Daily Bible Reading - October 22, 2017

Today's Reading:

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Isaiah 14-16

Psalm 113

Listen to the Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading   

Continuing our study from yesterday, remember that there are seven aspects of the Holy Spirit. In other words there are seven levels of the Outpouring. Our Saviour, Himself being perfect, was thoroughly equipped with all seven aspects of the Spirit, as we saw listed in Isaiah 11:1-2:

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the 1) Spirit of Yahweh shall rest upon Him, 2) the Spirit of Wisdom and 3) Understanding, the 4) Spirit of Counsel and 5) Might, the 6) Spirit of Knowledge and of the 7) Fear of Yahweh.

In quick review, the seven-fold anointing of the Spirit, which rested upon Christ, and which He desires to bestow upon us, is represented in the seven symbols of the Spirit, found throughout Scripture:

Seven Areas of Anointing - #5: The Spirit of Might

The Spirit of Might manifests as Fire. What are the characteristics of fire? Fire defines an acceptable sacrifice. In Scripture, when a sacrifice was acceptable, Yahweh would send the Fire. Fire burns and purifies. Fire gives off Light and warmth. Fire in the angel’s flaming swords kept sinners out of the Garden of Eden. Fire protects purity and guards holiness. 

 

Fire (the burning bush) was the powerful call which set Moses on the road to his mission. In this example, we see that Fire starts the Gospel Commission.

Fire was the form Yahweh chose as protector and guide for bringing the Children of Israel to Canaan. He manifested before them as a

Pillar of Fire - to guide them at night. Fire represents Yah’s leading from Egypt (the night of sin) to Canaan (the Promised Land).

Fire was the powerful evidence that Yahweh is the only true God on Mount Carmel. Yahweh sent the Fire to consume Elijah's sacrifice, while no fire fell for the prophets of Baal. In other words, Fire marks an acceptable sacrifice and shows the unstoppable power of Yahweh.

The purifying and refining work of the Holy Spirit through trials and suffering is called the Refiner’s Fire.

Zechariah 13:9  "And I will bring the third part through the Fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My Name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, Yahweh is my God." 

When the Holy Spirit was poured out in Acts 1:8, the Holy Spirit was manifested as tongues of Fire. The Holy Spirit comes in FIRE to prepare us to carry the Gospel to the whole world with power.

In the end, for the wicked who reject the Holy Spirit’s Work in cleansing Fire, the FIRE will bring Eternal Destruction. It will purify the earth, forever consuming all sin.

Seven Areas of Anointing - #6: The Spirit of Knowledge
The Spirit of Knowledge manifests as Eyesalve. Spiritual eyesalve is give for discerning and making us wise. The Spirit of Knowledge is “to know by seeing”.

Revelation 3:18  "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." 

Seven Areas of Anointing - #7: The Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh 

The Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh manifests as water. What are the functions of water? Water cleanses. Water refreshes and satisfies the thirsty. And water sets one aside for consecration. The Water symbolizing the true Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

When we are indwelt by the Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh, it will manifest in Grace-empowered obedience.

Psalm 111:10  "The Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments: His Praise endureth for ever." 

Ezekiel 36:25-27  "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them."  

This vital cleansing is a two-part process:

Part 1: We must seek Yahweh's cleansing for our past sins (James 4:8).

Part 2: We are to walk clean for the future - by the Grace of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

It is possible to put on a show of being "Christian" (cleansing) while pouring out contamination, disease, and spiritual weakness from what should be the cup of blessing!

Luke 11:39 - “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.”

In Christ, we must cleanse our hands – representing our actions. We must also wash our feet – representing the consecrated direction of our life. Such cleansing is only possible through the Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh. For only when we fear Him (reverence) do we recognize our need for His cleansing and forgiveness.

Isaiah 1:16 - “Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil.”

This vital cleansing is something Yahweh promises do in the lives of everyone who fears (reverences and worships) Him (for His people are His Church).

Ephesians 5:25-27  - "...As Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." 

It is Yahweh's Will to bless you with His Spirit - in all seven levels of the anointing. If this is also your desire, pray and specifically ask for each aspect of the Holy Spirit's Outpouring to be poured out upon your life. Ask for the Breath. Pray for the Oil. Seek His Rain. And cry out to Yahweh for the Dove to descend upon your life. Choose His refining Fire. Pray for His Heavenly Eyesalve. And seek to be cleansed in the washing of the Water of His Word. Pray that the same Spirit-anointing which rested upon Christ, would also upon you:

Isaiah 11:1-2 - "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the 1) Spirit of Yahweh shall rest upon Him, 2) the Spirit of Wisdom and 3) Understanding, the 4) Spirit of Counsel and 5) Might, the 6) Spirit of Knowledge and of the 7) Fear of Yahweh.