12/11/2021
I wrote this in response to this post by "One for Israel."
I have sometimes wondered if I am nuts; let me try to explain. I believe in a God that you cannot see, feel (per se), or touch. I read the words of God, from Jesus, the Apostles, and Prophets. And I believe. But I, unlike most people I suspect, sense the presence of God (i.e., Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
I call out to Him in good times and bad. I pray to Him that He would watch over me and my loved ones. I thank Him for the many blessings that He has placed in my life. I am blessed with a wife, who is God's daughter and disciple; 4 children (2 of which are saved, a third working on it, and the fourth and eldest far from it); and 3 beautiful grandchildren with loving hearts. I have a growing business. One in which I am able to help others. I find great joy in these gifts.
Beyond this, I have envisioned, at times, a time before my birth when I was fighting for the Lord in Heaven against Lucifer and the third of hosts of angels. I was not alone. There were many others fighting for the Lord. It was a battle, a melee, and intense. At times, I sense the angels in Heaven singing of the praises of God, glorifying His creation, purity, and righteousness.
In my 20s, I was communicating with the Holy Spirit. He would give me guidance and instruction that saved my life over and over again. I could hear His voice, not with my ears but my mind. As an older man today getting close to 60, I still hear the Holy Spirit if I concentrate enough. His voice is not as clear as before, but I still hear Him in my mind and understand.
Yes, I can understand why some would think I am nuts, but I have always told the truth about this experience. Few believe. I believe it is easier to believe in God, when He has revealed Himself to you. God had said that if we seek Him with all our hearts, mind, body, and spirit, He will make His presence known. Despite what others may think and say, I will continue to believe and seek out God, until He calls me home.
May our Lord and Savior continue to bless you and your loved ones, and may He reveal Himself to you. Peace.
"But others were mocking and saying, 'They are full of sweet wine.' But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared [apophtheggomai] to them: 'Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words'" (Acts 2:13-14). "While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.' But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter [apophtheggomai] words of sober truth'" (Acts 26:24-25). With some people there's just no winning the argument. Let's consider Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul are parallel figures in the book of Acts, and Luke wants us to notice the similarities between the two. Both men are accused of being out of their minds, Peter because of too much wine, and Paul because of too much learning. Both men, however, "utter" (apophtheggomai) words of absolute apostolic truth. Luke chooses the word apophtheggomai to describe their utterance, a word which only appears 3 times in the entire NT, only in Acts, and specifically related to Holy Spirit utterance (Acts 2:4, 14; 26:25; see also 1 Chron 25:1 LXX ). But let's face it, even Peter and Paul, speaking by the Spirit of God, and providing the very best of biblical arguments in support of their faith, were still accused of being nuts. We must always remember that evangelism is not a game of chess, where the one who puts forth the most convincing arguments check-mates his opponent. If Peter was accused of drunkenness, and Paul of insanity, we ought not be surprised when people say some pretty crazy things about us. Don't be discouraged. You are simply privileged participants of an age-old tradition dating all the way back to the prophets and the apostles. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt 5:11-12).