Revelation

John 14:26
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (NLT)

Revelation is defined a something revealed or disclosed, especially a striking disclosure, as of something not before realized. While realization is the act of to grasping or understanding clearly.

The two seem to be blended into one. Often what we call revelation is actually realization. You see, we are drowned in information today. Some from the pulpit, some from conversations with others or even Bible studies, and much from our random searching on the Internet. At some point 2+3 equals 5 and we realize what we have. We realize as a result of what we have learned.

As we open ourselves up to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, revelation bubbles up and we see things we never saw before. This may occur as we listen to someone else preach, It may occur as we are in prayer. Or it may be something new as we read a scripture passage we have read many times before.

It is not the putting together of information from others. The Holy Spirit reveals a new truth to us. It is something new. It is an A-ha! moment.

Willingness to Walk

We spend hours upon hours listening to Christian preachers and teachers. We memorize scripture and can quote the Bible in about any situation. We attend Bible studies, Men's meetings, and women's meetings. We may even jump at a chance to see a big name Christian speak up close by attending a conference.

We are trained beyond our willingness to walk.

We are constantly looking for more data, more input fill our heads. We even listen to Christian music in the car and perhaps even a teaching CD. We may even buy the pastor's sermon CD's so we can listen again and again to his teaching.

But to what end? Sure, the Bible tells us to study to show ourselves approved. But are we to be stuck in a feed me mode for our entire life?

I think not. Doesn't our Father God want us to have a relationship with Him? And for that to occur we must be with Him. We are not with Him when we have a CD playing. We are not with Him when we are at a meeting listening to someone else tell us about Him. We are not with Him at the Bible study.

These are all relationships, but with other believers. And fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ is important, but not at the expense of time with God, alone.

How can God tell us what we are to do if we never spend time to hear Him? What good is all the things we learn if we do not walk out and use them in our day to day life?

Isn't it time we took what we have learned, listened to God, and then be willing to walk out in Christ to spread the Gospel message?

Power and Authority

Luke 9:1 

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. (NLT) 

 

When we are in the working world we yield to the authority and power of those above us. On the job that can be our boss, the owner of the company, or even our customers. Although I find little evidence of that old rule that said the customer is always right. 

 

Outside of work we yield to the authority and power wheeled by the government, the military, and the local police force. We allow others the right to instruct us and even to decide how and when these mortal bodies are taken care of and even repaired.  

 

In order to earn the right to have that authority and power, most have to attend years of school and other training. They exhibit diplomas and certificates and have impressive resumes. 

 

As born again, spirit filled believers, we do not need training. Although in the spirit of the world, we yield to the same hierarchy of training in most of our religious organizations. We place man's credentials over Biblical truth. 

 

Matthew 10:7-8 

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! (NLT) 

 

We have the Holy Spirit. What we need is encouragement to step out in the power and authority He has given us. This was a free gift given because we asked. 

 

Let us encourage each other in the gifts the Lord has bestowed upon us. Let us walk forth on the path the Holy Spirit leads us on and use the authority and power He has give us, in the name of Jesus. 

No Tricks

There is a social event happening at church next week. It is a pot luck with all the usual dishes church people seem to make no matter where in the country you attend one. The green bean salads, the mac-n-cheese, the potato salad, the lasagna, the fried chicken, tossed salad, and perhaps even a jello-mold dish. Of course there are plenty of deserts in a variety of cakes, pies, and cookies. All good. All filling. All calories.

This is a wonderful event to get our unsaved friends and family to attend. Perhaps after that good meal and a short message from Pastor, they will say the sinners prayer and come on board. I just coax them along, you think. All they have to do is say the words.

You cannot trick someone into following Jesus. Even if they do say the words, they are only words. They must truly accept Jesus into their heart and follow Him.

Ephesians 2:8-9
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (NLT)

Just because the words were said, there might be a chance, but the words alone do not make someone a believer. See, the word believe is the key. They have to believe the words and desire to have Jesus as their Lord and Savior or the words are empty. The words are said so you will be happy with them and have nothing to do with a beginning relationship with Jesus.

When saved there is no way life goes on as it did before. Things change in our thinking and in our actions. Others notice the changes in us. We are on a journey and God is changing us from the old mortal man into one influenced by the Holy Spirit as He transforms us into the image of Christ.

Are We Willing

Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;  (NIV) 

"If we are not willing to do something different then how can God do something new in us?"

Are we so wrapped up in our lifestyle and what we are "doing for God" that we cannot see the error of our ways? Sure, we try to do everything as to the Lord. We think we try to let Him control our day-to-day activities and even our non-activities.

Then  we have our list of "can't miss" shows on the big screen television set and God knows how important that is to us. After all, we do set aside a moment at meal time to thank Him and ask Him to bless the food.

We think about getting into His Word and once and a while do pick it up. We do listen to the Christian radio station whenever we are in the car. That counts, doesn't it? And look at all the things we have volunteered to do for the church?

But it really comes down to us being willing to do whatever we have decided or have been convinced of, not that we have actually heard from God. After all, when do we spend time talking to Him and then listening for an answer?

God wants us to become His friend. He wants to spend time with us, one on one. He wants us to get to know Him by spending time with Him in His Word--and He does not care which translation we use for He can talk to us through all of them.

Let's be willing to give up some of the things on our schedule to do what He has for us to do. As we make the time to listen, He will give us the plan. As we work His plan, He can change us. And as we become more Christ like in our relationship with Him, we will understand true joy.