The Working of the Holy Spirit

What is the first work the Bible ascribes to the Spirit of God?
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Gen. 1:2.

By what power did Christ work miracles?
"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." Matt. 12:28.

To what is His resurrection ascribed?
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18.

How is conviction produced in the mind of the sinner?
"And when He [the Spirit] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:8 (Gen. 6:3).

What office does the Spirit perform for the Christian?
"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever." John 14:16.

What other work does the Spirit perform?
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thess. 2:13.

What is the Word of God said to be?
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph. 6:17.

In what manner did the Spirit make known the Word?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

In what manner did the Lord speak to these holy men?
"After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Gen. 15:1 (Num. 12:6) (lsa.1:1) (Eze. 1:1).

Was this gift of the Spirit to be confined mostly to the time of the Old Testament?
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28.

How did Peter by inspiration render this term afterward?
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." Acts 2:17.

What does Paul call the Spirit?
"In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." Eph. 1:13.

Why was it thus designated?
"Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." Acts 2:33 (Acts 1:4, 5).

Why did Jesus say it was necessary for Him to go unto the Father?
"For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." John 16:7.

Were the gifts of the Spirit referred to in this promise?
"Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." Eph. 4:8.

What are these gifts?
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." Eph. 4:11.

Were all these gifts by the same Spirit?
"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." 1 Cor. 12:4 (Eph. 4:4).

What commission did Christ give to His disciples?
"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.

Why did they not proceed immediately to that work?
"And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49 (Acts 1:8).

How long did Jesus promise to be with those who preach the gospel?
"Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matt. 28:20.
NOTE: It is very certain that the Lord did not design to have His gospel preached without the aid of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of which He placed in the church (1 Cor. 12:28), there to remain as long as His commission to men shall last. Acts 2:38, 39; Eph. 4:11-13.

GOD's Ultimate Will

GOD want us to engage in the work of bringing people into a saving relationship with HIM. We can be sure that this work is in HIS will. It is very helpful for us to be sure of our own relationship in order for us to share that with others.

What assurance is given to every believer in Christ?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

What wonderful truth is revealed in the gospel message?
"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17.

What was brought to light through the gospel?
"Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:10.

How closely are righteousness and life connected?
"In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Proverbs 12:28.

Finding righteousness, what else do we find?
"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour." Proverbs 21:21.

Who alone can give us the grace that leads to eternal life?
"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:21.

What do the Psalms declare God's commandments to be?
"All Thy commandments are righteousness." Psalms 119:172.

What does Jesus say that those commandments are?
"And I know that His commandment is life everlasting." John 12:50.

What does the prophet Jeremiah declare Christ to be?
"And this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jer. 23:6.

What did Christ tell us was essential to eternal life?
"I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.

How do we receive righteousness?
"And He said unto him, Why callest thou Me good? there is none good but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matthew 19:17.
NOTE: The righteousness of God, which is obtained by faith in Christ, brings with it the life of God, which is inseparably connected with righteousness; and the life of God, which is bestowed upon man as a gift through faith in Christ, is a life of righteousness

How do we receive eternal life?
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17.

How do we obtain eternal life?
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal .life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

"Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.

"Jesus has said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.' Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Saviour dying for the sins of the world, and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds, and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition in the soul.

"It is true that men sometimes become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?" --E.G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 30.

Presuming to Know GOD's Will

I am learning more and more to think of my plans in a way that looks to GOD for direction and acknowledges that whatever I think I must leave all to GOD and HIS will.

Many things GOD tells us are very clear about what He is going to do, or how He will do them, but when it comes to our daily walk, there is a danger in thinking that we already know what GOD wants us to do. The danger is presumption.

What is the definition of presumption?
"The act of believing upon probable evidence, or taking for granted; belief upon incomplete proof; opinion. The act of venturing beyond due bounds; forward, venturesome, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or conduct; unreasonable confidence." - Webster.

How does God look upon presumption, as indicated by His dealing with ancient Israel?
"But the soul that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people." Num. 15:30.

If a prophet of old presumed to speak in the name of God that which he had not commanded, what was the result?
"But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die." Deut. 18:20.

What befell the Israelites when, having reached the promised land, they attempted to fight against the Canaanites without God's consent?
"But they presumed to go up unto the hilltop: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses departed not out of the camp, Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah." Num. 14:44, 45.

What was withdrawn from the antediluvians because they had persisted in their evil course?
"And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man." Gen. 6:3.

Of what presumptuous act were men guilty soon after the flood?
"And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven." Gen. 11:4.

What did the Lord say of them?
"And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." Gen. 11:6.

What befell them in consequence of their presumption?
"The Lord did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth." Gen. 11:9.

What befell Nadab and Abihu for their presumption in offering strange fire that the Lord had not commanded?
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire there in, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." Lev. 10:1, 2.

How was the little horn, the prophetic image of the papacy, to show its presumption?
"And he [the little horn] shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws." Dan. 7:25.

What is this power, therefore, called by the apostle?
"And that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth, and exalteth himself above all that is called God." 2 Thess. 2:3, 4.

What does the psalmist call the sin of presumption?
"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Ps. 19:13.

What admonition does the apostle give concerning our course toward the truth?
"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.

Vows and Promises We Make to GOD

Does God require that we shall fulfill our promises?
"When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it," for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee." Deut. 23:21.

Does a partial fulfillment meet His requirements?
"If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." Num. 30:2.

Why is God so very particular about promises?
Because He is faithful in performing His promises, and He wants His people to be like Him. "That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform," even a free will offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth." Deut. 23:23.

What does He call those who are slack in paying their vows?
"When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed." Eccl. 5:4.

Will God excuse vows that are made without duly considering whether or not we can perform them?
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?" Eccl. 5:5, 6.

What will God do for us, if we are faithful in fulfilling our promises?
"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Ps. 50:14, 15.

Is it wise to consider beforehand whether we are able to perform our vows?
"It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry." Prov. 20:25.

Is it not better not to vow?
"Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God: let all that be round about Him bring presents unto Him that ought to be feared." Ps. 76:11.

What did Jacob do after the Lord had appeared unto him?
"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God; and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee." Gen. 28:20-22.

Did the Lord forget Jacob's vow?
"And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob, ...I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto Me; now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred." Gen. 31:11-13.

And did Jacob keep his promise?
"Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments; and let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went." Gen. 35:2, 3.

Is the Lord particular as to what we vow to Him?
"But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing; for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and My name is dreadful among the heathen." Mal. 1:14.

What does such a vow betray in him who brings the offering? (Contempt.?)
"And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 1:8.

For what other reason has God a right to demand the best? He gives everything.
"For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold." Hos. 2:8.

To whom do we belong?
"What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor.6:19, 20.

What inducement does the Lord hold out to those who desire to comply strictly with His requirements?
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 3:10, 11.

If God should not grant us prosperity, what should we do?
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Hab. 3:17, 18.

Will All The World Ever Accept Jesus Christ?

Ther are some that teach that a day is coming in which all the world will finally accept Jesus Christ. What does the Bible say?

What did Jesus say would be the condition of the world just prior to His coming?
"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." Luke 17:26. (See also verses 27-30, and Matthew 24:37-39.) In the days of Noah, "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." "And the earth was filled with violence." Genesis 6:5, 11.
NOTE: Men everywhere recognize the prevailing wickedness of our times. Drunkenness, vice, crime, and debauchery have increased alarmingly. Selfishness and pride fill the hearts of men to the exclusion of righteousness. Civilization today is repeating the sins of the days of Noah.

According to the parable of the wheat and tares, how long do the good and bad remain together?
"The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil." "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them." Matthew 13:38, 39, 30. "The harvest is the end of the world." Verse 39.
NOTE: Thus it is plain that the wicked (the tares) live with the righteous (the wheat) till the end of the world. There is, then, no time before Christ's coming for a sinless state, in which all men will be converted.

Did Christ tell us that worldwide preaching of the gospel would result in world conversion?
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14.
NOTE: He did not say that all would receive the gospel, but that the gospel was to be preached in all the world fore witness unto all nations, and that than the end would come.

How did Paul describe the last days?
"In the last days perilous times shall come." 2 Timothy 3:1. "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Verse 13.

How does Scripture describe the state of international affairs?
"Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war, stir up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:9, 10, A.R.V.

What statement by Jeremiah about conditions in his day equally applies to our own time?
"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jeremiah 6:14.

Will talking about world peace create a false security?
"There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter 3:3, 4. "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4.
NOTE: Those in darkness are looking for a time of peace and safety, and those not in darkness are looking for the day of the Lord -— a day of destruction -— the end of the world and the coming of Christ. (See Jeremiah 7:1-19; Daniel 12:1; Joel 2:1-11; Zephaniah 1; Matthew 25:31-46; Galatians 5:16-21.)

All heedless of the signs of the times and the warnings of the Word of God and of world events, the world will come up to the day of the Lord unprepared. As a thief in the night this day will take unawares all who are not looking, watching, and waiting for their Lord's return. Instead of Looking for the world's conversion, we should be looking for Christ's coming.

What warning to Isaiah to the faithful in his day should also be the Christian's reaction to last-day conditions?
"Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid." Isaiah 8:12. (See 1 Peter 3:14.) "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28.
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How To Be a True and Faithful Shepherd

I have personally known people who seem to sincerely believe in GOD and HIS Holy WORD, but they do not teach it. In fact they exhibit the traits of a false shepherd. My prayer is that I may never fall into such a trap. May GOD grant me the strength, knowledge and wisdom to rightly present HIS WORD.

Who is emphatically the good shepherd?
"I [Jesus Christ] am the good Shepherd." John 10:11.

To what extent did Christ sacrifice for the sheep?
"The good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.

Will false shepherds do this?
"The hireling fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:13. "They are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter." Isa. 56:11.

Will the true shepherd see that the sheep are provided with food?
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood." Acts 20:28. See also 1 Peter 5:2.

With what kind of food will he feed the flock?
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. (See also Rev. 10:9, 10 and Eze. 2:8, Eze. 3:1-3.)

Will the true shepherd set a good example to the flock?
"In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." Titus 2:7.

Will he warn the sheep of coming danger?
"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me." Eze. 33:7.

What does the Lord say to the watchman or shepherd who does not warn the wicked?
"If thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand." Eze. 33:8.

What does our Saviour call false shepherds?
"Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind." Matt. 15:14.

Do such warn the flock of coming danger?
"His watchmen are blind, that are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." Isa. 56:10. "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." Jer. 6:14.

Has the Lord given us another means by which to distinguish between true and false shepherds?
"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth... But ye are departed out of the way: ye have caused many to stumble at the law." Mal. 2:7, 8.

Will the shepherds who are unfaithful give to the flock the sense of those prophecies relating to "the time of the end" (Dan. 12:14)?
"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed." Isa. 29:11. Read also verses 13-16.

Was there to come a time when people would not listen to Bible truth?
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.

Will such like to have plain words spoken to them?
"Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy unto us deceits." Isa. 30:10.

What does the Lord say further concerning false shepherds?
"My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place." Jer. 50:6.
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds: Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool: ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the flock." Eze. 34:2, 3.
"As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock, therefore, a ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more, for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I, even I, will both searth My sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they had been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." Eze. 34:8-12.

What is to be the future of those who "add unto" or "take away from" the words of prophecy?
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Rev. 22:18, 19.
"Howl, ye shepherds, and cry: and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel, and the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard; for the Lord hath spoiled their pasture, and the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the Lord." Jer. 25:34-37.

What promise has Peter left on record for faithful shepherds?
"And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:4.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

What precious promise did Jesus make to His disciples shortly before His crucifixion?
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" John 14:16.

Why was it necessary for Christ to go away?
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." John 16:7.

Who is the Comforter, and what was He to do?
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.

What other work was the Comforter to do?
"And when he is come, he will reprove (literally, "convince") the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:" John 16:8.

By what other title is the Comforter designated?
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" John 15:26.

What did Jesus say the Spirit of Truth would do?
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13.

What warning is therefore given?
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30.

Is there a limit to the strivings of God' s Spirit?
"And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man," Genesis 6:3.

For what did David pray?
"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Psalm 51:11.

Who moved upon the prophets to give their message?
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.

What is the fruit of the Spirit?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:2, 23.

Concerning what subject ought we to be informed?
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."1 Corinthians 12:1.

How are these gifts elsewhere spoken of?
"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1 Corinthians 12:28.

The Often Forgotten Fruit of the Spirit

With what does the apostle Paul class temperance?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. 5:22, 23.

What does the same apostle say of those who strive for the mastery?
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things." 1 Cor. 9:25.

In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did in order to be successful?
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Cor. 9:27.

What is the effect of intemperance?
"Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.

Why were kings prohibited the use of strong drink?
"It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink; lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted." Prov. 31:4, 5.

Why were priests not allowed to use intoxicating drink?
"And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean." Lev. 10:8-10.

Why did Daniel and his companions refuse to drink of the wine of the king of Babylon?
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." Dan. 1:8.

After protesting against the use of the stimulants offered them, what did they request?
"Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days: and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink." Dan. 1:12.

At the end of the ten days' test, how did these Hebrews appear?
"And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat." Dan. 1:15.

At the end of three years (the time appointed for them to learn the Chaldean tongue, (Dan. 1:4, 5) how many in the realm were found equal in learning to these abstainers?
"Now at the end of the days... the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah ...And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." Daniel 1:18-20.

Did not Paul recommend the use of wine under certain conditions?
"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities." 1 Tim. 5:23.
NOTE. - There are two kinds of wine spoken of in the Bible. One of these was the juice of the grape, and was pressed from the fruit into the cup as it was needed to drink. Gen. 40:11. It is this kind that is said to cheer God and man (Judges 9:13), and is dried up when the vine is destroyed. Joel 1:10-12. The other kind was that which had stood until it fermented, and alcohol had formed from the decaying substance.

How is the first kind spoken of?
"Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the PURE BLOOD OF THE GRAPE." Deut. 32:14.

How is the second kind represented?
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Prov. 23:31, 32.

With what other low debaucheries is drunkenness more or less associated?
"Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like." Gal. 5:19-21.

Can a drunkard enter the kingdom of God?
"Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:10.

How, then, should a Christian regard one who persists in drunkenness?
"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard." 1 Cor. 5:11.

..prosper and be in health...

What important wish (prayer, margin) is expressed by the apostle concerning Gaius?
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 1:2.

Why is it necessary to preserve the body in health?
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1.

When one is truly sanctified, how much of him will be affected?
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23.

How did the apostle guard himself?
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Cor. 9:27.

Is it expedient to eat everything that it is lawful to eat?
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." 1 Cor. 10:23.

Is God's glory to be considered even in one's eating?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.

What are our bodies said to be?
"What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1 Cor. 6:19.

What is the Christian's duty concerning his body in view of the fact that the Spirit of God has taken possession of it?
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20.

What does the apostle say God will do to those who defile or mar this temple of His, the human body?
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17.

Can the body be defiled with improper food or drink?
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." Dan. 1:8.

What sort of food did Daniel desire?
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Gen. 1:29.

What kind of flesh did the Lord afterward permit man to eat?
"Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat." Lev. 11:3.

By what term was this class of creatures distinguished from the other?
"Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female; and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female." Gen. 7:2.

Which one of these now commonly eaten was mentioned as being unfit even to touch?
"And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass." Deut. 14:8.

Why did the Lord thus restrict the Hebrews?
"For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing." Deut. 14:2, 3.
NOTE. - The swine is a scavenger. As such it is a creature full of disease and filth; and it is plain that the Lord does not want H is people, whose bodies are His, to be polluted with such loathsome diet.

What does the Lord say of those who are found eating swine's flesh and the like, when Christ comes?
"For behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire... They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:15-17.
NOTE. - When the Lord comes, He is to change the living righteous, that their bodies may be like His glorious body. Phil. 3:21. This cannot well be done for those who have gross habits of diet. The condition of the body affects the mind, and one who lives grossly is more or less sensual in his thoughts. One cannot well be pure minded until he brings his body under (1 Cor. 9:27), and cultivates such habits as will be conducive to spiritual mindedness. One in poor health cannot glorify God as another whose physical powers are in full strength and consecrated to the divine service. It is, then, a moral duty to abstain from everything unhealthful, that all the powers of the being may be in the best possible condition.

"There Will Your Heart Be Also"

How does God regard the covetous man?
"For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth." Ps. 10:3.

What kind of men does God require to occupy responsible positions in His work?
"Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." Ex. 18:21.

What warning does the Saviour give against covetousness?
"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Luke 12:15.

How did God regard the rich man who laid up his goods for his own ease?
"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" Luke 12:20.

What does Christ say of those who do as the man in the parable?
"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:21.

How much can one carry out of the world?
"For we brought nothing into this world, and its is certain we can carry nothing out." Deut. 8:18.

Who gives man power to get wealth?
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:18.

What is said concerning those who trust in their riches?
"He that trusteth in his riches shall fall." Prov. 11:28.

What charge was Timothy required to give the rich?
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God." 1 Tim. 6:17.

What ought they to do with their means?
"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate." 1 Tim. 6:18.

What will they thus do for themselves?
"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Tim. 6:19.

By giving of one's substance to the Lord's work, what does he thus do?
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9.

How does the Lord look upon the spirit of giving to the cause?
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Heb. 6:10.

If a person has but little of this world's goods, is he not excused from giving?
"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee." Deut. 16:17.

Then can it be the amount a man gives that is so acceptable to God?
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12.

What does one provide for himself who gives freely to the cause of God?
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Luke 12:33.

If one's treasure has been transferred to heaven by giving to God's cause, where will his heart be?
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke 12:34.

Windows of Heaven

GOD gives us many precious promises. All of these are intended to help us be partakers of GOD's very own nature, HIS very own character. (see 2 Peter 1:4) I really like this promise that HE gives us, asking us to prove HIM.

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it]."
Malachi 3:10

What are some of the dangers of the worldly minded?
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Tim. 6:9.

What charge is given to those who have much of this world?
"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." 1 Tim. 6:17.

Who claims the gold and silver of earth?
"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:8.

Who owns all the cattle and fowls of the earth?
"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine." Ps. 50:10, 11.

Man, then, really owns nothing of this world. In what capacity does he hold property?
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called h is own servants, and delivered unto them his goods." Matt. 25:14.

How does man have power to get wealth?
"But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth." Deut. 8:18.

What, then, should be one's attitude towards God?
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength." Luke 10:27.

How may one show honor to God?
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9.

What part of one's income does the Lord claim?
"And all the tithe [tenth] of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord." Lev. 27:30.

If one withholds from God that which belongs to Him, of what sin is he guilty?
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." Mal. 3:8.

How early in the history of the world do we read of tithe paying?
"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all." Heb. 7:1, 2.

Tithes were collected under the Melchisedec priesthood. Is that order of priesthood now in existence?
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec." Heb. 6:20.

If we are Abraham's children indeed, what should we do?
"Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." John 8:39.

Did Christ, when on earth, approve of the tithing system?
"Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matt. 23:23.

What did Paul say of those who ministered in the temple of the old dispensation?
"Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" 1 Cor. 9:13.

What does he argue from this for the support of gospel ministers?
"Even so [in like manner] hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." 1 Cor. 9:14.

Who only were allowed to minister at the altar?
"That no stranger which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord." Num. 16:40.

What constituted the living of the Levites?
"And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." Num. 18:21.

The tenth of the herds and of the increase of the field, God claims as His own. Lev. 27:30-32. What did the Saviour command on this point?
"Then saith He unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Matt. 22:21.

Who ought to feel responsible for the support of the minister?
"If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" Cor. 9:11.

Does Paul enforce this doctrine as a duty?
"For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." Rom. 15:27.

How much of the tithes does the Lord demand to be brought into the store-house?
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house." Mal. 3:10.

What will the Lord do for those who give Him His own?
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts." Mal. 3:11.

"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. "
2 Peter 1:4

Intercessory Prayer

"And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends."—Job 42:10.

The Lord instructed us to pray not only for our own personal needs but to reach out and pray for others as well. We find this in 1 Timothy 2:1-6.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."

We are told to pray and to make intercession for all men. What is intercessory prayer? The Greek noun, "enteuxus" in the Bible is the word for "intercession." It primarily denotes a "meeting with," a conversation or petition rendered on the behalf of others. "Intercessory prayer," then, is seeking the presence and audience of God in another's stead. When we pray for the needs of others that is called "intercession" or we are said to be "interceding" for them.

Jesus was the greatest "intercessor" of all time. Isaiah 53:12 records the following prophecy about Jesus:
"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Hebrews 7:25 speaks of Him as a high priest that is still interceding on our behalf.
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

The Lord is looking for men and women today that are willing to enter into this ministry with Him. He has always sought people that would "stand in the gap" for others. Ezekiel 22:30-31 says,
"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God."

The Lord does not want judgment to fall upon people. He desires that they repent and return to Him. However, if they do not repent, judgment is inevitable.The fruit of sin always has penalty. Prayer for others causes them to repent and seek God. Therefore, the Lord is always looking for those who will take a burden of prayer for the wayward ones, so that they might come to Him. He needs spiritual warriors who will selflessly intercede on behalf of others. The ministry of intercessory prayer perennially stands open for volunteers who will join the Lord in this work. Through this ministry one can circle the entire world interposing for the multitudes who have no one else to "stand in the gap" for them.

It is hard for me to believe that the Lord will call anyone into a public ministry unless the ministry of intercession has first become a priority in his life.

There are many people eagerly wanting to do something for Jesus while this important field of work stands wide open. It is certainly not as glamorous as some other ministries, for no one is seen or applauded in their prayer closet, and perhaps that is exactly why there are so few volunteers. Even when people are interested in serving in this form of ministry, there is often a lack of knowledge as to the equipment and the keys needed to be effective and successful in it.

Some of these keys are presented here in hopes that if you have a heart toward God and are willing to become an intercessor, you will know how to obtain many victories. Intercessory prayer, being a ministry to others, is not something that directly benefits us. It is essentially an outreach ministry. Through it we can truly lay down our lives for others. As we are faithful by sacrificing our time on the behalf of others, the Lord then takes care of our needs. As we minister to others, the Lord ministers to us. While praying for others, we cannot neglect mentioning the added blessing of being in fellowship with the Lord. As the Holy Spirit directs us in the ways we are to pray for others, we need to keep in mind that He will always have us pray according to His Word.

Luke 9:53-56, "And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."

God does not send calamities in order to bring people to Himself. He tells us in His word that it is the Spirit of God that "woos" and "draws" people to Himself. This is hastened as Christians pray. John 6:44 says,
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Praise God for intercessors that stand against the enemy and keep him from destroying the souls and lives of men, women and children who need the Lord.

The ministry of intercession is a vital part of our Christian walk and we can never attain to maturity and become overcomers by slighting it. I often use the words "task" and "work" in reference to prayer because it is never easy nor convenient to pray with any discipline or consistency. We must remember that we have an enemy (the devil) who is constantly trying to keep us from our prayer life because he knows (better than most Christians) the damage done to his kingdom through it. Let us never cease to pray for others and thereby be those "intercessors" that God is looking for.