What Happened To Sense?by Lary R. Hale The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were wicked. At least the majority of them were, because it was mainly them that were responsible for the Romans putting Jesus to death. But I’m going to have to give them credit for at least one thing that they proved wiser in than most of the religiously disbelieving crowd that’s around today. It doesn’t change the fact that they were wicked, just that they had something in the sense arena that the religiously foolish people of today lack. They knew that when sound wisdom had been expounded to them that debunked their deceitful tactics and doctrines, it was time to shut their mouths. Here is a good example of what I’m talking about: “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed” (Lk. 13:10-17). When it says they were ashamed, it means that they let it go because they knew Jesus was right. Of course they came back later and dealt treacherously again, but at least they had the sense to shut their mouth when they were proven wrong by the right spirit and the right knowledge. People today are not able to do that, including a whole lot of folks who probably aren’t as particularly wicked as the Pharisees [or are they?]. People today just don’t seem to be able to use good sense coupled with honesty. The Pharisees, like I said, were certainly wicked; but at least they were honest enough with themselves to shut up when their efforts had been bested by the very best of sense. Here is another good example of what I’m talking about: “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him… So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her… And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (Jn. 8:3-5,7,9). Folks today may not go as far as to throw the first stone, but they sure would stand there and continue to present an obviously defeated argument, just for the sake of not admitting to being wrong. Friend, I”ve seen what I’m talking about up close and personal more times than I care to remember. I’ve seen people in that situation literally change the very way that the Bible actually reads, just to get out of shutting their mouth and admitting to themselves that they’re wrong. I’ve seen people say that they are being persecuted simply because good spiritual sense that is contrary to their thinking has been expounded to them with godly sincerity and love, and backed up with consistent evidence of the scriptures. I’ve seen people just coyly say things like, “Well, it’s just a revelation,” when they have no response to right answers of truth and soberness. ANY true revelation is going to be backed up by a multitude of scriptures, not by excuses for not being able to explain them. I’ve given people hours in my presence to find in their Bible a simple fact that they were trying to get me to believe in order to prove their doctrine; and when they came up empty, they still would not acknowledge that they were in error. It brings to mind a very telling verse from the book of Ecclesiastes: “Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool” (Eccl. 10:3). The problem is pride. Everyone today has trained themselves to think that knowing things is what it’s all about, and therefore nobody can afford to be wrong about anything. And never mind the lengths that people will go to in order to not appear to be wrong about anything. And so the saying is fulfilled that says, “Knowledge puffeth up, but [love] edifieth” (I Cor. 8:1). I will tell you a very simplistic rule to follow if you want to ALWAYS be right about what you have to say: Just don’t speak of things that you do NOT have absolute knowledge of. Then the scriptures begin to make a whole lot of sense that say things like this: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Eccl. 5:2). And this: “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Prov. 29:11). This is a very good one also: “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit” (Prov. 17:27). Someone who is seeking only to edify those around them with love, is going to guage, feel, and wait on the right moment to say the right thing, that may help someone else to increase in love and faith. It’s just that simple. This is what the apostle Paul was speaking of in the following verse: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). Someone with true godly wisdom has absolutely no motivation whatsoever to show anyone that they have knowledge. That motivation is not wisdom, but rather it is pride, and it is UNEDIFYING to all who are around it. Furthermore, someone with real wisdom will not only be willing to admit if they are wrong, but they will actually enjoy doing so. James spoke of this wisdom like this: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife [wanting to be the right one] in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (Jas. 3:13-18). As for everyone who finds it more bitter than death to admit to being wrong, they should earnestly heed the following proverb: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Prov. 17:28). I believe that about says it. Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page May 18, 2013
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What Happened To Sense?
by Lary R. Hale

The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were wicked. At least the majority of them were, because it was mainly them that were responsible for the Romans putting Jesus to death. But I’m going to have to give them credit for at least one thing that they proved wiser in than most of the religiously disbelieving crowd that’s around today. It doesn’t change the fact that they were wicked, just that they had something in the sense arena that the religiously foolish people of today lack. They knew that when sound wisdom had been expounded to them that debunked their deceitful tactics and doctrines, it was time to shut their mouths. Here is a good example of what I’m talking about: “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed” (Lk. 13:10-17). When it says they were ashamed, it means that they let it go because they knew Jesus was right. Of course they came back later and dealt treacherously again, but at least they had the sense to shut their mouth when they were proven wrong by the right spirit and the right knowledge. People today are not able to do that, including a whole lot of folks who probably aren’t as particularly wicked as the Pharisees [or are they?]. People today just don’t seem to be able to use good sense coupled with honesty. The Pharisees, like I said, were certainly wicked; but at least they were honest enough with themselves to shut up when their efforts had been bested by the very best of sense. Here is another good example of what I’m talking about: “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him… So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her… And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst” (Jn. 8:3-5,7,9). Folks today may not go as far as to throw the first stone, but they sure would stand there and continue to present an obviously defeated argument, just for the sake of not admitting to being wrong. 

Friend, I”ve seen what I’m talking about up close and personal more times than I care to remember. I’ve seen people in that situation literally change the very way that the Bible actually reads, just to get out of shutting their mouth and admitting to themselves that they’re wrong. I’ve seen people say that they are being persecuted simply because good spiritual sense that is contrary to their thinking has been expounded to them with godly sincerity and love, and backed up with consistent evidence of the scriptures. I’ve seen people just coyly say things like, “Well, it’s just a revelation,” when they have no response to right answers of truth and soberness. ANY true revelation is going to be backed up by a multitude of scriptures, not by excuses for not being able to explain them. I’ve given people hours in my presence to find in their Bible a simple fact that they were trying to get me to believe in order to prove their doctrine; and when they came up empty, they still would not acknowledge that they were in error. It brings to mind a very telling verse from the book of Ecclesiastes: “Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool” (Eccl. 10:3). The problem is pride. Everyone today has trained themselves to think that knowing things is what it’s all about, and therefore nobody can afford to be wrong about anything. And never mind the lengths that people will go to in order to not appear to be wrong about anything. And so the saying is fulfilled that says, “Knowledge puffeth up, but [love] edifieth” (I Cor. 8:1). I will tell you a very simplistic rule to follow if you want to ALWAYS be right about what you have to say: Just don’t speak of things that you do NOT have absolute knowledge of. Then the scriptures begin to make a whole lot of sense that say things like this: “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Eccl. 5:2). And this: “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Prov. 29:11). This is a very good one also: “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit” (Prov. 17:27). Someone who is seeking only to edify those around them with love, is going to guage, feel, and wait on the right moment to say the right thing, that may help someone else to increase in love and faith. It’s just that simple. This is what the apostle Paul was speaking of in the following verse: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). Someone with true godly wisdom has absolutely no motivation whatsoever to show anyone that they have knowledge. That motivation is not wisdom, but rather it is pride, and it is UNEDIFYING to all who are around it. Furthermore, someone with real wisdom will not only be willing to admit if they are wrong, but they will actually enjoy doing so. James spoke of this wisdom like this: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife [wanting to be the right one] in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (Jas. 3:13-18). As for everyone who finds it more bitter than death to admit to being wrong, they should earnestly heed the following proverb: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Prov. 17:28). I believe that about says it. Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page May 18, 2013

A Yielding Natureby Lary R. Hale “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee” (Prov. 25:21,22). “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also” (Mat. 5:38-40). “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mat. 5:44,45). “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren” (I Cor. 6:5-8). “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21). All of these Bible sayings are threaded through one common element, and that element is true faith in God. Those who are able to naturally practice these modes of living, say by their actions that they are trusting God to truly “work together for good” all things that take place in their lives (Rom. 8:28).  The scriptures teach us in regard to the patriarchs of the faith, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” (Heb. 11:13,14). One such instance where this faith was exemplified was when Abraham and Lot’s servants clashed, and Abraham advised Lot that the two of them should split up and go in two different directions with their cattle and possessions. Abraham, having the authority, could have dictated the terms to Lot, but instead he gave Lot first choice of which land he would take to himself. Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered, and Abraham remained in the land of Canaan. Afterward God appeared to Abraham and promised him that he and his seed would possess the entire land of Canaan for an everlasting possession (Gen. 13:5-17). It is by demonstrating that we are of a yielding nature that we show that we “seek a country,” and that the scripture is speaking of us when it says; “they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:16). And it is certain that if we cannot be of a yielding nature with men whom we CAN see, we will not be of a yielding nature with God whom we CANNOT see (I Jn. 4:20). And it is equally as certain that if we do not show forth a yielding nature in our lives, we do NOT have true faith in God; nor are we “setting our hopes on things eternal,” as the old faithful gospel hymn admonishes us to do. Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page January 10, 2013     
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A Yielding Nature
by Lary R. Hale

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee” (Prov. 25:21,22). “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also” (Mat. 5:38-40). “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mat. 5:44,45). “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren” (I Cor. 6:5-8). “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19-21). All of these Bible sayings are threaded through one common element, and that element is true faith in God. Those who are able to naturally practice these modes of living, say by their actions that they are trusting God to truly “work together for good” all things that take place in their lives (Rom. 8:28). 

The scriptures teach us in regard to the patriarchs of the faith, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country” (Heb. 11:13,14). One such instance where this faith was exemplified was when Abraham and Lot’s servants clashed, and Abraham advised Lot that the two of them should split up and go in two different directions with their cattle and possessions. Abraham, having the authority, could have dictated the terms to Lot, but instead he gave Lot first choice of which land he would take to himself. Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered, and Abraham remained in the land of Canaan. Afterward God appeared to Abraham and promised him that he and his seed would possess the entire land of Canaan for an everlasting possession (Gen. 13:5-17). It is by demonstrating that we are of a yielding nature that we show that we “seek a country,” and that the scripture is speaking of us when it says; “they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:16). And it is certain that if we cannot be of a yielding nature with men whom we CAN see, we will not be of a yielding nature with God whom we CANNOT see (I Jn. 4:20). And it is equally as certain that if we do not show forth a yielding nature in our lives, we do NOT have true faith in God; nor are we “setting our hopes on things eternal,” as the old faithful gospel hymn admonishes us to do. Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page January 10, 2013     

Source: byonespirit.com

“Two Kinds of Believers”by Lary R. Hale Just a short post today on a very relevant matter in the body of Christ today. There are two kinds of people who are in the body of Christ in this generation. Actually these two types of people have always constituted the congregation of God’s people, old testament and new. The fact of the matter is, whether we’re talking old testament or new, the pure truth of God has NEVER been sustained or preserved among God’s people. You can do the research yourself. During old testament times, there were always idols, high places, traditions of men, false prophets, corrupt priests, and the like. By and large the worship of God from God’s people was always mixed with these other items, at best (Amos 5:25,26; Zeph. 1:4,5). This is why every prophet God sent to Israel was rejected, and often times put to death by God’s own people (Mat. 23:37). Because the prophets DID have the truth of God pure and unmixed, and they commanded the remainder of the people to forsake everything BUT the pure and true way of God, which was his law. But not everybody rejected the prophets, just almost everybody. Elijah thought he was all alone, but God let him know that he had a remnant of seven thousand who had remained faithful (I Kin. 19:14,18). And the same has been true in the body of Christ from the beginning. It didn’t take long for Stephen to be martyred, and at least most of the apostles and many other true believers followed suit. The apostle Paul by the end of his life had been firmly rejected by those he had established in Christ, for the revelation of truth that he received from the Lord for them (Gal. 1:11,12; II Tim. 1:15). So what does all of this have to do with the two types of people that I mentioned? Well, I’ve already shown one of those types, which is those who will resist and reject the pure truth of God when it is presented to them, and will even kill those who present it if the circumstances are as such. And the pure, unmixed truth is the only measuring stick that will show who is who in this mix. The prophet Simeon spoke of this meter of measurement of God’s people when he prophesied over the baby Jesus, saying that he would be “set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel,” and that he would cause “the thoughts of many hearts [to] be revealed” (Lk. 2:34,35). Jesus was and is the pure truth, and the doctrine that his Spirit teaches is the same (Jn. 16:13; I Jn. 2:27).  Because of the Gentile congregations rejection of the truth taught to them by Paul, the body of Christ by and large has been under dominion to the traditions and doctrines of men for over 1900 years. So just to bring it up to date, here is what it comes down to: There is, relatively speaking nobody in the body of Christ who is not in an environment that upholds traditions and doctrines of men that are contrary to God. But even as God had a remnant in Israel who loved his law, so does he have true believers today who love his Spirit more than the religious environments that they are in. And when the pure truth is presented to them, even though they may not be able to accept it immediately, seeing it is surely foreign to them; they do NOT resist or reject it either. So why is that? Because they are MORE after the Spirit than they are the contrary doctrines that they have been taught erroneously, and they will take heed and consider the truth that is told them. I’ve seen it first hand over and over and over again. Most people are just going to reject the real truth, and yes I am talking about God’s Spirit baptized people (I Cor. 12:13). And those are the ones who love the pride that they have invested into their religious traditions more than they actually love God. But the believers who love the Spirit will never revile or reject someone who is speaking to them by the Spirit of God, because it is the same Spirit they already love and follow after as best they can. And even though they have not heard the true doctrine of the Spirit yet, they are attuned enough to the Spirit to feel it when its truth is brought forth to them by someone. It is quite simplistic really, even as the scriptures affirm: “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise,” and “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words” (Prov. 15:31; Prov. 23:9). These two kinds of ‘believers’ are going to come to the surface and be brought to light as time moves into the home stretch of this age, because God is, has been, and will be calling his people out of everything that is named Christianity. He is doing it by his Spirit and he is doing it by his truth. The big problem today is that there are so few who are actually preaching the same thing that the Spirit is saying, that they are not even on the map, so to speak. But God will finish his work, and he will expand the number and power of those who will do just that, and it will surely cause ” the fall and rising again” in the body of Christ, and “the thoughts of many hearts to be revealed” before the second coming of the Lord. Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page January 7, 2013     
View Separately

“Two Kinds of Believers”
by Lary R. Hale

Just a short post today on a very relevant matter in the body of Christ today. There are two kinds of people who are in the body of Christ in this generation. Actually these two types of people have always constituted the congregation of God’s people, old testament and new. The fact of the matter is, whether we’re talking old testament or new, the pure truth of God has NEVER been sustained or preserved among God’s people. You can do the research yourself. During old testament times, there were always idols, high places, traditions of men, false prophets, corrupt priests, and the like. By and large the worship of God from God’s people was always mixed with these other items, at best (Amos 5:25,26; Zeph. 1:4,5). This is why every prophet God sent to Israel was rejected, and often times put to death by God’s own people (Mat. 23:37). Because the prophets DID have the truth of God pure and unmixed, and they commanded the remainder of the people to forsake everything BUT the pure and true way of God, which was his law. But not everybody rejected the prophets, just almost everybody. Elijah thought he was all alone, but God let him know that he had a remnant of seven thousand who had remained faithful (I Kin. 19:14,18). And the same has been true in the body of Christ from the beginning. It didn’t take long for Stephen to be martyred, and at least most of the apostles and many other true believers followed suit. The apostle Paul by the end of his life had been firmly rejected by those he had established in Christ, for the revelation of truth that he received from the Lord for them (Gal. 1:11,12; II Tim. 1:15). So what does all of this have to do with the two types of people that I mentioned? Well, I’ve already shown one of those types, which is those who will resist and reject the pure truth of God when it is presented to them, and will even kill those who present it if the circumstances are as such. And the pure, unmixed truth is the only measuring stick that will show who is who in this mix. The prophet Simeon spoke of this meter of measurement of God’s people when he prophesied over the baby Jesus, saying that he would be “set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel,” and that he would cause “the thoughts of many hearts [to] be revealed” (Lk. 2:34,35). Jesus was and is the pure truth, and the doctrine that his Spirit teaches is the same (Jn. 16:13; I Jn. 2:27). 

Because of the Gentile congregations rejection of the truth taught to them by Paul, the body of Christ by and large has been under dominion to the traditions and doctrines of men for over 1900 years. So just to bring it up to date, here is what it comes down to: There is, relatively speaking nobody in the body of Christ who is not in an environment that upholds traditions and doctrines of men that are contrary to God. But even as God had a remnant in Israel who loved his law, so does he have true believers today who love his Spirit more than the religious environments that they are in. And when the pure truth is presented to them, even though they may not be able to accept it immediately, seeing it is surely foreign to them; they do NOT resist or reject it either. So why is that? Because they are MORE after the Spirit than they are the contrary doctrines that they have been taught erroneously, and they will take heed and consider the truth that is told them. I’ve seen it first hand over and over and over again. Most people are just going to reject the real truth, and yes I am talking about God’s Spirit baptized people (I Cor. 12:13). And those are the ones who love the pride that they have invested into their religious traditions more than they actually love God. But the believers who love the Spirit will never revile or reject someone who is speaking to them by the Spirit of God, because it is the same Spirit they already love and follow after as best they can. And even though they have not heard the true doctrine of the Spirit yet, they are attuned enough to the Spirit to feel it when its truth is brought forth to them by someone. It is quite simplistic really, even as the scriptures affirm: “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise,” and “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words” (Prov. 15:31; Prov. 23:9). These two kinds of ‘believers’ are going to come to the surface and be brought to light as time moves into the home stretch of this age, because God is, has been, and will be calling his people out of everything that is named Christianity. He is doing it by his Spirit and he is doing it by his truth. The big problem today is that there are so few who are actually preaching the same thing that the Spirit is saying, that they are not even on the map, so to speak. But God will finish his work, and he will expand the number and power of those who will do just that, and it will surely cause ” the fall and rising again” in the body of Christ, and “the thoughts of many hearts to be revealed” before the second coming of the Lord. Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page January 7, 2013     

Source: byonespirit.com

Which Kingdom Are You Of?by Lary R. Hale When Jesus stood before Pilate he told him something that a whole lot of God’s people need to think about: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (Jn. 18:36). Jesus preached about the kingdom of God, and came to prepare a way for men to be in the kingdom of God while here on earth, so that we could inherit the same kingdom of God after this life is over (Mat. 4:17; Mat. 25:34). And the Bible defines the kingdom of God and how to serve him in that kingdom with the following: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in THESE things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom. 14:17). So the business of true followers of Jesus is the business of the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. Of course we have to participate in some of the things of this life, but we are not to do so beyond a minimal degree. And why is that, you might ask? Because like Jesus, our kingdom is not of this world. The apostle Paul stated the point that I am making here: “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (I Cor. 7:31). And he elaborated that point a little further in another place: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. 2:4). So again I say that someone who is truly being “led by the Spirit of God” in their life is not involving themselves unduly with things that are of the kingdom of this word. Some of the stumbling blocks that God’s people are tripping over are social issues, political matters, and anything else that involves the systems of this world. Our involvement as believers should be with the things that pertain to “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost,” in our own personal lives, and in the lives of fellow believers. There are people who are of this world that take care of the systems of this world, because THEIR kingdom IS of this world. When God’s people allow themselves either through deed or thought and word, to become “entangled with the affairs of this life,” they begin to lose their identity with the kingdom of God. This is labeled in the scriptures as being “carnally minded,” and it is also said to be spiritual death (Rom. 8:5,6). And truly it is spiritual death to identify ourselves in word of deed with the kingdom of this world, when in reality our kingdom is NOT of this world. It is a trick of the devil, and unfortunately he has been quite successful with it.  I have seen it ever since I have been in Christ; people identifying more with their carnal families than with their family in Christ; and identifying with the country they live in more than with the Kingdom of God that they have been born again into. But consider what is written regarding the patriarchs of the faith: “These all died in faith… and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16). Oh my friend, I get really excited reading about these things! These words are not written about people who were “entangled with the affairs of this life,” but rather about those who knew and acted like their kingdom was not of this world. My involvement with the nation I live in is to pray for its peace, and for the guidance of the leaders thereof, and to abide lawfully (Jer. 29:7; Rom. 13:1,7; I Tim. 2:1-3). Many try to mix their faith in Christ with entanglement in the affairs of the kingdoms of this world, and that is always a deadly mix, spiritually speaking. In so many circles in the body of Christ there is so much talk about the social and political issues of this world, and it is nothing more than a confession of being carnally minded, which the scripture says is death spiritually. The apostle Paul observed this spiritual malady in his day, saying, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philip. 3:18,19). And he immediately followed that statement with the following: “For OUR conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philip. 3:19,20). The word “conversation” in this passage is from the Greek word “Politueuma,” and is defined as follows: “the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth.” So our commonwealth is the commonwealth of the spiritual, or heavenly kingdom of God, as the apostle stated; and our civil affairs are those that pertain to “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom. 14:17,18). I think that sums it up. God bless. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page November 2, 2012    
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Which Kingdom Are You Of?
by Lary R. Hale

When Jesus stood before Pilate he told him something that a whole lot of God’s people need to think about: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (Jn. 18:36). Jesus preached about the kingdom of God, and came to prepare a way for men to be in the kingdom of God while here on earth, so that we could inherit the same kingdom of God after this life is over (Mat. 4:17; Mat. 25:34). And the Bible defines the kingdom of God and how to serve him in that kingdom with the following: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in THESE things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom. 14:17). So the business of true followers of Jesus is the business of the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. Of course we have to participate in some of the things of this life, but we are not to do so beyond a minimal degree. And why is that, you might ask? Because like Jesus, our kingdom is not of this world. The apostle Paul stated the point that I am making here: “And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away” (I Cor. 7:31). And he elaborated that point a little further in another place: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. 2:4). So again I say that someone who is truly being “led by the Spirit of God” in their life is not involving themselves unduly with things that are of the kingdom of this word. Some of the stumbling blocks that God’s people are tripping over are social issues, political matters, and anything else that involves the systems of this world. Our involvement as believers should be with the things that pertain to “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost,” in our own personal lives, and in the lives of fellow believers. There are people who are of this world that take care of the systems of this world, because THEIR kingdom IS of this world. When God’s people allow themselves either through deed or thought and word, to become “entangled with the affairs of this life,” they begin to lose their identity with the kingdom of God. This is labeled in the scriptures as being “carnally minded,” and it is also said to be spiritual death (Rom. 8:5,6). And truly it is spiritual death to identify ourselves in word of deed with the kingdom of this world, when in reality our kingdom is NOT of this world. It is a trick of the devil, and unfortunately he has been quite successful with it. 

I have seen it ever since I have been in Christ; people identifying more with their carnal families than with their family in Christ; and identifying with the country they live in more than with the Kingdom of God that they have been born again into. But consider what is written regarding the patriarchs of the faith: “These all died in faith… and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16). Oh my friend, I get really excited reading about these things! These words are not written about people who were “entangled with the affairs of this life,” but rather about those who knew and acted like their kingdom was not of this world. My involvement with the nation I live in is to pray for its peace, and for the guidance of the leaders thereof, and to abide lawfully (Jer. 29:7; Rom. 13:1,7; I Tim. 2:1-3). Many try to mix their faith in Christ with entanglement in the affairs of the kingdoms of this world, and that is always a deadly mix, spiritually speaking. In so many circles in the body of Christ there is so much talk about the social and political issues of this world, and it is nothing more than a confession of being carnally minded, which the scripture says is death spiritually. The apostle Paul observed this spiritual malady in his day, saying, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philip. 3:18,19). And he immediately followed that statement with the following: “For OUR conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philip. 3:19,20). The word “conversation” in this passage is from the Greek word “Politueuma,” and is defined as follows: “the administration of civil affairs or of a commonwealth.” So our commonwealth is the commonwealth of the spiritual, or heavenly kingdom of God, as the apostle stated; and our civil affairs are those that pertain to “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom. 14:17,18). I think that sums it up. God bless.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page November 2, 2012    

Source: byonespirit.com

The Futility of Deceitby Lary R. Hale You can run but you can’t hide. Nowhere and in nothing is this more true than with God. The froward and frivolous of today are the broken and lowly of tomorrow. You can hide behind deceit, be it playfully or maliciously, but my friend you are not hidden from the eyes of God: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). Not only does the Lord SEE all things at all times, but “His judgments are in all the earth” (Psm. 105:7). God is continually judging the affairs of men with perfectly righteous judgment, and in those judgments he is continually trying to turn all men to humble faith in his lovingkindness and mercy. It is not God’s desire to see anyone suffer hurt, but often that is the only way he can get someone’s attention long enough to teach them something about the value and necessity of obeying his will for their own good (Lam. 3:32,33; Rev. 3:19). David, through knowledge gained from his own experiences humbly wrote in the Psalms; “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psm. 119:67). The apostle Paul also understood the blessedness of correction from the Lord: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb. 12:6-8).  So often it happens that God in his vast and holy love brings down the pride and foolishness of his people, and of all men for that matter; and the whole purpose of it is missed by those who are afflicted. The scripture says truly that “God is love,” and when he judges the pride and negligence of anyone, it is WITH love and with the desire to bless them and save them (I Jn. 4:8; Heb. 12:10,11). But if we miss the point, and God keeps his love upon us, the result is a recycling of the pride, the chastening, and the missed point (Amos 4:9). And the result of that is someone feeling that “things just never work out right.” The Lord said through Jeremiah regarding his people; “They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return” (Jer. 8:5). There simply is no substitute for plain, humble, honesty of heart; and for calling things exactly like they are with a right spirit. Do you want to impress God? Just be honest with yourself, and speak accordingly with humility (Psm. 15:2; Prov. 22:11). It takes so much more effort of mind and spirit to be deceitful, even if you are doing so in a lighthearted manner; and it truly is not worth the effort. Pride and deceit may appear to be a useful vehicle of evasion at the moment, but that vehicle is surely headed for a wreck (Prov. 16:18). God will never bless pride and deceit, nor will he save those who are given to it (Psm. 101:7; Rev. 21:27). And that sobering reality is the motive of our concluding scripture: “Now therefore FEAR the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth” (Josh. 24:14). Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page July 26, 2012   
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The Futility of Deceit
by Lary R. Hale

You can run but you can’t hide. Nowhere and in nothing is this more true than with God. The froward and frivolous of today are the broken and lowly of tomorrow. You can hide behind deceit, be it playfully or maliciously, but my friend you are not hidden from the eyes of God: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3). Not only does the Lord SEE all things at all times, but “His judgments are in all the earth” (Psm. 105:7). God is continually judging the affairs of men with perfectly righteous judgment, and in those judgments he is continually trying to turn all men to humble faith in his lovingkindness and mercy. It is not God’s desire to see anyone suffer hurt, but often that is the only way he can get someone’s attention long enough to teach them something about the value and necessity of obeying his will for their own good (Lam. 3:32,33; Rev. 3:19). David, through knowledge gained from his own experiences humbly wrote in the Psalms; “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Psm. 119:67). The apostle Paul also understood the blessedness of correction from the Lord: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb. 12:6-8). 

So often it happens that God in his vast and holy love brings down the pride and foolishness of his people, and of all men for that matter; and the whole purpose of it is missed by those who are afflicted. The scripture says truly that “God is love,” and when he judges the pride and negligence of anyone, it is WITH love and with the desire to bless them and save them (I Jn. 4:8; Heb. 12:10,11). But if we miss the point, and God keeps his love upon us, the result is a recycling of the pride, the chastening, and the missed point (Amos 4:9). And the result of that is someone feeling that “things just never work out right.” The Lord said through Jeremiah regarding his people; “They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return” (Jer. 8:5). There simply is no substitute for plain, humble, honesty of heart; and for calling things exactly like they are with a right spirit. Do you want to impress God? Just be honest with yourself, and speak accordingly with humility (Psm. 15:2; Prov. 22:11). It takes so much more effort of mind and spirit to be deceitful, even if you are doing so in a lighthearted manner; and it truly is not worth the effort. Pride and deceit may appear to be a useful vehicle of evasion at the moment, but that vehicle is surely headed for a wreck (Prov. 16:18). God will never bless pride and deceit, nor will he save those who are given to it (Psm. 101:7; Rev. 21:27). And that sobering reality is the motive of our concluding scripture: “Now therefore FEAR the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth” (Josh. 24:14). Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page July 26, 2012   

Source: byonespirit.com

Let Sin Goby Lary R. Hale My friends, let me say this as clearly as possible: There is no right way to hold on to any wrong thing. That is very simple, and very, very true. The apostle Paul said something for the ages, and it should be taken into serious consideration and heed today: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26,27). My old pastor used to say, “You can’t stop a bird from landing on your head, but you can stop it from building a nest there.” As long as we are in this world there will be things come to us that are not right, and there will be all kinds of situations that give place to wrong things coming to us. Demon spirits are in this world with us, and they will be here until we leave this world; so we will be aware of them until that time. But the battle is to not accept their suggestions and persuasions, or to act on them. The apostle Peter said it this way: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). To get to the point, if we allow anything that is contrary to God’s love hang to around, it WILL devour us. You can let the sun go down on a whole lot of wrong things other than anger, and any one of those wrong things can and will take you down spiritually. Allowing any unrighteous thing to linger with you is exactly what Paul was referring to as “giving place to the devil.” So then, it comes down to being soberly minded and vigilant [watchful] as Peter said, and “keeping our hearts with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23). The failure to do these things can only lead to the tragic condition that Jesus spoke of, when he spoke of believers in the end time: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Mat. 24:12).  Make no mistake my friend; Jesus was speaking of the “love of God [that] is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost,” when he said it would wax cold. And just how will that love wax cold? By believers leaving off to “keep their hearts with all diligence” from everything that is contrary to that love. In other words, they will find what they think to be a right reason to hold onto something wrong in their hearts. And in doing so, they will be turned over to believe that “good is evil, and evil is good” (Isa. 5:20). And that is exactly why Jesus said that “they shall betray one another, and shall hate one another” (Mat. 24:10). And that is also exactly how it has and will come to pass that God’s own people have and will “kill you thinking that [they] do God service” (Jn. 16:2). There is only one remedy to that problem friend, and it is a preventative measure. It is what has been alluded to throughout this short article, and it stands alone as the pathway to salvation; which salvation is in reality the immortality attained to at the first resurrection, the “one hope” of the gospel: “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure” (I Jn. 3:2,3; I Pet. 1:5,9; I Thess. 5:8; Eph. 4:4; Rev. 20:6). And herein is the truth of Jesus’ saying that he directly stated after saying that “the love of many would wax cold:” “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mat. 24:13). And so again I say, There is no right reason to hold onto ANY wrong thing. And there is no good result to be gained by doing so, and giving place to the devil; for he is only a thief, a liar, a destroyer, and a murderer (Jn. 10:10; Jn. 8:44). Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page July 11, 2012      
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Let Sin Go
by Lary R. Hale

My friends, let me say this as clearly as possible: There is no right way to hold on to any wrong thing. That is very simple, and very, very true. The apostle Paul said something for the ages, and it should be taken into serious consideration and heed today: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26,27). My old pastor used to say, “You can’t stop a bird from landing on your head, but you can stop it from building a nest there.” As long as we are in this world there will be things come to us that are not right, and there will be all kinds of situations that give place to wrong things coming to us. Demon spirits are in this world with us, and they will be here until we leave this world; so we will be aware of them until that time. But the battle is to not accept their suggestions and persuasions, or to act on them. The apostle Peter said it this way: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Pet. 5:8). To get to the point, if we allow anything that is contrary to God’s love hang to around, it WILL devour us. You can let the sun go down on a whole lot of wrong things other than anger, and any one of those wrong things can and will take you down spiritually. Allowing any unrighteous thing to linger with you is exactly what Paul was referring to as “giving place to the devil.” So then, it comes down to being soberly minded and vigilant [watchful] as Peter said, and “keeping our hearts with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23). The failure to do these things can only lead to the tragic condition that Jesus spoke of, when he spoke of believers in the end time: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Mat. 24:12). 

Make no mistake my friend; Jesus was speaking of the “love of God [that] is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost,” when he said it would wax cold. And just how will that love wax cold? By believers leaving off to “keep their hearts with all diligence” from everything that is contrary to that love. In other words, they will find what they think to be a right reason to hold onto something wrong in their hearts. And in doing so, they will be turned over to believe that “good is evil, and evil is good” (Isa. 5:20). And that is exactly why Jesus said that “they shall betray one another, and shall hate one another” (Mat. 24:10). And that is also exactly how it has and will come to pass that God’s own people have and will “kill you thinking that [they] do God service” (Jn. 16:2). There is only one remedy to that problem friend, and it is a preventative measure. It is what has been alluded to throughout this short article, and it stands alone as the pathway to salvation; which salvation is in reality the immortality attained to at the first resurrection, the “one hope” of the gospel: “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure” (I Jn. 3:2,3; I Pet. 1:5,9; I Thess. 5:8; Eph. 4:4; Rev. 20:6). And herein is the truth of Jesus’ saying that he directly stated after saying that “the love of many would wax cold:” “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mat. 24:13). And so again I say, There is no right reason to hold onto ANY wrong thing. And there is no good result to be gained by doing so, and giving place to the devil; for he is only a thief, a liar, a destroyer, and a murderer (Jn. 10:10; Jn. 8:44). Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page July 11, 2012      

Source: byonespirit.com

What is Your Confidence?by Lary R. Hale I feel the need to address a common ill among God’s people today, that needs desperately to be remedied. There is a facade of confidence that most professing “Christians” wear, in regard to what they believe to be the truth of the gospel of Christ. Yet so many “believe” so many things differently than so many others. So in reality either a lot of folks are believing the WRONG things, or EVERYBODY is believing the wrong things. I mean, let’s face it, God is not scatter-brained or confused about the truth of the gospel. Neither is the Son of God. In fact they are perfectly joined together in one mind and one Spirit, even as Jesus said they were, and as he prayed for us to be as well (Jn. 10:30; Jn. 17:22-24). Jesus also told us how to attain unto that state, saying “When the Spirit of truth is come, [it] will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13). Now if we HAVE the Spirit, and are taught by the Spirit, then we will all believe the SAME things about the gospel; because the holy Ghost IS the “mind of Christ,” and there is no confusion or division in the mind of Christ and of his Father (I Cor. 1:10; Rom. 15:6; Rom. 8:27; I Cor. 2:16). So it is evident, as I stated, that the confidence that most “Christians” wear is merely a facade. In fact I know that to be absolutely the truth. And HOW do I know this? Because for over thirty years I have been blessed with the capacity to continue being taught by the Spirit of truth, and I know what is truth and what is not! And I know the TRUE unflinching, unshakable confidence that only comes by knowing the truth. And it is NOT a smug, arrogant, supposed confidence that looks down on those who do NOT know “the truth.” It is a humbling confidence that is the result of an ongoing deliverance from everything that is contrary to the love and merciful Spirit of God that sent Jesus to this world to suffer and die for sinners (Jn. 3:17; Rom. 5:6; I Tim. 1:15). It is a love that does not “measure” people by what they know or don’t know, but rather it just loves and promotes that same love to all. And that love also is not afraid to rebuke with godly fervor the errors that bedevil God’s people. Jesus described this state as follows: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31,32). God’s word is “what the Spirit is saying to [his people]” (Rev. 2:8; etc.). And continuing in that word is continuing to allow yourself to be taught and led by God’s Spirit (I Jn. 2:27; Rom. 8:14). Trouble is, almost everyone in the body of Christ has been taught what SOMEBODY has said, or is saying, rather than what God’s Spirit is saying. And this is nothing new. Jesus addressed the same condition of things among God’s people when he came: “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?… But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat. 15:3,9). In fact, due to the erroneous traditions and doctrines of Christianity that have dominion over God’s people today, very few of God’s people even realize who are their brothers and sisters in Christ. “There is one body [of Christ],” and there is “one baptism” which puts anyone into the body of Christ (Ep. 4:4,5; I Cor. 12:13). In reality, to provide the baptism of the holy Ghost is the only reason that Jesus came to this world (Mk. 1:7,8; Acts 1:4,5). Yet, due to the false “new birth” or “salvation” doctrines of Christianity, the Spirit baptism with its accompanying sign of speaking in tongues has been reduced to a “secondary” experience for the already “born again” or “saved” Christian. And believing these erroneous teachings of Christianity has left God’s Spirit baptized people with the false notion that non Spirit baptized “Christians” are their brethren. They are not, at least not until they too are “baptized into one body,” not by earthly water; but by those living waters that come from heaven into all who TRULY and fully believe on Jesus (I Cor. 12:13; Jn. 7:37,38; Rom. 8:9). And that is only the beginning of the truth, and the beginning of the exposure of the falsehood of Christianity. But when the foundation is unlevel, it is certain that the remainder of the house is unlevel as well. And it is quite certain that the entire house of the gospel of Christianity is as unlevel as it gets. The bottom line is that you have to know the truth for yourself, and it has to come through the same Spirit of truth that Jesus sent back from heaven. According to Jesus, those who rely on and trust only in that source, are the ONLY congregation against whom “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Mat. 16:15-18). So my friend, if you want more than to just go along with the status quo of Christianity, and you long for a confidence of faith that is more than a “puffed up” false confidence in religious rhetoric and foolishness; seek after God desperately with a humble and honest heart until you are absolutely certain that it is his Spirit revealing truth from heaven to you personally. And until God makes known to you who can help steer you into that truth. Then walk in what he shows you, and turn away from those who will not do likewise (II Tim. 3:5; I Tim. 6:5; II Thess. 3:14). There is no other way. Amen.  Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page June 18, 2012   
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What is Your Confidence?
by Lary R. Hale

I feel the need to address a common ill among God’s people today, that needs desperately to be remedied. There is a facade of confidence that most professing “Christians” wear, in regard to what they believe to be the truth of the gospel of Christ. Yet so many “believe” so many things differently than so many others. So in reality either a lot of folks are believing the WRONG things, or EVERYBODY is believing the wrong things. I mean, let’s face it, God is not scatter-brained or confused about the truth of the gospel. Neither is the Son of God. In fact they are perfectly joined together in one mind and one Spirit, even as Jesus said they were, and as he prayed for us to be as well (Jn. 10:30; Jn. 17:22-24). Jesus also told us how to attain unto that state, saying “When the Spirit of truth is come, [it] will guide you into all truth” (Jn. 16:13). Now if we HAVE the Spirit, and are taught by the Spirit, then we will all believe the SAME things about the gospel; because the holy Ghost IS the “mind of Christ,” and there is no confusion or division in the mind of Christ and of his Father (I Cor. 1:10; Rom. 15:6; Rom. 8:27; I Cor. 2:16). So it is evident, as I stated, that the confidence that most “Christians” wear is merely a facade. In fact I know that to be absolutely the truth. And HOW do I know this? Because for over thirty years I have been blessed with the capacity to continue being taught by the Spirit of truth, and I know what is truth and what is not! And I know the TRUE unflinching, unshakable confidence that only comes by knowing the truth. And it is NOT a smug, arrogant, supposed confidence that looks down on those who do NOT know “the truth.” It is a humbling confidence that is the result of an ongoing deliverance from everything that is contrary to the love and merciful Spirit of God that sent Jesus to this world to suffer and die for sinners (Jn. 3:17; Rom. 5:6; I Tim. 1:15). It is a love that does not “measure” people by what they know or don’t know, but rather it just loves and promotes that same love to all. And that love also is not afraid to rebuke with godly fervor the errors that bedevil God’s people. Jesus described this state as follows: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31,32). God’s word is “what the Spirit is saying to [his people]” (Rev. 2:8; etc.). And continuing in that word is continuing to allow yourself to be taught and led by God’s Spirit (I Jn. 2:27; Rom. 8:14).

Trouble is, almost everyone in the body of Christ has been taught what SOMEBODY has said, or is saying, rather than what God’s Spirit is saying. And this is nothing new. Jesus addressed the same condition of things among God’s people when he came: “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?… But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat. 15:3,9). In fact, due to the erroneous traditions and doctrines of Christianity that have dominion over God’s people today, very few of God’s people even realize who are their brothers and sisters in Christ. “There is one body [of Christ],” and there is “one baptism” which puts anyone into the body of Christ (Ep. 4:4,5; I Cor. 12:13). In reality, to provide the baptism of the holy Ghost is the only reason that Jesus came to this world (Mk. 1:7,8; Acts 1:4,5). Yet, due to the false “new birth” or “salvation” doctrines of Christianity, the Spirit baptism with its accompanying sign of speaking in tongues has been reduced to a “secondary” experience for the already “born again” or “saved” Christian. And believing these erroneous teachings of Christianity has left God’s Spirit baptized people with the false notion that non Spirit baptized “Christians” are their brethren. They are not, at least not until they too are “baptized into one body,” not by earthly water; but by those living waters that come from heaven into all who TRULY and fully believe on Jesus (I Cor. 12:13; Jn. 7:37,38; Rom. 8:9). And that is only the beginning of the truth, and the beginning of the exposure of the falsehood of Christianity. But when the foundation is unlevel, it is certain that the remainder of the house is unlevel as well. And it is quite certain that the entire house of the gospel of Christianity is as unlevel as it gets. The bottom line is that you have to know the truth for yourself, and it has to come through the same Spirit of truth that Jesus sent back from heaven. According to Jesus, those who rely on and trust only in that source, are the ONLY congregation against whom “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Mat. 16:15-18). So my friend, if you want more than to just go along with the status quo of Christianity, and you long for a confidence of faith that is more than a “puffed up” false confidence in religious rhetoric and foolishness; seek after God desperately with a humble and honest heart until you are absolutely certain that it is his Spirit revealing truth from heaven to you personally. And until God makes known to you who can help steer you into that truth. Then walk in what he shows you, and turn away from those who will not do likewise (II Tim. 3:5; I Tim. 6:5; II Thess. 3:14). There is no other way. Amen. 

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page June 18, 2012   

Source: byonespirit.com

The Sum Totalby Lary R. Hale “Now the end of the commandment is [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm” (I Tim. 1:5-7). This powerful statement by the apostle Paul both tells the gospel story, and it also tells the story of what is today called Christianity. The word “end” in the first verse means the aim or purpose. So the entire summation of the commandments of God is for his love to dwell in the hearts of true believers without sin accompanying it, which is to say “pure.” That, and to have the “good conscience” that results from that state (Heb. 9:14). And also to have faith with total honesty and sincerity of heart, which is to say “unfeigned.” So how is this accomplished in a human being? Well how about we let the scriptures answer that all important question for us: “… because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). And just how does THAT happen with someone? And what about that “pure heart” that the apostle mentioned in the first verse? Let’s take another look at the scriptures now: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And 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.” And how did Peter and the brethren KNOW that God had poured out the holy Ghost on these gentiles? “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God” (Acts 10:44-46). Now let’s see what Peter said about this very event when he was later discussing it with the apostles and elders: “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, GIVING them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS by faith” (Acts 15:8,9). Okay, so according to THE BIBLE, these folks RECEIVED the holy Ghost by being BAPTIZED with the holy Ghost, with the accompanying sign of speaking with other tongues. And as the scripture plainly states, it was that experience of faith in Jesus that purified these people’s hearts. So what this means is that “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts,” when our hearts are PURIFIED by the experience of the baptism of the holy Ghost. And the beloved apostle, as well as Jesus, makes it very clear that this purifying experience MUST be had, and also continued in, if we expect to attain unto eternal life at the resurrection of the dead (Mat. 5:8; I Jn. 3:2,3). God is not the author of confusion my friend. What was true for the souls in that event is true for all souls. God does not have more than one gospel, or more than one way to be a partaker of it. This is how the text statement of the apostle Paul is fulfilled in anyone’s life. There IS an author of confusion however, and he most assuredly DOES have “another gospel” other than the one we have just seen simplistically revealed by the scriptures (II Cor. 11:4,13-15; Gal. 1:6,7). And the other gospel that Satan has contrived is the result of people wanting to be teachers of the gospel as the apostle stated, and turning aside unto “vain jangling;” as he also noted. And as he further stated, they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” The entire Christian religion is made up of perversions of the scriptures for the purpose of NOT having a pure heart full of the love of God, and for NOT having a clear conscience, or unfeigned faith. We have already seen the Bible’s definition of how to accomplish the things that the apostle mentioned in our text scripture. But Christianity teaches OTHER ways of supposedly accomplishing these things, which ways in fact insure that these integral elements CANNOT be attained to. To set the very experience that alone purifies our hearts from sin, as a secondary experience to “getting saved,” is all it takes to pervert the gospel that Jesus died for, and it’s lone purpose which we have seen disclosed here by the scriptures. But this wicked perversion doesn’t stop with “getting saved,” it permeates all of Christianity in a myriad of forms, all of which can only be rightly labeled as “vain jangling.” If it isn’t ALL and ONLY about purifying the heart and having the love of God thriving therein, and continuance in that vein; it is vain jangling, and anyone teaching “vain jangling” fails to understand what they are saying, neither do they know “whereof they affirm.” One thing is certain, the traditions and doctrines of Christianity CANNOT be affirmed by the truth of the holy scriptures. Amen. Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page June 1, 2012    
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The Sum Total
by Lary R. Hale

“Now the end of the commandment is [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm” (I Tim. 1:5-7). This powerful statement by the apostle Paul both tells the gospel story, and it also tells the story of what is today called Christianity. The word “end” in the first verse means the aim or purpose. So the entire summation of the commandments of God is for his love to dwell in the hearts of true believers without sin accompanying it, which is to say “pure.” That, and to have the “good conscience” that results from that state (Heb. 9:14). And also to have faith with total honesty and sincerity of heart, which is to say “unfeigned.” So how is this accomplished in a human being? Well how about we let the scriptures answer that all important question for us: “… because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts BY the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Rom. 5:5). And just how does THAT happen with someone? And what about that “pure heart” that the apostle mentioned in the first verse? Let’s take another look at the scriptures now: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And 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.” And how did Peter and the brethren KNOW that God had poured out the holy Ghost on these gentiles? “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God” (Acts 10:44-46). Now let’s see what Peter said about this very event when he was later discussing it with the apostles and elders: “And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, GIVING them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, PURIFYING THEIR HEARTS by faith” (Acts 15:8,9). Okay, so according to THE BIBLE, these folks RECEIVED the holy Ghost by being BAPTIZED with the holy Ghost, with the accompanying sign of speaking with other tongues. And as the scripture plainly states, it was that experience of faith in Jesus that purified these people’s hearts. So what this means is that “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts,” when our hearts are PURIFIED by the experience of the baptism of the holy Ghost. And the beloved apostle, as well as Jesus, makes it very clear that this purifying experience MUST be had, and also continued in, if we expect to attain unto eternal life at the resurrection of the dead (Mat. 5:8; I Jn. 3:2,3). 

God is not the author of confusion my friend. What was true for the souls in that event is true for all souls. God does not have more than one gospel, or more than one way to be a partaker of it. This is how the text statement of the apostle Paul is fulfilled in anyone’s life. There IS an author of confusion however, and he most assuredly DOES have “another gospel” other than the one we have just seen simplistically revealed by the scriptures (II Cor. 11:4,13-15; Gal. 1:6,7). And the other gospel that Satan has contrived is the result of people wanting to be teachers of the gospel as the apostle stated, and turning aside unto “vain jangling;” as he also noted. And as he further stated, they understand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” The entire Christian religion is made up of perversions of the scriptures for the purpose of NOT having a pure heart full of the love of God, and for NOT having a clear conscience, or unfeigned faith. We have already seen the Bible’s definition of how to accomplish the things that the apostle mentioned in our text scripture. But Christianity teaches OTHER ways of supposedly accomplishing these things, which ways in fact insure that these integral elements CANNOT be attained to. To set the very experience that alone purifies our hearts from sin, as a secondary experience to “getting saved,” is all it takes to pervert the gospel that Jesus died for, and it’s lone purpose which we have seen disclosed here by the scriptures. But this wicked perversion doesn’t stop with “getting saved,” it permeates all of Christianity in a myriad of forms, all of which can only be rightly labeled as “vain jangling.” If it isn’t ALL and ONLY about purifying the heart and having the love of God thriving therein, and continuance in that vein; it is vain jangling, and anyone teaching “vain jangling” fails to understand what they are saying, neither do they know “whereof they affirm.” One thing is certain, the traditions and doctrines of Christianity CANNOT be affirmed by the truth of the holy scriptures. Amen.

Original Post at By One Spirit Ministries Facebook page June 1, 2012    

Source: byonespirit.com