The Holy Ghost Tango

Victorious Christian living is not found in a formula, but in the dance of the Holy Ghost tango. Peter's last will and testament gives us the blueprint of what the Holy Ghost wants to lead us into as He seeks to bring us to the fullness of Christ and eventually eternal life. There will be many times the enemy will seek to break into this dance and cause us to misstep, but the Holy Ghost will convict us of sin, righteousness and judgment. He wants to dance with us today! Let's dance and see the Lord's mighty hand move in our hearts in 2004!

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: 2 Peter 1:8-11 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As I was driving home from a long business trip not too long ago I was listening to what my 14-year old daughter calls, "elevator" music you might say. She always has fun pointing out the difference between "old folks' music, and the music of young people today. Anyway, on this particular day just a few weeks ago, I was listening to was some of the world's most famous tango dance music every penned and heard by mortal ear. I've always loved the passion of this type music and on a day I was needing a lift tango music was a GOOD choice at the moment, believe me.

As the music began to play, the Lord gave my mind an impression of me dancing with the Holy Ghost. I saw myself just following in step with Him as we both danced together in a tango type movement. I felt such a powerful anointing come on me in the car at that moment I began to weep profusely almost having to pull over to the side of the road. It was at the same moment I felt a supernatural love touch me from heaven as the Father was letting me know this walk of Christian journey with Him was not rules and regulations - it was a dance! He was not interested in my formulas, my works, my talents or my so-called abilities - He wanted ME, with all the passion my heart could muster, to put my hand in His and let Him lead me into the things of the Spirit. This dance was intense in my mind's eye. We were not casually moving in this impression, but literally doing the tango!

The more the music played the more intense the vision became. I saw the Lord enjoying this dance immensely. I knew in the vision I was seeing the Holy Ghost, the third person of the Godhead, sent to Earth by the Son to indwell in us, His people, and to lead us into all truth!

In this vision, He was always leading, never pushing or forcing His way in this dance, but just leading gently. As I flowed with Him in this dance I felt such an intense supernatural love come over me it was truly "joy unspeakable and full of glory." I have never sensed or felt anything just quite like this I was experiencing in my car. I knew in my heart and spirit man that the Lord was wanting to tell me something through this impression and there was a scriptural foundation for this moment of the Spirit. The Spirit never originates truth, He always "leads" us into it - never forget that. We will deal with that more later on in this journal.

The tango dance is one of the most passionate dances around. Though musical historians argue as to its exact origins, it is generally accepted that the tango borrowed from many nations--the relentless rhythms that the African slaves--the candombe--beat on their drums (known as tan-go); the popular music of the pampas (flatlands) known as the milonga, which combined Indian rhythms with the music of early Spanish colonists; and other influences, including Latin. Some say the word "tango" comes from the Latin word tangere (to touch.)

While having church in my car with this "elevator music," the Lord showed me the "HOLY GHOST" tango did not have earthly origins or goals, but eternal ones. The Holy Ghost wanted take the music of slaves and lead us "slaves" into a dance of the glorious freedom of Christ.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Romans 8:18-21
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

And if we will but take the Spirit's hand today and let Him lead us in this dance - neighbor we will be free! Glory to God! God DOES want to TOUCH us as the word "tango" means, but this TOUCH is meant to do more than send us shouting and falling out under the power - it's end result and goal is to lead us into the TRUTH, WHO will set us free!

John 8:32-36 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

It is the TRUTH, not a touch, that so many need today. THE TRUTH is a PERSON - JESUS CHRIST. My Lord, my Lord, I feel like shouting already. Neighbor, Christianity is not a formula. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's not a blow on me, pour oil on me, scream over me experience. It is a process where God takes those once slaves to sin and transforms us into servants of righteousness. This process is not an easy one at times to be sure, but it's one that the Lord has bankrolled Himself with His own blood. And friend, the gates of hell cannot stand against that power! The gates of hell cannot stand against the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. That's why money can't set you free sir from drugs. That's why education can't set you free ma'am from alcohol. That's why homosexual, you can't be free from this horrible bondage by having someone "counsel" you. Man's problem is spiritual and his deliverance can only be found through the spiritual power of the blood of Christ. The victory over sin is not a tenet of faith we hang up on a wall - it's in the blood stained hands of the world's redeemer who hung between heaven and earth and said, "IT IS FINISHED!"

Man wants to approach God through another sacrifice than the one God has provided in Christ. Man cannot do that - even if man is a believer. There is only "ONE sacrifice" to God. And whether you be Christian or sinner - there is only one source of Christian victory!

The Holy Ghost wants us to 'tango' with Him as He leads us to this freedom in Christ. That's His office - to take of the Father and show it to the church. Jesus said when the Spirit came, "He will not speak of Himself, but He will speak of 'ME,'" meaning "Christ."

This tango we are talking about in this journal is unlike any other because our partner in this is not human, but spiritual. He is none other than God Himself revealed to us by and through His Holy Spirit. Our dance partner is leading us into all things pertaining to godliness. Peter tells us in this beautiful expose' on Christian living and victory that if we will let Him lead in this dance and take us where He wants to - "we will never fail." My, my, my, my. You hear that neighbor. WE WILL NEVER FAIL. Let that sink in. That's not talking about Christian perfection, but it IS talking about CHRISTIAN MATURITY. And until the Church reaches MATURITY, we will never see the fullness of God's plans for us in this harvest season.

Ephes. 4:11-16
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: [13] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: [14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; [15] But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: [16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephes. 1:18-21
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Peter's Last Will And Testament - The Dance Instructions

2 Peter 1:13-15
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; [14] Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me. [15] Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

This powerful passage in Second Peter was Peter’s last will and testament on victorious Christian living. It provides us with an expose’ on how to remain fruitful throughout our walk with the Lord which is as we've stated already, in reality, a "Holy Ghost tango." This last will and testament are our dance instructions! It holds tremendous teaching on the fruit of the Spirit and what the Spirit wants to produce IN us, not so much what He wants to do 'outwardly.' The reason for this is that, if what is inside us, meaning our hearts, is not right, then that which is outward will never be right, and as a result, never touch fallen humanity with delivering power. Our efforts will be but an exercise of the flesh and will only bring destruction, not blessing.

This passage was written toward the end of Peter’s life. It is not some magical formula that Peter devised, but words that were literally written by Peter’s life. Peter was not a novice anymore. He had fought many battles while following Christ and helping the apostles spread the gospel. Victory in Peter’s life did not come overnight. It was a long, hard fought process with probably as many failures it seemed as times as success. It's the same process everyone of us reading this journal -including the writer's! I can tell you first hand there are no microwave formulas to victory and abundant Christian living, and if you seek one you're going to wind up ship wrecked if not worse.

One of Peter’s methods to get people to experience God in their life was to remember things in the past.

2 Peter 1:12 - For this reason I will not be negligent to REMIND you always of these things

2 Peter 1:13 - Yes, I think It is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by REMINDING you. (way of remembrance)

2 Peter 1:15 - Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a REMINDER of these things after my decease

2 Peter 3:1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (In both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of REMINDER).

Sometimes remembering things in the past is not a bad thing. Many times it's learning lessons from our past that we come to the place we obey God in the present. We're not to live in the past OR the future. We are to live in the NOW. Many believers will never mature because they will live in either the past OR the future. Satan knows that if he can get us to continue looking at the future and never look at the present then we’ll never change. Most Christians are always waiting for the next service to touch God or make a commitment. It’ll never happen. Paul said TODAY is the day of salvation. Peter’s epistles, which deal mainly with the Second Coming, false teachers and victorious Christian living, provide insight on how we can become fruitful NOW and remain fruitful throughout our Christian lives.

Because we don’t know the process of Christianity, we are robbed of God’s power many times. God moving among His people is not something we merit. Many Christians flail at branches trying to fight sin in their lives when sin is really not the problem. Sin is the symptom of a bigger problem. Friend, if you're fighting sin in your life as a believer, you've already lost! Your fighting the wrong fight.

And to be sure let us be clear that there is a fight in this process. Peter says strongly in this epistle that victory never comes without a fight. There are no quick formulas for victory as the church seems to promise today. What Peter DID say though, in verse 10, that if you do these things; you shall never fall, or stumble. This means that you will always walk in the abundant life that Jesus promised in His word. You’ll never fall back into death. It’s a statement that most don’t understand or comprehend. Some Christians are deceived into thinking they’re walking in abundant life when in reality; they’re walking in death. The key to experiencing all of this? - The Holy Ghost Tango!

These Things

Peter said the person who lacks “these things” is blind and has forgotten they were purged from their old sins. Such is a characteristic of a Pharisee.

John 9:39-41 - And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. [40] And some of the Pharisees that were with him heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also? [41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remains.

Those who lack "these things" Peter is talking about cannot see afar off. They “can’t figure it out.” A person like this usually has a hard time forgiving others of their failures while the person excuses his own sin. The one who is blind judges others on their actions while judging themselves on their intentions. Someone loses their temper and says a bad word perhaps, we're then so anxious to throw stones at them ready to have them branded as failures in God's sight without a second thought. We commit the same sin and proclaim, "well you know I never intended to do that - I just slipped up - I didn't mean to." We didn't know the other person's heart either. Chances are they didn't mean to either. We don't know the battle or spiritual warfare they may be facing, yet we judge them based on the specific action while excusing our action hiding behind noble intentions. That's a PHARISEES!

When "these things" abound in you, you always see your own need of God’s grace. Paul, in the last stages of his life, after he had written nearly two-thirds of the New Covenant, said:

1 Tim 1:15 - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I AM CHIEF.

Peter recognized that the source of Godly living was Christ, not our religious efforts. We must be plugged into the vine. If we are, then we will never fall because the Holy Spirit within us is constantly producing the fruitfulness of Christ. And we will NEVER judge others because we know the same Lord working with US, is working with THEM!

Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling (falling), And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

John 15:5 - ..............without me, ye can do nothing.

The key to the Christian nature is getting us out of the way and allowing the power of a Holy God to come forth through the office of the HOLY GHOST. We are the temple of God and a habitation of the Spirit of God. HE lives inside of us and is without question the greatest power on earth the Christian can embrace during our pilgrimage to glory.

2 Peter 1:8 - .............you will neither be UNFRUITFUL or BARREN

Christianity is more than just receiving a miracle or feeling “goose-bumps” during a great service. God is going to work the miracle. However, sometimes, He will work a miracle far greater than our comprehension of that miracle. The Concept of Christianity is learning the ways of Jesus. Most want to feel it, without the learning. We are seeking the knowledge of CHRIST, not just the knowledge of good and evil. Life comes from God. Religion is past happenings. Christ is presently working today. Christ wants us to DANCE today! He wants to do more than just "touch" us, He wants to LEAD us and CHANGE us! (Hebrews 13:8). Words like "normal" and "balance," usually wind up being keywords for unbelief. God does not want us normal and balanced to the point we never "move" with Him - He wants us CHRIST-LIKE! And friend, like it or not - YOU WILL DANCE in this process if you are to see victory!!! Praise God.

Our Call To Dance

2 Peter 1:5 - But also for this very reason, giving all DILIGENCE, add to your faith..

This is the only part we actually play in these virtues of Christian living that Peter writes about. Diligence comes from the same word that means endeavoring.

Eph. 4:3 - Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2 Cor. 7:11-12 - For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you

2 Tim 1:17 - But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2 Tim. 2:15 - Study to shrew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (This passage in the regular KJV reads, “study to show.” It means the same thing.)

Romans 12:11 - Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

All of these words basically mean the same thing. It speaks of "having a mind to get busy." Peter was saying, "endeavor," "hurry up," "put every effort you have into what you have. " The business you need to be doing is “hurrying up” arid letting God move in your life through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t mean to "do" something to merit God’s favor, but let what is inside you (the Holy Spirit) come forth and work.

2 Peter 1:4 - By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promise that through these you may be PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Peter is saying that the Christ that is in you is life. Hurry up and let Christ be revealed in you! (Gal. 4:19). HURRY UP and let the HOLY GHOST lead you in this dance! HURRY UP, get to this TANGO and move with HIM! HURRY UP, lay your all on the altar of God's fire so the flesh can be burnt away! HURRY UP, HURRY UP, HURRY UP, my oh my I feel that.

Religion tells you to “do something.” Christianity tells you to let Christ live. Christ is the divine nature in you. We are partakers of the divine nature, not imitators. Most Christians have a religious system working within them instead of Christ. It took God 40 years to get Moses out of Egypt and another 40 to get Egypt out of Moses. Sometimes it takes longer than 40 for most of us because of the bondage we put ourselves in through our systematic theologies and teachings. As I heard an old preacher say a long time ago – if it’s dead, “ let it die! Don't try to hang on to it, let it go!!"

After You Hurry Up - "ADD"

2 Peter 1:5a - And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your…

The word “add” comes from a Greek word meaning “supply.” This same word is found in the following passages:

Galatians 3:5 - He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

2 Cor. 9:10 - Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

Ephes. 4:16 - From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Col. 2:18-19 - Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increases with the increase of God.

2 Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The word “add” does not mean “add to something.” It means that “out of the supply,” comes these virtues. Out of faith, knowledge; out of knowledge, patience, and so on. Religion puts emphasis on adding to something. True Christianity is allowing the SUPPLY of Christ within us to come forth by the power of the Holy Spirit. The supply of all our divine nature is already in us. That does not mean we’re deity as some extreme segments of the hyper faith movement teach. It does mean that the power of God rests within “earthen” vessels so we always will know the power is never of us but ALL OF HIM! To bear fruit for the Kingdom of God, we must allow this power source to come forth.

The Dance Of Faith - The Holy Ghost Tango

2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Faith comes from a Greek word that literally means “Dance ‘leader'.” As faith is the “leader” into all other Christian virtues, the Holy Ghost wants to “lead” us in the dance of Christian fruit bearing. Faith is the first part of the entire package. From faith, the other characteristics follow. Faith is the dance leader. Faith “ministers” virtue and so on which we will deal with later. But the word "faith," literally means "dance." We are called to dance with the Holy Ghost. But in this dance, we cannot lead whatsoever. If we lead in the dance we will always lead ourselves into legalism or corruption. It never fails we wind up one of those two places. We cannot dance by ourselves! We need the Holy Ghost as our partner. More on that in a moment but the first thing we must realize in this Holy Ghost tango is our partner is jealous. He does not want us dancing with anyone else but HIM!

James 4:3-7
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. [4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. [5] Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? [6] But he gives more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

God told Moses in Exodus one of His names was "jealous." This was the first of ten times when God claims to be jealous (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14; Deut. 4:24; Deut. 5:9; Deut. 6:15; Joshua 24:19; Ezekiel 39:25; Joel 2:18; Zech. 1:14; Zech. 8:2). There is godly jealousy (2 Cor. 11:2), and ungodly (Proverbs 6:34; Song 8:6). In relation to Peter's word he uses for faith, we see the meaning being "of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation." It also has connotation of the word, "fidelity." The implication here is that we must enter into this dance and allow God the Holy Ghost to be our one and only teacher and no one else. That doesn't mean we don't need Holy Ghost anointed teachers and preachers building up our faith, it DOES mean that our reliance on the TRUTH must be TOTALLY on the HOLY GHOST and His unction to lead us to Christ and no one else!! When the Holy Ghost is leading you will not fall into error! When He is leading the dance you will not be tossed too and fro by the winds and whims of ego-based, pride infested, arrogant teachers and preachers in the modern 21rst Century body.

If we have placed our faith in any other teacher or any other object than Christ, then we are going to be out of step in this dance and be subjected to other "lovers," wooing us out of the hands of a loving, living God. That is spiritual adultery (Romans 7). That is why Paul said in Hebrews we "look unto JESUS," not look unto "our bible study," or unto our "prayer life," or "miracles," or "being slain in the Spirit," or "tongues," which in themselves are not bad things. It's not an issue of whether the other partner is evil or good -the issue is WHO IS OUR DANCE PARTNER! The Holy Ghost wants to be OUR ONE AND ONLY partner. When we embrace other partners in this dance, HE GETS JEALOUS and "lusts to envy!"

That's one reason I believe there is so much craziness and foolishness going on in Christian circles today. We have become disjointed from the HEAD, as Paul put it, and we dance today with everything else BUT the Lord Jesus.

Col. 2:8-10 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Some churches dance with their traditions and ceremony. Some churches dance with authority structure. Some churches dance with entertainment - all they ever do is "entertain the masses," while never really offering the world the true gospel message. Some churches dance with signs and wonders, which again, signs and wonders are scriptural and certainly FOR today. But if we are dancing with the purpose of just seeing signs and wonders and not dancing to be lead unto Christ, we will fall into heresy.

Some churches dance with a doctrine or statements of faith but not with Christ. They demand their followers adhere to a tenet of faith or rules in hopes it will produce Godly living in their flocks but it never does. These same "leaders," never demand their followers just simply love Jesus and "dance" with the Holy Ghost! The Holy Ghost wants to be our only partner friend. HE is sufficient to lead us in this dance believe me. We don't need the Holy Ghost AND a 12-step program to free our church-going alcoholics from alcohol. We don't need the Holy Ghost AND our denominational's approval on who we have in our pulpits and who we can have minister for us on Sunday. The denominational folks who run these movements to be frank are literally full of the devil in some cases and need to quite frankly get saved. We can't enter into this dance with the Holy Ghost AND with anything or anyone else. He wants us all to Himself and can you blame Him?

Let there be no mistake - our God is a jealous God and He wants ALL of us, not just part! In this dance, we must passionately dance with Him with ALL our heart and all our soul! It's the only type partner He accepts!

Exodus 20:5
Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Exodus 34:14
For thou shall worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Deut. 4:24
For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Deut. 5:9
Thou shall not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

Deut. 6:15
(For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Joshua 24:19
And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Ezekiel 39:25
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

Joel 2:18
Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

Zech. 1:14
So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Zech. 8:2
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.

2 Cor. 11:2
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Song 8:6
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

The Lord wants to set a seal upon our heart that will burn with a love that is strong as death. Just as two tango dancers march in passionate unity with each other to the tone of some of the world's most passionate tones, so too the Lord wants us to dance with Him in the same manner. He wants us to "DANCE," with hearts on fire with "coals of fire," and most "vehement flame." And He wants us to dance in that passionate manner ONLY with HIM!

He Not Only Wants To Be Our Only Partner, He Wants To Lead, Not Follow

John 16:13-21
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. [15] All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you. [16] A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. [17] Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

John 14:15-17 - 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 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:

The Holy Spirit has been given to us to LEAD us into all truth. He never ORIGINATES truth. Now, I want to take a few minutes and do some good old fashioned Methodist preaching about the Spirit and His work in our lives and this great eternal "tango." One, we must never forget that the Holy Spirit will NEVER originate truth! That is not His job. HIS job as the Spirit of God is to LEAD us into that Truth.

That's why we have had so much false doctrine in the Charismatic world especially over the past few decades. When we build doctrine around experiences instead of the finished work of Christ we wind up in heresy and fanaticism! These doctrines spring up from movements who place the HOLY GHOST as the source of TRUTH and not CHRIST. That doesn't make sense to most reading that but to some it makes perfect sense. Right before the Lord went to the Cross, He spent the last few weeks of His earthly ministry talking mainly about one person and one person only - THE MINISTRY OF THE COMING COMFORTER. He told His disciples that when the "helper," came, He would "guide them into all truth." He also said, "He will NOT speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall 'hear,' that shall He speak." In John 15:26, He plainly says, "He shall testify of me."

Hear me child of God. ANY DOCTRINE THAT USURPS the Lordship of Christ and the finished work of the Lord upon Calvary is false doctrine and is not coming from the HOLY GHOST! I don't care what the name of the movement or the preacher's name, if the doctrine and message they are preaching do not glorify CHRIST and HIM CRUCIFIED, it's false doctrine. If it's glorifying money and prosperity and not the cross -it's false doctrine. If it's glorifying "laughing," "falling out in the power," and not the cross of Christ - it's false doctrine. If it's promoting someone prophesying over you and promising great riches and wealth in exchange for your tithes and offerings -be warned and beware - it's false doctrine. The Holy Ghost will NEVER be in charge of such utter foolishness. (And before you ask - I'm as Pentecostal as they come and believe in the gifts of the Spirit and the work of the Holy Ghost so don't think I'm knocking experiences. When experiences don't line up with the Word of God though friend, you have a problem! A very serious problem indeed!)

The enemy is very slick friend. He wraps up today's gospel message in feel good wrappers called "word of faith," and "prosperity," and "self-esteem," "Christian entertainment," "cutting edge ministry," "we must get beyond the cross," or "we're moving to the next level," etc. I ask you today, "What is the next level we're moving to?" "If we go beyond the cross, where are we going to go?" "What is the standard for 'cutting edge?' When you hear these things these are humanistic terms used to elevate man and his ego and pride and not GOD! The Holy Ghost is not within ten million miles of such moronic dealings!!!!! If we're dancing with the Holy Ghost, He is leading us to THE TRUTH - THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and His finished work upon Calvary. The foundation of ALL church doctrine is the Christ and HIM CRUCIFIED!

1 Cor. 1:17-21 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. [18] For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. [19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. [20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? [21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Cor. 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Do you mean Brother McDonald you don't believe in words of faith? Do you mean you don't believe in the Holy Ghost? GOD FORBID. Don't be foolish. Of course I believe in faith and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the subject of this journal. I'm not against the moving and operation of the Holy Ghost in our services or churches. Lord knows some are more deader than dried bread on Monday so some fire sure won't hurt. But I'm here to tell you point blank the Holy Spirit is not the originator of truth - He is the leader into TRUTH!

When He's in charge, He is NOT leading us to build bigger buildings, bring in bigger singing quartets, offer contemporary and so-called "Christian," punk rock music to our teenagers, and He is NOT promoting doctrines that put man, not God, in the driver seat when it comes to man's deliverance and salvation. He is NOT promoting movements that claim they have the corner on all truth and seek nothing else but to grow their own little camps and mini-kingdoms. The spirit of pride and arrogance hides itself very well today and we in the church don't have enough discernment to rebuke such anymore. We applaud it. But let me sound like a old man beating a drum in the desert like John the Baptist - the message of the 21rst Century Church must return to the message of the FIRST CENTURY church - REPENT!!!!!!

Our message must be once again anointed with the HOLY Ghost and fire. And friend the Holy Ghost will not come to highlight His gifts or anointings, He will always use those gifts and anointings He pours out on the church to point us back to the source of our salvation - CHRIST! Those gifts are to minister to a hurting and dying world and to confirm that Christ is alive and Risen today, sitting at the right hand of God.

1 John 2:21
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

1 John 2:18-20
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. [20] But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

Number two. The Holy Ghost will not seek to promote a man and give glory to the flesh! When the Holy Spirit is truly moving in a body of people, they will not be exalting in their accomplishments or flippantly making fun of what is going on around them - they will be in prostrate worship before a HOLY GOD. The Holy Spirit has come to burn inside of us a passion that is so holy, so righteous, so noble that hell itself can't stand against it. The fire of God is needed for us to pray. We need the fire of God to see visions. We need the fire of God to see there is no help for us outside HIM. We need the fire of God to see our sinful wicked condition in the light of HIS GLORY!

The Holy Ghost comes to break our hearts NOW so we won't be ashamed at the judgment seat. This that we do today is a dressing room and rehearsal for eternity. We can't patch up our prayer life in eternity. We can't weep for the lost in eternity. We can't give our money in eternity. We can't witness to our lost mail man in eternity. We can't witness to our lost boss in eternity. We can't love each other with a fervent love in eternity. There is no second chances friend after the grave. There is not a purgatory or a holding tank as many are deceived to believed. As I write this the tears are flowing in the wee hours of morning as I listen to Lindell Cooley sing "send the fire." We need ANOTHER PENTECOST Lord, SEND THE FIRE TODAY! My Lord, GOD OF ELIJAH - HEAR OUR CRY - SEND THE FIRE! Make us fit to live or die - send the fire today! TO burn out every trace of sin, to bring the light and GLORY IN - the REVOLUTION NOW BEGINS!!!!!! Send the fire today! Send the fire today!

It's fire we want, it's fire we plead, send the fire! The fire will meet OUR EVERY NEED, send the fire today. For strength to always do what right, for GRACE to conquer in the fight, for power to walk this world in white, send the fire today. To make our weak hearts strong and brave, to live and die a dying world to save. See us on your altar lay, we give our lives to you today - SO PROUD the offering we pray - SEND THE FIRE TODAY, SEND THE FIRE TODAY! Lord burn out the flesh ! Burn out the carnality. As we dance with you, change us! BURN UP EVERY TRACE OF SIN LORD! BURN OUT of us religion indifference and demonic deception in your church LORD! MAKE US ONE again in TRUE UNITY. Help us see our fallen condition before You this night. LORD LORD we cry. Lord, send revival to us Lord. We dance with you Lord seeking for You to LEAD us by the HOLY GHOST to JESUS again. TO bring us back to our first love again.

If we don't keep fire going, it goes out. We need the Holy Ghost to lead us to the Lord who blows on our hearts and keeps the flame burning! As Solomon wrote, jealousy BURNS with a vehement flame. He is not looking for a theological definition of righteousness. God won't die in us, all He is asking us to do is to let our walls down and let the fire in this tango! Tango dancers are not cold passionless people. FRIEND THEY DANCE and they DANCE HARD! PASSION is their earmark. We need to burn again with that passion. The fire has burned out in some reading this journal. We have gotten so busy organizing and thinking about God we have lost our fire FOR GOD. THE HOLY GHOST wants to burn that passion again in us all. That's the HOLY GHOST TANGO. It's a dance that He will LEAD US INTO ALL TRUTH! And that truth will set us free.

The Truth will take us behind the veil to the Holy of Holies to the presence of Almighty God. It will take the coals and cleanse our lips and give us grace to declare "HERE I AM LORD!" I am "unclean, undone, " and so desperately Lord in need of YOU!!! Lord, help us fulfill our calling and ministry to MINISTER TO YOU in these last days so we can truly minister to others in this hour of judgment and harvest. Lord birth in us the FIRE OF THE HOLY GHOST TANGO. REBIRTH in us the PASSION of YOUR SPIRIT! REBIRTH in us the SPIRIT of might and power. BURN IN US LORD, BURN IN US and THROUGH US. BURN out of us anything that is not like CHRIST. Lord bring us back to the cross and KILL US. KILL our flesh, destroy our egos, our pride, our arrogance, our haughtiness, we REPENT Lord of the pride in our church today. WE REPENT of the arrogance of the modern church today Father. We REPENT of the lack of faith we have because we have stopped dancing with the Holy Ghost and have started dancing with another partner.

When we're in this dance no flesh will glory in the presence of God - NO FLESH!

1 Cor. 1:29-31
That no flesh should glory in his presence. [30] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: [31] That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

The Holy Ghost Tango Will Lead Us Into Godliness

2 Peter 1:5-7
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

The Holy Ghost wants to lead us to something eternal. This leading of His is not just an idle journey. It's to eternal life. On this journey, He wants to produce the character of Jesus in us so we can be a true light and source of life to a dying world.

Peter said when we enter this dance of faith, out of this dance of faith will come, "virtue." Virtue comes from a Greek word Arête that means moral excellence, goodness and character. It is also used to refer to manifestations of God’s miracle power. In reality, it is the power source that produces the goodness, not the goodness itself. Without the Holy Spirit shedding the love of God in our hearts, none of us would be good. Virtue here in 2 Peter is the same word used in Mark 5:30 and in Acts 1:8. This is the energy source to live the Christian life.

Mark 5:30 - And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Acts 1:8 - 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 Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Peter 4:1 - Therefore since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, ARM YOURSELVES also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

Child of God you cannot live this Christian life without the leading and unction of the HOLY GHOST! I don't care how strong you think you are you will fail if you don't have the HOLY GHOST leading in this dance. The church today has gotten so top heavy and full of machinery we can do the "god" business now without the Holy Ghost. My Lord help us. We argue over the color of the carpet and what type flowers we 're going to have down front. The people in hell don't care about our carpet. The souls in hell don't care who we have coming Friday night to entertain our young people. The people in hell don't care about how big our steeples are. The people in hell don't care about this foolishness we major in today. They are eternally lost and in torment and a generation of people are following them quickly down the same eternal oblivion if we as the church don't get back in this dance with the HOLY GHOST and ask Him to help us reach a dying generation of young people!

Preacher, I admonish you, preach the cross! Preach the cross! Preach Christ and Him crucified. Preach the cross as the source of man's deliverance from drugs. Preach the cross as the source of man's deliverance from alcohol. Preach the cross as the source of man's deliverance from pornography. Preach the cross, preach the cross. Stop preaching your self-esteem sermons trying to make the people feel 'better' about themselves. Hell is full of sinners with high "self-esteem." Man's problem is not one of self-esteem, it's one of sin. Man is a SINNER and needs a REDEEMER. Man is a sinner and needs deliverance. Man's problem is spiritual and his answer is spiritual. He needs more than a book report on Sunday morning, he needs a word of God so powerful that it literally holds him over hell's flames without hope of coming back outside of repentance and coming to Christ and begging God for mercy. We are in such times as this friend. My Lord, my Lord bring your church back to You today Lord. Bring your people back to the foot of the world's redeemer so we once again can lead a lost world to the same place again. Take control of this dance once again Holy Ghost!

Churches that have lost the fire of God (if they had it to begin with) need to repent and just seek God until the fire comes back. We don't need another seminar or program, we need a prayer session where the heavens rend and the Lord comes down! Lord, Lord help us Lord, help us Lord to see the lateness of this hour Lord. Help us see the horrible condition of our hearts without you. Help us see Your heart passionately wanting to dance with Your church in the Earth again. Seek the Lord Church! Seek God and His grace again. Come back to the cross. Revival is nothing more than simply God working and moving among us - the God of miracles, sovereign, supernatural, moving in the midst of man, hundreds of thousands being swept into the Kingdom - GOD MAY WE SEE IT IN THIS GENERATION! May we see it Lord, may it flow Lord. Lord, help us return to the HOLY GHOST and dance again with HIM!

Out Of Virtue, The Holy Ghost Tango Leads Us To Knowledge

2 Peter 1:5-7
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Knowledge comes from a Greek Word meaning intelligence and understanding. Out of faith and virtue, flows knowledge. As stated earlier, John wrote in his gospel that the Spirit of God would LEAD us into all truth. (John 16:13) Again, the Holy Spirit wants to “lead” the dance. The master teacher is within us. It’s sad to note that we are so lacking understanding in the modern church world today. It seems we stumble as blind men in so many circles not knowing the times we live in or the people around us. We have never been so disconnected from society than the modern church world is. Yet, we are the most busiest of any generation with our activity, yet society remains virtually unchanged and unmoved by our efforts. The reason we sit in darkness is that the Holy Ghost is not leading us. Out of virtue, or the power, comes knowledge. When we free up the Holy Ghost, He produces insights that blow our mind! The key is not so much trying to find knowledge; it’s releasing the power of the Holy Ghost. As Peter said, “HURRY UP!”

Ephes. 1:17-21 - That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1 John 2:21
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

This knowledge is not human knowledge. It is the knowledge of CHRIST. Human knowledge puffs us up, LOVE edifies. The knowledge of Christ leads us to LOVE. Paul said we ALL have knowledge, which only adds to our pride. THE KNOWLEDGE of CHRIST humbles us and causes us to WORSHIP................................and DANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 Cor. 8:1 - Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifies.

The Holy Ghost Tango Leads Us To Virtue, Knowledge, Which Produces Temperance

2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness

Temperance is not "self" control, but "SPIRIT" control. Again, the Holy Ghost wants to lead the dance. We must identify with the death, burial, arid resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6-8). This is where the Holy Spirit leads - TO JESUS. Paul said He was dead to HIMSELF. He was no longer his own. Christ, through the power of the Holy Ghost was in control. Temperance means “under control.” You must be “UNDER CONTROL” of the Holy Spirit. Your self-life has no power to produce the Christian life. You can read 100 pages a day of God's Word, go to church every Sunday and it will not produce victory. Only faith in the cross and "dancing," with the Holy Ghost can do that.

From Temperance - Patience

2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness

Again, out of the Holy Ghost tango comes virtue or power; out of this power comes knowledge. Out of knowledge comes temperance and out of temperance, or being under control of the Spirit of God, will produce patience. On our own we cannot produce patience. Peter’s revelation was very similar to Paul’s in his writings to the church at Rome and at Galatia. James also wrote something similar about this process.

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: [2] By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope: [5] And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

· Peter’s Way: Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, and Brotherly Kindness, Love.
· Paul’s Way: Faith, Grace, Knowing, Patience, Experience, Hope Makes Not Ashamed, Love.
· James’ Way: Joy, Temptations, and Patience.

Patience has its perfect work by the trying of one’s faith, which is done through enduring temptations. For one to be able to STAND, or develop patience, the Holy Ghost must be given complete liberty in one’s life. The Holy Ghost must lead the dance! The key to seeing patience in one’s life is always staying under the Spirit’s control when trouble comes. We preach “self-control, self-control.” The truth is that “SELF” is the very problem the SPIRIT is trying to destroy! We need SPIRIT CONTROL when the storm comes. Our “flesh” will always seek to come out from underneath the Spirit’s control. Our eternal destinies may rest on our response to this very teaching Peter laid out in his epistle. If we do these things, we will never fail!

Jesus said that in our patience, we possess our souls! His words literally means, "by patient endurance you shall keep your souls in harmony with God and thus be saved." Only the Holy Spirit can help us do this.

Luke 21:19 - In your patience possess ye your souls.

Patience Will Produce Godliness And Maturity

2 Peter 1:6 - And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness

When patience has had its perfect work, godliness is produced in a life. If a person is struggling with sin, they have already lost a far more important battle. The battle in a Christian’s life should be whether the Spirit or self is in control. If there is sin prevalent In a Christian’s life, then self has got the lead. Ungodliness (Galatians 5:19- 21) will always result.

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We fight the rood fight of faith, not sin. Sin is not the problem. it’s only a symptom of us refusing to let the Holy Ghost lead us and control our lives!

Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

1 Tim. 6:15-20
Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; [16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. [17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; [18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. [20] O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:

1 Tim. 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Paul exhorted Timothy, "LAY HOLD" on eternal life. The term, "lay hold," comes from the Greek: epilambanomai, to lay hold; seize; to attain to. Translated "lay hold on" (1 Tim. 6:12,19; Luke 23:26); "catch" (Matthew 14:31; Acts 16:19); "take on" (Hebrews 2:16); "take by" (Mark 8:23; Acts 23:19; Hebrews 8:9); "take" (Luke 9:47; Luke 14:4; Acts 9:27; Acts 17:19; Acts 18:17; Acts 21:30,33); and "take hold of" (Luke 20:20,26).

The fact that Timothy, who had eternal life, was commanded to lay hold of it and keep this commandment "without spot, unrebukeable," until Christ comes, proves that it is not an unforfeitable possession until final salvation is brought at His appearing (1 Peter 1:5,9,13). It is now a hope, but hope that is seen is not hope (Romans 8:24-25; 1 Cor. 13:13; Galatians 5:5; Ephes. 4:4; Col. 1:5; 1 Thes. 5:8; 1 Tim. 6:12,19; Titus 1:2; Titus 3:7). "Lay hold on eternal life" is commanded twice. We will not be able to endure to the end without the help of the HOLY GHOST. That's the ultimate prize in this dance - eternal life. We are called to lay hold to it and cling to it with everything in us!!! That is the call of the 21rst Century church.

The Bond That Keeps Us In The Dance - Brotherly Kindness And Love

2 Peter 1:7c - And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love).

Out of this tango comes virtue. Out of virtue comes knowledge, out of knowledge comes temperance, out of temperance comes patience, out of patience comes godliness and out of godliness comes brotherly kindness. Peter admonished his readers of this in His first epistle.

1 Peter 3:8 -Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The closer one gets to perfection, the greater amount of brotherly kindness he or she will have for the brethren. This again is not produced by anything we do. It is a sovereign act of the Holy Ghost who is in control of our lives and “leading” us in the dance of our Christian walk. At the end of the day, the measuring stick by which we measure our spirituality and fruitfulness is and will always be love.

1 Cor. 13:8 - Charity (agape love) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

When knowledge ceases, love will still exist. When tongues cease, love will always exist. Love is being able to love the unlovable and always forgiving another person when you have been done wrong. This virtue or quality has got to be birthed into us by the Holy Ghost. The world will know we are in this dance - not by our speaking in tongues, miracles or our shout - but by our LOVE towards one another!

Out of Step And The Enemy

John 16:7-11
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me; [10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; [11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

As we close this journal I want to mention two other aspects of this Holy Ghost tango. There will times when we get out of step with the Spirit of God. It's at those times that He will ALWAYS gently and lovingly convict us of our sin. The Holy Ghost's number one office is not miracles, gifts, tongues, but CONVICTION! Jesus said when He comes He will CONVICT the world of SIN and of righteousness and of judgment. Of sin, because they believe not on Christ; Of righteousness, because He goes to the Father and we know He is at the right hand of God praying for us as our eternal intercessor; Of Judgment because the enemy or prince of this world is judged. Satan is defeated! Satan has been judged at the cross and his works destroyed.

1 John 3:8-9
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

The enemy will seek to break in to this dance and get us to dance with him, but the Spirit will always say "no!" If we dance with Satan it's because we have chosen to change partners. The Holy Ghost will never let us go. We may grieve him, quench him, offend Him, resist Him and do all sorts of other things, but if we will dance with Him with humble hearts - He will always be our teacher - our dance teacher - our dance leader!!!!!

Let no man say God forsakes him in this dance. The Father's mercy is so deep, dying for us through Jesus Christ, who caused him so much pain and grief, yet He loved us so much and loves us passionately still forever and forever. He wants to dance with us throughout all eternity. When the enemy seeks to break in, the Holy Ghost will convict us and say "HE IS JUDGED!" MY LORD MY LORD can you shout with me on that one? The enemy's defeat is not guaranteed because I pray 10 hours a day or read 100 pages of Bible - it's because Christ died on the cross and destroyed HIS WORKS THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

Rev. 12:10-12
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. [12] Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

In Closing

Jude 1:24
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

One day this dance will end and the Holy Ghost will present us to the Father "with exceeding joy." It's the same joy He has today in leading us in this dance. It's the Holy Ghost tango.

I ask you today friend. Have you stopped dancing with the Holy Spirit? Have you lost your way with God and defeated in this Christian walk today? The Holy Ghost WILLS you to come back to Him today and let Him bring you back to Jesus. The Lord's heart passionately beats for you today. He loves you so much and wants pure passionate intimacy with His bride. Died He for me, who caused His pain, for me, to Him, death pursue. Amazing love, how can it be, but thou my God, should die for me? Amazing love, how can it be? That thou my God, should die for me!

Long my prison, spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night. A blind eye diffused, a quickening rain, I awoke, my prison, was flaming with light. My chains fell off, my heart was free, my chains fell off and I followed thee! Amazing love, how can it be? That thou my God should die for me? Amazing Love, how can it be? That thou my God should die for me?

No condemnation now I dread, Jesus all in HIM IS MINE. But life in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness DIVINE! Bold I approach the eternal flame and throne, and claim the crown of CHRIST my own!!! Amazing love, how can it be? That thou my God should die for me? It's this love He wants to reveal to us through the HOLY GHOST TANGO! If you will enter into this dance and let HIM LEAD - YOU WILL NEVER FAIL! If you will let HIM LEAD - you will never be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of CHRIST. If we lack these things we are blind and cannot 'see.' We have forgotten we have been forgiven of our old sins and more than likely will be walking in unforgiveness to others.

2 Peter 1:8-11 - For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. [10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you've lost your passion today, get on your face wherever you are this moment and beg God to bring it back to your heart today. He will answer that cry of your heart believe me. You're reading this journal from someone who lost his passion many years ago and like to have lost more than just his passion. The loss of things I suffered during those years are as "dung" to me as Paul said since I have now won CHRIST and know Him in the intimate way I do today. I count all loss a GAIN that I MAY KNOW HIM!!!!! There is certainly a time to mourn, but there is a time to dance. We're in such a time - to dance with the HOLY GHOST and to tango with Him into the fullness of Christ and maturity in HIM!

Eccles. 3:4 - A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Come with me today and let's allow the Holy Ghost to lead us in the Holy Ghost tango. It's a dance for slaves. If we know Christ we have good reason to dance - because of His blood - we are no longer slaves, but friends and servants! That should give us reason as the Psalmist says, "to praise His name in the 'dance'"! Praise God, Praise God. It's getting late neighbor and it's harvest time!! Shalom and blessings.

Psalm 149:2-9
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. [3] Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. [4] For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. [5] Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. [6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; [7] To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; [8] To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; [9] To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

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