- Walking in the Holy Ghost!
“So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father; and subject yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.” – Ephesians 5:15-21 NASB2020
Today is my last of celebrating my personal Pentecost, which 54 years ago on the 31st of July, Jesus baptized me in the Holy Ghost and with His fire!
The book of Ephesians speaks of three postures of the believer: sit, walk, and stand. Today I want to share on walking in the Spirit.
The instruction given by Paul is very clear. He admonished us not to be foolish or to be unwise. Make the most of your time for the days are evil; redeem your time.
I have ministered to so many people who continually are in a fog on what the will of God is. Paul gives a clear explanation for us to understand. Do not be drunk with wine where is debauchery, excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures. BUT be filled with the Holy Ghost!
If we are to redeem our time in these days, the ongoing filling of the Holy Ghost is the will of God for us. Before you do anything for Him, be filled with His Spirit. The translation is keep on being filled! (Continually)
As Jesus said, out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of life. Walk in the rivers of God, the Holy Gost rivers. These rivers are what the Psalms are all about, David understood this by revelation. Speaking to one another in Psalms, hymns, and spirit songs (singing in the Spirit!), yes, in tongues. This is not just in your devotional, but Paul says to one another. Making a melody of thanksgiving in your heart, giving thanksgiving to the Lord. This is very visible and to be heard by believers around you.
Always to Him is the sacrifice of thanksgiving, presenting ourselves a living sacrifice. There is no fear of man; no believer should be timid or afraid. Rebuke those who want to quench the Spirit in our midst. Let the rivers flow and the word of the Lord come forth out of you.
This is His will, forget about those who do not understand this. Stay in the fear of the Lord and be subject to one another in the Holy Ghost! If you walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the deeds of the flesh. I give You thanks Jesus for your wonderful and powerful promise, given to me 54 years ago. God the Holy Ghost! Hallelujah!
- David and the Holy Ghost
“Create in me a clean heart, God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.”
Psalm 51:10-13 NASB2020This is the fifth day of celebrating being baptized in the Holy Ghost 54 years ago.
You see David worshiping as a shepherd boy tending sheep as he pastured them. At some point he encountered the Holy Ghost and was elevated into worship. This was a precursor to our worship today.
I was so impacted in the Charismatic Movement by the true call to worship and the freedom He brought in every setting. Congregations, home groups, conferences, and prayer meetings; it mattered not whether you knew the people, we just worshipped Jesus. People from all denominations, backgrounds, and cultures. All turning their eyes upon Jesus. Great praise and thanksgiving being offered in a real oneness according to the Spirit. It was evident that, “This was that, which Peter identified from the prophet Joel.” His Spirit being poured out once again.
In this Psalm of David, we see into His heart and the revelation of the Presence of God. Not just at the Temple or Feasts, but a daily renewing of his spirit. His cry, take not your Spirit from me.
Before I received, the power I relied on was my will. Constantly recommitting, rededicating, and repenting. Failing time after time after time. No power to endure or overcome my failures as a believer, much less a minister.
Recently my dear friend and I were fellowshipping concerning the Holy Ghost. Both of us agreed, we would be lost in our lives without Him. What a fearful and terrible thing to have the Holy Ghost taken from us. The word says He will never leave us nor forsake us. David says take not, for God is patient and longsuffering, but will not persist forever. David knew when He sinned or missed God, his spiritual barometer was his relationship to the Holy Ghost. He knew He had grieved Him, resisted Him, and quenched Him. His presence was interrupted.
The scripture says it is better to give than to receive, but we cannot give if we do not receive. Bottom line is a believer is a receiver. David knew when He entered His Presence, there was fullness of Joy! Out of your innermost being comes a flow of the Holy Ghost. He asked to know the truth in his innermost parts. This is worshipping in spirit and truth! Glory to God!
- Holy Ghost focuses on Jesus
The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to glorify Jesus Christ, reveal Him, and point people to Him. Here is one of the clearest passages, quoted from the NASB 2020:
John 16:13–14 – “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
He will glorify Me, for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you.”Continuing to celebrate my 54 years in the Holy Ghost. I remember going with Betsy to her church where the Charismatic Movement had been totally received. I was struggling and had a real case of resisting Him for about a year. I was receiving tapes and books on being filled and speaking in tongues. Tapes of either tongues or them telling me to repeat after the words. People wanting to lay hands on me and constantly running into the question, “Have you been baptized in the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues?”
Whenever I was in meetings or around Spirit-filled people, I constantly heard them say, “Thank You Jesus!” I had never heard, as a Baptist preacher’s son, Jesus being spoken of all the time. I could not dismiss this obvious declaration. Not to mention, “He Is Lord!” It was so irritating and obnoxious. Most believers talk about God, but you very seldom heard the name of Jesus!
Being involved in the Jesus movement I could not get away from Him. I remember the first time I heard the chorus, “Jesus, Jesus there is Something About That Name!” It began to erode my Baptist doctrine, my opinions, and my arguments.
“Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost and with fire,” John the Baptist announced. Today just ask Him, it is simply more of Jesus. ASK!!!!
- My Feast of Pentecost
Continuing to celebrate my feast of Pentecost. Drinking of the Holy Ghost, no thirst, only Him springing up in me.
Dear believers, being born again is a must, of course. Jesus said of His glorious Holy Ghost, He and the Father would send Him, as foretold. He wants the disciples to know that He is leaving. Their hearts sank and He felt their sense of lost. He immediately tells them, “I will not orphan you!!” I am sending another comforter, the Spirit of truth.
Many believers who do not have the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, I believe, are subject to an orphan spirit. Why so many are up and down, doubt their salvation, and feel alone. This does not have to be! Receive ye the Holy Ghost. The power to become sons and daughters, not orphaned.
Do not resist, do not quench, and do not grieve Him, but ask Jesus to be baptized in the Holy Ghost and with His fire. If you ask for bread will you be given a stone? If you ask for fish will you be given a serpent?No, absolutely not, but the Father and the Son in total agreement, as promised!
Hallelujah!
- 54 Years
I’m celebrating 54 years of being baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
As a 23 year-old son of a Baptist minister, I did not know the power of God. On July 31, 1972 He baptized me with His fire, Jesus, and His power.
It was my Pentecost and I am eternally grateful for the great promise of the Father and Son for the Spirit of truth, my Comforter; for my Helper, who leads me into all truth and instructs me and shows me things to come.
Blessed be His holy name, God the Holy Ghost! He is God the Holy Ghost, the third person of our God.
So, this morning, I woke up praying in the Spirit, speaking in tongues. He is always there to help me in every situation. He sanctifies me: spirit, soul, and body into the image of Jesus, into my heart.
July 31, 1972—eternally grateful for God’s great gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Happy Pentecost to me!!! Hallelujah.🕊️🔥
- The Fatherhood of God
Moses speaks of God as Father in the Song of Moses:
.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“Do you repay the Lord this way, You foolish and unwise people?
Is He not your Father who has bought you?
He has made you and established you.” — Deuteronomy 32:6 (NASB 2020)What a powerful revelation given to Moses. Up until now, he only knew God as the I Am. After his great deliverance, coming out through the blood, through the water, and into the cloud he breaks into song. “God is my Father.”
You see Jesus, in the very beginning of his teaching, introducing His Heavenly Father, and His love for creation. His care and provision even to the tiniest of the birds of the air the sparrow. It is part of His purpose to show His followers His complete relational dependence on Him. He has come to show us the Heavenly Father and His Fatherhood.
.stk-2734db1 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2734db1:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2734db1 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2734db1 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“The Father loves the Son and has entrusted all things to His hand.” — John 3:35 (NASB 2020)
“I and the Father are one.” — John 10:30 (NASB 2020)This is the foundation for oneness, as in the high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed,
.stk-6a82962 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-6a82962:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-6a82962 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-6a82962 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” — John 17:20–21 (NASB 2020)
When we come as priests before the Lord, we simply acknowledge God as “Our Heavenly Father.” This is our oneness, our place with the Father and the Son.
To all fathers, be blessed on this our day. Hallelujah!
- THE GOD OF ALL THINGS!
The phrase “all things” appears throughout Scripture in different ways — concerning God’s power, Christ’s authority, creation, provision, and the believer’s life. Here are the following passages written by the Holy Ghost:
God and Christ Over All Things
“The Father loves the Son and has entrusted to His hand.”
— John 3:35
“For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
— Romans 11:36
“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
— Colossians 1:17
“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church.”
— Ephesians 1:22God Working Through All Things
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
— Romans 8:28
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
— Romans 8:37
Creation and All Things
“All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being.”
— John 1:3
“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible…”
— Colossians 1:16All Things Made New
“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”
— Revelation 21:5
Concerning Love and Conduct
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:7
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31
There is also this powerful word:
“God is above all and through all and in all.”
— Ephesians 4:6God’s FULLNESS
“…the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
— Ephesians 1:23In closing: Ephesians and Colossians especially emphasize Christ’s supremacy over “all things.” To Him be all glory and power and Dominion forevermore! (Ephesians 1:23) Ephesians and Colossians especially emphasize Christ’s supremacy over “all things.”
- God is the filler of all things!
God is the filler of all things! He is Spirit God the Holy Ghost. Thank you Father and Son for your promise!
One of the clearest passages is from Paul the Apostle:
.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” (Ephesians 4:10, KJV)
Paul also writes:
.stk-055edcb {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-055edcb:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-055edcb .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-055edcb .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:6, KJV)
And concerning Christ Jesus:
.stk-911f4e9 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-911f4e9:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-911f4e9 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-911f4e9 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1:23, KJV)
God’s His presence, power, authority, and sustaining life extend throughout His creation. As the Lord says:
.stk-3c44133 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-3c44133:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-3c44133 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-3c44133 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 23:24, KJV)
Scripture, His Word presents Himself as:- Filling heaven and earth with His presence.
- Filling believers with His Spirit.
- Filling the church with Christ’s fullness.
- Ultimately filling all creation with His glory.
The fulfillment in the kingdom of God, when His glory is fully manifested throughout creation: to the end of His kingdom, “There shall be no end!”
.stk-4b7b726 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-4b7b726:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-4b7b726 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-4b7b726 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14, KJV)
God is absolutely and indeed presented as the One who fills all things, sustains all things, and brings all things to their intended fullness in Christ.
Keep on being filled with the Holy Ghost!
- The Sinner and the Wicked
Deliberate, ongoing evil
• A settled disposition against God
• Moral corruption that shapes behaviorA helpful way to see it:
• Sin = individual acts or failures (missing the mark)
• Wickedness = a state or pattern of living in sin, often willfully.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.” – Psalm 1:1
For the believer, in Ephesians, it speaks of sitting in his presence, walking in his spirit, and standing against the evil one—in contrast to Psalm 1 where the man walketh in the counsel of the wicked, stands in the way of the sinner, and sits in the seat of the mockers.
This shows increasing steadfastness in rebellion. The importance of sitting in the presence of God and our personal intimate relationship with him. So revealed to us in his Word.
God cannot be mocked. What is sown in our lives yields a harvest that must be reaped. So the word encourages us to sow of the spirit and harvest brings eternal life.
- Jesus Cleansing the Temple Declares “It Is My house”
As Jesus passed through the crowds and the palms were laid before him, he went straight to the Temple.When Jesus was teaching He only acknowledged two gods. In Mark 12:29, Jesus quotes the Jewish declaration known as the Shema:
.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
He speaks of the One True God. There is none other! He makes a clear distinction in His acknowledgement of who God is. Later He speaks of the false God:.stk-3d3a15d {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-3d3a15d:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-3d3a15d .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-3d3a15d .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” – Matthew 6:24 NASB2020
When He comes to the Temple the last time, He follows the Passover lambs in. He has been there many times and has seen the tradition and ways of man. Everywhere He looked there was mammon. The moneychangers exchanged the foreign currency of the pilgrims who came from other nations for the acceptable Tyrian Shekel, approved for Temple offerings. They set up exchange booths and charged excessive fees.Jesus had already taught that the rival god of the world was man.
This distinction does not leave any gray area. The language here is of a love or hate relationship. He speaks of loyalty and service to one or the other. There is no doubt as He entered to pray that He expected anything but prayer. Nothing that reminded Him as a young man in the Temple, where God conversation was evident.
He described it as being about the Father’s business. Now it was just business; the god of mammon has taken up residence.
John gives his account in chapter 9: He drove the buyer and sellers out of the Temple. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers. Knocked over the seats of those selling doves. Knowing personally how significant was the sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost descended like a dove at His inaugural as the Lamb of God.
John even writes that He made a whip out of cords and drove them out. He had exposed the Pharisees and others many times and they would go away angry. But they did not take action. But this was different. He took it upon Himself to cleanse the Temple of corruption, exploitation, and the turning worship of wealth into a profit-benefiting system.
They had become servants of mammon. Jesus brought His own personal earthquake—shaking the very core of Judaism and its hypocrisy. It was then the Jewish leadership began to implement their plan to kill Him. Believing all the evil that had been stored up in their hearts. Taking their thirty pieces of silver and buying themselves a betrayer.
Wealth would no longer take over worship. The master had come to the house, His house. This shaking was a separation of righteousness and unrighteousness, of those who love God and those who hate Him.
One day soon He is coming back to Jerusalem with His mighty earthquake and will divide the Temple Mount. Where the Temple will be and where the Dome of the Rock now stands. Once again declaring His authorship and ownership of everything.
Onward and upward we go. Let His cleansing come to His church in Jesus’ Name.
He is Risen and Risen indeed.
- God’s Word Concerning the Last Days.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. – 2 Peter 3:3-9 NASB2020
With all the speculation, prophetic prediction, and rapture debate, this word stands out.
When the Holy Ghost writes first concerning our relationship with the Lord, that is exactly what He means. Mockers will come and sow doubt on Jesus’ promise, just as Satan did to Adam and Eve. He mocked God.
Paul writes in Galatians 6, “Be not deceived, God cannot be mocked.”
Their mocking is to discredit the three events instituted by God. They dispute the creation, the flood, and the present heavens are destroyed by fire.
Peter again says, by His Word: This is promised, destruction and judgment are coming on the ungodly. This truth on God’s timetable is measured. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. For the truth of God’s grace these last 2,000 years, plus, is that He is patient and long-suffering, calling man to repentance. He desires that none should perish.
Do not let the times erode your belief in His promise to return.
The angels say to the disciples: “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
So, the message to all believers:
- Don’t freeze in awe.
- Get on with the mission.
- Hold onto hope.
He goes up → the Spirit comes down → the church moves out → Jesus comes back.
Maranatha!
- David’s Prayer Life.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}
“For the sake of Your name, Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble. And in Your faithfulness, destroy my enemies, And eliminate all those who attack my soul, For I am Your servant.” – Psalm 143:11-12 NASB2020
David’s prayer for deliverance, where the psalmist asks God to preserve their life, bring them out of trouble, and destroy their enemies, all for the sake of God’s name, righteousness, and steadfast love, recognizing they are God’s servant.
It is evident that the top two priorities in His relationship to God are worship and prayer. He continually praises, offers up sacrificial worship, and desires His presence daily. In his prayer life, he continually calls and cries out to Him. In this, God knew he was a man after His heart.
There are four keys in these two verses that are good for us to see:
First, for the sake of Your name. It is His name that gives us access to Him. It is in His name that we uphold. It’s so important in our prayer life that Jesus gave the disciples His name. “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My Name.
Secondly, in Your righteousness. Our righteousness is as filthy rags; it is unacceptable in His Presence. We are instructed to seek the righteousness of Jesus. In which we received when we were born again. We are clothed, robed, in His righteousness. Standing faultless before the throne.
Third, in Your lovingkindness. His faithfulness and new mercies are great in keeping His covenant to us. His steadfast love never ceases, and no matter our failures, it does not change in any way. No Never!
Fourthly, for I am Your servant. He reaffirms his personal commitment to God’s will and purpose.
He has answered God’s call and choosing of him. He knows He will never abandon His servants.In closing, there is one repeated word: Your. This is the focus of prayer, fixing our eyes on Him, the author and finisher of our faith. Be honor and glory to His name.
- Giving God Glory!
“Arise and shine” the prophet Isaiah calls out to the people of Israel, “For your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).
This is a wake-up call with an equal amount of optimism and purpose spoken to the people of God who might have wanted to pull the covers back over their head. As Paul wrote, “Awake thou who sleepest, and Christ will give you light.”
Jesus said, “Do not hide your light under a bushel.” It is the light that shines forth in us that brings glory to God. Giving God glory starts with recognizing that God is the source of life, truth, love, and all good things. It’s saying (out loud or in your heart), “God, You are worthy.”
This can happen through prayer, worship, or simply thanking God. When you give God glory, you’re not taking credit for everything yourself. Instead, you’re acknowledging God’s role—your abilities, opportunities, and successes as gifts rather than something you earned alone.
Actions matter just as much as words. Showing love, humility, honesty, forgiveness, and compassion reflects God’s character and gives Him glory.
In this sense, your life becomes a “picture” of what God is like. Giving God glory means making God visible and honored through how you think, speak, and live—so that others (and you yourself) see more of God, not just you. Two angelic declarations that manifest heaven are “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Glory to God in the Highest.” The announcement of the birth of Jesus was full of the Glory of God.
How powerful is our confession when we simply say, Glory to God! It is a part of our giving to Him. He alone deserves all of the Glory. Blessings!
- Great Joy
We know and have heard many sermons on joy. It is one of the wonderful evidences of the Holy Ghost, especially the baptism in the Holy Ghost! I remember after receiving Him the most joy and gladness I had ever experienced. For righteousness, peace, and joy are in the Holy Ghost. We are baptized in Him and receive the Kingdom of God with great joy.
The night of Jesus’ birth, the heavens were filled with great glory and great joy. This great joy was announced to and for all people.
Be joyful unto Him and bless His name was a chorus we sang during the pouring out of His Spirit in the late 60s and 70s.
Great joy in the Bible centers on God’s presence, salvation through Jesus, and the hope of His coming kingdom. It was accompanied by and highlighted by angels announcing Jesus’ birth as “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). The disciples’ overwhelming happiness at His resurrection and the spread of the Gospel was a supernatural, enduring joy deeper than circumstance. It is an eternal fountain springing up in us. It is God’s delight to see joy in His people.
Heavenly Moments of Great Joy
Jesus‘s Birth: Angels proclaimed “good news of great joy” to shepherds, marking the arrival of the Savior.
Jesus’ Resurrection: The disciples experienced “fear and great joy” running from the tomb, and later returned to Jerusalem “with great joy” to praise God.
The preaching of the gospel through all the world: The inclusion of Gentiles brought “great joy” (Acts 15:3), showing the joy of God’s kingdom expanding with salvation and new life. Jesus spoke of His joy being in believers and John the Baptist leaped in the womb at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:44).
During this season and the celebration of His Birth, let us receive His wonderful joy and may we be filled to overflowing with it. Glory to God in the Highest, and great joy to all!
-KC
- Making Room for Him.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. – Luke 2:6-7 NASB2020
As scripture has spoken to us very clearly about the birth of Jesus: He came in the fullness of time. This was the time that was prophesied and chosen by God. This was divinely appointed, the perfect time for Jesus to be born.
While they were in Bethlehem, her time had come to give birth. Mary giving birth is the fulfillment of God sending His Son into the world for His redemptive work in mankind. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, a trough, where animals eat.
The word Manger means to eat. This has such spiritual significance because Jesus would be known as the bread of life. Spiritual Sustenance: Jesus presents Himself as the true bread that satisfies spiritual hunger and thirst, offering eternal life, unlike physical bread that perishes.
We might say God’s timing, His place of choosing, and the sending of His Son have set a table for His invitation: “Whosoever will may come.”
“Do not despise small beginnings” means that humble, seemingly insignificant starts are valuable and can grow into great things. A little town, a little couple, and a little baby will begin a journey that will shake the nations of the world. We will see the words of the Innkeeper echo from this little Inn, because there was no room in the Inn.
The question is, will we make room for Him in our hearts? If you have not, I employ you and even beg you to make room for Him in your heart.
Hallelujah!
- He was foretold.stk-2f0d6a4 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-2f0d6a4 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}
Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. – Luke 2:4-6 NASB2020
.stk-b0da146 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-b0da146:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-b0da146 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-b0da146 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. – Micah 5:2
Key aspects of the prophecy:
- Birthplace: Bethlehem Ephrathah (the specific Bethlehem in Judah).
- Figure: A ruler/leader for Israel.
- Origin: “From of old, from ancient times,” signifying divine or eternal origins.
Bethlehem of Judea, a small and seemingly insignificant little city. For in the very beginning, as Paul writes, he humbled himself, left heaven, and became a man. The seed of God planted in a virgin, a miracle of all miracles.
He would be a leader and ruler of Israel whose origin was the ancient of times. This is not an ordinary birth. This child will be known as the son of God.
As Joseph leads Mary on a donkey into the city that in itself is prophetic. Jesus is prophesied to make another entrance in about 31/2 years into Jerusalem, the city of the great King, on a donkey.
.stk-04d1597 {background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-04d1597:before{background-color:#00000000 !important;}.stk-04d1597 .stk-block-text__text{text-shadow:none !important;font-size:22px !important;color:#0f0e17 !important;}@media screen and (max-width: 1023px){.stk-04d1597 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:22px !important;}}Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is righteous and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. – Zechariah 9:9
So now this changes everything. Nothing will ever be the same. In fact, all things shall become new.
Hallelujah!
- The fullness of time has come!
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city. – Luke 2:1-3 NASB2020
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons and daughters. – Galatians 4:4-5 NASB2020
If ever anyone doubted that our God in Heaven is not in control, this fulfillment of the birth of Jesus cannot be denied. God is the God of Heaven and earth and His Word established all things, and all things are done by His Word. All authority serves His Will and purpose.
As in this verse, Caesar Augustus makes a worldwide decree that everyone should be registered in the city of origin and be taxed. Mary, who was pregnant and great with child with Jesus, and her husband Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for a Roman census.
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” – Micah 5:2 NASB2020
How certain and exact the Word of God is. The decree from Rome and its ruler has set in motion the setting for the birth of Jesus, the Messiah and King. This evidence alone demands a verdict and a choice.
Just in Luke’s account in these first verses, we clearly see God’s fulfillment and will for the world: Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. Heaven is always preeminent and in control by the Word of God. He speaks and creation and governments and the peoples of the earth all either receive or reject the Will of God. All of Heaven only does what the Will of God is, no shadow of turning. On earth as it is in Heaven.
Now by this decree, fulfillment, the perfect, pre-ordained moment in history, as the prophets foretold.
God will be with us.
Hallelujah and glory to God!
- With Thanksgiving
“That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders.”
Psalm 26:7 NASB2020“They shall also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, And tell of His works with joyful b
Psalm 107:22 NASB2020“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;”
Colossians 4:2 NASB2020My son-in-law, Ben Ward, was teaching at a Sunday morning service recently, and he shared a new meaning of “thankful” from an old usage. It was new for me, and I was so blessed by it and it has become part of my awareness when giving thanks.
It means worthy to be rewarded. That when we thank someone, we are giving them a reward. I thought that was so powerful. And not just good manners, but a spiritual reward.
Middle English thanken, from Old English þancian, þoncian “give thanks; to recompense, to reward,”
As believers, our attitude determines our altitude. The revelation and realization of our approach and entrance into the presence of God is an attitude of gratitude. It is fundamental to our worship and entering into the divine presence.
Whenever we give thanks, the gates of Heaven open up to us. You might say it is the password to the heavenly presence of our God. It is with thanksgiving for all He has done, for every blessing, for our every breath, in everything. When we come before Him, accompanied by the sacrifice of thanksgiving, the gates of heaven are opened. He has done so much for us — we have not deserved nor are worthy of such goodness and favor.
During the Charismatic movement, when I was first being led by the Holy Ghost into His Baptism, those who were filled with Him declared, “Thank You, Jesus!” Outside of prayer, I had never heard Him thanked so exuberantly. The overflow from their spirit was, “Thank You, Jesus.” It was the declaration and proclamation of what He has done for us. A true sacrifice of worship.
It is fundamental in our relationship to Him, it has eternal value, and will never cease. When Jesus fed the five thousand, He took the five loaves and two fish, looked to heaven, and simply gave thanks. The Father received His sacrifice and opened the windows of heaven, multiplying that which was given. He fed all who were there with leftovers, 12 baskets full: take-home boxes for the 12 disciples.
Oh, the power of the attitude of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which says to “Give thanks in all circumstances,” and Psalm 100:4, which encourages entering God’s gates with thanksgiving. Other verses frequently cited are 1 Chronicles 16:34, which states, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good,” and Philippians 4:6; advising us to make requests to God with thanksgiving. We are instructed that when we pray, thanksgiving is essential. Giving Him thanks before asking Him for anything else is the right order.
Thanksgiving, the pleasure and joy it brings to our God.
Hallelujah, let us give thanks now and forever, and this day a feast commemorating and celebrating all He has done.
Blessings, KC
- Where is Your Shout?
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” -Deuteronomy 20:4
The sound of joyful shouting and salvation is in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. -Psalm 118:15
Years ago, my daughter Hannah was passing through a dry time while in college. I was ministering to a house group in a town not far from Tuscaloosa. I received a call from her just before the meeting. When I answered the phone, I heard her shouting, “Dad, I got my shout back, I got my shout back, I got my shout back! Dad, shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph!”
The sound of victory coming from her innermost being was full of joy and worthy of the Lord her King.
The Holy Ghost spoke to me: “Where is your shout?”
Just a couple of hours later, she showed up at the meeting and washed my feet and prayed for me to get my shout back. Ever since then, when God answers my prayer or gives victory, I shout. In worship, I shout. When others have victory, I shout.
According to the word of God, shouting and joy are expressions of one another. Joy is not something that can be contained; it is shouted from the housetops.
There is a spiritual battle in the heavenlies for this nation. A battle of principalities in high places. Politics wants to make it about flesh and blood for some personalities. But in the Spirit, it is the unseen war, principalities in High places. What is happening in the Middle East is causing all the nations of the world unrest and chaos.
Keep looking up and continue to shout, “The King Is Coming!!!”
Hallelujah To King Jesus!
-KC
- Freedom
Today we can manifest the goodness of God by releasing those we have caged; setting them FREE in Jesus’ Name. Of course, in doing so we are free and His anointing will also be freed in us. Hallelujah!
The great triumph in which He will lead us will demonstrate His power in us. I submit all mankind was freed from all sin since Adam and the garden, once and for all. 2 Corinthians 2:14 is a verse that describes God leading Christians in a triumphal procession through Christ, who uses them to spread the “fragrance” of His knowledge everywhere. What fragrance our we giving off!
How can we know Him and the fragrance of unforgiveness, the smell of captivity, the devil’s fragrance? Deliver us from the evil in our own hearts, Jesus.
Jesus’ last words were, “Father forgive them,.”
He set the captives free.
-KC