Iconic glory ∙

Iconic glory ∙

Who is the King of glory? – Psalms 24:8

Psalms 24:7-10

 7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle.

 9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.

 10 Who is the King of glory? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies– he is the King of glory.

The “Miracle on Ice” occurred at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22. The Soviet Union had won the gold medal in five of the six previous Winter Olympic Games and was favored to win again. Many of the players on the Soviet team were experienced, professionals. By contrast, the United States team was the youngest in the tournament and U.S. national team history.

Despite the seemingly impossible challenges, the US team won. The victory became one of the most iconic moments of the Games and U.S. sports. The television call of the game’s final seconds by Al Michaels for ABC was equally well-known, in which he declared: “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” In 1999, Sports Illustrated named the “Miracle on Ice” the top sports moment of the 20th century.

In the Scriptures, contact transfers uncleanness from one object or person to another, not so with holiness. Things are declared holy and set aside for the Lord’s purposes by His spoken word or by His immediate presence.

Exodus 3:5 “Do not come any closer,” the LORD warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

The Father God alone is majestic, iconic holiness. He is unique, and there is none like Him. He is the King of glory.

Psalm 24 recalls and celebrates the Father’s iconic glory. David conquered and took possession of the backwater city of Jebus, a Jebusite citadel. It became known as the city of David (1 Chronicles 11:5-7).

It may well be that Psalm 24 was written by David in association with his arrival with the ark of the covenant at Jerusalem. The ark is the place where The Father’s presence dwelt on earth during the days of the kings of Israel.

When David arrived with the ark, the presence of the Lord entered the city. And Jerusalem was forever consecrated, holy, and set aside for the Lord’s purposes. Jerusalem, the city of David, was transformed into Jerusalem, the city of the Lord.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father dwells in unmatched magnificence and glory and deserves our highest honor and commitment.

Father sadly, I only get momentary glimpses of Your beautiful and delightful glory. Draw me closer that I may dwell in Your presence.

INSIGHT

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains the world, and those who dwell in it.

The living God made the heavens, the earth, and all other created things, which are His personal possessions.

It is incumbent upon each individual and each generation to seek the Father and to find Him. As children of the King seek to enter into and dwell in His presence, He welcomes us. We are honored to experience the profound pleasure of His lovingkindness.

But Psalm 24 is not about us; it is all about Him. It echoes with shouts of joy and acclamation that He is the King of glory! Reflect on what this means. To be the King of glory means that the highest honor belongs to Him alone. There is none higher to whom we owe allegiance.

Hebrews 6:13 When God made the promise to Abraham since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name,

The Lord is not only glorious; He is the King of glory. He is the greatest in glory, the pinnacle of excellence, the mountaintop of majesty, the summit of splendor. He is the eternally blessed God (Romans 9:5) (Stanley).

Psalms 24:8-10

 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.

 9 Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in!

 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

This celebration is marked by a loud rhetorical chant and reciprocal response. David exclaims that the King of glory is the Lord Almighty, Creator, Sustainer, and King of all. He sings in awestruck wonder. David proclaims that although the Father is above all, He is also welcoming and intimately accessible. All children of the King are invited to enter His presence. The King of glory is knowable in our human experience. We can know Him, be empowered by Him, and trust Him to fight on our behalf.

How do we experience and live out the reality of the presence of our warrior king?

When the Lord Jesus Christ entered our hearts, He made it possible for every child of the King to actualize His presence. As we surrender control and allow our King to reign within our hearts, we experience His pleasure.

“This Psalm is accomplished in us when Jesus enters our hearts as our King to reign, and it will have its full realization when the earth and its population welcome Him as its Lord” (F. B. Meyer).

Who is the Lord? What is He like as a person? What are His nature and character? He is revealed in Psalm 24 as strong and mighty in battle, the Lord of hosts, and the King of glory.

Yahweh is the Lord of hosts. He is sovereign over all His creation. The Hebrew word tsaba, translated as hosts (hosts does not mean much to the average Bible reader), has been transliterated into English and other languages as Sabaoth. The Hebrew word tsaba refers to a vast multitude, an army, troops, etc. It is frequently translated as almighty, all-powerful, supreme. The expression may be translated as the Lord who is the strongest of all, the Lord who has more power than anyone(UBS), or The LORD of Heaven’s Armies (NLT).

Close your eyes and imagine our Father as a divine warrior king. He is omnipotent and unconquerable. As such, He has the power to deliver from calamity and chaos to all those who seek Him (Jacobson and Tanner).

Nevertheless, this all-powerful, unconquerable King is approachable. He is our Abba Father. He beckons every child of the King to come to Him.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  

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© Dr. H 2022

Vigilant flexibility ∙

Vigilant flexibility ∙

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. – Ephesians 5:15

Ephesians 5:15-19

 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

 18 Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

 19 singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.

In June 2020, America entered a difficult new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The remainder of 2020 warranted flexibility and tolerance, trying different ways to adapt to new evidence. In a country with such fractured politics, this was no small challenge.

That challenge was a function of a complicated public-health picture combined with contradictory public attitudes. Even as economic activity resumed, COVID-19 cases rose in many locations. This was not a second wave. Instead, it was a series of spikes of the first surge. In the following months, some States would see infections rise while others fell. The trick would be to manage the constant risk of COVID-19 while restarting normal life.

Instead of a “binary choice” between lockdowns and total freedom, this phase called for “vigilant flexibility,” as states and cities adapted to shifting circumstances. Public officials should strongly encourage masks and distancing as the economy tentatively reopens, and when hotspots arise, they should track the origins and “be ready to curtail specific activities.” We “need to focus on building public confidence” and instilling “the patience to get through what could be a hard fall and winter” (Scott Gottlieb and Yuval Levin June 14, 2020, WSJ).

How should the children of the King live in uncertain times when seen and unseen hazards and difficulties abound? As children of the King, we have a special responsibility. It requires a delicate balance. We are to stand firm upon the foundation of the Truth that we have received and yet be caring, affable, and flexible. We should be willing to modify our words and reactions.

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Vigilant flexibility is what is needed! The apostle Paul told the Father’s children how to live wisely. Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. – Ephesians 5:15-16

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has set the bar high for each of His children. But He is also made it possible to attain and realize His standards through the work of the Holy Spirit within us.

Father teach us to walk circumspectly and exercise diligent flexibility in the perilous times in which we live. Encourage us to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

INSIGHT

The Greek word translated as carefully, circumspectly is akribos. Akribos has a sense of exactness or thoroughness. When it comes to ethical decisions and behavior, it is often translated diligently, perfectly, circumspectly, or accurately. In other words, “pay close attention to how you behave” (UBS).

Consider how a cat can walk on top of a very thin narrow fence without falling. They are careful where they place each paw as they navigate their way. They walk circumspectly.

How do we live wisely?

Be filled with the Holy Spirit.

At a minimum, the Holy Spirit can be understood as a positive influence and a supernatural power source. He becomes our guide and companion as we navigate our way through life’s choices. The Holy Spirit is just the power source we need to be able to live wisely and walk circumspectly. He provides direction and the ability to accomplish what the Father sets before us.

The Greek verb translated as filled, be full is pleroo. Pleroo means to fill completely, to make full. In this context, it has the sense of being controlled or under the influence. It is contrasted to being intoxicated with alcoholic beverages.

Being filled has to do with control or influence. We take on the characteristics of what controls us. “In other words, the one who is filled is characterized by that which fills him, whether it be fruits of unrighteousness or righteousness (Phil 1:11)” (Hoehner).

In the Greek language, the verb is a command.  In simple English, it is a command, not a suggestion. The Father requires us to be filled continuously. Thus it could be accurately translated, “Be constantly, moment by moment, being controlled by the spirit” (Wuest).

The results of being full of the Holy Spirit continuously have a dramatic and wonderful effect. “Being drunk with wine leads to dissipation but being filled by the Spirit leads to joy in fellowship and obedience to the commands of the Lord’s will . . .” (Hoehner).

As we learn to live being filled or under the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, our wisdom grows, and our life choices improve.

Philippians 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ . . . standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

“So, what Paul is saying is: ‘You and I know full well the privileges and the responsibilities of being a Roman citizen. You know full well how even in Philippi, so many miles from Rome, you must still live and act as a Roman does. Well then, remember that you have an even higher duty than that. Wherever you are, you must live as befits a citizen of the kingdom of God.’”

“What does Paul expect from them? He expects them to stand fast. The world is full of Christians on the retreat, who, when things become difficult, play down their Christianity. True Christians stand fast, and unashamed in any company. He expects unity; they are to be bound together in one spirit.”

“Let the world quarrel; Christians must be united. He expects a certain unconquerability. Often, evil seems invincible; but Christians must never abandon hope or give up the struggle. He expects a cool, calm courage. In times of crisis, others may be nervous and afraid; Christians will still be serene, in control of themselves and of the situation” (Barclay).

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© Dr. H 2022

There are consequences

There are consequences

Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others – ignoring God! – harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. – Galatians 6:7-8 (The Message)

Isaiah 38:1-5

 1 About that time, Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: This is what the LORD says: “Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”

 2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

 3 “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

 4 Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD:

 5 “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.’”

The story is about an 18-year-old named Brad living in Dallas, Texas, in 1991. He had stolen the keys to his father’s Mercedes and was out joyriding. He was speeding on Singleton Boulevard headed West as he approached N Westmoreland Rd. The light turned red. He decided to run the light, and when he got into the intersection, he was immediately struck by an 18-wheeler. The Mercedes was picked up and thrown 28 feet in the air. It then rolled over and over another 72 feet before coming to a halt. The car was nearly a total wreck. Brad was alive, but his left leg was broken. The firemen had to use the jaws of life to extract him. He was rushed to the emergency room.

The doctors were able to stabilize and set his leg. But he had to remain in the hospital in traction for several weeks. He had to use crutches for months as his leg healed when he was released.                    

His poor decisions resulted in a terrible accident. Brad could’ve lost his life. As it turned out, he walked with a limp for the rest of his life. Eventually, his illegal act of running the light was resolved. Sadly, the consequence of the accident, his broken leg, was never completely healed.

REFLECT & PRAY

Job 4:8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

Father thank You that You hear when children of the King pray. As You answer our prayers, help us to make wise decisions.

INSIGHT

Hezekiah was the best of the kings of Judah, the southern kingdom. His reputation was excellent.

2 Kings 18:5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time.

Around 700 BC, life was good for Hezekiah. But suddenly, things took a turn for the worst. Hezekiah became terminally ill. The Father sent His servant, the prophet Isaiah to disclose what would happen. The message was short, blunt, and terrifying. “Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness” (Isaiah 38:1).

Hezekiah was panic-stricken. He turned to the Father in prayer. Weeping bitterly, he reminded the Father of his faithfulness to Him.

But ponder for a moment. Hadn’t the Father just told Hezekiah that he was going to die? Therefore Hezekiah’s death was the Father’s will for his life. But at that moment, Hezekiah was not concerned about the will of God. He was only concerned about himself. I imagine there was a bit of begging, pleading, and bargaining that was not recorded for us.

Remarkably, the Father sent Isaiah again with a revised message. Change in plans! “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life” (Isaiah 38:5).

If we were there, we would have been shouting, “Praise the Lord!”

I identify with Hezekiah. If I were in his situation, I would probably react similarly to the news of my impending death. What about you?

The Father was magnanimous and turned back the clock of Hezekiah’s life. When children of the King are given second chances, what do we do with the gracious opportunities He provides? How we respond reveals what is in our hearts. Hezekiah’s near-death experience and remarkable recovery did not bode well for him. Hezekiah changed for the worst.

2 Chronicles 32:25 But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud.

What did Hezekiah do with the privilege of his added years?

The word of Hezekiah’s illness and remarkable recovery because of the Father’s intervention spread far and wide. Nations around Judah had planned to send representatives to pay their last respects at a funeral. But now, they sent them to celebrate the extension of Hezekiah’s life.

Envoys came from as far away as Babylon. Merodach-balagan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters of congratulations to Hezekiah.

Previously, Hezekiah had successfully stood firm against the intimidation of the Assyrians. When Hezekiah received a threatening letter from Sennacherib, the ruler of the Assyrians, hand carried by his representative, Rabshakeh, Hezekiah took her to the temple and laid it out before the Lord in prayer (Isaiah 37). Sadly, Hezekiah could not resist the flattery of the Babylonians brought by Merodach-balagan. Rather than lay out the letter in the temple before the Lord, he showed no caution whatsoever.

Instead, Hezekiah was delighted. He caved. And his brain went into neutral. Undoubtedly, he was puffed up from all the attention he received. He was beaming with self-importance and pride. He welcomed them with open arms and showed off all that he had. There was nothing in his house or all of his realm that he did not make available to his Babylonian guests.

Hezekiah showed them everything in his treasure houses – the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them everything in his royal treasuries! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them (Isaiah 39:2).

It never occurred to Hezekiah for a second to ask the Father how to react to the adulation of his visitors. This was a tragic, deadly mistake. Babylon was no friend of the Jewish people. No doubt, the Babylonians were taking inventory of all the booty that would soon be theirs. On top of that, surely they were taking notes regarding Jerusalem’s fortifications, strengths, and weaknesses.

What happens next is predictable. The Father sent Isaiah, the prophet, to confront Hezekiah. Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah and said, “What did those men want? Where were they from?” Hezekiah replied, “They came from the distant land of Babylon” (Isaiah 39:3)

I can only imagine the expression on Isaiah’s blazing crimson, furious, indignant face. Isaiah proclaimed the Father’s message of judgment with burning, penetrating eyes,  

Isaiah 39:5-7

 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies:

 6 ‘The time is coming when everything in your palace – all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now – will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left,’ says the LORD.

 7 ‘Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.’”

It’s never a good idea to reveal to your enemy the best way to defeat you and the spoils and wealth that they will acquire when they do.

Hezekiah’s self-serving prayer was graciously answered. The Father gave Hezekiah what he wanted. But collateral damage was horrific. There were nightmarish consequences

“We should thank God regularly that He doesn’t answer many of our prayers. When the Israelites demanded meat in the desert, God gave them what they asked for – but the request ended up killing thousands of them” (Stanley).

Be careful what you pray for! Be careful who you trust; the devil was once an angel.

Galatians 6:7-8

 7 Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will reap everlasting life from the Spirit.

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© Dr. H 2022

Hide and seek ∙

Hide and seek ∙

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10

Luke 19:1-10

 1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.

 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.

 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.

 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.

 5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”

 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

 10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Americans love to go camping. The whole family goes off to some national Park or camping grounds and sets up for some time alone in the woods without cell phone reception. Sadly, little children often wander off alone and become separated from their families. They get disoriented and then find themselves lost in the woods. Usually, fear takes over when they realize they’re totally alone and have no clue where they are. Rescue missions are organized. Sometimes they are successful, other times not.

The Father sent the Lord Jesus Christ on a rescue mission for people just like us. We are truly lost, but most of us do not know it. The Lord Jesus Christ said He came “to seek and to save that which was lost.” The fact of the matter is that He is seeking us. If we really want to be found and rescued in this life and for eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it possible through His sacrificial death.

When born into this world, most of us have a human family. Others are unwanted and “alone,” separated from their natural mother and/or father. We are all born spiritually separated and far removed from the Father God.

Some of us are “alone,” even in the midst of crowds. We are social isolates. We come to see ourselves as outcasts with no sense of belonging. We are lost. We, too, need to be rescued! So it was with Zaccheus.

To be found, we have to know we are lost. Often, it takes desperation and great sorrow to bring many of us to this point.

Zaccheus was determined to see Jesus and would let nothing stop him. For Zacchaeus to mingle with the crowd at all was a courageous thing to do. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Things were not easy for Zacchaeus, but the little man had the courage of desperation (Barclay).

REFLECT & PRAY

The Heavenly Father has drawn up a rescue plan. He has executed it. He is now actively seeking us.

Father thank You for rescuing me from being eternally lost. Show me how to experience life as You intended it for me.

INSIGHT

We are like sheep that have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out lost sheep. All those who accept His gracious offer are found and saved.

To be “found” requires an act of “radical repentance.” Often repentance is seriously misunderstood. Many think it requires mental and physical contrition, remorse, and penitence. The Greek word translated as repentance is metanoeo. Metanoeocomes from two Greek words meta – change and noeo – mind. It simply means to “change one’s mind.” In the Old Testament, repentance called for a change in a person’s attitude toward God that impacted one’s actions and life choices; it involved the idea of “turning” from one way of thinking and living to a different way (ESV notes). External acts of contrition often follow along with prayers of remorse, confession, and the renouncing of sin. But repentance itself is simply changing your mind.

We change our minds about the Truth the Father provided in the Word of God. His Truth becomes our Truth. We enter into a personal relationship with our Rescuer. Father then begins a lifelong process of rescuing us from ourselves, our wrong thinking, and heart wounds. He transforms us from the inside out, and we change our ways.

When we are “found,” we are no longer outcasts; instead, we are adopted and welcomed into the Father’s Forever Family. We become His precious, beloved, and cherished children.

But there is more! He has made it possible for us to experience all He has dreamed and planned for our lives.

John 10:10 I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

For one reason or another, many of us find ourselves merely passing through life, not really enjoying it. We get busy doing things, but we do not experience the joy that comes from a close relationship with the Father. Many of us lack close, intimate, long-term friendships and relationships. Our lives have become very superficial and materialistic. We give ourselves over to things with only temporal value and significance rather than eternal worth. Can you imagine what it would be like to one day stand before the Father, and admit we lived dull, boring lives of “quiet desperation?”

1 Timothy 6:17 God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

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© Dr. H 2022

Failure to communicate? ∙

Failure to communicate? ∙

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Mark 4:23

Mark 4:23-25

 23 “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

 24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given – and you will receive even more.”

 25 “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even their little understanding will be taken away from them.”

“Can you hear me now?” Paul Marcarelli was the “Test Man” character for Verizon Wireless cell phone commercials from 2002 to 2011. Entertainment Weekly named him one of the most intriguing people of 2002. He appeared in all of his Verizon commercials wearing a gray Verizon jacket and his own horn-rimmed glasses. He repeatedly checked to ensure that the Verizon signal was reaching the desired area and that communication was taking place.

Communication is an art that can be studied and mastered. Communication is the activity of conveying information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and intended recipient/s. The communication process is complete once the receivers have understood the sender’s message.

If the folks you are attempting to communicate with do not get it, you have not communicated!

Regarding Biblical communication, we are primarily engaged in receiving the Father’s communication and passing it on to others.

What is the goal of biblical communication? Biblical communication intends to share the living and active Word of God in a clear and easily understood way. The Father will use His Word to accomplish His purpose.

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of our instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that issues from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

Hebrews 5:14 Solid food is for the mature, who, through practice, have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

REFLECT & PRAY

Communicating the remarkable truth that the Father has provided to the world is not only possible for, but required of each child of the King.

Father thank You for communicating Your truth so that even I can understand. Teach me to teach others, as You have taught me.

INSIGHT

How did the Father communicate truth to mankind? The Holy Spirit facilitated the process. Referring to how the Old Testament Scriptures were written, Peter writes:

2 Peter 1:21 no prophecy was ever made by an act of human impulse. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

No biblical prophecy was ever produced merely because people wanted to prophesy. The Father gave prophecy in Scripture through men, who “spoke” as they were moved, carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was working within the Old Testament prophets. The men spoke the Father’s words, using their own personalities, knowledge, background, vocabulary, and style.

The same Holy Spirit, responsible for the Scriptures’ inspiration and production, is available to each child of the King to empower our communication with others. He empowers us in our study and research, preparation, organization, and often the very words we speak.

There is no one set formula. The Holy Spirit often energizes our careful effort and preparation. Or our insight and wording may be spontaneous and spur-of-the-moment. The Holy Spirit does what is necessary to get the job done.

Most preaching and teaching in the book of Acts was spontaneous and extemporaneous. Usually, there wasn’t time to prepare a message. “It was not the performance of an hour but the preparation of a lifetime.” It was the preachers who were prepared, not the sermons (BBC).

How does spiritual communication take place? By the Filling of the Holy Spirit. The Father enables people. The Holy Spirit empowers, encourages, and energizes. He often supplies the words and nuances of communication.

Matthew 10:19-20 Don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking– it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

This empowerment is frequently called the Filling of the Holy Spirit.

Micah 3:8 I am filled with power – With the Spirit of the LORD

Acts 4: 8 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “ . . .

Acts 13:9-10 Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him and said . . .

Our part is to seek to be cleansed, empty, and available conduits through which the Holy Spirit can work. Ideally, it should be the outworking of our walk with Him. However, we also pray to be empty of self-ambition and pride. We seek cleansing from known sin. We empty ourselves of ourselves so that we might be filled and empowered. In so doing, we follow the example of Christ.

How did the Father facilitate the communication process? Effective communication is need-driven – person-driven. The Father created needs or circumstances in the lives of individuals. He then supernaturally provided what was needed and applicable to resolve the needs and comfort the people. Knowledge was communicated, and that knowledge was the Father’s answer. The Scriptures are replete with answers from the Father for the needs of our everyday lives.

The Holy Spirit always has one-on-one communication with children of the King who are attuned to His voice. When we teach, He speaks to each person’s heart and mind. We are merely His conduit. For it is not we who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in us. (Matthew 10:20). This is the promise and the reality of Biblical Communication.

The Father knows the depths of each individual soul. He searches our hearts and knows our ways. He knows exactly how to speak to each person. This is, in part, why Christ was such an effective communicator. His ability was perceived as keen, penetrating insight, wisdom, authority, and bold confidence.

John 2:25 He Himself knew what was in man.

Matthew 7:29 He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

This ability transferred to the apostles who had been with Him.

Acts 4:13 Now, as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

The same Holy Spirit is with us to empower our teaching and communicate to others.

Understanding Scripture is not an intellectual matter but a spiritual and moral issue. No matter how great the intellect or advanced one’s education, we are inadequate without the Father’s enablement.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8, 14

 7 The wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God – his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

Matthew 23:23 Do not neglect the more important things.

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© Dr. H 2022