The Holy Spirit

Good Morning, It Has Truly Been A Great Week!! Is there a primary sign, of the presence of the Holy Spirit , in the life of an individual? First of all, let's be clear about the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person, not simply a force or a thing. He is the Spirit of God. He is the person who spoke through the prophets. The apostle Paul introduces a quote from the prophet Isaiah by saying, " The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet..." (Acts 28:25).

 " He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. "—Luke 11: 23 (KJV)

What about today? How do we know the Holy Spirit is really behind what someone says today? After all, the Bible tells us, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1). Here is a test,...outlined by the apostle Paul. It is the single most important test for identifying the presence of the Holy Spirit. "No one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is Accursed;' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3). The first test for the presence of the Holy Spirit is a heartfelt confession acknowledging Jesus Christ as the supreme Lord over the life of the individual speaking.
 

" Fear(meaning respect)brings a sense of awe and reverence toward God....

A lack of fear(respect)demonstrates a lack of understanding of who God is and what He is able to do. "   

 (The Man God uses,  Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 14)

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" it is impossible for a man who loves God to say 'NO, Lord'

because if Christ is truly our Lord, we cannot refuse Him."

 (The Man God uses,  Henry & Tom Blackaby, p. 14)

"God's plan in redemption was that we should live life FULL of the Holy Spirit."

Obey, And Discover

Good Morning!! In the Christian's walk, obedience to God leads to understanding. We often get obedience and understanding turned around. We think we must first understand, then we will obey. So many times, I've felt that if I knew the reasons,...if I just understood all the implications,...if I could just how it would all turn out,...then I could and would obey. But we can never know all there is to know,...we can't fully understand all that's involved. Because we just can't see all the effects our actions, or inaction will have.


And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;—Hebrews 5:9 (KJV)

Though he did not understand how God would fulfill his promise to him, Abraham obeyed God,...and became the father of all the faithful. Though he did not know how it would be fulfilled, Saul was obedient to the heavenly vision and became Saint Paul,...apostle to the Gentiles. Jesus remained obedient to the Father in all things, and was the perfect Savior of the whole world.

Obedience gives us a better view of things, and moves us from the realm of theory into the realm of experience.

I pray that the Holy Spirit lead us to better obedience, that  we may all come into a true knowledge of our Heavenly Father,...and His mighty Works. Amen.

"God's plan in redemption was that we should live life FULL of the Holy Spirit."

 

Making A Soft Heart

Good Morning, It's Wednesday And You Should Already Be Geared Up For Greatness!! The Holy Spirit fills us and brings understanding, revealing the purpose that God has for our life and enabling us to take that loving spirit into our community. Then others can see the joy that comes to those who are willing, and allow God to soften their hard exterior and replace it with love.
 
Truly it is the spirit in a mortal, the breath of the Almighty, that makes for understanding.—Job 32:8 (NIV)

We must be faithful in reading God's word and breathe in God's love, encouragement, and knowledge, taking the time to allow it to soak in,...making our hearts soft and our spirit pliable. This is the time when God shows us how what we have read can be used to meet our needs and the needs of others.

A hardened heart, is like a dried-out sponge,...unyielding, with little ability to fulfill its intended purpose. 

Father God, keep us from drying up in stubbornness and selfishness. Help us to soak up Your Love, so that we may pass it on to others,...just as You intended. Amen.

"God's plan in redemption was that we should live life FULL of the Holy Spirit."

God's Will, Our Choice

Good Morning, What A Terrific Tuesday!! All through the Bible we see the inner workings of the Will of God,..and the will of man. It was God, Creator and Sovereign, who conceived freedom for man,...the glorious likeness to Himself. All things are so arranged in God's universe, that He may work His Will, through man's exercising his gift of a free will.

He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us,... —2 Cor 1:11( NLT)

Freewill is a gift, and one which, while it confers staggering power on us humans, also limits the Almighty. Here lies the tremendous mystery; that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to coerce. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in His good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing His miracles: Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.

Is there something you are hoping for today? Perhaps there is a condition you must fulfill, before the Lord can,...or will grant it. He will if you will. 

" All wonderful works depend on wonderful praying, and all praying is done in the name of Jesus Christ."

(Prayer and Spiritual Warfare, E.M. Bounds, p. 13)

 

"God's plan in redemption was that we should live life FULL of the Holy Spirit." 

People Over Things, Always

Good Morning, Relationship is more than saying I Love You,....It's about Time spent together,...how much time are you putting in? We've created a kingdom made up of personal treasures, and sometimes, we've allowed building and holding them, to come between us and our families, friends, and even God. Sharing whatever we have, be it time, talent, food, good things or bad simply is not on our agenda.

Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?—James 2: 5 (KJV)

No where in God's Word will you find that, this behavior O.K.. God has created a need, and a means of supplying that need. Reorient your life with that simple thought.  Open your eyes to the joys of sharing, and interacting with others,...It's how we get and feel, closer to others,....and to God.

Seek God's kingdom first and last,...nothing should ever come between God and you.

 Let your attention, your eagerness, and your energy be on God and His people, rather than on the things of this earth.

"God's plan in redemption was that we should live life FULL of the Holy Spirit." 

How We See Things

Good Morning, Many times, when anxieties arise in our lives, and difficulties are looming, it seems as if there is only one possible view of our circumstances,...and its certainly not a positive one. So what determines our perspective? It often comes from how we've been educated,...in mind and spirit. Feeding our minds habitually on television and other world-oriented sources, will determine the point of view from which we see life. God, on the other hand, has laid out the proper perspective for us in His Word. Learning to take advantage of this provision, through reading and meditation, alters the way we see things; it alters our focus.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."—Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

There is power in being able to see circumstances in relation to the overall, and eternal picture. If we will view our situations the way God intended,...we would not see lack, we would not see hopelessness, or dead ends. We have the ability to change our minds, from going our own way or the way of the world, to turning to follow Jesus.  If you don't like what you are seeing,...change the perspective, form which you see yourself, and your circumstances.

"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want.

Faith is the belief that God will do what is right."

 (Grace for the Moment, Max Lucado, p. 322)

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" You say, 'If I had a little more, I would be very satisfied.'

But you're wrong. The truth of the matter is that; If you are not content with what you have now,...then you wouldn't be satisfied if it were to double. "

(Charles Haddon Spurgeon)

 

"Following Christ does not mean we think less of ourselves,...it simply means we're think of ourselves, less."

It Begins And Ends With Love

Good Morning, My Friend!! All of the commandments and teachings of the Bible can be summed up in one word. Have you discovered it yet? " LOVE " There are three ingredients that I believe to be essential if the whole world is to have the opportunity to know the " Love Of GOD". First, we must fully sense the love of God that accompanies us every step of our lives. Second, we are called to love ourselves,...knowing that we are loved and held in the love of Jesus, we are liberated from self-doubt and despair. Third, we then have the capacity and ability to offer that love of God to others.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. . . . Love your neighbor as yourself.—Mark 12:30-31 (NRSV)

A smile is the best and easiest way to bring a momentary transformation to individuals. A lasting transformation comes through helping people find a relationship with Jesus, whose transforming love is available through all the challenges that life brings. Don't miss an opportunity to make a difference. If we share love often enough, all the world's people will know that they are valued and loved by God.

Love is the key,...God loves you, you love God. God loves them, you love them.

When loving your neighbors,...start with the ones that hardest to love,

....because they need it most.

 

"Following Christ does not mean we think less of ourselves,...it simply means we're think of ourselves, less."