Baptized by The Holy Spirit

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Why does the Bible seem like nonsense to some people? Why do some people misinterpret scripture? Its because without the Holy Spirit we cant understand the Bible. Without the Holy Spirit we cant understand God.

Before the New Covenant, Israel would rely on Prophets of God who were filled with the Holy Spirit to mediate between them and God. However in the New Covenant , God has poured out his Spirit upon us (Acts 2:17)

But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

The Holy Spirit allows us to see things through the eyes of Christ. This is why Jesus said we will be known by our Fruits (Matthew 7:20) If someone is living and speaking carnally minded, they probably are not Born Again.  So how do we receive the Holy Spirit? Become Born Again!

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:3-5

Jesus said nobody is saved unless they become Born Again. How to become Born Again, believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and repent of your sins. When you truly receive Christ into your heart you become baptized by the Holy Spirit

Once that baptism of the Holy Spirit happens you will start to see and understand things from a whole new perspective. If you want to know and understand God, come to Jesus Christ and receive him into your heart! Amen!

Abraham Meets Jesus (Genesis 18)

Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.  When he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold, three men were standing opposite him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth, Genesis 18:1-2

One of the most intriguing stories in the Bible is when Abraham cam face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. First we notice it says the LORD appeared to Abraham. LORD in all caps is Yahweh meaning God. So God came in human form to meet Abraham. Since we know the Father is Spirit (John 4:24) and nobody has ever seen God (John 1:18) we know this is Jesus God in the flesh

Notice Jesus didn’t come alone he came with 2 angels. So Abraham saw three men (symbolic of the Trinity) and one of the men was Yahweh in the flesh. Abraham bowed down to Jesus. So notice Jesus didn’t rebuke Abraham for worshipping him as angels have previously rebuked people from bowing down to them (Revelation 22:8-9) (Colossians 2:18)

and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Genesis 18:3

Notice Abraham calls Jesus Lord and he also calls himself his servant.

He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him. Genesis 18:10

Jesus then delivers the prophecy of the birth of Isaac. This is significant for several reasons. First God promised to establish his covenant with Abraham through Isaac (Genesis 17:21) This is why Jesus reveals this to Abraham and Sarah. Second Isaac is the promised Son from God just as Jesus is the Son of God.

From this story in Genesis 18 its clears Abraham met God in the flesh and we know who he is Yeshua (Jesus ) Amen!

Are You Barabbas?

Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” Mark 15:12-13

As Jesus was wrongfully put on trial, the crowd had an option. Either release the killer Barabbas or release the Son of God. The crowd choose to free a killer and kill the Messiah. What fools we think, isn’t this what happens everyday in the world? People mock Jesus today, they curse in his name, they ban him from being mentioned in public places , they are choosing the killer Barabbas

Even though Jesus never harmed anyone, they shouted to “Crucify Him”! Were we once in this crowd? Did we ever reject Christ in our lives? When we understand that Jesus died for us even when we didn’t deserve it, that’s Amazing Grace

But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” Mark 15:14

Again the people shouted “Crucify Him”! even though Pilate declared Jesus was innocent. This is not justice, this is murder! Why did these people choose Barabbas over Jesus? Why do people today continue to choose Barabbas and crucify Christ?

People will say , this happened over 2,000 years ago and has nothing to with me! Your either a slave to sin or a slave to Jesus Christ, there is no other option. If you reject Christ, your guilty of trampling on his blood and shouting “Crucify him”! Which way will you choose? The way of Life or the way of Death?

Communion

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

Communion has become an afterthought in Modern Day Christianity. Most Churches will try to fit it in on “special occasions” or holidays. But have we really missed the point of Communion? People call Communion a “Sacrament” meaning ritual however Communion was a commandment from Jesus Christ

Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24, Luke 22:19, Mark 14), so you say “Well I do it occasionally therefor I’m fulfilling it. But your missing the relationship (communion) with Christ, your not proclaiming the Lords death or anticipating his return. These are all parts of the act of Communion

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. Acts 20:7

Everytime Christians came together to worship in the first Century , they had Communion (broke bread) Sometimes the Christians would meet daily (Acts 2:46) sometimes weekly, but they always had Communion during there worship time.  So what did they know or see that we are missing?

Many of us today still celebrate the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) however I think over time we have drifted away from our relationship with Jesus and that glorious day. Communion is a time to reestablish that moment when Christ entered the Upper Room. Our Living Hope by his blood and body of the Passover Lamb.

I’m not a legalist, I’ve been guilty of this my self. However since my family has been doing Communion every service, I feel my relationship with Christ strengthening. The Hope of the Resurrection is continually brought to life, and the thankfulness of his sacrifice pierces my soul. Do this in remembrance of Jesus!

Son Of Man Part 2

But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Matthew 14:61

The big question that most Jews wanted to know, what is Jesus the Messiah? This is the One who was written in their scriptures for centuries. The Messiah was prophesied by Moses, by Abraham, by David, by Daniel, by Isaiah, every book in the Old Testament you can find reference to the Messiah

So if these High Priests suspected Jesus was the Messiah, why would they treat him so harshly? Why would they kill the anointed one of God? Well we look at the world today, the Messiah has been revealed for over 2,000 years and people still reject him and want to kill him.

The fact is the High Priests didn’t want to change, just like we don’t want to change. People reject Jesus not because of evidence or prophecy, but because they have a morality issue. Jesus requires we become Born Again, deny ourselves, carry our crosses, repent! Nobody wants to hear this, especially people who love sin

And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Matthew 14:62

Jesus declared He is the Son of Man from the Prophecy of Daniel. He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Most peoples problem is they don’t know what the Messiah or Christ even means. They don’t know what being the Messiah means because they don’t read the Word of God.

The religious leaders knew exactly what it meant, Jesus was God in the Flesh! But they didn’t want to Repent, they didn’t want to give away their riches, they didn’t want to become servants of Christ, so they condemned their eternal souls

Jesus is coming in the clouds again, prepare yourselves for the coming of The Lord Amen!