2 Words in 1

Being Used By The Spirit

There is nothing that can compare, to when the Holy Ghost moves through you to minister. Anybody, who has genuinely been used by the Spirit, will never be the same person they were before. Really, there’s no way to explain it. I cannot help but remember an old song we once sung so triumphantly. It is “joy unspeakable, and full of glory.” The touch of God, upon mere men. It’s walking, in a different dimension; even excelling.

I can’t understand, why so many would settle for less today. We so often liked to talk about the apostles; and we claimed we had what they had. But, did most of us, ever go places in the Spirit, that they were taken to. Even only a taste of being used in such a manner, will last you a lifetime. To speak a Word of Wisdom, or a Word of Knowledge to someone, and have it truly minister to them, is a real blessing, that none of us should miss. And it’s no wonder, that many are full of jealousy and envy; it is a supernatural experience.

From the time I was a young boy, the Spirit, would use me to sing. I cannot express to anyone, what that meant in my life. I didn’t have anything else; I didn’t have opportunity to study music, or even be encouraged in such a thing. Watching the Holy Ghost use you to bless God’s people, and see them respond to it, cannot be related to any other feeling. But to be also used in the Gifts of the Spirit, is far beyond this earthly realm. It’s only fair to note, that the response you get, is not always kind; but the Spirit is yet pleased.

There’s a cost to it; and so many are not willing to pay that price. I know that the prophets of old, exercised great power; they were just awesome, in what God used them to do. But, a great number of the people, were not so excited about it. I wonder how many know what it’s like, to be used of God, and people want to kill you for it. They did it literally, in the old part of the Book, and in the new. Even in our time, other ways were found to attempt to rub out and destroy, what the Spirit has placed in those He has chosen.

You have to have an intense relationship with the Spirit, to be used in His ways. Every person who has genuinely been filled with the Spirit, can be used by Him. However, it can be all about, how far and how deep, you want to go; it doesn’t work for shallow, or self-centered people. Everyone has a place in the real Body; there are no exceptions.

Something rings out in this very hour: “Greater things than this, shall you do.” Fasting, praying, studying intently and humbling ourselves before Him, puts us on the front lines. He will use us; mightily. But only consecrated vessels, need apply.

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Grieving, the Holy Ghost

How many of us recall, what that is? It might be a good thing, that we refresh our memory, and even try to explain it to our younger folk. At the moment, I feel an intense push back from people who say they don’t want to hear negative things. They say we should only think about positive things. Is it possible, that too many of these, have closed the part of the Book that describes all of the things the Prophets said to God’s people.

It’s true, that when you lose or deny, the fear of the Lord, you are not concerned about grieving the Holy Spirit of God. We’re not talking here about those who could only preach about, hell, fire and brimstone. This is not speaking about anyone who tries to control others by using fear tactics, or saying that everything is a sin.

A lot of things spoken, do not have to be sweet and uplifting as we say, to be edifying to the body of Christ. Constantly dangling folks over hell fire, wasn’t edifying. Giving them nothing but sweet, diluted pats on the back, isn’t either. The verse, meant what it said.

The 4th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, is absolutely full, of what kind of order we are supposed to have. It’s literally running over, with admonition of how people in the church, should, and should not act. After talking about all of these things, down toward the end, there was a precise warning given, on this topic; it was brief, but quite clear. There was a time when we talked about an event that happened in the beginning of the New Testament church. There were two people, who obviously, did not have the fear of the Lord.

It’s strange; again, I feel someone saying, “Don’t threaten me. God is love, and that is what we should be talking about; not trying to scare people.” There is a balance to the Word and to living for God. But without those chosen people mentioned in this chapter, who were called, “for the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints,” there is no balance, and things are tipped to one side or the other. We are not told, that the Holy Ghost, is grieved over that.

We knew, when He was grieved. The entire place could feel it. It got very quiet. The leadership of that day, spoke softly, that we should all find a place to fall to our knees, and pray. There was an almost silent groaning that came from us. A very deep plea; a true reverence, deep intercession and total humility, permeated the entire place. Even the children felt it, and were still.

One writer said it this way: “Do not offend or vex or sadden Him.” Some things, must be said. And only those who have an ear, will take it to heart.

 

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn