Hosting the Presence of God by Bill Johnson

From my previous post, I mentioned that I will blog on Bill Johnson’s message to the audience at Kingdom Invasion 2012 in Singapore. The message was about “Hosting the Presence of God” which he has a book on (with the same title).

Here is the gist of it (please note that bible quotes are from me):

The Holy Spirit is in all of us, as promised by God:   

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16, NKJV)

                                                                                                                                                     

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of the Spirit who lives in you. (Romans 8:9-11)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. (Ephesians 3:16)

However, this is different from having the Holy Spirit resting upon us. The former is for the individual’s sake but the latter is for ministry sake. When the Lord’s Spirit rests upon a person, there is an “atmospheric change” that takes place wherever that person goes. With that anointing, one is able to usher in a greater presence of God to the place or ministry he/she is in. So powerful was the Holy Spirit’s anointing on Peter that people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by (Acts 5:15).

It is thus important to recognise that power so as to guard its presence from leaving. All measurements in the Kingdom exist for us to pursue increase.  With the Holy Spirit pictured as a dove perching on our shoulder, we should be mindful of our every movement so that it does not cause the dove to remove itself; we need to learn to host the presence of God.

- End of summary -

Because the main focus of the gathering was for healing, the message stopped short of details on how we can host the presence of God. So, I'm expecting to gain some insight on how to do so from Che Ahn's nightly conference this coming weekend. Will update on this.

Hosting the Holy Spirit by Che Ahn

Have you ever asked yourself why some people feel and enjoy the presence of God more strongly than yourself? Even in some places of worship, the presence of God is just more powerful. How does one explain that phenomenon?

Well, Che Ahn will be in Singapore to teach on the topic of inviting the Holy Spirit to remain and flourish in lives or in church. There will be evening conferences 7.30pm nightly from 30 September 2012 to 2 October 2012 at Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church. Admission is free but due to limited seats, registration is required here.

This topic that Che Ahn will teach on reminds me about what Bill Johnson spoke about hosting the presence of God during Kingdom Invasion 2012 in March. He said that the Holy Spirit comes to rest upon us, like a dove perching on our shoulder. In order for the Holy Spirit to continue to rest upon us, we must continuously be mindful of it. I thought it was mind blowing. I'll go dig out my notes and blog about it tomorrow.

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Still Operates Today (Part 3)

Conclusion

In my previous post, I mentioned that Jesus promises signs will follow WHOEVER believes in Him:

[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on the sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18)

This promise is not only for the early church, but for ANYONE throughout the ages who believes in Jesus:

Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2:38-39)

Furthermore, Jesus says that even greater miracles can take place now that Jesus has returned to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us:

Believe me when I [Jesus] say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:11-12)

The Holy Spirit distributes to EACH ONE individually as He wills:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (1 Peter 4:10)

We are encouraged to use our spiritual gifts to testify the power of God:

My [Paul] message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2:3-4)

Why do so many insist that all these are of the past and those instructions were only to the people of the NT era? Is the following command from Jesus only meant for his disciples or the people of the past?

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Absolutely not! For the word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12)!

I know some Christians who do not believe in the supernatural as “we now live in the age of science”, and are just afraid of the unknown in the spiritual realm. Are they implying that God changes with time? God is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!

God wants to work through us; He wants to be in partnership with us! Each and every one of us makes up the body of Christ and we are given different gifts for the good of all:

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:27-28)

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  (1 Peter 4:10)

I shall leave you with what Spurgeon said (an excerpt from Adrian Warnock's blog post on a debate about charismatics):

“… Does any man know what the Spirit of God can make of him? I believe the greatest, ablest, most faithful, most holy man of God might have been greater, and abler, and more faithful, and more holy if he had put himself more completely at the Spirit’s disposal. Wherever God has done great things by a man He has had power to do more had the man been fit for it. We are straitened in ourselves, not in God. O brothers, the church is weak today because the Holy Spirit is not upon her members as we could desire Him to be. You and I are tottering along like feeble babes, whereas, had we more of the Spirit, we might walk without fainting, run without weariness, and even mount up with wings as eagles. Oh, for more of the anointing of the Holy Ghost whom Christ is prepared to give immeasurably unto us if we will but receive Him!”

The above can be supported by this scripture passage:

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. (Romans 1:11)

So, are you missing out on God's power?

Spiritual Breakthrough Coming!

Something new happened to me on Sunday morning - I missed God.

I had been spending time with God daily for two whole weeks before my family arrived from Malaysia on Tuesday to visit. As I only see them at most three times a year, it was difficult to set some time aside for God during their very short stay of six days. Furthermore, I could only manage a one day leave on Friday. So on Sunday morning, I felt my heart longed for God. It just happened, out of the blue and I don't think I was thinking about God before that. It was truly the first time I ever felt that way.

I think it could be possible that I have encountered a minor breakthrough in my spiritual life. Like water seeping through a crack in the wall of a dam. I have been on spiritual highs before but oftentimes they just naturally diminished into nothingness as worldliness always found a way back into my life. Not this time. I can feel an elevation in the spirit; like I have been put on higher ground, with the world further from my easy reach. This blog is a tremendous aid in helping me focus on God and His Kingdom. I am praying hard that as I continue to seek after God, the crack in that dam will widen and eventually fully crack open for a full breakthrough to occur!

Loot from L'Oreal Paris Private Sale

I attended a private sale by L'Oreal Paris' Luxury Products Division yesterday. I just went for their Q2 sale in July and I still had things to buy yesterday! I'm ashamed to say that I love to shop (in just these two events, I spent more than $1K). Who doesn't go crazy at bargains, right?

So, here's my loot from yesterday:

Bought quite a number of items from Kerastase for my family members as I found it to be good stuff. I bought the Volumeactive series of shampoo during the last event and I can see a vast improvement in my hair volume now. Not only that, my dandruff problem has disappeared too! I had to rely on Pantene most of my life although knowing that it causes a blanket coat/wax on the scalp to keep the "dandruff" intact. I have bought different types of expensive shampoos from hair salons before but they never got rid of my problems. Perhaps it's because different hairstylists gave me different views on why I have dandruff and recommended different shampoos accordingly. Anyways, I bought Keratase Volumeactive fully prepared for my dandruff problem to intensify; I was ready to use it just twice weekly in fact. But I have been using it every day since July and no volume or dandruff issues now! So I give two thumbs up for Kerastase products!

I also bought skincare products to stock up for my own future use and as Xmas presents for family and friends =) Ah, should I go again today? It's the last day of the sale and prices are usually slashed even more.... Mhhmmm should I or should I not??

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit still Operates Today (Part 2)

Continuation from my previous post...

Argument 2: Only Jesus’ Apostles operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit

I often hear people argue that the NT apostles were the only legitimate workers of miracles to prove their witness and therefore gifts of the Holy Spirit stopped when they have all passed on. If gifts of the Holy Spirit were indeed restricted to the Twelve, I would be more inclined to give their argument more weight. However, signs and wonders were not only performed by them in the NT (see examples below).


Jesus Himself sent out people apart from the apostles to work the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

After this the Lord [Jesus] appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go…. “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Luke 10:1-9)

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17)

The Twelve also elected godly people to help serve alongside them (see Acts 6). They could also perform miracles:

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. (Acts 8:6-7)

All gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural in nature and thus considered as signs, wonders and miracles by themselves. There was a multitude of NT people from all over the place who operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4) 

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8)

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:7-8)

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

Jesus promised that signs will follow those who believe in Him!

[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on the sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18)

Thus, Argument 2 does not hold water!

To be continued...

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit still Operates Today (Part 1)

My hubby (Mark) and I had dinner with a friend to celebrate his 29^th birthday at &Made on Monday. I absolutely loved the ratatouille toastoo which transported me back to Greece with its generous filling of tapenade! Anyways, we had a good time just talking and enjoying each others’ company.

Upon request, I shared about the prophetic sessions our church had last week (I had invited him to join us for the activation workshop on Sunday but it coincided with his birthday celebration). In any case, he voiced his discomfort for things of the spirit and thinks he believes in the cessation of gifts in today's church. I, of course disagreed with him, but was unequipped to substantiate my point on the spot. I hope this will help me in my future discussions and perhaps yours too.


Argument 1: Cessation because the Canon has been completed

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. (1 Corinthians 13:8-10)

Cessationists' strongest scriptural defence is the above. They believe that the word "completeness" here is the completion of the canon. However, it is very doubtful that Apostle Paul to that. So, does "completeness" in this case mean we have no more need for knowledge, making bible studies, pastors and teachers redundant? Is our knowledge of God perfect today? The answer is clearly, no. Furthermore, I wonder whether Apostle Paul knew that there would be a completed version of the NT some day. I am in support of the view that the word “completeness” refers to the return of Jesus Christ as only Jesus can remove any imperfection or incompleteness.

Let's continue reading verse 12:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And I would like to cross reference the above verse to:

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

 (1 John 3:2)

I believe that 1 John 3:2’s “when Christ appears” is the same as the “face to face” in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Prophecies and tongues, like knowledge, are incomplete because we live in a fallen world separated from God (2 Corinthians 5:8). It is only when Jesus comes again the full glory of our son-ship will be manifested and we shall have full understanding of God.


To be continued....

And Indeed We Prophesied!

Praise God for the Holy Spirit's presence amongst our little group on Sunday. I was one of two facilitators that day with five participants for the prophetic activation session I mentioned in my earlier post. All but one of the participants were new to such sessions. I was extremely encouraged to see such boldness in the participants as they ministered God's thoughts to each other, particularly because three of them were only young Christians. Because they were so hungry to hear from God and earnestly tuned their spiritual senses to Him, many words spoken that day resonated with their receivers. 

I only joined two of the activities, which required partnering work. My first partner, Christina gave me a picture of a diamond. I have been asking God to give me a supernatural manifestation of His presence in the form of gemstones for the last couple of weeks. I had heard of a friend's friend receiving such a tangible miracle in her hair! And my friend herself had glory dust on her hands for at lease two weeks (see her youtube video here). Whilst I am happy for them that God showed Himself so real, I am a little envious. Please note that such supernatural occurences do not form the basis of my faith but boy, would it be a bonus if I had something as tangible as that! I am taking that mental picture Christina had to mean God knows of my desire.

My house church also had an impromptu prophetic session during last Friday's service. We only had six persons in attendance that day, and since we were all church regulars and very comfortable with the thought of stirring up our prophetic gifting, we had a wonderful time seeking God's thoughts for each other. My fellow church mates were effective mouthpieces for God that night because whatever they prophesied over me, resounded in my spirit. I shall share some of them in the following paragraphs:

God, speaking through Adrian, said that He sees my every action and whilst they may look small and insignificant, they are in actual fact important and impactful. This has been something I have been struggling with for many years. I often believed that many do not appreciate my efforts in church and much of my goodwill go unseen. Many a times my wise husband had to remind me that whatever I do, I do unto the Lord and that is all that should matter. I suppose I am a little needy when it comes to reassurances. So I am comforted that God is assuring me that my actions, no matter how small they are, mean something to Him and they carry weight in people's lives.

Jessie saw me suspended in heaven and interpreted it as God wanting to bring me to a higher level. However, she mentioned that the background was a dark night with a ray of light shining on me, which she took to mean that I would have to persevere in my walk with God as it won't be that easy. And then she saw me with wings like an angel, soaring with God.  

Mark kept seeing the word 'faith' for me. It's rather apt as I feel that my faith has increased tremendously in the past two weeks. I can't explain why I say so but I feel such an uplifting in my spirit that I just know.

I am also very thankful that God used me to minister to my brothers and sisters that day, giving them words of comfort that they needed and words of confirmation that they have been waiting for. It is an awesome feeling that God is willing to use such a broken vessel like me and that a sinful person like me could tune in to God's thoughts. And you know what? Friday was the first time I stepped out in faith and sang prophetically. It was just a simple song but it was the work of the Holy Spirit because never in a million years would I be able to compose a song with tune and all! I was so touched by the Holy Spirit that my voice quivered as I sang and tears started to form.

I can't wait for the large scale prophetic workshop in Kota Kinabalu this October! I pray that God will use me powerfully!

You can Prophesy!

My church will be conducting a Prophetic Activation session this Sunday. Therefore, I think it might be apt for me to support what we're doing with some Bible verses (for your encouragement and my edification).

So, what is prophesying? Prophesy in Greek means to bring forth, to foretell or to tell forth (many mistake it to be just foretelling). When we prophesy, we are uttering God's message. So in other words, we become God's spokesperson or mouthpiece. 

The author of Acts quoted Prophet Joel:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,

That I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your young men shall see visions,

Your old men shall dream dreams,

And on My menservants and on My maidservants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days,

And they shall prophesy."

(Acts 2:17-18)

The gift of prophecy is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit:

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit (1), to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit (2), to another faith by the same Spirit (3),  to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit (4), to another the working of miracles (5), to another prophecy (6), to another discerning of spirits (7), to another different kinds of tongues (8), to another the interpretation of tongues (9). But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

(1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

And Apostle Paul says that ALL can prophesy:

"For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged."

(1 Corinthians 14:31)

The gift of prophecy has a threefold purpose:

"But he who prophesies speaks edification (1) and exhortation (2) and comfort (3) to men"

(1 Corinthians 14:3)

Apostle Paul encourages us to seek the gift of prophesy:

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."

(1 Corinthians 14:1)

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbit speaking in tongues."

(1 Corinthians 14:39)

"I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification."

(1 Corinthians 14:5)



Importantly, all genuine prophecies must testify and honour Jesus:

"For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

(Revelations 19:10)

I think it is good to note that anyone can prophesy, but not everyone is called to be a prophet.There is a difference to being called to the office of a prophet (being in ministry); the intensity, frequency and burden bearing of a person being called to be a prophet is much higher.

Well, this Sunday's session will be my third with my church-mates (I attended a 5-day Prophetic Activation workshop in Kota Kinabalu with Arise Malaysia earlier in March this year and will be going for the third module in a few weeks' time). We will be activating first timers and continue to stir up the gift in others. I am praying that God will use me as His willing vessel to convey His thoughts to the recipients there and I hope to receive some powerful messages too!

"How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with you."

(Psalm 139:17-18)

Spiritual senses

Last night, I asked the Lord to open up my five spiritual senses.

I'd like to believe that I am already rather sensitive to the spirit realm as I have encountered countless demonic attacks (usually in the state of sleep) and I do occasionally receive dreams that are of God. However, I have never really had my senses opened whilst I am awake. For instance, I don't think I have ever shown a response to the Holy Spirit (think falling, rolling, laughing, etc). Of course I don't doubt the power of the Holy Spirit, it's just that I would love to feel a more tangible manifestation of the spirit.

I think many are fearful of the spiritual realm and reject it. But the Bible is full of examples that the spiritual realm is indeed real and that we should embrace it. There is an awesome account in 2 Kings 6 of the participation and interaction of angels in the human realm:

In 1 Kings 19:19-21, Prophet Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha. When Elijah's time on earth was almost up, Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of his anointing and God allowed it to come to past  (see 2 Kings 2:9-13).

Elisha had two disciples in the course of his minitry; his first servant was called Gehazi whowas eventually disqualified from becoming Elisha's successor due to greed (see 2 Kings 5:20-27), at which point Elisha took on a new servant whose name is not revealed.

Now, the king of Aram was at war with Israel. As we read in 2 Kings 6:13-14, the king had sent his whole army to surround the city just to capture Elisha, who had foiled his every attack plan. This is where it gets exciting for me. When Elisha's servant saw the army of horses and chariots that had encircled them, he became terrified, asking Elisha, "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?" And came the prophet's answer, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha uttered this prayer, "Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see" and the servant's spiritual eyes saw hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (see 2 Kings 6:15-17).

How awesome is that? That must have been one heck of a scene! How I wish I could be given such glimpses into the spiritual realm every now and then (yeah, you got that right - how can once be sufficient?). I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to share my own experience (in awake mode) here. 

Chasing After a Piece of Heaven

I am starting this blog to journal my journey with God.

I am ashamed to say that my hunger for God has been erratic since I submitted my life to Him eight years ago; it whipsaws with my mood. I have experienced prophetic dreams (which come to past, often to do with earthquakes), dreams with angels present, an open vision and more (which I will reveal in more details over coming blog entries). One would expect all these to cause me to have a continual desire to seek after God or even to be on a spiritual high for a long stretch of time, but I never had a sustained hunger to develop my relationship with God; it always just faded off in no time. I blame spiritual laziness.

So, I'm hoping this blog (which I hope to update every other day) will be a reminder for me to continually seek after Him and to continually learn more of His Word. I'm excited to embark on this journey of chasing after heaven......