Category: Holy Spirit

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Fruit Inspection

Dave and I grew up on the Arizona/California border. We were very familiar with the Agriculture Inspection Station at the border.

“Do you have any fruits or vegetables to declare?” That was always the question.

The Department of Agriculture didn’t want any pests transported from other states to the fruit and vegetable growing in California.

Did you know Jesus has something to say about fruit inspection?

He has been teaching on the mountain for three chapters now. We’ve heard him teach on adjusting our attitudes, how to pray, how not to worry about anything and not to judge others. All daily life, practical teaching from the heart of God.

As Jesus comes to the end of this time with the multitude He gives us a strict warning.

“Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you. 16  You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. 19  Every tree producing bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. 20  You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds.” Matthew 7:15-20 CEV

What Jesus came to share was good news and it brings a harvest of good fruit. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Galatia about the fruit that God’s Spirit produces in our lives.

“ God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23 gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV

This fruit is very similar to what Jesus described as the be-attitudes. It’s so important that we don’t allow our fruit to become infected by the harmful pests of pride, anger, fear, greed, malice and gossip. These things can and will ruin our fruit.

“Not everyone who calls me their Lord will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who obey my Father in heaven will get in. 22 On the day of judgment many will call me their Lord. They will say, ‘We preached in your name, and in your name we forced out demons and worked many miracles.’ 23  But I will tell them, ‘I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!’” Matthew 7:21-23 CEV

God will judge, not us. In our day, we have seen examples of false prophets. Jim Jones is one of the first to come to mind. “We preached in your name”.

Our job is to be fruitful. Jesus gave us a clear message on that.

“Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. 5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.” John 15:4-5 CEV

We don’t judge, but we do inspect fruit.

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For Our Benefit

This morning I’m going to do something I rarely do. I’m going to talk to you about a few “don’ts”.

When I was a kid I received a lot of instruction; don’t touch the stove, it’s hot. Don’t throw rocks at the window. There was a skull and crossbones on the bottle of poison telling me not to drink it. Don’t run with scissors. Don’t cut the dogs hair. Don’t go swimming for an hour after you eat.

All of these, and many more, instructions were for my benefit from loving and caring parents.

The Apostle Paul is giving us some don’ts today. These come from our loving heavenly Father and are for our good and beneficial to our development as we grow in Christ.

“So stop lying to each other. Tell the truth to your neighbor. We all belong to the same body. 26 If you are angry, do not let it become sin. Get over your anger before the day is finished. 27 Do not let the devil start working in your life. 28 Anyone who steals must stop it! He must work with his hands so he will have what he needs and can give to those who need help. 29 Watch your talk! No bad words should be coming from your mouth. Say what is good. Your words should help others grow as Christians. 30 Do not make God’s Holy Spirit have sorrow for the way you live. The Holy Spirit has put a mark on you for the day you will be set free. 31 Put out of your life all these things: bad feelings about other people, anger, temper, loud talk, bad talk which hurts other people, and bad feelings which hurt other people. 32 You must be kind to each other. Think of the other person. Forgive other people just as God forgave you because of Christ’s death on the cross.” Ephesians 4:25-32 NLV

Each one of these instructions is for our benefit. Lying will destroy our character. Anger will give us ulcers and effect our heart. Stealing will get us thrown in jail or fired. Bad talk will separate family and friends.

On the other hand kindness, forgiveness, and thoughtfulness are beneficial and restorative.

The Bible is practical in its instruction. Let me put it this way, Don’t not follow the loving guidance that God gives us for a prosperous and peaceful life.

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Help to Grow

One thing I know about our heavenly Father is He never leaves us alone. He doesn’t abandon us in our times of trouble or do we ever hear him say, “Go figure it out on your own”.

No, quite the contrary. He tells us to come to Him boldly when we need help and He’ll be there. He tells us to call and He will answer. We are to seek and we will find; ask and we will receive; knock and the door will be opened.

Jesus told his disciples that when He left the Father would send us a helper, the Holy Spirit would come to comfort, instruct and advocate for us. His primary purpose is to come along side of us and give us aid in our walk with Christ.

We have also been given spiritual leaders to help us grow. We learn from their teachings and instructions. Paul, the apostle, was doing just that when he wrote these words to the Christians in Ephesus.

“Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, 12 so his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. 13 This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.

14 We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. 15 Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head 16  of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 CEV

The teaching we receive should help us to grow to be more like Christ as we mature. Godly teaching is based on God’s word and not men’s opinions. Jesus pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day. Paul warns us not to be tricked by false teaching.

The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us into all truth. He’s there with that still small inner voice to steer us away from wrong teaching.

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.” John 16:13 CEV

As I said, the Father never leaves us alone or abandons us. He is here to help us grow!

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All for Him

I hope you are enjoying this morning walk through the book of Ephesians. I know I am.

There are so many promises and insights contained in this one book. God’s character, His love, revealed in depth. Being raised in a church that was more concerned about it’s rules than in relationship I had a hard time realizing that I didn’t have to earn God’s love. He gives it freely.

The last three chapters have shown us God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness, power and unconditional love. Now Paul is going to show us how to put what we have received into action.

He was imprisoned because he taught that the message of Christ’s redemption was available to all, including the Gentiles. The Jewish religious elite hated this message and did their best to eliminate it from the very outset. But God had a different plan. Missionaries went around the known world telling them of the incomparable love of God. When Paul could no longer travel because of his imprisonment he wrote letters. Letters for us to read; letters that God has used to bring so many to a saving knowledge of Christ.

“I am being held in prison because of working for the Lord. I ask you from my heart to live and work the way the Lord expected you to live and work. 2 Live and work without pride. Be gentle and kind. Do not be hard on others. Let love keep you from doing that. 3 Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit. There is one hope in which you were called. 5 There is one Lord and one faith and one baptism. 6 There is one God. He is the Father of us all. He is over us all. He is the One working through us all. He is the One living in us all. 7 Loving-favor has been given to each one of us. We can see how great it is by the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 4:1-7 NLV

Do you see the theme of these verses? There is One. One way to live, one way to work and that is to follow the example and teachings of Christ.

We have the Holy Spirit living in us and He will help us to live in a way that brings honor to the Father. Since we are called the body of Christ, and Christ is the head that implies unity of thought and passion. Our physical bodies don’t act independently of our head and our spiritual bodies shouldn’t either.

Each one of us have received the loving-favor or the grace of God as a gift. Not one of us is good enough to work our way to heaven. This is a humbling fact. Remember these words from chapter 2?

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV

Let me repeat. Since Christ is the head and we are His body we should be working together for His honor and glory. It’s all for Him!

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Read It Again

Have you taken my suggestion of reading the book of Ephesians? I hope so, and now, I will encourage you to read it again.

There is so much spiritual gold to be found in this book. Personally, I have read the verses I’m going to share with you this morning thousands of times. Each time, they become more real and my understanding of God’s love and provision grows deeper.

I have to stop for a moment on something I just said. Provision. Pro – vision. To look ahead and supply what is needed. From the beginning of time, God looked ahead, saw what we need and provided it.

Don’t just read over these verses. Read them slowly, phrase by phrase, and let the Holy Spirit make them real to your heart.

“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:15-23 NLT

There are so many nuggets in those few verses. God doesn’t want us to miss a thing.

  1. Spiritual wisdom and insight is needed so we can grow in our knowledge of God
  2. With that knowledge our hearts will be flooded with hope, confident hope
  3. (This next one really took me a while to comprehend.) WE are God’s rich and glorious inheritance. An inheritance is something we receive when someone dies. It something of value. When Christ died, He gave the Father an inheritance – He gave the Father us! Let that sink in.
  4. When we understand that, we will also begin to understand the power of God that is working for us. It’s the same power that He demonstrated when He raised Christ from the dead.
  5. And finally, God put all things under Christ’s authority for our benefit. We, the church, are Christ’s body and as such we are full and complete in Him.

All I can say now is go back and “Read It Again”. God bless you!

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No Coincidence

Through my years, I have learned that there are no coincidences with God.

This morning while I was praying I thanked God, the Father, for providing us with a “free” will. Then I said thank you to Jesus for paying the price for our salvation making it a “free” gift. Lastly, I thanked the Holy Spirit for guiding us each day and reminding us of the freedom that we have in Christ.

Free indeed!

Then I began reading in Psalms and there David was thanking God for freeing him of his past sins. From there my reading took me to the book of Daniel and I read the story of Daniel being sentenced to the lions’ den for his faithfulness to God. When Daniel was freed, he gave credit to God for his salvation.

My Bible reading ended this morning in Galatians, chapter 5.

“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again…13 My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love. 14 The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” 15 If you continue hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. 16 So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants… 22 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:1, 13-16, 22-25 ERV

Free will, free salvation, free direction!

Just exactly what I had been praying about before I started reading.

Our freedom in Christ is no coincidence. It was planned in heaven before the world began. While we were in rebellion to God, He made a way for us to be reconciled (made right) with Him.

“So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. 2 That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. “ Romans 8:1-2

God’s plan is our freedom; free from sin, free from fear, from guilt, from anger, from selfishness, from hate. Our freedom is no coincidence – it’s the intentional plan of our loving Father.

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It Means So Much

The other day I received a text from a friend halfway across the country. This is what she said.

“Hello friend. How can I pray for you today?”

Little did she know but at that moment, that very hour I needed prayer. She didn’t know but God did! We should always be ready to pray.

How many times have you been driving down the road or going about your business when a name pops to memory and you ask, “I wonder how they are doing – haven’t seen or thought about them in forever.” What do you do with that thought? Do you smile at remembering an old friend and let it go at that?

I have found when people are brought to mind that God is bringing them to mind for a reason. Most of the time I stop to pray for them when the thought comes, praying in the Spirit, knowing that the Holy Spirit is leading me to intercede for them. The Apostle Paul said at the beginning of nearly every epistle he wrote

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy” Philippians 1:3-4.

If Paul was faithful to pray for people upon every remembrance of them, it is a good example to follow.

Many years ago Dave & I lived on a remote ranch in AZ. No cell phones and we were way past the landlines. I had a few friends that would ask, if we need to get a hold of you what do we do. My answer was a simple one – pray. God will get us the message.

One morning I got up earlier than I normally do. My heart was heavy, and I began to pray. I knew I was praying for a friend and her daughter in Hawaii. I later learned that the daughter was in a life and death situation. Life won!!!!

“The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak on his own. He will tell you only what he has heard from me, and he will let you know what is going to happen.” John 16:13 ERV

I believe that when we are open to the Holy Spirit, He will bring things to our remembrance and will show us what we need to do. Remember, when the saints were together praying for Peter’s release from prison as they were praying an angel went to the prison and released Peter. Spirit led prayer is effective.

“… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:16-18

I can hear someone saying, but how do you know it’s the Holy Spirit leading you and not just your own thoughts? If it’s your thoughts or God prompted, it can’t hurt to pray for someone, it can only benefit them. Right?

“Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you.” John 14:16-17

The Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father to help us and to always be with us, to live in us. So, when someone comes to mind, I trust that it’s the Holy Spirit bringing them to remembrance.

As you’ve read this, I’m sure that the Holy Spirit has brought someone to mind, maybe it’s me. Pray for them; they will feel it!

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Making A Public Stand

After Jesus talked with the elders in the Temple at age twelve, we know nothing further of his life until He starts His public ministry.

“Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. 2  He said, ‘Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.’ 3  John was the one the prophet Isaiah was talking about, when he said, ‘In the desert someone is shouting, ‘Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him.’ …5 From Jerusalem and all Judea and from the Jordan River Valley crowds of people went to John. 6 They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the river.” Matthew 3:1-6 CEV

John and Jesus’ mothers were cousins. John was a few months older than Jesus. They grew up in different towns. They each had a God-given purpose; they each had a message to deliver. An angel told John’s father:

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you must name him John. 14 His birth will make you very happy, and many people will be glad. 15  Your son will be a great servant of the Lord. He must never drink wine or beer, and the power of the Holy Spirit will be with him from the time he is born. 16 John will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God…This is how John will get people ready for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17 CEV

Get the people ready for the Lord!

“John told them, ‘I use water to baptize people. But here with you is someone you don’t know. 27 Even though I came first, I am not good enough to untie his sandals.’ 28 John said this as he was baptizing east of the Jordan River in Bethany.

29 The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 He is the one I told you about when I said, “Someone else will come, who is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.” 31 I didn’t know who he was. But I came to baptize you with water, so that everyone in Israel would see him.

32 I was there and saw the Spirit come down on him like a dove from heaven. And the Spirit stayed on him. 33 Before this I didn’t know who he was. But the one who sent me to baptize with water had told me, “You will see the Spirit come down and stay on someone. Then you will know that he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” 34 I saw this happen, and I tell you that he is the Son of God.” John 1:26-34 CEV

John’s life had one purpose – to prepare the way for Jesus. Up to that time he had lived in the desert in basic obscurity but now, God had led him to a very public ministry. His message resonated in the hearts of people; they were looking for the Messiah. John wasn’t Him but he had a message about Him, “he is the Son of God”!

We also have been given a message to deliver.

“We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God. 21 Christ never sinned! But God treated him as a sinner, so Christ could make us acceptable to God.” II Corinthians 5:20-21 CEV

John’s message announced the path that Jesus would take, the road to the cross. And now it’s time we go public and take the message of the cross to those around us!

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My Rock & Defense

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills.” Psalm 18:1-2 ERV

Have you ever stopped to look at the life of Peter?

Strengths: Outdoorsman, Co-owner of a fishing fleet. Tough, Outspoken. Born leader. Loyal, Committed. Determined. Repentant. Teachable, Usable.

Weaknesses: Overconfident, Speak First Think Later. Self-Promoting. Folds Under Pressure. Proud. Impulsive.

Peter cut off a soldier’s ear in the Garden when they came to arrest Jesus. He denied Christ three times in the courtyard. He was one of the first to run to the tomb and find it empty but then he went back to the disciples, and they locked themselves in. Fearful.

50 days later he was in the upper room when the Holy Spirit filled the 120 with God’s power. He spoke boldly to the crowds, pointing out that they were the ones responsible for killing Jesus. But he preached forgiveness and over 3000 repented at the first preaching.

Then in Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus. No denial here. In fact, Peter spoke boldly to the religious leaders.

“Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and you older leaders, 9 are you questioning us today about what we did to help this crippled man? Are you asking us what made him well? 10 We want all of you and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made well by the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You nailed Jesus to a cross, but God raised him from death. This man was crippled, but he is now well. He is able to stand here before you because of the power of Jesus! 11 Jesus is the ‘stone that you builders thought was not important. But this stone has become the cornerstone.’” Acts 4:8-11 ERV

This man who had denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl now stood before the rulers and proclaimed openly that he was a follower of Christ.

“So the Jewish leaders called Peter and John in again. They told the apostles not to say anything or to teach anything in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, ‘What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God? 20 We cannot be quiet. We must tell people about what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:18-20 ERV

What made the difference in Peter? The Holy Spirit!

Jesus said they would receive power when the Holy Spirit baptized them. Power to be witnesses, power to be bold, power to heal the sick, power to preach!

Are there things in your past that you are ashamed of? Times that you feel you have failed, not just failed yourself or your family, but times that you have failed God? Those failures don’t disqualify you from service.

If Peter hadn’t of failed, he still would have been self-confident, prideful and not felt he needed a Savior. He wouldn’t have been willing to yield his life to the Holy Spirit.

We need to let go of the past and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with power.

Thank you, Father, for changing my life from self-confident to God-confident. Thank you for seeing me as usable and trusting me with Your message of love and forgiveness!

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Thankful for Answers

I recently accepted a new position. I really am enjoying it and the people I work with. I have questions regarding some of the work and when I ask, they are always ready to give me the answers.

However, there have been times when I haven’t even known what questions to ask. Have you ever been there? You know you don’t have the knowledge you need but are unsure what that knowledge is.

I am thankful for those people who stand by my side and provide the help I need.

Some people have the intelligence to answer difficult questions, some have the skill to tackle and solve the mechanical, some have the wisdom to bring enlightenment to the emotional while still others have the insight into the financial and then there are those who have the uncanny knack of good old common sense.

I’m thankful for the input of all these people in my life but more than that I am thankful for the Father’s loving gift of the Holy Spirit.

” But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words. He will speak only what he hears and will tell you what will happen in the future. 14 The Spirit of truth will bring glory to me by telling you what he receives from me. 15 All that the Father has is mine. That is why I said that the Spirit will tell you what he receives from me.” John 16:13-15 ERV

Since God can’t lie the above statement that Jesus made about the Holy Spirit is true. The Holy Spirit is here to tell us what he hears from the Father, He is here to guide us into all true. The truth He has is not what’s found in the Wall Street Journal nor is it found in great institutions of higher learning. He tells us what he hears from the Father.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord…3 Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well…9 The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.” Proverbs 16:1,3,9 NLV

Thank you, Father, for sending a comforter, a counsellor, a helper and a guide. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to live in us and work through us for your glory.

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