Our Ongoing Connection With The Holy Spirit
Our relationship with the Holy Spirit begins as we are drawn to Christ and we receive the Son of God, his shed blood. We repent of our sins and make Jesus Christ the Lord and Master of our life. In receiving salvation, we have a work of the Holy Spirit that creates in us a clean heart. A new heart according to Ezekiel 36:26, which says “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh”.
From there, we have the ongoing promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit for empowerment in life and service. As we continue our relationship with God in and through the Holy Spirit, we see that we have possibilities of neglecting and missing his grace in our life. This is shown in the church of Laodicea. In Revelation 3: 14-17 says, “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, these things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”.
Notice this church was self-satisfied. They were materially rich in that era of the church age and yet the Lord said you are blind, poor and naked. You are miserable. This is a church that started out born again and acknowledging Jesus. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a part of their life to, and yet they had become blind, not physically, but spiritually. Here is how he describes the remedy in verse 18, “. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see”. The Lord is giving us today a promise, a power that when we are spiritually blind, we are not recognizing God’s present with our spiritual eyes. That means just as we have five senses in the natural, we have five senses in our spiritual man. The bible says our spiritual man is made and born in the image of him who created him. We have the ability to hear, see, smell, taste and touch with our spirit as well as in our flesh. In this case, this church lost the ability to see.
In the realm of the spirit, we are to see God’s presence first. We are to see the working of his word, the spirits of men, and even demon spirits working. We have a great faculty, as the ability to see is genuine and enriches our lives so much. Our ability to see spiritually is invaluable. Notice what the Lord said to the church that had become poor, naked and really lost their fever for God. He said anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see. That means that we can have sight, lose our vision and site and then have it restored.
When I came back to Bloomington in the 80’s, I was drawn to minister and help serve at the old 16th Pentecostal Assembly. A 40 by 60 sanctuary, built in 1928 the building needing a new roof and repairs. It was an aging congregation of almost a hundred people, with no youth. Yet, I saw a goldmine! I could see hundreds, thousands coming to be saved and healed with families strengthened. A spiritual hospital for the sick. Now many years later we are beginning to see the fruition of that “Goldmine”!
What is the eye salve? Apparently in that area of Asia Minor is Laodicean there was a literal eye salve that people came there to drive out infections of mucus or infections in their physical eyes. The Lord is using that same analogy spiritually, not a physical cream that we put on our physical eyes, but rather an eye salve that the Lord brings, which is the power of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Just like we take cream to put it on our eyes or eye drops, to hopefully, clear up blurriness or whatever might be affecting us. We are to spiritually take eye salve, the ability of the Holy Spirit and put it on our spiritual eyes. We are to anoint our eyes with the Holy Spirit, the eye salve of God’s presence that our vision can be restored again.
I want to encourage you that if you have lost your vision in Christ you can regain in. The way to do this is to take the eye salve of the Holy Spirit in your heart and directly apply it to your spiritual eyes so that you can begin to see again into the realm of the invisible. Then we have a promise to focus on why we do this.
In revelation 3:20, it says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me”. Jesus wants our eyes open foremost to see him and to enter into an intimate fellowship with him. He wants us to enjoy a long extended meal on a daily basis with the wonderful Savior, the unfailing Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and the Son of the Living God.
I pray today that your eyes are anointed with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the eye salve. That you regain your vision and that if you already have your vision it becomes sharper/clearer and to see at greater distances. To see ahead even into the realm of the future, as by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We speak this and pray this for you now in Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Hearing vs. Listening
Hearing is a physiological fact of our existence/experience that the vibrations in the air are picked up and sent to the brain through our ear. What is the difference and or similarity in listening and hearing? On the other hand, listing really means to pay close attention to the sound. To hear something with thoughtful intention and give it consideration. Listening really is a lifelong skill that will serve us well in our relationship with God and with others.
The Wiseman said to us in Proverbs 4:20-22, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”. Listening is paying close attention to what is being said. The Lord is saying to us to pay attention to his words. We have access through the scripture. Our own individual spirit man is born again by the Holy Spirit that we can hear spiritually the Holy Spirit in our spirit. With that, we can and should pay close attention to his words in the scripture and incline our ears to his sayings. What we listen to really gets into our heart. Then what is in our heart really comes out in our words and actions. We are encouraged to take God’s word, which is life in and of itself, then those words being health to our flesh.
An example of this is found in the book of 1 Kings 19, where Elijah was scared and essentially became a hermit and was forty days running from Jezebel. I am paraphrasing 1 Kings 19:8-18. He went into a cave and the Lord asked him what he was doing there. He proceeded to tell God that he was zealous, but he is the only one left and they are coming to kill him. In verse 11-12 the Lord says, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” The Lord allowed these manifestations to come, wind, earthquake and fire, which can be spiritual demonstrations in our life as well. Yet he was teaching Elijah an important message that applied to us. It says the Lord was not in it, but after the fire a still small voice. He is bringing Elijah into a personal contact with him through the sound of God’s voice, a still small voice in his spirit. Elijah then went back out and God again asked him what are you doing here. Elijah repeated that he had been very zealous and they were coming to take his life.
Then in verses 15-16 the Lord says, “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as a prophet in your place”.
He said the process now is raising up a successor. He is given a specific name of who his successor should be and that is Elisha. Then of course, he was given the name of two kings. As a prophet, he was sent to start a new leadership and was given specific direction to anoint men of God to perform certain task. The Lord concluded the encounter by saying I have seven thousand more who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Then he sent Elijah on his way to go do what God had asked him to do.
When we pray for our children, our friends or others on our heart, God can give us a specific word of encouragement, exhortation, and a voice in their life that builds them up and helps them with vision and purpose in their lives and their God given destiny.
I experienced this with one of my grandsons. I listened to him tell me of his reoccurring bad dreams. It was in detail of a man sneaking into his house, pulling him out of bed, taking him into the woods and killing him. All of this happening without anyone hearing it happen. We went over it together several times and why that was not going to happen. He had his parents, the family dog, his siblings who sleep in the same room as him and most of all the Holy Spirit is in him and with him. We also fasted and prayed together. The fear finally broke and he is now able to sleep by himself in peace. This miracle all started with listening.
Our thought and message for you today is be a hearer and just as important be a listener to the Lord. Develop that skill with patience and effort as also you hear for others who perhaps need that extra encouragement and are not hearing that well for themselves.
I am going to lead you in a prayer for salvation today. Father in Jesus name, I ask you Jesus to save me. Cleanse me of my sins. I turn to you today, give life to my spirit and cause me to be born again. I pray it in Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Hearing God’s Voice
Hearing is defined as the process of the ear transforming sound vibrations in the external environment into nerve impulses conveyed to the brain and interpreted as sound.
We can hear his voice today on a daily basis and then he exhorted us not to harden our hearts. When I think of hearing, I enjoyed just recently having one of my grandchildren come through the backdoor with excitement and enthusiasm and say “Grandpa Grandpa”. She ran over to the chair where I was sitting and we hugged, but the sound of her voice was pleasant, exciting and affectionate. It is so wonderful to enjoy that as a grandparent with your grandchildren and with the people that you love and know. We can have a relationship with God where he hears our voice, but where we also hear his voice. It is important that we do hear his voice so we can walk with him in a closer relationship.
This is a very important function in our lives. God has made a hearing promise to his children. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. We have a hearing covenant with God. In this hearing covenant from God, we can as we develop these blogs into three parts. The ability to hear his voice, hearing for ourselves and even hearing for others.
The first key, as the Lord has shared with me how to hear, is found in John 4:24 where Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”. That word worship means to kiss affectionately. We are to have a relationship with God in worship that is affectionate, tender and heartfelt. We are to worship him in spirit and in truth. One way to stimulate and activate our hearing in the realm of the spirit is to number one, worship.
Secondly, in 2 Timothy 1:6, the bible says Paul told Timothy that we are to stir up the gift that is given you by the laying on of hands. That word stir means Anazopureo, which means to arouse the life and fire of God. Think of a fire that is dying out, a campfire dying out, we take a poker and stir the logs, the flames and sparks begin to stir, and it gets hotter. We have the ability and the power to actually stir or arouse the life of God within our spirit that we can hear his voice more clearly.
Then we have the promise from Hebrews the bible says, “ask to hear his voice”. Hebrews 3:13-15 says, “Exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end; While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation”.
Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it”. I am encouraging you in your hearing exercises and hearing facilities with God to write down what you are hearing, what you are getting, what you are receiving spiritually. Not necessarily in your intellect, but in your spirit itself. The key to all of this is we can do these things and have this covenant when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and our spirit is made new by him. He said my people, my sheep know by voice, so we must become his.
I am going to lead you in a salvation prayer today to enter into a hearing covenant with God. Father in Jesus name, I ask you Jesus to save me. Cleanse me of my sins. I turn to you today, give life to my spirit and cause me to be born again. I pray it in Jesus name, Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Kim
Character Is Power!
The American educator and author, Booker T. Washington said, “Character is power!” Our character is defined by the way we think, feel, and behave- our personality. This includes our moral firmness and judgment. The combination of these qualities is what makes us distinct, unique and different from others.
I appreciate the power in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ which is connected to His character. The scripture states, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Though many males have been named Jesus throughout history- what gives the name of the Lord Jesus unique power is the person behind His name. His character brings power to His name!
Thinking back over forty years of knowing Him, I have fallen short many times in my character. Yet I discovered, His character remained stable and strong! Backsliding from His fellowship and obedience to His word in my college years, I was renewed and filled with divine passion again. The name of Jesus delivered me! The character of Jesus began to form in me His divine nature! You too can partake of His power and character. You can be renewed in your faith and revived in your passion. On a daily basis, love, cherish, call on and trust the power of His name!
The Name Of The Lord Jesus
Hearing the sound of our name captures our attention, respect and our longing for affirmation. A leading teacher once said, “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” What is great to us about our name? It connects us and makes us more comfortable. It reflects who we are and represents our personality, identity, heritage and reputation.
Another name that I love to hear, and love to extol and preach about is the name of Jesus! The scripture says, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). The word saved means to heal, to make whole and to deliver. So within the name of the Lord Jesus is a divine grace to lift us, protect and cleanse us.
I remember when Renee and I were traveling to Texas to attend a meeting and our seven-month-old son, Zach, was between us in the front seat. Suddenly on the interstate our car lost control on the slick pavement and went into a doughnut. Renee shouted out the name of Jesus as she reached for Zach. After completely going around in a circle, the car straightened and I was able to recover and maintain speed and direction without incident. In those emergency situations, all you have is just the time to call out His name! No time for long prayers. And no time for a religious exercise. There is deliverance, healing, and preservation within the sound of His name. Connect your faith to the name of Jesus Christ: He will deliver, preserve and make you sound as well.
The Dangers of Hardening Our Hearts
“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years” (Hebrews 3:8,9). In the previous blog, we talked about the importance of listening to God’s voice. Not only are we instructed to hear the word of the Lord, we are also warned about the dangers of hardening our hearts toward God’s word. God calls this hardening of the heart “rebellion.” Now we know that the Lord will never force us to do His will. It’s not the nature of the Almighty: He will not violate His promises to us, and one of those promises is that we should have the right to choose to obey Him…or not. However, He did set down guideposts for us to follow, in the way of specific blessings and curses—blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. He did this because He wants us to be blessed; therefore, He has clearly established the Way of Blessings. And He has given us ample warnings as to what will happen if we choose the Way of Curses. It’s up to us to listen…and choose wisely. It is up to us to keep our hearts tender to the Lord. Choose today to hear His voice…to listen to His voice. And to do what He asks of us. Choose today to be blessed!
Let God Speak
“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). Note that the first of these two commandments begins with the word “hear.” God wants us to hear Him, to know His voice in a very deep and personal way. He doesn’t just want us to read about Him (although this is a necessary part of our Christian walk); He wants us to hear Him, especially in those areas that pertain to our individual walks with Him. He calls us each to a specific walk and service in His Kingdom, so we need to keep our ears tuned to His voice. How do we do this? Through prayer, through worship, and through meditating upon His Word. As we talk to our Heavenly Father, it is good to take time to listen, as well. In Psalm 46:10, He instructs us to “Be still and know that I am God…” Remember, conversation is not a “one-way street”; it’s more like a two-way street with traffic flowing in both directions. What does this mean for us? How can we apply this to our prayer lives? The answer is very simple: Stop talking at some point and let God speak to us! Prayer is not all about us—our wants and needs; it is also about what God wants and needs from us, as His children and servants. He has a lot He wants to share with us, too! As we pause in our prayer times and really listen, we will hear His voice. He has promised us that, and we know His promises to us are “yes” and “amen”!
Tune In
Did you know we have a hearing covenant with God? According to the Bible, we do! John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Mark 4:24 says, “Then He said to them,’Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.’” And in Luke 11:28 we read: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of the God and keep it.” Did you know that you can hear a person speaking and totally ignore what he or she is saying? As children we do this with our parents, our teachers, and even our friends; and our excuse is always, “Sorry, I didn’t hear you!” As adults, we sometimes do the same thing—with co-workers, with our kids, our spouses, our neighbors and friends. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you!” It can become a convenient excuse for not taking the time to listen. If you want to know something, if you want to learn something, you must pay attention to the speaker! Hearing involves listening. Listening is a conscious effort to tune in to another’s voice. Are you “tuning in” to the Lord’s voice today?
The Virginia “Mom” Norris Orphanage
Friends, I am asking you to partner with me through your prayers and your financial support to build the Virginia “Mom” Norris orphanage, which will provide for the needs of orphaned children, both spiritually and physically. We need $50,000 to build and furnish the orphanage, and to provide food and staff. We are believing God for a miracle here: for 50 brothers and sisters to each donate a one-time gift of $1000 toward the cost of this orphanage. We know that’s a lot, but we also know that God can and does move upon the hearts of His people to give sacrificially. Will you be one of those? If you cannot, perhaps you would want to sponsor one of the children at $365 per year to be trained up in the Gospel, given an education, and cared for. That amounts to $1 per day, Friends! Could you put aside a dollar a day to help one of these precious children with food, clothing and a godly education?
This undertaking is a huge one, but we know this is the direction the Lord is leading us…and we must follow. So many little children roam the streets in Kenya, hungry, homeless, with no one to love them or care for them. This, quite frankly, breaks our hearts. No child should go without love & nurturing. Our orphanage will enable children to be properly cared-for, schooled academically and spiritually, as well. Who knows, but the next great African evangelist may be among those little orphans…Or the next great doctor or leader or teacher.
Will you help us? Please pray and see what the Lord would have you do. And thank you for your prayers and your partnership!
Let’s Reach Kenya Together
How would you like to be a part of KNMI’s June crusade in Kenya? Now, don’t worry: I’m not asking you to board a plane and fly across the ocean. I’m referring to your participation through your prayers and your partnership. Crusades are costly, as I’m sure you’re well aware. It costs to fly our team overseas; it costs for rooms and food while we’re there; and it costs for space to hold the event and for equipment to help make the crusade possible. We have estimated that this Kenya Crusade (which is scheduled to be held at the base of Mount Kenya!) will cost around $15,000.
I know that sounds like a lot—and it is—but I also know that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Where the Lord leads us, He will provide! And He provides most often through the sacrificial giving of His people. This works two ways: It blesses both the receiver and the giver! Those who give are sometimes challenged by the Lord: “I know your finances look small, but will you give anyway, and trust Me to take care of your needs?” It is an opportunity to “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). If you have been a Christian for a while, then you most likely know the truth of what I am saying. We all know the scripture that tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. We also know the well-quoted verse that begins, “Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together…” (Luke 6:38). These scriptures exist because God wants His children to know that their generosity will never go unrewarded. God is the Ultimate Giver, and He delights when His children exhibit the same selfless characteristics.
So, with that in mind, if you are able to give to our upcoming crusade in Kenya, to help us get the Word out to the thousands who will show up to hear the Gospel message, then know that you are not only giving to us, but you are also giving to those precious people who need the Lord so much. You will be helping to bring them to salvation and new life through Jesus—and how wonderful is that!
