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Passionate For The Holy Ghost!

By Bobbie Jean Merck

Now may the God Who gives the power

of patient endurance (steadfastness)

and Who supplies encouragement,

grant you to live in such mutual harmony

and such full sympathy with one another,

in accord with Christ Jesus,

That together you may [unanimously]

with united hearts and one voice,

praise and glorify the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

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.

Romans 15:5,6,13 Amplified Bible

    A little girl turned to her sister and said with great emotion, “I tell you, the Bible does not end in Timothy.  The Bible ends in Revolutions!”  Though her statement brings a chuckle as we think of it, is she completely off  track?  Considering all that is going on today, her idea doesn’t seem to be completely wrong.

   Of course, we know the Bible ends with the Book of Revelation.  But there is such revelation coming from the Holy Spirit today, it is releasing revolution.  People are not the same once they are touched with revelation.  The wisdom of God is embedded within them and the eyes of their understanding are opened wide to see the awesomeness of God and to experience His glory.

   Experiencing His glory demands change.  One cannot be the same.  They will be more like the Lord of Glory, or their hearts will be more hardened to resist Him.  They are free to choose.  But, they are not free to choose the results of their choices.  The results of receiving or rejecting are spiritual laws set in motion by God at the cross of Calvary:  the Lord Jesus Christ’s suffering, death, resurrection and ascension.

   Through Him we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.  That means eternal life and Kingdom life begins the moment we receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Master.  We do not have to wait until we get to heaven to enjoy heaven’s blessings, which cover every need we shall ever have in this life.  By grace through faith they are ours in the NOW!

   One of the revolutions that is currently happening concerns the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ taught His weak, insecure, fearful, compromising disciples that it would be profitable for Him to leave so the Father could send the Holy Spirit.  His last instructions to them before He ascended to heaven were, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  The Holy Spirit was to impart such power, that not only would they be completely changed, but they would turn the world upside down, bringing eternal change to multitudes.

   In fact, His fore-runner, John the Baptist, said, “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…” (Matthew 3:11).  One of the rewards of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, resurrection and ascension was His baptizing believers in the Holy Spirit. 

   The Word and the Spirit are inseparable.  What joy it gives Jesus Christ to see a human being believe and receive Him as their Lord and Savior.  What joy it gives Jesus Christ to baptize the born again believer! What joy He experiences as He sees that person baptized into His Body by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit work together.  What joy it gives Jesus Christ to baptize the born again believer  into the Holy Spirit!       

   The major work of the Holy Spirit is John 16:13,14, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.”  Holy Spirit desires to exalt, magnify, and glorify Jesus Christ. 

   Jesus had the Spirit without measure.  Individually, we have Him in measure.  And the more of Him we receive, the more we learn His ways, and the more we yield to learn His ways, and the more we yield to Him, the more Jesus Christ will be exalted, magnified, and glorified on the earth.  We will experience the “same Jesus, not another Jesus, but the Christ Who is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (See Hebrews 13:8.)

   Who is “this same Jesus?”  He is the One we see in the entire New Testament, doing the same things today.  One example is 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.”

   Indeed, this Jesus brings a sword sometimes, and a revolution some times, to establish His Kingdom on earth.  He is the Christ Who never compromised or compromises.  He was bold and spoke straightforwardly, and sometimes people were offended; and often some did not hear or see or understand even though they had "ears to hear and eyes to see." 

   He spoke and ministered without compromise and without making it ‘easy’ for them to hear, see, and understand.  Out of ministering to thousands, He netted 120 who really heard, saw, and understood.  He was not into competition or making a reputation for Himself.  Therefore, He walked in perfect obedience to His Father and left the results in His hands.  Paul, who met this Lord of Glory on the road to Damascus, understood the ways of the Spirit.  He gave us First Corinthians 2:6-15.

    “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

   But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

   Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

   But as 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 searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

   For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth 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.  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

   But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

   If all we do is adapt the ministry and experience of God’s Word suitable to the intellect, and culture, and society of our nation, we may mass numbers in the name of Christianity, but, will they be "new creatures in Christ?”  Cults exist today in large and increasing numbers.  Do numbers equal born again?  What is our motive?  What is our purpose?  What is our goal?

   “To whom much is given, much is required.” (See Luke 12:48).  Those of us who have received the same baptism of the Holy Spirit that the one-hundred and twenty received in Acts 2:1-4 will be held responsible and accountable to God for what we do with this “much.”  How can we taste of such heavenly, spiritual blessings and “go back”  without ultimately living to regret it?

   Because of my pride, ignorance, and heritage, I did not want this experience of the baptism with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues either.  In fact, I thought those who professed to experience this were ignorant and in pride.  Was I in for a surprise which necessitated a sincere, non-compromising, godly repentance!  When I repented, the blessing of the baptism with the Holy Ghost came and changed my life, (and ultimately my journey in life) forever.

   I have witnessed and experienced “praying in other tongues” changing nations, bringing miracles, as signs to unbelievers, giving supernatural direction to people of other languages who heard and understood their language as I spoke in “tongues,”  and many, many more supernatural happenings too numerable to relate here.  I cannot tell anyone, “Tongues are not for today,” or that, “Tongues should only be spoken privately and not in the midst of a congregation," (and such like) nor in whatever is currently being said.

   I am not saying that a person has to speak with other tongues to become a new creature in Christ.  All believers in, and receivers of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior, and Master are born again of the Holy Spirit and of the incorruptible seed ~ the Word of God.  But to say that we must keep Him from speaking in other tongues through His people in meetings, in order to reach the masses is a serious issue.

   Many years ago, an Assemblies of God pastor visited me.  His purpose was to have me to come to his church.  I was unconvinced until I said, “I have studied your doctrines, and they are nearly the same as the doctrines of the Methodist church.  Why should I leave my church?”

   His response was the sword driven into my pride and ignorance that brought me to where I am today.  He said, “That is true, and if the Methodist Church lived the doctrines and the faith of John Wesley today, I would be a Methodist pastor, and not an Assemblies of God pastor.”  I knew he was right, for my heart had been grieved about some of their decisions in the then recent General Council of the Methodist Church.

   Therefore, I went to that Assembles of God Church in June of 1969, and I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit on September 21, 1969.  My life was revolutionized, and it hasn’t ceased being revolutionized ever since.  I received the same Acts 2:1-4 Spirit of the Holy Ghost and fire, and I trust God’s grace will never let me ‘cool off.’

   “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 

   And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the House where they were sitting. 

   And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

   And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

   I became puzzled in later years, because my understanding was opened to learn and to see that  history revealed how little “fire” God’s people and congregations had once they began to become established, and had some longevity in the work of the ministry.  My son, Dan, met a beautiful girl of the Church of God denomination (of Cleveland, Tennesee).  They fell in love.  At their wedding rehearsal dinner, I was seated next to Lori’s pastor.  His family held responsible leadership positions in the denomination.  As we talked, I asked him, “Can you tell me why all denominations start out with the fire of God, and end up with no fire?” (And today I would add the non-denominational as well.) 

   He responded, “Yes.  Respectability! Church history proves this fact.  They start out with the fire of God, perhaps in a little store front, in an undesirable location.  The Spirit of God has freedom and brings the supernatural.  People are created for the supernatural!  Therefore, many come, receive, and join the church.  The church grows, and is now able to build and move into a nice structure and desirable location.  “Important” people then begin to come.  Ushers are instructed to stop anyone from speaking in tongues.  Church history proves every denomination has lost it’s fire by it’s 75^th year.”  Not only does this apply to denominations but to non-denominations, and to independent church groups.

   Will we be like Nicodemus and receive from Jesus, fear people, compromise what He has given us, and hide it away, or will we stand strong and bold like Peter, James, John, Paul and many of the other New Testament believers and apostles?

   In May 1994 the president of one of the largest Bible colleges of the largest Pentecostal denomination, in ministering to one of their churches said, “The leadership of the Assemblies of God met together to seek God.  They concluded, 'The glory has left our churches; we are raising a generation who know nothing about the Holy Spirit, or about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and only thirty-five percent of our world-wide membership are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.'"  He stated that they repented for their denomination and determined to reverse all of the above!

    These leaders had learned a bitter lesson.  Will we learn from them, and function in all that God has bestowed upon us?

   God has opened the windows of heaven for the outpouring of supernatural manifestations of His glory, including miracles and healings!  Will we close those heavens by assuming lordship of our church services and other meetings by not allowing the Holy Spirit His rightful place, and in every thing, way and circumstance?  I pray not.

   The redeemed are the nation of God.  God speaks, “Does a nation change its gods? – and these are not gods at all!  Yet my people have exchanged their Glory for what has no power in it.  You heavens, stand aghast at this, stand stupefied, stand utterly appalled – it is Yahweh who speaks.  Since my people have committed a double crime:  they have abandoned me, the fountain of living waters, only to dig cisterns for themselves, leaky cisterns that hold no water….consider carefully how evil and bitter it is for you to abandon Yahweh your God and not to stand in awe of me – it is Yahweh Sabaoth who speaks.  Come back, disloyal sons, I want to heal your disloyalty….Yahweh says this:  Put yourselves on the ways of long ago, inquire about the ancient paths:  which was the good way!  Take it then, and you shall find rest…”

                                                         Jeremiah 2:11-13,19; 3:22; 6:16  The Jerusalem Bible

   It is very clear, the Lord wants us to depend completely upon Him and His Holy Spirit.  The plumbline of God’s Word is clear.  The choice is personal.  Let us remember, the greatest strength and power of the Christian is complete yieldedness and dependence upon the Holy Ghost.  And let us not turn to anyone else!  Paul’s words ring loud and clear for all who have an ear to hear, HEAR!

   “I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself.  For I promised you as a pure bride to one husband, Christ. 

   But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent. 

   You seem to believe whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 

   But I don’t think I am inferior to these ‘super apostles.’ 

   I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about.  I think you realize this by now, for we have proved it again and again”

                                                                2 Corinthians 11:2-5  The New Living Translation

   Let us fear also, and guard our hearts to keep ourselves steady in “the same Jesus, the same Spirit, and the same Gospel” that have brought us thus far.  “But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already” (Philippians 3:16  The New Living Translation).  Amen.  Selah.

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