Tag Archives: coming of Christ

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Advent – The Holy Spirit Will Come Upon You

Advent – The Holy Spirit Will Speak, Act Upon, Warn, & Instruct

Wait for the Gift My Father Promised

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17
 

Questions to Consider as You Read the Verses Below

  • Who / what is the Holy Spirit? 
  • When and how do we receive the Holy Spirit?
  • What does the Holy Spirit do?
  • What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?
  • How can I know that I am filled with the Holy Spirit?
  • How can others know you have the Holy Spirit?
  • What physical attributes does the Holy Spirit express?
  • How does the Holy Spirit assist you?

“Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” – Acts 1:4

“John baptized with water. In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:5

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” – Acts 1:8

“You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things. The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26

The Holy Spirit Will Come Upon You

The Holy Spirit will come upon you. The power of the most high will overshadow you. – Luke 11:35
 
After they prayed, the place was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. – Acts 4:31
 
A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They spoke in other languages as the Spirit enabled.  – Acts 2:1-4

When the Spirit of God and Christ comes to you, it is a sacred and holy act. The imagery is striking. A weight pressed upon us, a presence that overshadows. The nearest comparison we have in our physical flesh is when a husband and wife become one on their wedding night. Consider the verbs used to describe the act of receiving the Holy Spirit, of becoming one with God and Christ. Violent sounds, shaking, tongues aflame, being filled, speaking, seeing, hearing, hands roaming, receiving into ourselves this sacred gift from God.

“Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The gift is for all whom the Lord will call.” – Acts 2:38-39

God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey him. Our Prince and Savior gives repentance and forgiveness of sins. – Acts 5:31-32

In the same way that our wedding vows are a promise of fidelity, we agree to turn from all others and love only the one who gave himself for us. Water baptism is our spiritual wedding ceremony, a public profession that we are united with Christ until death in this body.

“We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Acts 4:20

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord. – Acts 4:?

They all spoke the word of God boldly. – Acts 4:31

When in love, we cannot help but speak about our spouse, to testify to what she or he does and is. This is as it should be, both at the beginning and throughout the life of our marriage. Should not our love for God be even greater?

Because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. – Acts 8:15-17

Can you recall your spiritual wedding ceremony, your baptism and public announcement of fidelity to God and Christ? Baptism does not save us, but it is our confession that we will, from that moment on, be loyal to God and Christ and honor this holy union.

Have you experienced the sacred intimacy that comes when you are joined in holy union with God and Christ? If not, find three or four disciples of Christ who will witness your wedding. Be baptized with water. Afterwards, ask your witnesses to lay hands upon you and baptize you with His Spirit. On that day you will experience the gift promised by God. You will become one with your Lord and Savior. Your bridegroom is waiting.

“I, Christ, am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:20

The Holy Spirit Will Speak to You

The Spirit told Phillip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” – Acts 8:29

“The Holy Spirit says. . .” – Acts 21:11

“The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said. . . “ Acts 28:25

“As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.’” – Hebrews 3:7-11

“The Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.” – Ezekiel 2:2

“When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.“ – Matthew 10:19-20

“The Spirit of truth will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13

The Holy Spirit Will ACT UPON You

The Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Phillip away. – Acts 8:39 Phillip next appeared in Azotus, 19 miles away. – Acts 8:40

“Having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in. . . “ – Acts 16:6

“The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. . .” – Acts 16:7 “Therefore we concluded that God had called us to preach the gospel to. . . “ – Acts 16:10

“Compelled by the Spirit, I am going. . . not knowing what will happen to me.” – Acts 20:23

“The Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” – Acts 20:28

The Holy Spirit Will WARN You

“The Holy Spirit warned me. . .“ – Acts 20:23

The Holy Spirit Will INSTRUCT You 

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements.” – Acts 15:28-29, Acts 21:25

  • Do not eat food sacrificed to idols.
  • Do not eat meat from strangled animals.
  • Do not drink blood.
  • Abstain from sexual immorality.

Some Observations as You Consider This Gift God Gives

  • The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. 
  • God gives the Holy Spirit to those who love Christ, keep His commands, and repent.
  • The Holy Spirit is a Helper, and Advocate, and with us forever. The Holy Spirit councils, teaches, and reminds us what Christ and God said. The Holy Spirit speaks, instructs, warns, moves, retrains, and prompts us. 
  • The Holy Spirit is Truth.
  • The Holy Spirit lives in you and with you.
  • The world does not know the Holy Spirit nor can it accept the Holy Spirit. This gift is only for those who accept Christ as their savior and exchange their life for his.
  • We receive the Holy Spirit through baptism. Christ commanded, “Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 
  • Our union with the Holy Spirit often comes with:
    • sounds
    • shaking
    • warmth
    • speaking in words or utterances we cannot understand
    • speaking in different languages 
  • Through the Holy Spirit God, Christ, and you become one.
  • Through the Holy Spirit we have power.
  • Through the Holy Spirit we are witnesses to Christ. We testify about Christ. We speak the word of God boldly. 
  • For most, the coming of the Holy Spirit is the only advent we will experience. The coming of the Holy Spirit is Christ coming to us to be with us and dwell in us forever. We celebrate the birth of Christ and look forward to his coming in glory, but he seeks to be with us now. Will you welcome him in?
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Advent – The Coming of Christ In Us – Wait for the Gift My Father Promised

Wait for the Gift My Father Promised

“Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” – Acts 1:4

“John baptized with water. In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 1:5

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” – Acts 1:8

“You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

“The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things. The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything I have said to you.” – John 14:26

 

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Advent – Looking for Jesus With Our Heads in the Clouds

Matthew 24:27-42

Advent - Looking for Jesus With Our Heads in the Clouds

“For as lightning that comes from the earth is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” -Matthew 24:27 “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. All the nations will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky.” – Matthew 24:30

Clearly (pun intended), the coming of Christ will be a cataclysmic event witnessed throughout the world–not on screens, but in the heavens, the sky, right above our heads.

“He will send his angels. With a loud trumpet, call his angels will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” – Matthew 24:31 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” – Matthew 24:37-41

Now we come to a passage of conflicting actions. During the time of Noah the flood took those in the fields, grinding at work, eating and drinking. But when Christ comes, he will send his angels to gather his “eklektos” “picked out,” “chosen” people. Perhaps what Jesus is suggesting in this passage is that his angels will gather those in Christ in the same way Noah gathered his family and pairs of animals into the ark, in order that they might be saved from destruction.

This has led many to link these verses with 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 and conclude those in Christ will be transported into heaven before great destruction comes on the earth.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God. The dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

In one sense the catching, rising, gathering mirrors what Noah and his family experienced. While flood waters covered the earth, those in the ark were lifted towards the heavens. They rode above the destruction below. 

“My words will never pass away.” – Matthew 24:35

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. – John 1

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. – John 1:3

The law was given through angels but you have not obeyed it. – Acts 7:53

Since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? – Hebrews 2:1-3

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel. And Moses wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant — the Ten Commandments. Exodus 34:27-28

“The Lord gave me two stone tablets inscribed by the finger of God. On them were all the commandments the Lord proclaimed to you on the mountain out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the Lord gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant.” – Deuteronomy 9:9-12

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but not my words.” – Matthew 24:35

“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42

When we preach the Cross, the energy of God is released. – Oswald Chambers

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Advent – I Have Told You All This Ahead of Time

Matthew 24:14-25

“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14

Preached as a testimony to all nations. . . a Kingdom Gospel of service, sacrifice, and suffering. A Kingdom Gospel at odds with the kingdom of man message of tyrannical power, senseless revolts, endless violence, and coercion through force.

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand.” Matthew 24:15

When Jesus spoke these words to his disciples none of his testimony had been recorded. Only later, through the writings of Mark, Matthew, John, Luke, Peter, James, Paul, and Jude, would Jesus’ brief life make it into print. And yet, Christ knew we would read his words. Now, 2000 years later, he commands us to not only read, but understand what is to come.

“Let those in Judea flee. For there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—never to be equaled again.” – Matthew 24:16

In the book of Christ Revelation Jesus says, “Hail and fire mixed with blood was hurled down on the earth.
“A third of the earth was burned up.
“A third of the trees were burned up.
“All the green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:7

“Something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea.
“A third of the sea turned into blood.
“A third of the living creatures in the sea died.
“A third of the ships were destroyed.
“And a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.
“A third of the waters turned bitter. Many people died from the waters that had become bitter.” Revelation 8: 8-10

“A third of the sun was struck.
“A third of the moon and a third of the stars was struck, so that a third of them turned dark.
“A third of the day was without light and a third of the night.” Revelation 8:12

“Every island fled away.” Revelation 16:20

“The mountains could not be found.” Revelation 16:20

Some contend the Revelation of Christ is metaphorical imagery that should not be taken literally. Ask yourself: Have any of the events described by Christ ever happened? If not, then was Jesus speaking in hyperbole? Are we merely waiting for him to come and say to us, “It was a joke. I was only kidding?” Is this what we mean by Advent?

“If those days had not been shortened, not one person would survive.”  – Matthew 24:22

Notice that Jesus speaks in past tense, as if these events, this time of unequaled distress, has already happened. In the same breathe he then speaks of the same event in future tense.

“But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.” – Matthew 24:22

Only the One who is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, can speak of history in past, present, and future at the same time.

“False prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. But I have told you all this ahead of time.” – Matthew 24:24-25

Here is our warning. False prophets, false teachers, false preachers will twist the words of Christ and those of his Father. They will do so in order to deceive not just those in Christ, but all men and women. This is the first and favorite attack of Satan. “Did God really say. . . ?” And this will be the Father of Lies last line of offense. But take heart. There is an implied promise for those who are in Christ.

“It that were possible. . . .” When the Spirit of Christ resides within, his Spirit will confirm, illuminate, and cause to come alive his very words. This is as it should be. The author always knows the intent of his words better than the reader.

Praise be to God; Christ has warned us ahead of time to be alert to those who speak falsehoods. Look for the coming of Christ. His arrival is closer today than yesterday.

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Stop Doubting and Believe …

John 21

Stop Doubting and Believe ...“Stop doubting and believe.” John 21:27

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed in me.” John 21:29

Lord, I claim your blessing for those who believe but have not seen you. Perhaps today you will see fit to release my Caden Chronicles books from the grasp of Harper Collins. I confess that I have not always believed you would help. Instead, as Oswald Chambers said, I have believed in my own abilities. I have not believed in your almighty power apart from my understanding of it. 

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“Who Is It You Want?”

John 18

"Who Is It You Want?"“Who is it you want?”

“I am he.”

“Who is it you want?” John 18:4-7

I want you, Lord. I want you.

“I have spoken openly to the world.” John 18:20

Lord, give me your spirit of boldness.

“I said nothing in secret.” John 18:20

Speak openly to me. Keep back nothing.

“If I testify to the truth, why do you strike me?” John 18: 32

Lord, protect those who testify to your truth.

“Everyone on the side of truth testifies to me.” John 18: 32

Help me to speak truth to lies, Lord.

“As the Father sent me, I am sending you.” John 20: 21

“If you do not forgive another of their sins, they are not forgiven.” John 20: 23

“If you forgive anyone his sings, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 21:23

Lord, when we stand before you, will we be required to bring charges against others for the offensives they committed against us? 

My Father, we live during a time of Propaganda Persecution – a time when the prince of darkness seeks to crucify you again by destroying your body, the Church. May you give us the strength and discernement to resist the evil influences that seek to destroy your testimony, twist your words, and call sin “love.”

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Father, the World Does Not Know You…

John 17

Father, the World Does Not Know You...“I pray for those who will believe in me through their message.” [Those whom God gave Jesus out of the world.] John 17:20

“May they believe in us SO THAT the world may believe that you sent me.” John 17:21-23

Lord, I pray for my boys and girls – that they may believe and know you.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.” John 17:22-23

May those who believe in God, believe his words, and believe in Christ, be unified so that those living in sin will repent and be saved.

“Father, you loved me before the Creation of the world. The world DOES NOT know you. I will continue to make you known to them.” John 17:25-26

 

When our purpose is to seek God and to discover his will for us, daydreaming is right and acceptable. Oswald Chambers

Allow God to be the source of all your dreams, joy, and delights. Oswald Chambers

If you are in love with someone, you don’t sit and daydream about that person. You go and do something for the person. Oswald Chambers