Fellowship Hall

God is a gracious, loving God. But he is still God, the creator of all things. The purpose for creating men with a free will is that they love him and serve Him of their own free will.  Most would expect for people to bow down and worship, or die. But as  Romans 6:23 says ,The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.  The only sin  that sends people to hell is not accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. Matthew 11:28, Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your soul's, 30. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for our souls. He paid the price that we might have eternal life. That is the greatest gift God has given us. The second. gift was the gift of the Holy Ghost (Spirit)  Yes, we have the Holy Spirit in us when we are saved. But we need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. John 20:21  My peace I give unto you, as the Father hath sent me , so send I you. 22.  Receive ye the Holy Ghost. As I was discussing this last Sunday in  Sunday School, He gave me a metaphor.  That is something you understand that works in the same way. That was a new computer. When you first get it , it works easily. But, as time goes on  it begins to have difficulty,  due to use ,viruses, worms  etc. The wonderful thing is that you are given upgrades to refresh its ability to work better again. That is like the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Jesus sent him to give us strength, help our ability to fight the good fight of faith with newness and strength. He refreshed our Spirit and helps and guides us. We battle the enemies of life. Isaiah 28: 11.  For with stammering lips and an another tongue will he speak this people. 12. This is the rest and this is the refreshing. My nephew told me not to use the upgrades and my computer got to where it wasn't working right. It needed these upgrades to keep it strong and working right. When I did the upgrades it started working properly again. Even those who have been Baptized with the Holy Ghost need these upgrades (rest and refreshing). We need the Holy Ghost, which is the promise of the Father, Luke 24:49.   Read John chapters 14- 16. They tell of the duties  that he, the Holy Ghost does for us. That is why the enemy of our soul tries to  keep us from being Baptized with the Holy Ghost. Oh, my brothers and sisters , don't let the devil keep you from the one thing every Christian needs to help and guide us into all truths. We need the power and anointing to help us along the way. Don't refuse the gift Jesus sent us to give us power to be a blessed overcomer, Acts 1:8 a. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.