Tag: faith

Time for a fresh infilling with the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:38.

~ Robert Spiller ~ 3 Comments

Pause for thought

After His baptism in the Jordan river by His cousin John, the Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, then God the Father spoke from heaven saying, “this is my beloved Son, and I Am fully pleased with Him”. Jesus said in John 5:19 that He only did what He saw His Father doing! Jesus always worked in cooperation with His Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus ministry on Earth was a partnership with the other members of the Holy Trinity. After His baptism he was led forth by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After which, Jesus went forth in the power of the Spirit.

If this was so with Jesus how much more important for you and me? I believe the Bible teaches that God has a plan and purpose for every Christian and therefore every local congregation. This depends on our relationship with the Holy Spirit, it started when we confessed our sins and believed in Jesus as our saviour, at that point the Holy Spirit came and made His home in us, it is because of His indwelling that we became “new creatures in Christ” and it is the Holy Spirit who baptised “incorporated” us into the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:13.

The Holy Spirit has always been around, in the Old Testament the Spirit descended on individuals equipping and filling them but not remaining on them continuously. Jesus has promised us that the Spirit would come to stay dwelling with us forever. On the day of Pentecost, Peter reminded the crowds of Gods promise through Joel the prophet, God had promised to pour out My Spirit on all flesh. Pentecost at Jerusalem was the beginning, I love Peter’s statement “This promise is to you and your children, even the Gentiles, all who have been called by the Lord our God” Acts 2:39.

Every Christian needs their own Pentecost, we all need to experience the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and to “ go on being filled” Many have sung this today. O God of burning cleansing flame send the fire, look down and see this waiting host and send the promised Holy Ghost, we need another Pentecost, send the fire today! May our hearts truly reflect what our mouths recite.

Some verses to remember

The name of Jesus has healed this man- and you know how lame he was before, Faith in Jesus name has caused this healing before your very eyes Acts 3:16.

After this prayer, the building where they we’re meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they preached God’s message with boldness Acts 4:31
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The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of the Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord Acts 11:21

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Whose Church is it Anyway? Matthew 16:13-20

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Peter answered Jesus, You are the Christ the Son of the Living God. Jesus answered, you are blessed indeed, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My Church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken Hebrews 12:26-29 I believe we are living in that period of history, where everything is being shaken, that is except the only unshakeable thing The Lord’s Church which is unconquerable Matthew 16:17-19.

Jesus clearly tells us that He is the builder and the Head of His church. Pastors in particular can come under great pressure to add something to the glorious Church of God. This is where some methods and concepts can be introduced that are not necessarily the Church that Jesus Christ said He would build. We all must test everything and God deliver us from good ideas that masquerade as God ideas.

Jesus His session.

Appearing in the presence of His Father on our behalf Hebrews 6:20;9:24.

Sitting at the Fathers right hand as King-Priest. This is not a period of idleness, Jesus is our Mediator, intercessor, and Advocate Revelation 12:10-11.

Building His church by bringing conviction, repentance and faith to men by the power of the Holy Spirit Acts 5: 31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25.

Directing the affairs of His Church, Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:15-19;2:9-10; Revelation 1-2-3.

Bestowing gifts and ministries upon His church individually and corporately 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-30; Ephesians 4:8-10; Romans 12:1-6.

A verse to remember

And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and He gave Him authority for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:22 N.L.T.

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Two End Time Parables, and the judgement of the Nations. Matthew 25.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When trying to understand the meaning of parables we should avoid allegorising, or by over symbolising every detail. Parables are best understood by looking at them in their entirety, don’t read more into the words of Jesus than the simple truth the parable conveys.

Parable of the wise and foolish virgins 25 : 1-13 When Jesus returns to take His people to heaven, will we all be ready? Preparation can’t be borrowed at the last moment! Our faith in Jesus must be our own, and we should be waiting in expectancy!

Parable of the talents 25 : 14-30 Jesus is coming soon! This should spur us on to serve God by making the most of the gifts, time, talents, and money He has given us. Let’s make sure we are about the Lords work utilising our God given gifts when Jesus comes again. Not thinking only of our own selves like the man who buried his talent out of fear, this gave his game away, he didn’t understand the grace and love of God.

The Judgement of the Nations 25 : 31-46 The Sheep and Goats represent individual believers and non believing citizens of the nations of this World. Who are the brothers and sisters of Jesus? Some suggestions include the A Jews, B Christians , C suffering people worldwide? As true believers loving others and helping the needy should be the natural outworking of the love of Christ within us, please read Luke 10 : 29-37. There are also differences of opinion about the meaning of the Judgement of the sheep and goats Nations. 1 These are goat nations who have persecuted Israel and sheep nations who have blessed Israel. 2 That this judgement is in addition to the great white throne judgement. 3 That Jesus is describing the great white throne judgement Rev 20 : 11-15

A verse to remember

The Master said, Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount , so now I will give you many responsibilities, Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25 : 23 N.L.T.

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Paul Sails for Rome Acts chapter 27:1-44

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When Paul the prisoner takes charge. We must all sink or swim together! This was what in effect Paul told the ships company. Paul was an Apostle and extremely practical, He knew that hungry men are weak men, and weak men would be unable to swim ashore when the time came to evacuate the ship. Paul was brave and full of confidence in his Lord. Paul’s steadfast trust must of encouraged the others who were in turmoil to take and eat the food he had asked the Lord to bless 27:36.

Paul was shipwrecked three times including a day and a half in the open sea 2 Corinthians 11:25. Unlike Paul we may not of been literally shipwrecked, but we all experience the storms of life and at the time a few of these storms can be very scary. However like Paul, the Lord is able to bring us through these storms, but at times the storms can seem so large we can forget to ask! So if you’re in a storm now you know what you must do? ask the Lord for added strength! In addition to many hardships Paul didn’t let the trials he faced “shipwreck his soul” this doesn’t mean he always took things in his stride, but he was able to stand firm because he believed God’s promises. Paul told those on board the stricken ship “I believe it will be just as He said”.

What does a shipwrecked soul look like? Answer, A person who abandons Bible truths and morals in favour of that which is false, will meet with catastrophe (shipwreck) 1 Timothy 1:19.

A verse to remember

So take courage? For I believe God. It will be just as He said. Acts 27:25 N.L.T.

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Words of Truth and Reason. Acts 26:24-32

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

The Gospel is completely rational, but to its detractors it seems irrational! The message of the Cross is foolishness to this world but to those having believed it is the power of God unto salvation I Corinthians 1:18-25, Acts 26:25.

Paul was given the ability to relate to diverse groups and cultures enabling him to share the gospel with them. However when doing so he never deviated from its message which had been given him directly by God 26:16 what he preached had been spoken beforehand by God’s prophets 26:22.

Governor Festus reacted loudly to Paul’s claim that Christ was alive! many today react in a similar way. But like Paul, rather than pacifying them by watering down the Gospel, which incidentally is no gospel at all! We must stick to the truth if we want to save ourselves and our hearers also 25:26 and 1 Timothy 4:16.

A verse to remember

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. Acts 26:25 N.K.J.V.

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100% Pure a story of Gods Grace.(part three)

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Some may be wondering at the title given to this series, about the amazing grace given to me. if you stick with it all is revealed in part five!
Every Christian has a glorious testimony about Gods grace, and how their lives have changed since receiving that grace. . In the words of John Newtons great hymn “it’s grace that taught my heart to fear and grace that fear relieved”

Our stories haven’t finished being written yet, so let’s all take heart, it’s easy to look at the present world situation, but let’s all look up to Jesus Christ, for the best is yet to come!

Memory verses

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it , but to save it. John 3:16-17. N.L.T.

There is no judgement awaiting those who trust in him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. john 3:18. N.LT.

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The Plot To Kill Paul Acts 22:22-23:35

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When the Roman Commander was told that Paul was born a Roman citizen, he treated Paul better than if Paul had simply been a Jewish prisoner.
The Holy Spirit was able to use Paul’s Roman Citizenship to good purpose. Paul escaped the attempt on his life, because of the protection of the soldiers. He was able to receive visitors while under arrest, another privilege of being a citizen of Rome. later standing before before Festus, Paul was allowed to appeal to Caesar. Paul used his Roman citizenship to good effect 23:11.

Paul angered the Sanhedrin by addressing them as Fathers and brothers, he was showing himself as equal, to the leaders, ( he was a leading Pharisee himself, and it was members of this group that had sent him to Damascus years before to arrest Christian’s) Paul was aware of what Ananias was truly like, that was why he said Ananias was like a white washed tomb looking fine on the outside, but filthy on the inside. 23:3
When Paul says he hadn’t realised that Ananias was high priest, he was probably meaning that he didn’t recognise that a man so unclean as Ananias could possibly be the High Priest ( William Barclay)

Paul’s strategy was to divide and conquer the opposition. He appealed to the Pharisees being once a Pharisee himself who believed in the resurrection. Immediately a division occurred between the Sadducee’s who did not believe in spirits, Angels or the resurrection. And the Pharisee’s who believed in both 23:8.

The Holy Spirit’s purpose was that Paul should testify before Gentiles, Kings, and Israel. Paul’s Roman citizenship and his Pharisaic Jewish heritage were both used by God to bring about Gods purpose in Paul’s life and ministry.


A verse to remember

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you, He will be with you, He will neither fail you nor forsake you Deuteronomy 31:6. N.L.T.

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Compromise In Jerusalem. Acts 21-15-40.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Although the decree of the Jerusalem counsel was written and decided (Acts 15) there was still controversy both within the Jerusalem church (Acts 21:20) and in the wider Jewish community. Fearing trouble from baseless accusations that Paul was teaching against not just circumcision and the Law but the Temple and Judaism. The Jerusalem leaders headed by James the Lords brother persuaded Paul to accompany and pay for four Jewish men who were making a vow over seven days in the Temple, this they hoped would show that Paul still kept and honoured the Law 21:24. I feel sure that the relevancy of these things to Paul were gone, but for the sake of the Jerusalem church Paul agreed to their plan. I believe Paul’s compromise was not weakness but a sign of strength.

At the time of Pentecost Jews from the whole Roman Empire were in Jerusalem. Some who were at odds with Paul and had seen him in Asia preaching the gospel, mistakenly thought Paul had taken Trophimus a Greek into the Temple, they started a riot and then tried to kill Paul. Compromise on this occasion almost led to disaster!

Paul was rescued by the Roman garrison, and was given permission to address the crowd. It’s noticeable that no mention of the Holy Spirit is made although He obviously caused Luke to write about these events. However when Paul motioned with his hand It was at that moment and during Paul’s address that the anointing of the Holy Spirit was evident 21:40

Compromise is sometimes needed to avoid disagreements about minor issues getting out of hand, like Paul we need to be firm about the essentials of our faith but flexible on those non essentials!

Memory verse

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ 1 Corinthians 9:22 N.L.T.

Please send any comments, questions, or prayer requests to jesusinprint@gmail.com

Compromise In Jerusalem. Acts 21-15-40.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Although the decree of the Jerusalem counsel was written and decided (Acts 15) there was still controversy both within the Jerusalem church (Acts 21:20) and in the wider Jewish community. Fearing trouble from baseless accusations that Paul was teaching against not just circumcision and the Law but the Temple and Judaism. The Jerusalem leaders headed by James the Lords brother persuaded Paul to accompany and pay for four Jewish men who were making a vow over seven days in the Temple, this they hoped would show that Paul still kept and honoured the Law 21:24. I feel sure that the relevancy of these things to Paul were gone, but for the sake of the Jerusalem church Paul agreed to their plan. I believe Paul’s compromise was not weakness but a sign of strength.

At the time of Pentecost Jews from the whole Roman Empire were in Jerusalem. Some who were at odds with Paul and had seen him in Asia preaching the gospel, mistakenly thought Paul had taken Trophimus a Greek into the Temple, they started a riot and then tried to kill Paul. Compromise on this occasion almost led to disaster!

Paul was rescued by the Roman garrison, and was given permission to address the crowd. It’s noticeable that no mention of the Holy Spirit is made although He obviously caused Luke to write about these events. However when Paul motioned with his hand It was at that moment and during Paul’s address that the anointing of the Holy Spirit was evident 21:40

Compromise is sometimes needed to avoid disagreements about minor issues getting out of hand, like Paul we need to be firm about the essentials of our faith but flexible on those non essentials!

Memory verse

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ 1 Corinthians 9:22 N.L.T.

Please send any comments, questions, or prayer requests to jesusinprint@gmail.com

Two Missionary Teams Instead Of One. Acts 15:30-41.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

The letter from the Jerusalem Church was entrusted to two messengers, “Judas and Silas” who could Guarantee the validity of the letter and its message.15:22

Sometimes a letter can sound coldly official, but not this one, Inspired by the Holy Spirit and delivered by the hand of disciples in love with Jesus its reception brings great joy and encouragement to the Antioch Christian’s. 15:31

Do we always think before we speak or write? Electronic communication is a blessing when we use it as God intends.

Division between Christian’s can occur but God can turn even these disagreements for good Romans 8:28. Paul himself wrote about two sisters who fell out Philippians 4:2-3 he pleaded that they should strive to agree and that other Christian’s should try to help them come together. All was not lost for now we see two missionary teams instead of one! Was this Gods intended plan all along? We can’t be sure but God can turn our mistakes into His opportunities. Paul and Barnabas couldn’t see eye to eye but eventually Paul changed his mind about John Mark Colossians 4:10.

A verse to remember

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