Why is the Holy Spirit called ‘an Advocate’?

 We’ve been looking at the names of God and how his names help us understand him better. Last week we saw how God the Son was an, ‘Advocate’. I explained that this means Jesus is like a lawyer mediating between two warring parties – us as sinners and God the Father as the righteous judge. As our lawyer, Jesus made a settlement with his own blood.

 

But the Holy Spirit is also called ‘an Advocate’ too (using the same Greek word as used for Christ). In John’s Gospel we read: ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [Advocate] to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you’ (John. 14:15-17).

 

So the Holy Spirit is also on our legal team as another lawyer. But if Jesus has reached a settlement with God the Father as our advocate/lawyer, what does the Holy Spirit do?

 

One thing the Holy Spirit does is give us legal advice. Jesus says this in the following verses of John’s Gospel: ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you’ (John 14:23-26).

 

If we love Jesus, we are called to obey his teaching. But Jesus taught a lot of laws and often the laws are rather broad and we need to know how to apply them to our modern situations. For example, Jesus said nothing about obeying road rules.

 

So what do we do? We get a lawyer to give us legal advice about the laws of Christ in order to live by them. Just as we might ask a human lawyer for legal advice before doing something, so we ask the Holy Spirit to be our legal counselor as we live our lives. Paul also teaches this role of the Holy Spirit: ‘”No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”-but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: (1 Cor. 2:9-16)

 

So is the Holy Spirit your advocate too? Or are you still living your life without legal advice from God? Beware the consequences. Ask God for his Spirit now.                                       Joel Radford

12 Powerful Benefits of Praying in Tongues

”By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.: John7:38-39

 Speaking in tongues is a powerful spiritual tool that offers numerous benefits for believers. Here are twelve significant advantages of speaking in tongues, backed by scripture:

1. Healing and Health: Speaking in tongues detoxifies your spirit, reducing stress hormones and releasing feel-good hormones. This is according to a research carried out by Oral Roberts University. Why is this possible? Because the scriptures say, 'But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you'. (Romans 8:11).

That same spirit that was able to resurrect or give life to a body that has been dead for 3 days is able to give life to a dying kidney or destroy any cancer. But the way to turn loose the power of the Holy Spirit within us is through speaking in tongues. 

A 2006 scientific article cited by The New York TimesThe New York Times concludes: “Contrary to what may be a common perception, studies suggest that people who speak in tongues rarely suffer from mental problems. A recent study of nearly 1,000 evangelical Christians in England found that those who engaged in the practice were more emotionally stable than those who did not. Researchers have identified at least two forms of the practice, one ecstatic and frenzied, the other subdued and nearly silent.”

Again the Bible says that, "... though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" 2 Corinthians 4:16 our outward man is our body and subject to aging, the inward man is the spirit where the Holy Spirit dwells. According to this verse, the outward man is subject to aging and all the health challenges that come with it, but the inner man is not affected, rather it is being renewed on a daily bases. To get the influence of the inner man over the outer man is through speaking in tongues.

2. Victory in Spiritual Warfare: In the Book of Ephesians chapter 6 while Paul was discussing Spiritual Warfare  he gave us a major secret to victory in verse 18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Eph 6:18 NIV. Paul admonishes the saint to continually pray in the Spirit even though he is equipped with all the spiritual arsenal mentioned from 6 to 17. 

Praying in the Spirit or speaking in tongues can be of two types as presented by Apostle Paul in 1 Cor 13:1, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels" So tongues can be in the language of Angels which makes it expedient to mobilize angels during warfare. is speaking the language of angels and not a command they're not familiar with 1 Corinthians 14:8. Satan and demons hate when believers begin to pray and sing in the Spirit.

3. Builds Supernatural Faith: In Jude 1: 20, the Bible says, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost," Speaking in tongues boosts your faith beyond natural limits. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing Gods word; this verse in Jude makes us know that tongue builds and quickens you  unlocking supernatural faith.. The reason Jesus said that some kinds of demons do not go away except by prayer and fasting is that that you need faith to be able to cast out some demons and that faith can be built by praying in the Holy Ghost

4. Controls the Tongue: The Bible describes the tongue as having the power to control a man's life and destiny. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Prov 18:21. It went further to say that anyone having mastery over his tongue can control every other aspect of his body. Marriages are destroyed by the wrong use of the tongue, people fall into temptation by what they initiate or say with their mouth. When you constantly speak in tongues you hand over the control of your tongue to the Holy Ghost. Its not only that you start speaking with wisdom but utterance. It is at that point the Bible says "for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.| Matt 10:20. 

5. Builds Character: When the Bible refers to the Holy spirits activity in us it says out of our belly shall flow rivers of living waters.(John 7:39) Praying in the spirit waters the garden for the healthy growth of the fruit of the spirit . When the Spirit controls your tongue it controls your life. The tongue is the centre of gravity of every mans life. "If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way." James 3:2 LB

6. Aligns you with your Destiny: Speaking in tongues helps align your steps with your divine purpose and predestination (Romans 8:26-27) says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." When we are praying with our understanding we can be praying something that is not according to the will of God for our lives. But when we switch to praying in tongues we end up praying in line with Gods will for our future

7. Strengthens the Spirit: Speaking in tongues, or your heavenly language, strengthens your spirit. It edifies your own self, your spirit and unless there be an interpreter, speaking in tongues isn't for use in the corporate body because no one will understand. Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. - 1 Corinthians 14:4-5

Our spirit needs this strength in times of temptation. The Bible says that the Spirit is at war with the flesh and sometimes the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. When you walk in the spirit you will not fulfil the desires of the flesh. Speaking in tongues helps to energize our spirit man to be in control instead of allowing the flesh run the show.

8. Opens Us Up to help of the Holy Spirit: Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as another helper. When we pray in the spirit we open ourselves up for the help of the Holy spirit. That is when things that are impossible with men becomes possible because God is involved. When Mary asked how shall these things be, the answer was that the Holy spirit shall come upon you

“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35

It  now becomes clear why the Bible admonishes us not to trust our abilities

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Prov 3:6

Speaking in tongues allows the Holy Spirit to help your infirmities and knowledge gaps (Romans 8:26-27). read more about why the Holy Ghost is called our advocatewhy the Holy Ghost is called our advocate

other benefits include

9. Understand God's Mind: Speaking in tongues helps you understand the mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:8-11, Isaiah 28:9-11).

10. Activates Spiritual Gifts: Consistency in speaking in tongues activates all spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14).

11. Helps us pray more accurately: James says When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3 

if we wish to pray the right way, we switch to the spirit. There are two advocates with the father: Jesus (1 Jn 2:1) and the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit helps you pray Gods will and that makes Jesus work in your life easy

12. Unlocks Divine Wisdom: Speaking in tongues unlocks divine wisdom, enabling believers to speak wisdom beyond their natural understanding (Isaiah 28:9-11).

In conclusion, speaking in tongues offers a wide range of benefits for believers, from healing and spiritual warfare to building character and understanding God's mind. Embracing this spiritual tool can significantly enhance your walk with God and empower you for effective service.

CHURCH OR SUPERNATURAL SUPERMARKETS

The 5 Foolish virgins were not the only Christians that missed Heaven there is this other group: Anointed men of God who have turned the supernatural to a supermarket by merchandising the oil. The wise virgins advised the foolish ones "Go to them that sale". (Mat 25:9)

This set of ministers are not interested in the second coming of Jesus but in the material profit they can make from the grace of God upon their lives.

Referring to them Jesus said that on the last day they will even present the argument that they did miracles in His name but he will deny that He ever knew them notwithstanding the mighty works done in His name.

Some of these ministers sale products like holy water, anointing oil, handkerchiefs, books, pictures etc at exorbitant rates; others sale services like prayers, fasting, visions etc. with manipulative approaches.

The major distinguishing factor is that they are not concerned about the return of the master and they never preach it or even when they do, the message lacks the fervency that comes with the subject of GIVING or buying.

Please don't confuse this with the Daddy Freeze message and his attack on God's Generals. I believe that the Church needs money to run and I have nothing against ministers being comfortable while doing the work of God, after all a laborer is worthy of his wages. but let people give freely not out of compulsion or manipulation(2 Cor 9:7)

THINK ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Rom 16:18

"Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things." Phil 3:19

"Buy the truth and do not sell it" Prov 23:23

"As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matt 10:7-8

The Gay Agenda: What in the World Is Going On?

The Gay Agenda: What in the World Is Going On?

by Professor Aist

Introduction
I wrote this article to alert born-again Christians about aspects of homosexuality that they really should know in order to be able to perceive and understand the culture war that’s underway in today’s world. Please do not dismiss these things lightly, as something that does not and will not impact you, your family and/or your quality of life. Because, in doing so, you would be making a very serious mistake.
In another article I detailed background information on the nature and consequences of the homosexual lifestyle (Click HERE), so that you can better put the individual gay agenda items into perspective when you get to them. To document the points I make and for your convenience in looking into these matters more thoroughly on your own, if you are so inclined, I have provided several, carefully selected, key references and links.

The Gay Agenda
The term “Gay Agenda” apparently was coined by evangelical Christians to refer to the ideology, goals, strategies and methods of the radical homosexual activists who are primarily responsible for the progress of the homosexual movement in America. The homosexuality advocates themselves vehemently deny that they have any such agenda, presumably because they do not want the heterosexual majority in America to know that they have an agenda. Why? Because knowledge of their agenda, or even that they have one, could cast the homosexual movement in a bad light, thereby diminishing support of their goals within the heterosexual majority. The homosexual movement does, in fact, have an agenda. This agenda can be ascertained from their lists of demands published in relation to gay conventions and parades, in various gay print media articles, and in media accounts of the kinds of things they are actually doing. Action items 14-19 and 21, below, are taken directly from two publications in the late 1980s by two gay activists, Kirk and Madsen (click HERE). And with electronic media becoming more and more commonplace, the execution of the details of the gay agenda are becoming increasingly publicized and coordinated. You will undoubtedly recognize many of these developments as I describe them in the following paragraphs.

THE GAY MOVEMENT AND THE MYSTERY OF HISTORY

By Jude Watchman Oguta

All hell broke loose in far away Middle East, four millennia ago, when a group of practicing homosexuals attempted to gang rape angels in a bid to practicing their right to ‘alternative lifestyle’. It was the first gay movement in recorded history, setting - Sodom. The English word ‘sodomy’ is an etymological offshoot of that incidence. Apparently, these dare-devils (or rather dare-angels), had clamored for ‘gay rights’ before taking it a step further- outright lawlessness.

Fast forward forty centuries later, history has come to repeat itself - this time in the Western world as the sodomites in the United States have been militantly demanding not just to do whatever they wish to do behind closed doors, but, more importantly, that society fully accept their lifestyle as both healthy and normal, even demanding special rights and legislation as an "oppressed minority." Already the United States, have legalized gay marriages in all the states. The church is not spared this gross pervasion as many gay couples are being wedded and ordained into ministry in some circles. What the Bible says should not even be mentioned amongst believers has suddenly become the major ‘matters arising’.

Though this write up will be in series to expose the devils plan in the gay agenda, this first chapter is geared towards making us learn from history lest we repeat the mistakes of history.