GOD'S VALENTINE

                                                           GOD'S VALENTINE

    Did you ever wonder why we associate our emotions and spiritual feelings with the heart? Why the heart, since we learn that our body is geared to and directed by the brain, which isn't even located near the heart? Why do we observe this special day in the (for many of us) bleakest month of the year, with bitter cold, harsh winds, long hours of darkness and general unfavorable environmental conditions? I offer here with my message as an explanation, at least as I receive my message, for your consideration and thought.

    I do want to explain that I do not work at coming up with messages, and the subjects are sort of "handed" to  me, sometimes to go with certain observances such as Valentine's Day. When I first entered the ministry, I was somewhat taken aback by offers I received from a number of established radio, television and various denominational organizations. Their offers were "canned" sermons or subject outlines to help a pastor provide his pulpit responsibilities. If the Holy Spirit was busy, they were available to fill in the material for a really good sermon. This was not my understanding of being God's servant or messenger. If the Holy Spirit isn't speaking to you, there are two things to carefully consider: is the spirit speaking to you actually from the Devil, or are you in the wrong occupation?

    Back to the subject of the heart. We learn in school that the heart is a vital organ, pumping blood to all parts of the body, including the brain. The heart, however, does not direct the uncountable actions of all the body parts. The direction or control is provided exclusively by the brain. Since the brain accounts for our thoughts, and that includes our emotions, how can the heart be the center of these emotions that include love and Godliness? God uses the word "heart" very liberally throughout scripture, beginning  with Genesis and through Revelation. Don't you think we should try to understand the spiritual reasoning for God's use of the heart? You know everything is part of His plan, including the body parts and what they represent.

    We are admonished to believe with all our heart, trust with our heart, love, cherish and respect with all our heart. We express our love on Valentine's Day with hearts, often boxes full of candy--sweetness of love. Jesus taught love, and in fact, added an eleventh commandment that He said actually followed the First Commandment in importance. That added commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself. Christ taught love, healing, forgiveness, sharing and caring. If you read the Four Gospels, you should recall these qualities. He spent little time on money  and that time was mostly spent on warning us that money would no way get us into heaven or accomplish salvation.

    Perhaps it is easier to understand the role of the heart to our bodies if we use man's definitions of the carnal world. We readily accept that our brains direct and control our bodies. That's where we get our ideas, make our decisions and control our muscles, bones and flesh to do things. The heart, meanwhile, just keeps on pumping the lifeblood through out our body. The brain may rest, but the heart
doesn't rest. It works so that we continue to live. When it stops working, we no longer exist. That's also when the part of our body that consists of our spiritual being leaves the body for another home. That "retirement" home is of your choice. God gave you the option.

    When Christ told His disciples about His impending death, He also told them they would shortly receive
a Comforter. Also known by many other names, this comforter is the Holy Spirit. In the God family, the Holy Spirit represents the power and workmanship for saved people in this world on earth. He is the power so well illustrated by Christ, and the Comforter is here for us as we need and seek His assistance.

     As our workman is our spiritual helpmate, so our heart is the workman of our body. We talk about being smart or having brains, but you may notice that when someone does something extraordinary, we usually say "he is all heart". Without realizing it, we are giving the credit where it is due. Our brain has the ability to do wonderful things like discovering a cure for a disease, building a rocket to fly to the moon, or designing a beautiful building. But, it can also provide plans to build weapons capable of destroying God's planet, or spreading disease, cheating in business and enslaving people. The heart, however, is always true. If
we had the personal will to follow God, our heart would rule our emotions. Some say, follow your head, not your heart, or you will suffer.

    We need to look at the word suffer to consider the implications of following your heart. When a romance
goes awry, or a plan doesn't work out, we suffer because the expectancy of our heart wasn't the result. There
may be many reasons for the disappointment, but none actually have anything to do with the heart's mistake.
Your brain made the decisions, and I use the plural for emphasis. When your brain considers a decision that
is part of the final decisive act, it is the brain that directs your action. The Holy Spirit will guide you, but you must be receptive to the knowledge and leading of the Holy Spirit. Your heart won't lead you wrong, but your brain might.

    Americans are great on bigness, especially in business. In fact, we revere business so highly that we have changed God's creation to elevate corporations into the "likeness of God", as He created only men and women. If we're going to be Christians, we should start our journey in the beginning of the bible, where we are told in Gen. 1:26, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.'"

    In case you didn't understand Gen. 1:26, read Gen. 1:27, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." If you can't understand these verses, you are not a Christian. If you believe a corporation is a person, you contradict God's Holy Word and call Him a liar. It's not an unforgiven sin to call Him a liar, but such an act does put to question any claim you have about being a Christian. The United States Supreme Court is in no way Christian to have voted as they did, and their vote was a party vote against God as well as the people. If you need more proof of the difference between a person and a corporation, think about God's Son, created as a man, not a corporation. 

    We are here talking about the difference between a loving heart and a callous brain. Corporations are ruled by money and influence. For the most part it is strictly bottom line thinking and decisions. Little love of Jesus,  lots of love for money and power, nearly opposite of Christ's teaching and actions. We shouldn't blame any   individual or political party. The fault lies solely with leaders of Christianity, both in the United States and Rome.  They sat by and let this contradiction to God's Word be enacted as the law of the land. These fraudulent "Christian" leaders not only did nothing to protect and preserve God's Word, they encouraged the acceptance of this ruling mostly as support for their "family values" political support. Some family values, choosing to blatantly preach in support of people who chose to alter scripture for their own gain. Justices are appointed
for life, so they don't have money or re-election worries. But, they do have to listen to part politicians and their lobbies, who live and die for the dollar sign. It was God or money. Christ warned about that. Money won.

     Money has a great deal going for it. You can receive your rewards here on earth in money, success, fame and whatever. Again Christ and the other writers of the New Testament explain very clearly how and where a Christian's rewards are given. And it's not usually on earth. Even Job had to suffer before his former blessings were restored. Spend a little time refreshing yourself on the earthly rewards of the Apostles, early church organizers, Christians in Rome, and, for that matter, Christians today living in godless nations. If you think you know how to pass a camel through the eye of a needle (Luke 18:25), perhaps you can earn your way into heaven. Other earthly rewards include such things as occupational success and fame. Of course being
successful is not a sin, but how you gain success may be a sin.

    God planned and knew the heart would always be true, but He also knew our brain, given free choice, would not always be true. The heart, like the Holy Spirit, is our workman as long as we follow and teach the Christian principles as given in scripture. We cannot change scripture to gain money or influence. Politicians do both. We cannot hide in the pulpit as most preachers do. When we see a flagrant breech of scripture such as that of the Supreme Court, we need to open our bibles and preach the truth. Not
doing it is a sin of omission. 

    I will probably take a great deal of criticism for this loving message, and some will not want to read another word from me. Some have tried to have my messages banned from the internet, and one newspaper editor did ban my message, which was unconstitutional. I do not seek financial help, unlike most ministries, because I believe the Word should be available and free to everyone. I pray you will have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones, and that you will remember the words of love given you in scripture, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes is Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Rev. Walbear

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WESTBORO BAPTIST RELIGION

                                             WESTBORO BAPTIST RELIGION

    Two members of the Westboro (Topeka, KS) Baptist Church were on a talk
show recently, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Since I'm an ordained
Baptist minister, I have license to review their performance, and, at the same
time do some scriptural bible teaching. These are the people who stage
demonstrations at the funerals of veterans to protest against homosexuality
in the United States. Never mind that the veterans weren't homosexuals. These
innocent men paid the price for America's sin. These "straight" veterans took an 
oath to protect the Constitution of the United States to their very death, if necessary.
So, they died because they fulfilled their duty to God and country. Their deaths
were God's punishment to America. There are several Christian messages and
learning experiences we can get from examining what they say and do, and by
going directly to the word of scripture. They do quote scripture.

    First, though, I want to thank them for reinforcing my understanding of Matt.
7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me 
in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons
in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to
them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' If you
recall, there is an excellent example of this in Ex. 7:8-13, where the magicians'
rods turned into serpents. Satan's workers can also perform miracles, and these
passages warn us to be sure where the power is coming from. There are no
miracles with the Westboro Baptists, but their actions aren't going to fool God
or get them a pass to heaven. 

    We shall now consider some of their quotes, which they loudly proclaim
 come directly from the bible. That may be true, but  note they quote single
 verses from various places and completely ignore other, well explained
verses that totally negate their isolated quotes. They are a "one subject" group
of professing Christians who are almost totally ignorant about the Word of God
as presented in the bible. They proclaim that not only homosexuals, but whoever
in any way supports or protects homosexuals is going to Hell. That is because
homosexuality is a lifestyle and the sin cannot be forgiven. They recognize the
Ten Commandments, but do not include them as unforgiven sins. They also cannot
show where homosexuality is one of the commandments. I do not support
homosexuality as a lifestyle either, but I want to point out how wrong they are
in isolated quotes of the Word. Even as a lifestyle, it is not an unforgivable sin, and
these Baptists are guilty of their erroneous teaching. They are the ones in
trouble with God.

    The Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of choice and expressly states
religion can't be used as any basis of discrimination. They fail to obey the civil
rights of that document as they fail to follow scripture. Matt. 12:31,32 clearly
tells us there is only ONE unforgiven sin. "Therefore I say to you, every sin and
blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be
forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be
forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven
him, either in this age or in the age to come." If you speak against the Holy Spirit,
you are denying the power of God. Christ's shed blood covers any and all sins
of a committed Christian except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. God expects
Christians to move out of any ungodly lifestyle through the help of the Holy Spirit, 
but homosexuality isn't the only lifestyle. Everyone lies, even little white lies, such
as "that dress is beautiful on you," because they don't want to kill the obvious joy
of the individual. Can anyone say they've never experienced envy? 

    The Westboro Baptists are dividing people into two groups--those who hate
sexual differences against those who follow the Gospel as taught by Christ
Jesus in the bible. This is a common practice by those professing Christians who
want to elevate themselves into superior or elite believers. They are much like
denominational followers who claim their branch of faith is superior to other
denominations. Christ did not teach denominational faith. He taught commitment
to Him and gave us teaching in the Gospels to give us examples on how to live
a holy life. It appears most Christians today are trying to use isolated verses of
scripture to promote their personal, set in stone, completely wrong, explanation
of the bible, Christ, and how we are to live.
     
    Liberals, also called socialists, communists, ungodly, Nazis, Stalinists, stupid,
lazy, living on welfare and entitlements, and dozens of lower grade school challenged
intelligence, aren't patriots. they say. All the men and women who have died protecting 
our nation must have been Conservatives. Those dead veterans held up as an example
of sin punishment by the Westboro Baptists are either liberals or innocent  conservatives
being punished for America's sake.

    As an ordained Baptist minister, I did not buy a certificate to become a minister, and
I had to pass a rigorous college curriculum and examination by a board consisting of
pastors and church leaders. The subject matter throughout was based on the bible.
If you successfully pass these tests, you are given a verse of scripture to guide you
in your future service to God. My instruction came from II Tim. 2:15. In a nutshell this
directs me to rightly dividing the word of truth. To do this, I must have a decent and
general understanding of the entire bible, and especially the teaching of Christ,
our Savior. I cannot pick out a subject as the Westboro Baptists have done, which
will only turn thinking people against Christianity. They are apostates, and the worst
example for Christianity.

    Let's persue scripture to understand how far from Christianity these impostors really
are. Christ said in Matt. 14:16, "And I will pray the Father  and He shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."  After Christ left earth and ascended to
heaven, the Holy Spirit became our connection to God and Christ. John 14:26 continues
Christ's direction, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (Spirit), whom the Father
will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your 
remembrance, WHATSOEVER I HAVE SAID TO YOU." John continues the instruction
in 15:26, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father,
even the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me."
Note the word TRUTH, which requires no taint or condition. It must be EXACT, with no
exceptions.

    Now we see Christ's final instructions to His followers in Matt. 28:19, 20. "Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in  the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe ALL THINGS whatsoever I
have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen."

    Scripture makes it crystal clear what Christians should do, and Christ warns them in
Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you
will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." When
the host of the interview asked the Westboro Baptists if specific people he named would
be sent to Hell, they immediately and loudly "sentenced" those named as going to Hell.

    These self evaluated Christian "experts" know very little of scripture and could not
possibly have made a truthful and sincere commitment to Christ as their Savior or they
would have the presence of the Holy Spirit as their Comforter and teacher. They don't
even know the ONLY sin that can't be forgiven and covered by Christ's shed blood.
They are acting as judges without knowing the very principles Christ taught. If you're
going to be outspoken about your faith, you should at least know the basic principles
of that faith. Christianity is getting a very "black eye" from these unscriptural comments
and terrible misinformation.

Rev. Walbear

SEAT AT THE GATE 2

                                                      SEAT AT THE GATE 2

    Balcom Corners, N.Y.--Our seat at the gate today is at a four corners out in rural
western New York. This is a fairly busy crossroad with two country stores and scattered
homes along all four roads, but spaced a distance apart. This is real country life, and
it can be lonesome for some family members. Our seat, and a dozen or more other
seats, are located on the front porch--a veranda--of one of the stores that happens to be
owned by my family. From spring through fall, this is where the activities of local,
national and international people and nations are discussed. This is not just gossip--
although there is some of that--but exchanges of information and examination of
problems. It is not confrontational and there is no influence of alcohol or drugs.

    The participants are mostly men. I am the only kid there, and I know enough to
keep my mouth shut and my ears open. I didn't realize it at the time, but this was a
period of time to learn much about the world, especially America. Some of the men
who frequented these nightly sessions were fairly new to America, so there was a
good foreign flavor as well. I was fascinated and usually the only kid there. These
sessions lasted from supper time to 10:30 or 11 p.m. Seats were just about anything,
from empty soda cases, to big round cheese boxes to upturned pails. there was no
padded seating, but nobody cared. This was serious business, especially with World
War II going on. 

    These men all worked hard during the day, and some--farmers--often worked into
the night because food production was a primary need for our troops. They made no
judicial decisions during these sessions, but they took information they received here
with them to groups or local gatherings, and provided some basis for directing how
things were run. They were a type of unofficial Grand Jury of the day, and reflected
somewhat the activities of the biblical San Hedron. There was no television or electronic
games at that time, only the radio. I didn't know it then, but I was fortunate to have the
learning experience at these sessions instead of modern gadgets

    This experience many years ago provided the same "transparency" as the biblical
activities at the seat at the gate. It was totally public. We talk about transparency
today, but it's mostly talk. I'm not a judge, but as a Christian minister, I'm an examiner
of the activities of Christians. As such, I review what's going on in churches and what
preachers and church officials have to say. As one of my teachers stated many years
ago, the apostate church is growing much faster than the real church. I could report
about the carnal gimmicks being used to raise church attendance, but I'll save that for
another time.

    One of the worst problems in many churches today is the family counseling. This
type of assistance is supposed to help husbands and wives resolve differences and
cement a marriage. I do have some authority in this subject since both my wife and I
completed study in counseling. However, study was not necessary to see terribly
faulty counseling in two cases with which I'm familiar. Part of our ministry training was
theistic counseling, which differs from ordinary counseling because it is based on
Christianity and scripture. There also is no fee.

    The first case I'll describe is counseling by an "expert" who represents a very major
church organization with a wide national exposure on television. A Christian lady was
married to an unsaved man who had no interest in any type of church or religion, and
things weren't going well. She made an appointment with a counselor from this
organization, and traveled a considerable distance for the meeting. Her husband, a
very bright man, agreed to go. The counselor--who was quite expensive--apparently
was not guided by the Holy Spirit, because he did not perceive that the husband was
well rehearsed in psychology. The husband knew how to respond to questions and how
to mislead the counselor. In short, he was an accomplished liar. Being a professional
person, he was a polished performer, and didn't have bad habits like alcohol.

    The wife became very frustrated because she could see what was happening, and
as things progressed she became the person who was creating the problems, at least
in the eye of the counselor. Although the counselor was representing a Christian
ministry, he didn't understand what was happening. Nothing was solved, and the
attempt cost a bundle.

    I had a similar experience with a teen age girl brought for counseling. While talking
to her I perceived she knew something about psychology. I asked some questions
requiring at least a smattering of technical knowledge, and she responded with very
good answers, almost from a text book. I realized she was way ahead of the game,
and not the least interested in changing course. She had no sincere interest in Christ
or salvation. Unfortunately, counseling didn't help.

    My final case history is especially interesting and is a husband and wife situation.
There is more to this counseling story than mere counseling. The wife persuaded her
husband to accompany her to theistic counseling at their home church. Both claimed
to be saved. The husband was a professional athlete who made a very good living, 
although not mega millions. He had invested wisely in real estate. The wife was not
satisfied because he didn't spend enough time with his family. In the early stages of
counseling, it was pointed out that because of travel and his sport, he frequently
spent 10 to 12 hours a day "at work". He enjoyed his profession and accepted the
rigorous schedule. 

    As further details unfolded, it was learned that the husband began a rigorous
schedule in his early teens as his athletic ability was recognized. While still in
high school he spent 14 or more hours perfecting his skills. His parents encouraged
him to work hard for the future. He earned a scholarship, and continued his rigorous
schedule in college under the guidance of his coach. He secured a position in
professional sports, and with some of his income, paid some of the expenses his
parents had incurred supporting him through school and college.
    
    Quite by accident, he overheard the counselor discussing him with his wife, and
was shocked to learn of her plan. The counselor was going to diagnose him as
being the victim of subjugation and in need of mental help. She would be able to
institute a legal action against the parents and coach. He could be declared eligible
for special funding and treatment. The wife could secure a power of attorney and
control his assets. A series of tests would be administered to get the plan underway.
The wife had told the counselor many things about the husband that were either
not true, or half truths. The counselor did not determine the facts and was about
to recommend a ridiculous solution to place a gainfully employed man on government
assistance. Such action would destroy rather than help. Some counselors want to
steer patients to agencies. That helps to keep agency people employed.

    Counseling only works when the affected parties are willing to listen and change.
A counselor should be chosen very carefully, because they will be working with your
minds. Theistic counselors are a better choice, but only if they are spirit filled and
actually rely on scripture. Just because they represent a church or ministry doesn't
mean they can provide the needed assistance. High fees don't necessarily mean the
advice is any good. Experience can be a valuable asset, but so is common sense.

Rev. Walbear

PS--The picture here is of the author's parents at that very store mentioned above at Balcom Corners, NY.
      

Daniel - Study Four

                                              

                                                 Daniel - Study Four

    In the previous three studies of Daniel we saw how God used the great

faith of Daniel and his three Jewish friends to make a believer of the king of

Babylon. This was part of God's long range plan for the universe, which

continues today through prophecy. One of the challenges and roadblocks

for the training of the king was the custom of the day. This was a time when

a king's decree or a man's word was law. Your statement or decision could

not be changed. This was a wonderful ploy for evil people to cause trouble

for anyone they wanted to destroy. When I was young, it was common for

agreements to be "sealed" by a handshake. An honest man's word was his

bond. Nowadays, even written contracts are no guarantee. Over thousands

of years, we've gone from the ridiculous to the ridiculous.

     While Daniel and his friends held high political positions during their captivity,

they were resented by jealous Babylonians and Chaldeans. There is always

jealousy and envy in politics, and in business, too. Everyone wants to have

a superior position and the money that goes with it. The belief that a man's word

was binding has morphed into two political claims. One is that your position on

an issue cannot be changed once you have committed yourself. The exact

opposite is also claimed--if you change your mind for any reason, you are

flip-flopping. Neither position is backed by intelligence and common sense.

    There are many verses in scripture dealing with fools and I will quote just

one. Proverbs 12:15, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who

heeds counsel is wise." The really tragic part of fools is their neglect to study

the subject and understand the real facts. When their decision is "set in stone",

they create massive problems and disaster. Changing one's mind is prudent

when the facts support it. However, in Daniel we see that a decree cannot be

changed, even by a king.

    Jealous officials convinced Darius (now king)  that he should decree that the

people must petition only the king for 30 days, and not any god or man under

penalty of being placed in the lion's den. See Daniel 6:6-9. Being prideful, as

kings are, it seemed a good thing to the king. While he had replaced

Nebuchadnezzar and it was some 40 years later, the close bond between

Daniel and the previous king was forgotten, and the king was tricked. Daniel

would bow to no man or god except the God in Heaven, and this was forgotten.

    This story relates a miracle and makes for good reading. But the real message

here is much more important. I'll get to that shortly, but we'll continue with Daniel

before I outline "the rest of the story." The king could not change the decree, and he

spent the entire day trying to think of a solution. Then he spent a sleepless night after

sealing Daniel inside the lion’s den by placing the imprint of his ring on the sealed

entrance. Now here is a very mild test for you.

    How do you feel when the king calls out to Daniel and he answers that he is

unharmed? Did you feel similar to a youngster on Christmas morning when he gets

up and rushes to see what Santa brought? If you did, that was a quickening of the

Holy Spirit. If you did, rejoice because it means you have real faith and the Holy

Spirit is working in your life. If you didn't, you need more time and effort in

scripture. The fact that you've read the story before doesn't matter. Many people,

including Christians, probably fail this mild test. The pull of the world interferes

with our spiritual walk.

    The king was overjoyed that Daniel was protected from the lions. Note I said

"protected", not saved. We are saved by Jesus, but protected by God. While the

king obviously had no choice, he did have at least past history and HOPE (which

is a type of faith) that the God in Heaven would pull Daniel through. This showed

the king had at least an idea of the spiritual world and battle that is ongoing

24/7, whether you realize it or not.

    Recognition of the mostly unseen spiritual world is nearly impossible in our

carnal world because so much of our belief is based on science and sight. Remember

the saying, "seeing is believing"? If you can't believe in what you can't physically

see, you will have trouble really believing the virgin birth, Christ's miracles and

the resurrection. Are they wonderful stories or quickening recognition for you?

    I'll leave the explanation about the unseen spiritual world to an expert, the Apostle

Paul, who explained it to the Ephesians. Now, first understand that the spiritual

world is highly organized. Both God and Satan are in this game for keeps. You

don't stand a chance without a well-oiled army. We know Satan never permits his

"soldiers" to sleep. We are familiar with angels God sends to help us. We should understand  that GOD also has a well-trained army and it is on duty 24/7 Check Joshua 5:13-14. "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, 'Are You for us or for our adversaries?'" "So He said, 'No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.'

 Perhaps you can imagine the vastness of this spiritual battle when you see that

God has a real army with soldiers ranging from privates to general to commander

in chief. This is where the REAL action is. Oh, we have the physical battle here on

earth to observe in places like Afghanistan, but unless we are directly connected

with that war through friends or relatives, we pay little attention. Except for the lack

of action to end that suction cup of American lives and major contributor to our

national debt, that is. Because our people, including churched Christians, do not

make the effort to understand the spiritual is actually more important than what we

see and hear physically, we are contributing to the downfall of the world--not just

America, but the entire world. So, we now go to read what the Apostle Paul told the

Ephesians. Keep in mind, since this is spiritual warfare, the usual equipment we

would have such as armored vests, helmets and such are not visible and we can't

physically feel them.

    Ephesians, 6:10-18. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of

his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up

the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having

done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put

on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation

of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able

to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and

supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to  this end with all perseverance  and

supplication for all the saints--"

    You will need the Holy Spirit to help you understand this, and that includes those of

you who are believers and who also consider yourself saved. If you experience the

presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit, you will be both physically and mentally

affected. Recall scripture passages when angels came to help people, and the

experience left people drained of energy, and, in some cases, prostate. When the

Holy Spirit is indwelling you and moving you in any kind of the Lord's work, it will be

an awesome experience you won't forget. This is as good as it gets.

    I recently had occasion to see a recently saved person actually receive the Holy

Spirit's assistance in learning scripture, and it was very moving. You have no idea

how encouraging experiences such as these are to a teacher of the Word. We praise

God to be able to see some of His handiwork.

Rev. Walbear