Tag: Holy Spirit

Invisible, Yet Present!

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The events that take place next warm my heart. Mary decides to leave right away and travel to her cousin Elizabeth’s house, in the Judean hills. There could be various possible reasons for Mary’s decision: the angel had told her that Elizabeth was expecting and Mary, knowing her cousin was older, may have thought she could be of help, she may not have wanted to stay around Nazareth as her pregnancy would become known and she would be a source of gossip and ridicule or she knew Elizabeth to be a godly woman and was seeking support and wisdom. Whatever the reason, immediately upon being greeted by Mary, this takes place.

Luke 1:39-45 and 56 “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her! verse 56 ”Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Scripture tells us an important fact about John in Luke 1:15b “and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.” So when Mary arrives and Elizabeth greets her, the baby, John, leaps in her womb. His spirit recognizes the Holy Spirit within Jesus. The meeting produces joy for the mother’s to be and their babies. The attribute I have chosen for today is Invisible. God is with us each and every moment of every day, and yet we do not feel or see Him. God is Spirit and we cannot see spirit. Just as we cannot see or feel sound waves, energy or atoms, we know they exist. God did make himself visible to us in His Son Jesus. In this story, we have the time before Jesus is born and and see and feel through the events the presence of our Invisible God. His Holy Spirit indwelled both John and Jesus! John reacted to the presence of Jesus and the joy was immediately transmitted to Elizabeth and Mary as joy.

I’m sure being together both women would felt more supported about their part of God’s plan. I would imagine that Mary’s presence was of great help and comfort to Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s wisdom, faithfulness and compassion would have helped Mary as she grew in her pregnancy. The timing of staying 3 months would mean that Mary stayed until John was born and named. When she returned home she would have been about 4 months pregnant and through the first possibly difficult months.

Invisible God made himself known to the Israelites in the Old Testament. God appeared to Moses in a burning bush and spoke to him. God led the way as they crosses the desert using a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to show His presence. Paul wrote in Romans 1:20 “ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” We can see evidence of God through His creation and wonder at it. God assures us in Deuteronomy 31:6 that even though we cannot see Him, He is there! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Thankfully, God saw fit to give us more, something tangible we could depend upon and see. Colossians 1:15 “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” Hebrews 1:3a “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” We have proof that Jesus lived and was seen by others, died for our sins and ascended back into heaven. Jesus was visible proof of our invisible God! Praise God for His provision of Jesus.

Today as you go about your day, see where you can see our invisible God at work. He is there with you just as He was with Mary and Elizabeth.

Linda

Whom are you Reflecting in your Character?

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I have had an inordinately busy week. I wonder if others see me as frantic, calm, focused or scattered? How do I want them to perceive me? This is a question for reflection as we consider- How do others perceive you, your actions and your character? Everyone likes to be looked upon favorably. I would suggest that what we need to be more concerned about is how God perceives us, our deeds and character. In 1 Kings 10:6-9 records the words of the visiting Queen of Sheba as she meets King Solomon. “And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 

She extols Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity and his ruling with justice and righteousness. In verse 9, she says this must be because God delights in him. She was right as All of the attributes Solomon exhibited were given by God. Solomon had asked God for wisdom so he could rule the nation of God’s people with justice. 1 Kings 3: 9-13. “ Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.” 

This example from scripture forces us to examine our own lives and ask what attributes has God given me that I might serve him. When we accept Jesus as Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us. Besides the gifts of faith and eternal life, God enhances our character and begins to make us more and more like Jesus. Galatians 5:22-23 lists some of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” What attributes are you seeing in your own life? How have they changed over time? It pleases God when we use our godly attributes to engage with our world. Just like Solomon, others see how we are blessed by God as we seek to reflect His character in our lives.

Linda

What does it mean, “I’m indwelt”?

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Have you ever considered how and why you are able to live successfully and faithfully for Jesus? We are not perfect this side of heaven but we have the desire to live for Him once we come to know Him. God did a very special thing for each and every believer when He sent His Holy Spirit to live inside of us. His indwelling spirit gives us the commitment and power to set aside sin and look to Him. He helps us to live for Jesus. He is why we can be successful.

Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit when I step out in faith to believe. This fact permeates the life of every believer. Thus, we are all His and belong to one another. Paul sated in 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” Because we have God’s Holy spirit inside of us, guiding and directing our hearts, we are can be loving and united in faith and purpose. Romans 5:1-5 explains this in more detail. “ Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” We know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Paul makes it clear that we are made right with God through Jesus and that He loved us so much He gave us His Spirit to indwell us. His Holy Spirit works from within- guiding, encouraging, molding and shaping our character thus giving us the power to live for Him each day.

What a wonderous provision we have in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Study the graphic below- prayerfully thank God for His Holy Spirit’s work in your life.

Linda

Knowing and Being Known

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Today’s promise is a small gem that packs a big punch. It is found in John 10:14 and tells us so much about Jesus our Savior.

John 10:14 “ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Promises: God promises Jesus is my good shepherd and that He knows me and I can know Him.

In ancient cultures shepherds were needed to care for the sheep. There were not fences to keep the sheep in and the predators out. The sheep are not the smartest of animals and would follow anyone. The shepherd would sleep with the sheep at night, lead them to water and pasture and lovingly care for them. He would give his life for his sheep to keep them safe. By calling himself our good shepherd, Jesus is letting us know how much he loves us. He will provide and care for us and He willingly gave His life so that we could be reconciled to God. The passage continues in verses 16b-17 “So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

The other promise included in this short verse is that God knows us and that we can know Him. What a privilege that through faith I can commune with God in prayer, feel His love and support and be indwelled by His Holy Spirit. He knows all about me and allows me to come to know Him through His Word, prayer and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someday we will see Him and be in His presence. Revelation 21:3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

What we can know from this verse: God is accessible, Jesus is our caretaker, God knows all about me, I can know God.

Lenten Reflections: Am I looking to my good shepherd for advice, protection and guidance each day? How much time do I spend getting to know God through His Word and prayer?

Because God created me and is omnipotent He knew me before I was even born. I need to study His Word to learn more about Him, to be able to understand how He wants me to act and to think bibically. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can learn to know God and can rest in His care and love.

Linda

Related Verses: Hebrews 4:16, John 10:1 and 11, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 139:1-3, Psalm 139:13, Revelation 21:3.

Power from Within- in Jesus!

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Many passages in the Bible clarify the role of Christ and what His indwelling Holy Spirit does within our lives. Romans 8:10-11 is one such passage.

Romans 8: 10-11  “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.“

Promise: God promises to give life through His Spirit and make all believers alive because of Christ’s righteousness.

The old saying goes “nothing is sure except death and taxes.” These verse say that is not true. God promises life in Jesus and all this is possible because of Jesus’ death on the cross. His sacrifice covered your sins and mine. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Our sins are forgiven and covered by the blood of Jesus. How then are we alive in Jesus? Paul explains in Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” This work of grace and mercy from God we owe to our faith in Jesus. Paul continues to explain in Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift of faith and forgiveness.

What we can know about God from these verses: Jesus’ blood covers our sins-past, present and future, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, faith in Jesus makes us spiritually alive, Jesus is righteous, Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross.

Lenten Reflections: Am I experiencing God’s Spirit within me each day? Am I thankful for all Jesus did for me on the cross?

These are sobering verses when you consider what our salvation and freedom from the power of sin cost Jesus. His blood was shed for me and you. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can live forgiven and experience His life within me. I am alive in Christ!

Linda

Related Verses: 1 Peter 2:24 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:7-9, Romans 6:10-12, Ephesians 2:3-8, Colossians 2:6-7,

Words with Power and Purpose

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The promise for today assures us of the absolute need for God’s Word in our lives!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ” All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Promise: Scripture (God’s Word) comes straight from God and molds our lives so that we are equipped to do God’s work.

I don’t know about you but I’ve read my share of self-help books. I usually try out the ideas for awhile, work in a few important concepts into my life’s routine and then let the rest go. They are a temporary help at best for the problems in my life. God tells us in 2 Timothy that all of His Word comes from Him and has His life in it. All of His Word can be used in our training, teaching and correction so we can become godly men and women. We don’t have to pick and choose those ideas that would be most helpful as we have His guarantee, through His Holy Spirit, that all of His Word can and does help us. If you want to be ready to do His work, you need to spend time in His God-breathed Word, the Bible. Let it transform you and make you more like Jesus. Then you will be equipped for all situations and grow more like Jesus each day.

What we know from these verses: Scripture comes directly from God, scripture is God’s tool to mold and shape our lives, God has a purpose and work for us to do, God equips us to serve Him.

Lenten Reflections: Do I believe that all scripture is God-breathed? Do I have a plan for studying His word so I can be equipped?

Believing that all scripture is inspired by God is essential. Then you are ready to absorb His truths into your life and get to work. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can trust in God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to teach and train me. Let Go and Let God work within you.

Linda

Related Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 8:3, Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 119: 9,11,105, Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12.

God Promised Us A Helper, Do you Know Him?

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John 14:25-26 holds precious promises made by Jesus while he was with His disciples. Since we are followers of Jesus too, they apply directly to us also!

 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you

Promise: Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to help, teach and remind us all things He had said.

We know that the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost and indwelt the believers. His Spirit gave them power and motivated them to fulfill Jesus’ great commission given in Matthew 28:19-20. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem after his ascension and wait for the Holy Spirit to come. Acts 2:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The disciples depended upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to witness and live for Jesus. He taught them and helped them recall all the words of Christ recorded in the gospels.

We too received the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus into our lives. As we depend upon Him, read God’s Word and pray, the Holy Spirit works within to teach us and help us to align our thoughts with God. He reminds us of what we have read or studied in God’s Word so that we can apply it to our lives. He convicts us of sin and leads us in a process called sanctification. As believers we are in the process of becoming more and more like Jesus!

What we can know from these verses: God sent the Holy Spirit to counsel, teach, and help us remember what we learn about God and apply it to our lives.

Lenten Reflections: Am I open to the teaching and leading of the Holy Spirit? Do I try to quench the Spirit and do things my way? Where do I need the Holy Spirit’s help?

Leaning into the Spirit of God and accepting His leading shows maturity in the Christian life. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and trust Him to guide me in God’s ways.

Linda

Related verses: Acts 1:8, Ephesians 1:13, Titus 3:5, Luke 24:49, Acts 2:33, John 15:26, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:10.

Feeling desperate? “Come to me,”-God

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Do you ever feel that nobody cares what is happening to you or will take time to listens to your emotional distress? Do you feel there is no one to help you in your time of need? All of us feel that way from time to time in varying degrees, but what do you do about it??? The Bible gives us hope as God promises to be that someone for each of us. David wrote in Psalm 34 about just those feelings and knew where to turn for help, comfort and understanding.

Psalm 34:17-18 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

Promise: God promises to hear our cries for help, deliver us from troubles, comfort us when we are brokenhearted and revive us when our spirits are crushed.

I take great comfort in this promise as it is rooted in God’s love. His love can find us and bring restoration. God desires to help those who love Him and He is committed to us. He wants to deliver us, as many times we are caught in the consequences of our own sins. I have experienced God’s deliverance in these times by a lessening of the severity of the consequences. I recognized His hand in my life and the circumstances and thanked Him for His help. It did not take away the consequence, but showed me how much worse it could have been without His help. When I have needed comfort, I have been overwhelmed by the way God uses others to come alongside me and put an arm around me or provide me exactly what I need. We may think we are alone, but God uses others in our lives to do His work. I need to keep that in mind when I feel nudged to help a brother or sister, call or write a note. The Holy Spirit is within us and can minister to others through us. When my spirits have been crushed, God has lifted and pointed me in a new direction. It was not instantaneous but little by little He revived and renewed me. I claim His promise from Joel 2:25a “I will restore to you the years  that the swarming locust has eaten,” I have definitely felt His restorative powers in my life. It is not the same as it was before I was crushed but new and different- restored! Praise God! Experiencing God’s love in these tangible ways deepens and confirms our faith. I confirms how much He loves and cares for us.

What we can know from these verses: God is accessible- He hears and listens, God is merciful and tenderhearted, God cares about me and my troubles, God can and does uplift and restore.

Lenten Reflection: Where have I felt God’s comfort, help or restoration in my life that I need to thank Him for His expressions of love towards me? Who is God nudging me to minister to in His name?

Related verses: 1 John 5:14-15, Psalm 103:8, Nahum 1:7, Joel 2:25, Isaiah 40:30-31, Psalm 90:1-2.

May you take strength from this promise in Psalm knowing God truly cares for you and will uphold and restore you if you will turn to Him. The key here is we have to humble ourselves and turn to Him for help. Because Christ died on the cross and rose again, we can come to Him in confidence knowing He will be there for us!
Linda

Advent Day 25, How Much We Have in JESUS

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This Christmas Day our scripture is from Matthew 1:18-23. This passage recalls the angel’s appearance to Joseph and the revelation that Mary, his betrothed, was to bear the son of God, the Messiah. Let the familiar words cause you to reflect on the place Jesus has in your life.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).“

What does it mean that God is with us? How much God must love us to send His son to dwell with us and die for our redemption? Without Jesus, we would still be stuck in our sinful nature and subject to God’s wrath. Without Jesus, we would not know the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit in our lives through faith. Without Jesus, we would be lost and without hope.

Thank you God for sending Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6 captures our hope in Jesus. “ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Thank you Jesus for coming to save us.

May you have a blessed Christmas as you remember how much we have in Jesus!

Linda

Advent Day 14, He’s Coming- Be Ready!

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Today’s scripture comes from the gospel of Mark 1:1-8. Mark begins the story of Jesus with the arrival of John the Baptist. He told us who he was, John the Baptist, and why he came, as a messenger proceeding one who was greater. Mark describes his ministry among the people and his lifestyle.

1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    and he will prepare your way.
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!’”

4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

Mark started his gospel with the idea that there would be a messenger to come from God who would let them know that the Messiah’s arrival was near. He would prepare the way. Four-hundred years before John appeared, the prophet Malachi foretold of his coming in Malachi 3:1 , “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” This information added to what they knew from Isaiah, which is quoted by Mark in verse 2, gave them hope that they could expect someone to come from God that would prepare them for the arrival of the Messiah.

How would John announce the coming of Jesus? Mark 1:7-8 ” 7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” John was calling the people to repent and turn to God so that when Messiah came their hearts would be ready. He was baptizing with water but the Messiah would baptize with his Holy Spirit. Baptism symbolizes death when one goes under the water and then rising to new life. New believers who put their faith in Jesus would undergo a transformation called new birth. Titus 3:5 puts it this way “he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

Are you ready to receive the Savior? Jesus is waiting for you and me to come to Him for that new life and new Spirit which he alone can give. What better time to receive Christ than at Christmas? He came so that we could have a new life and flourish with him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” If you already know Christ, praise Him for His great provision for you and the new life you have in Him!

Linda