There's a popular cable show called “Ghost Hunters” on the SyFy channel. It follows the investigations of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) Led by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. People who have bizarre things happening in their homes contact TAPS for help. When TAPS arrives on location, they perform scientific investigations with a wide array of equipment.
Sometimes the noises coming from the basement aren't from a ghost, but from loose water pipes banging against the wall. At the end of each show, Jay and Grant present their findings to the homeowners. Often times they are relieved to know that they only have electrical issues with the house. In other cases, they recommend that the family contact a minister or priest for help because a can of Raid isn't going to help their situation.
I'm not necessarily recommending the show, but it is interesting. Strange things happen that don't have a “natural” explanation. It's not normal; it's paranormal. In Job 4, Eliphaz recounted this incident to Job: “Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up...”
In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a ship on the sea at night when Jesus came to them walking on the water. “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” They got the idea of a spirit from somewhere. “Interesting” things happen all the time and all over the world, yet the scriptures don't really offer much information about what's behind these unexplainable occurrences.
But the Bible does talk about the Holy Ghost. Where are you on that subject? Some people seek the Spirit, while others preach against it. Others claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost was only for the apostles and not for us today. But what do you believe? And just as important, why do you believe what you believe? Are your conclusions based on hearsay, or have you searched it out for yourself? Are you fearful about this subject? You might be surprised at what the Bible says about the Holy Ghost.
Ezekiel prophesied, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-7)
Jesus said in John 8: 37-39, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.(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 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
When we understand the purpose of the Spirit, whatever fears we might have should vanish. Some are nervous about speaking in tongues. May I offer this: The Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues isn't something man invented. If God has chosen tongues as a sign that people have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, then who are we to argue?
The Book of Acts is packed with interesting accounts of people receiving the Holy Ghost. The Jewish disciples (Acts 2), the people of Samaria (Acts 8), the gentiles (Acts 10), and disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19).
I believe in a heaven and a hell because the Bible tells me about these things. I also believe in the Holy Ghost because the Bible tells me about this too. I can testify to the life changing power of his Spirit because I've received it just like many others have. Yes, I speak in tongues and pray in the Spirit, just like the Bible encourages.
The disciples were terrified that night when they saw something walking on the water toward them. They didn't know what it was. But it was Jesus! If fear is holding you back from from receiving the Holy Ghost, please understand this is Jesus too! It is the Spirit of Christ, a.k.a. the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of God, and the Holy Spirit! Don't be afraid of it. Rather, be filled with it!
I'm not necessarily recommending the show, but it is interesting. Strange things happen that don't have a “natural” explanation. It's not normal; it's paranormal. In Job 4, Eliphaz recounted this incident to Job: “Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up...”
In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a ship on the sea at night when Jesus came to them walking on the water. “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” They got the idea of a spirit from somewhere. “Interesting” things happen all the time and all over the world, yet the scriptures don't really offer much information about what's behind these unexplainable occurrences.
But the Bible does talk about the Holy Ghost. Where are you on that subject? Some people seek the Spirit, while others preach against it. Others claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost was only for the apostles and not for us today. But what do you believe? And just as important, why do you believe what you believe? Are your conclusions based on hearsay, or have you searched it out for yourself? Are you fearful about this subject? You might be surprised at what the Bible says about the Holy Ghost.
Ezekiel prophesied, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-7)
Jesus said in John 8: 37-39, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.(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 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
When we understand the purpose of the Spirit, whatever fears we might have should vanish. Some are nervous about speaking in tongues. May I offer this: The Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues isn't something man invented. If God has chosen tongues as a sign that people have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, then who are we to argue?
The Book of Acts is packed with interesting accounts of people receiving the Holy Ghost. The Jewish disciples (Acts 2), the people of Samaria (Acts 8), the gentiles (Acts 10), and disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19).
I believe in a heaven and a hell because the Bible tells me about these things. I also believe in the Holy Ghost because the Bible tells me about this too. I can testify to the life changing power of his Spirit because I've received it just like many others have. Yes, I speak in tongues and pray in the Spirit, just like the Bible encourages.
The disciples were terrified that night when they saw something walking on the water toward them. They didn't know what it was. But it was Jesus! If fear is holding you back from from receiving the Holy Ghost, please understand this is Jesus too! It is the Spirit of Christ, a.k.a. the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of God, and the Holy Spirit! Don't be afraid of it. Rather, be filled with it!
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