Tag Archive | Holy Spirit

Obedience And The Holy Spirit

Nov18

When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them,saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. 31 He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” — Acts 5:27-32

Here we find Peter before the Council again with not just John but the”apostles” also. I love the fact that they shared the gospel message here before the Council. The circumstance did not dictate where or when they shared. They shared because “we must obey God rather than men”.

How important is obedience? The Holy Spirit is given to those who obey as a living witness in them. How we tend to miss that. Could that be why we are not effective witnesses for Christ? We are quick to come to salvation, for eternal well being, but when it comes to obedience that is another story. Could our disobedience quench the witness of the Holy Spirit* in us?

The apostles had no problem sharing the gospel wherever they happened to be by the power of the Holy Spirit by obedience to God. How’s the obedience factor going in your life?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Has Salvation Changed You?

Nov10

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. — Acts 2:38-47

The Lord was adding to their number — those who were being saved. We need to realize that it is the Lord who saves.

What factors were involved in many being saved? Repentance, forgiveness and receiving of the Holy Spirit.  Lives changed.

Transformation happened: they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. This brought about awe as they witnessed the movement of God amongst themselves and the world. Many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Being one with Christ they had all things in common, cared for one another by meeting needs, were like minded, fellowshipped together and praised God together.

Could this be why God was adding saved ones to their numbers day by day?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Witnesses By The Holy Spirit

Nov7

“Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay. This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,

Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” — Acts 2:29-36

The patriarch David, entrusted with the throne of Israel, knew of and spoke of the King of kings long before He physically came. The disciples witnessed the resurrection of this eternal King. By the Holy Spirit, received of the Father, we are witnesses of what He reveals — Jesus is both Lord and Christ.

Are you certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Devoted to Prayer

Nov4

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. — Acts 1:14

Jesus had just ascended to heaven. The disciples and women who followed Jesus met together to pray. Not just a quick prayer meeting but they devoted themselves to prayer. Devote: to concentrate, to dedicate. Their Master, their Hope had left them after He changed their lives.

Have you been there? Feeling hopeless as if Jesus was no longer in your life? You don’t see His hand at work or feel His presence? Every life endeavor seems more than you can handle? The joy and hope has been sucked from you, leaving you dry? When was the last time you had a heart to heart with Jesus? The last time you bowed down before Him and worshiped Him with no inhibitions, no agenda, just genuine, devoted prayer with the God of the universe?

The participants in this verse devoted themselves to prayer as a group. How often do you attend corporate prayer meetings? “These all with one mind” focused on Jesus brought them together to pray. I believe a church, family, group that prays together will be of like mind. There is only one Holy Spirit and prayer unites those who pray together. If more congregations devoted themselves to prayer there would be less disgruntled people in church. They would be of like mind.

Not only does prayer bring unity but it brings power to accomplish God’s plan for the church, the family, the individual, the group that gathers for God’s purpose. Without prayer our endeavors are weak and many times wasted. We need to go back to the basics of humble prayer and see the power that is there as Jesus answers those prayers.

Are you or will you become devoted?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Times and Epochs

Nov3

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” — Acts 1:7-8

Why are we so concerned with the when of God’s plan instead of just trusting that He has that under control? All we need to be concerned with is walking with Jesus and telling of our experiences on that journey. A deep walk (prayer, Bible study, worship, praise, thankfulness) brings open eyes to the Holy Spirit’s work. We then can tell what we have seen through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So let us focus on Jesus and let the when happen by God’s authority.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Light

Oct7

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. — Genesis 1:1-3

Since the beginning of time, God has been shedding light on the world.
Genesis starts dark and void but God said, “Let there be light”.
The New Testament starts with God sending a Light into the world.
The world was dark and in need of the Light, so God sent Him.
We are made in the image of the Light and thus we are the light of the world.
So,

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, — Philippians 2:15

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

It’s Really Jesus Doing The Work

Oct2

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. — 1 Corinthians 3:7-8

How humbling and revealing these verses are. It is a wonderful thing to lead someone to the Lord — exhilarating, exciting, pleasing and a bit of pride can slip in thinking that “we” led someone to the Lord. Truth is revealed here. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit and in obedience to Christ we share the gospel. The Lord is the one who changes the heart of the person to whom we are speaking. So the only part we play is surrender and willingness to be used for God’s purpose and glory.

As some of you may remember I spent two years with my Mom and Dad caring for their needs in another state, away from my family. While I was there the Lord taught me the reality of these verses. I often thought about my family and how I was not there to speak of Jesus and be an influence on them. How in the world are they going to continue to follow and grow in their relationship without me there to remind them and be an example?!!!

I tell you that my family grew in ways that blew my mind in those two years and the only real influence I had was my time of prayer for them each day. I had to rely on the Lord to change their lives and be the reminder that He is alive, loves and is with them always.

Jesus can do more and be more of an influence on your family than you can. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with Jesus. The closer our walk with Him the more influential we are to others “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) Are you willing to surrender to the will of God and let Him use you to lead others to Jesus? He is waiting to transform you into a witness of His glory.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

God is Awesome

Sep15

The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. — 1 John 3:24

By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. — 1 John 4:13

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. — Romans 5:5

Thank you Lord God for Your Holy Spirit!! Pentecost must have been awesome, receiving the Holy Spirit just as Jesus had promised. We have the security of the love of God poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We have the security of knowing Him by the Holy Spirit that we received. What a blessing. God is so awesome.

Promise: The Holy Spirit

Sep1

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances. — Ezekiel 32:27

O how blessed we are to have the gift of the Holy Spirit. Have you received Him? To receive the Holy Spirit we must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to earth, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and for our sake died on a cross and was resurrected from the dead so that we would be reconciled to God. When we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord we receive the Holy Spirit.

God puts the Holy Spirit within us. The Holy Spirit will cause us to walk in our God’s statutes and help us to observe His ordinances. Who knows the statutes and ordinances better than the Spirit of God? God wants us to succeed in following Him and obeying Him. He does not set us up for failure. Let us thank God for His Holy Spirit. What a wonderful promise.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Promise: You are His Child

Aug26

which God, who cannot lie — Titus 1:2
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:26
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, — John 1:12

God cannot lie so we are children of God, if through faith in Christ Jesus, we believe in His name. God cannot lie which means we can trust these Words of His. We are His children and this being so we receive every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

The blessing of being holy and blameless before Him. Having His grace bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ and redemption through His blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses and having made known to us the mystery of His will. Because we are children we receive an inheritance and are sealed in Him (Jesus Christ) with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Those are promises to hang on to, rely on, trust in. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died on the cross for you so that you can be holy and blameless before God, then you have all these promises bestowed on you. You need not be discouraged. You have hope in these promises. Hang on to them and trust in the One who promises them to you. You can do great and mighty things through Christ when you hang on to His promises.

Go in peace and trust in the everlasting God Almighty and His perfect promises.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon
Bold text found in Ephesians 1:3-14