Holy Spirit: Heaven's Greatest Worship Leader

All true worship is a response to revelation about God. All true revelation comes by the Holy Spirit. You can sing without a revelation. You can dance without a revelation. But you can’t truly worship without a revelation.

Worship is intensity of attention. 

Worship is adoration. 

Worship is giving God glory as you see His glory. 

But if you can’t see, you can’t worship. 

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Worship isn’t a chore to be completed or an obligation to be fulfilled. Worship isn’t therapy to be used for our own benefit. Worship is a spiritual reaction to a divine reality. It’s your being’s way of celebrating God’s being.

Therefore, true worship cannot be conjured by means of emotional posturing. Worship can’t be demanded by an ambitious song leader. Hype can’t produce it. Production can’t mimic it. Musical talent cannot cause it. Only the Holy Spirit can ignite the fire of worship in your heart. For the carnal cannot produce the spiritual. He is the one who awakens true worship within you. 

The Holy Spirit uses the truths of the Word to produce a knowing of God - that knowing of God causes the natural response that is worship. To Worship is to be wowed by Him. The Holy Spirit takes the information and adds to it inspiration - that brings forth revelation. So it is the spirit and truth that together cultivate genuine worship of God. 

May we stand in awe of Him as we see Him with the eyes of the Spirit. For the Holy Spirit is truly Heaven’s greatest worship leader and, at that, the greatest worship leader of all time.

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Ministry Motives: Avoiding Jealousy and a Competitive Spirit

In Acts chapter 8, we see the story of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was watching as Peter and John laid their hands on new believers. Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given as the apostles laid hands - and he desired that power. 

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 8:18-19, NLT)

What Simon desired wasn’t an evil thing. Like many believers today, Simon desired to have the Holy Spirit. But even though Simon desired a good thing, his motives for wanting it were polluted. 

20But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (Acts 8:20-23, NLT)

Peter recognized that Simon the Sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit for selfish reasons. Peter could also discern that Simon was filled with jealousy. He was jealous of the power that Peter and John carried. He was jealous of how the people were affected by that power. He was jealous of how others looked to the apostles with such awe and honor. 

And so Simon offered to buy the power of God. He didn’t want to be used by God; He wanted to use God to make himself important. 

There’s danger in polluted motives. 

We who are in ministry must never allow ourselves to be overcome by jealous ambition. If you see the success of others as a threat, you need to purify your motives. If you secretly hope your fellow believer fails, you need to purify your motives. If you want to grow your ministry simply to up your status, you need to purify your motives. 

Remember, God has created you uniquely. God doesn’t have to take from you in order to give to others. The success of others in no way takes away from God’s favor upon your life. But do you know what does? Impure motives. So rest in who you are in Christ. Don’t compete with others, celebrate them. Keep your heart pure, and focus on the simple joy of pleasing the Lord.

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A Miracle in the Making: Special Ministry Update

I have an exciting update regarding our ministry. As you may know, we’re currently raising the resources needed to complete our Texas-based production studio.

The benefits of completing this will be numerous: weekly services, larger reach, and greater impact. At the time that I am writing this letter, we are over 65% funded for phase 1. 

Phase 1 gets us off the ground and operating.

Phase 2 gets us the resources needed to own the property free and clear.

Phase 3 gets us set up with our own data center to future-proof our content against big tech and government censorship. 

The completion of phase 1 will lead to exponential growth and powerful ministry momentum like never before. And we’re almost there. We’ll be able to disciple more believers, host larger events, produce more content, and win more souls than ever before.

We have a faith-filled goal to finish raising the remaining $950,000 by May 15th, 2022.

I know God will do it, for nothing is impossible with God. We’re going to reach our goal. The project will be completed. I know that by faith. We are truly entering an exciting season of ministry, but I need you to stand in faith with me. I can’t do this alone.

People from all over the world are sending in their best gifts to our ministry for this project. It’s truly a miracle that we’ve even come this far. So will you prayerfully consider making a sacrificial gift within the next 12 weeks, so that we can step into this next phase of unprecedented ministry opportunity?

Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. The door is open. A generation is calling. Will you answer the call with me?

To gather more information about this project or to give, go to www.DavidHernandezMinistries.com/expand

Simply ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do, and then follow His gentle leading. 

Spreading the Gospel, 

David Diga Hernandez

Mail-in Giving: David Hernandez Ministries | PO Box 6869, Round Rock, TX 78683

Give by Phone: 888.740.1110

Give Online: www.DavidHernandezMinistries.com/Expand

The Holiness Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not our reward for holiness; He’s our source for holiness. The Holy Spirit’s presence and work in you is what causes you to obey God.

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. (1 Peter 1:2, NLT)

The Holy Spirit gives you the desire, but you must make the decision to respond to that desire. He provides the desire; you provide the discipline.

He has given you everything you need to live in holiness. Beyond just giving you the power to say “no” to temptation, the Holy Spirit changes your desires. The sins that once tempted you begin to disgust you, as the Holy Spirit does His work.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

So trust the Holy Spirit, for He is, indeed, the Spirit of holiness. There’s no amount of mistakes that you could make to cause Him to cease His work in you. Consider the children of Israel. After years of back-and-forth, after generations of idolatry and backsliding, God made a powerful promise to them. 

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, the most stubborn and problematic areas of your character become refined. He can change anyone. He can free you from anything, no matter how long you’ve been bound.

The Holy Spirit makes you holy.

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What is God's Perfect Will for You?

What has God called you to do? What is His perfect will concerning your life? Right off the top, we can find some general direction for every believer. There are certain assignments and commands that apply to all of us. We know that every believer is called to:

• Live Holy (1 Peter 1:16)

• Evangelize (Mark 16:15)

• Worship (John 4:24)

• Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

• Know God’s Word (Colossians 3:16)

• Demonstrate Love (Luke 10:27)

• Serve in the Church (1 Peter 4:10)

But beyond that, specifically, what has God called you to do?

When looking to answer this question, there are two traps about which you need to be aware. While seeking God’s will for your life, you must avoid both presumption and paralysis. Both presumption and paralysis will keep you from fulfilling God’s perfect will for your life. 

The trap of presumption works by luring its victims into using a pace of life that is too fast to allow for a pause in which one can hear the instructions of God. The presumptuous rarely pray about their decisions. They forge ahead without checking the map. They may move quickly and they may even build something that appears to be fruitful. But if you rush ahead of God’s instruction, you also rush ahead of His protection, provision, and peace. Never really taking the time to establish a foundation for any one phase of life, the presumptuous have to keep stumbling forward in order to catch their footing. The high-pressure cycle destroys their joy and gratitude.

On the other hand, the trap of paralysis works by holding its prey captive to fear. So afraid of doing something that God did not call them to do, the spiritually paralyzed settle for doing next-to-nothing at all. They embrace fear and call it wisdom. Like the servant who buried his talent, the fearful assume that God will reward their play-it-safe strategy - but that’s not the case.

Of course, there’s a Biblical balance to all of this. 

I believe in taking action, moving forward, and even in taking risks. Otherwise, where would be the need for faith? But we must avoid presumption. 

And I believe in the process before the platform. I believe that God uses seasons of hiddenness to prepare His servants for ministry. I believe in being attentive to hear God’s instructions. But we must break free from spiritual paralysis. 

So how are we to move forward? The answer, of course, is seen in scripture. 

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. (Acts 16:6-8, NLT)

The Lord had to correct Paul’s course. The fact that Paul had to change directions in the middle of his journey proves to us that he didn’t really pray about every detail of his missionary journey. Rather, he saw where there was a need and then sought to fill that need using what God had entrusted to Him.

Like Paul, we are instructed as we go. While we move to fill needs, we must be attentive to hear the Holy Spirit’s corrective voice.

So those who lean toward being presumptuous are rescued by the voice of the Holy Spirit. So long as they remain attentive to God’s voice through a lifestyle of prayer and the Word, they have a safety net. God can correct them as they move. 

And the paralyzed don’t need to be immobile. They don’t have to believe those superstitious, unbiblical myths about God being easily angered by our missteps. They can just look for the need and seek to fill it with what God has given to them. 

Now, how do you fulfill the specific will of God for your life? You take all that God has given to you - time, resources, influence, talents, gifts, energy - and you use it to further the gospel. Your specific abilities being used to fulfill God’s general mandate - that’s the perfect will of God. It’s that simple. So long as you remain attentive to His voice, He can correct your course. But you need to be going to be guided. 

Thankfully, we need not to trust in our own ability to know God’s will, but rather in His ability to reveal it as we move.

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Holy Spirit - The Greatest Bible Teacher on Earth

Within the Word of God, there are wonderful mysteries, liberating truths, and life-changing messages. As a believer, you have a sincere desire to know the Word of God in greater depth. You want to draw closer to the Lord, live in holiness, and walk in a way that pleases God. In order to do that, you must walk according to the Word. But it’s possible that you, like many others, struggle sometimes to understand the truths of Scripture.

When the believer struggles to understand the Scriptures, the believer becomes discouraged in studying the Scriptures, and, more often than not, just gives up on their personal devotion to the Scriptures. 

When I first began to read the Word for myself, I would read halfway through any given chapter of the Bible only to realize that I wasn’t understanding what I was reading. So I’d have to start over. I would even zone out and read the Word without giving it my full attention. When I read the Word like that, there was no spiritual fruit. 

It can be overwhelming and even discouraging when you struggle in your devotion to the Word.

For me, the difference was made when I turned to the Holy Spirit, the greatest Bible Teacher on earth.

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. (John 14:26, NLT)

The key to truly understanding God’s Word is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes the information, adds inspiration, and brings about revelation. That revelation is what produces true and lasting transformation.

The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word. The Word of God is the substance with which the Holy Spirit creates the character of Christ in you. He was the One Who inspired the Word; surely He has the ability to teach it.

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The Battlefield of the Mind

Biblically speaking, for the believer, spiritual warfare is simply the fight to believe God’s truth over the enemy’s lies. The way that the enemy attacks and affects Christians is by means of deception. And deception is built upon lies. And lies are rooted in the mind. Truly, the mind is the battlefield of the spiritual realm. 

This is why the Bible tells us to be sober-minded: because the Devil prowls around.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

Sober-mindedness is what we are told to arm ourselves with that we might engage in the spiritual battle. And to be sober-minded is to be grounded in truth.

When it comes to spiritual warfare, the Bible tells us everything we need to know. Nothing is missing. 

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11, NLT)

Notice that the Bible says that if we put on God’s armor we will be able to stand against all of the strategies of the enemy. So there’s no attack that the enemy can bring against you that can’t be withstood if you simply have all of the following: 

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17, NLT)

Belt of Truth: You know the truth with your mind.

Body Armor of Righteousness: Righteous living begins in the mind. 

Shoes of Peace: Peace of mind comes when you believe the good news.

Shield of Faith: By faith, you know the truth in your mind.

Sword of the Spirit: Notice that all of the other pieces of armor are defensive. The sword of the spirit is the only piece of armor that is fully offensive. All of the other pieces of armor defend you from deception. But the Sword, which is the truth of the Word of God, destroys the lies that keep you deceived. 

But it’s all about deception versus truth.

Truly, spiritual warfare takes place in the mind. So may every lying spirit be exposed, silenced, and defeated. May the light of truth dissolve the shadows of deception. May mindsets, which are strongholds, be broken. May you know the truth so that the truth will set you free. 

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7 Things That Happen When the Holy Spirit Moves

When the Holy Spirit moves, His presence is always marked by His power. Here are 7 things that happen when the Holy Spirit moves.

#1 - The lost are saved.

The Holy Spirit is the one Who convicts the world of sin and draws people to the Lord. So when the Holy Spirit moves, the lost are saved.

And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. (John 16:8, NLT)

Sinners being saved - that’s a hallmark of any true move of the Holy Spirit.

#2 - The sick are healed. 

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. One of the results of that was the healing of the sick.

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. (Acts 10:38, KJV)

Nowhere in Scripture do we see that the Holy Spirit has lost the power to bring forth miracle healings. When the Holy Spirit moves, the sick are healed.

#3 - The demon-possessed are set free.

It was by the Holy Spirit that Jesus drove out demonic beings.

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (Matthew 12:28, NLT)

Demons are real. Demon-possession is real. And the demonized long for freedom. When the Holy Spirit truly moves, the forces of darkness are instantly dissolved.

#4 - Jesus is glorified. 

A true move of the Holy Spirit won’t glorify anyone or anything besides Jesus, the Son of God. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus, period.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14, KJV)

The Holy Spirit will only demonstrate His power to point to Jesus.

#5 - Holiness is increased.

No believer is perfect. When the Holy Spirit moves, God’s children are called to higher levels of consecration. Secret sin, un-forgiveness, worldly mindsets - all of that is challenged in the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

15And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, 16“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Hebrews 10:15-16, NLT)

The Holy Spirit testifies to us. In doing so, He calls us to greater levels of holiness. 

#6 - The gifts of the Holy Spirit are stirred.

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT)

The Holy Spirit is the one Who distributes the spiritual gifts - gifts like healing, prophecy, and discernment. In a move of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts are distributed and activated. 

#7 - Evangelism becomes a priority.

When you truly encounter Jesus, you want others to encounter Him too. 

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, KJV)

Notice that it was after the Holy Spirit came upon the early church that they then became witnesses. True revivals always become or at least empower great waves of evangelism. In this way, a move of the Holy Spirit plants the seeds for more moves of the Holy Spirit. 

Those are 7 marks of a true move of the Holy Spirit. 

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Holy Spirit: Everyday Excellence

The Holy Spirit empowers us for the practical.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us for ministry; He empowers us in all that we do. He wants to empower husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, business people, employees, and students.

The Holy Spirit is the Expert Spirit, and His touch improves every action of the believer.

When Moses went to meet with God at Mount Sinai, he wasn’t just given commands for moral and civil duties; he also received a revelation of how the tabernacle was to be built. God gave Moses specific instructions on the crafting of the Ark of the Covenant, the gold lamp-stands, the incense altar, and the other furnishings of the tabernacle. Moses was even given instructions on how to craft the garments of the priests. 

But to actually craft these things, God appointed certain men. They were men who were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (Exodus 31:1–5).

Even in the practical act of crafting, the Holy Spirit was involved.

The Holy Spirit is, literally, down to earth. He does not distance Himself from our practical living. He is an able Helper, not just in the matters of the supernatural, but also in the matters of the natural. He is God’s empowering presence here upon the earth. He involves Himself in our day-to-day tasks and responsibilities; He desires to help you in all that you do. 

We accept the fact that there is nothing too difficult for Him to perform but often lack the boldness to believe that there is nothing too small for Him to ignore.

To the business person, the Spirit is a business Partner. To the parent, He is a wise Guide. To the spouse, He is a Counselor. To the student, He is a Teacher. To all and in all, He is a Helper and an Expert.

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What is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? How to Know If You Committed the Unpardonable Sin

What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Have you committed this unpardonable sin? 

The Word of God has the answers. Let’s take a look at the context. In Matthew chapter twelve, Jesus delivers a demon-possessed man from a demonic entity.

22 Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23 The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:22-23)

The pharisees, who had heard about the miracle, looked for a way to discredit the miracle that Jesus had just performed. 

24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 28 But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. (Matthew 12:24-29)

After revealing the source of His power and authority (The Holy Spirit), Jesus gave the pharisees a sobering warning: 

30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. 31 “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. (Matthew 12:30-32)

Firstly, either the Pharisees had committed the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or came very close to committing the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I suspect they only came close to committing the unpardonable sin. Otherwise, why would Jesus give them a warning if they were already beyond hope?

Secondly, look at the term that’s used here: blasphemy. Blasphemy is a sin that you commit by speaking something. So we know that the pharisees were being warned, because of the words they had spoken. In fact, in verse 32, Jesus warns, “anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.”

Since blasphemy is a sin that you commit through sinful words, we can rule out sins that are commonly mistaken for the unpardonable sin. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not suicide, murder, witchcraft, backsliding, evil thoughts, or sexual sin. It is a sin that you commit by what you say. 

Thirdly, we know that the unpardonable sin can be committed in this lifetime, for Jesus said that the one who commits it will never be forgiven, “either in this world or in the world to come.” Some say that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is simply the rejection of salvation or the stubborn refusal of the gospel up until death. But that cannot be the case, since the unpardonable sin is unforgivable, even in this lifetime. So the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is most certainly not just the rejection of salvation or the Holy Spirit.

So judging by what Jesus said to the pharisees, we can conclude that the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is speaking against the Holy Spirit or the attributing of the Holy Spirit’s power to demonic power.

But remember, we still don’t know whether or not the pharisees had already committed it or were merely coming close to committing it. The Biblical text implies a very deep-rooted form of sin. You can’t commit this sin on accident, yet we should still tread carefully. After all, I don’t want to inspire ease where Jesus sought to inspire fear.

And this is very important to note: Not all verbal expressions of skepticism, anger, disobedience, or disrespect toward the Holy Spirit can be categorized as the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit can only come from a conscience that is completely seared. I’ll prove that to you with scripture now.

So have you committed the unpardonable sin? Let me present another verse to you.

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. (John 6:37)

Nobody comes to Jesus unless they are drawn by the Father. And the Father certainly would never draw someone who couldn’t be forgiven. Therefore, if there is a desire in you to be forgiven and to be right with God, then you are being drawn by God - and Jesus will not reject you. Comparing scripture with scripture, we discover that…

A.) it is not possible for the Spirit-filled believer to commit this sin and 

B.) those who commit it couldn’t possibly have any interest in repentance, nor would they have any fear of having committed the unpardonable sin. 

All scriptures have to be harmonious with one another. So think about it this way: if someone commits the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, then they will always be rejected by God. And Jesus promised to never reject anyone who comes to Him, because those who come to Him have been drawn by the Father. If the one who committed the unpardonable sin ever came to the Lord, then the Lord would have to break His promise of never rejecting anyone who came to Him. Therefore, the one who has committed the unpardonable sin would never approach God in the first place. Indeed, such a person has no desire to ever again approach God. 

Bottom line: Are you afraid that you may have committed the unpardonable sin? That fear alone is proof that you haven’t.

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The Holy Spirit's Still Small Voice

Standing on a mountain in the presence of God, Elijah the prophet learned a profound truth about the nature of God’s voice. 

1 Kings 19 tells us that Elijah encountered a wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Yet God was not heard in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, Elijah heard the voice of God in a whisper.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19:12-13, NIV)

Had God revealed Himself through that mighty wind, Elijah would have been unable to prevent himself from being moved. Had God spoken through an earthquake, Elijah would have had no choice but to be shaken. Had God made Himself known in the fire, Elijah could not have prevented himself from being burned. But because God chose to speak in the whisper, Elijah was given the choice to respond. 

Today, God is still speaking to you in the whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you live a life too rushed, too distracted, too busy, you’ll never move slowly enough or be quiet enough to hear his gentle leading. 

This is not to say that the Holy Spirit doesn't, at times, speak with great force and volume. This is to say that He expects us to be so attentive to Him that we learn to respond to His whispers. 

We should desire to hear so clearly in the spirit that even the Holy Spirit’s whispers are as clear as shouts. To hear that clearly, we must live in an awareness to, in a sensitivity to His still small voice.

And remember this: sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit isn’t just about how clearly you can hear Him but how quickly you respond when He speaks.

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Cleansing in God's House

Let he who has eyes to see, see. Let he who has ears to hear, hear. In this hour, God is cleansing His house.

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? (1 Peter 4:17)

A distinct line is being drawn. While many are conforming to culture, others are standing strong for what is true. A remnant is rising.

24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. 26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. 27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ (Matthew 13:24-27)

Indeed, from where did all the weeds come? From where have deception and division come? From where have demonic doctrines come? The enemy has attempted to sow these things in the Church. There are those who look like us, talk like us, and pretend to believe the Word of God like us. But we can rejoice and rest in the fact that God Himself will take care of it:

28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. 29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’” (Matthew 13:28-29)

Ultimately, it’s God Who will judge, God Who will separate the wheat from the weeds. We need to only wait and see. And while the final judgment comes at the end of all things, there are certainly seasons - even now - when God will clean house. 

What we’re seeing today is a separating, a revealing of truth. Truly, God is cleansing His Church. It is being revealed who truly believes the authority of the Word over the opinions of the world. It is being revealed who esteems Christ over culture. Take note. Sadly, many of the churches bowing to the systems of the world today could very well be the ones bowing to the system of the anti-Christ when it has fully come. 

For now, we just watch God do what He does. Who bows to culture? Who participates with the world’s systems at the cost of obedience to God’s Word? Who softens the message? Who winks at sin? God will bring separation.

This prophetic message is both a warning and an encouragement. Get ready. God is cleansing His house.

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Body, Soul, Spirit: Simply Explained

I am a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. You are a spirit, who has a soul, that lives in a body. 

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NLT)

BODY

Your body is your “earth suit.” Your body is your connection with this world. Your body is the vehicle through which you experience the natural realm. Every single interaction that you share with others is through your body. With the body, you speak and communicate. With your physical being, you see, hear, and touch the world around you. Contrary to what some religious ideologies have led us to believe, the body itself is not a sinful, corrupt thing. Sure, the body is decaying and dying. And, yes, your physical body can be trained to become an instrument of the sin nature, but that doesn’t mean that your body is itself sinful. Your body can be used for either sin or holiness. The choice is yours. In fact, your body can be a carrier of the glory of God.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT) 

Your body can be a holy host of the Holy Spirit’s presence. You can be the Holy Spirit’s physical connection with this world.

SOUL

The soul is the realm of decision. In the soul lives your mind, will, emotions, and personality. Your mind—what you imagine. Your will—what you want. Your emotions—what you feel. The soul is the neutral ground between the body and the spirit. It is the place where free will is exercised. 

The soul is eternal, and everyone has a soul—redeemed and unredeemed alike. The wicked have souls. 

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes (Proverbs 21:10, KJV). 

The godly have souls. 

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 1:2, KJV). 

Every human being has a soul. 

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10, KJV). 

The breath of life is in the soul. The soul gives animation, consciousness. The soul is where your free will is exercised.

SPIRIT

Your spirit is your connection with God. It is the innermost part of your being, the center of you, the source of your identity. Your spirit is the deepest part of you, and your spirit knows perfect fellowship with God. 

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)

No one knows your thoughts like your spirit does. The same is true of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts. The Holy Spirit, who is God’s Spirit, searches out the deep things of God. The Holy Spirit knows God’s secrets, intentions, and desires. The Holy Spirit knows God’s will. The Holy Spirit perfectly and completely understands God’s nature and power. Everything there is to know about our infinitely intricate God, the Holy Spirit knows. The Holy Spirit is not learning about God. The Holy Spirit knows God. He knows Himself fully. 

The Holy Spirit communicates what He knows of God with your spirit. God’s Spirit shares revelations with your spirit. God’s innermost Being shares mysteries with your innermost being. In that place of inner oneness, divine secrets are being imparted. By the Holy Spirit, every believer has this privilege of internal, eternal connection with God Himself. 

No matter how you feel in body or soul, your connection in the spirit remains. You live, not to connect with God, but from connection with God.

Your body belongs to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Your Spirit is one with God. (1 Corinthians 6:17, NLT)

And, yes, even your soul is filled and owned by God. (Ephesians 1:14, AMP)

You are a Spirit, who has a soul, that exists in a body.

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Carriers of the Glory

You don’t have to go looking for an atmosphere; you are an atmosphere. You are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, a habitation of Heaven, a carrier of the glory. Because you have the Holy Spirit, you don’t have to follow signs; signs follow you. You don’t have to beg for a divine encounter; you live in a divine encounter. Wherever you step, the Holy Spirit steps. Your presence and God’s presence become indistinguishable from one another.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself… (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

When you walk into rooms, demons run out. When you walk into rooms, sickness starts to lose its hold. When you walk into rooms, you shift the atmosphere. Heaven invades wherever you step foot. Spiritual dynamics change, and Hell loses influence. 

That’s the potential of the believer’s life. However, though every true believer has the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit doesn’t have every believer. What I mean by that is not every believer is surrendered to the work of the Holy Spirit in their life.

Some allow for areas of compromise and spiritual neglect. Everything that God has for us is within us by the Holy Spirit. Power, love, joy, peace, wisdom, understanding, the ability to live holy, and so much more. But many leave reservoirs of the Spirit’s power untapped. 

But when you live a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit, the power within you begins to affect everything in you and around you. Like a river that gives off mist, your very being begins to give off the essence of the Spirit. People around you become refreshed. When you surrender to the Holy Spirit and become a conscious carrier of the glory, miracles begin to happen around you, people become drawn to the magnetism of the Holy Spirit within you, and God receives the glory for what He does through you as a vessel. 

Commit today to remember that you are a carrier of the glory. And then live and act like it.

QUESTION: In what ways has the presence of the Holy Spirit upon YOUR life affected those around you? Tell me in the comments.

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Disqualified from God's Call?

If you’ve made mistakes, you need to know that God’s not finished with you. He’s not giving up on you, and you still have a divine destiny.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

Of course, if believers want to be used by God, they ought to live holy lives. But perhaps you’ve made mistakes that you think have permanently disqualified you from ever being used by God again. Maybe you feel overwhelming shame and guilt - and it’s difficult for you to move forward. Let’s gain some perspective from the Scripture.

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Consider why God raises someone. God doesn’t raise a person to elevate that person; God will raise a person to elevate His Word, His gospel. 

I think that sometimes the reason people imagine that God would never use them again is because they’re under the impression that it’s about them. But it’s about God’s glory; it’s about souls. God will use you again because lost souls are still slipping into eternity, and the world needs the gospel.

Get it right. Repent. Let God restore you. And then let Him use your life again. 

For God’s glory. For the lost.

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What's the Difference Between the Presence of the Holy Spirit & His Power?

The power of the Holy Spirit is what He does. The presence of the Holy Spirit is Himself. God’s message is endorsed by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s people are endorsed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit can change your circumstance, but the presence of the Holy Spirit can change your heart. The power of the Holy Spirit comes upon you. The presence of the Holy Spirit dwells within you. The power is for service. The presence is for salvation. The power helps you to do. The presence helps you to become. 

Here is the presence within you.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Here is the power upon you.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8, NLT)

The power stirs you. The presence stills you. The power activates the gifts. The presence is the glory. The power inspires praise. The presence inspires worship. The key to the power of the Holy Spirit is the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Tell me in the comments: Did I miss anything? How would you describe the power of the Holy Spirit? What would you say about the presence of the Holy Spirit?

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Encounters Lead to Callings

Those who have been touched by the glory of God are most powerfully used for the glory of God. The call of God is found in the presence of God. The power of the Holy Spirit is found in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Your purpose is discovered in His presence. 

Remember this: all true ministry is an overflow of your relationship with God. If there is no relationship, then ministry is not a calling, but rather a career. 

When Adam had life breathed into him, he became the steward of the earth. When Abraham heard God, he was called as a father of many nations. When Moses saw the burning bush, he was called as a deliverer. Isaiah saw God in the temple. Jeremiah felt fire in his bones. Ezekiel saw Heaven opened. The apostles sat with Jesus. The early church heard the wind and saw the fire of the Holy Spirit. Truly, encounters lead to callings.

God wants to use you too. You may feel like your don’t measure up, like you lack the skills and gifts needed to do something for God. Here’s what the Bible says.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, NLT)

Your connection with God is your position to do something for God. The Holy Spirit in you is your qualification for ministry. The time you spend in God’s presence is what prepares you to carry His power. 

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The Spiritual World

There’s more to this world than can be felt or seen. Beyond the veil, there exists a realm energized by movement and life. That world, the spiritual realm, is more real than this world. And what happens in that world is more consequential than what happens in this world.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

Angels and demons exist. Angels are not just metaphors for good. Demons are not just metaphors for evil. They are actual beings that exist - with minds, wills, and feelings all their own. God exists. The Devil exists. Heaven exists. Hell exists. In the spiritual realm, it’s light against darkness. And a war is raging over your soul.

What happens in that realm affects what happens in this realm. And the choices you make in this life move through the eternal world.

I think that we live so fast-paced in this realm that we rarely allow for a moment’s pause to consider the other. This is why the Bible urges us to be vigilant.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NLT)

Behind every lie, there is a liar. Behind every attack, there is an assailant. See with the eyes of the Spirit. Behind this world is another. The spiritual world is real, and it’s time we start living like it.

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Are There Different Kinds of Anointing?

Just like most vehicles are powered by one kind of fuel - gasoline - so all ministries, gifts, and spiritual expressions are powered by one source: the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing, simply put, is the power of God. It’s God’s ability at work in us. 

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38, NLT)

Though the anointing can accomplish different purposes, there is only one anointing. If you have the Holy Spirit within you, not only does the anointing work within you; the anointing also works through you to reach those around you.

18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.f” (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)

The anointing brings the power to proclaim the gospel, the power to bring healing, the power to bring deliverance, and more. The power of the Holy Spirit does it all.

Now, some believers wonder how they can acquire the "healing anointing”, the “deliverance anointing”, or the "prophetic anointing.” Some imagine that there are different kinds of anointing that require different protocols and procedures in order to collect. They may think that there’s something special one must do for the healing anointing, perhaps a special prayer to get the deliverance anointing, and so forth. But it’s actually quite simple.

The key to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is surrender to the Holy Spirit.

When you live a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit, you make yourself available for God to use you in whatever way He wishes. So there are no secret keys. Live holy. Have a strong prayer life. Stay in the Word. And follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just love Jesus. 

When you surrender to the Holy Spirit, you get the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Planted by the Hand of God

Salvation is free, but the call of God will cost you everything.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. (John 12:24, NLT)

When you lay down your life for the call of God, you become like a seed planted in the ground. When you are planted by God, you may, at times, find yourself in dark and lonely places; but your life will be used of God to bring forth a harvest. 

Seeds are those who say to the Lord, “Spend me for your glory.” So here’s a question for you: Will you let God bury you? Will you let God take you to places that you may not want to go? Will you give up your own plans and ambitions and exchange them for God’s perfect will? 

Will you become a seed in the ground that others might hear the gospel? 

Paul the Apostle wrote of a daily death to self, and that’s exactly what it will take to be used of God. May you become a life planted, that Jesus might reap the reward of His suffering - a plentiful harvest of new lives, of souls.

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