A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (December 13, 2017)
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 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: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (Acts 2:16-18)
Have you ever thought of the Bible as a picture of the Trinity? We serve a triune God that includes God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. When I read and study the Bible I see those same persons reflected in the scriptures. Most people look at the Bible in two sections which includes the Old Testament and New Testament. It is actually more like three sections that depicts God in the first section, Jesus in the second section, and the Holy Ghost in the third section or the last days. Which section do you think we are living in today???
We have recently published several devotionals (which you can read on our website at www.newlifenetwork-org-staging.smwnm894-liquidwebsites.com) concerning the Holy Ghost. They deal with the Person of the Holy Ghost, the Power of the Holy Ghost, the First Family of the Holy Ghost, and the Importance of Being Baptized in the Holy Ghost. All of these are very important to help you understand how important the Holy Ghost is and where we are on God’s timetable.
I have found in my studies that it is always essential to go back and look at the genesis of God’s plan to fully understand it and understand the tactics the enemy uses to oppose it. For example, if you want to understand marriage you need to go back and look at the first marriage (Adam and Eve). If you want to understand the fall of man and the schemes of the enemy you need to go back to Genesis and see how Satan lied to Adam and Eve. By the way, he’s still doing it.
It is the same way with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. That is why we wrote about the First Family of the Holy Ghost (the genesis) which included John the Baptist, his mother (Elisabeth), and his father (Zacharias). John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost in the womb and Jesus called him the greatest man ever born of woman. Now, let’s look at John’s relationship with Jesus a little closer.
Do you remember when Jesus came to John the Baptist and said John should baptize Him. John balked and said it should be Jesus that baptized him instead but Jesus said something I have never fully understood until recently. He said, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness”. Now, let’s breakdown exactly what Jesus was saying hear. Suffer (let it be so, allow it) now: for thus it becometh (it is right, fitting, and timely) for us (notice he included John) to fulfil (to make replete, to fill, to bountifully supply, to complete, to finish) all righteousness (God’s right plan).
Do you see it??? It takes “us” to complete God’s perfect plan! Jesus is telling John it is up to them (together) to complete God’s perfect plan which was the beginning of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill”. Jesus and John the Baptist were fulfilling the prophecy of Joel. They were the genesis of God’s Holy Ghost plan.
Let me ask you this? Looking back on the first two sections (God and Jesus), what was the biggest problem God and Jesus had with man? It was always doubt and unbelief! What is our biggest problem in this third section (the Holy Ghost)? It’s doubt and unbelief!!!
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:10-12)
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6:28-30)
We encourage you today to simply read the Word of God and believe! Jesus never intended for you to walk around powerless and alone. He sent you a helper but you have to believe, and you have to ask. You have not because you ask not. You ask not because you believe not. Remember this, you are a vital part of God’s perfect Holy Ghost plan (just like John was).
