Poured Out

Poured Out

“And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days. —Joel 2:28-29.

Men, Joel has communicated the promise of God to renew His people IF they repent. Joel now fast-forwards through time. Israel will have some time to consider their options, obey or reject, and then “It shall come to pass afterwards.” After this time of either renewal or intense chastisement, the Lord will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Some argue that only Israel is in view with this promise, but with the benefit of the Acts in the New Testament, we know that “all flesh” means all who confess Jesus as Lord. As the Spirit of God comes upon a believer they will prophesy.

Prophecy is mistakenly thought only to be speaking the future. More accurately, prophecy is speaking the Words of God as directed by the Spirit of God, and can include praise to God. In Ch1, Joel prophesies of things that have already happened, and of their current circumstances. It’s not until ch2 that prophecy grants a peek into the future.

After the Spirit of God is poured out on man, old men will have dreams, and young men will see visions. Dreams come while asleep, and include special revelation. Visions come while someone is awake. Ezekiel is an example of a vision. While he was awake sitting by the Chebar River he “saw.” The Spirit of God will be poured out upon believers without class, racial, or gender distinctions. Sons and daughters in v28 represent Jews in Joel’s future. Menservants and maidservants of v29 were of all nationalities including Jews.

Brothers, Acts ch2 has happened. We’re living in a time when Holy Spirit is poured out, but there are too few vessels prepared to receive it. Dreams and visions are available, but too few are seeking revelation from God. We are not prophesying, (calling out the Word of God as though it was so.) We confess Christ as Lord but refuse to come off our own thrones. His Spirit IS POURED OUT. What will we do with it?

Move forward men, speaking the Word of God as truth, and believe it. Seek first the Kingdom, and else else will be given.

Vance Durrance

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The Holy Spirit

holy spirit

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. — 1 John 2:26-27.

Too often when we discuss the Holy Spirit, we view that part of the Trinity as an abstract. We believe in the Spirit through doctrine, but too few of us have learned to acknowledge His Spirit within us.

There is no denying His Spirit however when we discover it through earnest seeking, following the prescription in scripture. Often people who have gained awareness are overlooked as weird or undisciplined. John has another take… John says the anointing of His Spirit teaches all things. That doesn’t mean we will suddenly walk around as a genius. But, when we encounter evil, false teachings, hidden agenda and such His Spirit speaks to us and alerts us to the issue at that moment.

The Spirit is the Lord’s heart with us daily. If we abide in Him, He abides in us through His Spirit placed inside us. The Spirit identifies falsehood as we engage life and He brings to mind the truth of His Word so we can combat those false ideas and teachings. When the Word tells us to stand strong in the faith, it isn’t telling us to do so without being equipped.

Too often we try to rationalize a situation even though we know something inside us is saying it’s not a good idea. We are denying the Spirit an opportunity to help us in those moments. Other times we dismiss His Spirit as some chance or coincidence. Be careful with that, dismissing Him borders on blasphemy. Other times, we know it’s Him, but reject His leading. We know the Father chastises His disobedient children who He loves.

Move forward men, as teachable children. His Spirit is real, He is alive, and He resides in you as much as you make room for Him. He is accessible to you at an instant contingent upon your willingness to seek Him, submit to Him, and hear from Him. He helps to aid in your walk in Truth and light. He interprets circumstances, environments, dreams, and even interprets His own heart into language we are ready and able to receive. He’s a comforter, closer than a brother.

Blessed be His name,
Vance Durrance

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