CHAPTER 1
Spiritual Christianity
By William M. Beecham
John 16:12-15 "I still have many things to say to you,but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit oftruth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; forhe will not speak on his own, but will speak whateverhe hears, and he will declare to you the things that areto come. He will glorify me, because he will take whatis mine and declare it to you. All that the Father hasis mine. For this reason I said that he will take what ismine and declare it to you."
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I experienced a miracle when Jesus entered my life. Jesus healed mysoul when I experienced Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I want everyoneto know the wonder and joy of it. There are no words to describe it,although I want to try.
I had felt a general desire to love as the Great Commandmentinstructs. During 2003, I began reflecting on what it means to love.There are definitions of love that are comprehensive from thestandpoint of human experience. We are human. We tend to formaffectionate and 'loving' attachments with others, even with animals,especially when we are close to them day to day.
But, how does human love help me to love God? We do not seeGod, hear God, nor do we know God—we feel separate from God.Spiritual love for God puzzled me.
I began to take more seriously the commandment to love God. I wasperplexed—humbled—when I realized that I had too little guidanceabout how to love God. Spiritual love to me was more of a nounthan a verb.
Grace is an unmerited benefit, offered from God before we knowthe ways of Heaven. Grace from God gives us a chance to do thingsright. Grace gives sinners a chance to want the right wants in life.When we pray, it is his grace that we receive.
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
I thought about the lack of instructions about how to love. Ithought about Jesus. I just started talking aloud, as though Jesus werelistening. Really, I was grumbling about the dilemma. I quite earnestlydescribed my problem:
Jesus, I want to love you and do not know what to do. If youwant me to love you, please show me how, because I do notknow how. And, I want to.
Jesus responded just at that moment. Boom! He touched me! I hadnot quite finished my sentence when he touched me. I felt love forJesus and grace from Jesus. Wonderful, wonderful!
It was like an explosion within my consciousness, and I lostawareness of the world around me. My heart burst. I overflowed withwonder and delight. I didn't know what to do next. I tried to lovemore, but my will failed me—I probably was out-of-body. My tearsovercame me. I surrendered. There was no fear. Jesus loved me! Itrusted him. It was so intense!
My eyes fill with tears again and again to this day as I recall it. I amamazed—totally blown away. I remember where I was standing.
Jesus came in to me. Jesus came to stay in my heart. Immediately, Ifelt connected to him. I felt safe. I felt loved. I felt peace. I felt Jesustouch me in my soul, not just for a moment, but a sustained touch.
John 3:3-5 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you,no one can see the kingdom of God without beingborn from above." Nicodemus said to him, "Howcan anyone be born after having grown old? Can oneenter a second time into the mother's womb and beborn?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no onecan enter the kingdom of God without being born ofwater and Spirit."
Love became a verb for me. My life suddenly divided itself intobefore and after. It was better than a thousand beautiful sunrises. Itwas better than anything and everything.
I again appealed to Jesus, a day later. I prayed again, as before, that Iwanted to love him and did not know how. Jesus touched me again,though the next time I felt calmer. There was a third time, then afourth time....
Pretty soon, I got to know Jesus' presence as the Holy Spirit. Sincethen, I have lived my life in daily contact with the Holy Spirit. Icannot say I have become accustomed to the Lord's full presence,but there are degrees of the Lord's presence that make daily lifemanageable, from my point of view. The Lord's presence can betotally overwhelming.
I am his servant and I know that none of this is about me. I likebeing Jesus' servant. My work in the mental health field gave melots of contact with others who were also asking for help. I foundthat Jesus would help others through me, provided that I practicedhumility. Having met Jesus, I prayed,
Jesus, I humbly surrender all I thought I knew about happinessand success. I want to serve your truth.
I went about my business with renewed knowledge that Jesus is myfriend. When I take a minute to reflect, I reflect on Jesus and againthere he is. When I have a question, I ask Jesus and he tells me.
Now whenever I remember to look, Jesus is there. It takes just asecond or two to clear my mind, and Jesus is there. He waits for me,and he smiles when I look. Gratitude still overcomes me and bringsme to tears, sometimes lots of tears. Look at the abundance of grace,look at what God has done!
I know his presence by the love I feel, the warmth in my heart, andthe sense of peace he gives me. I know his presence by the guidancehe gives me. I know his presence by the truths he shows me. I knowhis presence by how he helps me to love others. I know his presenceby the sense of purpose he gives, a sense of spiritual direction—heknows where he is going. Others told me they could hear Godspeaking through me. Others told me they have seen light comingfrom my face and around me.
I had felt alone during the previous moment. The Holy Spirit camein and my aloneness ended. Jesus is my friend who gives me whatI want. Jesus had answered my questions totally and still answersthem. Jesus is love, the Holy Spirit. He is Emmanuel and Messiah.He changed me from the inside; my consciousness no longer isalone.
Luke 24:31-32 Then their eyes were opened, and theyrecognized him; and he vanished from their sight.They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burningwithin us while he was talking to us on the road, whilehe was opening the scriptures to us?'
Jesus reveals the implications of Christianity in my life. Jesus teachesme what to want, and explains the implications of my wanting. I hadfelt the burning in my heart. I can ask Jesus, and my questions getanswered. He teaches me gladly. Heavenly principles stand revealed.It all makes sense. He teaches me how to behave in the courts ofHeaven.
Followers of Jesus may ask Jesus for help:
Jesus, if you are willing to teach me about love for you and forothers, I want to know. I am willing to listen. I am willing tolove.
I want to tell others, but only when others want to hear. I cannotteach like Jesus teaches. Jesus teaches in spirit using the language hegives to his angels. English is not like words that angels speak. I canonly testify to it. I can recite the text of the Bible and claim someunderstanding. I cannot give the clarity and depth as Jesus does, but Ican tell about it.
Here is an insight that helped me a great deal: All of the Kingdomof God operates by way of intentions. I realized that only my lackof heartfelt intentions had kept me from experiencing love for Jesus.When I, from my heart, stated the proper intention, I got the result Iprayed for.
Intentions for this book
Eph. 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees beforethe Father, from whom every family in Heaven andon earth takes its name. I pray that, according to theriches of his glory, he may grant that you may bestrengthened in your inner being with power throughhis Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your heartsthrough faith, as you are being rooted and groundedin love. I pray that you may have the power tocomprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadthand length and height and depth, and to know thelove of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that youmay be filled with all the fullness of God.
I want to be a contemporary disciple of Jesus. It took a long timefor me to realize that which now seems obvious: changing myintention—my wants—made my discipleship happen.
Approaching Baptism of the Holy Spirit should be the primary goalof all followers of Jesus. Baptism of the body merely indicates awillingness to approach Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I had been baptized with water but was lacking as far as the HolySpirit was concerned. I, though I had heard of it, did not know towant this baptism of the spirit. My intentions had not been personal,not heartfelt.
I cannot know what my life would have been if earlier I had beenproperly instructed in the technique of changing my wants. My wantsare the work-product of my uses of free will—my responsibilities.Perhaps I had been told, but I had missed it. Here, however, is aneffort to save others from similar failings.
Perhaps, I was one of those rocky-road or thorny-field persons whohad neither eyes to see nor ears to hear. Jesus has now shepherdedme to fertile soil where the Holy Spirit has born fruit in me. Whatchanged in me? What would have helped my ego to come sooner tolife in the Spirit? I asked lots of questions of the Lord and some ofthe answers may help others.
A disciple teaches others and spreads the Lord's gospel. I want toenjoy loving companionship among apostles, disciples, and followersof Jesus. It enriches all to have more love.
Perhaps, and with Jesus' guidance always, it may be possible forothers to find and to follow. Below is the text I wish I had read at age19 years. I offer it with my best wishes for Christian discipleship to allwho struggle on that path toward Heaven. This prayer may help:
Jesus if you brought my eyes to these pages as a way to guideme, then let me experience your help as you intend.
Jesus will open the world of spiritual things for anyone who asks withheartfelt desires and with humility. I know that appreciating spiritualthings is difficult, because now I see many people who do notappreciate things of the Holy Spirit. Jesus went to the most extremelengths to bring the problem to the world's attention. Yet even in histime, some got it and some did not.
I cannot do better than Jesus did, but I can phrase the invitations incontemporary language. Always, I seek to serve Jesus and steadily Iask Jesus for guidance. Perhaps a sincere follower also will feel Jesus'guidance.
John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless drawn bythe Father who sent me; and I will raise that personup on the last day."
Let us all seek the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
All existence and glory belong to Jesus.
CHAPTER 2
Christianity asJesus described it
Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and thekingdom of God has come near; repent, and believein the good news."
John 8:13 Then Jesus said to the Jews who hadbelieved in him, "If you continue in my word, you aretruly my disciples; and you will know the truth, andthe truth will make you free."
1 Cor. 15:1-5 Now I would remind you, brothersand sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed toyou, which you in turn received, in which also youstand, through which also you are being saved, ifyou hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed toyou—unless you have come to believe in vain. ForI handed on to you as of first importance what I inturn had received: that Christ died for our sins inaccordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried,and that he was raised on the third day in accordancewith the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas,then to the twelve.
1 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God andis useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, andfor training in righteousness
First of all, I want to thank God for the Bible. Our Biblical textsprovide a standard for truth and spiritual guidance. Whateverspiritual experiences we may have, looking to Biblical support andconfirmation has meant so much to me. We may pray:
Jesus, we thank you for our Bibles, your written Word. Youhave given us spiritual wealth. Please give us the desires andhumility to appreciate your revelations, according to your willfor us.
According to our Bible, Jesus invited people to follow him in anauditory call during his lifetime on earth. Jesus now reigns in hisspiritual kingdom, and from Heaven he calls us with his still, smallvoice. Now, the call to discipleship in our modern era is a spiritualcall.
Jesus came to teach because the pathway to Heaven is impossible tofind without Jesus' help. Jesus stills teaches. Hearing his spiritual calltakes desires and humility.
It helps to know what to desire, where the path lies, and how tofollow it. If there were road signs along the way to Heaven, severalmight read this way:
• God made creation through acts of separation: Godseparated light from darkness; sea from dry land; watersfrom waters; Eve from Adam (the rib), and finally God droveAdam & Eve from the Garden of Eden. God created peopleto experience separation from God.
• God granted mankind just enough will power so that we mayask God to end our separation. We may choose to reconnectwith partners while living, and we may choose to reconnectwith God for eternity. It takes willpower to choose lovingconnections with God and with others.
• Everyone rejoins God at death as we re-awaken into aspiritual world that God totally rules. The quality of thiseternal life depends upon the personal uses of willpowerduring living on earth before death. If a person did not wantto love God in living, then there will be no love with God foreternity.
• Will power ends at death, so the acts of will power must occurbefore the end of life. There are no do-overs, no mulligans inHeaven. The consequences of a person's uses of willpowerduring life follow each person to the next life.
• The Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, and spiritualmeans "of consciousness." People must learn ways to livewithin this kingdom because it is difficult for humans toengage the tasks of spiritual love. God loved us first and senthis son, Jesus, to help us.
It sounds easy. A person needs to become a follower of Jesus whooffers eternal happiness to anyone who is willing to love God and tolove others. Jesus and love open the doors to Heaven.
Jesus, we want to live in your kingdom forever. Please guide ustoward true spiritual life.
Followers have a duty to perform in order to pass successfully intoGod's kingdom at the end of physical life. Somehow, a follower mustlove God and others.
The Holy Spirit offers to help. Jesus wants to shepherd hiscontemporary followers into Heaven. Jesus needs cooperation fromhis followers. Cooperation may include developing desires to go toHeaven and humility to accept spiritual rebirth.
The Holy Spirit is the missing ingredient that is beyond ourunderstanding and beyond our control. Followers can make manyefforts to approach Jesus. But, the gifts of the Holy Spirit come fromGod, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit remain under God's control. Weact upon what we know, according to wisdom from above. We ask,and we wait for the Holy Spirit.
It is Jesus' contemporary spiritual presence that makes the biggestdifference. Jesus' life, two thousand years ago, made a spectacular andunparalleled statement about Heaven. Jesus lived, died horribly, androse from the dead. Jesus explained and taught leaving mankind withrecords of his life and its purposes—our Bibles. Jesus' Spirit livesamong us today, available to all just for the asking. A sincere followermight pray:
Jesus, let me hear you and see you. Let me experience throughthe Bible the lessons you taught during your years on earth. Letme accept your presence in my life.
Jesus put much effort into explaining the problems to his followers.Jesus explained the solutions using parables and indirect explanations.Jesus acknowledged that not everybody gets it, at least not at first.Always, Jesus continued to teach and made the offers to anyone whoseemed interested.
John 3:8 "The wind blows where it chooses, and youhear the sound of it, but you do not know where itcomes from or where it goes. So it is with everyonewho is born of the Spirit."
Jesus calls us. What does a successful apostolic response look like?A sincere and heartfelt love for God and for others defines thatduty—except that instructions about how to love are missing. Afollower must want Heaven. A follower of Jesus must make such aheartfelt quality of prayer that God accepts the petition. It starts withsaying, "I want to go:"
Jesus, I want to go to Heaven. Please show me how.
Further, a follower must understand the problem in order for theprayer to be sincere. Wanting something for the wrong reason doesnot work. This is where things get difficult.
John 4:24-25 "God is spirit, and those who worshiphim must worship in spirit and truth." The womansaid to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who iscalled Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim allthings to us."
