For a long time what I am about to share were just words on a page for me. I understood them but had trouble getting them from my head to my heart. It was more of a problem with my faith and how merciful our God truly is. Over time I have seen how faithful God is and how much He really cares for those who have trusted Christ. This strengthens my beliefs and convictions. Assurance is available for all who follow Christ. The assurance that we are saved from sin and wrath help us to walk forward unfettered. The assurance God is always with us gives us courage to go on in some of the most terrible of circumstances. To know...that you know...that you know... is something which comes to us directly from the Spirit of God who bears witness to our hearts. It stems from His fruit.
Let me first go into what Christ has saved you from when you received Him as Savior.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21)
When you received Christ as Savior you were set free from this. You were set free from having to follow the lusts of the flesh. It isn’t that you are unable to do it but you choose not to do it anymore. Before you had no choice. Christ has set you free but you have to walk according to the Spirit of God or the flesh will try to creep in like an invasive weed. It is up to you to choose to walk daily according to what God’s will is for you that day. You have a choice...you have freedom.
The Holy Spirit will help you and direct you. He will give you instruction to the amount you will let Him work in your life. He will not force you. He will allow you to make the final decision on a matter but you need to choose wisely. Just because you are saved doesn’t mean you are some sort of mindless drone. God will take care of what you allow Him to take care of. It is up to your faith in Him as to what you will release to Him.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
(Galatians 5:22-24)
This is what God gives you after you receive Christ. These are not fruits but rather fruit. It is singular and not plural. You have it all or you don’t have it at all. This is what God gave you and made you a new creature inside. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is what enables you to walk the walk of a Christian. You can only do it through God. It is your equipment for the journey. Again, how evident this is in the life in the Christian is according to how much they allow God to work in their lives. You still have a choice. Once again, this choice hinges on your faith in Him. When you trust Him with all of your heart in all things you will see this fruit grow in much fuller measure. You will put away the things of the flesh more as time passes. Your life will be more rewarding to you and the lives of those you come in contact with will be blessed as well. You will grow and be blessed as you are doing so.
To someone who has not received Christ as Savior this is all gibberish. I would say to them that God wants you to have this fruit and made a way by which it can be obtained. To those Christians who do not see the measure of fruit they would like to see I would say simply trust God. Use the faith God has given you and start taking Him at His word. His word is true and faithful. Study your scripture to grow your faith. (Romans 10:17) To know...that you know...that you know...is more valuable than anything you will ever gain on this earth.
Father, I thank you for the freedom I have in Christ. I thank you for the help of the Holy Spirit in all of the aspects of my life. If there be any reading this that are like I was and have trouble understanding this, I ask that you would guide them and help them. Strengthen their faith and give them and unquenchable desire for your word. Bless all who read this in great abundance of blessings. May your name be praised and glorified in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
God of all Comfort
Some topics are easier to convey than others. It is frustrating to have something you want to share only to be stopped by a limited ability to share it. However, that has never stopped me in the past and it is a topic too important to not share. I have been doing word studies on the Holy Spirit and His ministry to us as believers. The more I study...the more I find. I have decided on dividing this into topics to help maintain a train of thought. So there will be more than one post on this subject. Today I want to share some of my word study as well as what scripture has to say about Him.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(John 14:16)
The word “Comforter” here refers to the Holy Spirit. In Greek the word is “parakletos” which means helper, advocate, counsellor and comforter all of which pertain to the ministry of the Holy Spirit for us as believers in Christ. This would usually be enough for me but the study went further. The word “comfort” is from the Greek as well. It is a compound word. The prefix “com” means “with” or “with you.” The suffix “fort” means “strength.” So the true meaning of the word is “One who is with you in strength.” You could also take it as “One who is with you to give you strength.” I would think both definitions are accurate. This really changed the way I thought of the word “comfort.” I always viewed this as a reactive action rather than a proactive one. A place we would run to for solace or to recover when we felt defeated. It is more like a fortress we go to and prepare for battle. A refuge to plan what we must do next.
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 shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
(John 16:13-14)
The Holy Spirit does not come to speak of Himself. He points to what God has done and what Jesus has done. He often points to the cross of Christ. He will never contradict scripture but will point you to it and give you recall of it when you need it. He reminds us when we should speak and in my case, when to shut up. He never forces anything on you as a believer but awaits your response to His direction. He is always willing to teach and always ready to go before you. He lays out your path before you even when you are unaware of it as a Christian. He can keep you from making some really bad mistakes if you will allow Him to do so.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(Rom 8:26-27)
He prays for us when we don’t know how to pray for something. Other than the sacrifice Christ made on the cross this is one of the greatest acts of love God does for us. Many times we don’t even recognize it or acknowledge it. It humbles me to know that God Himself prays for me. I have not even mentioned or given reference to the gifts He gives us or the fruit He allows us to bear as believers. It is impossible to think of my life in Christ without Him. He gives us instruction, guidance, help and of course...comfort.
Father, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to us. I thank you for His help and guidance. I thank you for His prayers. I thank you for taking such good care of us as believers in Christ. I ask you would bless each and every one who reads this and give them a fresh touch from the Spirit of God. Let our hearts and minds dwell on you according to your will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
(John 14:16)
The word “Comforter” here refers to the Holy Spirit. In Greek the word is “parakletos” which means helper, advocate, counsellor and comforter all of which pertain to the ministry of the Holy Spirit for us as believers in Christ. This would usually be enough for me but the study went further. The word “comfort” is from the Greek as well. It is a compound word. The prefix “com” means “with” or “with you.” The suffix “fort” means “strength.” So the true meaning of the word is “One who is with you in strength.” You could also take it as “One who is with you to give you strength.” I would think both definitions are accurate. This really changed the way I thought of the word “comfort.” I always viewed this as a reactive action rather than a proactive one. A place we would run to for solace or to recover when we felt defeated. It is more like a fortress we go to and prepare for battle. A refuge to plan what we must do next.
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 shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
(John 16:13-14)
The Holy Spirit does not come to speak of Himself. He points to what God has done and what Jesus has done. He often points to the cross of Christ. He will never contradict scripture but will point you to it and give you recall of it when you need it. He reminds us when we should speak and in my case, when to shut up. He never forces anything on you as a believer but awaits your response to His direction. He is always willing to teach and always ready to go before you. He lays out your path before you even when you are unaware of it as a Christian. He can keep you from making some really bad mistakes if you will allow Him to do so.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
(Rom 8:26-27)
He prays for us when we don’t know how to pray for something. Other than the sacrifice Christ made on the cross this is one of the greatest acts of love God does for us. Many times we don’t even recognize it or acknowledge it. It humbles me to know that God Himself prays for me. I have not even mentioned or given reference to the gifts He gives us or the fruit He allows us to bear as believers. It is impossible to think of my life in Christ without Him. He gives us instruction, guidance, help and of course...comfort.
Father, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to us. I thank you for His help and guidance. I thank you for His prayers. I thank you for taking such good care of us as believers in Christ. I ask you would bless each and every one who reads this and give them a fresh touch from the Spirit of God. Let our hearts and minds dwell on you according to your will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Work of the Spirit
I have seen many things in the time that I have served the Lord. Wonderful things. Things that bear witness to His divinity. I never saw Him physically, I still have that to look forward to. I see instead the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers and in the transformation of souls. Only God can do what I have seen.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26) KJV
Here Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Trinity. The Father glorifies the Son, Jesus came in human form, ministered and bore our sin, and the Holy Spirit comforts and helps us in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit bears witness to our hearts, convicts of sin, and leads us to the cross. My walk with God would be impossible without the Holy Spirit. It is He that leads me in the way I should go. I have seen Him bless an entire congregation of believers to a point where no one could speak. Not even the pastor. He was unable to deliver his sermon that week. We could only be in awe of a living God. This has happened on more than one occasion. Several times non Christians would come to me and ask me about God. They were eager to know! I did not even have to initiate it. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. That is the work of God! He has told me when to speak, when to be quiet, and when to look out for danger. He helps me to make decisions on a daily basis. He bears witness to my spirit when I meet another person that is a Christian as well. Somehow, we both know. He is always faithful, always a gentleman. He is always with me, and He wants to be with you too.
Father, I thank you for the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. I know that your word never returns to you void. It always goes forth and accomplishes the purpose for which You have sent it forth. I ask now that you would stir the hearts and minds of those that read, and stir my heart and mind as well. I ask this, and thank You for it in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26) KJV
Here Jesus gives us a glimpse of the Trinity. The Father glorifies the Son, Jesus came in human form, ministered and bore our sin, and the Holy Spirit comforts and helps us in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit bears witness to our hearts, convicts of sin, and leads us to the cross. My walk with God would be impossible without the Holy Spirit. It is He that leads me in the way I should go. I have seen Him bless an entire congregation of believers to a point where no one could speak. Not even the pastor. He was unable to deliver his sermon that week. We could only be in awe of a living God. This has happened on more than one occasion. Several times non Christians would come to me and ask me about God. They were eager to know! I did not even have to initiate it. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. That is the work of God! He has told me when to speak, when to be quiet, and when to look out for danger. He helps me to make decisions on a daily basis. He bears witness to my spirit when I meet another person that is a Christian as well. Somehow, we both know. He is always faithful, always a gentleman. He is always with me, and He wants to be with you too.
Father, I thank you for the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. I know that your word never returns to you void. It always goes forth and accomplishes the purpose for which You have sent it forth. I ask now that you would stir the hearts and minds of those that read, and stir my heart and mind as well. I ask this, and thank You for it in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
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