Category Archives: Holy Spirit

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February 4, 2016

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Church & Worship, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Holy Spirit, Salvation: A New You, Spiritual Gifts, Today: Make it Count, Wisdom & Guidance

WHAT KIND OF ASSIGNMENTS?

There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve. And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good. … One Spirit, the same Spirit, does all these things, and the Spirit decides what to give each person. [1 Corinthians 4:4-7,11 (NCV)]

checking blood pressureLike any good guest, when the Holy Spirit comes to us, He doesn’t come empty-handed—He brings a gift. It’s neither generic nor a “one-size fits all” sort of thing. He brings each of us our very own spiritual gift specifically designed just for us. Like any appreciative recipient of such a precious gift, however, it is our job to unwrap and use it.

Although they’re easily confused, spiritual gifts aren’t talents. Granted, they both come from God, can be developed with practice, and are intended to be shared with others. God is not wasteful, so our talents often complement our spiritual gifts but they’re not the same things. While we may be born with an innate talent or into a home where a talent is developed, our spiritual gifts don’t arrive until we accept Christ. Instead of a hostess gift, maybe a better analogy would be a welcoming gift. Our spiritual gifts are God’s way of welcoming us into the body of Christ. Paul listed various kinds of spiritual gifts in Ephesians, Romans and 1 Corinthians and no two lists are exactly the same. Although the Apostle listed some spiritual gifts, I seriously doubt that he listed them all. We have an unlimited God and I’m sure the Holy Spirit is not limited by Paul’s list when it comes to giving us gifts.

If you’re wondering about your special gift, look around your church family and notice the spiritual gifts that are being used. The people who are gifted in serving keep our churches running—they do the mailings, fold the programs, run the sound systems, and mow the lawns. Those gifted with hospitality serve the coffee, welcome people to the services, and offer their homes for small groups. We don’t just find those gifted with teaching in the classrooms, they’re the ones who show us how to apply the Bible’s teachings to everyday situations. Those gifted with faith are the prayer warriors and God-confident ones. Willing to take a risk and step out in faith, their faith spurs us all into action. Those faith dreams, however, can’t turn into reality without the people gifted with administration and organization. Nor are they possible without the people who quietly support and fund God’s work—the ones gifted with generosity. Without them, even the best laid plans would never materialize. Those gifted with leadership know how to get workers, motivate them, and delegate responsibility. We need the good decision making-skills and sound advice of those gifted with wisdom and profit from the scriptural insight of those gifted with knowledge. Without the words of those gifted with exhortation, the church won’t reach its full potential. Their encouraging voices strengthen and inspire their brothers and sisters in Christ. Those gifted with discernment can recognize truth from error, spot hidden agendas, and distinguish the phony from the sincere. Filled with compassion, those gifted with mercy minister to people in need; they mourn with those who mourn and minister to those in pain. Those gifted in prophecy can offer messages from God that reveal His purpose or guide actions. Those gifted with healing may have a healing touch or simply take people’s blood pressure, impart good medical information, or help heal emotional wounds. Those gifted with evangelism are the ones who can so openly and easily share their faith, something not all of us are comfortable doing, and those gifted in pastoring are the ones who so beautifully shepherd their flocks. Most of us are pretty limited in the talent department, but God has gifted us all with spiritual gifts and a special way to use that gift in the body of Christ.

We all have different gifts, each of which came because of the grace God gave us. [Romans 12:6a (NCV)]

Together you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of that body. [1 Corinthians 12:27 (NCV)]

Copyright © 2016 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.

 

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December 31, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Obedience, Salvation: A New You, Today: Make it Count, Wisdom & Guidance

I AM WHAT?

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. [2 Timothy 1:1 (NLT)]

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. [Titus 1:1 (NLT)]

julia butterfly- NBG2122aweb“I am….” How would you finish that statement? I recently came across an Internet article by Mark Papadas in which he posits, “How a person finishes that statement defines who they are, their beliefs about themselves and the world, and the standards they live by.” While we commonly say that people will live up or down to our expectations, Papadas writes that, in reality, they will live up or down to their own expectations and adds that people rarely give conscious thought to what it is they expect from themselves.

The Apostle Paul certainly knew who he was and what he expected of himself. I wonder if the rest of us are that clear about our identity and purpose. Who am I? Am I a wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, writer, volunteer, photographer, retiree, senior citizen, or friend? Yes to all but, while those words may describe me, none of them define me. We’re not our roles, resumes, paychecks, pasts or pedigrees and we mustn’t let those define us. We’re human beings and not human doings.

Who am I? I am a child a God and a follower of Christ. As such, I know He expects me to love Him completely and my neighbor as myself. As a child of God, what do I expect of myself? I should love God and man, repent and forgive, study God’s word and pray, be part of the church and spread the gospel, live an upright life and do God’s will. I want to be as much like Christ as humanly possible. Can I live up to my expectations? Probably not completely but, with the power of the Holy Spirit, I can sure try. Why? Because I am a child of God.

What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God. [Hans Urs von Balthasar]

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. [Galatians 3:26-27 (NLT)]

Copyright ©2015 jsjdevotions. All rights reserved.
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December 10, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Holy Spirit, Peace of God, Salvation: A New You, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Temptation & Sin

CLEAN THOUGHTS

Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. … Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. [Psalm 51:2,7,10-11 (NLT)]

tropical water lily There’s a shampoo that claims, “I’m so good, I put clean thoughts in your head.” A nice idea and, if a shampoo could do that, the world would be a better place. Our heads often become filled with mind grime: worry, fear, anger, ingratitude, bitterness, envy, guilt and anxiety. That kind of dirt, while not as obvious as poor hygiene, is far worse than dirty hair. Unfortunately, no matter how you combine berry and tea extracts with orange flowers, the concoction can’t clean out the gunk that can fill our minds. There are, however, ways to put clean thoughts in our heads by availing ourselves of the Holy Spirit, prayer and scripture.

When our minds become filled with negative or troubling thoughts, we need to take a long shower with the Lord; better yet, soak in His tub and immerse ourselves in His word. Our thoughts will be cleansed with prayer, our souls reconditioned by God’s words, and the Holy Spirit will fill us with His light. We truly will emerge from that bath feeling refreshed and clean.

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
[Are You Washed in the Blood? (Elisha A. Hoffman)]

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. [Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NLT)]

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [1 John 1:7-9 (NLT)]

 

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December 2, 2015

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God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, God's Promises, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Salvation: A New You

ONLY ONE WAY

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 (NLT)]

Santa Rose de Lima-Abiqui NMWhen my children were young, they sometimes balked at trying a new food that I’d prepared. After pointing out that, while I was short and could cook, I was not a short-order cook, I always offered them a simple choice: some or none. God gives us the same options regarding His son Jesus Christ: take him or leave him! Just as I didn’t offer my children a different entree, God doesn’t offer us any alternatives for salvation.

When Jesus said, “I am the way,” he was pretty clear on our lack of options. He didn’t say, “I am one of the ways.” He is the only way. He didn’t say there were several means to come to the Father; there was only one—and that was through Him. It’s not only an offer that can’t be modified, but it’s also an offer than no one else could ever make.

Moreover, there is nothing that we can substitute for belief. We can’t buy or bribe or our way into heaven. Being famous or even especially kind or generous won’t do it. Jesus is the way and he makes it abundantly clear that he is the one and only way. We must take His path and follow in His footsteps. He is the truth and the reality of God’s promises. He is the life and only with him will we have eternal life.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. [1 John 5:12 (NLT)]

Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. [Ephesians 2:18 (NLT)]

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September 30, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Prayer, Sorrow, Grief & Regrets, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

QUESTIONABLE CHOICES

Today I have given you a choice between life and death, success and disaster. … Today I am giving you a choice of two ways. And I ask heaven and earth to be witnesses of your choice. You can choose life or death. The first choice will bring a blessing. The other choice will bring a curse. So choose life! [Deuteronomy 30:15,19 (ERV)]

There is a way that people think is right, but it leads only to death. [Proverbs 14:12 (ERV)]

wrong way -9773web
Perhaps you’ve seen the television ad that shows a woman who, after taking a taste test, discovers that the spaghetti sauce she’s been purchasing for years isn’t the best one. “I wonder what other questionable choices I’ve made?” she asks as the viewer sees a flashback to her dreadful hairstyles from the past. Having recently gone through our photo albums, I can attest to making several appalling choices in the way of hair, fashion and make-up. Fortunately, my worst choices were never captured on film. Unfortunately, those choices were far worse than the wrong pasta sauce, a frizzy perm, white eye shadow, or a plaid blazer so loud it required ear plugs.

Questionable choices—we all have made them and I suspect we all would rather not make any more of them. Yet, somehow we still do. It’s been said that “ego” is simply an acronym for the phrase “Edging God Out” and I’d have to agree. When we let our egos rule, we’re really telling God that we know better than He does. When egos rule, questionable choices often result. Looking back at my poor choices, I realize they all have something in common: the lack of prayer. Those faulty choices were the result of me trying to edge God out: I was sure I knew what I wanted or needed and how to go about doing or getting it. I was positive I didn’t need any advice, help or guidance from God in my decisions. How mistaken I was!

Fortunately, God is forgiving, generous and caring and my poorest choices, while leaving me a bit battered and scarred, didn’t leave me permanently maimed. Jesus never left my side and the Holy Spirit kept whispering in my ear until I finally understood that God knows best. My questionable choices in fashion may well continue but, if I allow God to lead me, my other (far more important) choices will unquestionably be good ones.

We must make the choices that enable us to fulfill the deepest capacities of our real selves. [Thomas Merton]

Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. [James 1:5 (ERV)]

This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between what is important and what is not and choose what is important; that you will be pure and blameless for the coming of Christ; that your life will be full of the many good works that are produced by Jesus Christ to bring glory and praise to God. [Ephesians 1:9-11 (ERV)]

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July 27, 2015

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God's Word: The Bible, Holy Spirit, Knowing Him, Prayer, Trusting God

THE REAL THING

The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. [John 1:9-11 (MSG)]

7-27-15 CARDINAL6991weLast fall, I wrote about false prophets (“The Fraud”) after mistaking a fake bird for a real one. Yesterday, I almost missed the real thing! Wandering through the Botanic Gardens, what I initially thought was a red scarf or a fallen blossom fluttering in the breeze turned out to be a fledgling cardinal. Perhaps he was too young to be frightened by the many people walking past him as he boldly remained perched on a small sign close to the ground. I seemed to be the only one who noticed this beautiful creature, as exquisite as any of the blooms in the gardens. Never expecting a real bird to perch that close to the pathway, it wasn’t until I came within a few inches of him that I knew him to be real! Ignored by everyone but me, he remained there, chirping away, for several minutes and God blessed me with another one of His “Aha!” moments.

Was that what it was like when Jesus walked the Holy Land? Did people just pass Him by, hurrying to their destination, too busy to notice this itinerant preacher? Had they forgotten the promise of a Messiah? Were they so sure they knew what to expect that they didn’t see what was right in front of them? After generations of ignoring God and His messengers, were they so set in their ways they wouldn’t even stop to listen to Jesus’ words? Were they blind and deaf to His message of truth? Those who didn’t notice the bird merely missed an “Aha!” moment; failing to see Jesus, however, has tragic consequences.

When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, are we like those people who missed seeing the bird. How will we know if He is real if we don’t stop, look and listen? Prayer and God’s word will draw us close enough to hear and see Him. Yet, do we use our mouths more than our ears when we pray? Are we so intent on our needs that we don’t hear God’s message to us? When we read the Bible, do we look for what we want to read, cherry-picking our favorite verses, or do we examine what is actually there? Do we ever skim through a chapter and miss the beauty that is hidden in God’s words? Do we fail to experience glory moments with Him simply because we’re neither looking nor listening?

Eyes that see and ears that hear are blessed by God. He made himself known to man through Jesus Christ but it is up to us to see and hear Him. Father in Heaven, let us never pass by the truth; open our hearts and minds to the real presence of Jesus in our lives.

But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance. [Matthew 13:16-17 (MSG)]

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You’ve even seen him!” [John 14:6-7 (MSG)]