We need some Pauls…

We desperately need a restoration and revival in the word and in the knowledge of God. We do not believe the goodness of God because we do not remember “His wonderful works to the children of men.” Those who remember the works of the Lord are often the ones who have a real place of worship in their hearts, not contingent on a place of meeting or a particular building or movement. I think one of the reasons Paul pressed so hard in his mission was because he constantly remembered what happened to him on the road to Damascus. It was the same with the Israelites in the times after the Exodus. As long as they remembered the works of YHWH they remained morally, spiritually, and politically upright (generally). Once they forgot the Lord and turned to their own kings and systems it all started going downhill. The writings of the prophets are filled with pleas to remember the Lord. We need people who can remember what the Lord really said He wanted to do with mankind on the earth. We need a revival in the word. We need a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM! He has a purpose and a plan for the earth that eye has not seen and ear has not heard but He has revealed it to us BY HIS SPIRIT. We are in need of men and women who have encountered the Lord to speak up and remember why they were encountered in the first place. We need some more people like Paul, driven by revelation of Jesus. What we really need are people who endeavor to preach nothing but Christ and Christ crucified. Sound good and ideal? Well, we need those who preach it with their lives, not just their words. How’s that for idealistic. Well, Paul and the rest of the apostles did it, unto death at a premature time. Hmm. What am I living for? If it’s possible, I want it. If it’s impossible, I want it.

The Teacher…

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your rememberance all things that I said to you.   John 14:26

This is one of my favorite passages for meditation in the gospel of St. John. I love it and every time I read it my heart is moved. Why did Jesus constantly highlight the work and nature of the Holy Ghost in this gospel. For sure this is the most detailed book in the bible about the person of the Spirit. It just strikes me again as I read this today that the Holy Spirit teaches us and reveals to us the nature of Christ. I encourage us to think about this: the Holy Spirit dwells in us and teaches us of the kingdom of God and of Christ. Let this be for our assurance, He will teach us all things…..ALL THINGS!! Seems to me that our only job in this whole deal is to quiet down ourselves, ask Him to teach us, and then listen to what He wants to say. The way of the kingdom is so simple! It’s almost too simple. Too simple for the wise, rich, powerful, and comfortable. All of creation groans and waits for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed. They will be revealed when they take the word seriously, are taught by the Spirit and live it unashamedly and unreservedly. The multitude that recieved the Spirit at Pentacost had nothing to boast in, they did nothing and had nothing special. What was their qualification for being endued with power? Their qualification was simple, they believed in Jesus to the utmost and they obeyed His command to tarry in prayer, asking for the gift of the Spirit. So it is today, it hasn’t changed. Will we do it? Will we believe it?