheritance that God has for me.

 

In the late 1990’s, Jesus appeared to me during the night while I was asleep in an audible visitation. He was right there in the same room with me, and I heard His Voice loud and clear (whether internal audible or exterior audible hearing I am unsure), but I could not see Him.

 

He was so enraged! Normally, He is very kind and meek, but that morning He was so angry with me. This is the one and only time that I have ever encountered Him being enraged with me. No one ever wants to get on His bad side, because you know you are in serious trouble then and He means business. He is a Man of Authority and demands respect.

 

He was very fed up with me and confronted me on the issue of doubt and unbelief, murmuring and complaining, and falsely accusing the faithful and good character of God.

 

When I was around 22-23 and began seeking the Lord regarding marriage because I longed to be married and have children, the Lord began to give me prophetic promises through many different individuals and ministers letting me know that the Father definitely has chosen a husband for me (if I would allow Him to do the choosing), and He spoke many wonderful promises to me. I thought that marriage would happen early on in life like it does for most people.

 

Then over the years after the initial promises were spoken through prophetic words that were spoken over me when I was 22-23, the Lord would confirm the promises along the way by many different prophets and ministers, and many of them were complete strangers that didn’t know me and I had never met them either. All of them basically said, in their own wording, many of the same things that the Lord had already promised to me in the beginning.

 

But then years and years had elapsed and nothing was happening. I was beginning to feel like God had forgotten about me, or changed His mind on what He had promised me. I began to feel rage, anger, resentment and offense towards God for depriving me of what I wanted the most out of life, second only to knowing Jesus more intimately in spirit and soul.

 

I began to question God’s character, and would begin to accuse Him of not being faithful to fulfill what He had promised me, and for failing to come through for me. I felt like God had let me down and I felt such great disappointment and disillusionment. I would accuse Him of not being a Good God to me.

 

I was very angry with God for a long time over this issue, and at times would even yell and scream at Him because I was so enraged at Him for not giving me the desires of my heart. I felt tremendous pain in my heart.

 

It seemed like all the other ladies around me were being blessed by the Lord with a husband and children, yet nothing was happening for me. I felt like God had rejected me. I felt that maybe He wanted to purposely cause me to suffer and grieve. I certainly did NOT feel favored by the Lord. I felt ignored by God and bypassed. I certainly did not feel blessed by God.

 

Then I began to let go of my faith and slip into doubt and unbelief, murmuring and complaining, and falsely accuse God’s good and righteous character of Him being faithful to make good on His promises.

 

Finally, Jesus was so fed up with me for all of my negative attitudes, that He decided to show up in Person Himself rather than sending a messenger, but in audible form where I could hear Him speaking, but not see Him.

 

(Later on, beginning in 2000, He totally surprised and shocked me when He showed up in Person and I saw Him for the first time from head to toe, dressed in a long white robe. After that time in 2000, He has since appeared to me several times in Person since then, the last visitation being in 2016.)

 

Boy, was He enraged! He was red hot! He meant business! The lion part of His personality emerged. No one ever wants to get on His bad side. Just take my word for it! I’m trying to spare you of an unpleasant experience.

 

He confronted me on everything I mentioned above. Then He said to me:

 

“WHO DO YOU THINK I AM???!!!!!”

 

(Or in other words, “Are you telling Me that I am a liar? that I am an evil Person not wanting to grant the desires of your heart? that I am weak?, that I am small in your eyes?, that I am an unfaithful God who fails to come through on His promises?, that this matter is far too difficult and impossible for Me to handle?, that the Word of God may work for others but won’t work for you?, that I am purposely withholding from you just to bring suffering to your life? Do you know who you are talking to? I am God Almighty!!!”)

 

The Lord was so angry because of my doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining, and falsely accusing God. It was the same as if I was slapping Him in the face telling Him He was a liar and that His Word won’t work for me. It was as if I was demonstrating the utmost disrespect, dishonor, irreverence and rudeness to God.

 

Jesus felt like I was emasculating Him, cutting Him down, belittling Him, and implying that it was too difficult of a task for God to bring to pass the promises. He didn’t like me insulting His character, and making Him out to be small and weak in my eyes.

 

Doubt and unbelief is a respect and honor issue with God, and that’s why He gets so angry over this issue.

 

So I replied back to Him that many years had gone by and the promises still had not come to pass. Then there was a pause and I knew I had really kindled His anger even more, but He managed to keep His anger under control without unleashing on me, and then Jesus’ reply back to me was:

 

“I’LL DO IT, WHEN I DO IT !!!!!!!”

 

Then He stormed out of there still being enraged and disappeared.

 

Jesus doesn’t always talk in the King James Version language, or like sophisticated theologians who use all the perfect nice sweet words to get their points across (although He is far more intelligent than they are).

 

He made His point loud and clear, in clear English, with a little bit of Urban slang mixed in that I could understand and never forget:

 

“I’LL DO IT, WHEN I DO IT !!!!!!!”

 

God tolerates a lot of sin without necessarily getting really angered, but He gets instantly enraged over the sin of doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining. It’s in a higher sin category than murder and perversion.

 

If you want to know what button sets Him off the most into an instant rage if you press that button, it is the button of doubt and unbelief and murmuring and complaining. He hates to hear negative, pity party talk, and sour complaining and murmuring.

 

He will tolerate it for a while, but not for long. He has a short fuse when it comes to the issue of doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining.

 

The Bible calls it “EVIL” in the sight of God.

 

Hebrews 3:12 tells us: “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an EVIL heart of UNBELIEF in departing from the Living God.”

 

God was angry for 40 years with the first generation of Israelites who exited out of Egypt because of their constant doubt and unbelief, murmuring and complaining, and speaking evil accusations against God’s righteous character.

In spite of all of the many miraculous provisions, the parting of the Red Sea, and mighty deliverance, they still would murmur and complain, and have doubt and unbelief. They physically left Egypt, but Egypt (a slavery and victim mentality) was still in their souls and in their thinking patterns that they were never able to overcome.

 

They could have taken possession of their promised land right away after exiting Egypt, but out of 12 spies who went in to scout the land of Canaan, only two had a positive faith-filled report that they were well able to defeat the giants and take possession of the land. That was Joshua and Caleb.

 

The other ten spies were very fearful and doubt-filled and they said that they were very small and weak like grasshoppers in the sight of the giant Philistines who were taller and stronger than them physically speaking and trained in sophisticated warfare. Their evil and fear-filled negative report spread fear and unbelief throughout the entire camp and the Israelites failed to go in and take possession of their inheritance and occupy the land.

 

So they wandered in the wilderness, circling around the same mountain over and over again, until they finally perished in the wilderness.

 

God swore that they would never enter into their promised land because of their doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining. That first generation all died in the wilderness and forfeited their inheritance, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb who always had a faith-filled report. Joshua and Caleb, along with the second generation of Israelites, went in and possessed the land and occupied it.

 

The entire first generation of Israelites who left Egypt all forfeited their inheritance and died in the wilderness. And it was all over the issue of doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining, which is the opposite of faith and having the right confession.

 

Hebrews 3:16-19 says,

 

16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?

 

17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?

 

18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His Rest (promised land), but to those who did not obey?

 

19 So we see that they could not enter in because of UNBELIEF.

NKJV

 

Unbelief will keep you from receiving any good thing from God. And it will keep people out of heaven too.

 

Revelation 21:7-8 mentions that unbelief will keep people out of being able to enter into heaven:

 

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

 

8 But the FEARFUL, and UNBELIEVING, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars (erroneous, deceitful, wicked), shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

The Greek word translated as “fearful” is the word deilos (NT: 1169) and is defined as: “FAITHLESS”.

 

The Greek word translated as “unbelieving” is the word apistos (NT: 571) and is defined as: disbelieving; without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); untrustworthy person.

 

Unbelief is a very serious issue with God.

 

If we continue to live in doubt and unbelief in certain areas of our lives, then we take a chance of forfeiting the promise altogether and not being able to enter into our inheritance and possess our promised land that God intends for us to have.

 

Unbelief will cancel out everything God wants to do in your life if it’s ongoing and continues on for a long period of time without repentance on your part.

 

Faith is the only thing that pleases God. Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

 

Faith is the only thing that can take hold of the promises of God and receive answers to prayer.

 

God is ALWAYS good, 100% of the time. And it is impossible for God to lie. Once He makes a promise, He will follow through and do what He said, but in His timing and the way He wants to bring it about in your life.

 

It’s just our job to have faith, and to believe and receive, and be patient until the answer comes. T.D. Jakes always says that delay does not mean denial. The Lord has certain appointed seasons for certain promises to come to pass in our lives. Just because it’s taking longer than you expected, does not mean to give up and get angry and disappointed with God and let go of your faith and hope, but to keep on trusting the Lord that He knows what He is doing and He has not forgotten those promises He made to you.

 

Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

 

Romans 4:16-22 tells us about Abraham, the father of faith. God gave him a promise that he and his wife Sarah would bear a son from their own bodies, and their descendants would be as numerous as the grains of sand of the desert or seashore, and as populous as the stars in the heavens. But in the natural it seemed impossible because Sarah had been barren her entire life. When the promise was first given, Abraham was 75 and Sarah was 65.

 

Then 25 years went by before the promise was finally fulfilled. By this time Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. Even if Sarah was not barren, now she was too old and Abraham was now too old to father children as his body was now dead.

 

But the Lord, along with a few angels, appeared to Abraham one day at his house when he was 99 and Sarah was 89 and announced that “by this time next year” they would be holding Isaac in their arms.

 

Abraham immediately embraced the promise with joy and full expectation because he had never had any doubts or unbelief in the first place. He was 100% convinced that eventually the promise would come to pass.

 

However, Sarah overheard the conversation and laughed a laugh of disbelief because of the impossibility of the situation. So the Lord confronted her for laughing in unbelief and said that there was nothing too hard for Him to do.

 

Then at the set time appointed by God, a year later they were holding Isaac in their arms. This time Sarah laughed again, but now it was the laugh of rejoicing and giving God praise, thanks and glory. Hebrews 11:11 says that Sarah received strength to conceive because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.

 

In the case with Abraham, from Day 1 he had never lost faith or confidence during the entire 25 long years that elapsed until the promise was fulfilled. He would have never taken Hagar as a secondary wife to bear Ishmael if Sarah had not pressured him to do it due to her desperation to see the promise come to pass. But then their plan backfired and caused all kinds of complications which are still going on today between the Arabs and Jews.

 

Romans 4:16-22 says:

 

16 Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants — not only to the devotees and adherents of the Law, but also to those who share the faith of Abraham, who is [thus] the father of us all.

 

17 As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.

 

18 [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be.

 

19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah's [deadened] womb. 

 

20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,

 

21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.

 

22 That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). AMP

 

This experience that I had applies to the entire Body of Christ. Your situation might be different than mine in whatever you have been believing for and a long period of time has elapsed and nothing has happened yet.

 

But keep holding onto your hope and keep pressing forward in faith. Those words and promises will come to pass in your life if you do not slip into doubt and unbelief, and murmuring and complaining.

 

Begin to prophesy things into existence of what you DO WANT to see happen in your life. When you begin to call things into existence, somehow it brings about a speedy acceleration of those promises or prayers coming to pass and becoming a reality in your life.

 

It takes both faith AND patience to see the promises of God come to pass in your life and to receive your full inheritance.

 

Hebrews 6:12 says:

 

“That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” NKJV

 

In my particular situation, the Lord told me from the very beginning when I was 22-23 that He would do a complete work of healing in my life, with my husband being the final healing in my life.

 

He also said that I would be older and more mature when it happened.

 

Now that I am older, for the most part I feel like a complete, whole, secure, empowered woman, regardless of marital status. I don’t need a man to validate me, nor do I expect a man to meet needs that only God can meet.

 

Women are complex and have sooooooo many needs and holes and voids in their heart, and they often think an earthly human man can mend all of those holes and empty spaces and fill every need. That is too much unrealistic pressure to put on a person.

 

There are some needs in women that only Jesus can meet because we are so complex with soooooo many emotional needs. Also, I have not experienced loneliness in many years. I like having my alone time.

 

Psalms 16:11 says about the Lord:

 

“In Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” NKJV

 

And Psalms 42:1-2 which says:

 

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So pants my soul for You, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?”

NKJV

 

I thirst for the Presence of God and although I get satiated, I am never completely 100% full, and keep on wanting more and more of God’s Presence and Glory.

 

I can certainly attest by personal experience that these two verses are true. There are no pleasures in this world that can exceed the Presence of the Lord. Knowing Jesus is the greatest thing of all.

 

Jesus is my first and eternal husband, so of course, I enjoy hanging out with Him all of the time and being one with Him in spirit and soul. I would rather be with Him than with any other human being.

 

When my wonderful, godly earthly husband comes into my life, then I’ll have two husbands to love and share sweet romance with.

 

In Ezekiel 12:25 God is proclaiming to us that His words shall no longer be prolonged, but is about to come to pass.

 

God declares and announces to us this day:

 

“For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, says the Lord God.” KJV

 

The primary reason that I struggled with trusting God to bring my husband into my life like He had promised stemmed back to unhealed areas of my heart from the abuse my father put me through. He was always saying hurtful statements and battering me verbally. He was hateful so much of the time.

 

When I was 15 years old, he told me that no man would ever love me. That statement devastated me and held me in chains for years and years. Back then I would believe everything he told me. I was such a beaten down person emotionally.

 

I took my anger out on God because in my heart I struggled with anger and rage towards my earthly father. I second-questioned God’s love for me because I never received the love and affirmation from my earthly father that a daughter should receive.

 

God told me otherwise, that I would be married to a wonderful husband and we would minister together as a team and be anointed. But I struggled with a victim mentality. I just could not get past the painful words my earthly father used to say to me on a regular basis.

 

Another statement my father used to tell me on a regular ongoing basis for years was that I was “useless”. That statement has been difficult to get past over the years.

 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Choose to speak life over your family and your own self! We will be judged for every careless word that proceeds from our mouths. On that Day of Judgment I want to be found that I blessed and encouraged people with my words.

 

My father grew up in an abusive environment, and then became an abuser himself. But he is now a transformed man in his older years, and we have a good relationship now.

 

I am a work in progress. There is still more healing to take place in my life, especially as it applies to being married.

 

The Lord spoke to me around two years ago and told me that He had brought the husband He had ordained for me into my life when I was in my early 30’s. We met on a Christian dating site. But when he pursued me, I was scared. I felt confused wondering if he was the right man. I ended up not getting back to him.

 

Another reason I did not respond to this man’s pursuit was that I wasn’t ready to move to a new geographical location. However, he only lived in Southern California in one of the beach towns. That is only a 45 minute jet ride from Oakland to Anaheim. Most men don’t pursue me, but when he wanted for us to meet and get to know each other better, and told me that he felt we were supposed to be together, I froze in fear. I’ve always had a deep fear that a husband would leave me, forsake me, cheat on me, and abuse me. My father never left us or committed adultery. He just simply had a raging temper and would say mean things and talk negatively.

 

Another major factor is that for decades I’ve battled with depression and anxiety. I didn’t want to weigh a husband down with my issues. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety since age 12, and I receive medical treatment for this condition.

 

A few years before this man came into my life I began gaining a lot of weight, such as 75 pounds. I was very self-conscious and ashamed of my body.

 

I now feel regret that I forfeited my opportunity. The Lord told me that this man married someone else. At the time, I did not know that this man was the person God had ordained for me. But I made the mistake in not giving it a chance to see what would develop.

 

I’ve learned that God is a good God, and even if we forfeit a prophetic word from coming to pass, then God will give us more opportunities. The Lord spoke to me last year and told me that I will eventually be married to a wonderful man, and this union may be even better than the first guy. But I’ve had to wait much longer than anticipated. My mistake cost me waiting an extra 20 years.

 

I didn’t want young women who are believing for marriage to read about my experiences about when I was in my early 20’s and seeking for marriage, and now 54 and still waiting, and wonder why God would take so long to bring it to pass. If you are seeking marriage, your love story could unfold rather quickly. In my case, I had a lot of deep wounds, and had deep fears that a husband would abuse me like my father did. I had to get healed of that. Plus, as I mentioned the depression and anxiety has been a major factor.

 

God is faithful, and He will bring to pass every word He has promised. He is the God of second chances. Jesus assured me last year that I will be married.

 

 

5.            Dream About Seeing the Father – July 10, 2016

 

In a vision of the night (which is similar to a dream, except almost totally literal), I saw the Father in Person. The setting was a banqueting room at a hotel or palace in Heaven. The Father was in the form of a man with sandy brown long hair similar to Jesus. His mustache and beard were well trimmed.

 

The Father and Son were getting ready to conduct a business meeting for a small number of guests (maybe 100-200 guests at the most), and a dinner would be prepared for the event. The setting was a casual event. Both the Father and Son were dressed in casual simple white robes and brown leather sandals.

 

I arrived there in the afternoon while workers were getting the ballroom ready for a small casual business meeting that would take place hours later and a dinner would be served. The podium and sound system were being set up, and workers were starting to prepare food in the kitchen and some workers were putting linens on the tables, plus the plates, forks, spoons, knives and goblets.

 

I saw the Father for the first time, and He looked similar to Jesus but a little different. He is a larger build than Jesus, more like a football player. Jesus is around 6 feet tall and very slim, and has long sandy brown hair.

 

The Father was in the form of a man like Jesus can be. The Father was not a Being of light, or electricity, or exuded the sound of many waters, or the appearance of thunder and lightning issuing out of Him (although He can manifest as that too).

 

He was just a normal looking man the size of a football player with sandy brown hair that drapes a few inches past His shoulders. He had a fair complexion.

 

The Father and Son were near each other, around 8 to 10 feet away from each other. Jesus was standing up with a thick pile of business paper work on the table that He was sorting through. Jesus never did talk to me, as He was busy getting the paper work all filed and sorted neatly and in the order He wanted to discuss it at the meeting.

 

Meanwhile, the Father was quietly seated on one of the banqueting chairs near the back of the room in front of some windows with white curtains. As I said, the Father was seated about 8 to 10 feet away from His Son Jesus. And both of them have long sandy brown colored hair, a fair Mediterranean complexion, and both wore casual brown sandals and simple white robes.

 

The banqueting chairs were more fancy than banquet chairs we have here on earth. For instance, the chairs had wood armrests, and the wood had fancy carvings in them. The fabric was a royal red color, and the chairs were built wider to give people more space between them and other people.

 

The Father, I noticed, is a very quiet and gentle spirit. He never said a word, but had His hands folded on His lap. 

 

Then I smiled at Him with a little smile. Then He responded by smiling back at me with a huge smile from ear to ear, with His face so radiant and full of joy, and His face all lit up. Liquid love emanated out of His eyes for me. For the first time in my life, I felt 100% love and acceptance from the Father. He has such a sweet disposition.

 

I learned that He is actually more meek, gracious, patient, gentle and loving than even Jesus is. Jesus has a shorter fuse, and at times gets angry or enraged.

 

The Father is more of the image of a doting grandfather who takes such great delight in their grandchildren, and everything their grandchildren does is so cute. If the kids get out of line, He just gives a gentle correction, then goes back to playing with them. He is not harsh or cruel. He is very kind.

 

The Father is all male, but He also possesses motherly characteristics of being very nurturing and gentle. He is like both a nurturing mother and a gentle father all in one.

 

This was not only a revelatory dream to show me the heart of the Father, but also a healing dream as well.

 

Both the Father and Son have spoken to me internal aubible, and both have very pleasant sounding voices. Their voice tones are neither too deep pitched or high pitched, but just right in the middle like a tenor voice.

 

Both the Father and Son are the meekest men ever in the Universe! They are the most humble in heart and gracious! They are secure in who they are and have no need to dominate others or push people around. They hold all authority, yet they are the most humble.

 

This vision of the night gave me a new revelation of the Father as my Abba, Daddy Father. My relationship with Him has really blossomed out since this anointed dream.

 

I have had other dreams of seeing Jesus face to face, but these mentioned are the main ones.

 

In the late 1990’s, I had an anointed dream where I saw a loaf of bread placed on a platter. Then a man’s voice from the bread began speaking, and said: “Feed Me to people until they are full and want no more.” The bread is referring to feeding people with the Word of God until they are full and want no more.

 

I graduated from Bible College in 2003. For the first year I did nothing in terms of ministry or using my Theological degree. It seemed as if no ministry doors were opened. Then I had a dream where I was taken to where Jesus was (whether it was earth or heaven I do not know).

 

The setting was a large white Victorian home on a large property with acres of rich green grass. Jesus and I were standing near the porch. Jesus proceeded to tell me to fulfill my commission, and then He said that the Father has given Him a mission to do as well. During our conversation, one of the workers interrupted us to ask Jesus a question. After Jesus gave him a brief answer, we went back to our conversation.

 

In the dream, Jesus was not angry with me for not doing any ministry work for a year since graduating. He was just telling me to get started.

 

So I started out with a blog on InJesus.com, and would post teachings. I’ve had a couple of other blogs since that time. My main blog, called “Rivers of Living Waters”, has over 400 messages and has reached 159 nations so far that I am aware of. To view my teaching blog, please go to: www.kathleendeniseriley.blogspot.com .

 

 

Chapter 8

I Desperately Need the Holy Spirit!

 

Healing and deliverance take place when the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is present. Those in healing ministry (or any ministry) can attest to the fact that they can do nothing apart from the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Ghost is what backs the healings and miracles.

 

Kathryn Kuhlman (powerfully anointed healing evangelist in the 1970's) used to speak very affectionately about her best friend, the One she could never live without, the One that kept her going. This Beautiful Person is the Holy Spirit. He longs to share sweet, intimate communion with us.

 

I have also come to the place in my life of being able to begin to understand Kathryn Kuhlman's affection for the Holy Spirit. I recently told the Lord that I can possibly survive without any other thing in this materialistic world, but I cannot survive without His Presence. I have prayed: “Do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me” (Psalms 51:11). I need Him, I want Him, I am desperate for Him, I cannot live without Him. He means more to me than life itself. He is the very breath I breathe. He is refreshing water to my thirsty soul, and bread that feeds me. He is my life, my everything, my all in all.

 

I cannot survive without the Holy Spirit in my life, nor would I want to be without Him for one second. I love Him more than any other human being. I want to endeavor to please Him in every way and be obedient to Him. I spent enough years grieving Him by my attitudes and in some areas of life, disobedience (for which now I am very repentant), and do not want to do or say anything that would cause Him any sorrow. The Holy Spirit is so tender, so gentle, and can be easily grieved.

 

I cannot begin to express how much I LOVE to be in His Presence worshiping Him. I love to spend time with Him, just waiting on Him. I love to worship Him especially with music and song. His Presence is the most delightful thing in this world. The Psalmist said, “In His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11).

 

Going behind the Veil into the Holy of Holies is the best place to be. Just feeling His Presence around me is the most satisfying thing in this world. I continue to contend for His glory (Shekinah Presence) to be poured out (in my personal life, as well as revival in the Body of Christ). I do feel His glory to a degree, but it's not to the level of swimming in it yet. However, that is the goal and longing—to swim and flow in His mighty river of anointing.

 

The Holy Spirit is the One who transforms our wilderness into a pool of refreshing springs (Isaiah 41:18). He turns our waste places (ruins of our life) into a beautiful, thriving Eden and gives us a melody to sing (Isaiah 51:3). He is that stream in the desert that causes us to blossom out like the rose (Isaiah 35). He is the rivers of living water (John 7:38) flowing out of our inward being. He is that well of water springing up within us (John 4:14). He is the One who leads us out of our wilderness leaning on our Beloved, who is Jesus (Song of Solomon 8:5).

 

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God, the Third Person of the Trinity. He is a Divine Person whom you can have fellowship with.

 

To clarify, the word “Person” is a theological term used in reference to the Holy Spirit because He has a mind, will and emotions. He has a personality. He sees, hears, speaks, feels joy and can be grieved. He performs actions. He is NOT a mere power or influence. He talks to you and you can commune with Him. He is the Presence of the Father and the Son (Matthew 10:20, John 15:26, Galations 4:6, Romans 8:9-10, 1 Peter 1:11, Philippians 1:19).

 

How do we get to know this Precious, Beautiful Person called the Holy Spirit? (Because to know Him is to love Him.)

 

In this book on the Holy Spirit, I will discuss ways of getting to know the Holy Spirit:

 

1.  Through His Names, as His Names reveal His identity, personality and character.

2.  Through knowing general facts about the Holy Ghost found in the Word of God.

3.  Through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

4.  Through worship.

5.  Reverencing the Holy Spirit.

 

Philippians 2:1 mentions the fellowship of the Spirit. He is very Dear, very Sweet. He is our Friend. He is the One who knows and understands us better than any other person. I cherish His Presence more than any other thing in this world.

 

In Exodus 33:14-17, Moses said that he would not proceed unless God's Presence went with him. I feel the same way. I only want to be and go wherever the Holy Spirit leads. The Spirit is that pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. When He is standing still, we are to stay put. When He begins to move, we are to move with the Cloud.

 

Chapter 9

Be Ye Separate, Says the Lord

 

To have the Holy Spirit’s abiding anointing on your life, it requires that you live holy. The Lord says in 1 Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.”

 

The word “holy” comes from the Greek word hagios (Strong’s 40). Hagios is defined as: sacred, pure, morally blameless, consecrated.

 

Some synonyms for consecrated include: holy, sacred, sanctified, hallowed, blessed, set apart, distinguish, differentiate.

 

Numbers 8:14 says, “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.” The Levites were considered to be the priesthood and clergy, and they were commanded to be separate unto the Lord. That means that they could not do everything that others were free to do. They were commanded to live up to stricter moral laws.

 

Also, they were not given an inheritance of land (as the other tribes were), for the Lord was their portion.

 

Second Corinthians 6:14-18 tells us:

 

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

 

“I will dwell in them

And walk among them.

I will be their God,

And they shall be My people.”

 

Therefore:

 

“Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.”

“I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty.”

 

Although this passage is talking about being unequally yoked in marriage to unbelievers, it also refers to being unequally yoked to this world in general.

 

This means that if a Believer desires to have the Presence of God abiding on their life, then they cannot participate in all the ways of this world.

 

For example, you have to be very careful and selective about what movies at theaters you see, because most movies do NOT glorify God.

 

Even in many so-called family movies, it will be defiled by witchcraft. They try to present it as harmless, but we all know that most snakes and scorpions are NOT harmless. They are symbolic of demons.

 

You have to be very careful what you watch on television, as most of it depicts sinful living. Even Westerns are not innocent. It depicts shootings, killings, murder, running from the law, theft, alcohol intoxication, taverns and destruction of property in bar fights, rebellion to the authorities, prostitution, lying, cheating, stealing, violence. The only hope for Westerns is that in the end the good guys win out.

 

Even when it comes to the news media, it’s all filled with doom and gloom, fear-filled reports, rumors and negativity. After 15 minutes of hearing the news, it does not edify you to listen to all the killings and shootings, the scandals and crimes committed, and the economic outlook for the future. God said He would be our Provider. He said that for those who tithe and give offerings, and who fear the Lord, that they would be sustained during famine (Psalms 37:19).

 

To live set apart, for me personally, means that I have never drank any alcoholic beverage in my entire life, nor plan on doing so in the future. On my father’s side of the family, several of his family members were alcoholics and died young. I have never had a desire for alcohol, not even beer or a glass of wine. I do not use wine in cooking, or for partaking of Holy Communion. I have no issues with those who partake of wine during the Eucharist.

 

To live separated unto God also means to live sexually pure. That means no sexual activity outside of marriage, and marriage the way God originally created it is between a man and a woman. It’s a blessing when you hear about couples who are virgins getting married, and how they saved their virginity for their husband or wife. Of course, tragedies happen in life and some people are molested or raped, and have to work through all the painful emotions and memories. But they can still live in purity.

 

Now days you hear of couples living together outside of marriage. This ought not to be. God has called us to live pure.

 

Porn opens the door to all kinds of demonic spirits and filth, and keeps people bound in chains to where they cannot get free unless they get outside help. Porn is a form of adultery and homosexuality. Jesus said that if a man looks upon a woman to lust after her, that he has committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). The same principle applies to women as well who view porn.

 

Another way we can live separated unto God is by the kind of music we listen to. Do you listen to worldly music? The lyrics to worldly music will defile you. It’s all about worldly love without commitment, worldly wisdom (James 3:15), sexual immorality, being cheated on, being abandoned, cussing and cursing. Of course, this does not apply to all types of music, such as Classical. The music we as born again believers should be listening to should be music that glorifies God. Some examples include praise and worship, Gospel, Choirs, uplifting music, Davidic worship.

 

To live separate is to avoid going to dance halls, as worldly dancing can be very lewd and sensual. The Jews in the Bible only danced to Yahweh, and the men and women danced separate. Some types of dancing is pure, such as ballet.

 

For me personally, the avoidance of tattoos and body piercings is one way that I live separated unto the Lord. Of course, there is mixed feelings about tattoos and body piercings in the Body of Christ, and I have no judgment against anyone who practices it. However, for me it would not be right. I do have pierced ears (just one piercing in each ear), and that is it.

Another way to live separated unto the Lord is by dressing conservatively. This means by covering up flesh and cleavage, and covering your legs from the knees up. Especially among pastors and leaders, there should be holiness in how we dress. It’s okay to dress in pants and jeans, but just not skin tight clothing.

 

Gambling is something Christians should avoid. Casinos are not places that the Holy Spirit dwells in. Also, God does not bless money that is gained through gambling and chance.

 

To live separate means to be very careful in choosing the right friends and relationships. People can make or break you, and you have to be cautious who you come into relationship with. We will become in life like the friends and relationships we spend the most time with. This also applies to spending time with people by reading their books and listening to their audios. Eventually, we start to become more and more like them and talk like them.

 

There are some issues, or television shows, that are not considered sinful, but are secular. For instance, years ago when Benny Hinn was just starting out in ministry, the Anointing would rest upon him for hours after a service. One evening after a service, while the Holy Spirit’s anointing was resting on Benny Hinn, some of his co-workers wanted him to watch a television program called “Let’s Make a Deal”. As soon as he began to watch the show, the Holy Spirit lifted His anointing off of Benny Hinn. In this case, it was not a sin issue or moral issue, but the fact that the show was secular, of this world.

 

As you begin to get to know the precious Holy Spirit, and understand more about His Anointing, you will discover that He will call you more and more away from this world to spend time in His Presence. Things that you used to do, now you do not do it any longer.

 

Recently, I went to a Honda Dealership with my mother, to their automotive garage for a minor repair. I was alone in the van and was complaining outloud to the Lord that I had to be wasting time at the automotive garage when I could be doing other things. Immediately, I felt His strong Presence and He was a little bit angry with me for complaining. So I repented. The fact is that my parents have a van, and it’s in great working condition, and the repair was minor. The Holy Spirit, that day, showed me that He does not care for complaining. It really sets Him off.

 

The Holy Spirit has been revealing Himself to me more and more recently, and doing a work of purification in my heart. He’s producing the fruit of the Spirit in my life, helping me to become more like Jesus.

 

Holiness involves all these outward things that I have mentioned in living a separated life. But God also wants us to develop holiness in our hearts. This means, that the love of God would be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) so that we would truly love God and others in the way He wants us to.

 

I grew up in a more legalistic church environment where it was common for many of the church members to adopt a separated life like I personally live. We were good at keeping the rules, but it was more difficult to walk in love towards some people. The Holy Spirit has really been doing a deep work in my heart when it comes to loving others, and especially when it comes to forgiving those who have hurt me and caused me pain. I’m still learning to forgive others.

 

Chapter 10

Davidic Worship and Intercession

 

Davidic worship is defined as worship that is Holy Spirit inspired worship. It is within the same style of King David’s music and worship. He wrote psalms and then set it to music. When he was king, he appointed worship teams of singers and musicians to worship around the Ark of the Covenant 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Almost every musical instrument in that day was played, including the drums, cymbals, horns, trumpets, stringed instruments, organs, and so forth. When the worshipers would sing and play their musical instruments, the place would be filled with the Shekinah Glory Cloud. The Shekinah Cloud is God’s Presence in a tangible manifestation.

 

Whenever the Israelites went out to war, they carried the Ark of the Covenant with them to signify that God’s Presence was with them and they had the victory.

 

Revelation 3:7 says, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens’”.

 

The Key of David refers to access and governmental anointing. It refers to a kingly anointing. Doors are open for you that no man can shut. Sometimes Jesus shuts doors that no man can open for your deliverance or protection. The Key of David is also praise and Davidic worship. David wrote most of the psalms.

 

God did not promise to restore the Tabernacle of Moses, but He promised to restore the Tabernacle of David. Acts 15:16 says, “After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up” (xref Amos 9:11 and Isaiah 16:5).

 

There are two Tabernacles in the Bible that are contrary to each other: Moses’ Tabernacle and David’s Tabernacle. Moses’ Tabernacle speaks of the law, judgment and the First Covenant, whereas David’s Tabernacle speaks of the Cross, grace, mercy and the Second Covenant which is a far better covenant than the first one.

Comparisons of David’s Tabernacle and

Moses’ Tabernacle

 

Tabernacle of David	Tabernacle of Moses
·                 Based on God’s grace and mercy.	·                  Based on appeasing the wrath and judgment of a holy God.
·                 The Presence of God (a visitation of the Shekinah Glory through worship).	·                  The Power of God (lightning, thunder, fire).
·                 Foreshadowing of the finished work of Christ on the Cross and being redeemed from the curse of sin.	·                  Foreshadowing of eternal wrath (Hell and the Lake of Fire) to those who reject Jesus Christ, and the consequences of continually resisting the Spirit of God from doing His work of holiness in our hearts which leads to repentance from sin (for Revelation 21:8 and 22:15 lists those who cannot enter into Heaven).
·                 Located on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. Zion symbolizes the place of God’s presence, favor, mercy, grace, glory, peace, prosperity, freedom, joy, enjoying green pastures and milk and honey (blessings), a personal relationship with the Lord, and knowing God’s ways.	·                  Located at the base of Mt. Sinai.  Sinai symbolizes God’s judgment and wrath of sin, living in fear and bondage, legalism and rituals, striving very hard to keep the law (and there were hundreds of laws), punishment or execution for breaking any law, living in a wilderness, God seemed to them to be afar off (versus a personal God), they knew God’s acts (miracles) but did not know God’s ways (His heart) — with the exception of Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Miriam, Aaron, Hur and a few others.
·                 Based on spiritual sacrifices (such as praise, obedience, holiness, lifting up holy hands). There were animal sacrifices performed, but it was done outside the tent where the Ark was housed. There was a greater emphasis on the condition of one’s heart than on offering sacrifices (“obedience is better than sacrifice” – 1 Samuel 15:22). David’s Tabernacle speaks of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, when He shed His Blood for the redemption of mankind.  And through His Blood, we can enter boldly into the Holy of Holies.	·                  Based on animal blood sacrifices. The blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies for propitiation of sin for the whole nation, as well as the blood sprinkled on everything in the tabernacle, and blood sprinkled on the priests.
·                 No Veil guarding the Ark.  The priests could enter the Holy of Holies every day, day and night, and worship the Lord and offer up prayers and intercession.	·                  A thick Veil guarded the entrance to the Ark, and only the High Priest was authorized to go beyond the Veil into the Holy of Holies once a year. If the High Priest was not properly anointed with the blood of an animal, or improperly dressed, or was irreverent in any kind of way, he could be immediately slain by God upon entering beyond the Veil.
·                 Based on praise and worship that went on 24 hours a day, such as music and the many forms of praise and worship (speaking, standing in God’s Presence, singing, dancing, lifting up holy hands, clapping, shouting, use of musical instruments, flags and banners, bowing and kneeling, and times of silence), soaking in God’s Presence and waiting on the Lord.	·                  No singing, musical instruments or worship went on inside of the Holy Place, although the Altar of Incense is representative of worship ascending to God as a sweet-smelling perfume.
·                 The emphasis was more on having a relationship with God, more than with practicing rituals and sacraments (although there was a place for sacraments as well).	·                  Based on the many rituals and sacraments.

 

 

On January 28, 2011 I attended an all-night Harp & Bowl meeting at my former church, New Destiny Church in Pittsburg, California. A Harp & Bowl meeting is like an intercessory prayer meeting, combined with worship music and singing, and the prophetic flow throughout the entire meeting.

 

The symbols of the harp and bowl is taken from Revelation 5:8-10. The harp represents our worship. The golden bowls full of incense represents our prayers ascending to God’s Throne as a fragrant aroma. I wanted to share the highlights from notes I jotted down in my journal.

 

Revelation 5:8-10 (AMP)

8 And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each was holding a harp (lute or guitar), and they had golden bowls full of incense (fragrant spices and gums for burning), which are the prayers of God's people (the saints).

9 And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!

 

 

Two Scriptures Shared at the Beginning of the Meeting

 

Isaiah 22:22 AMP

 

Key of David

“And the key of the house of David I will lay upon his shoulder; he shall open and no one shall shut, he shall shut and no one shall open.”

 

The Key of David refers to authority in the Spirit. A key is access to lock and unlock doors. The Key of David also speaks of the 3-fold role of prophet, priest and king, especially in the ministry of intercession. The Key of David involves worship (especially prophetic worship). Worship and praise is the password for entering into God’s Throne Room.

 

 

Isaiah 2:2 KJV

 

Nations shall flow through us

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”

 

We are entering into:

1. Health

2. Happiness

3. Holiness

 

Divine merger.

 

Fresh anointing. Fresh oil.

 

He (Jesus) is Baal-Perazim = Lord of the Breakthrough.

 

There were several prophetic words given by the leaders, but I’m going to share two of those words.

 

His glory is filling the Temple. (The Divine Presence did fill the sanctuary and it felt like we were dwelling under the Glory Cloud for hours in worship and intercession.)

 

Come and rest. I know you are weary, but rest in Me. Cast all your concerns on Me. I am your God and I care for you. In My Presence is fullness of joy and at My right hand are pleasures forevermore.

 

Joy is being restored.

 

Come and be one with Me, that I may impregnate you and fill you with My purposes.

 

 

Another Prophetic Word by one of the leaders:

 

God spoke prophetically through one of the leaders that Bishop Christopher C. Smith is anointed to birth kings in the Spirit (the Bible says we are kings and priests, a royal priesthood). These kings will take on the seven mountains (7 worldly systems):

 

1. Family

2. Government

3. Business

4. Education

5. Religion

6. Media

7. Arts and Entertainment

 

There is the spirit of momentum and escalation. You will get more done in less time. There is a remnant who will arise and build by faith.

 

These kings will release God’s children from a poverty and beggar’s mentality. God’s people will be infused with the spirit of dominion, at which the oceans would obey at our mouth. (The oceans refer to the sea of humanity.) Kings and Priests are being raised up.

 

 

Prophetic Song after the last prophetic word given:

 

Come kings, be crowned tonight

Come kings, come kings

 

Come kings, be crowned tonight

Come kings, come kings

 

Davidic Intercession

 

Intercession is Davidic Authority (Kingdom authority) or also known as the “Key of David” (Revelation 3:7).

 

The Key of David refers to intercession, kingly dominion, praise and worship.

 

Davidic authority involves the roles of prophet, priest and king.

 

An intercessor flows in the authority of prophet, priest and king.

 

King David, and his way of operating in his kingdom rule, was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the kingdom authority of New Testament believers.

 

In the Old Testament, priests, prophets and kings were appointed (or at least a prophet was recognized and called a prophet after having been tested and proven).

 

A priest could not be a king, and a king could not be a priest. The priests were of the tribe of Levi and the kings came from the tribe of Judah. Prophets came from all 12 tribes, but usually did not operate in the role of priests or kings, although they were close associates with kings and priests. The roles of prophets, kings and priests were kept separate.

 

King David was an exception. He didn’t fit the typical protocol of his day. He was a king, priest and prophet simultaneously — just like Jesus Christ who is the King (King of kings), Priest (Great High Priest) and Prophet.

 

Melchizedek (mentioned in Genesis 14, Psalms 110, and Hebrews 5-7) was also a type and shadow of Jesus Christ (and maybe Christ pre-incarnate), as he was a king, high priest and prophet all in one.

 

Jesus' priesthood does not originate from the earthly priesthood (the line of Aaron), but He is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (an eternal and heavenly priesthood).

 

New Testament believers are called to walk in this same priestly/kingly/prophetic anointing (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6, 5:10).

 

The Greek mindset (which governs the Western world) categorizes things into different areas of our lives — which causes us to be fragmented. That means, that in one area we are a certain person, and in a different area we are someone else, or that one area of our life is not connected to or does not affect a different area of our life.

 

Or, the other way of looking at it is that some people are priests, some are prophets and some operate in governmental authority. While that is true, the roles of king, priest and prophet overlap and intertwine. It’s hard to distinguish where one role ends and the other role starts. God has called all believers to walk in governmental kingdom authority (which means that we take on the role as king, prophet and priest simultaneously, as these roles overlap and are connected and related to each other).

 

The Jewish mindset is that we are complete whole persons, and that all “areas” or “roles” of our lives are connected and intertwined, and related to each other. It all springs from our heart or deepest inner being. The Bible is based on the Jewish mindset, not that of the Greek or Western world.

 

An intercessor has a prophetic anointing, priestly anointing, and kingly anointing. These roles overlap and are intertwined.

 

An intercessor does spiritual warfare, which is the kingly anointing. An intercessor operates in governmental authority (especially intercessors who impact nations and political or moral issues). That is a kingly anointing.

 

An intercessor receives a prophetic word from the Lord or receives a vision from God and prophesies it into existence. They declare and decree. They call things that are not as though they were. That is the prophetic anointing.

 

Intercession often involves fasting. The most common fast among the Hebrews was a one-day fast. Other fasts mentioned in the Bible are a 3-day fast, 21-day fast, and three references to a 40-day fast.

 

 

 

 

Roles of Priest, Prophet and King in Intercession

 

Priestly Intercession — Lamb

To identify with the feelings and infirmities of the person to whom you are standing in the gap for. To have compassion. To be the middle person pleading and petitioning God’s Throne on behalf of someone else. To weep tears of intercession for someone.

 

The priest also is the worshipper. Worship is a form of intercession and spiritual warfare. The priest offers spiritual sacrifices: praise, thanks, joy, lifting up holy hands, purity.

 

The priest is self-sacrificial, meaning he/she pours his/her life out to help others and has died to self and is resurrected in Christ.

 

The priest is also self-sacrificial in the sense of taking on the role as the lamb. Sin and guilt was conferred over to an innocent lamb. The priest accepts the burden of guilt and repents before God for sins that he/she may have never personally committed. An example of this are intercessors who repent before God for the sins of this nation as if they are personally guilty, even if they never had committed those sins themselves.

 

The priest is mature and seasoned, able to instruct the babes in Christ. The priest is a role model to others. The priest brings comfort to others. The priest lives his/her life separate from the world. He/she goes all the way with God and does not have one foot in the world and one foot in the Church. The sacred (Spirit-led life) and the secular (carnality) don’t mix.

 

 

Prophetic Intercession — Eagle

Forthtelling and foretelling; preacher; declares and decrees the Word of the Lord. The prophet hears what the Spirit is saying to the Church today and reveals the mind of the Lord to the Body of Christ.

 

The prophet is alert to the seasons, and announces to people the upcoming season. The prophet helps to prepare and launch people into their next season. The prophet helps to bring people into the new things of God. The prophet helps to inspire people to take action where action is needed.

 

The prophet installs people into ministry offices and conducts presbyteries. Presbyteries are ceremonies or services set aside for the laying on of hands by prophetic and seasoned men and women of God. Certain ones may be ordained into ministry.

 

In presbyteries, prophetic words are spoken over various people. Those prophetic words may include personal words, but usually are focused on ministry callings, purpose and destiny. Those prophetic words help launch or propel people into the destiny God has prepared for them, as an anointing and gifts are imparted through the laying on of hands.

 

1 Timothy 4:14 says, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Other churches may have a different name for this type of prophesying.

 

A prophet also receives personal words for people. Depending on what the word is, an intercessor may share it with the person or may keep it to themselves and pray about it. Intercessors must be found to be trustworthy people who can keep some things confidential when it pertains to personal matters.

 

The prophet calls those things that are not as though they were. They operate in the word of knowledge and word of wisdom. They exhort, edify, comfort, and forewarn.

 

Prophets are seers in the Spirit. God shows them things (in their spirit, mental images, visions, dreams, words of knowledge, and also rhema words through quickened Scriptures). God speaks to them through a variety of other ways. The prophetic person often has supernatural encounters, such as visions, angelic visitations, understand symbolism, etc.

 

In intercession, God reveals His will and destiny, and intercessors prophesy it into existence. God may reveal the plots and schemes of the devil, and intercessors are able to block it and foil it through prophetic intercession.

 

The intercessor has learned to be the prophet over their own life. While they receive true prophets of God, they have learned not to depend on other people to hear God for them. They have learned to hear God for themselves and get their own prophetic word, and then begin to decree, confess and prophesy it into existence.

 

Kingly Intercession — Lion

Taking your rightful place of authority that Jesus conferred to New Testament believers. Royalty. Ruling and reigning. Decreeing and declaring the will of God and the Word of God in a certain situation.

 

Mighty warriors in the Spirit. Using their authority to tread over serpents and scorpions and all the power of the enemy, until their enemies become their footstool.

 

They take authority over the devil and command him to get his hands off their children, their health, their money, their ministry, their family, etc. Then they declare what God promised in His Word, and they also declare what they would like to see happen.

 

Kingly intercessors have the power to immobilize demonic forces and put them in fetters and shut their mouths. They have the authority to execute vengeance on the devil and works of darkness, as there is vengeance in the Blood of Jesus on all wicked spirits and the Name of Jesus causes demons to tremble and flee.

 

Kingly intercessors possess the keys (a symbol of authority) that unlock or lock doors.

 

Kingly intercessors operate in governmental authority. They impact and bring change to nations, countries, cities, to government, etc. They bring the Kingdom of God into the earth realm.

 

Kingly intercessors are spiritual bulldog lawyers. They stand in the high court of heaven pleading their case, and commanding the lower court of this earth to come into conformity with the decree of Heaven. (A lower court must always obey the decree of the higher court.) They are like that poor widow woman who kept on returning to the unjust judge to avenge her of her adversaries. These kind of intercessors will not stop pounding the court room door of Heaven until they receive their breakthrough. They are persistent until they receive each and every promise that God promised them and their loved ones.

 

They demand their rights and privileges which were given to us by Christ and will not put up with the devil stealing from them. They especially have no tolerance or mercy for the Jezebel and Athaliah spirits, as these spirits hate prophets and seek to take them out. Kingly intercessors pronounce judgment on the evil works of the enemy.

 

The kingly intercessor knows who they are in Christ and their confidence, security and validation is found in Him. They operate in the revelation that they are seated in the Heavenly realms with Christ Jesus, and they think and act like a king. A king doesn’t think in terms of being a pauper, but of abundant supply. A king doesn’t think defeat, but victory.

 

The kingly intercessor plants and plucks up. They plow the soil and they also plunder. They bind and loose.

 

Kingly intercessors don’t do this kind of intercession in their own strength, as they know it would be foolishness. They act in wisdom, and only do and say what God commands them to do. They have the revelation, and personal experience, of God’s angelic forces working on their side.

 

Angels are sent to minister for us, and they hearken to the word of the Lord. Angels are able to go places we can’t go, to do things we can’t do, and they know more about the situation than we do. The angels do spiritual warfare. The angels intervene on our behalf. These intercessors have had angelic encounters, and have gone through experiences where they knew that God dispatched angels to help them.

 

 

English Definitions of Intercessor or Intercession:

 

1.  Entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another.

 

2.  To stand between. To intervene.

 

3.  Mediation in a dispute. A legal term, i.e., lawyer, advocate, mediator.

 

4.  To plead the case of another.

 

 

 

 

Greek (New Testament) definitions of Intercessor or Intercession:

 

There are two primary Greek words which are translated in the New Testament as “intercession”.

 

1.  entungchanoo

Scriptures containing this Greek word:

Romans 8:27, 34

Romans 11:2

Hebrews 7:25

 

2.  huper-entungchanoo

Scripture containing this Greek word:

Romans 8:26

 

 

Definition of entungchanoo:

 

Strong’s #: NT:1793 entungchanoo (from #1722 and #5177)

 

Definition of #1793 entungchanoo:

 

1.  To light upon a person or a thing, to fall in with, to hit upon, a person or a thing.

2.  To go to or meet a person, especially for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication.

 

The “from #1722 and #5177” is referring to the roots or history of the word. In this case, the word entungchanoo has its roots in two Greek words and meanings that were joined together to form one word reflecting both of the root word meanings.

 

1.  NT:1722 en; a primary preposition denoting a fixed position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between).

 

2.  NT:5177 tugchano; to make ready or bring to pass; the idea of effecting; to affect; or (specifically) to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached); to attain or secure an object or end; to happen (as if meeting with).

 

3.   

Therefore, if you took the main definition of the Greek word entungchanoo, plus the definitions of the roots of this word, then intercession would be defined as:

• Supplication on behalf of another
• A mediator, a go-between
• To make an impact on someone or something
• To hit (punch) hard as if to knock out like in a boxing match ring (not socking people, but the evil spirits behind their deeds)
• The intercessor is aggressive in attaining or securing something
• The decrees and actions of the intercessor makes things happen, makes things become ready, causes things to come to pass
• The intercessor stands in a fixed (unbending, unwavering) position. An intercessor must have rods of steel to stand up to the enemy forces that are behind evil works.
• The intercessor acts as a lawyer pleading the case of another or for nations in the high court of Heaven.
• The intercessor takes their place of authority that Jesus granted to all believers. Jesus said that He has given us power and authority to tread over serpents and scorpions and over all the works of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm us.

According to this definition, intercession is more than prayers and petitions. It is being militant in the Spirit.

 

The second Greek word that is translated as “intercession” is huper-entungchanoo. This word is found in Romans 8:26. It means: “to intercede on behalf of”.

 

This Greek word has the same definition as entungchanoo, except the word “huper” is added.

 

Huper is defined as: exceeding; above and beyond; over and abundant.

 

Romans 8:26 is talking about the Holy Spirit interceding for us. Perhaps the Greek word “huper” was added to the word entungchanoo to express the idea of the magnitude or enormity of how much the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Also, the Holy Spirit is the only One who prays the perfect will and mind of God, because He is God and knows all things and knows the Father’s thoughts and heart. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows the complete facts about other people and situations that we are interceding for.

 

Intercession in the Bible not only speaks of praying on behalf of someone else, but an intercessor is the same as an advocate. It is a legal term, speaking of a lawyer representing his/her client in a court room.

 

Intercessors are like spiritual lawyers. They petition the high court of Heaven on behalf of someone or something. They go to battle until the victory is won. They clearly present their case. They demand their rights and privileges. They have to be tough and fierce like the lion, showing no mercy to wickedness. They go after the enemy like a bulldog. They put a restraining order on the enemy. They demand restitution. They seek after justice and righteousness.

 

 

Intercession in the Old Testament

 

A few references to intercession in the Old Testament:

 

Isaiah 53:12 – Messianic prophecy speaking of Jesus as Intercessor

 

Isaiah 59:16 – Messianic prophecy speaking of Jesus as Intercessor

 

Ezekiel 22:30 – Standing in the gap for others, taking up the hedge

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 – Intercession, repentance, turning from wicked ways

 

Genesis 20:17 – Abraham prays for the healing for Abimelech’s household

 

Numbers 21:7 – Moses intercedes to God to remove the serpents from the camp

 

Nehemiah 1:4 – Nehemiah intercedes on behalf of the people

 

Jeremiah 27:8 – Intercession that vessels in the Temple not be taken to Babylon

 

 

 

Hebrew word for intercession: paga`

 

Definition of OT:6293 paga` — to encounter, to meet, to reach, to entreat, to make intercession

 

1.  to meet, to light upon, to join

2.  to meet (used of kindness)

3.  to encounter, to fall upon (used of hostility)

4.  to encounter, to entreat (used of a request)

5.  to strike, to touch (used of boundary)

6.  to cause to entreat

7.  to make entreaty, to interpose

8.  to make attack

9.  to reach the mark

 

 

Intercession of the Spirit

Easton’s Bible Dictionary

 

(Romans 8:26,27; John 14:26). “Christ is a royal Priest (Zechariah 6:13). From the same throne, as King, he dispenses his Spirit to all the objects of his care, while as Priest he intercedes for them. The Spirit acts for him, taking only of his things. They both act with one consent, Christ as principal, the Spirit as his agent. Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy Spirit works upon our minds and hearts, enlightening and quickening, and thus determining our desires ‘according to the will of God,’ as our advocate within us. The work of the one is complementary to that of the other, and together they form a complete whole.”

Dance in the Church Today

 

One way the people of God (Jews) have expressed their praise and worship to the Lord throughout the centuries is through dance. It was, and still is, an important part of Jewish culture and tradition. People expressed their emotions during happy, or even sad, events through dance. They naturally expressed their joy and love for the Lord with dancing.

 

The Biblical truth of Davidic worship was lost to the Body of Christ (on a grand scale, but there is always a remnant who hold fast to Biblical truths) throughout the centuries following the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, especially during the dark ages.

 

Davidic worship, which includes dancing before the Lord, is being restored today. One of the truths of Scripture that the Holy Spirit has been quickening to the Body of Christ in the last several years has to do with the restoration of the Tabernacle of David. This is referred to in Amos 9:11:

 

“In that day I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old.”

 

The Tabernacle of David was given by revelation (from God) to King David when he desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem after it had been captured by the Philistines many years before.

 

The Tabernacle of David is not referring to the structure — so much — in where the Ark was housed, but is talking more about the protocol, or modus operandi, that David instituted to be practiced by the priesthood.

 

The order of worship in the Tabernacle of David involved nine basic forms of worship:

 

1.  Speaking

2.  Singing

3.  Shouting

4.  Lifting up of holy hands

5.  Clapping

6.  Use of musical instruments

7.  Bowing and kneeling

8.  Standing

9.  Dancing

 

In the present-day Body of Christ, among many believers, a red flag goes up when it comes to dancing. Many Christians and many churches think of dancing as that carnal expression which is found in the world.

 

Lora Allison, in her book entitled Celebration – Banners, Dance and Holiness in Worship, comments:

 

“It is not hard to understand the criticism, the fear, the negativism — dance of all forms of worship or service, most clearly reveals in transparency the flaws and flesh of the vessel. Body language, if you will, often speaks much louder than music or voice. For this reason, then, we find a strong tide of controversy surrounding an issue that actually is as Scriptural as raising the voice in song.”

 

David danced in worship, and advocated in the Psalms that worshippers praise God in the dance. Today a pastor, a worship leader, and every believer must ask himself or herself the question: “What does the Bible teach on this subject?”

 

 

Old Testament Dancing

 

Occasions of Great Joy

Vocal and instrumental music, together with dancing, were employed on most occasions of great joy. Some examples include the crossing of Israel through the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20); David dancing when the Ark was returned to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 4:14-16). The dances of the virgins of Shiloh (Judges 21:19-23) were certainly a part of a religious festivity. Even welcoming returning armies (1 Samuel 18:6; 29:5), the dancing maidens acclaimed God’s victory in holy war. People danced in celebration at weddings and other special events. The ancient Hebrews must have danced on every possible occasion.

 

 

 

Men and Women Danced Separately

There is no Scriptural record that the Jewish men danced with the women, as is the modern custom of the West. The two sexes seldom or never intermingled in dance, except where pagan influences had crept in. The sensual dancing of the daughter of Herodias (Matthew 14:6) before men at a banquet was the kind introduced among the Jews by corrupt Greek influence.

 

For the most part, dancing was carried on by the women with one leading, as in the case of Miriam (Exodus 15:20-21). Occasionally, men danced as well, as in the case of King David before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14-16).

 

Dancing Accompanied by Tambourines and Singing

Dance is found combined with some song or refrain (Exodus 15:20; 32:18-19; 1 Samuel 21:11). As in the case of Miriam the prophetess, as well as on other occasions, a form of anti-phonal singing was used. Dance is also found combined with the playing of the tambourine (or timbrel), and other percussion instruments (Judges 11:34; Psalms 68:25; Exodus 15:20).

 

Old Testament Commands and Exhortations to Dance

Psalms 150:4 “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance.”

Psalms 149:3 “Let them praise His Name in the dance.”

Psalms 30:11 “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing.”

Ecclesiastes 3:4 “There is a time to dance.”

Jeremiah 31:4,13 “Thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy.”

 

 

Hebrew Words For Dance

 

1. Karar (Strong’s 3769):  To whirl; to move in a circle. 2 Samuel 6:14-16

 

2. Rakad (Strong’s 7540):  To stamp, to spring about (wildly or for joy); jump, leap, skip. 1 Chronicles 15:29; Ecclesiastes 3:4

 

3. Machowl (Strong’s 4234):  A round dance. Psalms 30:11, 149:3, 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4,13; Lamentations 5:15

 

4. Mechowlah (Strong’s 4246):  A dance company or chorus. Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6, 21:11, 29:5; Judges 21:21; Song of Solomon 6:13

 

5. Gul; Gil (Strong’s 1523, 1524, 7797, 8055):  To spin around, to rejoice, be glad, be joyful. To go in a circle. Psalms 9:14, 14:7, 32:11, 35:1-2, 45:15, 89:15-16, 97:1, 118:24; Song of Solomon 1:4; Zephaniah 3:17; Zechariah 9:9

 

6. Chagag (Strong’s 2287):  To march in a sacred procession; to move in a circle. Psalms 42:4

 

7. Dalag (Strong’s 1801):  To spring or leap. Isaiah 35:6

 

8. Pazaz (Strong’s 6339):  To leap, to bound, to be light, to be agile. 2 Samuel 6:16

 

 

New Testament Dancing

 

In the New Testament, there is no specific order of worship given for the Church, but Christ taught that He would fulfill in His Church all that was written in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Him (Luke 24:44).

 

God did not promise to restore the Tabernacle of Moses. His promise was to restore the Tabernacle of David. He tells us that we are not come unto Mt. Sinai (Tabernacle of Moses), but we are come unto Mt. Zion (Tabernacle of David — the Church), which is the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:18-23). It is in the Tabernacle of David that we can find the order of worship for the New Testament church.

 

David Watson, author of I Believe in the Church, says: “Dance was never written about as it was never a problem in the early church.” He believes that when the Apostle Paul spoke of singing psalms, that both the musical instruments and dance would naturally accompany the psalm-singing.

 

Certainly, New Testament believers were happy people. William Tyndale’s definition of gospel is the word Evangelio, which signifies good, merry, glad, and joyful tidings that makes a man’s heart glad, and makes him sing, dance, and leap for joy.

 

Dance was such a common part of everyday life in the New Testament that the children played games based on it (Matthew 11:16-17; Luke 7:32, 15:25).

 

The strongest argument presented for dance in the New Testament is based on the Greek word Agalliao, which is translated as “rejoice”, “joy” or “glad” in English Bibles. The lexicons make a strong argument for the word to be translated as “dance” or “leap for joy”.

 

 

Greek Words For Dance

 

1. Agalliao (Strong’s 20, 21):  Jump for joy, exult, exceedingly glad. To gush, to leap, to spring up.

 

Translated in the KJV:

“Rejoice” – John 5:35; Acts 16:34; 1 Peter 1:6,8; Revelation 19:7

“Joy” – 1 Peter 4:13; Jude :24

“Glad” – Matthew 5:12; Hebrews 1:9

 

 

2. Skirtao (Strong’s 4640):  To skip, jump, leap for joy.

 

Translated in the KJV:

“Leap” – Luke 6:23

 

 

3. Hallomai (Strong’s 242):  To jump, leap, spring up.

 

Translated in the KJV:

“Leap” – Acts 3:8, 14:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forms of Dance

 

Choreographed Dance

Performance dance includes a wide range of activities from major stage productions with pageantry and choreography to a young person simply “signing” the words of a song.

 

The Hebrew word used to describe choreographed dance is the word Mechowlah, meaning “a dance company or chorus”. Many people today are wary of the term “dance company” in conjunction with the Church. It sometimes brings to mind thoughts of the worldly system (sensuality and moral decay). Dancing “the world’s way” is a good example of how the enemy has taken something that is good and perverted it for his own purpose … and even to the point that many believers hesitate to touch it with a ten-foot pole.

 

The word “company” simply refers to a group, a collection, or a unit of people drawn together for a common purpose. In the Body of Christ, a dance company refers to a group of worshippers called to minister in dance before the Lord, just as a choir is a group of worshippers called to minister in vocal song.

 

Some Old Testament examples of a dance company include: Exodus 15:20; 1 Samuel 18:6, 21:11, 29:5; Judges 11:34, 21:21; 1 Kings 19:16; Song of Solomon 6:13.

 

The main purpose of choreographed dance in the Church is to preach or convey a visual message that can, at many times, be just as powerful as the spoken message. Ministry by God in dance is a means in which God communicates to His people through movement. It is a visual manifestation of what God is saying by His Spirit.

 

 

Congregational Participation Dance

Congregational worship to God in dance is “Let them praise His Name with dancing”, a general expression of corporate worship, just as we sing together. This type of dancing does not necessarily have a set form, as each individual will express himself or herself in a different way.

 

God is restoring joy to the Church, and dancing is a vital expression of that joy. Even when God turns around an individual’s personal captivity of depression and mourning, a natural response is to dance, skip or leap for joy before the Lord (Psalms 30:11).

 

Dick Iverson, in his book entitled Present Day Truths, comments:

 

“Dancing before the Lord is worship on a very high plain and should always be considered and treated as such. It is not merely an emotional release as some have said. Truly God does and always will come down to satisfy the emotional needs of His people, but the primary purpose in this aspect is obedience to the known will of God through our worship.

 

One of the ultimate expressions of worship in the believer’s life is the total abandonment of strength until God completely possesses us in spirit, soul and body. Whatever gods the heathen may worship, there is to be found somewhere in that worship the expression of dance. This indicates that there is born in the heart of every man a great desire to abandon himself in the worship of his god. How much more should we abandon ourselves with all that is in us unto THE LIVING GOD.”

 

 

Dancing in the Spirit

The phrase “dancing in the Spirit” is many times associated with revival meetings or instances when the Spirit’s anointing falls upon certain individuals and they begin to dance. Sometimes a person may dance alone, or several may dance together. Campmeetings of the past were characterized by enthusiasm, which many times broke out as people danced up and down the aisles.

 

It should be noted, however, that the phrase “dancing in the Spirit” cannot be found in the Word of God. The lifting of hands, clapping, singing and shouting are all conscious acts that are done on the basis of an understanding of the Word of God and a willingness to obey its dictates. Dancing before the Lord is no different. A person does not have to get a special quickening to sing or dance.

 

There are times, though, when the Spirit of God falls and most unusual things occur. For example, I can remember back to when my grandmother was living. Due to medical conditions which left her frail and weak, as well as living with an amputated big toe, she normally had to have assistance when walking and even when using a walker. However, there were numerous occasions when she would get so enraptured with the glory of God that she would begin dancing (whirling, springing, and stamping wildly for joy) up and down the aisles of the church (and with perfect balance). There was even a time when she danced from the church all the way to the car, and the parking lot was a gravel lot at that time. When the anointing for dance lifted, she would return to her normal state of having physical limitations.

 

Then at home she would be washing dishes and begin speaking in tongues. Then she would become enraptured, and begin dancing in the Spirit in the kitchen, and even going into a trance-like state.

 

This example is an extreme case. The majority of believers do have the physical capabilities to dance before the Lord, as a conscious act of obeying His Word. Dancing before the Lord is one way to show our love for Him. It should be considered an honor and a privilege to dance before the King of kings.

 

 

Guidelines for Dance

 

Listed below are some appropriate guidelines when it comes to dancing:

 

A.  In the church, dance should be initiated by the leadership, or at least given permission by the pastor and leadership.

B.  Dancing is not to please men or show off to them, but as a way of giving honor to God.

C. Bodily expression in worship should not be discounted, but it should not be done in a lewd or sensual manner.

D. Dance in worship should, for the most part, be geared to involve the whole congregation. Individual or group performance must enhance, not detract from, corporate worship satisfaction.

E.  Those who dance should be modestly attired. There are websites that sell liturgical dancewear.

F.  Dancing as a form of worship must glorify God and edify the Body of Christ.

G. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that “there is a time to dance and not to dance”. We need to be sensitive to the leading and direction of the Spirit for a particular service.

 

In studying what the Scriptures teach about dancing, we see that it is ordained by God and is pleasing to Him. It is an expression of our love and joy in the Lord. Just as children naturally dance when they are excited or happy, dancing before our Heavenly Father is only fitting. Dancing not only is an expression of joy, but also as a means of being filled up with joy.

 

Just like singing, clapping, lifting up holy hands, or shouting, dance is also a form of worship and the Word teaches us to praise the Lord in the dance. The command to worship in dance is difficult for many believers to fulfill … perhaps because of self-consciousness, or more commonly, because of one’s upbringing or religious background. Also, culture plays a significant part when it comes to dance. Some cultures dance all the time, in both happy and sad times.

 

Many Christians have been taught that dancing is a sin and have regarded it as such. Until a believer gets a revelation of the truths taught in the Word of God regarding dance, he or she will probably have a difficult time expressing worship in this form.

 

Some people feel hindered from dancing in their church because the leadership does not feel comfortable with it. However, you can always dance at home before the Lord.

 

Lucien Deiss, in her book entitled Dance For the Lord, says: “Song is the joy of the voice; dancing is the joy of the body. Together, singing and dancing, both created by God, must, like all His other creatures, praise the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:17 says that the Lord also rejoices (dances by spinning around) over us.

 

As a final analysis, dance in the church should be to glorify God and build up His body. Jeremiah 31:12-13 gives us three ingredients that will help to keep us in balance in this area:

 

First, God restores the truths of the Word (the wheat), for everything must be founded on the basis of the revealed Word of God. Second, God restores the joy of the Lord (wine). Third, the anointing (oil) comes. When the Word of God and the joy of the Lord meet up with the anointing, then shall the Church (virgin) rejoice in the dance. When the foundation has been properly laid in the Word of God, the expression in the dance can follow.

 

 

The Power of Praise

 

There is power in praise and worship.

 

Praise wins battles, sets the captives free, breaks down walls, and binds the enemy with chains and fetters.

 

While the Israelites were following the Cloud in the wilderness, when it was time to set up camp, they did so in a very organized fashion.

 

 

 

Judah, Issachar and Zebulun were on the East side. Dan, Asher and Naphtali were on the North side. Gad, Simeon and Reuben were on the South side. Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim were on the West side. The Tabernacle was in the middle of the camp, along with the three families of the priests (Merari, Kohath and Gershon).

 

When the Cloud moved, the camps marched forward with Judah as the leader and Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim in the back.

 

There is prophetic significance to this. Judah means “praise”. Judah shall go up first (Judges 20:18). “Praise” always goes first.

 

There are many battles we face during the course of our lifetime. Sometimes these battles can be overwhelming and the warfare is intense. Sometimes we are faced with more than one battle at the same time, and it becomes too enormous for us to handle on our own.

 

We can turn to the Lord for help in our time of need. He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in the time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). We don’t have to rely on our own strength or power. When we turn these battles over to the Lord, He promised He would be there to fight our battles for us.

 

“The battle is the Lord’s” was the prophetic message that Jahaziel prophesied over King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:14. The kingdom of Judah was faced with three powerful nations, who had joined alliances, coming against them to attack.

 

The odds were not stacked in the kingdom of Judah’s favor. The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites were too powerful for them to subdue. And other nations had more sophisticated weapons and were more skillful in warfare tactics. It looked like Judah would be defeated unless God supernaturally intervened.

 

King Jehoshaphat rallied the people together and they fasted and sought the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, a Levite (the tribe of priests and musicians/psalmists who ministered to the Lord daily in the temple).

 

Jahaziel said, “Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

 

Tomorrow go down to them. Behold, they will come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the ravine before the Wilderness of Jeruel.

 

You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

 

In Exodus 14:14 (in reference to a different battle), the Lord said to His people: “The Lord will fight for you and you won’t have to lift a finger!” (Living Bible)

 

The Message Bible words it this way:

“God will fight the battle for you. And you, you keep your mouth shut!”

 

Psalms 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth.”

 

God is saying that this battle is His, not yours. He will fight this battle and you won’t have to lift a finger. God is saying to get out of His way and let Him take over. He’s saying to watch what you say … to keep quiet … and don’t interfere with what He’s doing.

 

When King Jehoshaphat had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!”

 

That would sound like an odd battle plan to send out the singers and musicians to march in the forefront of the army! All they wore were priestly garments (no armor or natural weapons). The priests were not trained as soldiers to do combat.

 

And when the priests began to sing and to praise the Lord, the Lord set ambushments against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were self-slaughtered. For suspecting betrayal, the men of Ammon and Moab rose against those of Mount Seir, utterly destroying them. And when they had made an end of the men of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.

 

And when King Jehoshaphat’s army came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked at the multitude of their enemies, and to their astonishment, there were dead bodies everywhere that had fallen to the ground, and none had escaped! The Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites had all turned on each other, and every single one of them was slaughtered.

 

Not one priest, nor one man from Judah’s army, were harmed. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take the spoil, they found among them much cattle, goods, garments, and precious things which they took for themselves, more than they could carry away, so much that it took three days in gathering the spoil.

 

Praise and worship is one of God’s mighty weapons in His arsenal. Psalms 149:6-9 says:

 

6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand,

7 To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples;

8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

9 To execute on them the written judgment — this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!

 

The two-edged sword is talking about the Word of God.

 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

 

Praise and speaking God’s Word has the power to bind the enemy (devil) with chains and fetters of iron. The power of praise causes confusion among the enemy (demonic) camp so that the battle you are facing is won by God and you are victorious.

 

In the account of the city of Jericho, God gave Joshua the battle plan in Joshua 6:1-5:

 

1 “Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

2 And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.

3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

This sounds like another odd battle plan, but it worked just like God said. After they marched around the city and blew the trumpets and ram’s horn, and gave the shout, the walls came tumbling down.

 

They were told to march around the city with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was God’s Presence, His resting place. If God’s Presence goes with you, then you are assured of victory.

 

Then there is the account of Paul and Silas in prison. Around midnight they began to pray and sing praises to God, so that the other prisoners heard them. Suddenly an earthquake took place, and their fetters fell off and the prison door was opened. The prison guard got saved, he and his entire household (Acts 16:25-31).

 

Judah shall plow (Hosea 10:11). Praise plows the fallow ground of our heart. It makes it tender to receive the Word of God planted in it.

 

Hosea 10:12 says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.”

 

Hebrew words for praise, dance, and other words include:

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Yadah

Strong’s Concordance Number: 3034

Definition: To use (i.e. hold out) the hand; to revere or worship with extended hands.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Hilluwl

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1974

Definition: From halal, Strong’s 1984 (in the sense of rejoicing); a celebration of thanksgiving for harvest.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Halal

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1984

Definition: To make a show; to boast; to celebrate.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Tehillah

Strong’s Concordance Number: 8416

Definition: From Strong’s 1984 halal; laudation; specifically a hymn

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Barak

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1288

Definition: To kneel; to bless God as an act of adoration.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Zamar

Strong’s Concordance Number: 2167

Definition: Striking with the fingers; to touch the strings or part of a musical instrument; to play upon it, to make music, accompanied by the voice; to celebrate in song and music.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Towdah

Strong’s Concordance Number: 8426

Definition: From 3034; an extension of the hand; lifting up holy hands; adoration; a choir of worshippers.

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Shabach

Strong’s Concordance Number: 7623

Definition: To address in a loud tone; shout to the Lord; commend; glory; triumph

 

English Word: Praise

Hebrew Word: Shebach

Strong’s Concordance Number: 7624

Definition: Corresponds to Strong’s 7623; to adulate; adore

 

English Word: Clap

Hebrew Word: Kaph

Strong’s Concordance Number: 3709

Definition: The palm of the hand; the bowl of a dish; the leaves of a palm tree; figuratively, power. Psalms 47:1

 

English Word: Clap

Hebrew Word: Macha

Strong’s Concordance Number: 4222

Definition: To rub or strike the hands together in exultation – Psalms 98:8; Isaiah 55:12

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Words: chuwl or chiyl

Strong’s Concordance Number: 2342

Definition: A primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance.

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Word: Raqad

Strong’s Concordance Number: 7540

Definition: A primitive root; properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy):  KJV - dance, jump, leap, skip.

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Word: Machowl

Strong’s Concordance Number: 4234

Definition: From Strong’s 2342; a (round) dance.

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Word: Mechowlah

Strong’s Concordance Number: 4246

Definition: Feminine of Strong’s 4284; a dance company. Choreographed dance; to weave, to contrive, to plait.

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Word: Karar

Strong’s Concordance Number: 3769

Definition: A primitive root; to dance (i.e. whirl).

 

English Word: Dance

Hebrew Word: Chagag

Strong’s Concordance Number: 2287

Definition: To march in a sacred procession; to move in a circle; to celebrate.

 

 

Greek words:

 

English Word: Dance

Greek Word: Choros

Strong’s Concordance Number: 5525

Definition: A ring; a round dance; a band of dancers and singers; a choir.

 

English Word: Dance

Greek Word: Orcheomai

Strong’s Concordance Number: 3738

Definition: A row or ring; to dance (from the ranklike or regular motion); to put into rapid motion.

 

English Word: Sing

Greek Word: Aido

Strong’s Concordance Number: 103

Definition: To sing.

 

English Word: Sing

Greek Word: Psallo

Strong’s Concordance Number: 5567

Definition: To twitch or twang, i.e. to play on a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes).

 

English Word: Sing

Greek Word: Humneo

Strong’s Concordance Number: 5214

Definition: From NT:5215; to hymn, i.e. sing a religious ode; by implication, to celebrate (God) in song.

 

English Word: Psalm

Greek Word: Psalmos

Strong’s Concordance Number: 5568

Definition: From 5567; a set piece of music, i.e. a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a “psalm”); collectively, the book of the Psalms.

 

English Word: Praise

Greek Word: Ainesis

Strong’s Concordance Number: 133

Definition: From NT:134; a praising (the act), i.e. (specially) a thank (-offering).

 

English Word: Praise

Greek Word: Aineo

Strong’s Concordance Number: 134

Definition: From NT:136; to praise (God).

 

English Word: Praise

Greek Word: Ainos

Strong’s Concordance Number: 136

Definition: Apparently a prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of NT:1868; praise (of God).

 

English Word: Praise

Greek Word: Epainos

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1868

Definition: From NT:1909 and the base of NT:134; laudation; concretely, a commendable thing.

 

English Word: Praise

Greek Word: Epaineo

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1867

Definition: From NT:1909 and NT:134; to applaud.

 

English Words: Praise, Worship, Honor, Glory

Greek Word: Doxa

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1391

Definition: From the base of NT:1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective).

 

English Words: Magnify, Glory, Honor

Greek Word: Doxazo

Strong’s Concordance Number: 1392

Definition: From NT:1391; to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application).

 

Notice that according to these definitions, in the New Testament (as in the Old Testament), the singing of psalms and hymns was accompanied by musical instruments.

Power in Worship

 

There is power in worship. Worship breaks yokes and bondages, drives out demons, heals the sick and eradicates diseases, and ushers in the Glory of the Lord.

 

Worship is more intimate than praise. The Greek word for worship is proskuneo (NT:4352). It is defined as:

 

From NT:4314 and a probable derivative of NT:2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore).

 

Anyone who has had a dog understands the significance of a dog licking his master’s hand. A dog is very affectionate and loyal, and adores his master. Growing up we had a dog named Rusty. He was extremely loyal and affectionate with his family.

 

Worship ushers in the Glory of the Lord.

 

Worshipping the Lord is the main key to having communion with the Holy Spirit. Worship invites God’s Presence to come and dwell in your midst. Psalms 22:3 in the KJV says that God inhabits the praises of His people. The NKJV words it this way: “But You are Holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”

 

For over 20 years, almost every single night after the family had gone to bed, I would spend time worshiping God on my keyboard piano with the headphones on. I would primarily focus on worship music, and entering into the Holy of Holies. I remember those nights of feeling God’s Glory and Anointing so strong. Sometimes I breathed in the beautiful fragrance of the Lord.

 

I would play known songs, and then transition into playing in the Spirit under the Anointing. There were many times that as I was playing in the Spirit, that I would tap into a spiritual portal and hear angelic choirs singing.

 

(During that time I had a dream of a choir in Heaven singing the song “Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You. There is no greater thing. You’re my all, You’re the best, You’re my joy, my Righteousness, and I love You Lord.” They sang the verses in unison and then for the chorus they broke out into more than four parts. It was soooooo heavenly, glorious, beautiful and anointed! The power of God was so strong!)

 

I’ve had many dreams about Heaven over the years, and I believe it stems from spending time in prayer, worship and the Glory.

 

For a side note, Heaven has so many rainbows, and rainbows in Heaven come in different shapes. Some have vertical colors, while others have horizontal colors. Bridges and buildings issue rainbows. And in fact, God, the saints and pets issue rainbows from their countenance. It’s the Glory of God.

 

On many occasions when I would be playing my keyboard in the Spirit under the Anointing, I tapped into what sounded like an intercessory prayer room in Heaven, where men and women would sing out their prayers and intercessions. Sometimes the songs would be sung in Major chords, but most of the time the intercessory songs were sung in the Minor keys. They sang many songs of victory.

 

They also sung in anti-phonal mode much of the time, where one choir answers or repeats the first choir. Sometimes I would have visions while playing under the Anointing.

 

On more than one occasion, when I would begin to tap into Heaven’s intercessory room, I would call my mother to come and listen in to see if she was hearing the same thing. She said that she, too, heard what was happening in the intercessory prayer room.

 

For years I led worship for a local chapter of Women’s Aglow. In March of 2011, I led in worship the beautiful and anointed song written by Terry MacAlmon entitled “Holy Are You Lord”. It’s about the Throne Room in Heaven and the worship taking place. That evening we encountered a visitation of God’s Glory, and the Cloud of Witnesses joined with us in our worship and meeting. (An Aglow leader prophesied that at the meeting that the Cloud of Witnesses, including our loved ones in Heaven, were looking on and joining us for our meeting, but especially while we were singing “Holy Are You Lord”.) It was an awesome meeting that evening!

 

When I was not playing my keyboard, I was worshiping God with anointed worship CD’s and Cassettes. I would have them playing in the car or in the house almost daily.

 

For the last 8 years I have spent so much time focusing on the office of the teacher, and busy writing teachings and books, that I have not spent that time in worship like I used to. And I really miss it.

 

Last summer in July of 2018, the Lord gave me a simple worship song through a dream I had. The setting was Heaven, and a group of people were singing a certain worship song. I heard the instruments and the words clearly, and wrote everything down. After that experience, God gave me another worship song, but this time I audibly heard the song, lyrics and instruments during the afternoon while I was awake. I was worshiping God on my keyboard around 2:00 pm, and began audibly hearing a song from Heaven, so I wrote it all down. This was the first time that I audibly heard a song from Heaven during waking hours. Usually when I hear songs, it’s in a dream while I am asleep.

 

This week I was reminded of a few songs I wrote beginning 30 years ago that I need to get published and recorded.

 

Psalms 100:2 tells us how to approach the Lord’s Presence. He says to come before His Presence with singing (worship), and come before His courts with praise. He says to bless His Name, for He is good. In Verse 4, it says to enter His gates with thanksgiving.

 

The phrases “entering into His gates” and “entering into His courts” are terms in reference to the Tabernacle, God’s Holy dwelling place. The Tabernacle consisted of an outer court, Holy Place and Holy of Holies.

 

In the Holy Place, the articles of furnishings consisted of the seven-branched Menorah, Table of Shewbread and Altar of Incense. God’s Glory filled the Holy Place, but His Glory was in fullest measure in the Holiest of All between the cherubim.

 

Singing, thanksgiving and praise is Step 1 to entering into God’s Presence (Psalms 100:2).

 

It doesn’t stop with praise. Praise is just the beginning. The next level of progression is entering into the Holy Place, which is worship. Worship is deeper and more intimate than praise. Praise is usually audible, where worship could be audible or silent within the heart. Praise is a form of complimenting God and affirming His Greatness, whereas worship is coming together as one with the Lord. Worship is where you tell Him how much you love Him, how sweet He is to you, and kissing the Lord so to speak. It’s the place of Divine Romance with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

Worship and intercession correspond to the Altar of Incense inside of the Holy Place, located beside the Veil. Sweet aromatic spices were burned on the altar, filling the place with smoke. Our worship and prayers are likened to the sweet-smelling aroma of incense ascending into the nostrils of God, for which He is well pleased. David said that prayer and worship is as incense rising to God’s Throne. Psalms 141:2 says, Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

The Altar of Incense was located right next to the Veil, separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Worship (as represented by the Altar of Incense) is the doorway to the Holiest of All, which is the realm of the Glory of God.

 

There is a third dimension of God’s Presence. Praise is the first dimension. Worship is the second dimension. If you linger long enough in worship, it leads to the third dimension, which is the realm of the Glory of God. The Glory is the atmosphere of Heaven coming down to earth.

 

You can only access the Glory when you spend time waiting on the Lord and worshipping Him.

 

There are realms or depths of the Glory, according to Ezekiel 47:3-5. Water and the River of God represent the Glory and Anointing.

 

–Ankle deep

–Knee Deep

–Water up to the loins (thigh and waist)

–Water so deep that you are swimming

–A river uncrossable … you have to flow with the current

Tabernacle Layout (Do you see the shape of a Cross in the Furnishings?)

Chapter 11

Symbols of the Holy Spirit

 

Advocate (Parakletos in the Greek) = John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7. Parakletos is defined as: “summoned, called to one’s side, called to one’s aid, one who pleads the case of another before a judge, counsel for defense, legal assistant, a pleader, advocate, intercessor, helper, succorer, consoler.” Strong’s NT:3875.

 

Amber = the Glory of God (Ezekiel 1); the Son of Man (Jesus) in Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 1-2; also associated with the seraphim who have the appearance of fire. Honor; Royalty; Wealth; Of the highest refining standard and greatest worth.

 

Anointing Oil made out of olive oil and spices (stacte, onycha, galbanum, frankincense) = Exodus 30:34. The anointing oil speaks of the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the beautiful fragrance of the Lord.

 

Balm of Gilead (for healing) = Jeremiah 8:22.

 

Blue (Heavenly, Divinity, Deity, Royalty, Gospel of John) – Tabernacle Curtains (Exodus 26:1,4); Veil (Exodus 26:31); Door of Tent or Holy Place (Exodus 26:36); Gate to the Court (Exodus 27:16); Ephod (Exodus 28:5,6,8); Girdle of the Ephod (Exodus 28:8); Breastplate of Ephod (Exodus 28:15,28); Robe of Ephod (Exodus 28:31); Pomegranates on Ephod (Exodus 28:33); Blue lace upon the mitre (Exodus 28:37); Blue embroidery for the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:35); Blue cloths for priestly service (Exodus 39:1); Blue lace Securing Ephod to Rings (Exodus 39:21); Blue cloth spread over the badger’s skin (Numbers 4:6); Blue cloth spread for dishes, bowls and utensils (Numbers 4:7); Blue cloth to cover the Candlestick (Menorah), lamps, tongs, snuffdishes, oil vessels (Numbers 4:9); Blue fringes on the corner of the garments (Numbers 15:38); Blue and White were colors for royal apparel, which Mordecai wore (Esther 8:15).

 

Breath of God = Job 27:3 (NKJV), Psalms 33:6; Ezekiel 37:5-6; John 20:22.

 

Butter (rich Anointing from the Word of God) = Job 29:6.

 

Desert blossoming as the rose = Isaiah 35.

 

Dew = Hosea 14:5 The dew in the morning speaks of the Anointing and God’s Presence resting on us and abiding with us, causing us to be fruitful.

 

Dove (for its gentleness and purity) = Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:22; John 1:32. The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form upon Jesus Christ, hovering over like that of a dove. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by the dove that Noah sent out (Genesis 8:8-12), and it returned to him with an olive branch in its mouth. The olive branch speaks of the oil of Anointing, as well as Israel and the Jewish people.

 

Fine Linen = Gospel of Luke, with Jesus portrayed as being fully God and fully man. Royalty (Genesis 41:42). Purity; Righteousness of the saints (Revelation 19:8); Robe of Righteousness and Garment of Salvation (Isaiah 61:10). One of the colors of the High Priest’s garments (Exodus 39:1); the robes of the priests (Leviticus 6:10). One of the colors of the Ephod (Exodus 28:5-6, 39:2), and the girdle of the Ephod (Exodus 28:8, 39:3,5,29); Breastplate of Judgment (Exodus 28:15, 39:8); Coat and Mitre (Exodus 28:39, 39:27-28); Bonnets and Breeches (Exodus 39:28,42); hem of Pomegranates (Exodus 28:33, 39:24); fine linen used in the Tabernacle for the Veil (Exodus 26:31,35), Curtains (Exodus 26:1, 36:8), Court Hangings (Exodus 27:9,18, 38:9,16), Gate (Exodus 27:16, 38:18), Door (Exodus 36:37) and Door Hangings (Exodus 26:36-37).

 

Finger of God (this is referring to the power and mighty works of God) = Exodus 8:19; Luke 11:20.

 

Fire of God = Exodus 24:17; Isaiah 4:4; Ezekiel 1:27-28; Malachi 3:2-3; Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3; Hebrews 12:29. The fire is the glory of God. The fire symbolizes the purging of impurities, sanctification, refining, so as to come out as pure gold. Fire speaks of being set ablaze for Christ. God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24, 9:3; Hebrews 12:29). Also, flames of fire are one of the visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit, such as what occurred on Mount Sinai and on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is also the pillar of fire by night.

 

Flames of fire (Shekinah Glory manifestation) = Acts 2.

 

Floods upon the dry ground = Isaiah 44:3.

Fountain of Life = Psalms 36:9; John 4:14.

 

Frankincense and Myrrh = Matthew 2:11. Used to formulate anointing oil, the oil symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It also represents the fragrance of the Lord. Frankincense is used for perfume, while myrrh is used to embalm the dead. This speaks of Jesus’ life and death, and resurrection.

 

Fruitfulness = Isaiah 32:15 “Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.”

 

Glory Cloud (Shekinah Glory manifestation) = Exodus 13:21, 16:10; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 9:17; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14.

 

Golden Candlestick (Menorah with 7 lamps) = In Revelation 4:5, it refers to the seven lamps (which is the Golden Candlestick, also known as Menorah) burning before God’s Throne day and night, which are the seven Spirits of God. The Holy Spirit gives illumination, light, revelation, wisdom and truth.

 

Zechariah 4 talks about the seven burning lamps and then in Verse 6 relates it to the Holy Spirit when he says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.”

 

In the same way that the Golden Lampstand in the Tabernacle remained lit at all times because of the oil (Anointing), the Lord never wants the flame of His Spirit inside of us to grow cold or go out altogether. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” (NIV). The KJV translates this verse as: “Do not quench the Spirit.”

 

Green = Psalms 23:2. Thriving, flourishing, healthy, healing, vibrant, life, satiation, Throne of God (emerald), the Glory of God, peacefulness, rest (He causes me to lie down in green pastures, He restores my soul). Emerald is the stone for the tribe of Zebulon, meaning “dwelling”. The territory of Zebulon was fertile soil.

 

Hand of the Lord = Isaiah 41:20; Ezekiel 8:1.

 

Harps and Bowls = Revelation 5:8 (harps ushering in the Presence of God through worship, and bowls of incense which are the prayers of the saints).

Latter Rain = Zechariah 10:1; Joel 2:23; James 5:7.

 

Number Seven (7) is the number for the Triune Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) working together as a team.

 

Seven Churches in Revelation 2-3 (Jesus wrote the letters to each of the seven churches at the instruction of the Father and Holy Spirit. Each letter ends with the phrase: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”).

1.  Ephesus

2.  Smyrna

3.  Pergamos

4.  Thyatira

5.  Sardis

6.  Philadelphia

7.  Laodicea

 

Seven Feasts of Israel

1.        Passover = Salvation and Justification

2.        Unleavened Bread = Sanctification

3.        Firstfruits = Water Baptism

4.        Pentecost = Baptism with the Holy Spirit

5.        Trumpets = Laying on of hands and prophecy

6.        Day of Atonement = Cleansing from old nature

7.        Tabernacles = Resurrection Life and Eternal Judgment

 

Seven Spirits of God in Isaiah 11:1-2, xref Revelation 1:4, 3:1

1.        Spirit of the Lord

2.        Spirit of Wisdom

3.        Spirit of Understanding

4.        Spirit of Counsel

5.        Spirit of Might

6.        Spirit of Knowledge

7.        Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

 

Seven Doctrines of Christ in Hebrews 6:1-2

1.        Repentance from dead works

2.        Faith toward God

3.        Water Baptism

4.        Baptism in the Holy Spirit

5.        Laying on of hands

6.        Resurrection of the dead

7.        Eternal Judgment

 

Seven Days of Creation

1.        God created light

2.        God created the firmament

3.        God created dry land and seas; grass, herb yielding seed, fruit trees

4.        God created the sun and moon

5.        God created sea life and fowls of the air

6.        God created animals and mankind

7.        God rested

 

Number Nine (“9” is the number of the Holy Spirit).

 

9 Fruits of the Spirit – Galations 5:22-23

1.        Love

2.        Joy

3.        Peace

4.        Longsuffering

5.        Kindness

6.        Goodness

7.        Faithfulness

8.        Gentleness

9.        Self-control

 

9 Gifts of the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

Revelation Gifts: Word of knowledge, Word of wisdom, Discerning of spirits

 

Power Gifts: Faith, Working of Miracles, Healings (Plural)

 

Utterance Gifts: Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation of tongues

 

9 Graces (or Progression Steps) of the Spirit – 2 Peter 1:5-8

1.        Diligence

2.        Faith

3.        Virtue

4.        Knowledge

5.        Temperance

6.        Patience

7.        Godliness

8.        Brotherly kindness

9.        Love

 

9 Basic Forms of Davidic Worship in the Tabernacle of David:

1.               Speaking

2.               Singing

3.               Shouting

4.               Lifting up of holy hands

5.               Clapping

6.               Use of musical instruments

7.               Bowing and kneeling

8.               Standing

9.               Dancing

 

9 Beatitudes – Matthew 5:3-11

Vs 3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Vs 4 - Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Vs 5 - Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Vs 6 - Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Vs 7 - Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Vs 8 - Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Vs 9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Vs 10 - Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Vs 11 - Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

 

Oil (Anointing) = Isaiah 10:27, 61:1; Zechariah 4:6; Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:27. The Holy Spirit is represented by the olive oil used as the main ingredient in the anointing oil; the oil to keep the Golden Lampstand (Menorah) lit day and night; the oil to anoint priests, kings, leaders, and anoint the sick to be healed.

Ointment (perfume) = Song of Solomon 1:3-4.

 

Olive Tree = Represents Israel and the Holy Spirit and His Anointing.

 

(The Spirit) Overshadows. He overshadowed Mary and she conceived Jesus the Messiah = Luke 1:35. He overshadows us and we conceive a dream in our spirit and carry the seeds of promises and ministries that He places within our spiritual womb to be birthed. Strong’s NT:1982.

 

Pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night in the wilderness = Exodus 13:21.

 

Pools of Refreshing Water in the Desert = Isaiah 41:18.

 

Purple = Kingly; Royalty; Majesty; Prosperity; Gospel of Matthew with Jesus portrayed as King of the Jews; one of the colors of Aaron’s holy garments (Exodus 39:1); one of the colors of the Ephod (Exodus 28:5-6), and the girdle of the Ephod (Exodus 28:8); Breastplate of Judgment (Exodus 28:15); hem of Pomegranates (Exodus 28:33); purple used in the Tabernacle for the Veil (Exodus 26:31), Holy Cloths for the Holy Place, and especially the Altar (Exodus 39:1; Numbers 4:13); Curtains (Exodus 36:8), Gate (Exodus 27:16), Door (Exodus 36:37) and Door Hangings (Exodus 26:36). The color for the Anointing of the Holy Spirit (purple/red grapes to make wine, and wine speaks of the Anointing and joy). The wealthy had access to purple textiles, and the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 is clothed in silk and purple (Proverbs 31:22). Lydia was a seller of purple (Acts 16:14). When Jesus was mocked before His crucifixion, they put on Him a robe of purple (Mark 15:17-20).

 

Rain = Isaiah 44:3; Hosea 6:2-3, 10:12; Joel 2:23-29; Zechariah 10:1.

 

Rainbows (the Holy Spirit emanates rainbows, which are the Glory of God) = Ezekiel 1:28; Revelation 4:3.

 

Red, Scarlet, Crimson = Salvation; Blood of Jesus; Atonement; Redemption; Cross of Calvary; Blood Sacrifice; Royalty; Majesty. Used for Curtains of Tabernacle (Exodus 26:1); Gate of Tabernacle (Exodus 27:16); Veil in Tabernacle (Exodus 26:31); Hanging for the door of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:36); Ephod (Exodus 28:6); Girdle of the Ephod (Exodus 28:8); Breastplate of Judgment (Exodus 28:15); Pomegranate ornamentation (Exodus 28:33); Holy Cloths used in Tabernacle (Exodus 39:1); Aaron’s Priestly Garment (Exodus 39:1); Roof of Tabernacle (Ram’s skin dyed red – Exodus 26:14). “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be as crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Only the wealthy had access to scarlet clothing. In Proverbs 31:21, the family of the virtuous woman is clothed in scarlet, especially during the winter when it snows.

 

River of God = Ezekiel 47:1-9 (Anointing is ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, then over the head and being carried by the current. Everywhere the river goes it brings life).

 

Rivers of Living Water = Psalms 46:4; Isaiah 35, 41:18; Jeremiah 2:13, 17:13; John 4:14, 6:35, 7:37-39; Revelation 21:6.

 

Rivers of Oil (Rich Flow of the Anointing) = Job 29:6.

 

Seal of guarantee (Earnest, Deposit or Down Payment) of our Inheritance in Christ Jesus = 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30.

 

Shofar (Ram’s horn) = Joshua 6:5.

 

Showers that water the earth = Psalms 72:6.

 

Smoke (from incense burning) = Song of Solomon 3:6.

 

Sound from Heaven, as of a Mighty Rushing Wind = Acts 2:2.

 

Tabernacle = The seven-branched Menorah in the Holy Place represents the Holy Spirit, as also does the incense and smoke from the Altar of Incense. He is the Shekinah Glory Presence that dwelt in the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat rested. Strong’s OT:4908.

 

Trumpet = Joel 2:1,15; 1 Corinthians 14:8; 2 Peter 1:21. The trumpet symbolizes the prophetic voice of God.

 

Well of Water Springing Up = John 4:14.

 

Wind of God = John 3:8; Acts 2:2.

Chapter 12

Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit is referred to by many names and titles in the Scriptures.

 

There are fourteen primary names of God, which refer to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

1.          Jehovah, Strong’s Old Testament #3068.

 

Definition: Eternal, Self-Existent; the Jewish National Name of God.

 

Among the Jews, the proper Name of the one True God was unpronounced, and the vowels were omitted in speaking and writing because of its sacredness. The Name “Adonai” (Strong’s #136) was spoken in place of Yahweh. The tettragrammation Y-HW-H is traditionally pronounced as “Jehovah” (or Yehovah).

 

In the King James Version, Yahweh (or Jehovah) is usually translated as “LORD” (ALL CAPS), and in many instances translated as “GOD” (ALL CAPS).

 

The Names YHWH and Jehovah are used interchangeably. YHWH is the original Divine Name and considered to be too holy to utter, and thus later was pronounced as Jehovah. Often times, the Name “Hashem” (meaning: “The Name”) is used when referring to the Divine Name of God.

 

There are over 6,000 Old Testament Scriptures containing God’s Name Yahweh or Jehovah. Whenever you see LORD in all CAPS in the King James Version, the name Jehovah (Yahweh) is being referred to.

 

Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD (YHWH); that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images.”

 

Exodus 6:3 “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; by the Name of God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by My Name Jehovah was I not known to them.”

 

Psalms 83:18 “That men may know that Thou, whose Name alone is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth.”

 

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD (Adonai YHWH)! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee.”

 

 

2.    Yehovih (Strong’s #3069) is a variation of Yahweh. It is translated as “LORD” or “GOD”, but is pronounced as “Elohim” (Strong’s #430).

 

 

3.    Yah (Strong’s #3050) is a contraction of Yahweh and means the same as Yahweh. This shortened Name is used in many compounds, such as names beginning with “Je” (in English) or names and words ending with “iah” or “jah”. Hallelu-jah means: “Praise be to Jah” (“Praise be to Jehovah”).

 

 

4.    Hayah (I AM that I AM). The name Yahweh or Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word “hayah” (Strong’s Old Testament #1961, translated as “I AM”). In Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, “Tell the people that I AM that I AM has sent you” – “hayah ‘aher hayah”). Meaning, “I will be what I will be” or “I will be all that is necessary as the occasion will arise”. Hayah is defined as “to exist, to be or become”.

 

 

5.          El. Translated as “God”. Strong’s Old Testament #410.

 

Definition: God, the One True Almighty God, Yahweh. El can also be used to refer to a false god, mighty men, men of rank, mighty things in nature, strength, power and angels.

 

 

6.    Eloah.  Translated as “God”. Strong’s Old Testament #433.

 

Definition: God, the One True Almighty God. Eloah used of God, as the One and True Deity. Can also be used to refer to a false deity.

 

7.  Elohim. Translated as “God”. Strong’s Old Testament #430. Plural of Eloah (#433).

 

Definition: Specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the Supreme God, Yahweh. Can also be used in reference to false gods. Occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates, and sometimes as a superlative (exceeding, great, excellent). Can refer to God-like ones. Can be used to denote rulers, judges, angels, works or special possessions of God.

 

 

8.  Adonai. Translated as “Lord”. Strong’s Old Testament #136.

 

Definition: Adonai is a proper royal Name and title of God spoken out of reverence in place of Yahweh. Adonai denotes majesty, respect, honor and authority. Also used of men (lord, master).

 

In the King James Version, Adonai (when in reference to God) is translated as “Lord” (title case), while Yahweh is translated as “LORD” (upper case).

 

Adonai is an emphatic form of Adown (Strong’s #113). Adown means: sovereign, to rule, strength, lord, master, king, governor, husband, prophet, prince, priest, captain, Theophanic Angel, one designated as having authority. Used for names beginning with “Adoni-“.

 

 

9.  Shaddai. Strong’s Old Testament #7706. Definition: The Almighty God. Most Powerful. Referring to the One and Only True and Living God, Yahweh. The All-Sufficient One. The Many Breasted One (His provision never runs dry, and He is nurturing).

 

 

10. Elyon. Strong’s Old Testament #5945. Definition: Most High God. The Highest. A Name of God. The Supreme God. Also used in reference to rulers, angels, princes, Davidic kings exalted above monarchs.

 

 

11. Lord (“Kurios” in the Greek, defined as Supreme in Authority, Master or Controller). In the Greek, “Lord” (kurios) is more of a respectful title than a name (Lord, Master, Sir). Also translated in some passages as “God”. Strong’s New Testament #2962.

 

 

12. God (“Theos” in the Greek). New Testament Strong’s #2316. Defined as: A Deity, the Supreme Divinity; figurative, a magistrate.

 

 

13. Ruwach (Spirit). Strong’s #7307 and #7308. Defined as: wind, breath, a mind, a spirit, the seat of the mind and moral character. An ancient angel, and later the Shekinah.

 

 

14. Pneuma (Spirit). Strong’s New Testament #4151. Defined as: from 4154; a current of air, breath (blast) or a breeze; to blow. By analogy or figuratively, a spirit, the rational soul, mental disposition, angel, demon, Divine God, Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit. Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Other Names and Titles of the Holy Spirit

 

Abba = Abba comes from the Hebrew and it means “Daddy” or “Papa”. It is an affectionate and respectful term for Father = Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father”. Galations 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Concerning the term “Abba”, John MacArthur writes in his commentary – [An informal, Aramaic term for Father that conveys a sense of intimacy. Like the English terms “Daddy” or “Papa,” it connotes tenderness, dependence, and a relationship free of fear or anxiety]. Strong’s NT:5.

 

(The) Anointing = 1 John 2:27. Strong’s NT:5545.

 

Breath of God = Job 27:3 (NKJV), Psalms 33:6; Ezekiel 37:5-6; John 20:22.

 

Breath of the Almighty = Job 32:8, 33:4 (both NKJV).

 

Breath that gives you life = Genesis 2:7.

 

Comforter = “Parakletos” in the Greek. Translated in the KJV as “Comforter”. In other versions, parakletos is translated as: “Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Standby, Strengthener, Intercessor”. Parakletos is defined as: “summoned, called to one’s side, called to one’s aid, one who pleads the case of another before a judge, counsel for defense, legal assistant, a pleader, advocate, intercessor, helper, succorer, consoler.” John 14:16, 14:26; 15:26; 16:7. Strong’s NT:3875.

 

Counselor = John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7 (all Amplified Version). Strong’s NT:3875.

 

Creator = Ecclesiastes 12:1; Isaiah 40:28, 43:15; Romans 1:25; 1 Peter 4:19.

 

Eternal Spirit = Hebrews 9:14.

 

Finger of God (this is referring to the power and mighty works of God) = Exodus 8:19, Luke 11:20 correlates to Matthew 12:28.

 

Free Spirit = Psalms 51:12.

 

Generous Spirit = Psalms 51:12 (NKJV).

 

Gift from the Father = Luke 11:13.

 

Gift of God = John 4:10; Acts 8:20.

 

Gift of the Holy Ghost = Acts 2:38.

 

God of a New Covenant = Hebrews 8:8-13 and Hebrews 10:15-17 corresponds to Jeremiah 31:31-34.

 

Good Spirit = Nehemiah 9:20, Psalms 143:10.

 

Guarantee (Earnest, Deposit or Down Payment) of our Inheritance in Christ Jesus = 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14. Strong’s NT:728.

 

Guide = John 16:13.

 

Hand of the Lord = Isaiah 41:20; Ezekiel 8:1.

 

Holy Ghost = Matthew 1:18,20; 3:11; 12:31-32; 28:19; Mark 1:8; 3:29; 12:36; 13:11; Luke 1:15,35,41,67; 2:25-26; 3:16,22; 4:1; 12:10,12; John 1:33; 7:39; 14:26; 20:22; Acts 1:2; 5:8,16; 2:4,33,38; 4:8,31; 5:3,32; 6:3,5; 7:51,55; 8:15,17-19; 9:17,31; 10:38,44-45,47; 11:15-16,24; 13:2,4,9,52; 15:8,28; 16:6; 19:2,6; 20:23,28; 21:11; 28:25; Romans 5:5; 9:1; 14:17; 15:13,16; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 6:19; 12:3; 2 Corinthians 6:6; 13:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 2 Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 2:4; 3:7; 6:4; 9:8; 10:15; 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 5:7; Jude 20.

 

Holy One = 1 John 2:20.

 

Holy One of Israel = Psalms 71:22, 78:41 (corresponds to Hebrews 3:7-12); Isaiah 17:7, 30:15, 41:14, 45:11, 47:4, 48:17, 54:5.

 

Holy Spirit = Psalms 51:11; Isaiah 63:10-11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13, 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8.

 

Holy Spirit of Promise = Ephesians 1:13-14; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 2:33; Galations 3:14.

 

Husband = Psalms 45:10-17; Song of Solomon; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 21:2.

 

Intercessor = Romans 8:26-27.

 

Invisible God = Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17.

 

King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God = 1 Timothy 1:17.

 

Lord of the whole earth = Psalms 97:5; Zechariah 4:14.

 

Maker = Psalms 95:6-11 (corresponds to Hebrews 3:7-12); Isaiah 45:11, 54:5.

 

My Witness = Job 16:19; Hebrews 10:15.

 

New Spirit = Ezekiel 11:19.

 

New Wine = Acts 2; Mark 2:22; Ephesians 5:18. New wine represents joy and the Anointing. In Isaiah 65:8, the new wine symbolizes the Anointing, and the cluster of grapes represents believers in the Body of Christ. The new wine (Anointing) is found in the cluster (group ministry). Wine is made from the pressing of many grapes, and not just one grape. There is more power and synergy in team ministry rather than ministering alone.

 

Oil of Gladness = Psalms 45:7; Isaiah 51:11; Hebrews 1:9.

 

Oil of Joy = Isaiah 61:3.

 

Power of God = Micah 3:8, Luke 1:35, 4:14, 24:49; Acts 1:8, 6:8-10; 10:38; Romans 15:13,19; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 12:9, 13:4; Ephesians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 Peter 1:3.

 

Presence of the Lord = Exodus 33:14-15; Psalms 16:11, 51:11, 68:8, 95:2, 97:5, 100:2, 139:7; Acts 3:19; Philippians 2:1. In John 14:23, the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father, and they make their abode with us through the Holy Spirit.

 

Promise of My Father = Luke 24:49.

 

Promise of the Father = Acts 1:4.

 

Promise of the Holy Ghost = Acts 2:33.

 

Promise of the Spirit = Galations 3:14.

 

Redeemer = Isaiah 47:4, 48:17.

 

Sanctifier = Romans 15:16.

 

Scriptures that indicate that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son = Father (Matthew 10:20; John 15:26); Son (Galations 4:6; Philippians 1:19).

 

Seed of God that lives inside of you = 1 John 3:9.

 

Seven Eyes and Seven Horns (Seven Spirits of God) = Zechariah 4:10; Revelation 5:6.

 

Seven Lamps of Fire Burning Before His Throne (Seven Spirits of God) = Revelation 4:5.

 

Seven Spirits of God = Isaiah 11:1-5; Zechariah 4:1-6; Revelation 1:4-5, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6.

 

1.          Spirit of the Lord

2.          Spirit of Wisdom

3.          Spirit of Understanding

4.          Spirit of Counsel

5.          Spirit of Might

6.          Spirit of Knowledge

7.          Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

 

Some Bible teachers refer to Isaiah 11:1-5 as the seven characteristics of the Holy Spirit, which would be:

 

1.  Spirit of Wisdom

2.  Spirit of Understanding

3.  Spirit of Counsel

4.  Spirit of Might

5.  Spirit of Knowledge

6.  Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

7.  Righteousness

 

The seven Spirits of God does not refer to seven numerical Holy Spirits. Other ways of saying it are: 7-fold Spirit of God, 7-fold dimensions of the Spirit of God, 7-fold manifestation of the Spirit of God, 7-fold characteristics of God.

 

Kat Kerr, who has been to Heaven hundreds of times, adds that the seven Spirits of God are actually seven Beings.

 

Spirit of a Sound Mind = 2 Timothy 1:7.

 

Spirit of Access = Ephesians 2:18.

 

Spirit of Adoption = Romans 8:15; Galations 4:4-7.

 

Spirit of Christ = Romans 8:9-10; 1 Peter 1:11.

 

Spirit of Faith = 2 Corinthians 4:13.

 

Spirit of Glory = 1 Peter 4:14.

 

Spirit of God = Genesis 1:2, 41:38; Exodus 35:31-33; Numbers 24:2, 27:18; 1 Samuel 10:10, 11:6, 19:20,23; 2 Chronicles 15:1, 24:20; Job 27:3, 33:4; Ezekiel 11:24; Matthew 3:16, 12:28; Romans 8:9,14, 15:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11,14, 3:16, 7:40, 12:3; Ephesians 4:30; 1 John 4:2.

 

Spirit of Grace = Hebrews 10:29.

 

Spirit of Grace and of Supplications = Zechariah 12:10.

 

Spirit of His (God’s) Son = Galations 4:6. The Spirit issues out of the Son. The Father and Son are distinct, yet have a oneness beyond human understanding. They share the same spirit. The Holy Spirit proceeds from them both. The Holy Ghost is both the Presence of the Father and Son.

 

Spirit of Holiness = Romans 1:4.

 

Spirit of Indwelling = Ephesians 3:16 (AMP).

 

Spirit of Intercession = Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:2,14-15; Ephesians 6:18.

 

Spirit of Jehovah (Spirit of the Lord) = Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 13:25, 14:6,19, 15:14-15; 1 Samuel 10:6, 16:13-14; 2 Samuel 23:2; 1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16; 2 Chronicles 20:14; Isaiah 11:2, 40:7,13, 59:19, 61:1, 63:14; Ezekiel 11:5, 37:1-14; Micah 2:7, 3:8; Luke 4:18; Acts 5:9, 8:39; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.

 

Spirit of Jesus = Acts 16:7 (NIV).

 

Spirit of Jesus Christ = Philippians 1:19.

 

Spirit of Judgment / Spirit of Burning (Isaiah 4:4, Malachi 3:2-3) = Burning speaks of the Holy Spirit’s purifying work in our hearts, conviction of sin, the refiner’s fire that burns away the dross so that you come out as pure gold, fit for the Master’s use to form you into a vessel of honor. This speaks of being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16).

 

Spirit of Life / Quickening Spirit = John 5:21, 6:63; Romans 8:2,10-11; 1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:18; Revelation 11:11.

 

Spirit of Love = Romans 5:5, 15:30; Galations 5:22-23; 2 Timothy 1:7.

 

Spirit of our God = 1 Corinthians 6:11.

 

Spirit of Power = 2 Timothy 1:7.

 

Spirit of Prophecy = Revelation 19:10.

 

Spirit of the Holy God = Daniel 4:8-9,18, 5:11,14.

 

Spirit of the Living God = 2 Corinthians 3:3, 6:16. We are the temple of the Living God and He dwells in us.

 

Spirit of Truth = John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13; 1 John 4:6, 5:6.

 

Spirit of Unity = Ephesians 4:3.

 

Spirit of Victory = 1 Corinthians 15:57, 1 John 5:4.

 

Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation = Ephesians 1:17-19.

 

Spirit of your Father = Matthew 10:20, xref John 15:26. The Spirit proceeds from the Father. Romans 8:11 refers to the Spirit of the Father as the One who raised Christ from the dead. Other references: Ephesians 1:17-20; Acts 2:32-33; Romans 4:25; Hebrews 13:20-21; 1 Peter 1:3,21; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Acts 10:40.

 

Sword of the Spirit (is the Word of God) = Ephesians 6:17.

 

Teacher = Nehemiah 9:20; Luke 12:11-12; John 14:26; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 John 2:20,27.

Chapter 13

Functions, Actions and Emotions

of the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit is not an it, or a mere influence or power. He is a Person with a personality. He can hear, see, speak and make decisions. He has a mind, will and emotions.

 

Let us discover more about the Holy Spirit.

 

 

A person can harden their heart toward the Spirit = Hebrews 3:7-8.

 

(The) anointing of the Holy Ghost breaks yokes and bondages off of our lives and removes burdens = Isaiah 10:27 says, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”

 

(The) anointing of the Holy Ghost heals = Acts 10:38, 4:29-31; Luke 5:17; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; Isaiah 61:1-3 corresponds to Luke 4:18-21.

 

Be Filled with the Spirit = Ephesians 5:18.

 

(Whoever) Blasphemes the Son will be forgiven. But whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven—not in this world, nor in the world to come = Matthew 12:31-32.

 

(Our) Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost. He dwells on the inside of us. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body and spirit = 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

 

By lack of faith or rebellion, one can limit the Spirit of God or tie His hands (Psalms 78:41). God wanted so much to pour out abundant blessings upon the Children of Israel, but they continued to murmur, complain, doubt Him and provoke Him. They limited the Holy One of Israel because they heard God’s Word, but did not mix it with faith. They would not receive what God had for them, but instead, they had an evil heart of unbelief. They resisted the Holy Ghost and spoke evil against the Lord and God’s servant Moses. God will not override our will.

 

Double Portion of God’s Spirit = 2 Kings 2:9.

 

Eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth = Zechariah 4:10.

 

Gentle Whisper = He speaks in a still small voice most of the time (1 Kings 19:12).

 

Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, forever = Psalms 93:5.

 

(The) Holy One gives unction = 1 John 2:20.

 

In many churches, the services are governed by man, and the Holy Spirit is either completely left out, or is restrained from moving the way in which He would like to move. The Spirit makes His presence known to those who want Him near. He wants to be welcomed, loved and embraced. Even in our own personal lives, we can ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and do as we please. Or we can choose to yield to the Spirit’s leadings.

 

(The) Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death = Romans 8:2-10.

No man can say that Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Ghost = 1 Corinthians 12:3.

 

One Spirit = 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 2:18, 4:4.

 

Outpoured Spirit on all flesh = Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18.

 

Praying in the Spirit is something we do = 1 Corinthians 14:2,14-15; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20.

 

(We) Speak or pray in tongues through the Spirit = Isaiah 28:11; Mark 16:17; Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13:1, 14:1-40; Jude 20.

 

(The) Spirit abides inside of the heart and spirit of born again believers in Christ = Genesis 41:38; Numbers 27:18; John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Galations 4:6; Ephesians 3:17, 5:18; 2 Timothy 1:14; 1 John 4:13; Revelation 3:20.

 

(The) Spirit abides with us = John 14:17, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 John 3:24, Philippians 2:1, Psalms 51:11, 139:7.

 

(The) Spirit and the Bride say “Come” = Revelations 22:17.

 

(The) Spirit anoints with fresh oil = Psalms 92:10.

 

(The) Spirit appoints overseers = Acts 20:28.

 

(The) Spirit baptizes us in His Spirit = Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 2.

 

(The) Spirit baptizes us into one body = 1 Corinthians 12:13.

 

(The) Spirit bears witness with our spirit = Romans 8:16; Hebrews 10:15; 1 John 5:6.

 

(The) Spirit blows = Isaiah 40:7.

 

(The) Spirit brings about rebirth and regeneration = John 3:5-8.

 

(The) Spirit brings us into liberty and freedom = 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

 

(The) Spirit can be blasphemed = Matthew 12:31-32.

 

(The) Spirit can be grieved = Ephesians 4:30.

 

(The) Spirit can be lied to = Acts 5:3.

 

(The) Spirit can be resisted = Acts 7:51.

 

(The) Spirit can be quenched = 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

 

(The) Spirit can be rebelled against = Isaiah 63:10.

 

(The) Spirit can be vexed = Isaiah 63:10.

 

(The) Spirit can depart from people, as in the case with King Saul = 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalms 51:11.

 

(The) Spirit can feel anger, be provoked and tried = Acts 5:9, Hebrews 3:7-12 NKJV.

 

(The) Spirit can lift his presence from you = Psalms 51:11. David prayed that God would not take His Holy Spirit away from him after he had sinned.

 

(The) Spirit comes upon people = Matthew 3:16, 12:18; Mark 1:10; Luke 1:35, 2:25, 3:22, 4:18, 24:49; John 1:32; Acts 1:8, 2:17, 10:44-45, 11:15; 1 Peter 4:14; Numbers 11:25,29, 24:2; Judges 3:10; 1 Samuel 10:10, 16:13; Isaiah 11:2, 42:1; Joel 2:28.

 

(The) Spirit comforts = “Paraclesis” in the Greek, meaning solace (Acts 9:31; John 14:16,26, 15:26, 16:7).

 

(The) Spirit commissions and appoints, and sends forth into ministry = Acts 13:2-4. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, “Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. See also Isaiah 48:16; Acts 8:29-40, 10:19-48.

 

(The) Spirit converts the soul = 2 Corinthians 5:17.

 

(The) Spirit convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness = John 16:8.

 

(The) Spirit descended upon Jesus Christ in bodily form, alighting on Him as of a dove = Luke 3:22.

 

(The) Spirit endues us with power and boldness = Luke 4:14, 24:49; Acts 1:8, 4:31, 10:38; Romans 15:13,19; 1 Corinthians 2:4.

 

(The) Spirit enters into people = Ezekiel 2:2, 3:24.

 

(The) Spirit edifies, exhorts and comforts = 1 Corinthians 14:3.

 

(The) Spirit fills people = Exodus 28:3, 31:3, 35:31, 36:27; Isaiah 63:11; Luke 1:15,41,67; Acts 2:4, 4:8,31, 6:3,5, 7:55, 9:17, 10:38, 11:24, 13:9; Ephesians 5:18.

 

(The) Spirit forbids = Acts 16:6-7.

 

(The) Spirit gathers = Isaiah 34:16.

 

(The) Spirit gives utterance = Acts 2:4.

 

(The) Spirit glorifies Jesus = John 16:14.

 

(The) Spirit governs the Church (Body of Christ). The seven churches in Revelations 1-3 represent seven actual churches in John’s time. To us today, the seven churches speak of seven groups of people within the corporate body of Christ, or seven kinds of churches. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22).

 

(The) Spirit has a mighty voice = Psalms 68:33.

 

(The) Spirit has a mind = Romans 8:27, Isaiah 40:13-14.

 

(The) Spirit has a will and determines decisions = 1 Corinthians 12:11, Acts 15:28.

 

(The) Spirit hears = John 16:13.

 

(The) Spirit helps us pray, whether in our own tongue or in a language we have never learned. It could be a language of this earth or one of heaven = Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 13:1, 14:14-15; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20.

 

(The) Spirit imparts life = Isaiah 32:15; John 4:14, 6:63, 7:38-39; Romans 8:2,10; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galations 6:8; Revelation 11:11, 21:6.

 

(The) Spirit imparts love inside of our hearts. “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 5:5). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control” (Galations 5:22-23). Also see Ephesians 3:17-19; Colossians 1:8; 1 Peter 1:22.

 

(The) Spirit imparts joy = Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 16:11; Luke 1:41-47; Acts 2:1-18, 13:52; Romans 14:17, 15:13; Galations 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6.

 

(The) Spirit imparts peace = John 14:26-27; Romans 15:13; Galations 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP).

 

(The) Spirit imparts spiritual gifts = 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Hebrews 2:4. The nine Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 are:

 

Revelation Gifts:

Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of spirits

 

Utterance Gifts:

Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues

 

Power Gifts:

Faith, Healings (plural), Miracles

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 says, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

 

Hebrews 2:4 says, “God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.”

 

(The) Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God = Romans 8:27.

 

(The) Spirit intercedes for us with groanings = Romans 8:26-27.

 

(The) Spirit is the author of the Holy Scriptures = 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

 

(The) Spirit is the Creator = Genesis 1:2, 2:7; Job 33:4; Psalms 104:30.

 

(The) Spirit is the Fruit of the Spirit personified = Galations 5:22-23 (Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance). See also Ephesians 5:9 (goodness, righteousness, truth).

 

(The) Spirit is the fullness of God = Ephesians 3:19, 5:18.

 

(The) Spirit is the Shekinah Glory. The Nelson’s Bible Dictionary says that the Shekinah is the visible manifestation of the Presence of God. Although this word is not in the Bible, it is found in later Jewish writings. Shekinah means: “dwelling”.

 

The Shekinah was a luminous cloud that rested above the Altar in the place of worship and lit up the room. It rested over the Mercy Seat. Angels and cherubim generally accompany the Shekinah. The Shekinah denotes a weighty Presence (Glory) that is visible. Exodus 16:10, 24:16-17, 40:34-35; Numbers 20:6; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, 7:1-3; Ezekiel 10:4, 44:4; Haggai 2:7,9; Revelation 15:8, 21:23.

 

The Shekinah glory was manifested in the forms of:

 

A.      Pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

B.      God speaking to Moses from the cloud.

C.     Smoke, incense burning, beautiful fragrance.

D.     Rain, liquid fire, flames of fire like on the Day of Pentecost.

E.      The color amber in Ezekiel 1:27.

F.      Rainbow in Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3.

 

The Shekinah, in Scripture, is usually referred to as the “Glory” or “Glory of the Lord”. The Hebrew word for “Glory” is kabowd (Strong’s #3519, from #3513 kabed), meaning “weighty or heavy”. When the Shekinah Glory is present, the atmosphere may feel thick and weighty, or like you are wading through water. One may feel warmth in their feet going up their legs or over their entire body. The Shekinah could also manifest as gold dust, oil, manna, gemstones, dew, and supernatural creative miracles.

 

When Solomon dedicated the temple, the Shekinah Glory filled the place while the priests and Levites worshipped the Lord with the use of musical instruments and lifted their voices in song, so that the priests could not stand up to minister because of the Cloud (1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14).

 

In the passage of 2 Chronicles 7:1-4, when Solomon had finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the Glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the Glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. And when all the people of Israel saw how the fire and the glory of the Lord came down upon the house, they bowed with their faces upon the pavement and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.” Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. AMP

 

One thought is that besides worshipping the Lord, the Glory also comes when the Lord accepts our spiritual sacrifices that we offer up to Him.

 

In a Strong’s definition for Ruwach (Strong’s Numbers 7307 and 7308), it says that the Shekinah was originally an ancient angel (Angel of the Lord), and later on referred to as the Shekinah. Could the Shekinah be Jesus Himself visiting us in Person, but through His Spirit? Some Bible Dictionaries say the Shekinah is the Presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary says the following about the Shekinah:

 

“[shuh KIGH nuh] (dwelling) – a visible manifestation of the presence of God (also spelled Shechinah and Shekhinah). Although the word is not found in the Bible, it occurs frequently in later Jewish writings. It refers to the instances when God showed Himself visibly, as, for example, on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:9-18) and in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and in Solomon's Temple. The Shekinah was a luminous cloud which rested above the altar in the place of worship and lit up the room. When the Babylonians destroyed the Temple, the Shekinah glory vanished. There was no Shekinah in the temples rebuilt later under Zerubbabel and Herod.”

 

Angels or cherubim generally accompany the Shekinah Glory. Fire is the antitype of the Shekinah.

 

(The) Spirit is a gentleman and likes to be invited to come, but He is also powerful and dramatic like on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. He will come rushing in. His glory shall fill the entire earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

 

(The) Spirit is a gift from the Father = Luke 11:13.

 

(The) Spirit is Omnipotent (All-Powerful) = Job 33:4. “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.”

 

(The) Spirit is Omni-Present (Everywhere at the Same Time) = Psalms 139:7. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your Presence?”

 

(The) Spirit is Omniscient (All-Knowing) = Isaiah 40:13-15. “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge, and informed Him of the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust.”

 

(The) Spirit is our seal (deposit of guarantee) of our salvation. Ephesians 1:13-14 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Second Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

 

(The) Spirit is very tender and easily wounded. His heart is very sensitive = Ephesians 4:30.

 

(The) Spirit leads and guides = Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1; John 16:13; Romans 8:14; Galations 5:18.

 

(The) Spirit leads people where to go and what to do through dreams and visions = Acts 16:9-10. He led Paul to Macedonia through a vision. The Holy Spirit used a vision to deal with Peter’s heart so that the Gentiles would receive salvation (Acts 10:9-48).

 

(The) Spirit moved upon the face of the waters = Genesis 1:2.

 

(The) Spirit only speaks what the Father and Son tell Him to speak = John 16:13.

 

(The Spirit) overshadows. He overshadowed Mary and she conceived Jesus the Messiah = Luke 1:35. He overshadows us and we conceive a dream in our spirit and carry the seeds of promises and ministries that He places within our spiritual womb to be birthed at the right season.

 

(The Spirit) possesses emotions = Love (Romans 15:30), Joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6), Peace (Romans 14:17), Grief and Sadness (Ephesians 4:30), Anger (2 Kings 17:18, Exodus 4:14).

 

(The) Spirit prays through us with groanings and intercession when we don’t know what to pray = Romans 8:26-27.

 

(The) Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son = Father (Matthew 10:20; John 15:26); Son (Galations 4:6; Philippians 1:19).

 

(The) Spirit produces good fruit in our lives = Galations 5:22-23.

 

John 15:1-8 says, “I am the true vine and My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.”

 

(The) Spirit quickens—brings to life, makes alive = John 6:63; Romans 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18. It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63).

 

(The) Spirit raised Christ from the dead and also quickens our mortal bodies = Romans 8:11.

 

(The) Spirit rebukes = Hebrews 12:5-8.

 

(The) Spirit refreshes = Acts 3:19. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

 

(The) Spirit removes mountains in our life = Psalms 97:5 “The hills melted like wax at the Presence of the Lord, at the Presence of the Lord of the whole earth”. Also, Zechariah 4:6-7 “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’” (NKJV). Matthew 21:21-22 says, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (NKJV).

 

(The) Spirit renews = Titus 3:5.

 

(The) Spirit reveals his secrets to his servants the prophets = Amos 3:7.

 

(The) Spirit reveals things to us = Matthew 16:16-17; Luke 2:26; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10; He imparts revelation Ephesians 1:17-19.

 

(The) Spirit sanctifies = Romans 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2. Jesus said in Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16 that He would baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fire. The fire of the Holy Ghost purges impurities. Malachi 3:2-3 says, “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

 

(The) Spirit searches the deep things of God = 1 Corinthians 2:9-11. “For it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

 

(The) Spirit shows you things to come = John 16:13.

 

(The) Spirit speaks to individuals and churches. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches” = Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; John 16:13; Acts 8:29, 10:19, 13:2, 21:11, 28:25; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Hebrews 3:7; Revelations 2:7,11,17,29, 3:6,13,22, 22:17; Ezekiel 2:2, 3:24, 11:1-2,5.

 

(The) Spirit speaks in a still, small voice = 1 Kings 19:12. To hear His Voice, we have to be still before Him (“Be still and know that I am God” – Psalms 46:10).

 

(The) Spirit speaks in various situations = Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; John 16:13; Acts 8:29, 10:19, 13:2, 21:11, 28:25; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Hebrews 3:7.

 

(The) Spirit spoke through the prophets = 2 Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16, 21:10-11, 28:25-27; 2 Peter 1:21.

 

(The) Spirit strengthens = Ephesians 3:16.

 

(The) Spirit strives with man for a long time, but will not always strive with man = Genesis 6:3; 1 Samuel 16:14; Psalms 51:11; Hebrews 6:4-6, 10:26-31.

 

(The) Spirit teaches = Nehemiah 9:20; 1 Corinthians 2:13; John 14:26; Luke 12:11-12; 1 John 2:20.

 

(The) Spirit testifies = John 15:26; Acts 5:32, 20:23.

 

(The) Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to another = 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (AMP).

 

(The Spirit) translated people (carried them away, transported them) from one place to another.

 

Philip (Acts 8:39-40)

Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:12,14, 8:3,7,14,16, 11:1,24, 43:5)

Enoch (Genesis 5:24, xref Hebrews 11:5)

Elijah (2 Kings 2:11)

Paul was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4)

John the Beloved was caught up to the New Jerusalem and Heaven’s Throne Room (Book of Revelation).

 

(The) Spirit wants us to come before His presence with singing and praise (Psalms 95, 100). Worship through song and musical instruments ushers in God’s glory. Have you noticed that when the congregation, or you by yourself, begin to worship the Lord especially through song and musical instruments, the Holy Spirit comes in. His presence is so powerful, yet also so sweet.

 

2 Chronicles 5:13-14 “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the Cloud. For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.”

 

(The) Spirit warns people in dreams and visions = Matthew 2:12,22.

 

(The) Spirit was sent to this earth by the Father (John 14:26) and the Son (John 15:26).

 

(The) Spirit works in our life to produce good fruit = John 15:1-8; Galations 5:22-23.

 

Tongues of Fire = Acts 2:3.

 

Voice of the Almighty = Ezekiel 1:24.

 

Voice of the Lord = Psalms 29:3,4,5,7,8,9.

 

We are commanded to walk after, walk in, and live in the Spirit, and good fruit will be the result = Romans 8:1; Galations 5:16-26.

 

We are encouraged to develop sweet communion with the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 13:14. Philippians 2:1 mentions the fellowship of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is very Precious. He is our Friend. He is the one who understands and knows you better than any other person. He is our life. David prayed, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalms 51:11). And Moses said that he would not proceed unless God’s Presence went with him (Exodus 33:14-17). “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

 

We are led by the Spirit of God = Romans 8:14. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” See also Galations 5:16-18 “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

 

The Living Bible words Galations 5:16-18 this way: “I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. These two forces within us are constantly fighting each other to win control over us, and our wishes are never free from their pressures. When you are guided by the Holy Spirit, you need no longer force yourself to obey Jewish laws.”

 

When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God lifts up a standard against him = Isaiah 59:19.

 

 

Chapter 14

Names of God

 

(For a complete list of over 500 Names of God, please refer to my book entitled “King of kings – Knowing God Through His Names”)

 

 

1.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Aman
	English Name:	The Lord is Faithful
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 7:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 539
2.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rapha
	English Name:	The Lord Your Healer
	Key Reference:	Exodus 15:26
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7495
3.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Jireh
	English Name:	The Lord Your Provider
	Key Reference:	Genesis 22:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3070 (from 3068 and 7200)
4.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ab (Abba)
	English Name:	The Lord Your Father (Daddy, Papa)
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 63:16, 64:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1
5.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shalam
	English Name:	The Lord who restores, recompenses and repays
	Key Reference:	Joel 2:25
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7999
6.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nissi
	English Name:	The Lord your Banner
	Key Reference:	Exodus 17:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3071 (from 3068 and 5251)
7.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shammah
	English Name:	The Lord’s abiding Presence is there
	Key Reference:	Ezekiel 48:35
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8033
8.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shalom
	English Name:	The Lord your Peace
	Key Reference:	Judges 6:24
	Strong’s Numbers:	3073 (from 3068 and 7965)
9.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsidkenu
	English Name:	The Lord our Righteousness
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16
	Strong’s Numbers:	3072 (from 3068 and 6664)
10.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah M’Qadishkem
	English Name:	The Lord our Sanctifier
	Key Reference:	Exodus 31:13
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6942
11.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rohi (or Ra’ah)
	English Name:	The Lord is my Shepherd
	Key Reference:	Psalms 23:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7462
12.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ga’al
	English Name:	The Lord is my Redeemer
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 43:14, 44:24, 47:4, 54:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1350
13.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Magen
	English Name:	The Lord is my Shield
	Key Reference:	Genesis 15:1; Psalms 3:3, 28:7, 84:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4043
14.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Bara’
	English Name:	The Lord your Creator
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 40:28
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1254
15.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Palat
	English Name:	The Lord your Deliverer
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:2, 144:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6403
16.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cela`
	English Name:	The Lord is my Rock
	Key Reference:	2 Samuel 22:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5553
17.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Matsuwd
	English Name:	The Lord is my Fortress
	Key Reference:	2 Samuel 22:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4686
18.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Owr
	English Name:	The Lord is my Light
	Key Reference:	Psalms 27:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 216
19.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shama’
	English Name:	The Lord Hears me
	Key Reference:	Exodus 3:7; Psalms 6:9, 34:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8085
20.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Towb
	English Name:	The Lord is Good
	Key Reference:	Psalms 34:8, 100:5, 103:5, 135:3, 145:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2896
21.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chanan
	English Name:	The Lord is gracious
	Key Reference:	Numbers 6:25
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2603
22.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Checed
	English Name:	The Lord’s merciful kindness
	Key Reference:	Psalms 117:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2617
23.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Barak
	English Name:	The Lord who Blesses and Prospers me
	Key Reference:	Numbers 6:24-27; Deuteronomy 28:2-12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1288
24.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chayil
	English Name:	Lord of Wealth
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 8:18
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2428
25.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsalach
	English Name:	Lord of Prosperity
	Key Reference:	Psalms 118:25
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6743
26.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mezimmah
	English Name:	Lord of Witty Inventions
	Key Reference:	Proverbs 8:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4209
27.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Baal-Perazim
	English Name:	Jehovah is Lord of the Breakthrough
	Key Reference:	1 Chronicles 14:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1188 (from 1167 and 6556)
28.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mishneh
	English Name:	The Lord of the double portion
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 61:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4932
29.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Emuwn
	English Name:	Lord of Faith
	Key Reference:	Habakkuk 2:4 (xref Romans 1:17)
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 529
30.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Eth Pega`
	English Name:	Lord of time and chance
	Key Reference:	Ecclesiastes 9:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6256, 6294
31.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Etsah Tuwshiyah
	English Name:	Lord of counsel and sound wisdom
	Key Reference:	Proverbs 8:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6098, 8454
32.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yacaph
	English Name:	The Lord shall increase you more and more
	Key Reference:	Psalms 115:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3254
33.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Attiyq Yowm
	English Name:	The Lord is the Ancient of Days
	Key Reference:	Daniel 7:9,13,22
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6268, 3118
34.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Asah
	English Name:	The Lord our Maker
	Key Reference:	Psalms 95:6; Isaiah 51:13
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6213
35.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Iysh Milchamah
	English Name:	The Lord is a Man of War
	Key Reference:	Exodus 15:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 376, 4421
36.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gibbowr
	English Name:	The Lord is Mighty
	Key Reference:	Psalms 45:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1368
37.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gibbowr Yasha`
	English Name:	The Lord is Mighty to Save
	Key Reference:	Zephaniah 3:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1368, 3467
38.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gibbowr Milchamah
	English Name:	The Lord is Mighty in Battle
	Key Reference:	Psalms 24:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1368, 4421
39.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsebaoth
	English Name:	The Lord of Hosts (Angelic Armies)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 24:10, 46:7; Isaiah 6:3,5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6635
40.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Melek Kabowd
	English Name:	The Lord is the King of Glory
	Key Reference:	Psalms 24:7-10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4428, 3519
41.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tiqvah
	English Name:	The Lord is my Hope
	Key Reference:	Psalms 71:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8615
42.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim
	English Name:	The Lord is God
	Key Reference:	Joshua 22:34; 1 Kings 8:60
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430
43.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Bad
	English Name:	The Lord is God alone
	Key Reference:	Psalms 86:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 905
44.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Yisrael
	English Name:	The Lord God of Israel
	Key Reference:	Judges 5:3; Psalms 41:13, 106:48
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 3478
45.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kol Machmad
	English Name:	The Lord is Altogether Lovely
	Key Reference:	Song of Solomon 5:16
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3605, 4261
46.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Reya
	English Name:	The Lord is my Friend
	Key Reference:	Exodus 33:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7453
47.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Azar
	English Name:	The Lord is my Helper
	Key Reference:	Psalms 30:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5826
48.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Alah Arukah
	English Name:	The Lord who restores your health
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 30:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5927, 724
49.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shalam Shaneh
	English Name:	The Lord who restores the years [of losses]
	Key Reference:	Joel 2:25
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7999, 8141
50.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shuwb Shebuwth
	English Name:	The Lord turns my captivity
	Key Reference:	Zephaniah 3:20
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7725, 7622
51.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Owr Yesha
	English Name:	The Lord is my Light and my Salvation
	Key Reference:	Psalms 27:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 216, 3468
52.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rapha Makkah
	English Name:	The Lord who heals thee of thy wounds
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 30:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7495, 4347
53.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsebiy Kabowd
	English Name:	The Lord is Beautiful and Glorious
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 4:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6643, 3519
54.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Melek
	English Name:	The Lord is my King
	Key Reference:	Psalms 84:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4428
55.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Melek Olam Ad
	English Name:	The Lord is King forever and ever
	Key Reference:	Psalms 10:16
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4428, 5769, 5703
56.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Misgab
	English Name:	The Lord my High Tower
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4869
57.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Machaceh
	English Name:	The Lord is my Refuge
	Key Reference:	Psalms 91:2,9, 142:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4268
58.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gadowl
	English Name:	The Lord is Great
	Key Reference:	Psalms 96:4, 99:2, 135:5, 145:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1419
59.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Sha’ag Tsiyown
	English Name:	The Lord shall Roar out of Zion
	Key Reference:	Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7580, 6726
60.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Halal
	English Name:	The Lord is Worthy to be Praised
	Key Reference:	2 Samuel 22:4; Psalms 18:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1984
61.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rinnah
	English Name:	The Lord sings over me
	Key Reference:	Zephaniah 3:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7440
62.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nasa’
	English Name:	The Lord who forgives; [lifts] my sin [off of me]
	Key Reference:	Psalms 32:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5375
63.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Calach
	English Name:	The Lord who Forgives (Pardons)
	Key Reference:	Numbers 14:20; Psalms 103:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5545
64.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chaqaq
	English Name:	The Lord our Lawgiver
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 33:22
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2710
65.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Immanuel
	English Name:	The Lord God is with us
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 7:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6005
66.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Paqad
	English Name:	The Lord visits me
	Key Reference:	Genesis 21:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6485
67.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yashar
	English Name:	The Lord is Upright
	Key Reference:	Psalms 25:8, 92:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3477
68.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mibtach
	English Name:	The Lord is my Trust – refuge, security, assurance
	Key Reference:	Psalms 71:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4009
69.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Owz Zimrath
	English Name:	The Lord is my Strength and Song
	Key Reference:	Exodus 15:2; Psalms 118:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5797, 2176
70.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chayah
	English Name:	The Lord quickens me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 119:107,149,156,159, 143:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2421
71.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ab Yathowm
	English Name:	The Lord is a Father to the fatherless
	Key Reference:	Psalms 68:4-5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1, 3490
72.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shamar
	English Name:	The Lord is my Keeper – Protector
	Key Reference:	Psalms 121:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8104
73.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Zaqaph Kaphaph
	English Name:	The Lord raises them who are bowed down
	Key Reference:	Psalms 146:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2210, 3721
74.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cheleq
	English Name:	The Lord is my Portion
	Key Reference:	Psalms 119:57; Lamentations 3:24
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2506
75.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yatsar
	English Name:	The Lord is the Potter
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:2-6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3335
76.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ba`al Showbab
	English Name:	The Lord is married to the backslider
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 3:14-15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1166, 7726
77.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shuwb Sasown Yesha’
	English Name:	The Lord who restores the joy of your salvation
	Key Reference:	Psalms 51:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7725, 8342, 3468
78.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Abiyr Yisrael
	English Name:	The Lord is the Mighty One of Israel
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 1:24
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 46, 3478
79.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nathar ‘Acar
	English Name:	The Lord looses the prisoners
	Key Reference:	Psalms 146:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5425, 631
80.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nacham
	English Name:	The Lord is my Comforter
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 51:11-12, 66:12-13
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5162
81.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Jehovah Echad
	English Name:	The Lord our God, the Lord is One
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 6:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 3068, 259
82.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim elohim
	English Name:	The Lord is God of gods
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 10:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 430
83.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Adonay adown
	English Name:	The Lord is Lord of lords
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 10:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 136, 113
84.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qadosh
	English Name:	The Lord is Holy
	Key Reference:	Psalms 99:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6918
85.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qadosh Yisrael
	English Name:	The Lord, the Holy One of Israel
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 45:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6918, 3478
86.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Malak
	English Name:	The Lord Reigns
	Key Reference:	Psalms 93:1, 96:10, 97:1, 99:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4427
87.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim ‘Akal ‘Esh
	English Name:	The Lord God is a Consuming Fire
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 4:24
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 398, 784
88.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shem Qanna’
	English Name:	The Lord [whose Name] is Jealous
	Key Reference:	Exodus 34:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8034, 7067
89.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rachuwm Channuwn
	English Name:	The Lord is Merciful and Gracious
	Key Reference:	Psalms 103:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7349, 2587
90.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Lacham
	English Name:	The Lord shall fight for you
	Key Reference:	Exodus 14:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3898
91.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Paqach `Ivver
	English Name:	The Lord opens the eyes of the blind
	Key Reference:	Psalms 146:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6491, 5787
92.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ri’Shon ‘Eth Acharown
	English Name:	The Lord is the First and the Last
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 41:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7223, 853, 314
93.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gadal
	English Name:	The Lord be Magnified
	Key Reference:	Psalms 35:27
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1431
94.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chokmah
	English Name:	The Lord is Wisdom
	Key Reference:	Proverbs 3:19
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2451
95.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nathan Chokmah
	English Name:	The Lord Gives Me Wisdom
	Key Reference:	Proverbs 2:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5414, 2451
96.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsur
	English Name:	The Lord is my Strength – Rock, Cliff
	Key Reference:	Psalms 144:1; Isaiah 26:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6697
97.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Damam
	English Name:	The Lord is my Rest (to be silent)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 37:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1826
98.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nuwach
	English Name:	The Lord is my Rest (to settle down)
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 28:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5117
99.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nachah
	English Name:	The Lord is my Guide
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 58:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5148
100.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah le-
	English Name:	The Lord is on my side
	Key Reference:	Psalms 118:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3807a
101.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Asah Ba`al
	English Name:	The Lord your Maker is your Husband
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 54:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6213, 1166
102.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nephesh ‘Aheb
	English Name:	The Lord is the Lover of my Soul
	Key Reference:	Song of Solomon 1:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5315, 157
103.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah El De`ah
	English Name:	The Lord is a God of Knowledge
	Key Reference:	1 Samuel 2:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 1844
104.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Adar Qodesh
	English Name:	The Lord is Glorious in Holiness
	Key Reference:	Exodus 15:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 142, 6944
105.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gadowl `Etsah
	English Name:	The Lord is Great in Counsel
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 32:18-19
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1419, 6098
106.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shanah lo’
	English Name:	The Lord changes not
	Key Reference:	Malachi 3:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8138, 3808
107.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah (Yah) Merchab
	English Name:	The Lord sets me in a large place
	Key Reference:	Psalms 118:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068 (3050), 4800
108.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gamal
	English Name:	The Lord has dealt bountifully with me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 13:6, 116:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1580
109.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Sar Tsaba
	English Name:	The Lord is Captain of the Hosts
	Key Reference:	Joshua 5:14-15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8269, 6635
110.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsaraph
	English Name:	The Lord who refines you
	Key Reference:	Malachi 3:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6884
111.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Bachar
	English Name:	The Lord has chosen thee
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 7:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 977
112.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Natsal
	English Name:	The Lord your Deliverer (who rescues and preserves you)
	Key Reference:	1 Samuel 17:37
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5337
113.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Owr ‘Addiyr
	English Name:	The Lord is glorious and excellent!
	Key Reference:	Psalms 76:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 215, 117
114.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cether
	English Name:	The Lord is my Hiding Place
	Key Reference:	Psalms 32:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5643
115.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cela` Matsuwd
	English Name:	The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5553, 4686
116.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Checed `Olam
	English Name:	The Lord’s Mercy endures forever
	Key Reference:	Psalms 106:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2617, 5769
117.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yashab Keruwb
	English Name:	The Lord sits between the cherubim
	Key Reference:	Psalms 99:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3427, 3742
118.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Zakar
	English Name:	The Lord remembers you
	Key Reference:	1 Samuel 1:19-20
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2142
119.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Aryeh
	English Name:	Lord of the Cross
	Key Reference:	Psalms 22:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 738
120.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Owth
	English Name:	The Lord who does miracles
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 11:2-3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 226
121.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anvah
	English Name:	The Lord is gentle
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:35
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6037
122.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anvah Rabah
	English Name:	The Lord’s gentleness has made me great
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:35
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6037, 7235
123.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rachuwm
	English Name:	The Lord is compassionate
	Key Reference:	Psalms 145:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7349
124.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ratsown
	English Name:	The Lord favors me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 5:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7522
125.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chaqaq Kaph
	English Name:	The Lord has engraved me on the palm of His hands
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 49:16
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2710, 3709
126.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shemesh Magen
	English Name:	The Lord is a sun and shield
	Key Reference:	Psalms 84:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8121, 4043
127.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nathan Chen Kabowd
	English Name:	The Lord gives grace and glory
	Key Reference:	Psalms 84:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5414, 2580, 3519
128.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Qedem
	English Name:	The Lord God is eternal
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 33:27
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 6924
129.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Chazown
	English Name:	The Lord is the God of visions
	Key Reference:	Daniel 1:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 2377
130.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elohim Chalom
	English Name:	The Lord is the God of dreams
	Key Reference:	Daniel 1:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 430, 2472
131.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Menorah
	English Name:	The Lord is the Golden Candlestick
	Key Reference:	Exodus 25:31-40
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4501
132.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Seh
	English Name:	The Lord is the sacrificial Lamb
	Key Reference:	Genesis 22:7-8; John 1:29
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7716
133.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mizbeach Qetoreth
	English Name:	The Lord is the Altar of Incense
	Key Reference:	Exodus 31:8; Revelation 5:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4196, 7004
134.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shulchan Paniym
	English Name:	The Lord is the Table of Shewbread (Eucharist)
	Key Reference:	Numbers 4:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7979, 6440
135.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Poreketh
	English Name:	The Lord is the Veil (His body)
	Key Reference:	Exodus 26:33; Hebrews 10:20
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6532
136.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qodesh Qodesh
	English Name:	The Lord is the Holy of Holies
	Key Reference:	Exodus 26:33-34; Hebrews 10:19-20
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6944, 6944
137.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kapporeth
	English Name:	The Lord is the Mercy Seat (Atonement)
	Key Reference:	Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:14-15; Romans 5:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3727
138.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Arown
	English Name:	The Lord is the Ark of the Covenant
	Key Reference:	Exodus 25:10-22; Joshua 6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 727
139.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kiyowr
	English Name:	The Lord is the Laver (the Word, water baptism, cleanses from sin)
	Key Reference:	Exodus 30:18
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3595
140.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nechosheth
	English Name:	The Lord is the Brazen Altar (took our judgment when He was slain)
	Key Reference:	Exodus 35:16
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5178
141.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Sha’ar
	English Name:	The Lord is the Gate of the Tabernacle (four Gospels, salvation)
	Key Reference:	Exodus 38:18; Matthew 7:13-14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8179
142.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anan Yowmam
	English Name:	The Lord is the Cloud by Day
	Key Reference:	Exodus 13:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6051, 3119
143.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Esh Layil
	English Name:	The Lord is the Fire by Night
	Key Reference:	Exodus 13:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 784, 3915
144.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah El `Asah Pele’
	English Name:	The Lord God who does wonders
	Key Reference:	Psalms 77:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 6213, 6382
145.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Dabar Pala’
	English Name:	Is anything too hard for the Lord?
	Key Reference:	Genesis 18:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1697, 6381
146.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Darak
	English Name:	The Lord who leads me
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 48:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1869
147.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yarah
	English Name:	The Lord teaches me (to flow as water, to shoot an arrow, to point out)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 32:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3384
148.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Lamad
	English Name:	The Lord is my teacher (to goad)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 25:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3925
149.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Lamad Ya`al
	English Name:	The Lord teaches me to profit
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 48:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3925, 3276
150.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Basar
	English Name:	The Lord is a preacher of good tidings
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 61:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1319
151.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Naba’
	English Name:	The Lord of prophecy
	Key Reference:	Ezekiel 37:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5012
152.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ratsah `Am
	English Name:	The Lord takes pleasure in His people
	Key Reference:	Psalms 149:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7521, 5971
153.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mashach ‘Eth
	English Name:	The Lord has anointed me
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 61:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4886, 853
154.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Labash Howd Hadar
	English Name:	The Lord is clothed with Honor and Majesty
	Key Reference:	Psalms 104:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3847, 1935, 1926
155.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rachab Tsa`ad
	English Name:	The Lord enlarges my steps (so that my feet do not slip)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:36
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7337, 6806
156.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsaddiyq
	English Name:	The Lord is just
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 45:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6662
157.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Tsedeq
	English Name:	The Lord of Justice
	Key Reference:	Psalms 89:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6664
158.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mishpat
	English Name:	The Lord of Judgment (fair and righteous judge)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 89:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4941
159.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yasha`
	English Name:	The Lord is my Savior
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 45:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3467
160.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ma`Owz Chay
	English Name:	The Lord is the strength of my life
	Key Reference:	Psalms 27:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4581, 2416
161.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah No`am Chazah
	English Name:	The Lord is beautiful to behold
	Key Reference:	Psalms 27:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5278, 2372
162.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Maqowr Chay
	English Name:	The Lord is the fountain of life
	Key Reference:	Psalms 36:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4726, 2416
163.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cocherah
	English Name:	The Lord is my buckler
	Key Reference:	Psalms 91:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5507
164.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kabowd
	English Name:	The Lord is my Glory
	Key Reference:	Psalms 3:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3519
165.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ruwm Ro’sh
	English Name:	The Lord is the Lifter of my Head
	Key Reference:	Psalms 3:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7311, 7218
166.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Camak
	English Name:	The Lord sustains me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 3:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5564
167.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yeshua
	English Name:	Salvation Belongs to the Lord
	Key Reference:	Psalms 3:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3444
168.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Barar
	English Name:	The Lord is pure
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:26
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1305
169.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Owr Niyr
	English Name:	The Lord lights my candle
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:28
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 215, 5216
170.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shuwb
	English Name:	Lord of Recompense
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:20
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7725
171.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Arukah Marpe’
	English Name:	Lord of Health and Cure
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 33:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 724, 4832
172.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Berakah
	English Name:	Lord of Blessings
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 28:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1293
173.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chen
	English Name:	Lord of Grace
	Key Reference:	Genesis 6:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2580
174.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anavah
	English Name:	Lord of Meekness
	Key Reference:	Psalms 45:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6037
175.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Hadar
	English Name:	Lord of Majesty
	Key Reference:	Psalms 45:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1926
176.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Izzuws Gibbowr
	English Name:	The Lord is Strong and Mighty
	Key Reference:	Psalms 24:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5808, 1368
177.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yashab Betach
	English Name:	The Lord makes me to dwell in safety
	Key Reference:	Psalms 4:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3427, 983
178.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Pele’
	English Name:	The Lord is Wonderful
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6382
179.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ya`ats
	English Name:	The Lord is Counselor
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3289
180.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘El Gibbowr
	English Name:	The Lord is the Mighty God
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 1368
181.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Ad ‘Ab
	English Name:	The Lord is the Everlasting Father
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5703, 1
182.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Sar Shalom
	English Name:	The Lord is the Prince of Peace
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8269, 7965
183.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ben Nathan
	English Name:	The Lord has given a Son
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1121, 5414
184.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qeren Yesha`
	English Name:	The Lord is the horn of my salvation
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7161, 3468
185.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chaphets
	English Name:	The Lord delights in me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:19
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2654
186.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Towb Yashar
	English Name:	The Lord is good and upright
	Key Reference:	Psalms 25:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2896, 3477
187.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chayah
	English Name:	The Lord has kept me alive
	Key Reference:	Psalms 30:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2421
188.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Aph Rega`
	English Name:	The Lord’s anger only endures for a moment
	Key Reference:	Psalms 30:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 639, 7281
189.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qin’ah
	English Name:	The Lord of zeal
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 9:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7068
190.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ruwm Tsur
	English Name:	The Lord will set me up upon a rock
	Key Reference:	Psalms 27:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7311, 6697
191.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yasha` Mashiyach
	English Name:	The Lord saves His Anointed
	Key Reference:	Psalms 20:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3467, 4899
192.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah El ‘Emeth
	English Name:	Lord God of Truth
	Key Reference:	Psalms 31:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 571
193.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Natsar ‘Aman
	English Name:	The Lord preserves the faithful
	Key Reference:	Psalms 31:23
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5341, 539
194.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Natsar Tsar
	English Name:	The Lord shall preserve me from trouble
	Key Reference:	Psalms 32:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5341, 6862
195.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Sakal
	English Name:	The Lord will instruct me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 32:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7919
196.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Azar Simchah
	English Name:	The Lord has girded me with gladness
	Key Reference:	Psalms 30:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 247, 8057
197.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shuwb Nephesh
	English Name:	The Lord restores my soul
	Key Reference:	Psalms 23:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7725, 5315
198.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ra’ah
	English Name:	The Lord feeds me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 28:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7462
199.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Asah
	English Name:	The Lord shall bring your promise to pass
	Key Reference:	Psalms 37:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6213
200.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Mashak
	English Name:	The Lord draws me (and I shall run after Him)
	Key Reference:	Song of Solomon 1:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4900
201.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Me`od Halal
	English Name:	The Lord is greatly to be praised
	Key Reference:	Psalms 48:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3966, 1984
202.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Dayan ‘Almanah
	English Name:	The Lord is a judge (advocate) of widows
	Key Reference:	Psalms 68:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1781, 490
203.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shiyloh
	English Name:	Lord of Shiloh (Messianic Name)
	Key Reference:	Genesis 49:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7886
204.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nadiyb
	English Name:	The Lord is Generous
	Key Reference:	Psalms 51:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5081
205.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kabad
	English Name:	The Lord will honor me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 91:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3513
206.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ma’own
	English Name:	The Lord is your habitation
	Key Reference:	Psalms 91:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4583
207.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Banah Yeruwshalayim
	English Name:	The Lord builds up Jerusalem
	Key Reference:	Psalms 147:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1129, 3389
208.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ga’al
	English Name:	The Lord is our kinsman-redeemer
	Key Reference:	Ruth 4:14 NIV
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1350
209.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Asah Barak
	English Name:	Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker
	Key Reference:	Psalms 95:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6213, 1288
210.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah ‘Arek ‘Aph
	English Name:	The Lord is slow to anger
	Key Reference:	Psalms 103:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 750, 639
211.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Rab Checed
	English Name:	The Lord is plenteous in mercy
	Key Reference:	Psalms 103:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7227, 2617
212.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Racham Yare’
	English Name:	The Lord pities them that fear Him
	Key Reference:	Psalms 103:13
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7355, 3373
213.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yada` Yetser
	English Name:	The Lord knows our frame (conception, purpose, destiny)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 103:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3045, 3336
214.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah El Neqamah
	English Name:	Lord God, to whom belongs vengeance
	Key Reference:	Psalms 94:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 5360
215.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Gamar Be’ad
	English Name:	The Lord will perfect that which concerns me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 138:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1584, 1157
216.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Bachan
	English Name:	The Lord says to prove (test) Him in giving tithes and offerings
	Key Reference:	Malachi 3:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 974
217.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ma`asar Terumah
	English Name:	Tithes and Offerings belong to the Lord
	Key Reference:	Malachi 3:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 4643, 8641
218.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shakan `Ad
	English Name:	The Lord who inhabits eternity
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 57:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7931, 5703
219.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Cowd Yare’
	English Name:	The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him
	Key Reference:	Psalms 25:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5475, 3373
220.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Natah Zerowa`
	English Name:	The Lord with a stretched out arm (able to save, set free and deliver)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 136:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5186, 2220
221.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yad Chazaq
	English Name:	The Lord with a strong hand
	Key Reference:	Psalms 136:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3027, 2389
222.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shama` Techinnah
	English Name:	The Lord has heard my supplication
	Key Reference:	Psalms 6:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8085, 8467
223.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Asah Pala’
	English Name:	The Lord has done Marvelous things
	Key Reference:	Psalms 98:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6213, 6381
224.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anag `al
	English Name:	Delight yourself in the Lord
	Key Reference:	Psalms 37:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6026, 5921
225.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kabowd ‘Esh
	English Name:	The Lord’s Glory is like fire
	Key Reference:	Ezekiel 1:26-28
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3519, 784
226.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Qesheth Kicce’
	English Name:	Rainbows issue out of the Lord’s Throne
	Key Reference:	Ezekiel 1:26-28
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7198, 3678
227.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah `Anah Qara’
	English Name:	The Lord answers me when I call
	Key Reference:	Psalms 4:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 6030, 7121
228.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shama` Tephilla
	English Name:	The Lord hears my prayer (hymn, intercession)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 4:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8085, 8605
229.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Barak Tsaddiyq
	English Name:	The Lord Blesses the Righteous
	Key Reference:	Psalms 5:12
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1288, 6662
230.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Derek Tamiym
	English Name:	The Lord’s way (road) is perfect (entire)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:30
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1870, 8549
231.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elyon Yare’
	English Name:	The Lord Most High is Awesome
	Key Reference:	Psalms 47:2 (NKJV)
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5945, 3372
232.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ra’ah Yisrael
	English Name:	The Lord is the Shepherd of Israel
	Key Reference:	Psalms 80:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7462, 3478
233.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yeshua Paniym
	English Name:	The Lord is the health of my countenance
	Key Reference:	Psalms 43:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3444, 6440
234.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Lamad ‘Orach
	English Name:	The Lord teaches me His paths
	Key Reference:	Psalms 25:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3925, 734
235.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Beriyth Shamar
	English Name:	The Lord is a Covenant Keeper
	Key Reference:	Genesis 17:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1285, 8104
236.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Dabar
	English Name:	The Lord is a Promise Keeper
	Key Reference:	1 Kings 8:56; Psalms 105:42
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1697
237.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Lechem
	English Name:	The Lord is the Bread (Manna) from Heaven
	Key Reference:	Exodus 16:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3899
238.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Elyon
	English Name:	The Lord Most High
	Key Reference:	Psalms 83:18
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5945
239.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah El Shaddai
	English Name:	Lord God Almighty
	Key Reference:	Psalms 91:1; Revelation 4:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 410, 7706
240.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Hayah
	English Name:	The Lord who is the Great I AM
	Key Reference:	Exodus 3:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1961
241.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Adonai
	English Name:	The Lord is Master
	Key Reference:	Genesis 15:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 136
242.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Ruwm
	English Name:	The Lord who is Exalted
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:46
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 7311
243.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Kabowd Tehillah
	English Name:	Lord who receives honor and praise
	Key Reference:	Psalms 66:2
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3519, 8416
244.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Yasha`
	English Name:	Lord of Victory
	Key Reference:	Psalms 98:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 3467
245.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Shaphal
	English Name:	Lord of humility
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 57:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8217
246.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Nathan Gowy Nachalah
	English Name:	The Lord shall give you the nations as your inheritance
	Key Reference:	Psalms 2:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 5414, 1471, 5159
247.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Charash ‘Ahabah
	English Name:	The Lord will rest in His love
	Key Reference:	Zephaniah 3:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2790, 160
248.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Giyl Rinnah
	English Name:	The Lord will rejoice over me with singing
	Key Reference:	Zephaniah 3:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 1523, 7440
249.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Simchah
	English Name:	The Lord who is the source of my joy
	Key Reference:	Psalms 16:11
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 8057
250.	Hebrew Name:	Jehovah Chabburah Rapha
	English Name:	By the Lord’s stripes, we are healed
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 53:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	3068, 2250, 7495

 

Names of El
1.	Hebrew Name:	El Shaddai
	English Name:	God Almighty; the All-Sufficient One
	Key Reference:	Genesis 17:1-2
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7706
2.	Hebrew Name:	El Elyon
	English Name:	God, the Most High God
	Key Reference:	Genesis 14:19-20,22
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5945
3.	Hebrew Name:	El Yehovah
	English Name:	God is Yehovah (Yahweh)
	Key Reference:	Psalms 118:27
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3068
4.	Hebrew Name:	El Yasha`
	English Name:	God my Savior
	Key Reference:	Psalms 106:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3467
5.	Hebrew Name:	El Yeshua
	English Name:	God of our Salvation
	Key Reference:	Psalms 68:19
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3444
6.	Hebrew Name:	El Cathar
	English Name:	The God that hides Himself
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 45:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5641
7.	Hebrew Name:	El Ro’iy
	English Name:	The God that sees me
	Key Reference:	Genesis 16:13
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7210
8.	Hebrew Name:	El Neqamah
	English Name:	God who avenges me
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:47
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5360
9.	Hebrew Name:	El Beyth’el
	English Name:	God of Bethel. Bethel means “House of God”.
	Key Reference:	Genesis 31:13
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1008
10.	Hebrew Name:	El Rachuwm
	English Name:	God of Compassion
	Key Reference:	Psalms 86:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7349
11.	Hebrew Name:	El `Olam
	English Name:	The Everlasting God
	Key Reference:	Genesis 21:33
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5769
12.	Hebrew Name:	El Channuwn
	English Name:	God is Gracious
	Key Reference:	Psalms 86:15
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 2587
13.	Hebrew Name:	El Saggiy’
	English Name:	God is Great
	Key Reference:	Job 36:26
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7689
14.	Hebrew Name:	El Simchah Giyl
	English Name:	God is my exceeding joy
	Key Reference:	Psalms 43:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 8057, 1524
15.	Hebrew Name:	El Elohe Yisrael
	English Name:	The Mighty God of Israel
	Key Reference:	Genesis 33:20
	Strong’s Numbers:	415 (from 410, 430, 3478)
16.	Hebrew Name:	Immanu-El
	English Name:	“God with us”
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 7:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	6005 (from 410, 5973)
17.	Hebrew Name:	El Qanna’
	English Name:	A jealous God
	Key Reference:	Exodus 20:5
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7067
18.	Hebrew Name:	El Chuwl
	English Name:	God formed (Fathered) thee
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 32:18 NKJV
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 2342
19.	Hebrew Name:	El Checed ‘Emeth
	English Name:	God of mercy and truth
	Key Reference:	Psalms 86:15, xref John 1:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 2617, 571
20.	Hebrew Name:	El Ma’owz Chayil
	English Name:	God is my strength and power
	Key Reference:	2 Samuel 22:33
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 4581, 2428
21.	Hebrew Name:	El Lo’ ‘Iysh Kazab
	English Name:	God is not a man that He should lie
	Key Reference:	Numbers 23:19
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3808, 376, 3576
22.	Hebrew Name:	El Derek Tamiym
	English Name:	God’s way is perfect
	Key Reference:	Psalms 18:30
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1870, 8549
23.	Hebrew Name:	El Kabowd Ra`am
	English Name:	The God of Glory Thunders
	Key Reference:	Psalms 29:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3519, 7481
24.	Hebrew Name:	El Yalad
	English Name:	The God who gave birth to you
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 32:18
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3205
25.	Hebrew Name:	El Rab `Arats Cowd Qadowsh Yare’ ‘al Kol Cabiyb
	English Name:	God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him.
	Key Reference:	Psalms 89:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7227, 6206, 5475, 6918, 3372, 5921, 3605, 5439
26.	Hebrew Name:	Shamayim Caphar Kabowd El
	English Name:	The heavens declare the Glory of God
	Key Reference:	Psalms 19:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	8064, 5608, 3519, 410
27.	Hebrew Name:	El Shamar Beriyth
	English Name:	God who keeps Covenant
	Key Reference:	Daniel 9:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 8104, 1285
28.	Hebrew Name:	El ‘Aman
	English Name:	God is Faithful
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 7:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 539
29.	Hebrew Name:	El Yeshurun
	English Name:	God of Jeshurun
	Key Reference:	Deuteronomy 33:26
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3484
30.	Hebrew Name:	El Chay
	English Name:	The Living God
	Key Reference:	Joshua 3:10
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 2416
31.	Hebrew Name:	El Elohim
	English Name:	God of gods
	Key Reference:	Joshua 22:22
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 430
32.	Hebrew Name:	El Cela`
	English Name:	God my Rock
	Key Reference:	Psalms 42:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5553
33.	Hebrew Name:	El Checed
	English Name:	The goodness of God
	Key Reference:	Psalms 52:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 2617
34.	Hebrew Name:	El Miqdash
	English Name:	Sanctuary of God
	Key Reference:	Psalms 73:17
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 4720
35.	Hebrew Name:	El `Asah Pele’
	English Name:	The God that does wonders
	Key Reference:	Psalms 77:14
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 6213, 6382
36.	Hebrew Name:	El Ma`alal
	English Name:	Works of God
	Key Reference:	Psalms 78:7
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 4611
37.	Hebrew Name:	El `Arak Shulchan Midbar
	English Name:	God furnishes a table in the wilderness
	Key Reference:	Psalms 78:19
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 6186, 7979, 4057
38.	Hebrew Name:	El Ga’al
	English Name:	God your Redeemer
	Key Reference:	Psalms 78:35
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1350
39.	Hebrew Name:	El Nasa’
	English Name:	God who forgives
	Key Reference:	Psalms 99:8
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 5375
40.	Hebrew Name:	El Tsaddiyq
	English Name:	A just God
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 45:21
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 6662
41.	Hebrew Name:	El ‘Ayin `Owd
	English Name:	He is God, and there is none else
	Key Reference:	Isaiah 46:9
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 369, 5750
42.	Hebrew Name:	Halal El Qodesh
	English Name:	Praise God in His Sanctuary
	Key Reference:	Psalms 150:1
	Strong’s Numbers:	1984, 410, 6944
43.	Hebrew Name:	El Gemuwlah
	English Name:	God of recompense
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 51:56
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1578
44.	Hebrew Name:	El Yare’
	English Name:	God is Awesome
	Key Reference:	Nehemiah 1:5, NKJV
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 3372
45.	Hebrew Name:	El Tsadaq
	English Name:	Justified with God
	Key Reference:	Job 25:4
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 6663
46.	Hebrew Name:	El Sagab Koach
	English Name:	God is exalted by His Power
	Key Reference:	Job 36:22
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7682, 3581
47.	Hebrew Name:	El Elohim ‘Ab
	English Name:	I am God, the God of thy father
	Key Reference:	Genesis 46:3
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 430, 1
48.	Hebrew Name:	El Dabar Chalom Chizzayown Layil
	English Name:	God speaks in dreams and visions of the night
	Key Reference:	Job 33:14-15
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1696, 2472, 2384, 3915
49.	Hebrew Name:	El Rowmemah Garown
	English Name:	Let the high praises of God be in their mouth
	Key Reference:	Psalms 149:6
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 7319, 1627
50.	Hebrew Name:	El Gadowl Gibbowr El Yehovah Tsaba’ Shem
	English Name:	God is the Great, Mighty God, the Lord of Hosts is His Name
	Key Reference:	Jeremiah 32:18
	Strong’s Numbers:	410, 1419, 1368, 410, 3068, 6635, 8034

 

Chapter 15

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2

 

Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit was given to just a remnant few – usually to prophets, priests and kings. Joel prophesied that a time would come when the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon all flesh.

 

Joel 2:28-29 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaidens in those days will I pour out My Spirit.”

 

Before Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, He said that after He ascended to heaven that He would not leave us comfortless. But He would send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to be with us forever. Jesus said that He would baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with power from on High.

 

Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, there were 120 people in the Upper Room waiting on the Lord. Included among the 120 were Jesus’ disciples and His mother Mary. When the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were gathered together in one accord waiting to be endued with power from on High. Pentecost was a Jewish feast, which was observed fifty days following Passover.

 

And suddenly there came a very loud sound, like the sound of a powerful rushing wind. The place shook and it filled all the house. Then there appeared to be cloven tongues of fire resting upon each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. They began to praise God in languages that they had never learned before, by the divine enablement of the Spirit.

 

Many Jews from many nations were gathered in Jerusalem that day to observe the Festival of Pentecost. When they heard the roaring in the sky above the house where the 120 were gathered, the crowds came running to see what it was all about. They were stunned to hear Galileans fluently speaking their native language or the language of other nations who were present at the feast.

 

Acts 2:7-11 says in the Living Bible, “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “For these men are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking all the native languages of the lands where we were born! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, men from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia Minor, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the Cyrene languages areas of Libya, visitors from Rome—both Jews and Jewish converts—Cretans and Arabians. And we all hear these men telling in our own languages about the mighty miracles of God!”

 

Others in the crowd began to mock saying that they were all drunk. Peter stood up and told them that they were not drunk. And besides, even drunks did not get drunk that early in the morning, as it was only 9:00 am.

 

Peter went on to say that what was happening was prophesied by the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18). Verse 21 says, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

 

In Acts 2:30-39, it says that David prophesied of the coming Messiah.

 

Acts 2:30-39 NKJV

 

30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,

31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand,

35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’”

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

 

The following Scriptures are cross references that say that the Father exalted Jesus and seated Him at His right hand:

 

Romans 8:34

Acts 7:55-56

Ephesians 1:20

Colossians 3:1

Hebrews 3:1,13

Hebrews 8:1

Hebrews 10:12

Hebrews 12:2

1 Peter 3:22

Matthew 26:64

Mark 14:62

Mark 16:19

Luke 22:69-70

 

For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people (Isaiah 28:11, xref 1 Corinthians 14:21).

Three Kinds of Baptisms

 

The New Testament mentions three baptisms:

 

1.          Baptism in water (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:16-17, Romans 6:3-4)

2.  Baptism into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13-14, 15-31)

3.          Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5-8, Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16, John 1:32-34)

 

Acts 1:5-8 says:

“For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

Jesus is the One who baptizes born again believers in the Holy Ghost and the fire of God.

 

John 1:32-34 says:

And John bare record, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.”

 

John the Baptist declared in Matthew 3:11:

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greek words and definitions of “baptize”:

 

1. NT:907 baptizo.

 

A.    Literally, to dip repeatedly, to immerge, submerge.

B.    To cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water.

C.   metaphorically, to overwhelm or “to be identified with”.

 

2. NT:908 baptisma, baptismatos.

 

A.    immersion, submersion.

 

 

We can see by these Greek definitions that New Testament baptism was administered by complete immersion, rather than sprinkling.

 

When Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist, He was completely submerged under the water and then rose up out of the water.

 

Water baptism by immersion signifies identifying with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Your old self has been buried with Christ and your new self has risen up to newness of life.

 

Romans 6:4 says, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

 

When the Holy Spirit fell on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room where the 120 were gathered, the Holy Spirit totally overwhelmed them, and there appeared to be flames of fire (they were baptized or immersed in the fire of God).

 

When believers are spiritually baptized into the Body of Christ, that means they are immersed or saturated into the Body of Christ. They become one with each other (in spirit) in Christ.

 

 

Tongues – Galileans

 

Jewish people from throughout the Roman and Parthian worlds gathered for the three main feasts of Israel (Tabernacles, Passover and Pentecost). Because Pentecost was only fifty days after Passover, some who had spent much to make a rare pilgrimage to Jerusalem stayed between the two feasts. Pentecost was probably the least popular of the three pilgrimage festivals, but Josephus attests that it was nevertheless crowded. (From IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament by Craig S. Keener Copyright © 1993 by Craig S. Keener. Published by InterVarsity Press.)

 

Coming of the Holy Spirit

 

1. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

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

3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

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

 

The Crowd's Response

 

5. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

7. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?

8. And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

9. Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11. Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

12. So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

 

Peter's Sermon

(Joel 2:28-32)

 

14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

15. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day (9:00 am).

16. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

 

17. ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams.

18. And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days;

And they shall prophesy.’”

 

The fact that these were Galileans who were speaking in other tongues is very significant.

 

The Adam Clarke’s Commentary says that the Galileans were persons who knew no other dialect, except of their own country. The Galileans were wholly uneducated, and consequently, naturally ignorant of those languages which they now began to speak so fluently.

 

The Barnes’ Notes Commentary says that it was remarkable that the Galileans should speak in other languages so eloquently and fluently because “they were ignorant, rude and uncivilized.” The term “Galilean” referred to in John 1:46 (“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”) was used as an expression of the deepest reproach and contempt.

 

Their dialect was proverbially barbarous, crude and corrupt, Mark 14:70; Matthew 26:73.

 

They were regarded as an outlandish people, unacquainted with other nations and languages, and hence, there was amazement that they could address them in the refined language of other people.

 

Their native ignorance was the occasion of making the miracle more striking. The native weakness of Christian ministers makes the grace and glory of God more remarkable in the success of the gospel. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us,” 2 Corinthians 4:7. God has “chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise,” 1 Corinthians 1:27.

 

Joel prophesied that God was pouring His Spirit out upon all flesh (not just the educated, elite, kings, elders, religious leaders, or the men only—but on all flesh).

 

Most of Jesus’ disciples and followers were from Galilee, and Jesus grew up in the Galilee region and His ministry headquarters was in Capernaum. Even though most of His disciples were not formally educated, and were rough around the edges in their mannerisms, after they were filled with the Holy Spirit God used them to turn the world upside down. It is remarkable that three of Jesus’ twelve disciples wrote books of the New Testament, including Matthew, John and Peter.

 

Acts 2:11 says that the Galileans spoke the wonderful works of God in earthly languages they had never learned before.

 

Tongues can be in the languages of men (earthly languages) or angels (languages spoken in Heaven), according to 1 Corinthians 13:1.

 

In the case of Acts 2, the Galileans spoke earthly languages they did not know. It served as a sign and a wonder among all the Jews in Jerusalem. After Peter preached to the crowd, 3,000 were saved in one day (Acts 2:41), and the early church had its beginning.

 

Tongues:  20 Benefits of

 

1.  Impartation of wisdom and revelation.

 

2.  To receive word of knowledge.

 

3.  When you don’t know how to pray.

 

4.  Builds you up in your most holy faith.

 

5.  Helps you with your limitations and weaknesses.

 

6.  Strengthens you on the inside.

 

7.  Your physical body and mind are renewed and strengthened.

 

8.  Your spirit is edified (built up).

 

9.  You pray the perfect will of God.

 

10. It builds your immune system, according to medical science.

 

11. Gives you the victory.

 

12. Protection.

 

13. Spiritual warfare.

 

14. Intercession.

 

15. Gives understanding to questions you have.

 

16. To receive comfort.

 

17. Magnifies God.

 

18. Declare mysteries of God.

 

19. The river of God flows through your innermost being.

 

20. Tongues is the entrance into the supernatural.

42 Quotes by Dr. Leroy Thompson about the benefits of praying in tongues:

 

1.          Tongues pulls you from the past into your future!

 

2.          When praying in the Spirit you are prophesying your God ordained future!

 

3.          When praying in the Spirit you are declaring the secrets of God!

 

4.          Praying in the Spirit is a direct line to the Almighty!

 

5.          Tongues reverses death and demonic assignments in your life!

 

6.          Tongues will give you unstoppable progress that your enemy can't deny!

 

7.          As you pray in tongues you will reach higher and higher in a dying world!

 

8.          Praying in tongues is praying things that have been concealed to be revealed!

 

9.          Praying in tongues keeps you spiritually fit!

 

10.      Praying in tongues piles up all the promises God has for you, and puts you in the position to receive them!

 

11.      When you pray in the Spirit, you enter into another zone!

 

12.      Praying in tongues synchronizes us with the timing of God!

 

13.      Praying in the Spirit arranges your present to receive your future!

 

14.      When praying in the Spirit you are breaking yokes that exist, and breaking future yokes before they can be put together!

 

15.      Praying in the Holy Ghost enables you to live a yoke free life!

 

16.      Praying in the Holy Spirit keeps you ministry fit!

 

17.      Praying in the Holy Spirit gives you step by step plans for your life!

 

18.      Praying in the Spirit cuts a path of blessings in tumultuous situations!

 

19.      When praying in tongues secrets that were withheld from others are revealed to you!

 

20.      When you pray in tongues, secrets and plans will be made known to you!

 

21.      Demons scream when you pray in the Holy Spirit because they can’t understand or stop you!

 

22.      When praying in tongues the enemy is helpless in sabotaging your prayer!

 

23.      Speaking in tongues is the language of glory!

 

24.      Praying in tongues is spiritual management!

 

25.      Praying in the Spirit paralyzes fear!

 

26.      Praying in the Spirit is the trigger to the supernatural!

 

27.      When you pray in the Holy Spirit the devil is reminded of his defeat and begins to have fits!

 

28.      Praying in the Spirit is drawing out secrets to life’s complicated issues!

 

29.      Praying in the Spirit will take you into God’s miracle zone!

 

30.      Praying in the Spirit is a supernatural weapon!

 

31.      When praying in the Spirit you are bathing in the invisible and getting wet with the visible!

 

32.      By praying in the Spirit you are making a path of blessings and power for you to walk in and enjoy!

 

33.      Praying in tongues is help with your ultimate weakness!

 

34.      When you pray in tongues you are declaring the mysteries of God!

 

35.      When praying in the Holy Ghost you are searching Christ!

 

36.      Praying in tongues has no respect for your problem!

 

37.      Tongues is the entrance into the supernatural!

 

38.      When you pray in the Spirit, you are speaking divine coded secrets!

 

39.      Praying in tongues takes you into the realm of nothing being impossible!

 

40.      Praying in tongues is a direct line to God where there are no interruptions, no interference, and no eavesdropping! Just you and Him!

 

41.      Praying in the Spirit is the way that you stir God up within you! 2 Timothy 1:6.

 

42.      Praying in the Spirit activates Power, Authority, and Dominion! Power means ability. Authority means a capability of authorizing things from a divine perspective. Dominion is the sovereign power of God!

 

 

Chapter 16

Tongues:  Q & A

 

What is speaking in tongues?

 

By the enablement and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaking in a language you have never learned. It could be any ancient or current language spoken, or could be a language spoken in Heaven (angelic languages)—1 Corinthians 13:1.

 

A person is not limited to the mode of speaking only, but you can also sing in tongues, pray in tongues, praise in tongues, and prophesy in tongues.

 

 

What do you mean by two-fold, or two kinds, of tongues?

 

According to 1 Corinthians 13:1, there are two kinds of tongues: Paul refers to the:

 

1.      tongues of men (any earthly language; common language)

2.      the tongues of angels (any language spoken in Heaven; eloquent speech).

 

 

What is the purpose of tongues?

 

1.  Usually the initial evidence or manifestation that a person has been filled and baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3-4, 10:44-48, 19:6).

 

2.  A sign to unbelievers of the reality and power of God – 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (xref Isaiah 28:11), Acts 2:6-21.

 

3.  Serves as a sign that accompanies and signifies those who believe on Jesus Christ (Mark 16:17-18). “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

 

4.  Power to be witnesses, and power for service (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Romans 15:19). Luke 24:49 says, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 

5.  Great boldness and great grace (Acts 4:31-33). Acts 4:31-33 states:

 

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.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

 

6.  Spiritual self-edification.

 

1 Corinthians 14:4a “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself.”

 

Jude 20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

 

When you pray in tongues, your mind is unfruitful (you do not understand the language you are speaking), but your spirit is built up.

 

7.  Your spirit prays to God.

 

1 Corinthians 14:2 “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:14 “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

Praying in tongues are pure prayers from your spirit to God. There is no carnality or flesh mixed in. You are not praying with your soul (mind and emotions), which is continually being renewed and sanctified.

 

Sometimes when you don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit (who knows the perfect will of God) intercedes through you (Romans 8:26).

 

8.  The Holy Spirit prays and sings through you in the form of tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 14:15 “What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit (pray in unknown tongues), and I will pray with the understanding also (in the language you know). I will sing with the Spirit (sing in unknown tongues) and I will sing with the understanding also (in the language you know).”

 

The phrases: “pray in the Holy Ghost, or pray in the Spirit, or sing in the Spirit” all refer to praying or singing in tongues. When someone says “pray in your Heavenly language”, that is also referring to praying in tongues.

 

9.  Tongues is usually the entrance to operating in the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. There are nine gifts mentioned in this passage:

 

1.          Word of wisdom

2.          Word of knowledge

3.          Faith

4.          Gifts of healing

5.          Working of miracles

6.          Prophecy

7.          Discerning of spirits

8.          Diverse kinds of tongues

9.          Interpretation of tongues

 

Tongues is the door into the prophetic realm, the seer realm, signs and wonders, healings and miracles, and deliverance.

 

Tongues is a catalyst that propels a believer into deeper worship, thus resulting in experiencing a very heavy anointing, a weighty presence of the Lord, and the glory realm.

 

Praying in the Holy Ghost (tongues) is a way of doing spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18). This passage talks about the armor of God that quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one. In Verse 18 it says to pray in the Spirit. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

 

10.The purpose of tongues is to prophesy a word from God in the general assembly, with an interpretation following, for the edifying of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12-13, 27-32). Paul said that it is greater to prophesy a word in the language of the hearers, because then it does not require an interpreter and interpretation.

 

 

Speaking in Tongues vs. Gift of Tongues

 

Speaking in tongues and the “Gift” of tongues is a subject that is confusing for many Christians. There is a difference between the two.

 

Speaking in Tongues

 

1.  Speaking, praying or singing in tongues is for your own personal self-edification. 1 Corinthians 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”

 

2.  Speaking in tongues is just between you and God. 1 Corinthians 14:2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.”

 

3.  When you pray in tongues, your spirit is praying although your mind does not understand. 1 Corinthians 14:14 “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

 

4.  Paul mentions two ways to pray and sing: A) pray in tongues and B) pray in your own native language. 1 Corinthians 14:15 “I will pray with the Spirit (in tongues), and I will also pray with the understanding (in my own language, such as English). I will sing with the Spirit (in tongues), and I will also sing with the understanding (my native language).”

 

5.  Praying in tongues builds you up in your innermost being. Jude 20 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”

 

6.  All Christians are encouraged to speak in tongues. Sometimes this is referred to as praying in your Heavenly prayer language. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:5 “I wish you all spoke with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:18,39 “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.” “Do not forbid to speak with tongues.”

 

7.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues, happens after a person has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2 “He (Paul) said unto them, ‘Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?’ Acts 19:5-6 “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.”

 

8.  Speaking and singing in tongues is praying in your Heavenly prayer language in your private life.

 

9.  Sometimes, in the public assembly, the whole congregation worships the Lord together by singing in tongues and praying in their Heavenly prayer language together. There is unity. It is very beautiful and anointed when that happens. In intercessory meetings, this often happens when everyone present is praying in their own Heavenly prayer language. Then someone may go to the microphone or speak very loudly and begin to share a prophecy that the Lord has showed them.

 

Gift of Tongues

 

1.  The Gift of tongues, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, is for the purpose of giving a public prophecy in the congregation in a language you have not learned, with an interpretation following by either you or someone else who has the gift of interpretation of tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 14:10-13 “There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore, let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:27-29 “If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”

 

2.  The gift of tongues is for the edification of the corporate Body of Christ. It is for the purpose of ministry to the whole church. It is the Lord speaking to His people, exhorting and encouraging them.

 

1 Corinthians 14:4-5 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:12-13 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. Therefore, let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:26-28 “Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.”

 

3.  The Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues equals Prophecy. Paul said that in the church setting, prophecy is greater than a message in tongues because no interpretation is necessary, and also because everyone is edified because they understood what was being spoken. 1 Corinthians 14:5 “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:18-19 “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:23-25 “Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

 

4.  The purpose of prophecy is for exhortation, encouragement and comfort to men and women (1 Corinthians 14:3). Prophecy can be giving a message in English (or language of the people) or it can be in the form of giving a message in tongues with an interpretation following.

 

5.  Both tongues and prophecy serve as a sign. Tongues are a sign to unbelievers, and prophecy is a sign to believers. 1 Corinthians 14:22 “Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,” says the Lord.

 

Acts 2:5-12 “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

 

I mentioned how the Jews in Jerusalem were astonished because Galileans were speaking eloquently and fluently the wonderful works of God in their native tongues. Galileans were uneducated, they spoke crude and were rough around the edges. So it was a sign and a wonder when these Galileans were speaking so eloquently in languages they had never learned before, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance.

 

6.  The Gift of Tongues is speaking to mankind (in a language you have never learned), and it must be interpreted. On the contrary, speaking, praying or singing in tongues is communication just between you and God. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

 

Those who learn to speak languages fluently very quickly, such as in a matter of months, have the gift of tongues. An example is a missionary I know who went to Hong Kong over 40 years ago not knowing the Chinese languages, and in a matter of months was able to fluently speak two Chinese dialects (standard Chinese and Mandarin Chinese).

 

I’ve heard of situations where someone began to speak, or prophesy, in tongues to another person or group of people who spoke another language. The person doing the prophesying did not know what they were saying, but the recipients understood perfectly what was said.

 

Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30: “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”

 

In this passage where it mentions tongues, Paul is referring to tongues as one of the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. The Gift of Tongues is to give a public prophecy in an unknown tongue, with an interpretation following. Or like in Acts 2, to declare the wonderful works of God in the languages of others.

 

 

 

The Power of the Tongue

 

God is the One who invented speaking in tongues. It’s a wonderful, beautiful thing that should not be despised, but rather embraced and activated on a continual basis. The human tongue is the most unruly member of the entire body, and it cannot be tamed (except by the power of the Holy Spirit). God chose to invent speaking in tongues so that we would use our lips to speak pure things of the Spirit and to glorify the Lord. When we yield our tongue to the Holy Spirit, He can speak through us His words of life, so that others are edified and we ourselves are built up.

Chapter 17

The Holy Spirit is Associated With Life

 

The Holy Spirit, in Scripture, is always associated with giving life. In several Scriptures, He is likened to water, rain, rivers, springs and pools. He brings refreshment and flourishing.

 

When one’s soul feels desolate, dry and parched like the desert, He provides the water of His Presence and glory, and He brings fruitfulness and healing. He resurrected Jesus from the dead, and He also resurrects our souls when we feel weariness, hopelessness and have dead dreams.

 

When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues, it’s like rivers of living waters flow out of your belly (your innermost being). Speaking in tongues brings life to the spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions), body and finances.

 

John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (belly – KJV) will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. NKJV

 

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” NKJV

 

Isaiah 32:15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. NKJV The analogy is that the Holy Spirit touches on areas of barrenness in our lives and makes it fruitful.

 

2 Corinthians 3:6b “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” NKJV

 

Romans 8:10-11 “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” NKJV

 

Galatians 6:8 “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” NKJV

 

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” NKJV

 

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing (to make new) of the Holy Spirit.” NKJV

 

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” NKJV

 

Isaiah 35

1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

 

2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.

 

3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

 

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

 

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

 

6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

 

7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

 

9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

 

10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. KJV

 

Isaiah 41:18 “I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” KJV

 

Ezekiel 34:26-27 “I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. NKJV

 

 

Chapter 18

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-13

 

There are nine gifts of the Spirit grouped into three categories.

 

The three categories of the nine Gifts of the Spirit are:

 

1. Revelation Gifts

A. Word of Wisdom

B. Word of Knowledge

C. Discerning of spirits

 

2. Utterance Gifts

A.  Prophecy

B.  Tongues

C. Interpretation of Tongues

 

3. Power Gifts

A.  Faith

B.  Healings (Plural – there are several kinds of healing, such as physical healing, emotional healing, relational healing, financial healing, spiritual healing, mental healing and more)

C. Miracles

 

 

These Gifts operate through believers for the purpose of:

 

1.  Edifying the Body of Christ

2.  Encouraging and helping people

3.  Doing the work of the ministry

4.  Living in victory

5.  The Holy Spirit is looking for vessels whom He can demonstrate His power through in the earth

 

Gifts of the Spirit

Revelation Gifts Defined

 

The three Revelation Gifts of the Spirit are:

1.      Word of Wisdom

2.      Word of Knowledge

3.      Discerning of spirits

 

 

Definition of the Word of Wisdom

 

Defined as: “The word” of wisdom from God concerning a particular situation, circumstance or subject. 

 

It’s not just natural wisdom, but it is a directional word from God as to what to do in a specific matter. 

 

The Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge often go hand in hand. They are dual gifts. Those who have the Gift of the Word of Wisdom usually also have the Gift of the Word of Knowledge.

 

Knowledge is a revelation of facts and information about a person or matter. Wisdom is knowledge in action. Wisdom is knowing what to do with that information. A Word of Wisdom tells one what to do in a given situation.

 

A good example of the Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge working together in action given by Jesus in His earthly ministry was in the account of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:6-30) who was an outcast. His Word of Knowledge was that she had had five husbands, and the man she was now living with was not her husband. 

 

His Word of Wisdom was that those who drank from Jacob’s well would thirst again, but the water He would give them they would never thirst again (the water speaking of the Holy Spirit). Jesus also told her that God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.

 

After Jesus had a Word of Knowledge about her life, He spoke with the Word of Wisdom and told her what she needed to do to find the love, satisfaction and wholeness in her life. She responded by going into the town and telling everyone that she met a man who told her everything she had ever done, and that He was the Christ. Everyone then came from the town to see Jesus.

 

There are five primary ways in which the Word of Wisdom is manifested:

 

1.  By the Holy Spirit speaking within

2.  As a revealed application of Scripture

3.  By an audible voice or an angel

4.  By dreams, visions and trances

5.  By the unanimity of the Spirit among spiritual leaders

 

 

Definition of the Word of Knowledge

 

Defined as:  A fragment of supernatural knowledge imparted to a person with this Gift concerning facts, details and information about someone else or a situation that you would normally have no knowledge of. 

 

Six examples of the Word of Knowledge involves:

 

1.  Facts about the past, present or future – John 1:1-5

2.  Whereabouts of men – Acts 9:10-18

3.  The inner thoughts, or plans, of men’s hearts – Luke 5:22

4.  Warning of coming danger – Acts 20:28-30

5.  Exposing hypocrisy – Luke 12:1-12

6.  Revealing deception – Acts 5:1-10

 

The Word of Knowledge could include knowledge about someone’s personal life, business or ministry. This Gift is not meant to embarrass or discredit anyone, but it is God’s way of letting that person know that He is aware of and understands their situation, and that He cares.

 

There are four primary ways the Word of Knowledge is manifested:

 

1.  Impression by the Holy Spirit

2.  Vision or dream

3.  Quickening of Scripture

4.  Audible voice

 

Guidelines in operating in the Word of Knowledge:

 

1.  Privacy and confidentiality are essential if a word of knowledge is for an individual.

2.  Avoid pride. Our own words should be few and humble.

3.  When receiving a word of knowledge, ask God for wisdom in what to do with that knowledge.

 

 

Definition of Discerning of Spirits

 

Defined as:  To perceive, distinguish or recognize the spirits which are behind manifestations, activities, or people’s behavior. It is a supernatural God-given ability. The spirits could be angels, demons, or the human spirit. This gift shows you what is of God, or what is of the devil, or what is of human flesh.

 

Prophets, seers and intercessors usually have this gift. God shows them the spirits behind people’s behavior, the spirits governing cities, government, education, economics, the arts and entertainment industry, churches and nations.

 

The Bible reveals several things about the spirit world. Five of them include:

 

1.  The Bible confirms the fact that the spirit world exists.

2.  The spirit world is more real than the physical realm we live in.

3.  The Bible teaches that God is a Spirit, and His entire realm is spirit realm.

4.  The realm of Satan is also a spirit realm.

5.  Mankind has a spirit which will live forever (whether in Heaven or Hell depending on whether or not one has accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior).

 

In light of the purpose of discerning of spirits, how would the church be affected if this gift did not operate?

 

Answer:  Deception and false prophets would go unrecognized and enter right into the church.

 

There are examples of the operation of the Gift of Discerning of spirits in the Word of God.

 

1.  In 2 Kings 6:16-17, Elisha literally saw the angelic armies of the Lord surrounding them.

2.  In Matthew 12:25, Jesus discerned the spirits of the Scribes and Pharisees.

3.  In Acts 5:3, Peter discerned the lying spirits of Ananias and Sapphira.

4.  In Acts 16:16-18, Paul discerned the spirit of divination operating through a young woman and he cast it out of her.

 

 

Gifts of the Spirit

Utterance Gifts Defined

 

The three Utterance Gifts of the Spirit are:

1.  Prophecy

2.  Tongues

3.  Interpretation of Tongues

 

 

Definition of the Gift of Prophecy

 

In the Old Testament, the main Hebrew word for “prophesy” is naba (5012), and is defined as: “to speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse).”

 

In the New Testament, the Greek word for “prophesy” is propheteuo (4395) and is defined as: “(from 4396); to foretell events, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office, poet.”

 

Therefore, to prophesy is to speak under the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and to speak forth the mind and counsel of God. Speaking a prophecy could be given via a simple discourse, singing or poetical. The Holy Spirit loves to prophesy through song, music and poetry.

 

 

Prophesying and Preaching

 

Prophesying and preaching are similar but not identical. Preaching may contain prophecy, but there is a difference between the two. Both of them involve speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Preaching is exhorting and declaring the Word, and includes teaching.

 

There is one Aramaic word which is translated as “prophesying”, and is defined as “inspired teaching” (Strong’s #5017 - nebuwah). That word is found in Ezra 6:14a, which says, “And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.” This verse implies that Haggai and Zechariah were both prophets and inspired teachers of the law. The three gifts of prophecy, preaching and teaching overlap.

There is a difference between teaching and preaching:

 

Teaching

 

The Hebrew (Old Testament) word lamad (Strong’s #3925), translated as “teach” or “teaching” means to goad, to instruct, to learn, to become skillful or an expert at something.

 

The Hebrew word yarah (Strong’s #3384), translated as “teach” or “teaching” means to flow as water (i.e. rain); to lay or throw an arrow (i.e. to shoot at a target); to point out (as by aiming the finger); to teach.

 

The Greek (New Testament) word matheteuo (Strong’s #3100), translated as “teach” means to become a pupil; to disciple; to enroll as a scholar; a learner; to instruct.

 

The Greek word katecheo (Strong’s #2727), translated as “teach” means to sound down into the ears, i.e. (by implication) to indoctrinate (catechize).

 

Teaching is building a foundation of “precept upon precept, line upon line”. Isaiah 28:10 says, “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”

 

Preaching

 

The Hebrew word basar (Strong’s #1319), translated as “preach” means to be fresh, i.e. full (rosy, cheerful); to announce glad news; to bear, bring, carry, preach, and tell good tidings; a messenger; to publish; to show forth.

 

The Hebrew word qeriyah (Strong’s #7150), translated as “preaching” or “preach” means making a proclamation, pronounce, publish, to call forth.

 

The Greek word kerusso (Strong’s #2784), translated as “preach” or “preacher” means to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the Gospel); to proclaim, to publish.

 

The Greek word euaggelizo (Strong’s #2097), translated as “preach” means to announce good news (evangelize), especially the Gospel; to declare, bring or show glad tidings; preach the Gospel.

 

Prophecy is valid for our day and age.

 

1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-29 shows us that prophecy is one of the Gifts of the Spirit and the Lord wants us to exercise our gifts. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 we are told to not despise prophecies or quench the Spirit.

 

We are now living in the Kingdom Age (which started with the early New Testament church). The Gifts of the Spirit did not die out with the apostles. It just was not as heard of or written about for centuries following the early apostles. And people did not have Bibles back then like we have today. The Catholic Church ruled the religious world for centuries. There was a mixture of Christianity and idolatry in the Church. This truth of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit was revived with the Pentecostal and Charismatic outpourings in the last few centuries. People got a hold of what the Word teaches and ran with it.

 

Salvation by grace and faith alone through Jesus Christ was also not taught in the Church for centuries following the early apostles, but that doesn’t mean this truth died out. This truth was revived, with much persecution, by Martin Luther. During the centuries, water baptism by immersion was unheard of, but that doesn’t mean that that truth died out. It was revived by the Anabaptists, with much persecution.

 

There is a difference between the written prophecies of the Bible and prophecy that is spoken today.

 

Written Bible prophecy is a higher level of prophecy. It was given by God as the authoritative Word of God. Today, prophecies are to be judged by the Word.

 

In the Old Testament only a handful of people were filled with the Holy Spirit, such as prophets, priests, seers and godly kings. The majority of the people had to seek out a prophet to get a word from the Lord about a matter. However, since the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit indwells all believers. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to all believers. We can now hear from the Lord for ourselves.

 

In the New Testament era, we are not to seek out prophets for direction and guidance in our lives. But rather, prophets usually CONFIRM what the Holy Spirit has already revealed to us. Whatever a prophet says should bear witness in your spirit.

 

2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”

 

 

There are five primary purposes for prophecy in the local church.

 

1.      Edification – building up, erecting the church of God.

 

2.      Exhortation – encouragement, advice and earnest warning.

 

3.      Comfort – God speaking in great personal concern, tenderness and care; God drawing close to us.

 

4.      Convict and Convince – to speak to our own conscience or spirit and gently persuade us to change our ways.

 

5.      Instruction and Learning – God’s way of communicating to His people about practical life matters.

 

 

There are various ways that a prophecy may come to an individual.

 

1.  Spontaneous utterances

2.  Visions

3.  Dreams

4.  By an angel

5.  By Jesus Christ Himself appearing visibly in a vision to the prophet

 

 

There are at least five ways that a prophecy may be expressed by someone.

 

1.  Speaking or verbalizing

2.  Demonstrative actions (for example, in Acts 21:11 the prophet Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet and prophesied that the Jews of Jerusalem would bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles to be imprisoned and eventually executed.)

3.  Writing prophecy down

4.  Through song or musical instruments

5.  Through liturgical dance

 

 

Should prophecy be judged?

 

The answer is YES. 

 

1 Corinthians 14:29-33 says, “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

 

1 John 4:1-3 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

 

1 Corinthians 13:9 says, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.”

 

 

Who is to judge prophecy?

 

1.  Every believer who has the Holy Spirit indwelling them.

2.  Elders of the local assembly.

3.  Those with the Gift of discerning of spirits.

4.  Other prophets.

 

 

 

 

 

There are at least five criteria by which prophecy is to be judged.

 

1.  By the Word of God - Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

 

2.  By witness of the Holy Spirit - 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”

 

3.  By confession of Jesus Christ - 1 John 4:1-3,6 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” Verse 6: “By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

 

4.  By its fruit - Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.”

 

Galations 5:22-26 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

 

5.  By fulfillment of the prophecy - Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

 

This can be a sticky issue because there is responsibility on the part of the recipient of the prophecy to obey a directive, or take action, or do something on their part, for the prophetic word to come to pass. Also, the recipient has to have faith and speak words of faith for the promise to come to pass. Doubting and unbelief can nullify a prophetic word.

 

Also, there is the issue of timing. God has an appointed season and timing for bringing prophetic words to pass in our lives. Some words come to pass within a short time, while other words may take many years to be fulfilled.

 

 

There is a distinction between the gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet.

 

Not everyone who prophesies is a prophet or prophetess. The prophet is a part of the five-fold ministry mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-16.

 

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers …

 

for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

 

till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

 

The five-fold leadership equips (trains, teaches) the Body of Christ to do the work of the ministry.

 

God appoints individuals to these offices as He sees fit. 

 

To be in the office of the prophet, an individual must be appointed by God to be in that leadership position, and be publicly acknowledged by man. The prophet should willingly submit to church or apostolic leadership (not be a lone ranger). The prophet must be a mature seasoned Christian (not in natural age but spiritually speaking). They must demonstrate good fruit (the fruit of the Spirit). They should have a good track record of prophecies they have spoken coming to pass. They should only speak what the Holy Spirit tells them to speak, not adding anything to it or taking anything away. The prophetic words they give are more weighty and authoritative than just simple prophecy. For example, they prophesy over nations and declare God’s purposes in the earth. When prophesying over individuals, they prophesy with detailed precision.

 

Also, they must operate in at least four of the Gifts of the Spirit:

 

1.  Gift of Prophecy

2.  Word of Knowledge

3.  Word of Wisdom

4.  Discerning of spirits

 

A prophet should have the Gift of Discerning of spirits to be able to see into the spirit realm to recognize angelic activity from demonic activity, to recognize truth from error, to recognize what is from God and what is from the enemy or what is just flesh. 

 

A prophet has to have the gift of the Word of Knowledge to see things of the past, present and future. And then have the gift of the Word of Wisdom to give people direction as to what to do in a given situation. 

 

Those who have the Gift of Prophecy speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit to one or more persons to give edification, exhortation and comfort.

 

When the Spirit of Prophecy is flowing in a meeting, anyone can prophesy when that anointing is present, even if they don’t have the Gift of Prophecy. An example is when King Saul began to prophesy when he came into the company of the prophets, and he was a changed man (1 Samuel 9:27 – 10:6).

 

 

There are some things that will contaminate prophecies being spoken.

 

1.  Root of bitterness (which defiles many – Hebrews 12:5).

2.  Unforgiveness

3.  Negative, critical attitudes

4.  Pride

5.  Stubbornness

6.  Antagonism

7.  Independent spirit

8.  Unyielding spirit

9.  Controlling spirit

10.              Anger displayed

 

 

There are some practical points of wisdom for those who prophesy in the Church:

 

1.      It is important to use good etiquette in your voice tone and mannerisms when prophesying. You should avoid yelling, screaming or other extremes in your voice or manner. You should avoid using harsh words or whipping the people. You should avoid scolding and lecturing.

 

2.      The timing of giving a prophetic word is important. You should be sensitive to the timing of the Holy Spirit and of those around you. Not all the prophets should speak in a given service (Paul said just two or three should speak in turns, and the other prophets should judge the words being spoken – 1 Corinthians 14:29-32).

 

3.      It is important for the prophecy to flow with the general theme of the service. If the word is on a totally different track, then wait until another time to share it.

 

4.      Avoid prophesying your pet doctrines or emphasis.

 

5.      Avoid giving out personal counsel to a need you are aware of.

 

6.      We are now living in the New Testament era. Prophetic words given today should be seasoned with grace to bring edification, exhortation and comfort to the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:3). A prophetic word should not be one of doom and gloom, or of whipping someone, or prophesying negative things to someone.

 

7.      Even if the word involves warning, foretelling or prediction of something negative, the other part of that word should be redemptive, giving hope to the individual that if they choose to do this or that, that it can be averted. For example, in the Old Testament God sent prophets to warn the people that if they continued in idolatry that they would be taken into captivity. However, if they repented and walked in obedience to the Lord, it could be avoided. They didn’t listen and finally did end up being taken into exile in Babylon, but the positive part is that God said it would only last for 70 years and then they would return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.

 

 

Gift of Diverse Kinds of Tongues

 

The Gift of Tongues is the God-given supernatural ability to speak in languages that you do not know.  It could be any ancient or current earthly language, or a language spoken in heaven. Most often it is speaking an earthly language you have never learned.

 

The Gift of Tongues is for giving a public prophecy to the Church in an unknown language, and then either interpreting it yourself afterwards or someone with the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues interpreting the prophetic word.

 

The Gift of Tongues could also be in operation to an audience of one or more in a setting outside of the local church. Sometimes God uses people with this gift to speak a word from the Lord to someone who speaks a different language to minister to that person and/or lead them to Christ.

 

On the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, when the Galileans were filled with the Holy Spirit they began to speak eloquently and fluently in the languages represented of the thousands of Jews present for the Feast of Pentecost. They were declaring the wonderful works of God. 

 

It was a sign and a wonder, because the Galileans were considered to be uneducated, crude in their speech, and rough around the edges. But when the Holy Spirit baptized them, they spoke as if they were highly educated and fluent in many languages. As a result, 3,000 people were saved the first day and the early church was birthed.

 

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues is the supernatural ability to interpret what was spoken, or prophesied, in an unknown tongue into the language of the hearers so that all may understand.

 

 

There are three purposes for Tongues and Interpretation in the assembly.

 

1.      A sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:21-22).

 

2.      He who prophesies speaks edification, exhortation and comfort to believers (1 Corinthians 14:3-5). When a person gives a public prophecy in an unknown language, then that prophetic word should be interpreted by either the person who has the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues or by the person who gave the prophetic word in tongues. 

 

3.      Lift congregation into praise or prayer (1 Corinthians 14:13-15 “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the Spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”)

 

 

In what ways are Tongues a sign to unbelievers?

 

1.      Evidence of the supernatural

2.      Sense of the supernatural

3.      Witness of hearing a foreign language they may know

 

Not everyone has the Gift of Tongues or Interpretation of Tongues. However, all believers can speak or pray in tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-31 teaches that we all have our own gifts given to us by God, and we form one body.

 

The Gift of Tongues is for the edification of the Church. The Gift of Tongues is giving a public prophecy, or declaration, in a language you do not know, and then either you or someone with the gift of Interpretation of Tongues interpreting the word. Or as in the case in Acts 2, the Galileans spoke in the languages of the nations of Jews present for the Feast of Pentecost (and no interpreter was necessary … the Jews understood what the Galileans were saying). The Galileans were declaring the wonderful works of God.

 

Speaking or praying in tongues is for your own self-edification for your own personal prayer life.

 

 

There is a difference between “interpretation” and “translation”, as it relates to the Gift of Interpretation of Tongues.

 

To interpret is to explain, expound or unfold. To translate is to convert from one language to another.

 

When interpreting a message in tongues, the interpreter does not translate the language into the language of the hearers, but rather explains, expounds and unfolds what was said in tongues.

 

 

Who is to interpret tongues in the assembly?

 

The one to whom this Gift has been given to. If there is no interpreter, the one who has the Gift of Tongues should pray that he/she may interpret the prophecy they just gave so that all may be edified.

 

 

Presbytery

Laying On of Hands and Prophesying

 

1 Timothy 4:14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

 

The Greek word for “presbytery” is presbuterion (Strong’s #4244). It is defined as: “the order of elders.”

 

A number of presbyters together constitute a “presbytery” (1 Timothy 4:14), a council or assembly of Christian elders.

 

These spiritual leaders should have the same high qualifications (Titus 1:5-9) and perform the same essential duties of teaching (1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9), serving (James 5:14), decision making (Acts 15:2,6,22-29), and shepherding (Acts 20:17,28) as the New Testament presbyters. (From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary.)

 

The word “elder” may refer to age, experience, and authority, as well as specific leadership roles. In the New Testament church, elders were appointed to the churches for governing, assisting the Bishop or pastors, explaining the Scriptures, teaching doctrine and ministering to the sick. They also imparted gifts to people by the laying on of hands and by prophesying.

 

An example of a presbytery meeting in our day and age is when spiritual leaders in the Body of Christ gather together who operate in the Gifts of the Spirit, especially the Gifts of Prophecy, Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom and Discerning of spirits.

 

They take turns prophesying over various individuals, by speaking into their destiny and sharing what the Lord reveals to them about an individual (especially their future and they confirm what God has called you to do). They help people to come into their placement into the Body of Christ (refer to Ephesians 4:11-16).

 

Every member of the Body of Christ as their own place, niche, or gift/s in the Body. There is no need for competition or jealousy, because we are all different and all of us have different gifts, talents and ministries.

If you don’t know what your gift or ministry is, it is usually something that you are very good at and enjoy doing, something that comes natural to you, or something that burdens your heart (such as mercy ministry or helping young women and children who are involved in human trafficking).

 

Every Christian has a gift that God has given to them—whether it be a spiritual gift, or natural gift (like being a florist or musician). God wants us to use our gifts to bless other people and bring glory to God.

 

God also has a ministry for each person in the Body of Christ, ranging from the 5-fold ministry to being a stay-at-home mom and raising children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

 

Only a few are called to the 5-fold ministry, but many people are called to marketplace ministry.

 

A presbytery meeting is a time of commissioning people into their ministry calling. Sometimes the elders lay their hands upon people to impart gifts to them. Other times there is no laying on of hands, but just the spoken word only.

 

I was prophesied over at two different presbytery meetings several years ago (at the Bible College I attended and at a Bill Hamon meeting). At the Bible College meeting, the pastors and elders prophesied over me that God has called me to the office of the Teacher, and that I would write books, as well as articles for major national journals. At the Bill Hamon meeting, the elders prophesied that God was going to use me as a prophetic Psalmist, and bring me into total health and wealth. At another gathering at church, (which was not necessarily a presbytery meeting), one of the elders of the church prophesied over me to arise and lay hands on the sick. Since then I began a healing ministry.

 

Everything that was prophesied over me, I already knew it deep on the inside. It was a confirmation of what God had already revealed to me.

 

Gifts of the Spirit

Power Gifts Defined

 

The Power Gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 are:

 

1.      Gift of Faith

2.      Gifts of Healing (“gifts” is plural, meaning that there is more than one kind of healing. There is physical healing, emotional healing, mental healing, spiritual healing, relationship healing, financial healing, and more.)

3.      Gift of Miracles

 

 

Gift of Faith

 

Definition: The God-given ability to believe the Lord for the impossible in a particular situation. It goes beyond general faith (knowing God is able). It is where a person with this gift knows the will of God for a specific matter and knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that it will happen.

 

Three Kinds of Faith Revealed in Scripture:

 

1.      Saving Faith – Initial faith response to God at salvation where we accept and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2.      A Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23) – Faith as an attribute within one’s character. It is developed by the Holy Spirit and our faith becomes more mature and strengthened over a process of time.

 

3.      Gift of Faith – A divine (sometimes instantaneous) faith that God downloads to someone to believe for a miracle, healing or for God to do something specific in someone’s life (such as believing for large sums of money or calling life back into the dead). The person with this gift receives a “quickening” from the Holy Spirit (the Lord revealing His will or plan about a matter) and the person has supernatural faith to believe for this miracle. It transcends human faith—it is God’s faith downloaded to a person.

 

 

There are examples of the operation of the Gift of Faith in Scripture:

 

1.   In John 11:11, Jesus knew Lazarus was dead, but He also knew that He was going to raise him from the dead. He had no doubt about it.

 

2.   In John 9:1-7, Jesus knew that the man born blind from birth would be healed so that the works of God would be made manifest.

 

3.   In Matthew 14:19-21, Jesus had the Gift of Faith when He took five loaves of bread and two fish, gave thanks to His Father, and began breaking the bread and fish into fragments. The food multiplied and 5,000 men (not including the women and children) were fed. There were twelve baskets of food left over. (With the women and children, it was probably 15,000 – 20,000 people present that were fed.)

 

4.   In Mark 4:39, when the storm arose on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus rebuked the wind and commanded the sea, saying “Peace, be still!”. The winds and the waves obeyed Him, and there was a great calm.

 

5.   In Acts 3:1-7, Peter had unwavering faith as he proclaimed a man’s healing and even took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet. Immediately the man’s feet and ankle bones were strengthened, and he walked, leaped and praised God as he entered into the Temple.

 

6.   In Joshua 10:12-14, Joshua was fighting a battle and had almost defeated his enemies when it was transitioning from afternoon to evening. Joshua rose up in faith, with no doubt in his heart that this miracle would take place, and commanded the sun to stand still upon Gibeon and the moon to stand still in the Valley of Ajalon. The sun stood still, and the moon did not move, until they had avenged themselves upon their enemies. The sun did not go down a whole entire day. There was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel.

 

What key factor recurs over and over again in the Gift of Faith?

 

Knowing the will of God through the written Word, as well as through a Word of Knowledge, dreams or visions, or by the inward voice of the Holy Spirit. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

 

 

Gifts of Healing

 

Definition:  The God-given ability to supernaturally impart healing to others.

 

There are several kinds of healing: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, relational, financial, and more. The person with this gift is not the healer. Jesus is the Healer. The person with this gift is the vessel whom God uses to flow through.

 

God uses different individuals to specialize in certain types of healing. For some, God uses them to bring emotional healing to people’s lives, and people are set free from bondages, captivity and inner wounds. Others are primarily used to bring physical healing. Some people have an anointing to pray for specific diseases, and they see many people healed from it. Some people have an anointing to minister to people who have addictions, and many people are set free. Some are called to help heal marriages and families.

 

Some healings are instantaneous, while others are gradual. What does gradual healing involve?

 

Being healed of inner problems, and the mind, soul and physical body responding accordingly. Often inner wounds can take years to heal. 

 

Some sicknesses are healed over a period of minutes or hours. An example of this in Scripture is Luke 17:11-14 where Jesus met ten lepers who pleaded with Him to heal them. Jesus replied, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” As they obeyed and went their way, they were cleansed of their leprosy. They were healed as they went.

 

Some people are healed from physical sicknesses gradually over a period of time. They improve and get more and more well, until their healing is complete.  Matthew 16:18 says, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Total recovery does not always happen overnight. Sometimes it takes hours, days, weeks or months.

What means or methods were used in Scripture to operate the gifts of healing?

 

1.      Calling for the elders of the Church and anointing the sick with oil in the Name of the Lord (James 5:14).

2.      Holy Communion. My mother and I have seen sickness healed, as well as answers to prayer, when we took Communion over a particular situation. There is healing in the Blood Atonement.

3.      The spoken word or command (Matthew 8:8-13).

4.      Laying on of hands and prayer (Matthew 16:18).

5.      Handkerchiefs or aprons by the hands of Paul (Acts 19:11-12).

6.      The shadow of Peter walking by (Acts 5:15-16).

7.      Touching the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matthew 9:20-22; Matthew 14:34-36).

 

There are several ways a person may know if he/she has the Gift of Healing:

 

1.      Inner witness of the Holy Spirit

2.      You have visions and dreams, and see yourself healing the sick

3.      Ability to believe God for healing

4.      Compassion for the sick and afflicted

5.      By results (people who you minister to are healed)

6.      It was prophesied over you by the Elders and imparted to you by the laying on of hands

7.      Others will recognize this gift within you

 

There are at least ten purposes for the Gifts of Healing in operation:

 

1.      God loves His people and wants them to be in good health.

 

2.      Jesus heals because He is full of compassion. A leper came to Jesus, “…beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean” (Mark 1:40). What was the Lord’s response? “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean” (verse 41). It was compassion that led to the miracle. Jesus Christ heals people today for the same reason, so that “…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

 

3.      Jesus heals because healing belongs to His children. Once, when Jesus was preaching near the city of Tyre, a Syrophenician fell at His feet, asking Him to cast an unclean spirit out of her daughter. Jesus said to her, “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs” (Mark 7:27-28). The Lord saw the woman’s faith and the daughter was delivered. If you are a child of the King, healing should come to you first, even before unbelievers receive their miracle. Yet I watch as those who do not know the Lord reach out in great faith, hungry for the crumbs. And time after time He pours out His healing virtue upon these people. Thank God, healing is often the entry point that helps people receive Jesus Christ as Savior.

 

4.      Jesus heals to bring glory to His Father. On the side of a mountain near the sea of Galilee, “great multitudes came unto Him…and he healed them…(and) the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30-31). On another occasion, there was a similar response when Jesus healed a paralytic man. “…When the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God” (Matthew 9:8). All glory and praise belong to the Father. Healing is a wonderful, awe-inspiring faith-builder that should lead to glorifying God.

 

5.      Jesus heals to fulfill God’s promises. At Capernaum, “they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:16-17). When the Master heals, it is a fulfillment of the prophecy spoken through Isaiah. On the Cross, Christ took our sickness and infirmities.

 

6.      Jesus heals also to confirm His own word. Healing was promised by the Father, then declared by Jesus Christ. He said, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:37-38). Christ knew exactly why He was sent to earth. He came to perform the works of His Father. Miracles confirm the spoken word of Jesus. He heals to fulfill His personal word to you.

 

7.      Every time the Lord heals, the devil’s defeat at the Cross is exposed once again. The Word tells us, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). At the house of Cornelius, Peter said, “You know…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:37-38).

 

8.      Healing and health are aspects of rectifying the curse of the law.

 

9.      To confirm the Gospel message with signs and wonders.

 

10.  Healing, along with salvation, is included in the Blood Atonement of Christ. Jesus not only bore our sins, but He also bore our diseases, sicknesses and sorrows, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus paid a heavy price so that we could be healed. He just wants us to believe and to receive it.

 

The original sources of sickness are:

1.      Satan

2.      Sin

 

When mankind fell and sin entered into the world, so did death and sickness. However, Jesus took the curse upon Himself and redeemed us from it. By accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we can have eternal life in Heaven one day (where there is no more curse, no death, no sickness, no darkness, no night, no weeping, no pain, no sin, no demons, no poverty).

 

While we’re here on this earth, we can enjoy abundant life right now. John 10:10 says, “For the thief (devil) comes only for to steal, and kill and destroy; but I have come so that you may have life and have it in abundance (till it overflows).” Part of abundant life is living free from sickness.

 

Things we can do in the natural also help us to live in good health. For example, good nutrition, clean water, exercise, vitamins and minerals, sleep and rest, recreation and relaxation, and getting sufficient sunshine. Avoiding strife, learning to forgive, being healed of anger and temper, removing the root of bitterness and having joy in your life contributes to better health.

 

God also heals us through doctors and medicine. It is off balance and foolish to refuse to go to doctors, or to the hospital, when you or your children need to. Also, it’s wise to remain on your medication until the doctor confirms you are healed and takes you off of it. Going to doctors and taking medicine does NOT imply a lack of faith on your part. God has given doctors wisdom and knowledge about how the body works and what to do to cure it. In the near future, God is going to reveal the cures to many dreadful diseases, such as cancer to scientists.

 

God just does not want us to exalt doctors above Him, because He is the Great Physician and our Creator. He ultimately knows how our bodies work and what to do to cure it.

 

Exodus 15:25-26 shows us a type and shadow of the redeeming work of Christ, and His Atonement on the Cross, which makes us well and whole:

 

“So Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree (represents the Cross). When he cast it into the [bitter] waters (represents the curse), the waters were made sweet (the curse broken).

 

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, ‘If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you (healing is part of the Atonement).’”

 

 

Gift of Miracles

 

Definition: It is God performing something supernatural, which transcends natural laws, through an individual.

 

One of the Greek words for “miracles” is dunamis (Strong’s #1411), where we get the word dynamite. It means “to be able or possible; force (literally or figuratively); miraculous power; a miracle.”

The Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “miracle” as the following: “an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God; a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement; an extraordinary event manifesting Divine intervention in human affairs.”

 

 

What is the place and importance of miracles in the Bible?

Miracles always accompanied Jesus and His disciples, as well as the apostles. Miracles, signs and wonders always accompanied the preaching of the Gospel. In the Old Testament, God displayed His awesome power through miracles, mostly for deliverance and preservation and to show the heathen nations that He is the One and Only True and Living God.

 

Miracles are governed by the will of God and the obedience of man.

 

There are four aspects relating to the working of miracles:

 

1.      Hearing the Word of God – God communicates His will to men through the Bible, a Word of Knowledge, a vision, an angel, through Jesus Christ directly in a vision, or an audible voice as in the case with Moses. Exodus 14:15-16 says, And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

 

2.      Believe the Word – Obey what God reveals to you. Accept and embrace it. In Exodus 14:21-22, it says: “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

 

3.      Mark 11:23 says, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

 

Speak the Word – God releases His power by His spoken Word, and it comes into existence. Romans 4:17, in the Amplified Version, says: “Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.”

 

The New King James Version says “Who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”

 

4.      Acting on the Word – Acts of faith which accompany the speaking of the Word. James 2:17 tells us that “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

 

The purposes of miracles are:

 

1.  For deliverance, preservation and provision

2.  Edification and building up of faith

3.  Accompanying the preaching of the Gospel

 

In the last day Church, miracles will operate on a large scale prior to the coming of the Lord. Creative miracles, such as body parts being restored, the raising of the dead, and speaking to the weather and elements, and it obeys you, will become common.

 

 

God Restores Body Parts That Are Missing

 

“Then great multitudes came to Him (Jesus), having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” Matthew 15:30-31

 

To be maimed is to be dismembered or mutilated.

 

The Living Bible translation words Matthew 15:29-31 like this:

 

29 “Jesus now returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat there.

30 And a vast crowd brought Him their lame, blind, maimed, and those who couldn't speak, and many others, and laid them before Jesus, and He healed them all.

31 What a spectacle it was! Those who hadn't been able to say a word before were talking excitedly, and those with missing arms and legs had new ones; the crippled were walking and jumping around, and those who had been blind were gazing about them! The crowds just marveled, and praised the God of Israel.”

 

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This passage gives us faith to believe that God can and will restore missing body parts (arms, legs, feet, eyeballs — any part that is missing).

 

There is nothing too difficult or impossible for the Lord. I've heard many testimonies from evangelists about people with missing body parts being made whole. In the days ahead, these kinds of miracles will become more and more common.

 

Chapter 19

Benny Hinn Conference Notes on the Anointing

Jubilee Christian Center, San Jose, California

January 24-25, 2008

 

3 Levels of the Anointing in the Life of the Believer

 

 

Definition of the Anointing: The Presence and Power of God.

 

1.          Salvation – Level 1

 

At the point of initial salvation, all believers are filled with the Holy Spirit when we invite Jesus to come into our heart. God anoints all believers to hear from God for themselves, to discern between truth and error and to successfully live the Christian life.

 

The next step after initial salvation is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is to be “endued with power” from on High (Luke 24:49).

 

Salvation = being filled with the Spirit

Baptism of the Holy Spirit = being endued with the Spirit

 

Both salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit involve being filled with God’s Spirit, although the Baptism is a deeper infilling or level of the Spirit.

 

A believer who does not believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is still saved, loves God and has His presence living on the inside of them. But they could have so much more of God by receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Baptism is an enduement of power for service and is the door or entrance to operating in the Gifts of the Spirit. The Baptism of the Spirit enables the believer to walk in greater victory in their Christian life, to live a life where healings, miracles and the supernatural is a common part of life, and to enter into deeper levels of God in worship, the Word and communion with the Holy Spirit.

 

2.          Ministry – Level 2

 

The second level of anointing is when God anoints the believer for the particular ministry that God has called him or her to do. Every person in the Body of Christ is called to be in ministry of some kind. There is to be no competition or jealousies, or comparisons among believers, as each of us is given an assignment from the Master (Jesus) to fulfill. Not all are called to clergy ministry, but all are called to fulfill a specific ministry assignment that God has given each of us to do.

 

Some people are called to the 5-fold ministry offices, while others are called to be business people. Some people have a gifting to be a florist and create beautiful floral designs, while others are gifted to be the best cook. All of these gifts in the Body of Christ are very important.

 

The believer does not have to go in their own strength to minister, but goes in the Name of the Lord and is endued with the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit to carry out their particular ministry assignment. God’s anointing for ministry equips them with the skill, ability, wisdom and favor to function in their area of ministry. God’s anointing for ministry will bring about fruitfulness.

 

Often times a person called to a ministry involving speaking before an audience literally feels an anointing descend upon them as they begin to minister, and they may even be a changed person full of boldness and authority while under the influence of that anointing if normally they are shy and quiet. Then after 2 or 3 hours after ministering, the anointing may lift.

 

The same example could hold true of those anointed to prophesy. Normally they may be reserved and quiet, but when the anointing comes on them for ministry, they are a completely different person until the anointing lifts after they are finished ministering.

 

People called to the healing ministry, while under the influence of the anointing for ministry, may feel literal heat, electricity and power coming out of their hands, or may operate in words of knowledge, and be unusually bold.

 

 

3.          Authority – Level 3

 

Being anointed with authority in the Spirit is the 3^rd level that is higher and deeper than ministry alone. When flowing in this anointing, your words have the power to plant or uproot. Your words carry weight, and none of your words fall to the ground.

 

Your words have the power to decree and command (as led by the Spirit and coming into agreement with and repeating what the Spirit is saying, and speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit). It is not from the flesh that you command or decree things. If it’s just the flesh, it will produce no fruit. If it’s of the Spirit, then when you decree and command, then God backs up what you say.

 

The anointing for authority also involves the area of declaring deliverance to the captives, and the captives are delivered and chains are broken.

 

The anointing for authority involves creative miracles—decreeing and speaking things that are not as though they were, commanding them to be, and it happens just as you say.

 

The anointing for authority involves an anointing for breakthrough.

 

Authority is the kingly anointing—to rule and reign with Christ and know who you are in Christ. To operate in the kingly anointing, it involves making decrees in the heavenly realms, and it comes to pass. It also entails having authority over demons and Satan, and all powers of wickedness, and casting out devils. It includes raising the dead.

 

Authority also involves taking charge of distractions and people who would mock or cause interruptions in services, which weakens the flow of the Spirit and thus grieves the Holy Spirit.

 

You must take charge of distractions from people who try to prevent others from hearing the Word, from distractions that hinder people from hearing the Gospel of Salvation and receiving Christ as Savior, from distractions that make it difficult for people to receive their healing and miracle, and distractions that discourage others in regards to receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or distract the flow of the operation of the Gifts of the Spirit.

 

Taking authority in this type of situation would involve stopping ministering for a minute and openly telling the troublemakers [those are my words not what Benny said] to either be quiet or leave, and if need be, having the ushers escort them out.

 

It also involves making it clear that there are to be no cell phones ringing and people talking, no constant talking to your neighbor, whispering, goofing off, constantly going in and out of the sanctuary during the worship and the preaching of the Word unless it’s a dire medical emergency.

 

The anointing for authority involves situations in which Satanic plants are sent to churches and meetings to try to cause distractions and the demise of the pastors and leadership.

 

Sometimes people who cause distractions are not a Satanic plant, it’s just that they can be rude, inconsiderate, immature, disrespectful and have not been taught to keep quiet and not talk to their neighbor, or on the cell phone, during the worship and preaching. I’m talking about people who are in the habit of talking during most of the service, and they do this all the time.

 

When I was a child we were taught to not talk or goof off during the worship and the Word. If we got restless we could color in a coloring book or read a book. It seems like today so many parents don’t teach their children to be quiet during the services, and they let them talk and run around.

 

Sometimes distractions are caused by demons manifesting in people. There’s a time to cast out demons (as Jesus demonstrated in His ministry). Then there is a time when you are to command the demons to be silent (as Jesus also did in His ministry).

 

On rare occasions, the anointing for authority involves, when directed by the Spirit, pronouncing judgment on those who rise up to try to destroy the work of God, and the Lord backs up your words and He carries out the judgment.

 

An example is Ananias and Sapphira. The apostle Peter and other apostles pronounced a judgment on them for not only lying to them, but for also lying to the Holy Ghost.

 

Another example is when Elijah pronounced a judgment on the young boys who mocked him because of his baldness. He probably was literally bald, but the Scriptures imply that the mocking was deeper than just making fun of his lack of hair, but mocking the anointing on his life.

 

In the ministry of William Branham, there was a situation that arose in one of the meetings in which he pronounced a judgment (by the leading of the Spirit) upon a certain man. This man had come up to the stage in the healing line, claiming that he had cancer and for William Branham to lay hands on him so that he would be healed.

 

The man lied—he did not have cancer. His intent was to make a false claim about having cancer, in order to “expose” Branham as being a false prophet (because he didn’t believe that God reveals things to His prophets by the words of knowledge). The man was out to prove that Branham just “made up” all those words of knowledge about people. When the man claimed to be sick with cancer, the Holy Spirit told Branham that the man was a fake and was lying, and then Branham told the man in front of everyone there that he lied about having cancer.

 

Then Branham pronounced a judgment on the man for lying not only to him, but to the Holy Ghost, and told him that since he lied about having cancer, that cancer would come on his body immediately and he would be dead by the next day. It happened exactly as what Branham pronounced.

 

A curse and a judgment are two different things.

 

A curse is a prayer or verbal words intending injury, harm or misfortune to come to someone (usually based on hate, jealousy, and wicked intents of the heart). We are not called to curse.

 

A judgment is the discernment between good and evil, what is right and what is wrong, and based on the evidence and situation, making a judicial decision and pronouncing a verdict and the consequence/punishment (if applicable) according to the laws established by God.

 

The authority to pronounce a judgment is granted to you from a Higher Authority (God). It applies to true God ordained Apostles who walk in greater levels of authority. 

 

The anointing to pronounce a judgment is not the same thing as Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” In Matthew 7:1, it’s not referring to a judicial decision based on right and wrong, but to be critical and despise someone and their shortcomings, and to be very condemning of others, while you yourself are not perfect. This type of judging involves pride —of pointing out the faults of others, while ignoring the plank in your own eye. This type of judgment involves judging others for their actions when you don’t know all the facts and have not heard all sides of the story, nor have been in their shoes.

 

This differs from a judgment made by a judge and jury in a courtroom, based on discerning and separating the facts and reaching a verdict.

 

On very rare occasions is a judgment pronounced in the Church. The Body of Christ, as a whole, is not ready for things to go back to the way it was in the early Church in Acts. The glory of the Lord has the power to heal and bring about miracles. Yet one can also perish in the Glory by things such as irreverence, profaning the holy things of God, lying to the Holy Ghost, and trying to destroy someone’s ministry or discredit them.

 

Three Anointings of David and in the Book of Acts

 

The Three Anointings of King David

 

David was anointed with the Holy anointing oil on three separate occasions.

 

The second anointing was a higher level of anointing than the first anointing.

 

The third anointing was an even higher level of anointing than the first and second anointings.

 

1.  First anointing — the call into ministry. This is when David was just a shepherd teenager and Samuel anointed him as King.

 

2.  Second anointing — becoming king over Hebron (a territory).

 

3.  Third anointing — becoming king over all Israel (the entire nation).

 

 

The Three Anointings in the Book of Acts

 

1.  Acts 2 = endued with Power from on High when the Holy Spirit came to the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost, filling everyone with the Holy Ghost and they all spoke with tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

 

2.  Acts 2-3 = The Church was born and 3,000 were added in one day.

 

3.  Acts 4 = Miracles, healings, speaking the Word with boldness, with great power gave the apostles witness.

 

You can see the progression of the levels of anointing in Acts. It started with 120 people filled with the Holy Spirit. Then 3,000 people were added to the Church in one day.

 

Then the anointing intensified where miracles, healings, deliverances, signs, wonders, the dead being raised, speaking with boldness, and the apostles flowing in great power of the Spirit were taking place in the Church.

Another way of looking at the 3 levels of anointing in the Book of Acts is:

 

1.  Acts 2 = begins with a small number of people (120)

 

2.  Acts 2-3 = addition takes place (3,000 added in one day)

 

3.  Acts 4 and beyond = multiplication (great multitudes)

 

 

The levels of anointing begin with a seed, remnant or portion.

 

Then it progresses to addition.

 

Then it progresses to multiplication and greater multiplication.

 

This progression of anointing applies to your ministry, to your finances, to your business, to your family and loved ones being saved and blessed, and to your life in general.

 

You are anointed!

 

Second Corinthians 1:21 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God.” NKJV

 

The Anointing Will Teach You all Things

 

1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” NKJV

 

This Scripture is not saying that we do not need pastors and teachers to explain to us the Word and teach us about the things of the Spirit (as that would contradict Ephesians 4:11-12 and Matthew 4:23, and many other Scriptures).

 

The pattern of Jesus in which He modeled for us in Matthew 4:23 is to:

 

1. Teach

2. Preach

3. Heal the sick in Jesus’ Name

 

Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

 

When it says in 1 John 2:27 (and xref Luke 12:12 and John 14:26) that the Holy Spirit (or Anointing) will teach you all things, or teach you what to say, it’s referring to:

 

·       The Holy Spirit teaching you to discern between truth and error.

 

·       The Holy Spirit teaching you things in the Word, giving you insights or pointing out truths in the Scriptures that man did not teach you (because no teacher knows everything).

 

·       The Holy Spirit giving you wisdom and revelation, illumination and understanding.

 

·       The Holy Spirit guiding you in the what, how, when, and where in regards to each situation and decision in your life.

 

·       Many receive the ability to play musical instruments, to learn a particular skill, to excel in business, to prosper financially, to invent something, to have creative ideas by the Anointing teaching them.

 

·       Words of knowledge and words of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8). He reveals facts of the present, past and future. He shows you things to come. He gives you supernatural understanding about something that normally you would not know. He gives you strategies and ideas from Heaven.

 

·       In certain situations where you have to speak or answer questions, He tells you what to say.

 

·       He brings all things to your remembrance when you need it.

 

·       He reveals to you the Father and Son.

 

·       He warns you, prompts you, leads you and at times forbids you to do something or go somewhere.

 

·       He instructs you what to say and what not to say, and how to act and not act, around different people.

 

·       He is your personal coach.

 

 

The Anointing Will Turn Your Wilderness Into a Beautiful Garden, by the Spirit

 

Isaiah 32:15 (NIV)

Till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.

 

Isaiah 35:1-2 (ASV)

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.

 

Isaiah 35:6-7 (NAS)

Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. And the scorched land will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

 

Isaiah 41:18-20 (NAS)

I will open rivers on the bare heights, and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert, together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

 

Isaiah 51:3 (NAS)

Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

 

Seven Results of the Anointing

 

Psalms 89:20-29 (NKJV)

20 I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him,

21 With whom My hand shall be established; also My arm shall strengthen him.

22 The enemy shall not outwit him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

23 I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague those who hate him.

24 But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, and in My name his horn shall be exalted.

25 Also I will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers.

26 He shall cry to Me, “You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.”

27 Also I will make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

28 My mercy I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him.

29 His seed also I will make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

 

This passage is talking about King David, but it also prophetically applies to us today because the Lord has anointed His Church with a Davidic anointing, which is the 3-fold anointing of prophet, priest and king (Joel 2:28-29, 1 Peter 2:9).

 

Verse 20: “I have found My servant David; with My holy oil I have anointed him”.

 

The anointing oil speaks of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit in us and upon us. There are 7 primary results of the Anointing:

 

1.  Your life will be stabilized — vs 21a

 

2.  You will be strengthened — vs 21b (strengthened in your physical health and in your inner man)

 

3.  Protection. The devil cannot touch you — vs 22.

 

4.  God will fight your enemies — vs 23.

 

5.  God’s faithfulness and mercy shall never depart from your life — vs 24a.

 

6.  Your horn (authority) shall be exalted — vs 24b. Your words shall not fall to the ground. God will back up what you decree in the heavenly realms.

 

7.  God will use anointed men and women of God to influence nations — verses 25-29. In Biblical symbolism, the sea and many waters are symbolic of the masses of peoples and nations (vs 25).

 

The firstborn (vs 27a) symbolizes possessing certain rights and privileges because of your position in Christ, receiving the inheritance as sons of God, and knowing who you are in Christ and having confidence.

 

Kings represent authority, power, influence, ruling and reigning with Christ, and God’s Kingdom being spread throughout the entire earth (vs 27b). This anointing is passed down to your children, and to your descendants (vs 29).

 

How to Know When the Anointing is Coming

 

1.          “The glory of Lebanon will be given” (Isaiah 35:2). The atmosphere changes. The seasons begin to change. The old season starts to shift into the new season. The glory of Lebanon is the cedar trees. Benny Hinn grew up in Jaffa, Israel, close to Tel Aviv and the Lebanese border. At a certain time of the year, the wind would shift directions, and the sweet-smelling scent of the cedar trees in Lebanon would blow southward and fill the air with the pleasant aroma. That’s when they knew that the new season was soon approaching.

 

2.          “The excellency of Carmel and Sharon” (Isaiah 35:2).  Speaks of the Word — fresh food that nourishes, refreshes and rejuvenates. Also, the harvest being gathered. Sharon was an extremely fertile plain known for its agriculture. Carmel is a mountain range and town north of the Plains of Sharon, and the meaning of Carmel is “fruit garden or orchard”.

 

The flowers of Sharon, and in particular, the Rose of Sharon, were beautiful. The flowers speak of new life and blossoming out. God turns our desert and wasteland situations around, and brings fruitfulness. The flowers speak of joy and singing, and God’s glorious beauty seen in our lives. Isaiah 35:1-2a says, “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing.”

 

Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.”

 

3.          Restoration comes suddenly. In some cases, overnight.

 

Joel 2:22-26

22 Be not afraid … for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

25 I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.

 

4.          You shall see the Glory of the Lord (Isaiah 35:2).

 

5.          Miracles will begin to happen. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:5-6).

 

6.          Dragons are driven away from your life. Only a strong River of God (Anointing) can drive the dragons off your grass (your property, your life). Isaiah 35:7 “And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” Dragons symbolize demonic strongholds that are very difficult to get rid of. Homosexuality is the strongest dragon to cast off, but the River of God (Anointing) is stronger.

 

7.          Error or sin will be corrected. Isaiah 35:8 “A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray.”

 

 

Other Aspects About the Anointing

 

1.          God will exalt you to a place of authority and power.

 

Micah 4:1 speaks of the literal Mount Zion (Jerusalem) and people from all over the world making pilgrimages there. Zion is also a prophetic phrase representing the Body of Christ. Mount Zion shall be the most renowned of all the mountains of the world.

 

Mountains symbolize high places of authority and power (a positive symbolism). Mountains can also have negative symbolism depending on the Scriptural passage, (meaning, problems and obstacles). But in Micah 4:1, mountains mean being in high places.

 

God is anointing many in the Body of Christ to begin occupying positions in high places, such as government and the corporate business world.

 

Occupying high or heavenly places also speaks of authority and power in the Spirit, authority and power in prayer, knowing who you are in Christ and being seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

 

 

2.          When the Anointing comes, none will be barren among you.

 

Song of Solomon 4:2 says, “Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep which have come up from the washing, every one of which bears twins, and none is barren among them.”

 

In the Bible, teeth have various symbolisms depending on the passage. One of the symbols of teeth in Jewish culture was that it is figurative of having had consumed an abundance of milk (the calcium in the milk keeping the teeth white and healthy). The milk represents the Word. The abundance of milk which keeps the teeth white speaks of no lack in the Spirit. Abundance, fruitfulness. The twin teeth speak of bearing double—double fruitful, double blessings, double anointing.

 

3.          Restoration for you and your loved ones.

 

God imparts an anointing to believe (and not just believe, but take authority in the Spirit) for the salvation and restoration of your loved ones.

 

Hosea 14:1-9

1 O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

2 Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

3 Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.”

5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit is found in Me.”

9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

 

Verses 1 and 2:  God is asking His people who have stumbled to turn back to Him and He will restore their lives.

 

Verse 3: The Assyrian culture and people were related to Babylon. Babylon is the place of captivity and confusion. Turning away from God always leads a person to a place of captivity and confusion.

 

Verse 4: God promises to heal their backsliding, and to love them unconditionally, for He is not angry with them.

 

Verse 5: The dew is a symbol of the Anointing and God’s blessings. Dew is also a symbol of unlimited supply and prosperity. Dew waters the earth, removing barrenness (no lack). It speaks of being satiated with God’s goodness.

 

Psalms 133 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment (anointing oil) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's (priestly anointing) beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.”

 

Verse 5: “He shall grow as the lily”, meaning (according to Bible Encyclopedias), rapidly self-propagating, one root often producing 50 bulbs. Fruitfulness, multiplication.

 

Verse 5: “Roots of Lebanon” are figurative of the cedars which have roots that go as deep as the height of the tree. This symbolizes your roots going deep down, so that you are strong and immovable. Spiritual growth consists mostly in the growth of the roots, which is out of sight.

 

Verse 6: “His branches shall spread.” Symbolizes fruitfulness and growth. Expanding to the right and to the left.

 

Verse 6: The olive tree is symbolic of the Anointing and being abundantly blessed. The fragrance of Lebanon symbolizes the fragrance of Christ. There is a level of anointing when the Shekinah Glory of God fills a room, that often times the room is literally filled with the sweet aroma of the Glory of the Father.

 

Verse 7: “They that dwell under his shadow shall return”, meaning that those who once dwelled under Israel’s covering, and left it, shall return and be restored to their original dwelling under the covering.

 

Verse 7: “They shall revive like grain.” As a kernel goes into the ground and dies, it shall once again spring forth with abundant produce. A great increase of offspring.

 

Verse 7: “Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.” Israel’s fame. Also, compare Hosea 14:6 “His smell is like Lebanon” to Song of Solomon 1:3 “His Name is like ointment poured forth.” This is talking about the anointing. The wine of Lebanon was most celebrated for its aroma, flavor and medicinal restorative properties.

 

Verse 8: “Ephraim” (the double-fruitful one who is grateful for God’s goodness) says, “what more do I have to do with idols” (giving up idolatry to serve God wholeheartedly).

 

Verse 8: “I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit is found in me”. Being like an evergreen tree. Your leaves not falling off in winter seasons.

 

Verse 9: “Prudent”—an anointing for wisdom and understanding. Possessing both practical wisdom for everyday living, as well as insights into divine truths. Discerning the difference between what is righteous and what is unrighteous; what is sacred and what is secular.

 

Ephesians 1:17-18 says, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”

 

Acts 6:2-3 refers to the brethren in the early church seeking out from among them seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom they may appoint as deacons. Stephen was one of the seven men. Stephen’s opposers were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10).

 

One of the Gifts of the Spirit is the word of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8).

 

4.          The restoration of all things.

 

Acts 3:20-21 (ASV) says, “That he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, (even) Jesus: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.”

 

5.          Obadiah 17—“But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” The day will come when there will be no bondage among His Church. The Anointing sets captives free, and the Anointing is protection from demonic harassment.

 

6.          The Anointing gives you energy.

 

The Anointing takes away tiredness. It gives you a desire to want to minister to people. But you have to flow in your own anointing for whatever God has called you to do. Exhaustion and poor results may result from trying to operate in an anointing that you are not called to do.

 

Benny Hinn gave the example that he can minister for hours at conferences and crusades and feel energized. His anointing is the office of the evangelist—to preach and teach before large audiences, lead scores of people to salvation in Christ, and lead the people into intimate worship which invites the Holy Spirit to flow freely. However, when he used to be a pastor, and having to deal with so many needs of the people, and so many complaints of this person and that person, he became drained. In his current ministry, he has staff who are anointed to spend hours on the phone with someone counseling them, and staff who enjoy walking around in the audience ministering to individuals one on one.

 

7.          The Anointing will shake the nations.

 

Haggai 2:6-7—“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

 

Haggai 2:8: There is an Anointing being imparted for financial prosperity. “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the LORD Almighty.

 

Haggai 2:9: The Glory (Anointing) of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former. There is a progression and increase of anointing. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

 

8.          If the anointing stays locked up on the inside, it will get stale. It stays fresh when it continually flows out like a river flowing through you.

 

9.          Isaiah 41:18-20

 

18 I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together,

20 That they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

 

This speaks of the Anointing bringing refreshing and removing thirst and dryness. It symbolizes the Anointing turning our desert into a place of beauty and fruitfulness, of transforming our wilderness into a garden. We need the Anointing to break off areas of barrenness in our lives.

 

10.      Ezekiel 47:9—God will bring life to others through you.

 

“And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes” (NKJV).

 

The old song says:

“I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me, it makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. It opens prison doors and sets the captives free, I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me. Spring up, oh well, within my soul. Spring up, oh well, and make me whole. Spring up, oh well, and give to me that life abundantly.”

 

11.      Go in Jesus’ Name.

 

12.      Elisha received the double portion anointing. Jesus’ anointing was without measure.

 

Don’t settle for just the double portion. Go beyond that and believe for an anointing that has no limits as to how much you can have.

 

13.      Job 29:6—Rivers of oil belong to you. The rivers and the oil represent the Holy Spirit and flowing in His Anointing. Oil especially speaks of healing, joy and prophetic impartation.

 

14.      Rivers of oil = fire and power of God. Rivers of water = cleansing, refreshing.

 

15.      Psalms 109:18—Oil in his bones.

 

16.      Butter—Symbolizes the richness of the Word.

 

17.      Ecclesiastes 9:8—Never lack the anointing.

 

18.      Learn to syphen (draw out) the Anointing.

 

Deuteronomy 32—suck oil. This syphening of anointing only happens in the high places (high places referring to ascending in high worship, and being in the atmosphere of the Glory).

 

19.      Difference between the power of God and the Presence of God:

 

The Presence IS His Glory (Exodus 34).

The Power is released when the Glory comes.

 

The Presence is KNOWN. The Power is FELT.

 

20.      The Anointing is released through surrender. When the Anointing becomes real in worship, you must syphen it.

 

21.      Deuteronomy 32:13—Syphen the Word (as symbolized by honey).

 

22.      Isaiah 10:27—Bondage broken instantly by the Anointing.

 

23.      2 Kings 4—Anointing cancels debt.

 

24.      Isaiah 21:5-6—Anointing imparts gift of faith to you.

 

25.      Anointing brings blessings to your life.

 

26.      The Anointing can be transmitted to cloths, clothing, water, oil, etc.

 

27.      Be careful who you allow to lay hands on you and prophecy over you. A transference takes place. Something in them gets on you.

 

28.      Just the Anointing (Power) will make you blow up. Just the Word will make you dry up. Both the Spirit and the Word together will make you grow up.

 

29.      The Anointing makes your five senses more keen and alert.

 

30.      In the Glory, no demons can harass you in your mind.

 

31.      You can be healed of clinical depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar and any other mental illness in the Glory.

 

32.      Any sickness or disease can be healed in the Glory.

 

33.      This is a time of transition for many people. You have left where you were, but not quite entered into the next season. You feel stuck inbetween seasons. The Glory and Anointing will transition you to your next season.

 

 

Weakening the Anointing

 

1.          Speaking against men and women of God

 

When Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman he had married, and spoke against his ministry and anointing as prophet, then a judgment from God Himself was placed upon both Aaron and Miriam. Miriam became leprous for a short time, and learned her lesson.

 

The judgment on Aaron was delayed for many years because the Anointing (represented by the priestly garments, ephod and turban), protected him from judgment. But when Moses stripped Aaron of his priestly garments, he was stripped of the Anointing. Then the judgment was executed and he died.

 

Speaking against anointed men and women of God may result in the chastening and discipline of the Lord.

 

Speaking against anointed men and women of God, especially publicly and habitually, and discrediting or slandering them, can even cause pre-mature death in some cases—the judgment of God.

 

2.          Ecclesiastes 10:1—The Anointing will stink with flies. Flies represent evil spirits.

 

a. Talking about demons too much. Giving more attention to demons and their activity than to Jesus.

 

b. Dark areas in your life in which demons have an entrance to oppress you. It may be areas of sin—pornography, sexual immorality, lying, stealing, slander, pride, unforgiveness—any kind of sin; thoughts and mindsets (strongholds that exalt themselves above the knowledge of Christ); hatred; strife; jealousy; being involved in witchcraft, horoscopes, etc. Having unhealed hurts and wounds of the soul makes one more vulnerable to demonic oppression. The devil takes advantage of people who suffer with chemical imbalances in the brain and those with emotional wounds.

 

3.          Distractions

 

4.          People draining you. You must set boundaries. You can’t be all things to all people.

Chapter 20

Fruit of the Spirit

Love

 

Love — Introduction

 

Loving God and loving others are the #1 Kingdom principles.

 

Our love walk is vitally necessary when it comes to receiving healing and deliverance, or whatever it is that we are asking the Lord for. The failure to walk in love can prevent a person from receiving their healing and can block the flow of God’s blessings. Whatever we receive from the Lord, we receive by faith. Faith works by love (Galations 5:6). Without love, our faith will not work properly. Therefore, if we are not receiving answers to our prayers, perhaps we need to check up on our love walk. 

 

Unforgiveness and hatred are deadly to our love walk, and these are blessing blockers. To hate our brother is the same as walking in darkness, according to 1 John 2:11. We cannot say that we love God and are walking in the light, yet hate our brother at the same time (1 John 1:5-8, 2:9). Hatred is as the sin of murder, and no murderers will inherit eternal life (1 John 3:15, Revelation 21:8). However, if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

 

If you do not have love in your heart for someone, the Holy Spirit can place that love there. Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” It is not easy to follow this command, but it is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

In the Old Testament, there was probably nothing of greater importance than the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Yet love is superior to all of the sacrifices. David said in Psalms 51:16-17 that God does not delight in sacrifices and burnt offerings, but in a broken and contrite heart. The heart and attitudes of man is what God is after. Mark 12:33 (NKJV) says, “And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

 

The law of Moses contains numerous laws. However, if we just walk in one law—the law of love—we will have fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8-10 (NKJV) says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

 

If you walk in love, you will not break any of the ten commandments.

 

We’ve read how important the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is, the Gifts of the Spirit and speaking in other tongues. But love is superior to that. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” Whatever we do or accomplish in life—if there is not love, then it’s all for nothing.

 

Jesus commands us to love one another. John 13:34-35 (NKJV) says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” In John 14:21 Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. In Verse 23, Jesus says, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” In John 15:10, Jesus tells us that if we keep His commandments, we will abide in His love, just as He kept His Father's commandments and abide in His love.

 

In John 15:13-14 (NKJV), Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

 

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV), “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

 

God is love. To walk in love is to walk in the light and be one with God. To love our neighbor is to have sweet fellowship with them with Christ at the center.

 

The Greek language, in which the New Testament was written in, has several words which are translated into English as “love”. The primary Greek words for love we will be looking at in this study are agapao (a verb) and agape (a noun).

 

Greek Words For Love

 

Listed below are the Greek words which are translated as “love” in the New Testament. The numbers in parenthesis besides each Greek word corresponds to the Strong’s New Testament Concordance number for that word. For example, agape (26).

 

1.          Agape (26) – a noun. Sacrificial, unselfish love; benevolence; good will. God’s love for mankind. Our love for God and others. Agape love involves feelings of affection, but is based on a decision of the will. Agape love always gives, and puts the interests of others before its own.

 

Agape is a term used for the Love Feasts in the early church. The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary states: “At this meal the Christians, in connection with their common Redeemer Jesus Christ, ignored all distinctions of rank, wealth, and culture, and met as members of one family.”

 

Below are listed the New Testament Scriptures where the word agape is found.

 

Matthew 24:12; Luke 11:42; John 5:42, 13:35, 15:9-10,13, 17:26; Romans 5:5,8, 8:35,39, 12:9, 13:10, 14:15, 15:30; 1 Corinthians 8:1, 13:1-4,8,13, 14:1, 16:14,24; 2 Corinthians 2:4,8, 5:14, 6:6, 8:7-8,24, 13:11,14; Galations 5:6,13,22; Ephesians 1:4,15, 2:4, 3:17,19, 4:2,15-16, 5:2, 6:23; Philippians 1:9,15, 2:1-2; Colossians 1:4,8,13, 2:2, 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 3:6,12, 5:8,13; 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2:10, 3:5; 1 Timothy 1:5,14, 2:15, 4:12, 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:7,13, 2:22, 3:10; Titus 2:2; Philemon 5:7,9; Hebrews 6:10,10:24; 1 Peter 4:8, 5:14; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 2:5,15, 3:1,16-17, 4:7-10,12,16-18, 5:3; 2 John 3:6; 3 John 6; Jude 2:12,21; Revelation 2:4,19.

 

 

2.          Agapao (25) – a verb. To regard the best welfare of another. To have preference for one another. To prize and treasure. Love for the brethren. God’s love for mankind as demonstrated by giving His one and only Son. Our love for God demonstrated in affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of benefits received.

 

Matthew 5:43-44,46, 6:24, 19:19, 22:37,39; Mark 10:21, 12:30-31,33; Luke 6:27,32,35, 7:5,42,47, 10:27, 11:43, 16:13; John 3:16,19,35, 8:42, 10:17, 11:5,12:43, 13:1,23,34, 14:15,21,23-24,28,31, 15:9,12,17, 17:23-24,26, 19:26, 21:7,15-16,20; Romans 8:28,37, 9:13,25, 13:8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 8:3; 2 Corinthians 9:7, 11:11, 12:15; Galations 2:20, 5:14; Ephesians 1:6, 2:4, 5:25,28,33, 6:24; Colossians 3:12,19; 1 Thessalonians 1:4, 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13,16; 2 Timothy 4:8,10; Hebrews 1:9, 12:6; James 1:12, 2:5,8; 1 Peter 1:8,22, 2:17, 3:10; 2 Peter 2:15; 1 John 2:10,15, 3:10-11,14,18,23, 4:7-8,10-12,19-21, 5:1-2; 2 John 1:5; 3 John 1; Revelation 1:5, 3:9, 12:11, 20:9.

 

3.          Phileo (5368) – friendship; to be kindly disposed to one; personal attachment; tender affection; sentimental feelings; to love from the heart. Matthew 6:5, 10:37, 23:6, 26:48; Mark 14:44; Luke 20:46, 22:47; John 5:20, 11:3,36, 12:25, 15:19, 16:27, 20:2, 21:15-17, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Titus 3:15; Revelation 3:19, 22:15.

 

4.          Philos (5384) – a dear one; to be fond of; a friend; an associate; a neighbor. Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:6,34, 11:5-6,8, 12:4, 14:10,12, 15:6,9,29, 16:9, 21:16, 23:12; John 3:29, 11:11, 15:13-15, 19:12; Acts 10:24, 19:31, 27:3; James 2:23, 4:4; 3 John 14.

 

5.          Philadelphia (5360) – brotherly love; the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren. Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7.

 

6.          Philadelphos (5361) – the word in which “Philadelphia” is derived; love for the brethren.  1 Peter 3:8.

 

7.          Philandros (5362) – affectionate as a wife; a wife showing affection to her husband.  Titus 2:4a.

 

8.          Philoteknos (5388) – loving one’s offspring or children. Titus 2:4b.

 

9.          Philanthropia (5363) – love of mankind; benevolence; philanthropy.  Acts 28:2; Titus 3:4.

 

10.      Philanthropos (5364) – love of mankind; philanthropy; humane; kindness.  Acts 27:3.

 

11.      Philoproteuo (5383) – to aspire after pre-eminence; to desire to be first; ambitious of distinction of status.  3 John 9.

 

12.      Philarguria (5365) – avarice; greed; covetousness; stinginess; love of money.  1 Timothy 6:10.

 

13.      Philaguros (5366) – avarice; greed; covetousness; stinginess; love of money.  Luke 16:14; 2 Timothy 3:2.

 

14.      Spalgchnon (4698) – bowels; intestines; heart; liver.  Denoting tender mercies, affection, sympathy, compassion, reaching out to those in need.  Luke 1:78; 2 Corinthians 7:15; Philippians 1:8, 2:1; Colossians 3:12; Philemon 7,12,20; 1 John 3:17.

 

Agape (noun) and agapao (verb) is the highest form of love, and is imparted to us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

 

Without agape love in operation, it is not possible to act in genuine phileo or philos love (love for the brethren, family and friends). How can relationships thrive and survive if we mistreat each other, are rude to each other, get easily angered, do not show courtesy and consideration, do not show respect and honor to one another, are unkind to each other, backbite our neighbor, say cruel and hurtful things to each other, display jealousy, and do things which create an atmosphere of mistrust?

 

Agape love is the kind of love that God requires us to walk in. This kind of love is to be demonstrated to everyone. Agape love is the foundation of solid relationships.

 

Demonstrating agape love from the heart is crucial. One cannot enter heaven without walking in love. Agape love is higher than human love, and it is not a kind of love which we can give out in our own flesh or human strength. This kind of love comes from God, who IS love. This love is given to us from the Holy Spirit who dwells on the inside of us. The Lord wants us to be a vessel in which He can love others through us.

 

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul gives us a fuller understanding of what it means to walk in agape love. Paul defines agape love for us in practical terms that relate to our day-to-day living.

Love Defined in 1 Corinthians 13

 

Paul the Apostle defines for us what agape love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

 

He writes: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” NKJV

 

Below I have given the Greek words and Greek definitions for what love is and what love is not, so that we may have a fuller understanding of what Paul is teaching. The numbers within the parenthesis refer to the Strong’s New Testament Concordance.

 

Love is …

 

1.          Patient (3114 makrothumeo) – to be long spirited, forbearing, patient; to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging; to be long suffering; slow to anger, slow to punish.

 

2.          Kind (5541 chresteuomai) – to show oneself helpful; i.e. to act benevolently; to show oneself mild.

 

3.          Not Envious (2206 zeloo) – to have warmth of feeling against; to be heated or boiling; jealousy.

 

4.          Not boastful (4068 perpereuomai) – braggart; to vaunt oneself.

 

5.          Not Proud or Arrogant (5448 phusioo) – to be haughty; to inflate; blow up; blow out; to cause to swell up.

 

6.          Not Rude (807 aschemoneo) – to be (or act) unbecoming; behave unseemly.

 

7.          Not Self-Seeking (2212 zeteo) – seek; require; demand (one’s own way); selfishness; self-centeredness.

 

8.          Not Easily Angered (3947 paroxuno) – to exasperate; to irritate; provoke; rouse to anger; to be sharp.

 

9.          Thinking No Evil (2556 kakos) – troublesome; injurious; pernicious; destructive; baneful; keeping a record of wrongs.

 

10.      Not Rejoicing in Iniquity (93 adikia) – injustice; moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act).

 

11.      Rejoices in Truth (225 aletheia) – what is true in any matter under consideration (opposed to what is feigned, fictitious, false); truth as a personal excellence; that candor or mind which is free from affectation, pretense, simulation, falsehood, deceit.

 

12.      Beareth All Things (Protects) (4722 stego) – to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence; to keep secret; to hide; conceal; to protect or keep by covering; to preserve; to bear up against; hold out against, and so to endure, bear, forbear.

 

13.      Believeth All Things (Trust) (4100 pisteuo) – to have faith (in, or with respect to, a person); to think to be true; to be persuaded of; to credit; place confidence in.

 

14.      Hopeth All Things (Expect) (1679 elpizo) – to expect; expect the best.

 

15.      Endures All Things (5278 hupomeno) – abide, remain; i.e. bear trials; have fortitude; persevere.

 

16.      Love Never Fails (or Falls) (4098 pipto) – to fall; used of descent from a higher place to a lower; used of descent from a standing to a prostrate position; to fall from a state of uprightness; i.e. to sin; to come to an end; cease.

 

 

Love Declarations of Faith

 

Years ago I was watching the Believer’s Voice of Victory, with Gloria Copeland teaching on love. She was teaching from 1 Corinthians 13. She challenged her viewers to replace the word “love” with “I am” or “I”, and then declare it in faith.

 

When I declared it outloud, there were some things in 1 Corinthians 13 where I said to myself, “Yeah, right” (I knew that I fell short of living up to 1 Corinthians 13 in some ways). However, if you continue to confess 1 Corinthians 13 by replacing the word “love” with “I am” or “I”, or your first name, those confessions of faith will take root. Your heart will begin to change, and the Lord will help you to grow in love.

 

Declare Aloud …

 

I am patient. I am long suffering. I am slow to anger. I am patient in bearing the offenses of others.

 

I am kind. I am mild. I am benevolent. I am helpful.

 

I am not envious. I have no feelings of jealousy against another.

 

I am not boastful. I do not vaunt or brag on myself.

 

I am not proud or arrogant. I am not haughty. I am not puffed up.

 

I am not rude. I do not act unbecoming. I do not behave unseemly.

 

I am not self-seeking. I do not demand my own way. I am not selfish or self-centered.

 

I am not easily angered. I do not get exasperated quickly. I am not easily provoked. I am not sharp with others.

 

I think no evil. I do not keep a record of wrongs. I do not have spiteful, destructive, injurious or malicious thoughts towards anyone.

 

I do not rejoice in iniquity. I do not take pleasure in injustice or moral wrongfulness. I do not rejoice in someone else’s calamity.

 

I rejoice in the truth. I do not pay heed to what is fictitious and false. I take no part in rumors.

 

I bear all things. I protect and cover. I do not expose the secrets or weaknesses of others. I can be trusted to keep a confidence.

 

I believe all things. I have faith in that person. I trust that person. I have confidence in that person. (This is not saying that you should trust every person because not every person can be trusted. This passage may be saying to look for the best in every person, and that trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship.)

 

I hope all things. I expect for the best.

 

I endure all things. I remain steadfast in bearing trials. I have an attitude of fortitude and perseverance.

 

I will never fall away from Christ because I walk in love. I will not fall into sin as long as I put on love. My love for Jesus Christ and others will never end. I will never cease to show love. Love never fails. Love is the solution to most problems.

 

Amen, so be it!

 

Love — Serving Others

 

In this message, we will focus on expressing agape love by serving one another.

 

Galations 5:13-15 (NKJV) says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this. ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another.”

 

To serve means to minister to others, attending to and waiting upon others, caring for others, serving the welfare of others. To be a servant one must have a spirit of humility. Servanthood is putting the best interests and needs of others before oneself. A servant attitude is one of meekness, kindness and gentleness.

 

To serve others is to show honor, preferring one another (Romans 12:10). To serve others is to esteem others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

 

To the world, the idea of servanthood has a negative connotation. The ways of the fleshly nature are very selfish and self-centered. The fleshly nature is more concerned about the needs of self than the needs of others. The flesh seeks to be in control, seeks to be served, and often times steps on others in order to get ahead.

 

The fleshly nature says, “What can I get out of this?” … “What can you do for me?” … “How will this benefit me?” … “What are my best interests?” … “I will give my 50% if you give your 50%.”

 

On the contrary, a servant asks the question: “What can I do to serve you?” … “How can I meet the needs of others?” … “How can I minister to others more effectively?” … “What is in the best welfare of the other person?”  A servant gives his/her 100% regardless of whether or not others do the same.

 

A servant endeavors to be sensitive to the feelings of others, and is considerate of the needs of others. A servant looks for opportunities to serve.

 

A servant does not have the attitude that he/she is too great, or too important, to serve others or do menial tasks that are below them.

 

In Acts 6:2, the twelve disciples said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.” It wasn’t that they felt that serving tables was “beneath” them. Rather, Jesus had called them to devote themselves to prayer and the preaching of the Gospel. Serving tables was taking up most of their time so that they could not fulfill what they were called to do. Therefore, deacons were appointed to take care of these matters.

 

Jesus defined greatness as that of being a servant. Before God exalts a person to leadership, He looks for a servant heart. Mark 10:43-44 says, “Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister; and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.”

 

A servant leader seeks to be a good example to others. They lead by serving, and their followers learn to serve by observing their leader.

 

Jesus is our ultimate example of a servant leader. Mark 10:45 (NKJV) says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” John 6:38 (NKJV) states: “For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

 

Jesus is God, yet He left the splendor of Heaven and humbled Himself as a man (Philippians 2:4-11) and the Father exalted Him with the Name above all other names.

 

Jesus laid down His life for us so that we could have everlasting life. Jesus taught us to lay down our lives down for one another (1 John 3:16).

 

Jesus is our role model of how to demonstrate servanthood to others. He left His place at the head table to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:5). Jesus also displayed humility by ministering to the needs of people around him. He healed people and went about doing good. He did not have the attitude of “leave Me alone … I’m too busy”. He took time out minister one on one with people in need.

 

Most of us live busy lives and have responsibilities to take care of. Also, since we are not God, we cannot meet all the needs of others around us. God does His job in taking care of the needs of everyone. He’s just asking us to do whatever He leads us to do. With our loved ones, family, church, and within our own sphere of influence, He wants us to display a servant’s heart.

 

 

Love — Jesus and the Bride Serve One Another

 

The relationship between Christ and the Church is a picture of mutual servanthood and submission.

 

Jesus, the Bridegroom, Serves the Church

 

Jesus serves the Church by demonstrating His unending love, humility, mercy, goodness, kindness, graciousness and faithfulness. He leads by example. There is no selfishness in Him. He is concerned about the needs of His Bride. He laid His life down for His Bride, and He wants us to lay our lives down for one another.

 

Jesus is very patient. He is not harsh, sharp or easily angered. He cherishes His Bride, fostering her with tender loving care, with the implication of brooding over her like a hen would brood over her chicks keeping them warm and safe. Jesus nourishes and nurtures His Church.

 

Jesus speaks tenderly to His Bride and demonstrates His affection and warmth. He romances her and tells her how radiant and beautiful she is (Song of Solomon is a picture of Jesus and the Church). He washes and cleanses her by the Word (Ephesians 5:26). He takes her to the banqueting hall (Song of Solomon 2:4). He provides for her, protects her, affirms her, and ministers to her needs. He shows her honor and respect. He never overrides her will or forces her to do anything, but allows us to have free will.

 

Jesus leads without dominating His Church. When we call out to Him, He is not too busy to listen to us. He is there for us. He is faithful forever, even if the Church is not. Jesus’ actions of servanthood and humility provokes in His Bride the desire to follow in His footsteps.

 

The Bride (Church) Serves Jesus

 

There is a distinction between being a church-goer and being the bride of Christ. A person can be religious and not even be saved. The Bride is in love with Jesus and seeks to do His will.

 

The Bride serves her Bridegroom (Jesus). She finds out what pleases Him the most and then does those things.

 

The Bride serves her Lord by giving herself wholeheartedly to Him. When He draws her to come and spend time in His Presence and share spiritual oneness with Him in the King’s chambers, she does not reject or refuse Him. She says yes with gladness of heart not because she feels obligated, but because she loves Him and delights in her Bridegroom. She does not always wait to be beckoned to the Secret Place, but she comes to Jesus on her own because He likes to be woo’d too. Although Jesus is God, He has a need to feel and know He is loved and wanted.

 

The Bride serves Jesus by loving Him in the way He desires to be loved. She shows Him utmost respect and honor. She reveres Him, holding Him in high esteem. She does not say things or act in a manner which demeans or causes shame to or belittles her Lord or His Name. She waits in His Presence and ministers to Him. She tells Him how beautiful He is. She lavishes Him with praise and compliments. She obeys Him and submits to His leadership. She has a heart of submission and sensitivity to His Spirit. She chooses to relinquish control and lets Him be in the driver’s seat.

 

The Bride serves the Lord by dying to the flesh and self in order to live for the Spirit. She takes on His Name and her life is no longer her own. She puts Christ’s interests and plans above that of her own. She chooses to decrease, so that Christ may increase. She chooses to yield to God’s authority and leadership. The Bride adores and greatly admires her Lord. She keeps His first command — which is to love God with her whole heart and to love her neighbor as herself.

 

The relationship between Christ and the Church is a type and picture of the kind of relationship God desires between a husband and wife. Pride, sin, selfishness, hurts, divisions, the cares of this life, financial problems, incompatibility, sexual impurity (such as adultery and porn) and many other factors have robbed man and wife from experiencing the ideal union that God originally intended in the Garden of Eden.

 

The Word is full of encouraging news and truths of how to have successful relationships in marriage and with family and friends. The Word teaches that in order to have joy and peace in our relationships that it requires us to, first and foremost, walk in agape (or agapao) love. (The difference between agape and agapao is that agape is a noun and agapao is a verb – action word. Both words have the same meaning.)

 

Agape requires us to die to the flesh and put others first. It requires servanthood and humility. It means to treat people right and esteem others higher than ourselves. It means to consider the welfare of others and not only our own interests.

 

An excellent book that I would highly recommend if you are married, or would like to be married, is entitled How To Make Your Marriage Exciting by Charles and Frances Hunter. They were married for almost 40 years before Frances went to be with the Lord, and then Charles passed on a year later. They claim that in their marriage, they never had an argument or cross word. In their book they discuss some key points the Lord taught them in order to have a fulfilling marriage relationship. Everything they teach involves demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-24).

 

From the intimate relationship they had with the Lord, it carried over into their marriage. First John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

 

The chapter titles in their book are: Be honest … Be loving … Be patient … Be courteous … Be considerate … Be fun to live with … Be desirous (avoid doing things that irritate your spouse, be well pleasing to your partner) … Be forgiving … Be loyal … Be one (be a united team) … Be married (intimacy of spirit, soul and body) … Be in harmony with God’s plan (doing God’s will) … In sickness and in health, for better or for worse (commitment).

 

Honor, Respect, Courtesy and Consideration

 

Agape love and servanthood means to show honor, respect, courtesy and consideration to one another. NOT doing these things causes resentments and can spoil a relationship very quickly. Even little things which another finds to be inconsiderate can lead to heated arguments.

 

In family relationships, if you have been repeatedly told that something you do (even if it seems insignificant to you) is irritating or inconsiderate, then on your part it is a form of not showing courtesy. If you continue to do it, then anger builds up for the other person/s. The other family member/s will feel like they are not being respected or shown honor. In one way, part of love is to overlook quirks and not let it bother you so much. Yet another part of love is to be sensitive to the feelings of others.

 

What if we show love to others but they do not return that same love to us? Although it causes us pain and hurt when others don’t love us back, God wants us to follow through on our part. When we stand before Jesus someday, we will have to give an account of our own life and our own deeds. When He asks us if we loved others, then we will be able to say, with confidence and boldness, “YES”!

 

 

 

Love — Showing Honor and Respect

 

In our society, in families, in many marriages, at the workplace, and even in the Body of Christ today, there is a lack of showing honor and respect to one another. The world has promoted a spirit of independence and self-will to the point where the predominant attitude is one of self-centeredness with little regard for others.

 

Agape love involves showing honor and respect to others. Our society is puzzled by all the broken relationships that abound. Yet how can relationships survive, or be joyful and peaceful, if we show dishonor and disrespect to one another? Honor and respect is one of the most important keys to successful, lasting relationships.

 

In the Webster’s Dictionary, “honor” is defined as: high regard or great respect given, received or enjoyed; dignity; repute; esteem; to treat with deference and courtesy.

 

The word “respect” is defined as: to feel or show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard; to consider or treat with deference or dutiful regard; to show consideration for; courteous regard; to avoid intruding upon (such as respecting others’ boundaries and feelings).

 

The term “deference” is defined as: a yielding in opinion, judgment or wishes; courteous regard or respect; honor.

 

In certain passages of the Bible, some translators use the word “respect” while other translations use the term “reverence”. Reverence is similar to respect, except has deeper meaning. Reverence implies deep respect together with love. To revere is to have high esteem or awe for; to venerate. Reverence suggests a regarding with great respect, affection, honor and deference.

 

In 1 Peter 3:7, Peter said for husbands to dwell with their wives according to knowledge (know her, know what she likes and doesn’t like, know what is important to her, know her heart). Then Peter says to give honor to the wife as the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. The Greek word and definition of “honor” in this verse is timee (Strong’s New Testament #5092). It means: “honor which belongs or is shown to one; to value and esteem to the highest degree; to hold in high dignity; to esteem as very precious; of high price.”

 

So Peter is saying to husbands to show honor to their wives, to value and esteem them to the highest degree, to hold in high dignity, to esteem as very precious and of high price.

 

The word to wives in Ephesians 5:33 does not just tell wives to respect their husbands, but to reverence their husbands. Reverence implies deep respect together with love, affection, honor and deference (yieldedness, submissiveness).

 

The Bible commands us to honor our parents. The Greek word for “honor” in the verses that refer to honoring parents is timao (Strong’s New Testament #5091). It is defined as: “to prize; to fix a valuation upon; to revere; to venerate; to honor.”

 

In Matthew 15:3-7, some of the Pharisees and Scribes provoked Jesus by asking Him why His disciples transgress the tradition of the elders by not washing their hands when they eat bread. Jesus then asked them why their traditions violate the direct commandments of God. Many of the religious leaders failed to honor their parents by not caring or providing for them in their older age, when they had means to do so. Resources that should have been used to take care of their parents was instead given away to be used for other purposes.

 

Peter said to honor kings and those in authority (1 Peter 2:17). Romans 13:7 tells us to give honor to whom honor is due. First Timothy 5:17 says that the elders who rule well should be counted worthy to double honor, especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine.

 

Romans 12:10 tells believers in the Body of Christ to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. In the Greek, to prefer one another means to show deference to one another or to outdo one another in showing honor.

 

Paul said to show special honor to widows in 1 Timothy 5:3.

 

Peter commanded us in 1 Peter 2:17 to show honor and respect to all people.

 

Most importantly, we are to honor the Lord. We show Him love and honor in our personal relationship with Him — not only in words but also in our hearts and in our deeds. We also show the Lord love and honor by the way we treat other people. Jesus said, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).

 

 

 

Love – Edifying Others

 

The theme of this teaching is “love edifies others”.

 

Romans 14:19 says, “Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

 

Romans 15:2 says, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, for his edification.”

 

The words “edify” or “edification” comes from the Greek word oikodome (or oikodomeo in some instances).

 

The definition means: “to build up (as in the idea of building a structure); a builder; an edifice; an architect; to construct; to confirm; confirmation; to establish; to be a house builder; to rebuild; to build up from the foundation; to restore or repair.”

 

The Thayer’s Greek Lexicon adds the following definition: “To promote growth in Christian wisdom, affection, grace, virtue, holiness and blessedness.”

 

The opposite of edification is to tear down, to damage, to destroy, to injure, to harm, to break, to weaken, to put others down, to discourage or depress, to destabilize, to undermine, to demoralize, to cut away by unkind remarks or actions, to crush, to deflate, to diminish or reduce, to shred into pieces, to belittle, to humiliate, to criticize, to disdain, to be negative.

 

While I was involved in the choir at my former church, the Director of the Worship Department used to engrain into us what she called the “3 E’s”:  1) Edify  2) Esteem  3) Encourage. Before she became a worship pastor, she used to be a school teacher and taught music to children.  When the children would begin to pick on each other like kids do, she would write on the chalk board:

 

E E E

 

The children knew what the 3 E’s meant. She also engrained the 3 E’s into those of us in the choir who are adults. Adults can be like children except in grown-up bodies. Adults can be far more cruel than children in biting each other with unkind words and deeds. She and her husband have been, and continue to be, godly examples of showing love to others.

 

To edify others is to esteem them, to build them up, to compliment them, to honor them, to show them respect and admiration, to show high regard for, to encourage, to strengthen, to be supportive, to value and prize, to give others a boost, to uplift, to build others’ faith and confidence.

 

Edification is positive and uplifting. When we edify others, their faith is increased and our faith is increased as well. Faith is always filled with hope and positive expectation. When you edify others, you will feel edified yourself.

 

The Apostle Paul said that prophecy is for the edification of the Body of Christ. First Corinthians 14:3 says, “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”

 

The five-fold offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).

 

Paul goes on to further state in Ephesians 4:16 that the Body of Christ grows and builds itself up in love as each individual part of the Body works properly.

 

Edification involves the tongue and the power of words. The tongue has the power of death and life (Proverbs 18:21). The tongue can be used to speak words which promote death and destruction, and the tongue can be used to speak words of life which promote edification.

 

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

 

Colossians 4:6 tells us to let our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how we ought to answer every man. Psalms 45:2 says, “You are the most excellent of men and Your lips (words) have been anointed with grace.”

 

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:1 that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

 

Edification is more concerned about the well-being of others. First Corinthians 10:23-24 says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” To edify others is to NOT be a stumbling block to them.

 

Paul says in 1 Timothy 1:4 to not get caught up in doctrinal issues that cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. In this situation, it was not just a matter of difference in doctrinal interpretation of Scripture. There were teachers at the church of Ephesus who were teaching unauthenticated doctrine that were mere speculations — myths and legends. The focus was on endless genealogies. This teaching was not edifying and produced controversies instead of promoting the Gospel and godliness, which is of faith and edification.

 

Believers are admonished to edify one another. First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

 

Remember the “3 E’s”:

 

1.  Edify others

2.  Esteem others

3.  Encourage others

 

 

Love – Pride/Humility

 

This message is about the subject of pride.  Pride is at the root of all the reasons why love is often not demonstrated to the degree that it should be.

 

As an example, a common scenario is arguments and strife in relationships. Proverbs 13:10a says, “Pride only breeds quarrels …”

 

In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, love is defined as:

·                   Being patient

·                   Being kind

·                   Not being jealous

·                   Not being arrogant

·                   Not being rude

·                   Not behaving unbecoming

·                   Not selfish

·                   Not demanding one’s own way

·                   Not easily angered

·                   Does not keep a record of wrongs

·                   Does not rejoice in unrighteousness

·                   Rejoices in truth

·                   Bears all things

·                   Protects

·                   Believes for the best

·                   Trusts

·                   Hopes

·                   Perseveres

·                   Faithful

Pride is at the root of impatience. Impatience says, “Unless everything is done in my time table then “I get upset and show my agitation” … “I am the most important person around here and get irritated with delays or if I have to listen to what someone says longer than I wish to” … “However, when I have something to say, I expect others to give me their undivided attention.”

 

Pride is at the root of self-centeredness and demanding one’s own way. Self-absorption says, “My needs and wants are more important than everyone else’s needs and wants” … “My time is more valuable than other people’s time.”

 

Pride is at the root of being easily provoked and displaying temper tantrums. Anger says, “I am the most important person and I have rights to react, yell, scream or tell someone off if they irritate me for any reason or do not do what I want them to do. I can treat someone any way I wish.”

 

Anger is all about control and control is backed by pride. Control says, “I want it my own way and I will do whatever it takes to get my own way” … “I’m going to call the shots.”

 

Everyone experiences anger, but the Bible says to be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26). In many situations, a person who is easily angered will often be abusive verbally, mentally, emotionally and even physically. Abusers are very wounded, insecure individuals and they hurt other people. Abusers are very self-centered and usually blame others around them for their problems. When they are confronted, they are often even more explosive. They may apologize and say that it will never happen again, but the abuse usually continues until the victim stands up to him/her. Deliverance for the abuser comes when they humble themselves before God and before man, take responsibility for their life and actions, and seek for professional help.

 

Pride is at the root of keeping a record of offenses, holding grudges and being unforgiving. Pride refuses to let go of the wrongs committed against them. To forgive is an act of humility. To forgive is to grant grace, mercy and pardon even when you feel like the person who offended you does not deserve it. Sometimes it is hard to forgive because we feel like the other person is being let off the hook and getting by with what they did. Yet God has forgiven us of sin after sin, and has shown us abundant grace and mercy when we did not deserve it. To the extent we show mercy is the extent we will receive mercy.

 

Pride is believing that you are better than others, and others are lower than you.

 

Pride is more concerned about appearances (How will I look?) than in what is the right thing to do.

 

Pride causes barriers between denominations, races, and economic status.

 

First Corinthians 13:4-5, in the Amplified Version, says that agape love is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily, it is not conceited and it is not inflated.

 

Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 29:23 says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low; but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

 

To love others is to have a spirit of humility. First Peter 5:5-6 says, “Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to serve one another. For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

 

Humility is defined in the Greek as: “having a humble opinion of oneself, modest, lowliness of mind.” (Low self-esteem is not humility.)

 

Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

 

In Verses 5-11 of Philippians 2, we are reminded of Christ’s example of humility:

5  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

6  Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.

7  But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9  Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.

10 That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

Quotes About Love by Dr. Leroy Thompson

 

Love never fails. If things are failing in your life, then check your love level.

 

Love is not just an attribute of God, God IS love. God is not faith, but He is full of faith. God is not mercy, but He is merciful. However, God IS love. That’s the essence of who He is.

 

There are no limitations to those who walk in God’s love.

 

The revelation of all possibilities is in the understanding of my love identity.

 

The Church has been in the state of reason and emotion for a long time. They feel good, and may run around, yet don’t have the success or victory rate you should have if you got the revelation of His love. When you’re in a real fight, you have to know how to use the Sword of the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. The Church needs to go to the reality of who you really are in Christ and what you have on the inside of you and be able to use the Sword of the Spirit accurately and skillfully.

 

Ephesians 3:14-21 – Love Identity. How do I access or activate this kind of love identity?

 

Love is the highest you can go in the realm of the Spirit. Love is higher than faith, and even higher than the blood of Jesus. Love is God and God sent the Blood. Love is higher than the Gifts of the Spirit.

 

Love is the most excellent way.

 

God is love and love is God’s whole identity. When you love God, you got all the promises of God, from Genesis to Revelation. You have the fullness of God.

 

Love makes you more than a conqueror. Romans 8:20. Anything defeating me is only temporary.

 

Ephesians 3 (prayer Paul prayed for inner strength to be bold, strong, victorious, joyful).

 

Romans 5 — you can be in the greatest battle. We glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope. And hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. “Hearts” is referring to your soul. The love of God is shed abroad in my mind and emotions, and I am conscious of the fact that God will never leave me or forsake me.

 

God’s love is shed abroad in your emotions. Say “touch me Lord Jesus”, and He will.

 

God can shed abroad His love into your imagination. Can you imagine what would happen to your life?

 

Romans 12:2 cannot work without love. You cannot fully renew the mind with just the Word, but you need the love of God to renew the mind. The perfect will of God means love.

 

The love of God is shed abroad in our will.

 

Perfect love casts out fear. 2 Timothy 1:7. The power, love and a sound mind cannot work without love.

 

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee. I will help thee. I will uphold thee with My right hand.”

 

Ephesians 3:14, inner man is your soul.

 

The root of the Spirit is love. Everything else is the fruit.

 

When you get out of love, you get into the flesh and into pride.

 

Your first works is love.

 

Love is the master of the Spirit world.

 

When you are all upset and walk out of love, you are not as powerful as you could be.

 

The love walk is not an emotional love walk. It’s triumphant.

 

Satan downplays love because he knows how powerful it is. This world demonstrates weak love.

 

Be rooted and grounded in love.

 

Love surpasses knowledge.

 

Love surpasses facts. I’ve got something in me to stir up miracles.

 

Love is supernatural.

 

Your life will be transformed by God’s love inside of you.

 

You have to be strengthened in your inner man by God’s love, before you qualify for the next verse. Ephesians 3:20 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us …”

 

The richest attribute of God’s Glory is love.

 

Galations 5:6 says faith which works by love.

 

Love is the ground wire.

 

The stagnation and frustration you’ve been going through is over. Love makes grace show up.

 

You will be stronger than you’ve ever been in your life, because of a deeper love relationship between you and God.

 

Love will never let you down, even when you make a mistake.

 

“The past won’t last.” Whatever you need wiped out can be wiped out by the power of love.

 

Love gives. “For God so loved the world that He gave …”

 

“God so loved the world” … that’s you and me. He loves us just the way we are. He just wants you to surrender yourself to Him and receive Him as Savior and Lord.

 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit involves tongues, but is a baptism of the love of God.

 

Works don’t replace love.

 

Return to your first love and first work (Revelation 2:1-7).

 

All limitations can be crossed by love.

 

We are called in Christ to make marks which cannot be erased, and love makes those marks.

 

Because of love I will live and declare the glory of the Lord.

 

Love brings results to our prayers and faith.

 

“Lord, spread Your love through my imagination.”

 

Love heals the broken heart.

 

There is no greater love on earth than being a grandparent.

 

Love can be stirred up. Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”

 

Love is greater than faith. Though I have all faith to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2).

 

Love is greater than tongues and prophesying. Without love, I am as a clanging symbol and am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-2).

 

Love is greater than giving away all your money and goods to the poor, or giving yourself as a martyr, for without love it profits me nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3).

 

Chapter 21

Other Fruits of the Spirit

 

 

Joy of the Lord!

 

Joy is the English word for Strong’s #5479, chara. Chara is defined as “calm delight; cheerfulness”. It is translated as “exceedingly joyful, joyous, gladness”. It is derived from #5463 chairo, meaning “calmly happy or well off; cheerful”. It is translated in the New Testament as “joy”, “gladness”, and “rejoice greatly”.

 

There are more than 28 other Greek and Hebrew words for joy. Definitions include: exultation; elation; jump for joy; leap for joy; skip for joy; to sympathetically move (as of a quickening of a fetus); to evangelize (announce the good news of the Gospel); be in a good frame of mind; to boast in the Lord; to glory in the Lord; grace; favor; pleasure; to give thanks; blithesomeness; glee; mirth; to be bright; delight; shout of joy; singing; triumph; jubilee; blowing of trumpets; acclamation of joy; sound an alarm; battle-cry; to split the ears with sound; make a joyful noise; to spin around; dancing; to break out in joyful sound; goodness; beauty; welfare; to laugh; to play; to be or make well; happy; be content; successful; to make sweet.

 

The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines joy as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness or bliss.

 

Joy is produced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; Romans 14:17, 15:13; Galations 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)

 

Joy is second on the list of the Spirit-filled life. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

 

Joy is associated with hope and faith (Romans 15:13; Galations 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit is seen as the One giving the joy, hope and faith.

 

Joy is also associated with peace and righteousness in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17, 15:13).

 

The Bible says to rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and Heaven is your eternal home! Luke 10:20

 

Jesus despised the shame of the cross, because He focused His mind on the joy of the future that was set before Him. Hebrews 12:2

 

The Apostle John had no greater joy than to know that his spiritual children walked in truth (3 John 4).

 

In order to remain joyful, keep company with other joyful and positive people. One way to build your praise to God is to associate with others who are praisers.

 

Don’t spend a lot of time with gloomy people, except to offer encouragement, prayer and to cheer them up. Be careful of someone who is in a pit of gloom and despair, lest he or she pull you in the pit with them. Sometimes you have to turn people over to God and let Him heal them.

 

Unforgiveness and bitterness will hinder the force of joy from operating in your life (Mark 11:23-26; Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15).

 

The Lord gives us the oil of joy or gladness for mourning (Isaiah 61). God turns our mourning into dancing (Psalms 30:11). The oil of joy and gladness breaks yokes and burdens off of people, because of the anointing (Isaiah 10:27).

 

Joy and rejoicing are daily choices. The Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

 

Joy is cheerfully expectant. Joy contains expectation of a prosperous and successful future.

 

Joy can get you through any hardships, trials, grief or sorrow (1 Peter 4:12-14). Most prosperous and successful people are joyful people, because they are positive minded and are thankful individuals.

 

The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The Lord says to prepare a feast and celebrate, and sorrow no more. The word for “strength” in this verse means a defense, a rock, fortitude. It also means “staying power”.

 

Joy strengthens a person spiritually, emotionally, mentally, relationally, financially and physically.

 

Science has proven that laughter is therapy to the soul and entire body, including the bones (Proverbs 15:30, 16:24, 17:22). Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.

 

The Holy Spirit is likened to new wine, and wine is also associated with joy and laughter. The Bible says that wine makes merry (Ecclesiastes 10:19). The Bible teaches us to drink wine in moderation to avoid drunkenness. Ephesians 5:18 encourages us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

 

In Acts 2, the Jews at Jerusalem thought that those who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues were drunk, but the Galileans were sober and praising God in languages they had never learned, and speaking eloquently as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will speak to yourself in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19-20).

 

Joyful people make a habit of singing quite often. Singing expresses joy and brings joy. Some people need to get their song back.

 

Joyful people are thankful individuals. They express their gratitude to the Lord and others. They may keep a gratitude journal, and write down a few things each day that they are grateful for.

 

When a person expresses gratitude, then breakthroughs come to their life and dreams come to pass, and then the person has even more joy than they had before. Gratefulness expresses joy, but also generates more joy.

 

Father God enjoys answering our prayers when we ask in Jesus’ Name, because it brings us fullness of joy! John 16:24 says, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

 

Joyful people make the commandments of God their delight, and they prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

 

Joyful people never run dry, and they are strong and stable. They are connected to Jesus (the Source), and they are like that tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in season, and his leaf shall not wither and whatever he does will prosper (Psalms 1).

 

Joyful people have a spring in their step and tend to be more agile.

 

May your morning confession be: “This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalms 118:24).

 

God promises that those who delight themselves in the Lord, they shall receive the desires of their heart (Psalms 37:4), which brings much joy. Joyful people delight in doing God’s will (Psalms 40:8).

 

There are enemies to joy: anxiety, worry, depression, hopelessness, gloom, fear, rage, anger, resentment, negativity, insecurity, faithlessness, impatience, bitterness, unforgiveness, offense, hatred, ingratitude, abuse, a victim mentality, lack of peace, exhaustion, loneliness, confusion, pride, judgmental attitude, strife, arguing, discord, family breakdown, complaining, murmuring, doubt, sadness, grief, mourning, sin, disobedience to God’s commands, dwelling on past mistakes, spiritual darkness, frowns, downcast appearance.

 

There are friends that dwell with joy: love, peace, rest, strength, endurance, forbearance, patience, meekness, calm delight, pleasure, positive expectation, hope, faith, grace, gentleness, humility, high praise, worship, gratitude, gladness, cheerfulness, rejoicing, laughter, dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, positive thoughts and attitude, Presence of God, Glory of God, Anointing of God, the fruit of the Spirit, smiles, countenance is radiant, dwelling in the light of God.

 

Happiness is based on circumstances and mood swings, whereas joy is fixed in the heart. We can feel joy on both good and bad days and in any situation.

 

Joy wins battles. When Judah’s army, at the leading of King Jehoshaphat, began to sing songs in the beauty of holiness, and go out before the army praising the Lord, God set up ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir and they became confused and turned on each other and self-slaughtered (2 Chronicles 20:21–24).

 

Joy is associated with rest. When you have entered God’s Sabbath Rest, there is joy and gladness. Rest is also linked with faith and hope. As you rest, God is working, bringing the answer to pass in your life.

 

Joy is associated with believing (believing in God’s goodness, believing the Lord to answer your prayers, believing for the best outcome, believing in a bright future) – Romans 15:13.

 

Though you may not have seen Jesus in person yet, you believe and rejoice in Him, with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:8).

 

The sacrifice of joy, praise and worship, is likened to the fragrant offering from the Altar of Incense in the Holy Place. Joy and praise are likened to a sweet-smelling aroma ascending to the very Throne Room of God, for which He is well pleased (Revelation 5:8-9 AMP).

 

There is joy during sufferings, trials and persecutions. Joy is what sustains you and gets you through it (Matthew 5:12; Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 4:13).

 

Romans 5:3-5 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

 

Joy undergirds your faith and hope. Joy also gives you the grace and endurance to go through trials with composure, knowing that hard times don’t last forever. Joy can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory because it knows that difficult times have an expiration date. Joy gives you hope for a better future.

 

Glorify God with all your wealth, honoring Him with your very best, with every increase that comes to you. Then every dimension of your life will overflow with blessings from an uncontainable source of inner joy! Proverbs 3:9-10

 

When you rejoice and laugh by faith, you tap into true joy, and resist yielding to depression and fear. Keith Moore, www.moorelife.org .

 

Happiness is always an inside job. Be so happy that when others look at you they become happy too. Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

 

Joy asks, “Who can I be a blessing to today?” Smile, for you never know how it may brighten someone’s day.

 

Psalms 27 talks about the sacrifices of joy—rejoicing in God’s goodness, mercy, grace and presence with singing, shouting, dancing, lifting up holy hands and playing musical instruments. David knew how to rejoice before the Lord with the sacrifices of joy.

 

Paul mentions joy and rejoicing 16 times in the book of Philippians. Joy must be crucially important for Paul to mention it so many times in one small epistle alone.

 

Joy is so powerful that demons have a meltdown, tremble and flee.

 

Your joy is a demonstration of the triumph of Christ.

 

Joy is associated with trusting in the Lord and rejoicing in His goodness.

 

Joy is linked with the fruit of kindness. When kindness is demonstrated in relationships, it brings joy to the relationship.

 

Joy is the best makeup. Author Unknown

 

Joy is contagious. Be a carrier and spread joy to everyone around you.

 

When Jesus Christ came into this world, He was heralded in with angelic choirs singing songs of joy, and joy was announced to the whole world.

 

Rejoice because you are a son or daughter of God!

 

Joy is found in the beauty and peace of nature, such as beautiful forests and flower gardens.

 

Psalms 126 says:

1 When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.

3 The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

 

Comparison is the thief of joy.

 

God’s goodness, and any mention of His goodness, brings joy.

 

Proverbs 15:15 says, “All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” AMP

 

Joy is found in a grateful heart.

 

Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing.”

 

The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy. Author Unknown

 

The Bible instructs us in the attitude that we are to serve God. It says to serve the Lord with gladness (Psalms 100:2). Gladness is defined in the Hebrew as: glee, blithe, making merry, rejoice, joyful, to brighten up, cheerfulness, goodness, welfare, beauty, to go well with.

Joy is linked with waiting on the Lord. While we are waiting, God is working in the situation and we can have joy knowing that. Waiting on God also speaks of spending time soaking in God’s Presence, and in His Presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalms 16:11).

 

Joy is connected to the thoughts you think. If you think joyful, happy, positive thoughts, then you will be filled with joy and gladness. As a man thinks in His heart, so is he (or so does he become). Proverbs 23:7

 

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25).

 

The joyful person finds delight in God’s Word (Psalms 1:2), and delights to do God’s will (Psalms 40:8).

 

 “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” Irish Proverb

 

Laughter is an instant vacation. Milton Berle

 

Joy is the serious business of Heaven. C.S. Lewis

 

Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all of the details of your life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be okay; and the determined choice to praise God in all things. Kay Warren

 

When we receive miracles and answers to prayer, and dreams come to pass, it sparks joy.

 

Weeping may endure for a night (a season), but joy comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5

 

May you become filled with so much joy and happiness that it heals every part of you.

 

Joy and grieving are meant to be shared with others. Rejoice with them who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

 

After Elisabeth (who was past childbearing age) gave birth to John the Baptist, her family and neighbors heard that the Lord had shown her great favor, and done wonderful things for her, and they rejoiced with her. Luke 1:58

 

A mother presses through the pains of labor, and rejoices when the baby is born and she is holding her infant in her arms.

 

There is no greater joy on earth than to be a grandparent.

 

The fear (holy reverence) of the Lord is a fountain of life. Proverbs 14:27

 

Once you have feasted on the goodness of God, nothing else will satisfy. D.A. Ovieda

 

Happy people don’t go through life collecting recognition. They go through life giving it away. Dodinsky

 

May we always have an attitude of gratitude, because thankfulness produces joy.

 

Joy and hope are interconnected. You can bubble over with hope. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.” AMP

 

Your future is as bright as the promises of God.

 

The reward ceremony in Heaven will be unlike anything we can imagine. www.DavidJeremiah.org

 

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

 

Psalms 32:11 says, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalms 46:4 says, “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.”

 

Isaiah 12:3 says, “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” NKJV

 

John 10:10b says, “I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” AMP

 

Jeremiah 31:12-14 states:

12 Therefore, they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat (Word of God), and for wine (Joy), and for oil (Anointing), and for the young of the flock and of the herd (Prosperity): and their soul shall be as a watered garden (Satiated and Green); and they shall not sorrow any more at all.

 

13 Then shall the virgin (Church) rejoice in the dance (praise and worship), both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

 

14 And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness (Anointing), and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord.

 

God restored to Joseph many times over for all the turmoil and pain he had gone through being a slave in Egypt. God turned Joseph's affliction into joy—so much to the point that when his first son was born he called him “Manassah”, meaning “He has made me to forget my toil”. He named his second son “Ephraim”, meaning “God has made me double fruitful”.

 

Psalms 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”

 

The Lord spoke and said, “If you only know what happens in the Spirit when you rejoice, you would rejoice every day.” www.markhankins.org

 

Joy's Multifaceted Connection: Joy is connected to: God's Presence (Psalms 16:11); God's strength (Nehemiah 8:10); God's salvation (Isaiah 12:3); the Anointing — the oil of joy (Hebrews 1:9), God's medicine (Proverbs 17:22); God's Word (Jeremiah 15:16, Psalms 119:162); and Prosperity (2 Corinthians 9:6-10, Psalms 105:37-45). www.markhankins.org

 

When we rejoice, we are acting like sons and daughters of God! Rejoicing is an act of faith. www.markhankins.org

 

Remember the words of Paul in Acts 27:25: “Cheer up…I believe God that it shall be as He told me.” When we believe God, we can cheer up! Believing and rejoicing ushers in the glory and goodness of God in our lives. www.markhankins.org

 

Look at all of the blessings of God that are connected to joy. It seems that if Satan can steal our joy, then he can damage a lot of other things in our lives. www.markhankins.org

 

Jesus sits in the heavens and laughs triumphantly (Psalms 2:4). www.markhankins.org

 

One of the characteristics of the Kingdom is joy in the Holy Ghost. www.markhankins.org

 

Joy gives you patience and staying power! It helps you to stay in a position of faith while God is working a miracle in your life, while He’s working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28)! If you rejoice while you wait for the answers to your prayers, it won’t be long until you see the answer manifest. www.markhankins.org

 

Joy is the proper protocol for entering into God’s Presence (Psalms 100). www.markhankins.org

 

If you want the Kingdom of God to break loose in your life, then joy is the supernatural battle strategy. Get full of joy and the dominion of God will break out. The faster you get happy, the faster the devil is out! www.markhankins.org

 

Faith has a beginning and faith has an end. Joy unspeakable and full of glory is the bridge between believing and receiving (1 Peter 1:8-9). www.markhankins.org

 

Rejoice that what God has promised, He is also able to perform. When you begin rejoicing, laughing, and shouting by faith, something happens in the Spirit realm and the glory finds a place to land! www.markhankins.org

 

When you go through a trial, the joy of the Lord neutralizes the pressure. www.markhankins.org

 

Laughter releases resurrection power that melts down disease. Laugh at disease, laugh at torment, laugh at lack. First John 3:8 (AMP) says, “…the reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].” The Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, and the language of laughter will loosen and cause a meltdown of all the power of hell! Ha, ha, ha! www.markhankins.org

 

Your joy is Jesus’ joy. www.markhankins.org

 

J O Y = Jesus, Others, Yourself

 

Joy is a daily choice. Choose joy and gladness today.

 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Peace

 

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

 

The general internet dictionary defines peace as freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility; freedom from or the cessation of war or violence; harmony, concord.

 

The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary goes on to say: “freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity; to keep silent or quiet.”

 

The New Testament Greek word for “peace” is eirene (Strong’s #1515). It is defined as “prosperity, quietness, rest, set at one again.”

 

The Old Testament Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom. Shalom is more than a greeting, but it wishes a person prosperity, success and happiness.

 

The blessings of Shalom (Strong’s #7965) include:

 

1.Peace, quietness, tranquility

2.Salvation and Baptism of the Holy Spirit

3.Rest, Joy, Hope, Faith

4.Love

5.Absence of war

6.Absence of strife and contention

7.Harmonious state of the soul and mind

8.Covenant relationship with God

9.Peace in our spirit (rational intellect, the part of us that communes with God)

10.            Peace in our soul (mind, will, emotions)

11.            Peace with God, especially in covenant relation

12.            Peace that surpasses our understanding; peace like a river

13.            Unity; concord; harmony (the anointing oil flows with unity)

14.            Freedom from confusion and captivity of any kind

15.            The Lord looses the prisoners

16.            Success and Blessings (family, children, grandchildren, houses, lands, cars, both material and non-material things)

17.            Giving thanks for all your blessings

18.            Prosperity; wealth; living debt free; debts cancelled

19.            Satiation of God’s goodness

20.            Being filled up with the Word of God

21.            Possessing the promises of God

22.            Completeness, Wholeness

23.            Restoration; Rejuvenation; Refreshment; Relaxation; Recreation

24.            Contentment

25.            Friendship; Friendliness (especially friendship with God)

26.            Soundness in mind and physical body; excellent health; wellness; healing

27.            With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation

28.            Security

29.            Welfare, Happiness

30.            Nothing missing and nothing broken

31.            Protection; Safe (in mind, body or estate)

32.            Restitution; compensation

33.            To walk in favor with God and man

34.            God gives His Beloved sleep

35.            Days of Heaven upon earth

36.            A greeting (“May it be well with you”)

37.            Messianic Reign

 

Jesus took the stripes on His back for the punishment for our peace. His Blood Atonement was enough to forgive sins, give eternal life, heal our bodies, minds and emotions, bring us out of poverty and into abundance, give us peace of mind and peace in our relationships, to give us total shalom.

 

Jesus tells us in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

 

In John 16:33 Jesus goes on to say, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

 

Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can be overcomers as well, and experience that peace in the midst of chaos in this world.

 

When we are troubled in our minds and emotions, and perplexed and distressed and full of anxiety, the peace of God will overwhelm us to the point where it surpasses our understanding. We won’t be able to understand how we could feel so much peace in the midst of the storm, but His peace is there for us without measure.

 

Philippians 4:6-8 tells us:

 

6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

 

7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. AMP

 

The Bible says that God is the author of peace, as opposed to confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

 

The Lord is referred to the God of peace (in most cases as a greeting) in Romans 1:7, 15:33, 16:20; 2 Corinthians 1:2, 13:11; Galations 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3; Revelation 1:4.

 

Living in peace with others, to the best of our ability, is crucially important in our Christian walk. Hebrews 12:14 says to pursue peace and holiness with all men, which without those things no one will see the Lord.

 

Our peace can be multiplied, according to 1 Peter 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:2.

God’s blessings and anointing rests on unity and being in peace with the brethren.

 

Psalms 133 says:

 

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.

 

Ephesians 4:3 says, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

 

In the passage of Matthew 10:34-42, Jesus told us that He did not come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword. What does He mean by this, since He is the Prince of Peace?

 

One school of thought is that this passage means that He will have no other idols above Himself. Verses 38-39 talks about taking up your cross and following Jesus. Sometimes in family relationships, there is division because of Jesus.

 

That’s why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:15 that light and darkness cannot dwell in unity, and for those who are married to unbelievers to pursue peace to the best of your ability, but at the same time to be willing to let them go if they choose to leave, because God has called us to live in peace.

 

James said that where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every demonic work (James 3:16).

 

When Jesus ministered to people in His earthly ministry, He would say, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” After He ministered to the woman with the issue of blood, He told her to go in peace (Mark 5:25-34). After the woman anointed His feet with precious oil, He told her to go in peace (Luke 7:44-50).

 

Romans 5:1-2 says that we have peace with God by being justified by faith. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

 

Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

 

Romans 14:17 tells us: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

 

Peace and edification go hand in hand. Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

 

Romans 15:13 says, “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Joy and peace go together.

 

Jesus pulled down the dividing wall of Jews and Gentiles, thus making them one body, with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone.

 

Ephesians 2:14-22 tells us:

 

14 For He (Jesus) is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (KJV).

Ephesians 6:13-18 talks about putting on the armor of God. Verse 15 says to have your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.

 

The entire passage says:

 

Ephesians 6:11-18

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

 

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:

 

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. KJV

 

Isaiah 52:7 is a cross reference to Ephesians 6:15. It says:

 

How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!” NKJV

The Gospel is the good news of peace.

 

Jesus (the Messiah) is called the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. It says: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” KJV

 

Isaiah 9:7 says that His peace shall never end.

 

Jesus’ Messianic coming is 2-fold. Jesus came to earth the first time as a servant, and to place peace in the HEARTS of people and make a way by the Cross that we can have peace with the Father. You cannot have true world peace until people’s hearts are transformed. Jesus will come a second time to bring peace to this world and will reign in Jerusalem.

 

Jeremiah 33:6 prophesies:

Behold, [in the future restored Jerusalem] I will lay upon it health and healing, and I will cure them and will reveal to them the abundance of peace (prosperity, security, stability) and truth. AMP

 

Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

 

The phrase “peace like a river” is used two times in the Old Testament. Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 66:12.

 

Psalms 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

 

Psalms 29:11 says, “The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”

 

Psalms 34:14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

 

Psalms 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

 

Psalms 37:37 “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”

 

Psalms 55:18 “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.”

 

Psalms 72:7 “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”

 

Peace and righteousness go together. Psalms 85:10 says, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Also see Isaiah 32:17, which says: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

 

Psalms 119:165 says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

 

The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psalms 122:6-9 says:

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

 

Wisdom brings peace. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

 

More is said about how wisdom brings peace to our lives. Proverbs 3:16-18 tells us: “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

 

In James, it says that the wisdom that comes from above is peaceable, and filled with good fruit (James 3:17).

 

1 Timothy 2:2 talks about leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

Hebrews 12:11 says that no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness.

Proverbs 11:12 says that a man of understanding, or wisdom, holds his peace. He is not quarrelsome.

 

Proverbs 16:7 says that when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

 

If you want peace of mind, then keep your thoughts on the Lord and His Word. Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

 

Isaiah 26:12 says that God will ordain peace for us.

 

Isaiah 54:13 declares, “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”

 

We are led by the Spirit through inward peace, and we go out in joy (Isaiah 55:12).

 

Isaiah 57:21 says that there is no peace for those who are wicked. Their life is always filled with trouble and strife.

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 gives us hope:

11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

 

12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you.

 

13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. AMP

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Patience

 

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” NIV

 

In other versions, such as the KJV, NKJV and AMP, the word “longsuffering” is used for patience.

 

Patience and longsuffering is forbearance and having an even temper.

 

Patience is not determined by how long you wait, but your attitude while waiting.

 

Patience is linked with rejoicing always, giving thanks, hope, suffering, tribulation and continual prayer (Romans 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18).

 

Romans 12:12 tells us to rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. AMP

 

We are commanded to be patient with everyone around us, although that may be difficult at times (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

 

James tells us to be patient for the appearing of the Lord. James 5:7-8 says, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” KJV

 

A bishop must be a very patient individual to meet the qualifications for the office of the bishop (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

 

In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, the servant of the Lord must not strive (get into heated debates); but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. KJV

 

The Apostle Paul was a very patient and meek man (2 Corinthians 6:3-10, 12:12). This passage shows the marks of true apostles.

 

Jesus and the Father are our ultimate examples of showing us patience and kindness. When we have sin in our lives they are very patient with us, desiring to work with us to help us overcome and repent.

 

Jesus was very patient with mankind when He went to the Cross. He endured all the mockery, the shame, the unfair trial, the beatings, scourging, the abuse, the crucifixion so that we could have eternal life.

 

Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4).

 

The words “patient” or “longsuffering” in 1 Corinthians 13:4 (and 1 Thessalonians 5:14 and James 5:7-8) is the Greek word makrothumeo (NT:3114). It is defined as to be long-spirited; forbearance; long enduring temper.

 

Other Greek words for “patient” and “longsuffering” include:

1.  anexikakos (NT:420) = enduring of ill; forbearance (2 Timothy 2:24)

2.  epieikes (NT:1933) = mild, gentle (1 Timothy 3:3)

3.  makrothumia (NT:3115) = longanimity, forbearance, fortitude (Hebrews 6:12 and James 5:10)

4.  hupomeno (NT:5278) = to stay under; to undergo; bear trials; have fortitude; persevere (Romans 12:12)

5.  hupomone (NT:5281) = cheerful (or hopeful) endurance; constancy; patient continuance (waiting) (Romans 2:7, 1 Timothy 6:11, Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:3)

 

Patience is associated with kindness (to be mild and gentle).

 

Patience is associated with cheerful and hopeful endurance and constancy.

 

When the soil of our heart is good ground, then we will bear fruit with patience. “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).

 

By your patience possess your souls (Luke 21:19). NKJV

Romans 5:3-5 says, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” KJV

 

Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” KJV

 

Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” KJV

 

Patience and consolation are linked together (Romans 15:5).

 

In Colossians 1:11, patience, longsuffering and joyfulness is interconnected.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, it refers to the patience one must have to be in the ministry. There were those who were commended for being patient during persecutions (2 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 3:10-12).

 

Patience is mentioned along with love, faith, righteousness, godliness and meekness (1 Timothy 6:11).

 

In Titus 2:2, the older men are to be examples to the younger generation of those who walk in patience.

 

Hebrews 6:12 says, “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” KJV

 

Faith and patience are power twins. They function together. There are some promises of God that take a while to manifest, and we have need of faith and patience to see our answers materialize.

 

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (KJV)

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. KJV

 

James 1:3-4 says, “Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.” AMP

 

Job was one of the most patient men alive, and he came out of his trial with twice as much as he had before. James 5:11 says, “You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy.” AMP

 

2 Peter 1:5-9 refers to the nine (9) Graces of the Spirit filled life:

1.  Put on diligence

2.  Develop faith

3.  Develop virtue

4.  Develop knowledge

5.  Develop self-control

6.  Develop patience

7.  Develop godliness

8.  Develop brotherly affection

9.  Develop Christian love.

 

In the letter to the Church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:2-3, they were commended for their patience and endurance.

 

In the letter to the Church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:19, they were commended for their patience, service and faith.

 

In the letter to the Church of Philadelphia in Revelation 3:10, they were commended for their patience and perseverance, and were given a promise to be kept from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world.

 

In Revelation 13:10 and 14:12, it talks about the patience and faith of the saints. Some would be martyrs.

 

Romans 2:4 says that God is longsuffering towards us … “Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” KJV

 

We are to walk with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 KJV

 

Colossians 3:12-15 tells us:

12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. KJV

 

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” KJV

 

During the days of Noah, while the Ark was being prepared, God demonstrated longsuffering towards that generation for hundreds of years before the flood finally came. The door to the Gospel is opened right now and God has issued everyone an invitation to be saved. A time will come, though, when that window will be closed. Today is the day of salvation.

 

2 Peter 3:9 “The lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

Greek Theologian, Rick Renner, says that longsuffering is patient restraint of anger. https://renner.org/longsuffering-and-gentleness/  

 

Rick Renner also says that other possible interpretive translations of the Greek word makrothumia in First Corinthians 13:4 could include:

 

 

 

 

“Love is not short-tempered or easily angered.…”

“Love does not quickly blow its top, but it is patient as it waits for others.…”

“Love is not irritable and impatient but is willing to wait a long time for someone to change.…”

“Love is determined to wait until the other person finally comes around….”

“Love passionately burns for others and is willing to wait as long as is necessary.…”

 

Makrothumia is the equivalent of our English idiom “having a long fuse”; a patient person can take a lot of provocation before reacting.

 

As the phrase “fruit of the Spirit” implies, we can only have patience when the Holy Spirit works through us.

 

You need to walk in joy because joy keeps your attitude straight while you exercise your patience. You need to walk in peace in order to walk in patience because you are trusting God to come through for you and the measure of your peace is the measure of your trust. You can be patient because your trust is in God who answers prayer and delivers you from all tribulations.

 

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (Psalms 145:8). That’s the way He expects us to be!

 

“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). “A wrathful man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger allays contention” (Proverbs 15:18). “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).

 

Impatience, annoyance, anger, intolerance, worry, fear, and distrust are the opposites of patience. These prevent us from seeing, as our Lord wants us to see, that all things will work for His good in the end (Romans 8:28).

 

Patience will allow us to manage anger and problems, and to wait on God's timing. Patience will allow us to forgive (Romans 5:8), as Christ forgave us and has patience with us. Patience will allow us to endure and go on, even when we do not feel like it.

 

Allow the Potter to put you on His wheel and form you in His time, into His likeness.

 

Perseverance is patience in action.

 

Patience is essentially “waiting with grace.”

 

Patience is waiting quietly.

 

Patience is waiting eagerly.

 

Patience is waiting until the end.

 

Patience is waiting expectantly.

 

Patience is waiting joyfully.

 

Every God-given vision will become real if we will only have patience.

 

It’s in the valley that we tend to give up and faint. “But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). 

 

Patience keeps you steady until the answer from God comes.

 

We know from Philippians 1:6 that God will finish what he starts. And the Psalmist encourages us to keep asking God for our request even while we’re waiting for Him to bring it about.

 

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalms 5:3).

 

 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Kindness

 

There are three main Greek words for kindness (chrestotes, chrestos, and philadelphia):

 

1.          NT:5544 chrestotes; from NT:5543

It is defined as usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor). Translated in the KJV as gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.

 

2.          NT:5543; chrestos is derived from NT:5530 chraomai

Chrestos is defined as: employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals): KJV - better, easy, good (-ness), gracious, kind.

 

3.          NT:5360 philadelphia; from NT:5361; fraternal affection: KJV - brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.

 

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit—the resulting character of someone who is allowing the Holy Spirit to develop maturity in his or her life. The fifth characteristic, kindness, is called “gentleness” in the King James Version.

 

Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience. The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.

 

Greek Scholar Rick Renner has noted that when the word chrestotes is applied to interpersonal relationships, it conveys the idea of being adaptable to others. Rather than harshly require everyone else to adapt to his own needs and desires, when chrestotes is working in a believer, he seeks to become adaptable to the needs of those who are around him. (Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner)

 

Kindness is associated with love, goodness, mercy, graciousness, gentleness, usefulness, thoughtfulness and being sensitive to the needs and feelings of others around you.

 

The opposite of kindness is cruelty, meanness, rudeness, sharpness, abuse, harshness, brutality, malice, spitefulness, vindictiveness, mercilessness, viciousness, ruthlessness and callousness. All of these negative traits are works of the flesh, and are wicked in God’s sight.

 

Kindness is a spiritual law (Proverbs 31:26).

 

The law of kindness is on the tongue of the virtuous person. Kindness involves not only your actions, but the words that come out of your mouth, and the tone of voice used. Kindness is very careful in what you say and how you say it, so as to not purposely offend or hurt someone else, or stir up wrath.

 

Kindness is associated with wisdom, because it takes wisdom to know the right words to speak in season to those who are weary and need encouragement.

 

One of the traits the virtuous woman is known for is her wisdom, as well as the law of kindness coming from her lips.

 

Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love is the highest law. One of the marks of walking in the love of God is by the kindness you show to others.

 

To walk in love is to also dwell in light and have life. The opposite is true if you do not walk in love. The result will be dwelling in darkness and death of some type. When there is a lack of kindness demonstrated in a relationship, it brings death to the relationship.

 

To be kind to others is to be helpful.

 

Kindness is involved with benevolence and charity for humanity. Kind-hearted people are very generous with their finances and resources to help mankind.

 

Kindness is linked to compassion and sympathy.

 

Kindness is thoughtfulness.

 

Kindness is showing consideration and courtesy. Kindness is showing regard for others.

 

Kindness is necessary for showing diplomacy.

 

Kindness is demonstrating good manners and being polite.

 

Kindness is showing patience.

 

Kindness knows how to manage anger and direct it in the right way, so as to not say damaging things to others in a fit of rage.

 

Kind people know how to build others up. They live by the three E’s: Edify others, Esteem others, and Encourage others.

 

Kind people are also sweet people.

 

Kind people show respect to others, as well as reverence the Lord.

 

Kind individuals demonstrate a spirit of humility.

 

Kind people are more soft-hearted.

 

To show kindness to someone else is to show favor. It is especially noble of a kind person to show favor to an inferior, by stooping down to help raise him or her up.

 

The Lord is known, in Nehemiah 9:17, as a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and who forsakes not.

 

Psalms 117:2a says, “For His merciful kindness is great toward us.”

 

Isaiah 54:8 says that God’s kindness and mercy is everlasting.

 

Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

 

Colossians 3:12-15 states: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

 

Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

 

Ephesians 4:29-32 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

2 Peter 1:8-10 lists the nine Graces of the Holy Spirit:

 

1.  Diligence

2.  Faith

3.  Virtue

4.  Knowledge

5.  Self-control

6.  Perseverance

7.  Godliness

8.  Brotherly kindness

9.  Love

 

2 Peter 1:8-10 “For if these things (9 Graces of the Holy Spirit) are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” NKJV

 

You can be kind to someone without having to agree on everything.

 

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant (kind) words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” NKJV

 

Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft (kind) answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

 

To display kindness to others is to show them honor.

 

Kindness means to follow the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12).

 

Kindness means to treat others the way God has treated you. He has shown you mercy and kindness your whole life.

 

If you want to have good relationships, then cultivate kindness in your life.

 

Joy is linked with the fruit of kindness. When kindness is demonstrated in relationships, it brings joy to the relationship. Also, when you’ve done a kind deed, the joy of the Lord fills your soul.

 

Proverbs 20:28 describes qualities God wants in a leader: “Mercy and truth preserve the king, and by lovingkindness he upholds his throne.”

 

Kindness is based on the mind-set described in Philippians 2:3-4: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

 

Kindness is humbly giving of ourselves in love and mercy to others who may not be able to give anything back, who sometimes don’t deserve it, and who frequently don’t thank us for it.

 

Kindness means a way of thinking that leads to doing thoughtful deeds for others.

 

Kindness when speaking to others means to be soft-spoken rather than harsh.

 

Kindness is not selfish, but is sacrificial in helping others.

 

Some examples of kindness include: giving people compliments (not flattery) and meaning it with your heart; open doors for someone; smile; say hello; help carry something for someone; mowing someone’s lawn who is ill or elderly; sit and talk with people who do not want to be alone; cook someone dinner; giving to a person in need; changing someone’s flat tire.

 

An act of kindness lifts people’s burdens.

 

Dr. Barry Corey says this of kindness: “It’s the natural outcome of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives. We exhale kindness after we inhale what’s been breathed into us by the Spirit.”

 

Worldly niceness glosses over sin, but the kindness of God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

 

People have seasons in their lives when they are facing battles and they need individuals in their life who will be kind, good and gentle to them.

 

Plant seeds of kindness and you will reap a spiritual harvest of blessings.

 

Kindness is contagious. Be a carrier, and spread kindness everywhere you go.

 

No matter how small or big the act of kindness may be, it makes a HUGE difference in the person or people who received your act of kindness, in the environment you live, your workplace, and every place you are involved.

 

Kindness is associated with the wisdom that is from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits (James 3:17).

 

Joseph is a great example of kindness, goodness, and reconciliation. It was in his power to take revenge on his brothers, but goodness and kindness won out.

 

Kind words proceed from a pure and good heart. Jesus received the tongue of the learned from His Father so He could refresh the weary soul with His Word (Isaiah 50:4). Such tongues are in great demand for helping and comforting. Kind words are precious.

 

King David said that God’s gentleness (kindness) has made him great (Psalms 18:35).

 

Kindness is the characteristic that led God to provide salvation for all of mankind—that’s us (Titus 3:4-5; Romans 2:4, 11:22).

 

Kindness leads God to give us green pastures, quiet waters, and the restoration of our souls when we're weary (Psalm 23:2-3).

 

It is God's tender care that makes Him want to gather us under His wings, to protect us and keep us close to Him (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, 61:4; Matthew 23:37).

 

God expressed kindness when He provided for Elijah and the widow of Zarephath during a drought—and He showed more kindness later when He raised the widow's only son from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24).

 

When Sarah exiled Hagar and Ishmael, God gave the outcasts kindness in the form of water and hope (Genesis 21:9-21).

 

On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to stop what He was doing and help others in need (Mark 6:34, 7:29, 10:46-52).

 

Kindness leads the Good Shepherd to rescue us when we stray (Luke 15:3-7). In kindness He “gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young” (Isaiah 40:11).

 

When we exhibit the kindness of God, we are tender, benevolent, and useful to others.

 

Every kind action, and every kind word will have the flavor of grace in it.

 

Kindness has the power to soften hearts.

 

It's especially important for kindness to be accompanied by goodness. That's because kindness without goodness can become tolerant of sin — just as goodness without kindness can be harsh and legalistic. We show the fruit of the Spirit only as we develop these qualities together.

 

Boaz is an example of a person who showed tremendous kindness to both Ruth and Naomi. He married Ruth and redeemed her out of poverty and childlessness, and he provided for Naomi for the rest of her life.

 

The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 was a very kind person who displayed compassion. He also used his own resources to help the person.

 

The quality of kindness will go hand in hand with the quality of love. Once the Holy Spirit starts to transmit His love into you, the quality of kindness will follow right along with it. It will then become much easier for you to be able to be kind to others once the love of God starts to flow more into your personality.

 

You cannot help but be more kind to others if God’s love is flowing through you. This is why the quality of love has to be the main quality that you really concentrate on getting more of from the Holy Spirit. Once the love of God starts to flow and operate through you to touch others, many of the other fruits of the Holy Spirit will then start to follow right after it in domino fashion.

 

In 2 Samuel 9:7, David said to Mephibosheth, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.” David and Jonathan were best friends, and Jonathan was killed in battle along with King Saul. When David became king, he sought out to show kindness to Jonathan’s offspring.

 

This world is full of harshness. This world is full of unkindness. When people experience a kind gesture, they are refreshed by it, and they are recharged by it. Philemon 7 says, “For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother” (AMP). Philemon showered the brethren with kindness and, by so doing, he had a refreshing and a restoring effect.

 

Kindness is compassion in action.

 

Kindness is a sincere desire for the happiness of others; goodness is the activity calculated to advance that happiness.

 

Kindness is the inner disposition, created by the Holy Spirit, that causes us to be sensitive to the needs of others, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. Goodness is kindness in action—words and deeds.

 

Kindness is gentle and mild, and not harsh.

 

God’s kindness draws us toward Him. His love, care, and grace makes us want to be around Him more. And when we’re around Him more, we will understand our need for Him.

 

As we allow the Holy Spirit to grow more of His kindness and goodness in our lives, we will draw others to want to know this kind and gracious God.

 

We imitate God’s kindness by loving our enemies. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35). Our kindness reflects the heart of our Father. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

 

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop

 

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. Plato

 

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless. Mother Teresa

 

Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Mark Twain

 

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness could cause misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. Albert Schweitzer

 

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Father of Kirk H. Neely

 

Kind people have no guile in their heart, or ulterior motives. They have a pure heart, and the Bible promises that the pure in heart shall see God (Matthew 5:8).

 

Are your words kind (gentle), or do they have a sharpness?

 

In kindness, there is no slander.

 

Kindness is a matter of building up, not tearing down others.

 

Kindness has a ripple effect. When one person is kind, kindness tends to pass forward to others.

 

Being kind to others is one way we express our devotion to Christ. In Matthew 25, in the parable of the Last Judgment, Jesus said that we are to give to those who are hungry, to those who are thirsty, to those who are strangers, to those who are naked, to those who are sick, to those who are in prison. Then he adds, “As much as you did it unto the least of these, My brethren, you did it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).

 

Perhaps the greatest expression of our kindness is being willing to forgive others.

 

When we are kind to our enemies, it is like heaping burning coals on their head (Romans 12:20).

 

Kindness has pure intentions.

 

Kindness is given freely.

 

Kindness leaves a lasting legacy.

 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Goodness

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (TLB) says, “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

 

The Webster’s Dictionary definition for goodness is:

 

1.  The state or quality of being good

2.  Moral excellence; virtue

3.  Kindly feeling, kindness, generosity, joy in being good

4.  The best part of anything; Essence; Strength

5.  General character recognized in quality or conduct

 

Greek words for “good” include:

 

1.  Agathos (Strong’s #18) = “good” in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect; (a) it is used of things physical, e.g., a tree, Matthew 7:17; ground, Luke 8:8; (b) in a moral sense, frequently of persons and things. God is essentially, absolutely and consummately “good”.

 

2.  Kalos (Strong’s #2570) = denotes that which is intrinsically “good”, and so, “goodly, fair, beautiful,” as (a) of that which is well adapted to its circumstances or ends, e.g., fruit, Matthew 3:10; a tree, 12:33; ground, 13:8,23; fish, 13:48; the Law, Romans 7:16; 1 Timothy 1:8; every creature of God, 1 Timothy 4:4; a faithful minister of Christ and the doctrine he teaches, 4:6; (b) of that which is ethically good, right, noble, honorable.

 

3.  Chrestos (Strong’s #5543) = That which is pleasant, kindly, gracious, good.

 

4.  Chrestotes (Strong’s #5544) = Denotes “goodness” in the sense of what is upright, righteous, kindness of heart or act, gentleness, goodness expressing itself through actions, grace, tenderness, compassion. This Greek word does not express God’s severity when it comes to His goodness.

 

5.  Agathosune (Strong’s #19) = Goodness expressed more from Christ’s sterner qualities and hatred of evil, such as cleansing the temple.

 

A good person is not only kind and compassionate, but also has an intolerance for sin and evil (and may thus come across as stern).

 

King Hezekiah is an example of the fruit of goodness. When he took the throne in Judah, the temple of God was in disrepair, and idols were set up across the land. So Hezekiah made things right.

 

He reinstated the priests of God (2 Chronicles 29:5); he brought people from all Israel to celebrate Passover (2 Chronicles 30:5); he removed the idols (2 Chronicles 31:1). The Bible says that Hezekiah “did what was good, right and true before the LORD his God,” and everything he did, “he did with all his heart and prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:20–21). This is goodness: understanding what is right and making it happen.

 

Goodness speaks to our character and the desire to be more like God. The word “goodness” means to be like God. As we remain in Christ, and the fruit of kindness continues to grow in us, our nature will change more and more to look like Jesus. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

 

The Bible talks about the goodness of God as part of His character. It’s not something He does; it’s who He is. As we continue to become new creations, becoming more like Christ, goodness can become more of a character trait in us, too.

 

Instead of being motivated to do good because we want accolades or rewards, we do good because we’ve allowed God to change our hearts. We choose obedience to God and bring honor to him. We choose to be kind and to serve others because we understand all that God has given to us.

 

Second Thessalonians 1:11-12 says, “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

 

Goodness is a heartfelt, moral quality of desiring and being of benefit to others according to God's will. It is a moral quality because goodness can have no part in any kind of evil. Thus, its motivations and actions must be morally pure. Goodness must be good.

 

Kindness is a category and demonstration of goodness. It is goodness without any harshness only gentleness, while goodness itself is the larger quality and behavior and encompasses both the ability to be soft and kind, as well as, the ability to be tough, stern, and firm when good calls for it. For example, we see Christ's goodness in His sternness when cleansing the temple and denouncing of scribes and Pharisees because God's good purpose was best served by confronting these evils. The moral nature of God which revealed in His moral law defines the standard of goodness.

 

Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.”

 

God’s goodness is His Glory. Exodus 33:19 “And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”

 

Exodus 34:6-7 tells us: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

 

Psalms 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

 

As we patiently wait on God, we see God’s goodness in our lives. Psalms 27:13-14 says, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

 

Psalms 31:19 “Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!”

 

Psalms 65:4 “Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple.”

 

God demonstrates His goodness by revealing Himself to us as Provider and bringing prosperity into our lives. Psalms 65:11 “You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance.”

 

Psalms 107:8-9 “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

 

Jeremiah 31:12 “Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord — for wheat (Word of God) and new wine (Joy) and oil (Anointing), for the young of the flock and the herd (milk and meat of the Word); their souls shall be like a well-watered garden (satiated with His Presence, rivers of living water flowing), and they shall sorrow no more at all.”

 

Jeremiah 31:14 “I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”

 

The goodness of God leads us to repentance. Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

 

Romans 11:22 “Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is very hard on those who disobey, but very good to you if you continue to love and trust Him.” TLB

 

Psalms 37:3-5 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”

 

Psalms 37:23-24 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

 

Psalms 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

 

Psalms 86:5 “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”

 

Psalms 100:4-5 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.”

 

Psalms 103:2-5

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 

Psalms 107:1-2 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”

 

Psalms 112:5-6 “A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken.”

 

Psalms 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.”

 

Psalms 147:1 “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.”

 

Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

 

Proverbs 12:2 “A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.”

 

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”

 

Proverbs 15:30 “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” NIV

 

Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” NIV

 

Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” NIV

 

Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” NIV

 

Proverbs 31:10-12

10 A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

NIV

 

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.” NIV

 

Lamentations 3:25-26 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” NIV

 

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” NIV

 

Matthew 7:9-12

9  Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV

 

Matthew 7:17-20

17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. NIV

 

Matthew 12:35-37

35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. NIV

 

The seed is the Word of God. The Bible talks about the condition of people’s heart (or ground or soil). For those who have good soil, the Word produces in their lives (at least 30-fold, but then up to 100-fold). Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop — a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” NIV

 

In the parable of the talents given to each servant (according to their ability), the ones who were given 5 and 10 invested the talents and came back with even more talents. They were commended as being good and faithful servants. This parable speaks to our lives today. At the end of our life we should have more talents than when we first began. We want to hear the Master say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!’”

 

In Acts 11:24, Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. He mentored Paul after he was converted.

 

Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” NIV

 

Romans 15:2 “Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” NIV

 

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” NIV

 

Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” NIV

 

Colossians 1:10 “That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” NKJV

 

In 1 Timothy 1:19, it mentions having a good conscience before God. Also see Hebrews 13:18 and 1 Peter 3:16.

 

In 1 Timothy 6:12, it says to fight the good fight of faith. This is a good kind of fight. In 2 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul said that he had fought the good fight of faith, and that he had completed his race.

 

In Titus 2:14, we are to be zealous of good works.

 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by faith, the elders obtained a good report, and so do we. Faith always has a good report. Hebrews 11:1-2

 

James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” NKJV

 

There are individual sins, according to James 4:17. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

 

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.”

Fruit of the Spirit

Faithfulness

 

Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” NKJV

 

The Greek word for “faithful” or “faithfulness” is pistos (Strong’s #4103). It is defined as: trustworthy, trustful, believing, sure, true. The word pistos is derived from the Greek word peitho (Strong’s #3982), which means “to convince by argument, to assent to evidence or authority, to rely on by inward certainty.”

 

The King James Version uses the word “faith” in Galations 5:22-23 rather than faithfulness. The Greek word for “faith” is pistis (Strong’s #4102). The definition includes: from NT:3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself. Also, translated as fidelity, assurance, belief, believe.

 

1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” KJV

 

In Revelation 1:5 Jesus is called the “Faithful Witness”, and in Revelation 3:14 He is called the “Faithful and True Witness”.

 

In Revelation 19:11, He that sat upon the white horse is called “Faithful and True”, and a few verses later it reveals that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the Faithful and True is Him.

 

In the parable of the talents, we are admonished to be like those who invested and multiplied their talents and presented it to the Master at the end of their lives on earth, and received rewards. Matthew 25:21 says, “His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

 

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. Luke 16:10

 

If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's money, why should you be entrusted with money of your own? Luke 16:11-12

 

Luke 19:16-17 is about the man who was given talents, and he invested and gained even more talents. The first man reported a tremendous gain-ten times as much as the original amount! “Fine!” the king exclaimed. “You are a good man. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, and as your reward, you shall be governor of ten cities.” TLB

 

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

 

Timothy was Paul’s beloved and faithful son in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:17

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

 

Galatians 3:9 says, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

 

Tychicus was a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord in the early church. Ephesians 6:21

 

Others in the early church who were noted as being faithful servants include the brethren at Colosse; Epaphras; Onesimus and Sylvanus. Colossians 1:2,7; 4:7,9; 1 Peter 5:12

 

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you].” AMP

 

2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, “Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].” AMP  The KJV says that He will stablish you.

God places people into the ministry who He counts as faithful (1 Timothy 1:12).

 

1 Timothy 3:11 tells us that deacons’ wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. NKJV

 

2 Timothy 2:2 mentions that those apt to teach are faithful ministers.

 

2 Timothy 2:13 says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful.”

 

A bishop must have faithful children, not accused of dissipation or insubordination. Titus 1:5-9

 

The Word of God is considered to be faithful, and has the power to transform people. Titus 1:9

 

Hebrews 2:17-18 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

 

Hebrews 3:1-6

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.

5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 

6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

 

Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

 

Hebrews 11:11 “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

 

God is faithful to keep His covenant and to fulfill all of His promises in our lives. We just have to believe and receive.

 

God will give the crown of life to those who are faithful until death. Revelation 2:10

 

In Revelation 2:13 Antipas was noted as a faithful martyr.

 

Revelation 17:14 “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

 

Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

 

Numbers 12:6-8

6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

 

Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.”

 

Samuel was considered to be a faithful priest, and obedient to the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:35.

 

David was considered to be faithful and favored in all of Saul’s house. 1 Samuel 22:14

 

Nehemiah gave the charge of Jerusalem to his brother Hanani, and to Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for Hananiah was a faithful man and feared God more than many. Nehemiah 7:2

 

Nehemiah appointed treasurers who were faithful men. Nehemiah 13:13

 

Psalms 31:23 says, “For the Lord preserves the faithful.”

 

God’s eyes are upon the faithful of the land. Psalms 101:6

 

All of the Lord’s commands and testimonies are faithful. Psalms 119:86,138

 

Proverbs 11:13 tells us: “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”

 

Proverbs 13:17 says, “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health.”

 

A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness will utter lies. Proverbs 14:5

 

Faithful people are rare treasures. Proverbs 20:6 says, “Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find?”

 

Proverbs 25:13 says, “Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.”

 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful. Proverbs 27:6

 

A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20

 

In Isaiah 1:26, Jerusalem is called “the city of righteousness” and “the faithful city”.

 

Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalms 36:5

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalms 89:1

 

The Lord shall be praised in the congregation of the saints for His faithfulness. Psalms 89:5

 

The Lord’s lovingkindness is with us every morning, and His faithfulness at night. Psalms 92:2

 

The Lord’s faithfulness is for all generations. Psalms 119:90

 

Lamentations 3:21-23 says:

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

 

Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty.

 

Faithfulness is trustworthiness and reliability.

 

If referring to the faithfulness of God or Jesus, it refers to steadfastness, honesty, firmness, and God's utter dependability based on His unchanging character. If we mean human faithfulness, it refers to our steady allegiance to God and our trust in Him.

 

Pastor Kris Belfils (www.wordpress.com) says the following about faithfulness:

 

“A faithful person knows what God has put in their heart, and even though many times they feel like quitting, they don’t give up.

 

A faithful person is committed to doing whatever God tells them to do no matter what it costs them personally.

 

A faithful person sees something all the way through to the end.

 

A faithful person understands that no matter where they may go to church they won’t like everything that happens. Stay where God has placed you. The way we grow is to stay planted in one place.

 

A faithful person arrives at their commitments early or at least on time. A foolish person is constantly late.

 

A faithful person is someone we can depend on — someone who shows up where they say they will be at the time they say they will be there, someone whom you can count on to do something they say they will do for you. Be a faithful person!

 

If you want to be used by God, or if you are being used by God and want to be used by God in a greater way, then always remember this: God only promotes faithful men and women. God promotes those who have proven themselves to be faithful. Then, when you prove yourself to be faithful in one area or level, God will promote you to another level.”

 

 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Meekness

 

There are two Greek words for meekness (praiotes and prautes):

 

1.          NT:4236 praiotes (prah-ot'-ace); from NT:4235; gentleness, by implication, humility.

 

2.          NT:4240 prautes (prah-oo'-tace); from NT:4239; mildness, i.e. (by implication) humility.

 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines meek as:

·       Enduring injury with patience and without resentment.

·       Submissive

·       Not violent

 

Meekness is not weakness, but strength under control.

 

Meekness also is stated in the Thesaurus as: modest, compliant, quiet, lowly, tame, disciplined, cultivated, friendly, approachable, obedient, peaceful, refined, educated, developed, sophisticated, cultured, nurturer, encourager, helper, plowed (soft and pliable heart, stony heart removed), polished, distinguished, gracious, humble, moderate, reasonable, gentle, kind, mellow, benign, easy-going, calm, pleasant, self-controlled, nice, thoughtful, discreet, uncomplicated, simple.

 

Jesus is the ultimate example of a man with a meek spirit. Matthew 11:29-30 says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

 

The first time Jesus came to this earth as King, He came riding on a colt, being very meek and humble (Matthew 21:5). When He comes again the second time, He will come as the Mighty Warrior riding on a white stallion (Revelation 19:11-16).

 

Moses was the meekest human upon the face of the earth ever recorded in Scripture (Numbers 12:3).

 

The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).

 

Peter admonishes the women to not let adornment be merely outward, but also the inner incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight (1 Peter 3:4). To have a meek spirit is considered to be incorruptible beauty. Natural beauty fades away, but inner beauty is lasting.

 

The meek shall eat and be satisfied. They shall praise the Lord. They diligently seek for, inquire of, and require Him as their greatest need (Psalms 22:26).

 

The meek He will guide in judgment (knowing and doing what is right), and the meek will He teach His ways (Psalms 25:9).

 

The meek are not only acquainted with the acts of God, but also with the ways of God.

 

The meek have a teachable spirit.

 

The meek delight themselves in the abundance of peace (Psalms 37:11). The meek are peace lovers.

 

The Lord lifts up the meek, but the wicked He casts down to the ground (Psalms 147:6).

 

The Lord takes pleasure in His people. He beautifies the meek with salvation (Psalms 149:4).

 

To get born again, you must have a meek and humble spirit in order to acknowledge that you are lost, are a sinner, and need a Savior— and to confess that Jesus is Lord.

 

The meek are joyful individuals. They increase their joy in the Lord and rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:19).

 

Jesus said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him, to preach good tidings to the meek (Isaiah 61:1).

 

When the meek of the earth seek the Lord, and His righteousness, they are hidden from God’s judgment (Zephaniah 2:3).

 

Meekness is associated with righteousness (Psalms 45:4; Zephaniah 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:11).

 

Meekness is also linked with love, gentleness and longsuffering (1 Corinthians 4:21; Galations 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:11).

 

When leaders have to correct someone, they are not to come with a rod, but in love and a spirit of meekness (1 Corinthians 4:21).

 

Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

 

Colossians 3:12-13 tells us: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

 

We are commanded to pursue meekness in 1 Timothy 6:11.

 

The servant of the Lord must not strive, debate or argue with people over doctrines or Scriptures; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, showing meekness to those who oppose them. 2 Timothy 2:24-25

 

James 3:13-18 states:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. NKJV

 

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience.

 

Rick Renner, Greek theologian, says: “The Greek word for “meekness” here does not mean weakness, but rather it has to do with humility. When you have humility you have a teachable spirit and you esteem and regard others more highly than yourself. You are humble toward God and man. You do not promote yourself, but you exalt the Lord in everything.

 

When you are humble you are teachable. You receive God’s Word for your own life and allow it to discipline and correct you. You hear the Word and you do it. When you are humble you allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and teach you without excuses or rebellion. You obey the Spirit instantly and precisely. You conduct your life in the way that the Word and the Lord leads you to.

 

Meekness is strength with a tender touch.

 

Meekness includes voluntarily “submitting to one another” (Ephesians 5:21). In a long passage, Peter spoke of the importance of submission of all kinds—Christians toward government (1 Peter 2:13), servants toward masters (1 Peter 2:18), Christ’s example of submitting to His tormentors (1 Peter 2:21-25) and wives toward their husbands (1 Peter 3:1).

 

Meekness:

Makes a person “savable” (Psalms 149:4)

Makes a person “teachable” (Psalms 25:9; James 1:21) – changeable!

Makes a person “useable” – God cannot use somebody who is not soft.

Makes a person “blessable” (Matthew 5:5) Meekness is the soil of joy.

 

Meekness enables a person to bear patiently those insults and injuries he receives at the hand of others. It makes him ready to accept instruction from the least of the saints. It allows him to endure provocation without being inflamed by it. He remains cool when others become heated. Meek people seek no private revenge; they leave that to God's sense of justice while they seek to remain true in their calling and meet God's standards.

The meek are among those so favored that they will share in Jesus' inheritance of the earth.

 

In the Greek language, the word prautes (“meekness”) conveys the idea of a high and noble ideal to be aspired to in one’s life. Although an injurious situation may normally produce a rash or angry outburst, a meek person is controlled by kindness, gentleness, mildness, or even friendliness.

 

The word “meekness” pictures a strong-willed person who has learned to submit his will to a higher authority. He isn’t weak; he is controlled. He may in fact possess a strong will and a powerful character; he may be a person who has his own opinion. But this person has learned the secret of submitting to those who are over him. Thus, he is one who knows how to bring his will under control. In rare instances, the word prautes (“meekness”) was used to describe wild animals that had become tame because it correctly conveyed the idea of a wild, fierce will under control.

 

This means when the Spirit is producing meekness in your life, you are controlled even in difficult circumstances. Rather than fly into a rage and throw a temper tantrum, you are able to remain silent and keep your emotions and temper under control. If you find yourself in a situation that you fiercely believe is wrong, you are still able to stay silent until the appropriate moment to speak or until you have been asked for your opinion. You know how to control yourself and your emotions.

 

In addition to these meanings, the word “meekness” was also used in a medical sense to denote soothing medication to calm the angry mind. A meek person doesn’t project the countenance of one who is offended, upset, angry, or reactive to insults or injuries. Instead, he is so gentle and mild in his response that he becomes soothing medicine for the angry or upset soul, or for a troublesome or unsettling situation.

 

So take a moment to examine the way you respond to insults, injuries, or volatile situations. Do you find that you are often a contributor to a heated and potentially explosive atmosphere? Or does your presence bring peace into the midst of the conflict? When others say or do something that could offend you, do you quickly retort with a harsh answer, or are you able to control your emotions and temper, remaining silent until a more appropriate time to speak?”

 

Rick Renner, www.renner.org/meekness-and-temperance  says,

 

Steps to developing meekness:

1.  Have a teachable spirit

2.  Be submissive to the will of God

3.  Be considerate to others and committed to unity

 

 

Fruit of the Spirit

Self-Control

 

Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, SELF-CONTROL.” NKJV

 

The King James Version uses the word “temperance” for self-control.

 

Temperance is defined in the Strong’s Greek Concordance as: NT:1466 egkrateia “self-control or continence”; from NT:1468 egkrates “strong in a thing (masterful); i.e. (figuratively and reflexively) self-controlled in appetite, etc; temperate.”

 

Some synonyms for “temperance” include: abstinence, self-restraint, sobriety, soberness, moderation, self-denial, self-discipline, self-control, limit, curb, restriction, balance, reasonableness.

 

The Bible warns of drunkenness or intoxication from drinking excessive wine (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). However, just a little bit is good for the stomach (1 Timothy 5:23).

 

Jesus condemned the Pharisees for having an appearance of righteousness, but were guilty of gluttony and self-indulgence, as well as even worse things (Matthew 23:25). They were likened to cups that were washed on the outside, but on the inside were unclean.

 

Greek Theologian Rick Renner says the following about temperance (from the online devotional of the fruit of the Spirit – meekness and temperance www.renner.org/meekness-and-temperance

 

“The word “temperance” comes from the Greek words en and kratos. The word en means in, and the word kratos is the Greek word for power. When compounded into one word, these two Greek words form the word enkrateia, which literally means in control and denotes power over one’s self; hence, it is often translated as the word “self-control.” It suggests the control or restraint of one’s passions, appetites, and desires.

 

Just as a meek individual can control his attitude, a person with temperance has power over his appetites, physical urges, passions, and desires. Because the Holy Spirit has produced temperance in his life, he is able to say no to overeating, no to overindulging in fleshly activities, no to any excesses in the physical realm. A person with temperance maintains a life of moderation and control. The word enkrateia — “temperance” — could be thus translated as restraint, moderation, discipline, balance, temperance, or self-control.

 

You can see how opposite temperance is to the works of the flesh. If the flesh is allowed to have its way, it will over-worry, overwork, overeat, overindulge, and literally run itself to death. But when a person is controlled by the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit produces in him a discipline over the physical realm that helps him sustain his physical condition, stay in good health, remain free from sin, and live a life that is moderate and balanced.”

 

Rick Renner goes on to talk about financial temperance in his online devotional. www.renner.org/devotionals/temperance

 

“The ability to exercise self-restraint (enkrateia) is absolutely crucial in all arenas of your life, including your personal finances, diet and physical exercise, productivity at work, or any other area where discipline is required in order to progress. However, because so many believers struggle with self-control in the realm of finances, I want to address this specific issue. If you will allow the Holy Spirit to work in this very important area of your life, I know He will help you become financially temperate and very prosperous as a result.

 

Managing your personal finances in a fiscally responsible manner is an essential part of being a person through whom God can work effectively. By doing so, you remain free from the bondage of unnecessary, frivolous debt and thus are able to pursue your calling without the hindrance and distraction of crushing financial obligations to creditors slowing you down. However, if you repeatedly succumb to your flesh and use your credit card to purchase items you don’t need and can’t afford, you will inevitably end up swamped in debt and financially ruined.

 

The Holy Spirit wants to help you be temperate in the realm of your finances, as well as in every other realm. So once you’ve made a commitment to exercise self-control (enkrateia) and stay debt-free, know that with His help and by His grace, you can stick to your commitment!

 

If you’ll listen to the Holy Spirit, He’ll help you put together a plan to exercise temperance in your life. If you’ll stick with His plan, He will lead you to a place of glorious financial freedom and will help you bring discipline and self-control to every other area of your life. When you get to this place, you’ll never want to go back! Denise and I have learned firsthand that the fruit of temperance not only provides freedom — it gives peace! I’m praying for you to make the decision to let the Holy Spirit develop this fruit in your life in a greater measure than ever before — starting today!”

 

Chapter 22

Biblical Colors

 

Here is a list of Biblical meanings of colors (as found in Moses' Tabernacle, the colors of gems in the breastplate of the Ephod, and other Scriptures throughout the Bible).

 

Blue = Heavenly, sky, Divinity, God, revelation, base or foundation of God’s Throne (made of sapphire – Exodus 24:10), river of life, robe of the high priest, Presence (Shekinah) of God, angels (especially the cherubim). Blue was the main color used in the Tabernacle, Ephod, Veil and Curtains. Sapphire is the stone for the tribe of Simeon, and Simeon means: “hearing, to hear intelligently with implication of attention and obedience”.

 

Purple = Amethyst (tribe of Benjamin – “son of my right hand”), Royalty, Kingly, Majesty, Prosperity, Anointing (color of purple/red grapes to make wine, and wine speaks of the Anointing and joy). Gospel of Matthew with Jesus portrayed as King of the Jews; one of the colors of the High Priest’s robe; one of the colors of the Ephod; purple used in the Tabernacle for the Veil, Curtains, Gate and Door Hangings.

 

Red = Lion of Judah (sardius gemstone), royalty, kingly, majesty, authority, power, Blood of Jesus, redemption through Jesus' Blood, a cleansed conscience by the Blood of the Lamb. Red used in the Ephod, Veil, Curtains, Gate and Door Hangings of the Tabernacle, as well as the roof of ram’s skins dyed red.

 

Green = Thriving, flourishing, healthy, healing, vibrant, life, satiation, Throne of God (emerald), the Glory of God, peacefulness, rest (He causes me to lie down in green pastures, He restores my soul). Emerald is the stone for the tribe of Zebulon, meaning “dwelling”. The territory of Zebulon was fertile soil.

 

Brown = the color of wood and wood speaks of humanity; earthly; dried out; barren.

 

White = Purity, cleansing, righteousness, Bride of Christ, sanctification, blameless, virtuous.

 

Yellow = This color is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, but believed by many Bible teachers to refer to the mind, soul, illumination and enlightenment. Yellow is a color of light, like the sunshine.

 

It takes the Word of God to renew the mind, and Psalms 119:130 says that the entrance of God's Word brings light and understanding.

 

The Urim and Thummim were stones used in the Old Testament to determine the will of God on matters because the only thing man had was carnal understanding (only a select few, such as the office of the prophets, priests and kings, had the Holy Spirit). Depending on a yes or no answer, the stones would light up like a yellowish/white light. After the casting of lots in choosing Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot, and when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Urim and Thummim were no longer necessary, or ever mentioned again in Scripture, because now all believers have access to being filled with the Holy Spirit and hearing His Voice.

 

The gemstone topaz is close to the color yellow. Topaz is the stone for the tribe of Issachar. This tribe was known for having understanding of the times and seasons of God.

 

Amber = the Glory of God (Ezekiel 1); the Son of Man (Jesus) in Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 1-2; also associated with the seraphims who have the appearance of fire. Honor; Royalty; Wealth; Of the highest refining standard and greatest worth.

 

Colors of Fire = Fire is a mixture of oranges/yellows/red. The hottest flame is blue and green. Speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Glory of God, sanctification, purging the dross, refinement, purification, the seraphim, the wheels within the wheels (a type of cherubim or living creatures mentioned in Ezekiel who travel at tremendous speeds in circular motions and have the appearance of fire).

 

Silver = Redemption, a vessel of honor (although less purified than gold). A silver cord ran along the top of the fence of the Tabernacle.

 

Gold = Heavenly, Divinity, a vessel of honor, eternal, covenant, cherubim (guarding the Ark in the Holy of Holies), golden lampstand (Seven-branched Menorah), Ark of the Covenant overlaid with gold, Mercy Seat made of solid gold.

 

Brass = Judgment (brazen altar); of this earth and under the law of sin and corruption; brass tarnishes quickly and has to be polished often to be restored.

 

Crystal = Transparent, reflecting every color of the rainbow; Sea of Glass in Heaven (an ocean), also known as the Crystal Sea; River of Life.

 

Jasper = Similar to a diamond, reflecting every color of the rainbow; New Jerusalem.

 

Rainbow = God's covenant with us, God's faithfulness, God keeps His promises, the Glory of God reflects like a rainbow, jasper and other gemstones in heaven giving off a rainbow, many rainbows in heaven. The rainbow represents the nations of this world and of heaven. Rainbows issue out of the saints in Heaven. Rainbows also speak of God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant and promises.

 

Curtain at the gate in Moses’ Tabernacle (white linen with blue, purple and red embroidery).

 

 

The Colors Correspond to the four Gospels:

 

Matthew = Purple, Royalty, Jesus portrayed as King of the Jews

 

Mark = Red, Blood of Christ, Jesus portrayed as suffering servant

 

Luke = White Linen, Jesus portrayed as universal God (out of all the false gods, He is the One and Only True and Living God for all peoples of the earth), and perfect man (fully God and fully man).

 

John = Blue, Jesus revealed to be God Almighty, Divinity, Heavenly.

 

Black and White = the prophetic, especially written form (words are written in black and white); writing ministry; Scribe; “write the vision” (Habakkuk 2:2-3); the absolutes in God's Word.

Bibliography

 

The Holy Bible.  Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version and Amplified Version.

 

James Strong, L.L.D., S.T.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990)

 

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (Biblesoft PC Study Bible, Version 5)

 

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (Biblesoft PC Study Bible, Version 5)

 

Englishmen’s Concordance (Biblesoft PC Study Bible, Version 5)

 

Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands (Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1953)

 

William Smith, A Dictionary of the Bible (Philadelphia: Universal Book and Bible House)

 

Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Biblesoft PC Study Bible, Version 5)

 

J.D. Douglas, NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1989)

 

Kevin J. Conner, The Tabernacle of David (Portland, OR: City Bible Publishing, 1976)

 

Dick Iverson, Present Day Truths (Portland, OR: Bible Temple Publishing, 1975)

 

Ernest B. Gentile, Worship God! (Portland, OR: Bible Temple Publishing, 1994)

 

Ruth Collingridge, Introduction to Praise (Lynwood, WA: Aglow Publications, 1981)

 

Lora Allison, Celebration – Banners, Dance and Holiness in Worship (Celebration International Ministries, 1987)

 

James P. Gills, The Dynamics of Worship (Tarpon Springs, FL: Love Press, 1992)

 

Lucien Deiss, Dance for the Lord (Schiller Park: World Library Publications, 1975)

 

Notes I took from a Benny Hinn Conference on the Anointing, Jubilee Christian Center, San Jose, California – January 24-25, 2008

 

 It is God's will that no one should perish (end up in hell), but that ALL should come to repentance. 

For God so loved this world that He gave His only begotton Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God did not send His Son into this world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him would be saved.

The thief (Satan the devil) comes only for to kill, steal and destroy. But Jesus has come to give us life, and life more abundantly, until it overflows.

I urge you to come to the Cross today and receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord. He will wash away all your sins and make you as clean and white as fresh snow. 

Just pray this prayer and mean it with your heart:

Dear Lord Jesus (if you are not able to call him Lord yet, then just say "Jesus")

I receive You as my Savior and Lord. I give my life over to You. I believe that You died and rose again, and that if I call on the Name of the Lord I shall be saved. 

I accept you into my heart right now, and confess that You are Lord and have risen from the dead and forever live to make intercession for me. 

Thank You for washing my heart pure and clean and making me whole, and for giving me peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Thank You that now I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. The old has gone and the new has come. 

And there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (carnality and sin), but walk after the Spirit.  In Jesus' Name, Amen. 

If you prayed this prayer, I believe you got born again and are now heaven bound and will be with the Lord forever and have eternal life. Your sins are now forgiven. You are accepted in the Beloved.

I would encourage you to find a good Bible based local church to help you grow in your faith, to learn the Word of God, to praise and worship Him, and to have fellowship with the saints. 

Serving Christ is the best decision you will ever make. 

God bless you!!!