The PERSON of the Holy Spirit is so important to me. I meet Christians every day that do not know that the Holy Spirit is a person, just like the Father and the Son are a person. What is a person? I have given this some thought and have come to realize that it is very easy to think of a person as just a human being. But that is so limiting Truly, Jesus came to earth, but that didn't make Him a person. He was the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity from eternity past.
God is three persons, yet one God. There has always been an eternal personal relationship between each person of the trinity. I don't confess to understand the Trinity. It is far above me. But what I do understand, I still find amazing.
After my conversion, the Holy Spirit became very real to me. I was reading in John 14 through 16 where Jesus was speaking to His disciples at the Passover. He told them that it is important that I go away, but I will not leave you as orphans. I will send to you someone, JUST LIKE MYSELF, and He will lead and guide you into all truth. I thought to myself, " How kind of Jesus to send another person like Himself and not to leave the disciples as orphans." That meant a lot to me.
I realized that when I was born again, the Lord had breathed His Holy Spirit into me and I became alive in Christ. Jesus meant everything to me. But, I had not ACKNOWLEDGED THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A PERSON. As a result, I did feel like an orphan, wandering around trying to figure out my faith myself. It was at that time in my walk that I realized that the Holy Spirit was NOT AN "IT", but a "HE". That revelation changed my life. I now felt completed in my relationship with God the Father , God the Son and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. All three are still involved in working out my salvation.
I love the Holy Spirit. He has taught me everything I know about Jesus, the Word and the Father. Without Him, the Word would be so dry, and dull. Without the Holy Spirit, grace would have no meaning. He continuously reveals Jesus and His sufficient grace for every situation. The Holy Spirit brings the wisdom of God with His understanding. The Holy Spirit brings communion, the body and blood of Jesus, to be applied to my soul for physical healing and hope.
The Holy Spirit does not want any recognition or glory for Himself. He delights in pointing us to Jesus and opening our eyes more and more to understand the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. By the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, He brings us to the throne of Grace through the precious blood of Jesus. Acknowledging the Holy Spirit in our lives is VERY important. There is so much more to say, but I will leave with this. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD TOO!!!!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Other Side of the Cross
One day I was thinking about the Cross, Jesus' death and resurrection, and this thought came into my mind,"There is power on the other side of the cross" Where did this thought come from? It certainly wasn't from me. It had to be the Holy Spirit. As I sat to pondered this thought, I remembered in Acts 1, Jesus just before He ascended said to His disciples,"But you will receive power when the Holy spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This was AFTER the resurrection, which I call "The other side of the Cross".
Jesus knew that His disciples were weak vessels, even through they believed He had died for their sins. They still would be unable to witness His resurrection without the power of the Holy Spirit. For instance, as faithful and committed as Peter was to the Lord, he was so convinced that he would never deny Jesus, but in his weakness he did deny Jesus three times. How gracious the Lord was to understand his human frailty and to allow Peter as one of the first disciples, after Pentecost, to stand up in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the gospel. He was filled with God the Holy Spirit, the promised ONE sent from the throne of grace. Peter was bold, confident, and spoke with authority, because Peter was now baptized by the Holy Spirit and had the power in him to proclaim the truth, (Acts 2:17).
What I didn't realize was that I was no different than Peter. I loved the Lord, and I thought that I too would never deny him. Until one day when I was shopping and I met a sister in the Lord that I didn't want to be associated with because her outward witness of Christ was very embarrassing to me. So I tried to ignore her and slipped out of the store. When I got to my car, I will never forgot that still small voice saying, "You just denied me". I was horrified and even to day it still makes my tear to think about it. How gracious the Lord was to forgive me and not strike me dead.
I remember telling my spiritual mother, Lorraine Flemming, about what had happened and she explained to me, "My dear, you received the Holy Spirit, when you were born again, BUT the Holy Spirit DOES NOT YET have you."
WOW what a revelation it was to acknowledge that I was still in control and quenching the Holy Spirit. No wonder I had no power to testify Jesus. He had been given to me to witness the power of His resurrection through the Word of God, and I was denying Him the same way I had denied the Lord Jesus in the store!
My whole Christian life changed with this revelation. Now, I understand what Jesus meant when He said, "You shall receive POWER, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" The Holy Spirit needs His power released by faith, in order to accomplish the work He was sent to do...TO TESTIFY OF JESUS and His transformation in us.
Jesus knew that His disciples were weak vessels, even through they believed He had died for their sins. They still would be unable to witness His resurrection without the power of the Holy Spirit. For instance, as faithful and committed as Peter was to the Lord, he was so convinced that he would never deny Jesus, but in his weakness he did deny Jesus three times. How gracious the Lord was to understand his human frailty and to allow Peter as one of the first disciples, after Pentecost, to stand up in the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaim the gospel. He was filled with God the Holy Spirit, the promised ONE sent from the throne of grace. Peter was bold, confident, and spoke with authority, because Peter was now baptized by the Holy Spirit and had the power in him to proclaim the truth, (Acts 2:17).
What I didn't realize was that I was no different than Peter. I loved the Lord, and I thought that I too would never deny him. Until one day when I was shopping and I met a sister in the Lord that I didn't want to be associated with because her outward witness of Christ was very embarrassing to me. So I tried to ignore her and slipped out of the store. When I got to my car, I will never forgot that still small voice saying, "You just denied me". I was horrified and even to day it still makes my tear to think about it. How gracious the Lord was to forgive me and not strike me dead.
I remember telling my spiritual mother, Lorraine Flemming, about what had happened and she explained to me, "My dear, you received the Holy Spirit, when you were born again, BUT the Holy Spirit DOES NOT YET have you."
WOW what a revelation it was to acknowledge that I was still in control and quenching the Holy Spirit. No wonder I had no power to testify Jesus. He had been given to me to witness the power of His resurrection through the Word of God, and I was denying Him the same way I had denied the Lord Jesus in the store!
My whole Christian life changed with this revelation. Now, I understand what Jesus meant when He said, "You shall receive POWER, when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" The Holy Spirit needs His power released by faith, in order to accomplish the work He was sent to do...TO TESTIFY OF JESUS and His transformation in us.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Power of Forgiveness
The POWER of God's forgiveness transformed my life. For years I thought because I was a Christian, I was suppose to forgive. It was expected, but honestly it was so hard. I constantly condemned myself, because when an offense continued to happen, it was hard to forgive. It wasn't until I began to realize that only God forgives sin and that I had been forgiven so much,and the only forgiveness I could give was to the measure I believed and received first from God.
It was the most powerful revelation I have ever received. Sin no longer has dominion over me. I am clothed in the righteousness of His Son. I am amazed how much the desire is growing in my heart to see others as my Father sees me, FORGIVEN AND IN THE BLOOD OF HIS SON. There is a real freedom and joy, knowing that I stand under a fountain of forgiveness 24-7 , not only covering my sin, but taking it away, never again to be condemned.
Don't get me wrong, I don't condone sin nor support a sinful lifestyle. Sin is wrong, and it destroys lives! But Jesus has overcome the world, our flesh and the devil, and now we can experience victory in areas of our weakness and defeat.
When Jesus died for us on the cross, He bore the punishment for all our sins--past, present and future--once and for all. This outpouring of forgiveness never stops flowing because Jesus' sacrifice is perfect and for all eternity. So, today, it's not about our self-efforts to earn God's forgiveness, love and grace, but about His perfect sacrifice that has made a provision for forgiveness beyond what you and I can ever do.
You may be wondering, how does knowing the complete forgiveness help us in the midst of our daily challenges facing us right now? It was very difficult for me, until I believed by faith, that I was a new creation in Christ and that all things became new.
I began to see myself as a new creation, resurrected living on the OTHER SIDE of the cross. It was one thing to be forgiven because I was sinner, but it was another thing to believe that I stood under a waterfall of forgiveness all day long. God's forgiveness was always available for me. When I was offended, the blood was there to forgive and heal any wound to my spirit and the Holy Spirit's blessing to release God's forgiveness through me for others.
When we truly believe that we are constantly standing under the waterfall of God's forgiveness, we will dare to come boldly into His presence all the time. Instead of disqualifying ourselves from His blessings, faith for miracles will arise effortlessly in our hearts-- for the healing we need, or for the restoration in marriages or finances.
We will experience victory over destructive habits and reigns in life because His extravagant grace will change us from the inside out and cause us to want to live for His glory. And we will find ourselves walking in the joy, peace, and freedom that belong to the righteous, like never before! It is NOT natural to forgive, only God can forgive unconditionally, and how the world needs to see God's love through our forgiveness for one another.
PS. You might like to check out another one of my posts called
"Grace in the Chicken Coop"
It was the most powerful revelation I have ever received. Sin no longer has dominion over me. I am clothed in the righteousness of His Son. I am amazed how much the desire is growing in my heart to see others as my Father sees me, FORGIVEN AND IN THE BLOOD OF HIS SON. There is a real freedom and joy, knowing that I stand under a fountain of forgiveness 24-7 , not only covering my sin, but taking it away, never again to be condemned.
Don't get me wrong, I don't condone sin nor support a sinful lifestyle. Sin is wrong, and it destroys lives! But Jesus has overcome the world, our flesh and the devil, and now we can experience victory in areas of our weakness and defeat.
When Jesus died for us on the cross, He bore the punishment for all our sins--past, present and future--once and for all. This outpouring of forgiveness never stops flowing because Jesus' sacrifice is perfect and for all eternity. So, today, it's not about our self-efforts to earn God's forgiveness, love and grace, but about His perfect sacrifice that has made a provision for forgiveness beyond what you and I can ever do.
You may be wondering, how does knowing the complete forgiveness help us in the midst of our daily challenges facing us right now? It was very difficult for me, until I believed by faith, that I was a new creation in Christ and that all things became new.
I began to see myself as a new creation, resurrected living on the OTHER SIDE of the cross. It was one thing to be forgiven because I was sinner, but it was another thing to believe that I stood under a waterfall of forgiveness all day long. God's forgiveness was always available for me. When I was offended, the blood was there to forgive and heal any wound to my spirit and the Holy Spirit's blessing to release God's forgiveness through me for others.
When we truly believe that we are constantly standing under the waterfall of God's forgiveness, we will dare to come boldly into His presence all the time. Instead of disqualifying ourselves from His blessings, faith for miracles will arise effortlessly in our hearts-- for the healing we need, or for the restoration in marriages or finances.
We will experience victory over destructive habits and reigns in life because His extravagant grace will change us from the inside out and cause us to want to live for His glory. And we will find ourselves walking in the joy, peace, and freedom that belong to the righteous, like never before! It is NOT natural to forgive, only God can forgive unconditionally, and how the world needs to see God's love through our forgiveness for one another.
PS. You might like to check out another one of my posts called
"Grace in the Chicken Coop"
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jesus keeps His promises
When I saw this picture, I just wanted to pray and encourage my brothers and sisters. Especially those are in situations where they have been WAITING on the Lord for answers, sometimes for years. Don't give up! Jesus always keeps His promises. He will never leave or forsake us .It is encouraging to me to remember "Job" and how he endured one of the most horrendous trials known to man, except for the cross. No trial lasts forever. Job was restored a hundred fold and Jesus was resurrected. The waiting process is where our faith, in the Lord Himself, is tried. I have found this to be so true in my life.
Jesus is alive and has sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts where we can cry "Abba Father". Like a small child, we can cry to our heavenly Father our most deepest pain and concern in our heart. The Father loves us. He is working everything together for good and the glory of His Son. I am still learning to fix my eyes on Jesus and to see situations as God's opportunity to strengthen my faith in who He is. He is my life, health, hope, righteousness, provision, and forgiveness. He is my all in all, more and more, every day.
I would like to encourage you today with the encouragement I have received.from Isaiah 40: 28-31.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall fall exhausted. But they that WAIT for the LORD shall renew their strength .They shall mount up with the wings of eagles. They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
I have also found, 1 Thessalonians 5;16 to be most helpful when WAITING on the LORD. It says, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I don't think it means that I am to thank God for the circumstances, but to praise the Lord while in a miserable circumstance, because God inhabits the praises of His people. I do not understand why the Lord allows suffering, but His Word does promise "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us from them all." Psalm 34:19 There is an end to every trial. Remember Job, his return was a hundred fold and a greater awareness of who the Lord really is. He said," Once my ears heard about you, BUT NOW MY EYES SEE YOU" . Trials of our faith are meant to bring us closer to knowing our Lord and that is a good thing.
Monday, April 9, 2012
God's Counter Attack
I am finding this is more and more how important it is to watch my tongue and to think before I speak. He SPOKE all things into existence. Man created in the image of God is like a mini creator and he too can create something out of the words he speaks. I am finding that is why I am watching my tongue more and more, because words have power, and can create situations that can cause great grief or joy. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life is in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits."
As believers, we have the free will to either believe or not to believe God's word. I would like to share with you some verses that have been a blessing to me to fight LIES of the enemy. Satan loves to twist the truth and cause us to doubt God's word. Don't let him. If God said it, than I believe it. 2 Cor. 10:3-6 says," For though we in the flesh we are not waging war according to the flesh. For weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds........and take captive every thought CAPTIVE to obey Christ" God's word is final.
I pray the following verses will encourage you as it has me to believe and obey God's word over your own thoughts.
You say: God says; Luke 18:27
'It is impossible' 'All things are possible'
You say: God says: John 3:1 6& John3:34
'Nobody really loves me' 'I love you'
You say: God says: 2Cor. 12:9 & Psalm91:15
'I can go on' 'My grace is sufficient'
You say: God says: Proverbs 3:5,6
'I can't figure it out' 'I will direct your steps'
You say: God say: Philippians 4:13 'You can do all things'
'I can't do it"
You say: God says: 2 Cor.9:8
"I'm not able' "I am able'
You say: God say: 1John 1:9 &Rom.8:1
'I can't forgive myself' 'I forgive you
You say: God says: Philippians 4:19
'I can't manage' ' I will supply all your needs'
You say: God says: 2Timothy 1:7
'I'm afraid' ' I have not given you a spirit of fear'
You say God says: 1Peter 5:7
'I'm always worried and frustrated' ' Cast all your worries on me'
You say: God says: Hebrew 13:5
'I feel alone ' 'I will never leave you or forsake you
You say: God says: 1Corrinthians 1:30
' I'm not smart enough' "I give you wisdom'
There are so many more than just these and I believe the Lord will lead you to the ones specially for you.
Also I would like to mention a Nancy DeMoss's book "Lies that Women believe" I found it very encouraging and informative.
As believers, we have the free will to either believe or not to believe God's word. I would like to share with you some verses that have been a blessing to me to fight LIES of the enemy. Satan loves to twist the truth and cause us to doubt God's word. Don't let him. If God said it, than I believe it. 2 Cor. 10:3-6 says," For though we in the flesh we are not waging war according to the flesh. For weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds........and take captive every thought CAPTIVE to obey Christ" God's word is final.
I pray the following verses will encourage you as it has me to believe and obey God's word over your own thoughts.
You say: God says; Luke 18:27
'It is impossible' 'All things are possible'
You say: God says: John 3:1 6& John3:34
'Nobody really loves me' 'I love you'
You say: God says: 2Cor. 12:9 & Psalm91:15
'I can go on' 'My grace is sufficient'
You say: God says: Proverbs 3:5,6
'I can't figure it out' 'I will direct your steps'
You say: God say: Philippians 4:13 'You can do all things'
'I can't do it"
You say: God says: 2 Cor.9:8
"I'm not able' "I am able'
You say: God say: 1John 1:9 &Rom.8:1
'I can't forgive myself' 'I forgive you
You say: God says: Philippians 4:19
'I can't manage' ' I will supply all your needs'
You say: God says: 2Timothy 1:7
'I'm afraid' ' I have not given you a spirit of fear'
You say God says: 1Peter 5:7
'I'm always worried and frustrated' ' Cast all your worries on me'
You say: God says: Hebrew 13:5
'I feel alone ' 'I will never leave you or forsake you
You say: God says: 1Corrinthians 1:30
' I'm not smart enough' "I give you wisdom'
There are so many more than just these and I believe the Lord will lead you to the ones specially for you.
Also I would like to mention a Nancy DeMoss's book "Lies that Women believe" I found it very encouraging and informative.
Friday, April 6, 2012
7 Places Jesus Shed His BLOOD
The blood of Jesus is the most powerful force in the whole universe. "Without the shedding of blood there is NO remission of sin".
No other religion in the world except Christianity can take away the Sin of Adam and give mankind FORGIVENESS and a NEW LIFE. It is the only religion where God comes to man and gives Himself sacrificially. All other religions instruct men to try to reach God by their own merit. There is power in the blood of the lamb and it is available for you and for me. You can be free in every part of your life and in everything that concerns you because of the blood of Jesus.
A while ago I wrote a post titled "The Divine Exchange". I would now like to continue that discussion with the" Seven Places where Jesus Shed His blood " by Larry Huch. I pray that it will bless you as we mediate on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this Easter.
1. Jesus shed His blood in the Garden of Gesthemane to redeem my will
Matthew 26:19 1Peter 1:18-19
2. Jesus was whipped to break the curse of sickness and disease from my life.
Isaiah 53:5 I Peter 2:24
3. Jesus' crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' brow, to break the curse of poverty and release me into God's abundance.
Genesis 3:17, 18 2 Corinthians 8,9
4. Jesus' hands were pierced by the nails, to restore total dominion to the works of my hands.
Genesis 1:26-28 Deut. 28:12-13
5. Jesus' feet were nailed to the cross, to restore total dominion in my walk.
Joshua 1:3 Deut 11:24
6 The spear was thrust through Jesus' side, showing that he died from a broken heart, to heal my broken heart. This also illustrates his giving birth to His bride from His side as did the first Adam with Eve.
Luke 4:18 Psalm 147:3 AMP
7. Jesus bled on the inside when he was bruised to break every iniquity, to expel the inner drive of sin from my life.
Isaiah 53:5 2 Corinthians 5:17
God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. When I think of this and all that Jesus did to redeem us from the curse of Adam, I sometime feel that I am living far under the awareness of His provision that He purchased for me at great cost. It cost Him His life, it will certainly will cost me mine.( my rights!!) His life is far better than anything that this world could give me. Jesus has overcome this world and all its weaknesses of sin, sickness, and disease. His life in me is resurrection power available to Him as He so chooses to glorify Himself.
If you are a believer, I believe the Lord wants us to know that "Greater is He in us than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4 Jesus is more than wonderful. He is the lover of our soul.
No other religion in the world except Christianity can take away the Sin of Adam and give mankind FORGIVENESS and a NEW LIFE. It is the only religion where God comes to man and gives Himself sacrificially. All other religions instruct men to try to reach God by their own merit. There is power in the blood of the lamb and it is available for you and for me. You can be free in every part of your life and in everything that concerns you because of the blood of Jesus.
A while ago I wrote a post titled "The Divine Exchange". I would now like to continue that discussion with the" Seven Places where Jesus Shed His blood " by Larry Huch. I pray that it will bless you as we mediate on the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this Easter.
1. Jesus shed His blood in the Garden of Gesthemane to redeem my will
Matthew 26:19 1Peter 1:18-19
2. Jesus was whipped to break the curse of sickness and disease from my life.
Isaiah 53:5 I Peter 2:24
3. Jesus' crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' brow, to break the curse of poverty and release me into God's abundance.
Genesis 3:17, 18 2 Corinthians 8,9
4. Jesus' hands were pierced by the nails, to restore total dominion to the works of my hands.
Genesis 1:26-28 Deut. 28:12-13
5. Jesus' feet were nailed to the cross, to restore total dominion in my walk.
Joshua 1:3 Deut 11:24
6 The spear was thrust through Jesus' side, showing that he died from a broken heart, to heal my broken heart. This also illustrates his giving birth to His bride from His side as did the first Adam with Eve.
Luke 4:18 Psalm 147:3 AMP
7. Jesus bled on the inside when he was bruised to break every iniquity, to expel the inner drive of sin from my life.
Isaiah 53:5 2 Corinthians 5:17
God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. When I think of this and all that Jesus did to redeem us from the curse of Adam, I sometime feel that I am living far under the awareness of His provision that He purchased for me at great cost. It cost Him His life, it will certainly will cost me mine.( my rights!!) His life is far better than anything that this world could give me. Jesus has overcome this world and all its weaknesses of sin, sickness, and disease. His life in me is resurrection power available to Him as He so chooses to glorify Himself.
If you are a believer, I believe the Lord wants us to know that "Greater is He in us than he who is in the world" 1 John 4:4 Jesus is more than wonderful. He is the lover of our soul.
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