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  • Why Not?

    Pastor John,

    Oh my!  Ben and I watched the YouTube video, “Real Life in the Spirit”, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG2Lj3A01R8)

    together last night, and the Spirit fell on us and we were both speaking in tongues and asking Jesus for that “higher calling“ that he wants us to have!!  It was an invitation from Jesus there at the end when you quoted Paul saying,

    “I press forward to the high calling,” and then you asked us,  “The high calling!  Why not?? Why not, if it’s real?!!  Why not kick off the chains and run to Jesus and receive what he’s been begging you to have all this long time??  Why not??  It’s yours!  It belongs to you!  If you can answer ‘why not?’ you know what to repent of!  You know what to change.  What to run away from.  You know what to avoid!  What do you have that’s better?  What do you have that you want more?  What is that thing you’re hiding in your heart?  Why not have liberty?  Why not have perfect peace with God?  Why not know Him?  Why not be free?  He knows it’s there.  He just wants to hear you say ‘why not?  What’s better than fellowship with the Father and the Son?  What’s better than living free and clean and happy in the holy Ghost. Why not?  It’s freely offered.  Jesus received it freely and he freely gives.  Why not? when it’s being poured out from heaven.  Will anybody drink this?  Anybody want this ice cream?  Why not love the truth?  What’s it gonna do for you?  Is the ritual better?  Is the ceremony sweeter than this?  Oh God!  How foolish the flesh is!  Oh, why not?  I’ve been praying for you that you receive this blessing because I think you deserve it.  You sweet people.  I’ve been talking to Jesus about you, and he wants to be more real to you than ever in your life!  I love you!”

    Amen! Amen!!

    And I love when you said this pearl, “I don’t need a ritual, I just need more of the power of God!”  Amen!!  That’s all we need! “

    Whew!  I feel it all over again, just typing the words this morning!  It’s real and it’s available to us, if we want it!!  Why not?!!

    Lee Ann 

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1912302401563881908

     

  • An alternative offered by Satan

    Hello Pastor John,

    I was reading Michelle’s recent letter in the Mailbag this morning, and one thing she wrote stood out to me.  She said, Satan “offers people an alternative, using the name of Jesus”. (https://pastorjohnshouse.com/mailbag/15539/the-iron-kingdom-chapter-5/)   The reason it stood out to me, is because a few days ago I had a brief correspondence with someone I had met at the Bible College more than 20 years ago, and I basically told him the same thing. 

    First, I shared some thoughts on Facebook that the Spirit had impressed on my heart about why Christianity is “such a mess”.  I wrote, “The reason for that is that it’s not from God, and it never was.”  I wrote about how the only true religion is whatever comes from the holy Ghost, and encouraged those who had already received its baptism to get quiet and hear the Spirit call out to them, “Come out of her, my people.”

    Not much later, this friend of mine sent me a private message, telling me that he agrees with my post, saying that “the American Christian church” is indeed a mess.  He said he had hardly attended any church meetings the last 10 years and that he had cut ties with the church that ran the Bible College we both had gone to.  He added, “The pastors have zero accountability to anyone, and often overstep boundaries, and preach to friends.”

    For a day, or so, I didn’t respond to him, because I didn’t know what to.  (I had already had a correspondence with him about a year earlier, I already knew he was critical of the church, but he hadn’t accepted the truth from me back then.  He had also said something like, Babylon was the United States.)  But then I had a feeling that I did need to respond to his message, so I started typing, and this is what came out:

    Hey, thanks for writing.  When I say “Christianity”, I mean the whole religious system (regardless of geographic location) that claims to be the religion Jesus has started by his death and resurrection.  I believe that Jesus died, resurrected, and went back to the Father (in Acts 1) to offer himself up as a sacrifice in heaven, so that all who repent and believe in him can receive the born again experience (Acts 2:1-4), and be saved in the end, if, after being born of the Spirit, they stay faithful to God.

    Life in the Spirit (a life of holiness) is what Jesus gave his life for.  Christianity, on the other hand, offers an alternative path (another Jesus, another gospel, another spirit; see 2Cor. 11), that includes ceremonies, such as water baptism and communion services – as a substitute for the real baptism of the holy Ghost (the new birth experience) and real communion with God and His people, in the Spirit.

    If you’re interested, here’s a really good gospel tract on the difference between the way of Christ and Christianity, that my pastor, John D. Clark wrote many years ago:

    https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_tracts.html?tname=tract-059-christorxty

    I haven’t heard back from my friend since then.

    Zoli

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1912298696085037348

  • The Iron Kingdom, Chapter 5

    Hi Pastor John,

    Last night, I re-watched the Sunday meeting and read over our copy of Chapter 5 of the Iron Kingdom book again.  Two things really stuck out to me.

    1)  You said, “The apostates redefined the new birth from the baptism of the holy Ghost to believing in Jesus” (https://pastorjohnshouse.blogspot.com/).  When you said that, my heart and my head were saying yes, but when I got still last night I believe that went in deeper.  I had the thought, “That sounds just like Satan!  That is what he does, he offers people an alternative, using the name of Jesus”.  That thought brought a holy anger with it.

    2)  After we read Colossian 2:14 and Billy testified about the “He” in that verse being the Father, I slowed down and reread those scriptures again.  The feeling I got reminded me of my feelings after doing the Old Testament class (https://www.goingtojesus.com/gtj_otcourse-1010.html).  One of the biggest things that changed in my heart was my feelings about God.  I learned that He is merciful, kind, long-suffering and very loving.  These are the feelings I was having reading last night.  The relationship between the Father and Son became so much sweeter in my heart.  God created the law to teach His people who He was.  He prepared a way for his Son to come to take the place of the law.  His Son agreed to come and die for us.  Then the Son ascended to his Father and asked his Father for us.  The Father said yes!  It was love, back and forth.  They were together in everything, and everything they did was for us.  It put a better understanding of how Jesus wants us to feel about each other and how he wants us to live with each other.  Being one, being together.  I fell asleep last night feeling the overwhelming sweetness of the Father and Son.

    I’m so thankful for what we have been taught.  It gets better and better!

    Thank you, Pastor John, for passing it all to us!  I want to eat it up!

    Michelle

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1911069309381517670

     

  • Saul and then, Paul!

    Morning PJ,

    Guess what I started to read….Acts!   I love that because I feel like Jesus was preparing me for the feast he served us Sunday morning.  I sat there with my heart ringing, and saying  “wow” to Jesus because  the feelings I have had reading Acts were amplified, hearing what you and Jesus wrote!   Jesus got me ready to hear it! 

    So this morning as I am reading in chapter 9, I had to write because it is so good! 

    Acts 9

    1. Now Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest
    2. and asked him for letters to the Damascus synagogues, that if he found any of the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

    Saul ( before he was Paul)  was threatening to murder the disciples.  And who did he take those threats to but the high priest.  This is what is happening before Jesus blinds him on the road. Wow!

    1. And in his journey, as he was drawing near to Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly shone around him.
    2. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul!  Why do you persecute me?”
    3. And he said, “Who are you, sir?”  And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”
    4. And he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?”  And the Lord said to him, “Just rise up and go into the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”
    5. And the men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
    6. Then Saul got up from the ground.  And though his eyes were open, he saw no one, and they, leading him by the hand, brought him to Damascus.
    7. And he remained without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.

    I love that Jesus gave Saul witnesses to what he heard.  They led him by his hand.  I wonder what the conversations between them sounded like. They were traveling with him as he went to find and bind God’s people. I wonder if Jesus let it change their hearts too?  I wonder what they said to each other on that road!

    1. Now, there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”  And he said, “Here I am, Lord!”
    2. Then the Lord said to him, “Rise up and go to the street that is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, of Tarsus.  Behold, he is praying.
    3. And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hand on him so that he might see again.”
    4. But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints in Jerusalem.
    5. And even here, he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon your name!”
    6. But the Lord said to him, “Go!  This man is my chosen vessel, to bear my name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel,
    7. and I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

    I wonder if Jesus telling Ananias that Jesus was going to show him how much he would suffer for his name, helped Ananias go find Saul?

    1. Then Ananias departed and entered into the house, and laid his hands on him, saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord who appeared to you on the road as you were coming, has sent me so that you might see again and be filled with holy Spirit.”
    2. And immediately, some thing like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again.  Then he arose and was baptized,
    3. and he took food and was strengthened.  And Saul was with the disciples in Damascus certain days,
    4. And right away, he began preaching Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

    Verse 17 brought tears to my eyes and made me repent for thinking Ananias might have been relieved knowing Saul was gonna get a whooping from Jesus.  Ananias called Saul “brother” and told him, “Jesus sent me so you can see again and be filled with His spirit.”  That feels so tender to me. I want to meet Ananias one day.

    And immediately Paul (I don’t want to call him Saul anymore; he has a new heart now!) was baptized and ate (and I bet rejoiced in awe) with the disciples.  It says he was with them “certain days.”  I am imagining the feelings, tears, and conversations they must have had.  These were real brothers feeling real things together.  Like we do when Jesus touches someone.  I don’t think I have ever loved Acts more, PJ!

    1. All who heard were amazed, and they said, “Isn’t this the man who made havoc of those in Jerusalem who call upon this name and who came here to bind them and take them to the chief priests?”
    2. But Saul was all the more strengthened, and he confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
    3. And after many days had passed, the Jews plotted among themselves to kill him,
    4. but their plot was made known to Saul.  Then they began to watch the gates closely, day and night, so that they might kill him.

    The Jews absolutely wanted to kill Paul.  They even set up watch, trying to get him.  It didn’t take long for that spirit to recognize God’s spirit and want it gone!

    As much as I hate to stop here, I need to go to work. This is so good to stop and take in!  I agree with LeeAnn that, surely, Paul would hug your neck!  Have a good day! I’m sure going to! 

    Beth

    Comments welcome:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1909599096848970137

     

  • Baptism

    Hey John,

    I saw this short video clip (below) on Facebook recently and was surprised by the caption with it.  I don’t think I ever really connected that some Christians teach water baptism is the same as being filled with the Spirit.  This was sad to watch.  These very sincere looking people are being taught that this IS the holy Ghost baptism.  Uggh!!! 💔 No, it’s not!

    (more…)

  • Noah

    Good Morning!

    I have a question: in Genesis chapter 5 it says Noah was 500 years old.  Then, Noah was 600 years old when he went into the ark.  Do you think it took 100 years to build the ark?  100 years of people watching and laughing at him!  Also, Noah did have ancestors that loved God! Enoch, Methuselah!  We are studying about Noah with the girls!
    Sue

    =========

    Hi Sue.

    Yes, it appears that it took at least 100 years (see Gen. 6:3) for Noah (and, I assume, his son’s and possibly others) to build the ark.

    I wonder sometimes if Noah hired men to help build the ark, who later died in the Flood.  That puts the fear of God in me, knowing that we can work to forward the gospel, and then, as Paul said, “be a castaway”.

    God help us all to work and be found faithful in end!

    Pastor John

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1909588422710132791

     

  • The Heart

    Morning Pastor John,

    I am still reading through the verses with heart in them. It has been wonderful to read what God says about the heart. These verses (below) from Isaiah, struck me. 

    We are going to cry out, whether it be for gladness of heart or anguish of heart, in this world or the next.

    I thought about how broken I was when my heart couldn’t take anymore pain and I cried out to God.  And I thought of the times now that the spirit has so sweetly made me laugh, and cry and even sing!  I love reading a scripture and knowing the truth of that scripture.  It does something to my soul to tell Jesus that I know how true it is. 

    And it pulls out the other things God has said. Truth begets truth … Is that in the Bible somewhere?  It should be, maybe next to “line upon line and precept upon precept.” (Isaiah 28:10) I have always loved that verse.

    The verses in Isaiah made me think of this verse from Luke, and I know it is true because I know the verses in Isaiah are true. (Luke 19:40) But he answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these were to be silent, the stones themselves would cry out!”

    Isaiah 65:14 “Behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for anguish of heart and shall wail with a broken spirit.”

    Isaiah 66:14 “And you will see, and your heart will rejoice, and your whole being will flourish like the grass.  And it will be known that the hand of Jehovah is upon His servants and His indignation is upon His enemies.”

    And this one in Jeremiah makes me feel wonderful for you.  I know that God gives us shepherds to feed us knowledge and understanding.  I know that is true because He gave it to us through you. So it must be also true that you are after His own heart.  Isn’t that something Pastor John?  God made you after His own heart!  That makes my heart sing for you and for us! 

    Jeremiah3:15 “And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and they will feed you knowledge and understanding.”

    My heart got happy this morning feeling the truth in these verses so I wanted to share them with your heart! 

    Beth D.

    Comments welcome:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1906874662786904232

     

  • Being of One Accord

    Good morning Pastor John, 

    I was listening to the conclusion video of the Matthew study today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rwA1a8PmeM&t=9s).  In it you talk about it was amazing that 120 or so people were in one accord.  I have listened to this video several times, but today as soon as I heard that “being of one accord” thoughts started rolling thru my head.  What that actually means.  Some were as follows, some I have forgotten I am sure, but this is the best I can remember. 

    Being of one accord means:

    Believing God the same way with no individual interpretation of what it means.

    Loving Jesus the same way, 

    Loving each other as ourselves, 

    Obeying the government put over us trusting God,

    Teaching our young ones in the Lord the whole truth.

    With these thoughts came the knowledge that if I like Trump and you don’t, we are not of one accord.  There are several times while listening to old sermons, and even recently, “not to get involved with politics” was a message delivered, and I feel it is still present.  Being of one accord, we would all pray for whoever God puts in charge of this country, then not worry about it.  Otherwise, the bottom line is we do not trust God!  We are to trust God in all things, and He does not need our input.

    Then came thoughts of why don’t we have any healings, or other wonderous things?  We are not of one accord, too many worries, too many individuals, came to my mind. Yes, we all agree on the need for a healing, but my heart may be happy with Trump, and yours not, and the next person hoping something bad happens to him.  No unity, just the appearance of it.

    From personal experience I speak now.  Politics will draw you in.  I was a political activist many years ago.  Once I was involved, it became very hard to leave that stuff behind without having guilty feelings of not voting anymore.  “It is my duty,” I was taught;  educate others; be involved.  Political discussions everywhere.  

    I mulled this a while before sharing.  But I was not thinking any of this, never even entered my mind until I heard “being of one accord”.  That is where Jesus is.  I finally felt compelled to send it.   I don’t want controversy but feel these thoughts were giving to me for a reason, and to be of one accord, I must share what is given.

    Love

    Mark

    PS:  This week while working in the NICU, I got the opportunity to thank the Lord for His help in resolving an issue.  They were having to draw blood on all the babies because our Bili meters were all down.  I was waiting for a purchase order to send the last one out for repair when the Lord put an idea in my head while I was working on a completely different thing: “let the battery completely die, completely recharge the unit, then recalibrate.  This repaired that unit, so when I took it back to the ward they were bragging on me.  So I stopped them and said, “I can’t take credit for this; the Lord put it in my head how to fix it.”  I got several funny looks. But it felt good!

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1906870524942364957

     

  • Yesterday’s Message

    Hi, Pastor John.

    During your message yesterday, I felt the Spirit saying, “I told them what to do,” as you gave examples of God getting Israel through tough times during their journey to Canaan’s land.

    God told them to mark their door so they would be “passed over” from the killing of the first born; God told Moses to hit the rock; God told the Israelites to save up manna, sent six days a week, for the one day that He was not going to send it.

    God, through his Son’s spirit in us, gives us instructions and, if we follow them, the blessing and the testimony is on the other side!  Thank you, Jesus!

    I pray that He continues to remove all obstructions from my hearing clearly His instructions and gives me the faith to follow them

    instructions and gives me the faith to follow them

    ~Allison

    Tell us what your think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1904589792991453551

  • Thoughts After Reading This Morning

    Hey Pastor John,

    I believe it’s an insult to the Father for men to disregard the holy Ghost baptism, the One baptism that required his Son’s precious life for us to have.  To call a baptism in water the One baptism that Paul said we need in order to be saved is so offensive to our precious Savior!   If a water baptism is the thing we needed, then Jesus never even had to come here and suffer the terrible torment and pain that he went through.  Men could have performed all those fleshly ceremonies without Jesus ever coming here to live and take on our sins.  It’s offensive and disgusting, and I can understand why God hates it! 

    Lee Ann

    Tell us what you think:

    https://x.com/WitnessofSpirit/status/1904587944280678875

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