Fan The Flame :: By Nathele Graham

How many Christians sit in a pew at least once a week and doze off? The sermon is designed to make everybody feel good about themselves and not be upset by God’s truth. Most quench the fire of the Holy Spirit instead of fanning the flame. “Quench not the Spirit.1 Thessalonians 5:19.

It would have been amazing to be present on that first Pentecost day. The day the Church was born. The day had started like a normal day. The Jewish Law was firmly established in the rituals and habits of the people. This was the day when the Jewish people celebrated God giving the Law to Moses. Traditionally, it was also seen as the birthday of Enoch, as well as the date he was raptured. Now we see it as the day a fire was lit that changed the entire world.

Jesus did many things that upset the Pharisees. The thing that upset them more than anything was when He (rightfully) claimed to be God. They would pick up stones to stone Him, but He always slipped away. Eventually, they convinced the Romans to crucify Him. The disciples had trusted Jesus and hoped that He would rise up and set the Jewish nation free, but God’s plan was much bigger than getting the Roman army out of their land. Now their hopes were dashed.

The disciples knew that Jesus died on that cross. They knew He was buried in a sealed tomb with Roman soldiers guarding it. The disciples were disappointed that Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. Now their lives were in danger because of their association with Jesus. Can you imagine their astonishment when Mary Magdalene ran to tell them she had seen the Living Lord! He had risen from the dead!! Hallelujah!!! Now what?

They met secretly behind a closed door and tried to figure out what was happening and what they should do. Thomas wasn’t there, and of course, Judas had committed suicide because he betrayed Christ. Peter was there but probably very disappointed in himself that he had failed Jesus by denying Him. As the disciples talked, suddenly Jesus walked in. Wow! They must have been shocked! Jesus showed them His hands and side, just so they had no doubt it was Him.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith, unto them. Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:21-22).

The Holy Spirit was now a part of them, but what were they to do with that blessing?

Later, they told Thomas the Good News, but he thought they were nuts!

The other disciples therefore said unto him, ‘We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe(John 20:25).

Doubting Thomas, he’s no different than many people today. The Good News is rejected because it defies human understanding. Faith in Jesus has to move from the head to the heart, and faith is the key.

A few days later, Thomas got his wish. Once again, Jesus entered the room, but had He ever really left? He heard what Thomas had said and gave him the opportunity to touch the wounds. Does Jesus hear your idle words of disbelief and denial? How did Thomas react?

And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God(John 20:28).

Then Jesus said a remarkable thing. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). That’s me, and I hope that’s you, too.

That wasn’t the last time they saw Jesus. He met them in Galilee where He talked to Peter about feeding the sheep and lambs. Peter had denied Jesus, but Jesus is always willing to forgive. By telling Peter to feed the sheep and lambs, Jesus let Peter know he was still a part of the group. Peter had always been rash in his ways and spoke his mind without thinking, and Jesus wanted to use those traits. Peter was a changed man after that meeting with Jesus.

That’s what should happen to everyone who has an encounter with Jesus. When you meet Him, it may not be as dramatic as the chat Jesus had with Peter, but it should be life-changing. We are saved by Grace, but that should encourage us to put aside our old ways and allow Jesus to work through us.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin(Romans 6:6).

Many people say they believe in Jesus and leave it at that. They don’t let go of the sin they supposedly repented of, so God’s plan for them is hindered. God knows hearts, and I can’t judge another person’s faith, but sin will always compromise your walk with Jesus.

So much had happened, and much more was about to happen. Jesus told them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (Acts 1:5).

They still had a lot to learn. Jesus came to give a much greater gift to all of humanity than a kingdom on earth. This gift was for all people. The Jewish leaders had rejected Christ and made sure He was crucified, but that gave Gentiles the opportunity to accept Christ for salvation. One day, very soon, the Rapture will take all Christians away from the Tribulation that is to come upon the earth. Now is the time to spread the Gospel of Christ. Tomorrow may be too late.

The disciples had more work to do for the Lord, and they needed God’s help. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

The “power” Jesus spoke of was the Greek word “dynamis,” a very powerful force. It’s power from God that enables us to work miracles and other acts of the Holy Spirit. They would soon understand the power they had through the Holy Spirit.

They returned to the Upper Room where they resided in Jerusalem to wait for the promised power. They stayed together and didn’t stray from their faith.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren(Acts 1:14).

Too often when a person receives Christ, other Christians ignore the new convert. The person is left to figure it all out for themselves, then may fall back into sin and feel the fire of the Holy Spirit fade. That shouldn’t happen. Christians…new and old, lambs and sheep…need to continue with one accord.

The disciples had a lot to talk over and speculate upon. It was Peter who had much insight and began to understand prophecy.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus(Acts 1:15-16).

He referred to Psalm 41:9 and other passages which had been read many times before, but Peter now saw through the understanding of a man filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter could see that Judas’ actions had been foretold centuries before. Peter was becoming the leader Jesus knew he would be. He was being led by the Holy Spirit.

Then Pentecost came. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting(Acts 2:1-2).

The power of the Holy Spirit was there. Notice how the Disciples were all together and of one accord. Pentecost was a celebration, and it would be normal for them to go celebrate with old friends and family. The Book of Ruth is always read, which is the account of a Jewish man taking a Gentile bride. Jesus was a Jewish man and took the Gentile church as His bride.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance(Acts 2:3-4).

What a marvelous happening! The power of the Holy Spirit was in them and on them. They weren’t quiet as they let the Holy Spirit move them. In today’s church, we seem to be very hushed and follow a set guide to worship. A quick welcome, then a few songs are sung, but only some of the verses. We don’t want to drag the service out. Then, maybe the preacher makes a few announcements and might ask for prayer requests. He says a prayer, hopefully remembering to mention the requests, then on to nap time…. I mean the sermon. There’s very little power of the Holy Spirit today, and the fire is dying.

On that marvelous day, the Disciples couldn’t be quiet, and people thought they had been drinking. Peter heard the comments, stood up, and started feeding the lambs just as Jesus had admonished him to do. His words didn’t tickle ears but were to the point and called sin what it is, sin. He quoted Joel 2:28-32 explaining what was happening. Can you imagine how thrilling it was to finally understand the Scriptures they had routinely recited? Now those verses were alive! The power of the Holy Spirit is strong.

Peter went on to point out that the listeners had crucified Christ. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ(Acts 2:36).

The people listening didn’t get mad and leave but were convicted and asked what they should do. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost(Acts 2:38).

What a day that must have been! People heard and were convicted and turned from their sin. Peter didn’t tickle ears or sugar-coat anything.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls(Acts 2:41).

I wonder why Christianity seems to be dying. Maybe we need to fan the flame and get back to Scripture-based faith.

I live in a small town where there is much sin among adults and young people. A few days ago, a group of people came to do a program of bicycle stunts and share the Gospel. Friends of mine were there helping, and hundreds of young people attended. When it was over, hundreds of young people went forward to accept Christ. I still get chills when I think of the blessing. Now, what? Will they go to sit in pews and watch old men nap during the sermon? Will they get the mentoring and encouragement they need to continue in one accord?

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers(Acts 2:42).

That’s what needs to happen. New believers need help to continue in God’s word. The flames need to be fanned, and instead of politically correct sermons, we need Biblically correct preachers to continue steadfast in the Apostle’s teaching. The only place to find that is in Scripture.

Brothers and sisters, let’s fan the flame of the Holy Spirit. Don’t let the fire die.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

 

7 Oct 2024

AN UNSTOPPABLE TRAJECTORY

Apostasy and Doctrines of Demons

Globalists’ Godless Agenda

The Four Horsemen of Sustainable Development. They hide behind banners that arouse respect in the unwitting: the WEF, the UN, the WHO, and countless NGOs and charities deliver speeches and messages, smiling from under the yellowed complexion of evil, pretending their ideas are sublime, with only the good of the Earth and humanity in mind.

Islamic Incursion and Its Terrorism

Eight Israelis Dead, Seven Wounded In Tel Aviv Terrorist Attack on Tuesday before Iran’s attack. The two terrorists were neutralized after opening fire on Jerusalem Boulevard.

Michigan: Dearborn has morphed into a stronghold of dangerous Islamic jihadis. At a vigil for Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, participants hailed his calls for genocide and expressed hatred for Jews and America.

Minnesota: Minneapolis police swear in first Somali Muslim hijabi and non-citizen officer: dangerous precedent. The hiring of Somali Muslim officer Ikran Mohamed, who adheres to Sharia law, and non-citizen officer Lesly Vera reflects a concerning shift, where Islamic influence and erosion of citizenship requirements threaten to undermine America’s foundational principles of security and sovereignty.

West Virginia: Taxpayer-Funded Islamization: Morgantown High School Becomes Ground Zero for CAIR’s Campaign to Islamize American Schools. A prayer room was established after pressure from Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas-tied groups. It’s a calculated Islamic agenda to infiltrate public institutions, indoctrinate non-Muslims, normalize Islamic practices, and gradually impose Sharia Law.

Netherlands Taxpayer-Funded Sharia: Muslim Campaign to Enforce Hijab on Toddlers Through Children’s Books. Muslims are becoming more emboldened, using taxpayer-funded libraries to push their Sharia agenda, targeting girls with books like Hidaya’s Hijab that enforce the hijab as a religious obligation, while leftist leaders turn a blind eye under the guise of diversity and inclusion.

Pervasive Perversion

Judge says trans inmate who murdered baby stepdaughter must be allowed gender surgery in jail. The so-called trans is a biological male who goes by Autumn. Indiana’s Attorney General (R) said, “You can undoubtedly expect our office to appeal this decision.”

The Abortion Abomination

Lies And Activism: Media Shifts Blame Toward Pro-Life Laws After Mother Dies from Abortion Pill. Jesus called Satan the father of lies and said the devil’s followers are just like him—they lie by nature (John 8:44). So it shouldn’t surprise us as believers when the secular world consistently obscures the truth and outright lies to push their cause.

Tim Walz cites Jesus’ call to care for ‘least’ of us but legalized abortion up to birth & infanticide
In this week’s vice presidential debate, Walz invoked Jesus’ words about the ‘least among us,’ even though the Minnesota Democrat has legalized unlimited abortion up to the moment of birth and denying care to babies who survive abortions.

Georgia judge overturns state’s six-week ‘heartbeat’ abortion law, calls it ‘unconstitutional.’ A Fulton County Superior Court Judge issued the order, saying abortions must be regulated how they were before the “Heartbeat Law” went into effect, meaning abortions could be allowed until the 22-week mark.

Doctor Left Baby to Die After Late-term Abortion. Warning: Don’t click on the link if you can’t handle seeing the photo. Just know that this occurs despite what Leftists say. Fortunately, the baby is now in heaven where he’ll never be hurt again.

Months After Becoming Major Abortion Provider, Struggling CVS May Have to Dismantle Company. There’s no joy when news breaks that more people could face joblessness under the Biden/Harris regime. But there is joy when news breaks that it could be that much harder to murder unborn children.

Iniquity Shall Abound

3,400+ fugitives arrested by U.S. Marshals in Operation North Star. Arrests were for homicide, assault, and weapons offenses between May 10 – Sept.13. Fugitives were targeted in a number of metro areas.

Switzerland: Three children injured in knife attack at Zurich daycare center. A 23-year-old Chinese man attacked a group of children while they were being led to the center by a staff member. A daycare worker and a bystander overpowered and restrained him until police arrived. A motive hasn’t been revealed.

Orwellian Society

Globalists target US First Amendment, as freedom of speech is obstructing their agenda. The First Amendment is considered a barrier by those seeking to determine truth and falsehood and suppress disfavored speech. John Kerry, former presidential climate envoy, spoke at the WEF’s sustainability impact meeting and expressed frustration about the First Amendment obstructing the Globalists’ agenda.

Deliberate Border Disorder and the Consequences

Over 1.7 Millon migrants who could pose national security risk arrived in US during Biden-Harris admin. according to a new House report.

Mace introduces legislation to redirect FEMA funding from migrants to hurricane victims. “It’s unacceptable for Americans to grapple with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene while the federal government remains fixated on spending hundreds of millions on a program sheltering illegal immigrants instead of helping our own citizens,” Mace said in a statement.

Americans pull together to help hurricane victims; migrants arrested for looting. Americans are helping victims of Helene in seven states (moving swiftly ahead of the Harris-Biden regime’s slow response) with food, water, Starlink, generators, transport, GoFundMe campaigns, and other ways. President Trump is among the helpers. Then there are those using the disaster to steal from Americans rendered vulnerable and helpless by the storm. A group of migrant workers looted properties in a flooded part of Tennessee.

Kari Lake shreds VP Harris’ ‘despicable’ southern border visit: Just to make ‘mainstream media happy.’
After being border czar for almost four years, Kamala finally came down and spent 20 minutes staring at her feet at the wall. “I was surprised she didn’t call Biden and say, ’We did it, Joe. We destroyed America’ because that’s exactly what they’re attempting. The National Border Patrol Council VP warned that America will never ‘recuperate’ if current policies continue for four more years.

Huge number of migrant criminals released into U.S. proves Democrats don’t care. Over 13,000 murderers, over 15,000 dangerous sex offenders, and over 425,000 other dangerous criminals were let into the U.S. after crossing illegally. These are ones they know of; what about the ‘gotaways’? Why haven’t they focused on finding over 300,000 known children who’ve disappeared thru the immigration system? Why haven’t Kamala, Joe, and other Dems said anything about the children who are probably exploited? Media and other Dems should stop pretending empathy. All they care about is power.

Far-Left ‘Agents of Change’ Armed with Crowbars Sabotage F-35 Parts Factory in UK  The UK-based anti-Israel Palestine Action organization sent members to attack the Teledyne CML Composites factory in Bromborough, which it claims supplies critical parts for F-35 stealth fighters.

Vatican’s ‘Great Replacement’ Globalist Agenda. Pope Francis declared borders a sin and said those who reject migrants are the real offenders.

Deliberate Pitting of Nation (Ethnic) Against Nation (Ethnic)

White people banned from a food pantry in Minnesota. A food pantry in Minneapolis said available “resources” were only for “Black & Indigenous” people.

Economic and Food Insecurity

U.S. Manufacturing Shrinks for Sixth Month in a Row. The report comes as the economy faces additional challenges. Hurricane Helene wreaked over $110 billion of damage to the eastern U.S. Hurricanes Beryl and Debby cost upwards of $25 billion each. After 4 days, the port strike is over, tentatively, a disruption analysts warned would cost the economy billions of dollars a day, threaten jobs, and potentially stoke inflation.

Jeep announces recall for almost 200 thousand plug-in SUVs at risk of spontaneous combustion. Electric vehicles are already a hazard (weight and risk of fire). Now, a quality control problem. Plug-in hybrid SUVs are recalled worldwide; they can catch fire with the ignition turned off. Owners are urged not to charge the SUVs and to park them outdoors away from structures until they’re repaired.

Battery storage for solar farms poses a growing threat of catastrophic and uncontrollable fires. Lithium-ion batteries tend to overheat, and when they do, they spontaneously combust, causing fires that can’t be put out. Yet, large solar farms have large battery storage stations with hundreds of large container-sized lithium-ion batteries close to each other. What have governments and solar farms done to deal with this catastrophic disaster in waiting? If US solar farms are anything to go by – nothing.

Elon Musk Says Feds Are Preventing Delivery of Supplies In North Carolina. “FEMA is both failing to help AND won’t let others help. This is unconscionable!! They just took this video a few hours ago, where you can see the level of devastation: roads, houses, electricity, water supply, and ground Internet connections completely destroyed. FEMA wouldn’t let them land [by helicopter] to deliver critical supplies … my blood is boiling,” Musk wrote on X. [A concerned citizen also posted on Facebook about this. Warning: In his anger at the horrible situation, the person cusses a lot.]

Weather Events

Helene rescues top 2,100; death toll at 204 and rising. Citizen-led volunteer groups in the mountains of western North Carolina have supplemented disaster relief operations, delivering aid to stranded communities on foot, by helicopter, and mule. An estimated 200 people remain missing in Buncombe County, which encompasses Asheville and many surrounding neighborhoods. The death toll surpassed 200 on Thursday. At least 72 fatalities were reported in Buncombe County alone.

North Carolina Communities ‘Wiped Off the Map’ By Helene, Governor Says, and “hundreds of roads” were destroyed. The mayor of Asheville described the aftermath as a “post-apocalyptic scene” – “seeing just piles of people’s houses that were destroyed. Buildings that were destroyed. Cars overturned.” “The power lines look like spaghetti. It’s hard to describe the chaos that it looks like,” she said.

Storms dump more rain on Mexico’s Pacific coast that had been slammed by Hurricane John. John dumped massive rain over some of the same areas last week, causing mudslides and at least 22 deaths.

Hurricane Kirk, Tropical Storm Leslie, and another disturbance forming. Kirk and Leslie are expected to stay well offshore of the U.S. but worsen rip currents along the East Coast, creating dangerous swimming conditions. Meteorologists are monitoring a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico that could possibly become a tropical storm in the next week, impacting Gulf Coast states, including Florida. Kirk’s remnants may bring disruptive weather to the UK next week.

Extreme rainfall leaves over 260 dead or missing in Nepal. Floods caused by extreme rainfall since Sept. 26 have claimed over 130 lives. Around 136 remain missing.

Severe floods and landslides claim at least 18 lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Flash floods claim at least 15 lives in Jiroft, Iran.

Typhoon Krathon strikes Taiwan; over 1,600 mm (66 inches) of rain over mountainous regions 
Krathon made landfall on Oct. 3. At least 2 people have been killed and 129 injured.

Plague, Pestilence, and Plandemics

California passes law allowing Dutch-style cannabis cafes. That’s great; then afterward, they’ll drive on the roads, possibly endanger themselves and others.

Migrants Enrich UK With Massive 51% Surge in HIV Cases to 15-Year High. Though “Diversity is Our Strength” is a cornerstone mantra of woke leftist ideology, it’s been steadily crumbling as people observe the many downsides of uncontrolled migration. UK Health officials have just hit that cornerstone with another sledgehammer, reporting that HIV cases soared by 51% last year to a 15-year high.

Africa: Travel warning as 11 die from incurable Marburg virus in Rwanda. So far, 36 cases confirmed.

Israel: West Nile virus in Eilat; cases since June at 916, with 71 deaths. Infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans. About 80% show no symptoms. About 20% may have varying symptoms. Less than 1% have possible complications such as brain inflammation or meningitis. Risk of significant illness is higher among the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

West Nile Virus also in U.S. news this week in humans and animals, with some deaths reported.
Mosquito season is not over until a hard frost occurs. A West Nile virus vaccine is years away.

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Ill-Fated Ideology Behind Iran’s Goal of Destroying Israel. After decimating Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israel has turned its attention to Hezbollah in the north. These terror proxies of Iran have been a thorn in Israel’s side for decades. They had grown so large that it was once unthinkable that Israel would be able to defeat them. At least, that’s what Hamas and Hezbollah had fooled themselves into believing.

Iran attacked Israel with 181 ballistic missiles on Tuesday night, a day before Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) in Israel. The only casualty was a ‘Palestinian’ killed by shrapnel in Judea/Samaria. Two US Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles, and Jordan allowed use of its airspace, saying it would do the same for any missile flying over its airspace. Israel and the US vowed there would be significant consequences for Iran. Iran’s Ayatollah threatened increasingly stronger and more painful attacks against Israel. He said, “The victory comes from Allah, and it is close.” Iran also threatened a powerful attack against direct military intervention by countries supporting Israel. A group of Gazans were filmed celebrating Iran’s missile attack against Israel.

Israeli military has killed 250 Hezbollah terrorists since start of limited ground operation in Lebanon. As of Oct. 4, 250 Hezbollah terrorists, including nearly two dozen commanders, have been killed since Israel began its limited ground operation in southern Lebanon between Sept. 30–Oct 1. Ten Israeli troops have been killed.

Israeli Air Force struck Houthi targets in Yemen in an ‘extensive’ operation. Targets on Sept. 29 included power plants and a seaport used to import oil, “which were used by Houthi terrorists to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil.” The operation was conducted in response to recent attacks by the Houthis against Israel.

Supposedly, 40,000 Fighters from Iraq, Yemen, and Syria Are Gathered in Golan Heights. The Sept. 25 report said the Israeli army was monitoring the situation closely. A Haaretz report said these forces were awaiting orders from Hezbollah’s Sec.-General Nasrallah [who has since been assassinated].

South Korea Unveils Its Most Powerful Missile That Could Reach North Korea’s Underground Bunkers. South Korea’s president warned the North’s regime would collapse if it attempts to use nuclear weapons.

US must wake up to danger of Iran’s ‘axis of evil’ ties to Russia and China. Despite differences, the three powers share a hatred of America and its values, and they’re willing to spill blood to destroy it. Events of the last several years should have been more than enough to alert US politicians, national security officials, and media to this threat. Also see Taiwan official warns China, Russia, Iran forming ‘alliance’ after Blinken says ‘no axis’ exists.

American airstrikes launched on Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen on Friday, targeting Houthi offensive military capabilities.

We’re on the brink of World War Three – and only one country can stop it. Israel must be allowed to attack Iran’s evil regime, and the West must support it. The regime is the original Islamist extremist state; it is the fount of almost all trouble in the Middle East, the foremost exporter of terrorism, an ally of Russia, a friend of China, a cancer eating away at humanity’s common destiny.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs

Signs In the Heavens, Biblical Feast Days & War in The Middle East. Is it coincidence that this war has suddenly exploded as the “Comet of the Century” is flying past our planet? Netanyahu stated that Iran has “made a big mistake” and “will pay” for what they’ve done. Naftali Bennett is even suggesting this is a perfect time to “destroy Iran’s nuclear program.” Iran warns there’ll be a “crushing attack” if Israel responds and also seems to be threatening the U.S.