GOD'S WORD IS TRUTH

The Ten Commandments are creating quite a stir in the American culture.  The American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] appears to be endeavoring to remove all vestiges of anything that may be “religious,” or more specifically “Christian,” from the American Way of Life.

   The Athiest Society joins in that endeavor by declaring that there is no God and that religion is “an opiate of the people,” designed by “the church”  to control the minds and hearts of people.

   There are others who could care less.  They simply live out their lives searching for that which gives them pleasure and security apart from anything that has to do with any religious, moral or ethical principles and standards.  Who cares about God?

   For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, it becomes evident that when the standards that God has established for his world are opposed, compromised or ignored altogether, the human family suffers.

   God’s Word declares truth: “There is a way that seems right to a man [or woman] but in the end it leads to death.”  [Proverbs 14:12]  Our human wisdom alone is not sufficient for times such as these.  The decisions we make—and are making, at every level appear to be challenging the wisdom of the ages that is wrapped up in the Word of God.

   Take the Ten Commandments for example:  Wrapped up in this short set of Instructions, God has established a way for the human race to experience fulfillment in every facet of life– present and future.

   The first four of the Commandments have to do with our relationship with God.  Of course, if one does not believe in God or accept the reality of God, we will then follow our own or corporate wisdom or, in some cases, our corporate ignorance.

   However, when we have a right relationship with God, then the rest of the Commandments serve to guide us in our relationships with each other.  If we put God first, do not bow down to idols [“idols” translates to “nothings’], honor the Name of God and remember to worship him, then we do honor those who brought us in to the world, our parents.

   When we honor the Name of God, murder is not a part of our thinking processes, adulterous relationships are not a part of our lives because we honor our spouses; stealing, lying and coveting have no place in our lives because we honor our neighbors and friends.

   God’s Ten Commandments are not just “Jewish.”  They are God’s instructions for humanity.  When there is an effort to do away with them or displaying them, then we are saying that we don’t want to be told by God or anyone else how to live our lives.  We can very well dishonor, murder, lie, cheat, steal and covet all we want.  No one will tell us what we can or cannot do!  Rebellion is not a spiritual gift!

   It has been said that, “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.”  That is a wrong statement.  The truth is: “God said it and that settles it, whether or not I believe it.”  God’s Word and the Truth of God’s Word is not predicated on my acceptance or rejection of it.  It stands!  It can and has been opposed, ridiculed, dishonored, maligned, outlawed, burned and crucified.  Nevertheless, the Living Word still stands!  And the truth of it still applies to the human family.

   “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death.”  The truth of this is evident all around us.

   “There is a Way that is right to God, and in the end leads to Life.”  God stated it very clearly and it seems right to choose the Way that leads to Life!    Larry

WHO IS THIS “HOLY SPIRIT?”

The Christian Community of Faith has just celebrated Pentecost.  Historically, in the context of the Jewish Faith, the Feast of Weeks was celebrated seven weeks after the Passover.  [Leviticus 23:15]  This festival culminated in a sacred assembly during which time the priests made offerings of grain and animal sacrifices to God on behalf of the people of Israel.

   For those of us in the Christian Faith, this fiftieth day [Pentecost] Celebration is focused not on what people bring to God, but upon what God has given to us in Jesus, our priest.

   It was on this special day that God poured out His Holy Spirit upon the Believers who were gathered in an Upper Room in Jerusalem.

   As Jesus was preparing to Ascend into heaven—forty days after his resurrection, He told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Gift that God had promised them.  That Gift was the Promised Holy Spirit. [Acts 1]

   The disciples gathered together in the Upper Room and spent nine days in prayer and worship, waiting for that which Jesus had instructed them to wait.  On the tenth day, the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection [Pentecost] God poured out his Promised Holy Spirit upon the Believers.  [Acts 2] And the world would never be the same!

   Some peoples’ response to that dynamic move of God was an attempt to discount it by simply saying that the Believers were drunk.  Others, however, responded by acknowledging the presence of God and their lives were changed for eternity.

   God still pours out his Holy Spirit upon his people.  Some respond today in similar fashion to the early skeptics: “I don’t want anything to do with this ‘Holy Spirit.’”  “I’m not ready for this ‘Holy Spirit’ stuff.”  “People that have the Holy Spirit do strange things.”

   So, who is this ‘Holy Spirit?’  Consider this: the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Holy God who is perfectly revealed in Jesus the Christ, who is God incarnate in the flesh.  The word ‘incarnate’ means to be given form.  That which is abstract is made real.  That which is invisible is made visible.

   God is Spirit [John 4:24], and ‘Spirit’ is invisible.  However, when Jesus came in the flesh, God became visible.  We could “see” what God is like.  Jesus told his disciples, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.”  [John 14:9]  Jesus and God the Father are One.

   The Holy Spirit of God is not a third God, as some believe.  That is polytheism, the worship of many gods.  The Holy Spirit is not one/third of God or partial god.  The Holy Spirit IS God, the One God who has made himself visible and known through Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God.

   What then does it mean to be “baptized” with [in] the Holy Spirit?  To be baptized is to be immersed.  When we are baptized with water we are immersed in it—though that is interpreted in different ways by different segments of the Body of Christ.  To be baptized with [in] the Holy Spirit is to be totally immersed in the nature and Spirit of God.

   John the Baptist’s baptism was a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins.  He told people that  he baptized with water for repentance but there was one coming after him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [Matthew 3:11] Jesus’ baptism is a baptism not for repentance, but for empowerment for life, for witnessing and for ministry.

   For those who are “not ready” for the Holy Spirit of God, I ask, “When will you be ready?  If not now, when?  If not here, where?  If not Him, who?”

   For those who don’t want anything to do with the Holy Spirit, I ask, “Does that mean you don’t want anything to do with God? Or Jesus? Or Life? Or Eternity? Or Heaven?  He is the One who leads us to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

   For those who feel that the Holy Spirit makes people do strange things, I say, “We don’t need the Holy Spirit to make us do strange things.  People are quite capable of doing strange things on their own without the help of God.  The Holy Spirit simply leads people to new levels of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

   Considering the world in which we now live, those character traits may seem very strange indeed to those who are not open to the Spirit of God.

   It would be well for the Christian Community of Faith to seek a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit throughout the year and not simply on the one day of Pentecost.  “Come, Holy Spirit.”           Larry Eddings

 august healing seminar

Dates have been set for a Healing Seminar to be conducted at the Silverdale United Methodist Church in Silverdale, WA.

   The Healing Seminar is a shortened version of the Healing Academy. The Seminar covers several of the Academy subjects, but is designed to enable persons who are employed to attend without missing several days of work.

   This also provides opportunity for persons who teach in the public school system to have opportunity to participate as they will be in their summer break from school classes.

   The Seminar begins on Thursday evening, August 13 and concludes Saturday noon, August 15.  Topics will include: Jesus Modeled Ministry, Abba Father, Healing of the Human Spirit, The Holy Spirit, Word of Knowledge, Forgiveness, Emotional Healing and Physical Healing.

   Please refer to the enclosed brochure for full details of the Seminar.

   We are excited to see that persons who have attended other Wind of the Spirit Ministry events are already registering for this Seminar.  Some have stated that these are “life changing” events for them.  We encourage you to register early.

ALDERSGATE CONFERENCE

ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

One of the great conferences that is conducted within the United Methodist Church is held each year and organized by the Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, with headquarters in Goodlettsville, TN.

   These conferences have been held since 1978 and draw United Methodists as well as persons from other parts of our Christian family from around the world.

   Several hundred people gather to engage in lively and Spirit-led worship, participate in educational workshops, prayer sessions, ministry times and general fellowship.

   Register now by calling 615-851-9192 and talk with Peg Billman or Pam Dow.

   This year’s Aldersgate Conference will be held in Greensboro, N.C.,  July 1-5.  Hope to see you there!

SPEAKING OF “STRANGE” THINGS

And some think that God’s Holy Spirit

makes us do strange things?

1. On Tesco’s Tiramisu dessert [printed on the bottom] “Do not turn upside down.” Note: What do I do if I have already done it to read the label?

2. On Sainsbury’s peanuts: “Warning: contains nuts.” Note: this is truly a news flash!

3. On Boot’s Children Cough Medicine: “Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.”  Note: keep children with head colds off bulldozers.

4. On Marks and Spencer Bread Pudding: “Product will be hot after heating.”  Note: is there an alternative?

5. On Sears hairdryer: “Do not use while sleeping.”  Note: what if that is the only time I have to do my hair?

6. On bag of Fritos: “You could be a winner.  No purchase necessary.”  Note: is this a shoplifters special?

7. On bar of Dial soap: “Directions: use like regular soap.”  Note: and how would that be?

8. On some Swanson’s frozen dinners: “Serving suggestions: Defrost.”  Note: it’s just a suggestion.

9. On packaging for Rowenta iron: “Do not iron clothes on body.”  Note: couldn’t this be a time saver?

10. On Nytol Sleeping Aid: “Warning: May cause drowsiness.”  Note: I’m taking this because….?

11. On most brands of Christmas lights: “For outdoor or indoor use only.”  Note: as opposed to what?

12. On a Japanese food processor: “Not to be used for the other use.”  Note: decide for what use to use it for before you use it  and then don’t use it for any other use.

13. On an American Airlines packet of nuts: “Open packet. Eat nuts.”  Note: and step three is?

14. On a Swedish chainsaw: “Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.”  Note: are there people out there who do this?

One desirable conclusion: “O God, send your Holy Spirit and bring some sanity to our really strange ways.”

WIND OF THE SPIRIT ANNUAL MEETING

The Board of Directors and Support Council for Wind of the Spirit Ministries will meet at the Silverdale United Methodist Church for its Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 27, 9:30—3:30 p.m.

   This is always an exciting time to remember what God has done through the ministry during the past year and then to look ahead to what is being planned in the future.

   The Board and Council spends the day seeking God’s direction and counsel regarding the ministry to which we have all been called.

   We ask that those of you who receive this Spirit Breeze, keep all of us in prayer as we endeavor to be open to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit.

PLEASE POST AND PRAY FOR THESE EVENTS

June 18-21—Pacific Northwest Annual Conference, Tacoma, WA

              27– ANNUAL  MEETING, WIND OF THE SPIRIT MINISTRIES

              28—Audrey preaching at Silverdale UMC

JULY 1-5—Aldersgate Holy Spirit Conference, Greensboro, NC

                   Larry and Audrey Address Clergy/Spouse Breakfast

July 26—August 2: Rawlinsville, PA Camp Meeting

                Audrey speaks for the women’s sessions.

                Larry leads the daily Bible Study

AUGUST 13-15—Healing Seminar, Silverdale, WA UMC

SEPTEMBER 29-October 3, Healing Academy, College Station, PA

OCTOBER 21-25—Global Impact Conference, Woodinville, WA

     OTHER MINISTRY EVENTS ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGES

Eddings Email address:  woseddings@msn.com

  MINISTRY SUPPORT

Wind of the Spirit Ministries is supported by persons who desire to share in the ministry through their prayer and financial gifts.  Through these, they become partners in the ministry of helping others experience the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit and are equipped to be involved in sharing the good news of God’s love in Christ.  All gifts are tax deductible. A receipt is issued for each gift received. We wish to express deep appreciation to those who continue to contribute to this ministry.  May God bless you richly.