Category Archives: Holy Spirit

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August 14, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit

A GENTLE REMINDER

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord your God!” [Numbers 15:37-41 (NLT)]

Unlike the Israelites, we don’t wear tassels on the hems of our coats  to help us remember our faith, but perhaps we should. I often wear a small cross around my neck. When I put it on, I try not to think of it as a piece of jewelry but rather as a visible reminder of who I am and how I should behave. It reminds me to let the Holy Spirit not the wholly me run my life. We shouldn’t need a cross on a chain or tassels on our coats, however, to remind us; it should be our nature. This morning, let’s put on the Holy Spirit and let his presence continually remind us to live His way, not ours.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 13:14a (NLT)]

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July 28, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

RECIPE FOR A FRUITFUL LIFE

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness add love. [2 Peter 1:5-7 (ERV)]

Take a large bowl and gently stir together the above ingredients, adding one element at a time. Mix well. Taste and evaluate. Are you a little short of any component? Some chefs need a dash more self-control while others need to add more kindness. For best results, add extra love. Place in an empty life and sprinkle with plenty of prayer. Be sure to exercise perseverance during the cooking process and feel free to call on the Holy Spirit for help. When in doubt, refer to the Holy Bible for more detailed directions.

If all these things are in you and growing, you will never fail to be useful to God. You will produce the kind of fruit that should come from your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [2 Peter 1:8 (ERV)]

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July 12, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

PUT ON HIS ARMOR

2014-6-26armor webFinally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. [Ephesians 6:10-13a (GW)]

When you dress this morning, give some thought to heeding Paul’s advice about putting on God’s armor before setting out to face the world and its many challenges. Picture yourself decked out in a suit of armor and chain mail, a shield in one hand and a sword at your side, ready to face the day and prepared to fight evil. Know that you are armed with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God’s word.

So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. [Ephesians 6:14-17 (GW)]

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July 8, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Patience & Perseverance

BE AN EXAMPLE

We show that we are God’s servants by our pure lives, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness. We show it by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by speaking the truth, and by depending on God’s power. [2 Corinthians 6:6-7a (ERV)]

Father in heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit. May we always live so that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity. [Chuck Swindoll]

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June 25, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

WHAT SHIELDS US?

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. [Psalm 91:4 (NLT)]

When I was a girl, in the Cold War days, my school conducted fire, tornado and air raid drills. Leaving the building in case of fire made sense as did going to the basement in the case of a tornado. Cowering under our desks, however, would not have done much to save us from an atomic bomb! Do we tend to use equally flimsy defense tactics against Satan’s threats? Today, let’s choose to tap into God’s strength and put on His armor for protection.

DSC02124-Chillon-L Geneva-cropWEBBut let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. [1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)]

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June 13, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit

HOW TO BEHAVE

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead bless – that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. [1 Peter 3:8-9 (MSG)]

It seems so simple on paper, yet so difficult in actuality. Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can fulfill these simple instructions. Lead us; live in us, so that we can truly be a blessing to those we encounter.