I Believe!

I Believe !

Acts 16: 25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

There are many things that I don’t believe in but there is ONE Who I do believe!

To Him I believe and every Word He has spoken is truth unto me!

Belief is such a powerful statement but also a misunderstood statement.

There is more to belief than just saying it.

To say you believe someone is to say that you trust them, that you have faith in them.

Belief is a word that means a lot to all of us weather we understand that or not.

“Believe me” is something that we have all said and that is what we want people to do.

Children want their parents to believe in them.

Parents want their children to believe in them.

Husbands want their wives to believe in them and wives want their husbands to believe in them.

We want our boss to believe in us.

Old folks want younger folks to believe their advice.

We want people to believe in us no matter what age we are.

So the word belief means a little more than we realize to all of us.

And to our God belief means more than we will probably ever understand.

Hebrews 11: 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

I want to look at this as it relates to the Lost as well as to the Saved.

Do you believe God?

If you do then why don’t you live like it?

Why do you continue in sin?

Why will you not work for God my friend?

Why do you constantly worry about everything?

I believe saved folk are peculiar people that are marked with a seal of God!

A believing Christian will not have to worry:

Philippians 4: 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

If you can’t rely on Him for the temporal needs in life then how can you trust Him for the spiritual and the eternal?

Oh Christian do you find yourself worrying about everything?

If He can save and seal you for eternity then He is well able to take care of you here on Earth!

I believe, and since I believe God I have no reason to worry.

How about it Christian? Are you going to believe that He can carry your burdens or will you insult the Power of God?

Will you trust Him or insult Him?

Showing your belief by Obeying

A person who believes God will obey Him.

Acts 5: 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Do you think that you really show belief when you disobey?

Do you not believe that God will reward you accordingly?

Do you not believe in the chastening hand of God?

Revelation 3: 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Hebrews 12: 6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Christian if you are really a believer in God then you ought to show your belief.

A person that attends church but lives openly in sin does not appear to anyone as a real believer.

If you believe God will chasten you as He said He would then you would have a fear of continuing in sin.

He meant what He said, believe Him!

Belief means so much to God that if you don’t have your faith placed in Him then you are already going to Hell.

If you were to tell someone how to be saved what would you tell them?

Here are some of the common things that we as Christians say:

*Ask God to save you

*Confess all your sin to Him

*Give up your sin

All of these answers have significance but are they alone correct by God’s Word.

There is a deeper move that is made than words spoken from your mouth.

Not by works or deeds but by faith!

Before we even begin I want to make clear that I believe in crying out to God with your mouth, asking for forgiveness, calling upon His Name, and confessing your faults to Him.

I believe in falling down at an old fashion alter and crying out to Him for Salvation.

Having said that, I also believe that there is something deeper than that which happens right before that kind of move is made.

There can’t be a true prayer prayed without first believing!

Your belief in Him brings you to your knees before Him in prayer.

This is what is so scary, that so many people have prayed a prayer, maybe even a repeated prayer, but if they did not believe in Jesus then the prayer they prayed did not save them.

It is more than just saying some words my friend.

Anybody, that is believers and at the same time non-believers, can say some words.

You must believe in Jesus to be saved!

*To say that you believe in Jesus is to say that you fully trust Him.

*That you are trusting His shed Blood to get you to Heaven.

*You are believing that Through Him alone salvation is given.

How can you really mean “Lord save Me” if you don’t really believe that He can do it?

I believe that we have many with a professing faith and not a saving faith.


We need to separate “professing faith” from “saving faith”

2 Corinthians 13: 5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

Let’s start right here from the book of John:

John 1: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

To ALL men:

7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Note that His light has shown upon All men, nobody has been left without an opportunity to believe.

12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

I am glad that I am one of the “As many” spoken of in this Scripture and you can be also.

More importantly notice that receiving Him is through Belief.

John 2: 23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

There is a difference between a proffesing faith and a believing faith.

Just because someone goes to church and does all the right things doesn’t mean that they are going to Heaven.

Just because you sing in the choir and pray at the alter doesn’t mean that you are saved!

These folk in this passage of Scripture do not have a believing faith my friend, they believe in His Name at this point only because the miracles that they have seen him perform.

They did not have their Trust placed in Him and He knew it:

24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

You might be able to fool me and everybody else in your church but God looks at your heart and He knows what’s in you!

1 Samuel 16: 7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

What kind of faith do you have?

This Scripture goes right into the next chapter:

Here we have people that are following and their heart is not really in it, Jesus knows it and so He does not commit himself unto these folk.

These people are not genuine but we are now coming up on a man in chapter 3 who I believe is a genuine man looking for a genuine hope.

John 3: 1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

First of all Nicodemus didn’t understand everything he needed to know just yet, but He speaks to Jesus out of reverence.

we know that thou art a teacher come from God

Nicodemus spoke of His miracles but he realized they were of God.

Because God looks upon the heart I believe that Nicodemus had a greater question in his heart than what he was speaking with his mouth because of how Jesus answered him.

I believe that this man was looking for a way to get to the Kingdom of God.

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God

They have a discussion about being “Born Again” and then Jesus gives him the definition.

John 3: 14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Could we make it any plainer than Jesus has put it?

John 3: 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5: 24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 6: 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6: 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6: 47Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

John 7: 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 8: 24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

John 11: 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Was Martha a saved lady?

27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Is this really all it takes to become a Christian?

What about works, what about attending church, what about giving to the needy, what about witnessing, do they not also have a part in this salvation? ….. NO! these are things that come after salvation!!!!

Lets keep on reading….

John 20: 24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.


How about the blind man that Jesus healed in chapter 9…..

After Jesus told him to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”

He could see for the first time in his life

The Pharisees questioned him and then cast him out….

John 9:35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Did the blind man get saved?

The blind man didn’t say a sinner’s prayer of repentance as I did, is he really saved?

The Word of God has recorded a record of this man believing in Jesus, yes he is saved!

We can go on and on with examples out of God’s Word.

We need to read more….

Acts 10: 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Did these who Peter was preaching to get saved?

Did Peter call for an invitation?

These people got saved as Peter was preaching…

44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

What are we saying here…….

Is it really just believing on Jesus that saves us?

You better believe it!

Plus nothing, minus nothing

Acts 16:30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Here we have the most important question in the world.

And this is the answer to it….

31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

They didn’t say give a tithe or go to church.

They didn’t say go to confession.

They told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

This makes me wonder how many people have really accepted Jesus as their Saviour.

How many people have said a prayer but yet has not believed.

The words alone you say don’t save you, it is the Believing on Jesus that brings salvation!

The words of your repentance prayer don’t mean a thing unless they are back up with true Belief!

I do believe in calling on him with your mouth in prayer.

Romans 10: 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

I believe that when a person reaches the point that they are ready to pray then they are now confessing that they believe on Jesus.

Could it be that when a person confesses with their mouth that the belief has already taken place?

When I called out to God that night of my Salvation I accepted the fact that He was exactly Who He said He was and I Believed on Him!

There are no words that save you, it is the believing on Him.

I believe that prayer is the evidence of our belief.

God wants us to talk to Him, to confess our faults to Him, to ask Him for help.

I believe in calling upon Him as Romans 10 tells us to do.

I believe that it is a Godly sorrow that leads us to this point of repentance where we turn away from sin unto God.

It is through belief that we call upon Him!

14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

Romans 1: 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

John 1: 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

When a person wants to get saved it is because they are under conviction from God, in other words, He is drawing them.

We must not imply to them in any way that they must do anything outside of believing in the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ to be saved.

It is the belief in Jesus Christ according to His Own Word that saves us.

It is not because you said a certain prayer or you came to the alter, although I believe that you will immediately humble yourself before Him in prayer as a result of your belief and Call upon His Name.

Now many people will not believe because they can’t reason in their own mind that it is that easy.

Some people say that they will not believe because they can’t see how a loving God would allow people to starve to death or be abused.

I say unto those people that they don’t see the whole picture and it doesn’t matter if they do or not they better believe God!

When you stand before God some day will you say “I just didn’t understand”

It does matter if you fully understand everything but you better believe God!

1 Corinthians 1: 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Let me ask you a question, Do you really believe God?

Do you believe that Jesus really is God in the flesh?

Do you believe that Jesus lived a sin-less life?

Do you believe that Jesus died on the Cross and shed His Blood to wash your sin away?

Do you believe that Jesus was buried and three days later arose from the grave?

Do you believe that Jesus is all you need to be saved?

Do you believe that Jesus is big enough to carry all your burdens?

If you truly believe all this and you have let Him know that you believe by calling upon Him and repenting from your sin then you are on your way to Heaven.

But if you have any doubt about the things I just mentioned then if I were you I would make sure that Salvation has really taken place in your life.

I don’t really like to use the phrase “easy believism”, and I know what people are meaning when they say this, I just am not to fond of putting it that way and I am not preaching what they are meaning when they say that…. I do believe that there is more to it than just raising your hand! The more to it comes from true believing.

So does true belief in Jesus save us? Of Course!

My friend it is that simple…. If you can come to the point that you are willing to place 100% faith in Jesus Christ then you my friend are ready to be saved.

I don’t believe in this raise your hand and your in kind of stuff, or shake the preachers hand and your on your way stuff…… When a person gets saved they are letting go of the reigns of their life and giving them to Jesus!

I believe that when you come to the point of placing your faith in Jesus that you will be so humbled by salvation that true repentance will at the exact same time take place.

I believe that the repentance is a step in your belief, in other words, when you can get to the point that you will trust Him, then you are at the point of repenting.

Always remember that there is always a change made at the moment of salvation, Salvation is evident in the fruits of one’s life after their conversion.

There will be a change!

2 Corinthians 5:17

DOUBLE PORTION OF THY SPIRIT

“Double portion of thy spirit”

2 Kings 2: 1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. 3And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 4And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. 5And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. 6And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. 7And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. 8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

I would to God today that we could have the same desire that Elisha had to thrive and live in the fullness of the Spirit of God.

Many say that this has to do with an inheritance of the first born.

Elisha wants what Elijah had and a double portion at that!

I want to present this with three different types of Christians:

Saved yet so as by Fire type of Christian

1 Corinthians 3: 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I believe that the multitude of Christians today have no experience in the more abundant life that is there for their taking.

These are they that have done what is needed for entrance into Heaven, that is that they have believed upon Jesus Christ for salvation.

They truly have experienced salvation and their life has been changed….. these are those who know that they are saved but that is as far as they went with God.

They are still on the milk, they do nothing in service for God.

Hebrews 5: 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

You might find these Christians at church on Sunday morning, and then again you might not.

Hebrews 10: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

These are generally the ones who just blend in wherever there at.

These only pray on occasion and that is mostly just to ask God for provisions.

These are they that can not handle the Truth of God’s Word because it cuts into the activity in their life.

They are carnal in their ways and have a hard time separating themselves from the secular world.

The Apostle Paul preached to many of these in his day.

1 Corinthians 3: 1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are they who, when they do come to church the do it only because they know it is the right thing to do.

Coming to God’s House is more like a chore to them than a blessing.

These are they who will complain about long services, and strong preaching.

They are the ones who like to rub their temples as if to say “Quiet down, your giving me a headache” or look at their watch as if to say “hurry up”.

These would only open God’s Word to read if they were in trouble.

This is not just limited to the church pews but sometimes even those that once thrived upon God’s Word and have been placed in areas of service have backslidden and went back to the baby bottle and stopped growing.

I personally believe that there will always be some kind of fruit in every believer’s life at least at some time after their conversion that proves their salvation to those around them.

Galatians 5: 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.



Cumbered about much serving type of Christian

Luke 10: 38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Now Mary was at the Feet of Jesus but what about Martha?

The Martha-type Christians are a big help to the church.

They faithfully serve God in all areas and are always found in God’s House whenever the doors are open.

If it were not for these type of Christians they operation of the physical building would not work.

These are they who probably pray and ask God to bless every meal.

They witness sometimes, at least when they are around those in obvious need.

They will always identify themselves with other Christians.

They know what it means to feel conviction from God and they are even faithful to obey Him.

They read their Bible and maybe even faithfully on a routine basis.

And that is pretty much it…… All a routine to them.

These have fashioned their lives around good habits and good routines and have committed themselves to service.

These are those that serve God out of loyalty and obedience.

Acts 5: 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

They understand sacrifice and they understand obedience.

1 Samuel 5: 22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

These are they that go through the motions of Christianity and have learned how to look devoted in front of everyone but are still missing out on the more abundant life that Jesus wants them to have.

In Martha’s service she forgot to worship!

The Spirit filled Christian living the more abundant life.

John 10: 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

This is where Elisha desires to be in our text.

2 Kings 2: 8And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

It is sad to say, but in today’s society it is a rare thing to find a person such as Elisha.

These are they who witness at every opportunity given to them, not just to those that look like they need it.

They are in a constant state of prayer and communication to God.

Ephesians 6: 18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Thessalonians 5: 17Pray without ceasing.

Not only are they faithful in service but they love to do God’s Work and desire it in their life!

These are the ones who want to be called upon for service.

These are they who thrive upon God’s Word.

These are those who we would call on to pray for us for it is an obvious thing that they are in direct communication with God…..

We know that they can get in touch with God at any given moment for they have, with God’s Help, kept their sins confessed and their life clean.

They are not on a dial-up service with God but are in constant contact with Him.

The Power of Almighty God rests upon these.

They never, never compromise with sin in any situation.

These are not perfect people I am speaking about, but are led by the Spirit of God, and have committed themselves to walk in His Spirit and love Him.

These are they that have a desire to follow God and His Spirit’s every conviction as if they are a puppet and they have given God the strings.

These are the ones who have made themselves to be clay in the Potters Hands.

They have become a blank canvas and desire God to hold the Artist’s brush.

When the Holy Ghost brings conviction or instruction their way they are ready to move at His command.

1 Thessalonians 5: 19Quench not the Spirit.

Galatians 5: 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

These are they with an overwhelming burden to love Christ and bring others to Him.

These know how to answer every man because it is the Spirit that is feeding them the answers.

1 Corinthians 2: 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Peter 3: 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

They not only read God’s Word, but they have studied and are on strong meat!

2 Timothy 2: 15Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

These can be men, women, boys or girls and can be of any race, or nationality.

By the way, these are the ones that get made fun of by the world because they are so different.

1 Peter 2: 9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

These are of those who serve God, not just out of loyalty and obedience, but out of Love for Him.



Back To Elisha now….

He wasn’t asking for a better ministry than Elijah, He just wanted more of Elijah’s God!

Was his ministry greater than that of Elijah’s, well if you are miracle counting then Elisha’s was double than that of Elijah’s.

2 Kings 2: 9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.

Elijah seen the request of Elisha as a hard thing…..

Maybe it seemed as such a hard thing to Elijah because God was so near him, and the Holy Spirit’s presence was so real that he couldn’t imagine a double portion.

We need to remember that nothing is impossible with God!

May we see the light in the Scriptures that we too can have this walk with God.

13He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. 15And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

It was evident to the sons of the prophets that Elisha had received the double portion that he had asked for.

May I say that it will be evident if you are filled with the Spirit of God!

No, you will not perform miracles but if you will submit the way God wants you to and Love Him then you will have a glow about you that shines from Heaven above!

It will be evident that you also have been with Christ.


If you haven’t noticed yet, this Scripture is also a picture of Christ and His Church.

Elisha did not receive the double portion of the Spirit until Elijah left.

While Elijah was here, he was the man for the moment, but now that he is gone the mantle, and the double portion has been given to Elisha.

John 16: 7Nevertheless 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.

Also did you notice that greater works did Elisha than that of Elijah…. And this is not because Elisha was any greater of a man.

John 14: 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.


What does all this mean to us?

Well, are you happy being a bottle fed Christian?

Are you happy being a routine Christian?

Wouldn’t you rather live the life of a Spirit filled Christian?

John 14: 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Luke 11: 9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 5: 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Ephesians 5: 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Should we celebrate halloween?

Should we celebrate Halloween?

I believe this is a question that every parent that is thinking about letting their kids trick or treat should ask themselves.

It is quite obvious that this event did not come from anything Christ-like.

I know many have their views on this, and that those many views differ greatly.

To many the fears of Halloween are just myths and fictional characters that just are nothing more than a little scare for fun.

After all, the stuff that has been shown on "Nightmare on Elmstreet" and "Friday 13th" etc...
are just in the movies, right?

Is witches, vampires, and the occult real?

Does it really make a difference if we set out a jack-o-lantern and hang some spooky spider webs and skelotens around our house?

Does it really make a difference if we celebrate this so-called holiday?

Besides people really don't drink other's blood, and sacrifice people for the dead, and try to cast spells today do they? THINK AGAIN!!!!!!

I believe that the Bible, God's Holy Word is VERY specific about these things!

We would all have to agree that Withes, Vampires, headless horsemen, ghost, and goblins are not about GOOD things and we might as well say that they are things of EVIL, mainly with a pull and theme of DEATH to them.

1 Thessalonians 5: 22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Please read the following scriptures and make a judgment about halloween based upon what God's Word says.



1 Timothy 4: 1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

What does the Bible say about witches?
WITCHES are the reigning Queen of Halloween. If you’ve been lullabied by the gospel of Halloween that witches are harmless folks, wake up, witches worship the devil:
In many instances, according to the confessions of the witches, besides their direct worship of the devil, they were obliged to show their abhorrence of the faith they had deserted by trampling on the cross, and blaspheming the saints, and by other profanations. (Spence, Lewis. An Encyclopedia of Occultism, p. 433)
The witches held a party at Hallowe’en and the women . . . sold their soul to the devil, would put a stick in their beds anointed with the fat of murdered babies. . .(Douglas, George William. The American Book of Days, p. 569)
Although witches vigorously protest they have no dealings with the devil, under the heading, "A Witch’s God," the popular witch’s training manual, Witchcraft: Theory and Practice, plainly states:
A Witch’s God. . . He is . . . Lord of the Underworld [Hell] . . . He is named . . . Baphomet . . . Lucifer . . . Baal. . . (Angeles, Ly de. Witchcraft: Theory and Practice, p. 60)
The Lord God’s judgment upon witches should not be taken lightly.
Exodus 22: 18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
I don’t at all agree with any parent that pushes their children into this worship, just as the bible says:

Deuteronomy 18: 10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

What about vampires that drink their own or others blood?

Leviticus 19: 26Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. 27Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. 29Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
30Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. 31Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Micah 5: 10And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: 11And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds: 12And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: 13Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. 14And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. 15And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.


2 Corinthians 6: 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


• HALLOWEEN: BAAL WORSHIP •
The original Halloween was a hellish night of Baal worship and child sacrifice. And most of our current Halloween customs derived directly from Baal rituals!
On November first was Samhain [Halloween] . . . Fires were built as a thanksgiving to Baal. . . (Kelley, Ruth Edna, The Book of Hallowe'en, Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Co. Boston, 1919)
The mystic rites and ceremonies with which Hallow’en was originally observed had their origin among the Druids . . . ancient Baal festivals from which many of the Hallow’en customs are derived. (Douglas, George William. The American Book of Days, p. 569)
Baal is also a synonym for the devil. (Burns, Cathy. Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 327)
Halloween glorifies death in worship to Baal or the devil!
The Druid festival of Samhain was a celebration of death. Strutting its hellish death images of skulls, skeletons, ghosts, demons, devils and incarnate evil – today’s Halloween glorifies Death. David Skal titled his history of Halloween—Death Makes a Holiday:
The grand marshal of the Halloween parade is, and always has been, Death. (Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: The Cultural History of Halloween, p. 18)
Halloween can be traced directly back to Samhain, the ancient Celtic harvest festival honoring the Lord of the Dead. (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs, p. 251)
The Devil glorifies death. Hebrews 2:14 says, ". . . that through death he [Jesus] might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;" Proverbs 8:36 says all they that hate the Lord ". . . love death." Revelation 6:8 says the rider of the antichrist’s pale horse, ". . . and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."

There is one for sure truth about this morbid holiday that that our country has adapted to, and that is that in it’s origination it was a type of celebration of death.

What does the Word of God have to say about such things?

Proverbs 8: 36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Hebrews 2: 14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

JACK-O’-LANTERN: If Witches are the Queen of Halloween, the smiling jack-o’-lantern is the King. The demonic jack-o’-lantern leaves most historians baffled tracing its spooky origin. One popular tale, tells of Jack who tricked the devil in a deal for his soul. But the origin of the jack-o’-lantern is much more sinister. It arrives from the Druid’s ghastly reverence of the severed human head! They proudly decorated their houses and temples with bloody severed heads. The Druids believed the head housed the soul, hence the light or candle in the skull. The original jack-o’-lantern was not a pumpkin or turnip, but a severed human head!
Trophy, charm, or ornament, the human head figured prominently in Celtic life. Warriors hung enemy heads on their houses as a show of prowess, and Druids, believing that the head harbored the soul, placed skulls in sanctuaries to ward off evil. (National Geographic, May 1977, p. 603)
. . . they hang the heads of their enemies from the necks of their horses, and, when they have brought them home, nail the spectacle to the entrances of their homes. . .(Strabo, Geography)
It is believed that faces, rather than other images or symbols, were originally carved onto the pumpkin because they gave the jack-o’-lantern the look of a head. The Celts of ancient times believed that the head was the most sacred part of the human body, for it housed a person’s immortal soul. (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 32)
. . . the jack-o’-lantern is generally presented in its traditional form as a festive euphemism for the death’s-head, the triangular nose hole and rictus grin being the "dead" giveaways. (Skal, David J. Death Makes a Holiday: The Cultural History of Halloween, p. 38)
Carved and illuminated by a candle, they are symbolic of death and the spirit world. (Thompson, Sue Ellen. Holiday Symbols and Customs, p. 256)
TRICK OR TREAT is another Druid inspired custom.
Every year on Halloween, many children throughout the world dress up in costumes and go door to door in a ritual known as trick or treating . . . unaware that their innocent masquerade is actually the remnants of a Druidic religious practice from times most ancient. (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 11)
Whatever the wrinkles, the root assumption is the same: trick or treat had its beginning in the Celtic dawn. (Santino, Jack. Halloween and Other Festivals of Death and Life, p. 82)
MASKS & COSTUMES: Masks and costumes carry a long history in the occult and demon possession. Masks are contacts to the spirit world to invite the spirit to "possess" them.
In rituals, a person wearing a mask of a god or spirit often feels possessed by the supernatural being. . . (World Book 2005, p. 263)
The person wearing the mask feels internally transformed and takes on temporarily the qualities of the god or demon represented by the mask. (Biedermann, Hans. Dictionary of Symbolism, p. 218)
BAT: "One of the animal shapes commonly used by these demons (or "familiars," as they were often called) was the bat. Bats and their blood were also used in the casting of spells (especially those of black magick), the brewing of potions. . ." (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 29)
OWL: "On Halloween night, demons in the form of owls were said to have traveled with Witches and their cats . . . some were even believed to be Witches in disguise. . . (Interestingly, the owl was called a strix by the Romans—a word that means "Witch.")" (Dunwich, Gerina. The Pagan Book of Halloween, p. 43)
"BLACK CATS were associated with darkness and death . . . they embodied demons who performed the witches’ task of maleficia against their neighbors. . . Black cats are said to be the devil himself." (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 49)
APPLES: "The practice of bobbing for apples at a Halloween party comes form our Pagan ancestors, who highly valued apple magick." (RavenWolf, Silver. Teen Witch, p. 42)
SKULL: "An interesting symbol, the skull . . . It is prominent in Witchcraft and Demon worship as a celebration of death." (Burns, Cathy. Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated, p. 388)

Listen …. If you feel it is your duty to wear the garb this Halloween then the devil would have you go ahead and wear it proud in honor of these satanic worshipers because that is exactly what you are doing, Honoring the devil himself! …… every believer in Christ knows better!


So what do you think? Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

Is Halloween really just a harmless and fun event?

1 Corinthians 10: 15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Ephesians 5: 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.


Note: Some of the information from this blog was taken from the Dial The Truth Ministries Website