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  • Jesus Loves Me This I Know

    Oh, Pastor John, so much goodness came from this morning’s reading Brad and I had that I am compelled to write you about it.

    Of course, Song’s trial and now news of Doris’ mass as well as the trials gone through by other members of the body, have been on our heart.

    Brad and I read nearly every morning and have wonderful fellowship from our morning time together. Today, the Spirit led Brad to read Looking at the Same Thing – a Thought for the Evening for 12-21.* What we felt from that Thought for the Evening was that cancer is a giant like the giants Joshua and Caleb saw in Canaan’s land. And, like Preacher Clark said, it’s all how you look at the giants that determine how you react to them. As it says in the Thought, “If God is bigger in your eyes than the giants of this life, then when you see those giants, you feel different from the way others feel…”

    We can/do look at the giants in our life, like cancer, differently. Gary’s response, and most likely Song’s response, is a clear demonstration of looking at the giant differently. Living through the giant that Sister Natalie faced allowed me to see and feel how God is bigger than what she faced. Both clearly demonstrate speaking about the “wondrous works of God” coming from facing their giant. And, Sister Lou’s giant nearly took her down but, with Jesus’ wonderful intervention, allowed her, and us, to see how bitterness and complaining can be replaced with His glory and truth of everlasting life!!!

    If this wasn’t enough goodness of God, for our Old Testament class** we are reading Suffering and the Saints*** and today, Brad and I finished reading Chapter 7 – The Divided Kingdom – The Fall of Israel – and the Spirit fell on us and I can hardly put into words all that was felt and said during the fellowship that ensued. But, I will try because it was THAT GOOD

    1. God and His Son love us so much that they both provide continual opportunities to receive correction. All we have to do is heed that correction. And, by correction, He means for the Body, not the individual who is suffering the affliction. This isn’t about or for only the member of the Body suffering from the affliction, it is, as Brother Billy M. and as Brother John David testified, for the Body! The trials of individual members are for us to grow as a body not only the individual being afflicted.
    2. This “for the Body” knowing let me see for the first time, that my mother’s constant thankfulness for God – the only words she spoke were “Thank you God for everything” during the last visits we had with her – was for ME. It wasn’t a commentary on her state. It was Jesus’ love for me, His child. It gave me peace to hear those words. It comforted me. It blessed me and Brad. Praise God!

    There was more –  but it suffices to say that the glory of God was in our house this morning and it was GOOD!!!! Thank you God for this Life! Thank you God for this Family! 

    With a full and desiring heart,

    Allison

    *  Going to Jesus.com – Looking At The Same Thing

    ** Old Testament Course (Pt. 1) – Going to Jesus.com

    *** Going to Jesus.com – Suffering and the Saints

  • The ‘Antichrist’ Gospel Tract

    Dear Pastor John,

    I hope you and Barbara are doing well.

    The reason I’m writing to you is that I am right now translating the “Antichrist” gospel tract*, and there is one detail about it that is a bit confusing to me.

    In 1John 4:1-3, the apostle John talks about spirits (not people) which, when received, do not confess that Jesus Christ has come into the fleshly temple of that person.  So we know that when someone “receives Jesus” by accepting some version of the gospel, and does not manifest the sign of the Spirit’s sound, that person actually has received the spirit of antichrist, not the holy Ghost. 

    Now, in the book of 2John, it would first seem that the apostle talks about the same phenomena when he says in verse 7: “For many deceivers are gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ when he comes into a person”.  But in the tract, after quoting this verse from 2John, you and Preacher Clark wrote this: “Yes, these deceivers departed from the faith, and, as John testified, they “went out” from the apostles’ fellowship into the world, declaring a perverted gospel (1Jn. 2:19).”  So, it seems from the wording as if the deceivers apostle John talks about here are not spirits, but more like men, teachers who went out from among them and were preaching a different (perverted) gospel.  But if that is the case, if the “deceivers” of 2John 7 are not spirits that are capable of entering human bodies, but people, then the idea of “not confessing Jesus Christ when he comes into a person” doesn’t seem to make sense, at least not the way it does in 1John 4:1-3. 

    My question is: Does the apostle John talk about two different things in his first and in his second epistle?  And if he does, and in 2John 7 he doesn’t talk about spirits, but about people, then what does the line “who do not confess Jesus Christ when he comes into a person” mean in that context?  Did these men not speak in tongues themselves when they received whatever “gospel” it was that they heard?  Or does it refer to something they do, or don’t do when someone else “comes to faith” through their ministry?  Or am I completely off track in my thought process? : )

    I hope I was able to make my question clear.

    I wish you well, Pastor John.

    Zoli

    ============

    Hi Zoli.

    As usual, your question is a very good one that needs to be explained.

    In 1John 4:1–3, John is indeed talking about a spirit that people receive which does not produce the sound that Jesus said would always accompany the new birth (Jn. 3:8).  In 2John 7, John is talking about men who have received that evil spirit and have given themselves to it, and who proclaim it as being the Spirit of God.  That is the “perverted gospel” they preach.  These are Christian ministers who tell people they can receive the Spirit of God without it confessing Christ through them the way that Jesus said it would always do.  They are the “deceivers and the anti-Christs” of 1John 2:18 and 2John 2:7. They themselves have taken in the speechless spirit of anti-Christ, and they say that spirit is the Spirit of God.

    By receiving the spirit of anti-Christ, men themselves become anti-Christs.  And by promoting the spirit of anti-Christ as being the Spirit of Christ, such men may have thousands of converts to what they are saying, but no converts to God.  There are many such Christian “ministries” in the world today, the work of men who themselves have not confessed Christ when he comes into a person, and are being followed by multitudes who also do not confess Christ when he comes into a person.

    The way I read 2John 2:7 is that John is only speaking of the many men of his time, through whom the Spirit of Christ has never spoken and, so, do not have the real Spirit of God, yet have gone out as ministers of Christ.  It is not that those ministers can physically enter into people, but their doctrine and their spirit can.  This is how the spirit of anti-Christ always enters into people.  When they are persuaded to believe that the Spirit of Christ does not speak through people when it comes in, they open their hearts to receive the spirit that does not speak.  And when they do that, they also receive into their hearts the ministers who taught them that lie, and the father of lies himself.  We really cannot separate the man from his message.

    Pastor John

    * https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_tracts.html?tname=tract-087-antichrist

  • Never Seen Again!

    Pastor John,

    I’m listening to an Old Testament* cd, and you were talking about David being changed into a mystery man, a stranger to everyone, even himself, by the great mercy he was shown by God after his sin with Bathsheba.  You said he was like Moses and “no one ever saw Moses again after he came down from that mountain and his face shined after seeing the back part of God.”  And then you said that no one ever saw (the old) David again after Nathan delivered God’s incredible message to him!

    Thats so good!  No one ever has to see our old man again after we meet Jesus! 

    Beth

    ============

    Amen, Beth!

    The Spirit makes us new creatures when we receive it, and if we stay alive in the Spirit, that “old man” which was once us will stay dead and gone!  Nobody will ever see him again.  Praise God for that!

    Pastor John

    *  Old Testament Course (Pt. 1) – Going to Jesus.com

  • The Body and Blood of Christ

    https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/eucharist-miracle-love-hidden-plain-sight-rhode-island-priest

    Dear Bro. John:

    I just finished reading the above article.  In one way, my heart sinks in sadness for God’s people who still partake and believe this lie, and then I throw up my hands in thankfulness to Jesus who has revealed the truth to us concerning such things.  Every time I read such foolishness, I realize with great humility how much Jesus has done for us by filling us with his sweet holy Ghost.  With humility because I once in ignorance partook of these traditions of men in Christianity, even though I never understood any of it (water baptism, saved doctrine, Trinity, etc). If one questioned these things, it was always, “you have to take it by faith”.  What kind of relief does that bring a heart?  I can tell you it brought none to me.

    As I read the article, one phrase jumped out to me: 

    “The day marks a celebration of the Eucharist — namely, the belief in the “real presence” of Jesus Christ, according to faith leaders.”

    I’ll tell you what the “real Presence” of Jesus Christ is: the baptism of the holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues!  THAT Presence does not require transforming any bread or wine into Jesus Christ.  That Presence transforms YOU!  Praise God!!

    Jesus said in Matthew 24:

    [24] Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

    [25] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess

    [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

    [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

    When considering what is God and what is not God, “according to faith leaders” in Christianity is a dangerous path.  Jesus says they are “blind guides”.  Seek God for answers and understanding.  He will put your feet on the right and righteous path.

    Sorry for the length, but my heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness after reading this article and realizing how much Jesus has done for us.  He’s done more than I ever thought that he would do.  I lift my hands and heart in praise to him today.

    And I thank God that he did not send us a “blind guide”, but a pastor after his own heart who has taught us wisdom concerning the Father and the Son.  I cannot thank him enough.  It is good to be reminded how blessed we are.

    Sister Sandy 🙂

  • Saturday Morning’s Reading

    Pastor John,

    I thought about what we read this morning about the development of Christianity, and the discussion that followed.  Many men strove in earnest about 1800 years ago to draft a single awe-inspiring version of Christianity (out of many submitted christianities) that would eventually be chosen by earthly-minded men as the only approved, “Orthodox” Christianity to represent Christ for all the earth.

    It seems that men on earth have been given temporary liberty from God to concoct all kinds of religions and ways of worship – especially in the name of Jesus.  But for all of men’s doings, their efforts are fruitless if they have no hungry hearts into which they can feed their bewitching inventions.

    Men (and demons) can manufacture endless doctrines and theologies, but they cannot create even one hungry heart inside a man so that he will digest them. 

    False religion is nothing without a man to beguile!

    This means (I would think) a man with a heart that has heard the call of God and is seeking God is the most precious thing on earth to the spirits and men that concoct false doctrine and religions.

    The scriptures say the devil goes back and forth in the earth looking for men that he may devour.  I wonder if that is the equivalent of countless unholy men having carried every brand and version of Christian slop from one edge of the earth to the other, looking for hungry souls to eat it?

    This is a spiritual world.  The truth is being sent out into it for all those who have felt the call of God in their heart and are hungering for His way.

    But the lies and the liars about God are seeking the same hungry people!

    Never has laying down a tract confessing the truth about Christ, so that others may find it, ever felt so important.

    Thank you,
    Jerry

  • Our Standards from Pastor John

    Greetings in the name of Jesus!

    It has been a while since I have brought these things to your attention, but with so many new people coming to our meetings, it is time to do it again.  Young people who have never seen this need to read it, and new people of every age should be aware of these standards.  Every person who is a part of the work Jesus has entrusted to me lives according to these simple standards.

    If you do not feel that you want to live this way, that only means that you do not belong here with us.  Jesus may have something else for you.  I am not the judge of that.  I am only responsible for the ones who belong here.

    Please take some time to make sure that you understand what is required of all who meet here in my house.

    Pastor John

    Our Standards (2)

  • Saved before Baptized with the Spirit?

    Pastor John,

    I’ve been truly blessed by the music and teaching from the Spirit is the Witness* fellowship.

    I do have a question about the Holy Spirit’s working in a believer.  I knew I was saved at the age of 8 because the Spirit bore witness with my spirit that I was saved and heaven was my home.   However, the Baptist Church did not know about the Baptism or of being filled with the Holy Spirit. All they knew was salvation.  When I was 22 I entered into, I believe the third heaven where I was singing in the spirit in beautiful, perfect, pure heavenly languages at a Kathern Koleman meeting.  Wow, that was back in 1972. Singing and praying in the Spirit is still in me, although to be honest I have backslidden at times.  I said all this to say this, When I was saved at 8 would you agree that I was baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit and then at the age of 22 I was baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit.  Whether we agree or not theologically, I know from your YouTube videos that you know God is real and that you worship Him in Spirit and truth.  John, I truly thank Jesus and you and the other members of the Spirit is the Witness fellowship.  I’m from New Jersey, but if I ever get down your way I would love to join you in worshiping Jesus our Savior and Lord.

    Sincerely in Christ

    Richard

    =========

    Hi Brother Richard,

    Thank you for writing.  I apologize for the delay, but I just now received your good letter.  It would, of course, be an honor to have you visit sometime.  We love to hear from and meet our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we would do our best to make you feel at home – because you would be!  We are only at home in this world when we are with each other.

    As for your experiences, I would describe them this way.  We all know that something must happen to a person before he receives the baptism of the Spirit.  That is undeniable.  But what is it?  There are many wonderful and real experiences that one may have with the Lord both before and after receiving his baptism from heaven, but which of those sweet experiences is the experience of new birth?

    Jesus’ disciples had many incredible experiences with the Lord while he was here, and yet, he described them as only being in the womb of what Paul would later call “the body of Christ”.  He said to them, “When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour is come, but when the child is born, she no longer remembers the suffering because of joy that a man is born into the world.  And so, you now have sorrow, too, but I’ll see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn. 16:21–22).  That joy came on the day of Pentecost, when they came out of the womb and were finally born of God.  The day they received the baptism of the Spirit is the day they were born again.

    As John said in a couple of his epistles, I would rather speak face to face about these things.  Pen and ink are unable to communicate feelings as does personal conversation.  Until we can do that, please read my very short booklet, After Jesus Died, which you will find here:

    https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_books.html?tname=afterjesusdied

    That will show you, beyond any question, that the disciples were not born again until the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

    Again, I wish we could talk face to face.  But until that happens, if God wills it, I will be praying that God continues to richly bless you and yours.  From all of us here, greetings and love in Christ,

     Pastor John

    *  https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSpiritistheWitness

  • Discerning Spirits

    Hey Pastor John,

    The testimonies today reminded me of an experience I had as young person in my 20’s. I had just started in a new department at work.  All of the sudden sitting at my desk, I would start having thoughts come out of nowhere. It was to the point it was becoming a battle and troubled me daily. I knew I didn’t think that way or say those things I was hearing. I didn’t understand why this was happening. A few weeks later a gentleman a few cubicles down either got fired or quit. The thoughts never came back. It wasn’t me! It was that spirit the man was under sitting at his desk. That was a huge lesson for me as a young person.

    It also reminded me of a situation with Jonathan years ago. He developed a fear of the dark all the sudden. It happened several nights in a row of him coming in my room terrified. Jesus immediately let me feel it was a spirit bothering him. I told Jonathan he could talk back to those spirits himself and tell them to leave. His reaction confirmed it had been talking to him. I told that spirit to leave my child alone and it needed to leave my house. It wasn’t welcome. He hasn’t had a single issue with that thing coming back around all these years later.

    Today made me think of the story you have told before. The old saint walking by the well with the baby, and a spirit talking to her. That story has been a shining example to me throughout life. Not every thought is from Jesus and we really need discernment and to know who we are. Knowing what’s from Jesus is our protection walking through this life: to know what to discard and what to keep. I am so thankful for that experience at a young age and as a mom. Experiences like that have helped me in adult life and even as a mother teaching my children what’s God and what’s not.

    Have a good rest of the day!
    Margo

  • Gentleness

    A few days ago I read Psalm 18 with Ellie and something really touched me.  As I read through the first 30 or so verses, it talks about God being a shield, girding up for war, abasing enemies and God giving strength and mercy, David says “Your gentleness makes me great”. Makes me tear up as I’m writing thinking about all my life, even through the hard times, corrections, it’s been God’s gentleness that has pulled me out and made me higher.  And it makes me want to be more like that with my children, and others. 

    Anyways I just wanted to share, still loving that this morning.

    Ashley

  • Proverbs 27:8–10

    Proverbs 27:8. Like a bird departing from her nest is a man departing from his place.

    1. Oil and incense gladden the heart, and the sweetness of one’s friend springs from hearty counsel.
    2. Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not enter your kinsman’s house in the day of your calamity; a neighbor nearby is better than a distant kinsman.

    I was listening to the Proverbs recording, and you all were discussing these verses, and I had a thought.  Not sure it is right so thought I would ask you. 

    Is that saying that if you get out of your place, don’t turn to those fleshly connections or worldly family and become a reproach to Jesus?  Don’t get hurt or bitter and turn to them?  It’s better to talk to a stranger than to be a reproach?

    Beth D.

    ==========

    Hi Beth.

    Your thoughts are right and good, but I do not see that Solomon is saying that to his son in those verses.

    First of all, I don’t see a connection between verses 8 and 10.  Secondly, in verse 10, Solomon is dealing with relationships, advising his son (in the middle of that verse) not to burden a kinsman when trouble comes; otherwise, he may drive that kinsman away.

    A number of Solomon’s proverbs are puzzling, and without help from Jesus, we cannot rightly or fully explain them.  God’s thoughts certainly are not our thoughts, as Isaiah said.  So, I just rejoice in the proverbs that I can understand and wait on God for the rest.

    Thank you for writing, Beth.

    Pastor John

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