Kindling Ministries, Ron Allen's Blog

God's Empowering Presence, part five

Because of the "Holy Spirit" turn of events this am, this outline will be the general thrust of the message next week, unless God surprises us some more. There is no podcast obviously.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:4,5, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about, for John baptized with water, but in few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

1.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all who believers who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Mt. 3:11, “He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Lu. 24:49, “wait for the Holy Spirit…

2.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit is separate and distinct from God’s work of regeneration. Jn.20:22, Lu. 24:49

3.    To be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5, 2:4

4.    Speaking in tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance is the initial outward sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

5.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit will bring the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish mighty works in the name of Jesus Christ.

a.    Prophetic utterances and declarations of praise.

b.   A greater seeking after righteousness.

c.    Manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

d.   An increasing desire to pray and study God’s Word.

e.    A revelation of God as our Heavenly Father.

6.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to those,

a.    Who are born again and accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

b.   Who desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

7.    The baptism in the Holy Spirit is sustained by,

a.    Prayer

b.   Bible study

c.    Worship

d.   A life of holiness

8.    There is one baptism of the Holy Spirit and many infillings.

a.    It is to be renewed.

b.   It is to be maintained.

God's Empowering Presence part three

The Anointing of God's Favor.

The following notes are from my message on Sunday, May 3. The podcast can be downloaded at  www.hccfw.com   

The Holy Spirit anoints us with His favor. Life works best in partnership with the Holy Spirit.  Luke 11:29-30 “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

God has the capacity for springing a "suddenly." Even though He is a God of seasons and appointed times, He can bring Divine acceleration anytime.  Psalms 147:18 “Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter--suddenly it’s spring!”

Oil reduces friction. Things contrary to God's will slide off of us under the anointing.  Isaiah 61:3 “I will put beautiful crowns on their heads in place of ashes. I will anoint them with oil to give them gladness instead of sorrow. I will give them a spirit of praise in place of a spirit of sadness.”

God has the capacity to redeem every situation. He's done it before, and He will do it again.  Psalms 126:3-5 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the desert! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!   

God's Empowering Presence part two

The following notes are from my message at Heartland Church, Sunday. We are beginning a new series on living the Spirit-filled life. Christians are to demonstrate the miraculous power of God at work on our behalf. Signs and wonders are to accompany those who Believe. The podcast can be downloaded from www.hccfw.com

You have RESURRECTION power.

Rom 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” 

John 12:24 "The truth is this. A kernal of wheat must be planted in soil. Unless it germinates it will be alone--a single seed. But its transformation will produce many new kernels--a plentiful harvest of new lives.” 

The difference between being planted and being buried is the expectation of what is going to happen next. Destruction and decay, or development and increase.

You may feel like you are being buried, but the truth is you are being planted.

 A seed must be planted to germinate and grow, and mature and be fruitful.

Eph 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His resurrection power that works in us.”

I am not facing the end, but a new beginning.

I Cor 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

 You face big challenges when you have a big destiny. Gen. 50:20, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Burial is permanent, planting is temporary.

No matter what is happening to you, you can do the right thing. That’s the difference between being planted and being buried.

Came to pass, not to stay, I am anointed, equipped, well able, I am more than a conqueror.

The new shoot of life from the seed just wiggles through the dirt.

Don’t get discouraged, the very thing the enemy sends to harm us, God allows to promote us.

Bitterness, self-pity, condemnation, shame, will all cancel out faith.

What are you expecting a new beginning or an untimely end.

No matter what comes it is not a surprise to God

James 5:7, “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.”

The farmer knows. He does not guess or hope. He does his part and God does the rest.

James 5:11 “We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord's plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy.”

Job got double for his trouble.

I’ll never get out debt. I’ll never get well, I’ll always be single, this child will never be any different…. Have unshakeable confidence, you are planted, not buried.

Like Job, expect to come out on the other side better. Increase.

Don’t concentrate on your problems, concentrate on your God. No difficulty can defeat you. No person can keep you from your destiny.

Numbers 10:35, “Whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.”

What are you letting arise?

Psalms 34:3,4 “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.”

God's Empowering Presence, part one

The following notes are from my message at Heartland Church, Sunday. We are beginning a new series on living the Spirit-filled life. Christians are to demonstrate the miraculous power of God at work on our behalf. Signs and wonders are to accompany those who Believe. The podcast can be downloaded from www.hccfw.com. 

Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..."

The Holy Spirit is God.  The Holy Spirit is a divine person, one of the three persons of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is holy. The Holy Spirit is spirit. 

The Holy Spirit is eternal.

The Holy Spirit is omniscient.

The Holy Spirit is omnipresent.

The Holy Spirit is omnipotent.

The Holy Spirit is a person.

He thinks.

He speaks.

He teaches.

He loves.

He grieves.

The Holy Spirit is essential in the life of the Believer.

The Holy Spirit is the Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Guide and Friend.

The Holy Spirit sustains, changes, empowers and prays for us.

We need to be, being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised and commanded it.

Jesus gave us the purpose for it.

God wants us to be filled with His empowering Presence, living a supernatural life, naturally.