Podcasts about holy spirit the holy spirit

Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. As such we do not refer to the Spirit as “it” or “that”, but rather Him! Wherever the Holy Spirit is, the Father and Son are also present because they are one (John 14v18-23). The Ministry of the Holy Spirit What is the ministry of the Holy Spirit and His relationship with you as a Christian Disciple? 1. Glorify Christ: His prime role is that He will glorify Jesus Christ the Son of God (John 16v13-14). He does this by testifying (John 15v26) and witnessing for (Acts 1v8) Jesus Christ. 2. The Paraclete – Comforter: He stands alongside (John 14v16) and lives in all believers (John 16v7). 3. Declares God’s Word: For you, the Holy Spirit interprets and illuminates the Bible, as you submit to Him and the Bible (John 16v12-15; 1 Corinthians 2v10-16)! 4. Convicts: The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16v8) 5. Salvation: As Christian Disciple, you are born of the Holy Spirit (John 3v3-8). For without the Holy Spirit, nobody can be a Christian Disciple (Romans 8v9; Gal 2v20; Colossians 1v25-27) 6. Sealing / Ownership: The Holy Spirit indwelling you is assured proof of you being God’s possession (2 Corinthians 1v22; Ephesians 1v3), for the Holy Spirit is a deposit, guaranteeing your future redemption, salvation and inheritance (Ephesians 1v13; 2 Corinthians 1v22). 7. Filling: This speaks of the Holy Spirit’s control or domination of your life. The imperative here is that we are to be filled, and go on being filled (Ephesians 5v18). 8. Sanctification: As you walk, live in, and are led by the Holy Spirit, you are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 7-18), (Galatians. 5v16; Romans 8v13). 9. Baptism: While this Holy Spirit baptism usually occurs at your conversion, it does sometimes after afterwards! The Biblical accounts show both of these occurrences. As Billy Graham once said “I don’t care how you get Him – get Him!” 10. Service: The Holy Spirit equips you for service by giving you spiritual gifts and working in you to will and to act according to His purpose (Philippians 2v13). Finally, how is the Spirit seen? The Spirit’s work is in greatest evidence, where people’s lives become more holy and more like Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12v3; 2 Corinthians 13v7). Look back on your life and see how the Holy Spirit has been working in and transforming you since your conversion. Then ask Him to reveal to you the areas you still need transforming. Click or tap here to download as a mp3

Send us a texthttps://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/In this powerful episode of Reverend Ben Cooper, we dive into the extraordinary privilege of worship and how it shapes our relationship with God. Through Romans 9, we explore how worship is not a burden but a gift that transforms us. Additionally, we hear a compelling testimony from a Messianic Jew who encountered Jesus in the very scriptures he once thought he knew, revealing the life-changing power of God's Word.Key Discussion Points:The Gift of Worship: In Romans 9, we see that God “gave them the privilege of worshipping Him.” Worship is a divine gift that allows us to draw closer to God and experience His presence in profound ways. This perspective shifts our view from seeing worship as an obligation to recognizing it as a transformative experience that deepens our faith journey. Worship is not a task but an invitation to be in intimate communion with the Creator.Unshakeable Assurance in God's Love: Romans 8:38-39 reminds us of an unshakable truth: “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons... can separate us from God's love.” This scripture is a beacon of hope, especially for those struggling with anxiety, depression, and mental health challenges. When faced with these battles, it's important to understand that they don't mean God has abandoned us. Instead, these struggles can become the sacred ground where His presence is most deeply felt. God's love remains constant and unwavering, offering peace and hope even in our darkest moments.Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) gives us an image of sacrificial love. Unlike hired hands who flee in the face of danger, Jesus positions Himself as the gate to protect His flock. This sacrificial love was most profoundly demonstrated on the cross, where He fulfilled Isaiah 53:5, “He was pierced for our transgressions.” This beautiful imagery shows us that Jesus is always with us, even in the most difficult seasons of life, offering protection, guidance, and peace.The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to live out their faith. The baptism of the Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts that not only build up the Church but also extend God's kingdom on earth. These gifts—when exercised with love—become powerful tools for healing, transformation, and bringing light into a broken world. The Holy Spirit is not just a promise for the past; He is active today, enabling us to live out God's purposes.Walking in Peace Amidst Life's Challenges: Life can be challenging, but God's peace transcends all understanding. Embracing His promises allows believers to walk through difficulties with unshakable hope and confidence. This peace is a powerful testimony of God's presence in our lives, helping us find stability and joy even amid struggles. By focusing on His faithfulness, we can experience His peace, which guards our hearts and minds.Conclusion: This episode is filled with encouragement and practical wisdom for those facing personal struggles, seeking deeper spiritual experiences, or desiring a closer relationship with God. The insights shared remind us that God's love is unfailing and that His presence in our lives is a source of profound peace and transformation. Whether you are experiencing joy or walking through pain, this episode will help you understand the depth of God's love and how to embrace His promises fully.Call to Action: Join Reverend Ben Cooper as we explore the depths of wSupport the showhttps://www.pastorbencooper.co.uk/

join host Rod Smith for a thought-provoking voyage into the unusual, unexplained, and unexplored facets of our world on the Millennial Mustard Seed Podcast. 1st Corinthians chapter 2Reading done by Brothers Aaron C Davis, Klaus Chavis and Michael Basham! 1 Corinthians 2 continues the themes from the first chapter, emphasizing the wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world. The Apostle Paul describes his approach to preaching, which relied on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than eloquent words or human wisdom. He explains how God's wisdom is revealed through the Spirit, leading to a discussion about the spiritual and natural person.Teaching Points⁠ God's Wisdom vs. Human Wisdom⁠Paul contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world, emphasizing that God's wisdom is a mystery revealed by the Spirit (⁠1 Corinthians 2:7-10⁠).⁠The Role of the Holy Spirit⁠The Holy Spirit is essential in understanding God's wisdom, as He searches all things, even the deep things of God (⁠1 Corinthians 2:10-12⁠).⁠Spiritual Discernment⁠Spiritual truths are discerned spiritually, and the natural man cannot accept them because they are spiritually appraised (⁠1 Corinthians 2:14⁠).⁠The Mind of Christ⁠Believers have the mind of Christ, enabling them to understand and apply God's wisdom in their lives (⁠1 Corinthians 2:16⁠).Helpful notes- The wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world. The Apostle Paul describes his approach to preaching, which relied on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than eloquent words or human wisdom.Verses 1-5: Paul's Approach to PreachingPaul recalls his own approach to preaching, not with eloquence or human wisdom, but focusing on the testimony about God, namely Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. He admits that he came to them in weakness and fear. His message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power so that their faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.Verses 6-10: God's Wisdom Revealed by the SpiritPaul explains that he does speak wisdom among the mature, but it is not the wisdom of this age or of its rulers, who are coming to nothing. Rather, he speaks God's wisdom, which was hidden and predestined for glory before time began, a wisdom that none of the rulers of this age understood. This wisdom is revealed through the Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.Verses 11-16: The Natural Person versus the Spiritual PersonPaul distinguishes between the natural person who does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God and sees them as foolishness, and the spiritual person who discerns all things with the mind of Christ.Subscribe Here⁠Join Rod Smith on a journey armed with a seeker's humility and a Biblical lens that never fails to inspire, provoke, and intrigue listeners toward a deeper faith in Christ. Email Rod Smith:⁠mmseed@proton.me⁠ Leave a Message:⁠Spotify Message⁠ Partner with Our Ministry: Consider supporting and partnering with us as we spread the Gospel through innovative media. Buy a Copy of My New Book! Amazon Author Page:⁠Rodney Jay Smith Jr⁠ Venmo: @Rodney-Smith-368 PayPal:⁠Donate via PayPal⁠ Cash App: $Rodsworth77

THE FACE OF GODS PRESENCE  When we look in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, we see that the word ‘face' also means ‘presence', and the same word also means ‘person', and that word in Greek is ‘prosopon' – beholding the eyes or beholding the look or gaze. And we'll start with the following scripture 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face (prosopon – the presence and person) of Jesus Christ Jesus said ‘When you have seen me you have seen the Father (John 14:9).  The word ‘prosopon' in Scripture ties together physical reality (face), relational reality (presence), and personal nature (Identity). ‘Prosopon's is God's gift of connection between himself and us, and it is our gift of connection between another. When Jesus lived on earth, he was the prosopon of God, fully revealing God's presence and personal nature. The Bible also says For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 2:9) The Holy Spirit who is the ‘Third Person' of the Godhead unveils for us the face and the presence and the personal nature of the Father and Jesus, as persons that we can come to know. That means that our lives can flow together with God's, with an inner peace and expressing a Godly quality of life in our outward behaviour, as the Apostle Peter says ‘we become partakers of the Divine nature' (2Peter 1:4). THE FACE OF THE FATHER shining upon us means not just His presence but His nearness and favour and relational engagement. Numbers 6:22“The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. “‘ The Father's face reveals him as a person of loving care and provision and protection as he brings all of our circumstances together in the right and perfect time for his good will to be of greatest blessing for our lives. There was an occasion when Moses asked God for assurance that he would be with him when he took Israel into the promised Land. God said to him “My presence (paniym) will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)   At this time also Moses asked God  if he could see his glory – his ``face of radiant glory - and God told him that no one could see the face of God and live (Exodus 33:20) and he said to Moses ‘Here is a place by Me, stand on that rock, and, while My glory passes by I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” Moses stood on the rock and then God hid him in the cleft of the rock and Moses was allowed to see his ‘back, which means he saw that God had been with him and was doing ongoing wonders in his life.  That was a prophetic picture of our lives in the New Testament where we stand on the Rock of Jesus and we are hidden in him as Moses was in the cleft of the Rock, and like Moses we also see his ‘back' which means we also see that the Father has been with us doing ongoing wonders in our lives.  But in two places in the Bible it also oddly says that God spoke to Moses ‘face to face' (Exodus 33, Numbers 12). What does this mean? Here God was saying that he spoke to him ‘person to person' so that he could experience an intimate relationship of love and trust with him. An example of this is as person to person phone call but not a Facetime call. The Face of the Father can also express his wrath. The word wrath here means intense indignation. It is the firm face of the Person of the Father that looks with just judgement and grief upon the damage that sin causes, bringing harm and destruction to his children. The wrath of God is expressed in both the Old and the New Testament. God's wrath is a protective strong disciplinary action upon harmful evil doers on behalf of those who are harmed, so that wrath is an act of love – and it  is ultimately redemptive for evil doers, which means that through that discipline they are made aware of their opportunity for repentance unto life and faith. The Bible says that we who believe in the saving power of Jesus on the cross, will be saved from wrath through Jesus (Romans 5:9), We will be disciplined in a firm but loving way by our Father God while knowing his mercy upon us and his closeness to us through the times of trial as he reveals to us what needs to be transformed in our lives.    THE FACE OF JESUS is joyful and encouraging and compassionate, unveiling his dedication in sharing who he is with us as being human as well as divine. Jesus has experienced every trial and test of faith and every temptation of sin that we have, and he knows our human weakness and limitations. He stands by us and he walks with us and he speaks his Words of life to us in times of trial and testing and in times of guidance and blessing, to increase our faith and trust in him and in our loving Father. ‘He will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over you with singing.' (Zephaniah 3:17). The Bible says that Jesus is not only a brother to us but also a loving friend who enjoys our friendship.  THE FACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT  The Holy Spirit's love and goodness are seen throughout the Bible in His comforting presence, intercession, guidance, and empowerment. He is not just a force but a personal being who grieves, loves, prays, and works for our transformation. He is the person who is in and through the Father and Jesus and he flows from them to us. The Holy Spirit is the person who unveils the face of Jesus and the Father to us and he brings us into person-to-person unity of the spirit and one accord with each other.  He also unveils our own face to ourselves as our true self that was created by God before the foundation of the world, as he transforms our nature into the likeness of Jesus.   2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  The Apostle James said that if someone hears the life-giving Word but does not allow it to shape their life, they are like a person who glances into a mirror and catches a glimpse of their face — the face of the true self that God designed for them before they were even born. But if they get distracted by outward things they wiil forget who they really are. However, if they remain steadfast to the truth of the real self that they were shown, and live it out, they will experience blessing in all they do. (James 1:22) The face or presence or person of the Holy Spirit is always unveiling God's love, life, beauty, strength, and order and justice and mercy.  But the Holy Spirit also unveils the disorder in the world and everything and everyone in it. He makes clear the difference between darkness and light and of falsehood and truth.  The Holy Spirit has been dividing light from darkness from the very beginning.  Genesis 1:2 … The Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters (the dark disordered chaos). Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. The Holy Spirit is always inviting us to enter into the presence of God. That does not mean secluding ourselves in isolation like some other meditation practices, where people detach themselves from everything to find the mystery of who they are through nothing else but an exercise of their own imagination.  And with material things going on around us spiritual contemplation can seem for many people like holding their breath under water, but it is not hard at all if we know that we are coming person to person into God's real presence. This becomes a simple practice of engaging with the real persons of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, all of whom are totally focused on us at all times. It is not hard for them to enter into our presence because we are vitally important to them. We are who they live for and they invite us to do the same.  So what can we do? We can start by welcoming their real presence with us. The Bible says we enter into the presence (face and person) of God behind the veil of our own self-consciousness – our flesh (Hebrews 10:19-22) and we go into the place and space of God consciousness. The Holy Spirit weaves that gift of connection together for us by revealing the faces of Jesus and the Father, and then as we are touched by their presence and personal reality, he reveals to us our own unveiled face of thanksgiving to God. That becomes our true face. We share that face with the person (face) of the Holy Spirit. It is at that moment that our face and the face of the Holy Spirit become the same face.   A THREE MINUTE REFLECTION Our lives can become fruitful in the transforming work of the Holy Spirit by starting with a simple three-minute reflection where we spend one minute contemplating the face or really, the person behind the face of the Father and then doing the same with Jesus and then with the Holy Spirit and we keep saying thank you till we mean it. If our life before God can be one big thank you, we will know that we are in the faith. Our thanks in all things is our repentance and our acceptance of his will. It is our hope for his mercy and grace and our faith and trust in his goodness. I have included a selection of about 120 Scriptures that speak of the love and goodness of the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit - and they take up eight pages. Read them and choose ones that speak to you, some more than others at any particular time. The Holy Spirit will guide your choices, and you will come to know your God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Paul O'Sullivan – pauloss@icloud.com)   1. Father's Love for Us • Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” • Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” • Psalm 136:26 – “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” • Isaiah 54:10 – “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” • Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” • John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” • Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” • 1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” • 1 John 4:7-10 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” 2. Father's Goodness Toward His People • Psalm 23:6 – “Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” • Psalm 27:13 – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” • Psalm 31:19 – “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You.” • Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” • Psalm 52:1 – “The goodness of God endures continually.” • Psalm 86:5 – “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.” • Psalm 100:5 – “For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” • Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” • Nahum 1:7 – “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” • Matthew 7:11 – “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” • Romans 2:4 – “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” • James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” 3. Father's Compassion and Faithfulness • Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” • Micah 7:18-19 – “Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” • Luke 6:35-36 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” • Deuteronomy 33:27 – “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • Zephaniah 3:17 – “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” • John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.” • 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1. The Love of Jesus • Matthew 9:36 – “When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” • Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” • Matthew 14:14 – “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.” • Matthew 15:32 – “Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.'” • Mark 10:21 – “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,' He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.'” • Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” • John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” • John 13:1 – “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” • John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.” • John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” • Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” • Ephesians 3:18-19 – “That you may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” • Revelation 1:5 – “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.” 2. The Goodness of Jesus • Matthew 4:23 – “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” • Matthew 12:15 – “Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed Him, and He healed all who were ill.” • Matthew 19:14 – “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'” • Mark 1:41 – “Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,' He said. ‘Be clean!'” • Mark 6:34 – “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.” • Luke 4:18-19 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” • Luke 22:32 – “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” • Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” • 2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” • Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” • Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” • Mark 15:37-39 – “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!'” • John 10:17-18 – “The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” • Romans 5:6-8 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • Colossians 1:13-14 – “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” • Hebrews 12:2 – “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is described in Scripture as loving, good, compassionate, and deeply involved in the lives of believers.  The Love of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit's love and goodness are seen throughout the Bible in His comforting presence, intercession, guidance, and empowerment. He is not just a force but a personal being who grieves, loves, prays, and works for our transformation. Below is a collection of passages that highlight His love, goodness, and personal attributes, including His ability to grieve and intercede for us.  • Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” • Romans 15:30 – “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” • Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” • 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” The Holy Spirit actively expresses love—both through His work in our lives and by filling us with divine love. 2. The Goodness of the Holy Spirit • Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” • Nehemiah 9:20 – “You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst.” • Acts 10:38 – “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.” • John 16:13 – “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.” The Holy Spirit's goodness is evident in His guidance, instruction, and empowerment of believers. 3. The Holy Spirit as a Person Who Feels Emotion The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a living divine person who experiences emotions such as grief, joy, and intercession. The Holy Spirit Grieves • Ephesians 4:30 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” • Isaiah 63:10 – “Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy and He Himself fought against them.” Just as a person can feel sorrow, the Holy Spirit grieves when believers sin, reject His guidance, or live in ways contrary to God's will. 4. The Holy Spirit as the One Who Intercedes for Us • Romans 8:26-27 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.” • Zechariah 12:10 – “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” These verses reveal that the Holy Spirit actively prays for us—even when we don't have words—expressing our needs to God with deep, heartfelt groaning. 5. The Holy Spirit as Our Helper, Comforter, and Helper • John 14:16-17 – “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” • John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” • John 15:26 – “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—He will testify about Me.” • John 16:7 – “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” The Holy Spirit is our personal Helper, Counselor, and Helper, always working on our behalf. 6. The Holy Spirit Gives Life and Power • Genesis 1:2 – “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” • Job 33:4 – “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” • Ezekiel 37:14 – “I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.” • Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” • Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” • 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” • Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the giver of life, power, and freedom, actively working in creation, salvation, and the daily walk of our lives as believers.  

We explored the theme of "release" and how it relates to our spiritual journey and service to God. We celebrated Volapalooza Day, a time to honor our volunteers who embody the spirit of showing up and serving. This celebration is a reminder of the importance of responding to God's call by worshiping, obeying, and acting in service. God is in the business of restoration, and He desires to remove hindrances from our lives so we can move forward in His purpose. This year can be a year of release if we pursue God wholeheartedly, allowing Him to release burdens that hinder our progress. We discussed the concept of divine release, which is God's promise to free us from anything that holds us back. Release occurs when the life of God within us grows and multiplies, enabling us to bless others. This multiplication is evident in our church community, where we see growth and the fulfillment of God's command to be fruitful. We reflected on Luke 10, where Jesus sent out 70 disciples, emphasizing that His strategy is to work through His people. This mission continues today as we are called to be witnesses, sharing our testimonies and the power of the Holy Spirit. The early church understood the cost of being a witness, often equating it with martyrdom. Despite the challenges, they stood firm in their faith, leaving us a legacy of the Nicene Creed, which affirms our belief in the triune God. We are reminded that the world is watching, seeking truth, and we are the witnesses of God's goodness. Our lives should reflect the difference Jesus has made, and we should actively release His love and power into the world. As we move forward, we are encouraged to seek a deeper saturation of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and empower us in our witness. This call to action is not just for our benefit but for the world that needs to see the light of Christ through us. Let us embrace this opportunity to be vessels of God's love and truth, knowing that He has a wonderful plan for each of us. **Key Takeaways:** 1. **Responding to God's Call:** Our response to God's call involves worship, obedience, and service. By removing hindrances through practices like fasting, we allow God to work in us, leading to a divine release that propels us forward in His purpose. [01:41] 2. **The Power of Witness:** Being a witness is not just about sharing our testimony but living a life that reflects the transformative power of Jesus. The early church understood this, often equating witness with martyrdom, showing the depth of commitment required. [18:57] 3. **Multiplication and Growth:** God's life within us is meant to grow and multiply, impacting those around us. This multiplication is a sign of a living church, fulfilling God's command to be fruitful and multiply, both spiritually and in community. [06:40] 4. **The Role of the Holy Spirit:** The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, empowering us to be effective witnesses. As we seek more of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to release God's love and power into the world, fulfilling our mission. [36:58] 5. **Standing Firm in Faith:** The legacy of the early church reminds us of the cost of discipleship and the importance of standing firm in our faith. Despite challenges, we are called to be witnesses of God's goodness, sharing His love and truth with the world.

Sermon: The Gift of the Holy Spirit Series: Living in the Spirit
 Introduction: The Greatest Gift * The Christmas story is about God's love demonstrated through the gift of Jesus Christ. * Just as the angels proclaimed the arrival of peace and goodwill to shepherds, God's ultimate plan was not only to save but also to dwell within us through the Holy Spirit. * Christmas is a time of giving, and through the Holy Spirit, God gives us gifts that transform, empower, and guide us. I. The Holy Spirit: A Promise Fulfilled * Luke 2:11: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”     * Jesus' birth fulfilled the promise of redemption, paving the way for the gift of the Spirit.     * The miracle birth of Jesus through the Holy Spirit made the rebirth of mankind possible through the Holy Spirit. * John 14:16-17: Jesus promised His disciples a Helper who would live with and in them, ensuring they were never alone.     * Just as the shepherds rejoiced at the news of Christ's birth, we rejoice in the Spirit's presence. II. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit comes bearing gifts that enable us to live out the message of Christmas every day. Emanuel, God is with us! He is with us because He is in us when we serve others; we become His hands and feet as the body of Christ to manifest His presence all around us. 1. The Gift of Adoption     * Romans 8:15: “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!'”     * Through the Holy Spirit, we are made children of God, part of His family, and heirs of His promises.     * This adoption reflects the inclusiveness of the shepherds' message—available to all who believe. 2. The Gift of Comfort and Peace     * John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”     * Just as the angels proclaimed peace on earth, the Spirit gives us an internal peace that surpasses all understanding, especially in trials. 3. The Gift of Guidance     * John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”     * The wise men followed a star; today, we follow the Spirit, who illuminates God's will and guides us in our decisions. 4. The Gift of Power     * Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”     * Through the Spirit, we are empowered to live boldly for Him, spreading His message of salvation. 5. The Gift of Transformation     * Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit transforms us from within, reflecting Christ in our character.     * This inner transformation mirrors the miraculous nature of Christmas—a world forever changed by the Savior's arrival. III. The Spiritual Gifts in Scripture In addition to these foundational gifts, the Holy Spirit equips us with unique gifts for ministry and service. 1. The Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)     * Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues.     * These gifts demonstrate the Spirit's power in supernatural ways, enabling us to minister effectively to others. 2. The Gifts for Building the Church (Ephesians 4:7-13)     * Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.     * These leadership gifts equip the body of Christ for works of service and maturity in faith. 3. The Sevenfold Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3)     * The Spirit of the Lord, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, and Fear of the Lord.     * These attributes empower us to live godly lives and make decisions that align with God's will. 4. The Motivational Gifts (Romans 12:3-8)     * Prophesying, Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, Giving, Leading, and Showing Mercy.     * These gifts reflect the diversity of God's design for His church, allowing every believer to contribute uniquely. IV. Living in the Spirit: A Life of Overflowing Gifts * As we receive these gifts, we are called to share them with others:     1. The Gift of Adoption leads us to welcome others into God's family.     2. The Gift of Comfort equips us to comfort those in pain.     3. The Gift of Guidance helps us lead others to the truth.     4. The Gift of Power emboldens us to share the gospel.     5. The Spiritual Gifts enable us to build the church and fulfill our unique callings. The Charge: Receiving and Sharing the Gift * The angels' proclamation of Christ's birth reminds us that the most incredible gifts bring glory to God and benefit others. * This Christmas, let us celebrate the Holy Spirit—the continuation of God's gift of Emmanuel, “God with us.” * As we embark on the Living in the Spirit Series, may we embrace His gifts and live a life that reflects His presence. -- Praise Tabernacle Dr. Joshua Kennedy,  Pastor 2235 Ocean Heights  Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 pastorjosh@praisetabernacle.com praisetabernacle.church  (609) 927-4560(w) 

DOWNLOAD KEYNOTE SLIDES Summary: "The Ministry of Presence" (Summary by OpenAI) Summary: "The Ministry of Presence" (Summary by OpenAI) Pastor Bryan Hudson's message, "The Ministry of Presence" from part three of the series "The Power of Today," focuses on the importance of simply being present with others in their times of need. Drawing from scriptures like Colossians 3:15 and Proverbs 17:17, the sermon explores how the peace of God and the act of presence bring comfort, connection, and healing.   Key takeaways include: Definition of the Ministry of Presence: It involves offering support through physical, emotional, and spiritual presence, rather than relying solely on words or actions. Attributes of Presence: Active listening, nonverbal support, empathy, availability, and avoiding cliches or platitudes are essential for effective presence. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the "master of the ministry of presence," guiding believers in being present with others and sharing God's peace. Job's Friends as an Example: Initially practicing the ministry of presence by sitting silently with Job, his friends later faltered due to fragility and discomfort, showing the importance of being prepared to support others. Overcoming Comfort Zones: Leaving comfort zones enables growth, service, and alignment with God's purpose, exemplified by figures like Abraham and Jesus, who stepped out of comfort for a greater mission. Adversity and Presence: True friends provide presence and support during adversity, as illustrated by a story where a friend jumps into a hole to guide another out. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to embrace the ministry of presence, trust God's guidance, and develop the capacity to support others, reflecting Christ's love in action.

Send us a textFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessSubscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comWelcome:Episode OverviewIn today's episode, we address a fundamental question: What is Jesus doing today? We know from Scripture that during His time on earth, Jesus taught, preached, healed, and performed miracles. But now, having been resurrected and ascended to heaven, what is His role and activity in our world? We'll explore this question through the lens of Acts 1:1-11, which offers insights into Jesus' ongoing work through the Holy Spirit and His followers. This passage breaks down into three main sections:The Prologue (Acts 1:1-5):Luke's introduction and reference to his previous book (the Gospel of Luke).Jesus' post-resurrection appearances and instructions to His apostles.The Great Commission (Acts 1:6-8):The apostles' question about restoring the kingdom to Israel.Jesus' response, emphasizing the importance of their mission to be His witnesses.The Ascension (Acts 1:9-11):Jesus' ascension and the promise of His return.The angels' message to the apostles, redirecting their focus to their present mission.Key Points DiscussedJesus' Continuing Work:Acts is the continuation of Jesus' actions through the Holy Spirit.The importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit's empowerment.The Role of the Holy Spirit:The Holy Spirit as the driving force behind the apostles' witness.The spiritual power available to believers through the Holy Spirit.Our Commission:The ongoing mission to witness and spread the Gospel.The necessity of focusing on the present mission rather than past or future speculations.Witnessing in Our Lives:Sharing personal experiences and encounters with Jesus.Encouragement to pray for opportunities to witness.The Power of Availability:God uses ordinary people who are willing to serve.The importance of being available and open to God's call.Reflection QuestionsHow does understanding Jesus' current role through the Holy Spirit impact your daily life and faith?In what ways can you be more available to witness and share the Gospel with those around you?How can you cultivate a habit of praying for opportunities to talk about your faith?Practical ApplicationsPray for Boldness: Ask God to give you courage to share your faith.Seek Opportunities: Look for everyday moments where you can talk about Jesus.Be a Witness: Remember, being a witness is simply sharing what you have seen and heard in your own life with Christ.Connect with Us:Website: Thebibleproject@buzzsprout'comSocial Media: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and InstagramDon't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with others who miSupport the showJeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

In this episode, we explore how God's voice directs us to acts of service, using Matthew 25:40 as our foundational scripture. We'll discuss how to tune into God's whisper, discerning His call to help those in need, and the profound impact our service can have as an extension of God's love and compassion.Our springboard for today's discussion is: Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" This powerful statement from Jesus emphasizes that when we serve others, we are serving Christ Himself.Service is an integral part of the Christian life, and often, it is through the quiet nudges and whispers of the Holy Spirit that we are called to act. This episode will delve into recognizing and responding to those divine prompts that call us to serve.God's Call to Serve Others:* Recognizing the Call: Learning to discern God's voice can help us identify the specific moments and ways He wants us to serve others.* The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit often guides us through impressions, Scripture, and the needs presented in our communities, urging us to act with kindness and mercy.Practical Ways to Discern When and Where God is Calling Us to Help:* Prayerful Sensitivity: Maintaining a prayerful posture helps sensitize us to the Holy Spirit's guidance, making it easier to perceive when we are being called to act.* Staying Informed: Being aware of the needs around us, whether in our local community or globally, can highlight specific areas where our skills and resources can make a difference.* Consultation with Others: Sometimes, confirmation of God's calling can come through discussions with fellow believers or mentors who might provide insight or share a similar sense of calling.The Importance of Being Attentive to God's Whisper in Moments of Need:* Immediate Response: Often, the timing of our response is crucial. Being attentive allows us to provide help when it is most needed, which can have life-changing impacts.* Building Relationships: Service opens doors to deeper relationships, both with those we help and within the community of believers, as we join together in common purpose.* Spiritual Growth: Each act of service deepens our own faith and understanding of God's character, as we become instruments of His mercy and compassion.ConclusionServing others is not just a duty; it is a response to the clear biblical call to love and compassion, exemplified by Christ himself. By listening for God's guidance on how to serve, we actively participate in His work in the world.A Question of the Day: What are some ways you can better attune yourself to hear God's call to serve in your day-to-day life?Growth Challenge: Commit to a week of heightened spiritual alertness, actively seeking God's guidance on how to serve those around you. Keep a journal of your experiences, noting any actions taken and reflecting on the outcomes.Let's Pray: Father, thank You for the opportunities You give us to serve others as an act of worship to You. Help us to hear Your voice clearly, guiding us to where our actions can reflect Your love and compassion. May our service be a tangible expression of Your grace to those in need. Amen.As you go about your week, keep your heart and ears open to the whisper of compassion that may call you to act. Each step of obedience in service not only meets the needs of others but also draws us closer to the heart of God. Let's get to work.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we explore how God's voice directs us to acts of service, using Matthew 25:40 as our foundational scripture. We'll discuss how to tune into God's whisper, discerning His call to help those in need, and the profound impact our service can have as an extension of God's love and compassion.Our springboard for today's discussion is: Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" This powerful statement from Jesus emphasizes that when we serve others, we are serving Christ Himself.Service is an integral part of the Christian life, and often, it is through the quiet nudges and whispers of the Holy Spirit that we are called to act. This episode will delve into recognizing and responding to those divine prompts that call us to serve.God's Call to Serve Others:* Recognizing the Call: Learning to discern God's voice can help us identify the specific moments and ways He wants us to serve others.* The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit often guides us through impressions, Scripture, and the needs presented in our communities, urging us to act with kindness and mercy.Practical Ways to Discern When and Where God is Calling Us to Help:* Prayerful Sensitivity: Maintaining a prayerful posture helps sensitize us to the Holy Spirit's guidance, making it easier to perceive when we are being called to act.* Staying Informed: Being aware of the needs around us, whether in our local community or globally, can highlight specific areas where our skills and resources can make a difference.* Consultation with Others: Sometimes, confirmation of God's calling can come through discussions with fellow believers or mentors who might provide insight or share a similar sense of calling.The Importance of Being Attentive to God's Whisper in Moments of Need:* Immediate Response: Often, the timing of our response is crucial. Being attentive allows us to provide help when it is most needed, which can have life-changing impacts.* Building Relationships: Service opens doors to deeper relationships, both with those we help and within the community of believers, as we join together in common purpose.* Spiritual Growth: Each act of service deepens our own faith and understanding of God's character, as we become instruments of His mercy and compassion.ConclusionServing others is not just a duty; it is a response to the clear biblical call to love and compassion, exemplified by Christ himself. By listening for God's guidance on how to serve, we actively participate in His work in the world.A Question of the Day: What are some ways you can better attune yourself to hear God's call to serve in your day-to-day life?Growth Challenge: Commit to a week of heightened spiritual alertness, actively seeking God's guidance on how to serve those around you. Keep a journal of your experiences, noting any actions taken and reflecting on the outcomes.Let's Pray: Father, thank You for the opportunities You give us to serve others as an act of worship to You. Help us to hear Your voice clearly, guiding us to where our actions can reflect Your love and compassion. May our service be a tangible expression of Your grace to those in need. Amen.As you go about your week, keep your heart and ears open to the whisper of compassion that may call you to act. Each step of obedience in service not only meets the needs of others but also draws us closer to the heart of God. Let's get to work.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

• Psalm 73 Reflection: Cielita reflected on Psalm 73, discussing the contrast between the prosperity of the wicked and the ultimate destiny of the righteous. They emphasized the importance of focusing on God and not being envious of the wicked. 2 • Intimacy with God: The importance of personal intimacy with God was stressed. Cielita explained that true understanding and revelation come from spending time in God's presence, beyond just attending church or reading the Bible. 3 • Fellowship and Unity: The service highlighted the significance of fellowship among believers, comparing it to the unity in marriage. Fellowship with God and others strengthens faith and helps in spiritual growth. 4 • Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's role in guiding, convicting, and revealing God's will was discussed. The service emphasized the need for believers to be led by the Spirit to understand and fulfill God's purpose. 5 • Obedience and Trust: The service concluded with a call to obedience, trust, and surrender to God's will. Believers were encouraged to follow God's commandments and trust in His guidance for a life of purpose and fulfillment. 6

In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood Podcast, Tony Arsenal and Jesse Schwamb engage in a rich discussion centered around the Scots Confession, particularly focusing on the themes of obedience, good works, and the enjoyment of God. They begin by addressing the common misconception that faith and obedience are synonymous, emphasizing that while the faith that saves is inherently obedient, the two are not the same. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of true Christian obedience. The hosts explore the concept of enjoying God, arguing that this is achieved through aligning oneself with God's commandments and engaging in the good works set forth by Him. They stress that these acts do not save us, but reflect a life already saved and in harmony with God's will. This enjoyment is not a passive state but an active pursuit of understanding God's character and living accordingly, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Throughout their discussion, Tony and Jesse challenge listeners to rethink the role of obedience in the Christian life, encouraging a mindset that views serving God not as laborious but as a joyous expression of faith. They draw from both historical and contemporary theological insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of these themes, making the conversation relevant for believers seeking to deepen their relationship with God. Key Points: Distinction between faith and obedience: While faith that saves is obedient, obedience is not equivalent to faith. Enjoyment of God through good works: Aligning with God's will and performing good works reflect a life in harmony with Him. The role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to pursue obedience and enjoy a deeper relationship with God. Questions for Reflection: How can we differentiate between faith and obedience in our spiritual practices? In what ways can we pursue the enjoyment of God in our daily lives? What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering us to live obediently to God's commandments?

Today, we're diving into the gift of knowledge, exploring its biblical context and significance in our lives. Our key Scripture for this episode is Proverbs 2:6. We'll uncover how God imparts knowledge to His people and the vital role this knowledge plays in our spiritual growth.Our springboard for today's discussion is: Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." This passage underscores that true knowledge and understanding are gifts from God, deriving directly from His divine wisdom.The gift of knowledge is more than just an accumulation of facts; it's a deeper spiritual understanding that comes from God. This divine knowledge enables us to understand the deeper meanings behind God's Word and His workings in the world, providing insight into His will and our part in His plan.Let's Explore the Gift of Knowledge in a Biblical Context:* Biblical Examples:* Daniel: Renowned for his ability to interpret dreams and visions, Daniel's knowledge was directly imparted by God, enabling him to serve effectively in the courts of multiple pagan kings.* Apostle Paul: Known for his profound understanding of Christ's teachings and the gospel, Paul's writings reflect a deep knowledge that has shaped Christian theology.* God's Method of Imparting Knowledge:* Through His Word: Regular study and meditation on the Bible open us to God's knowledge, as the Holy Scriptures are the primary source through which God communicates His wisdom and knowledge.* Through the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting spiritual knowledge, teaching and reminding believers of everything Jesus said and revealing the truths of God.* The Importance of Seeking Divine Knowledge:* For Spiritual Growth: Understanding the deeper truths of God's Kingdom equips us to grow spiritually and fulfill our divine purpose.* For Making Godly Decisions: Divine knowledge guides us in making decisions that align with God's will, impacting our lives and those around us positively.Conclusion: Divine knowledge is a precious gift that deepens our understanding of God and His universe. By seeking this knowledge through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can live more effectively as Christians, making decisions that reflect God's wisdom and love.A Question of the Day: How can you actively seek and apply God's divine knowledge in your daily life to deepen your relationship with Him?Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of knowledge, which opens our eyes to Your truth and deepens our understanding of Your ways. Help us to continually seek Your knowledge through Your Word and the Holy Spirit. Guide us in applying this knowledge in every aspect of our lives, that we may live according to Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.As we continue to seek the source of divine knowledge, let's remain committed to deepening our understanding of God's Word and His will for our lives. Stay focused, stay prayerful, and keep seeking God's wisdom in all things. Let's get to work.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we're diving into the gift of knowledge, exploring its biblical context and significance in our lives. Our key Scripture for this episode is Proverbs 2:6. We'll uncover how God imparts knowledge to His people and the vital role this knowledge plays in our spiritual growth.Our springboard for today's discussion is: Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." This passage underscores that true knowledge and understanding are gifts from God, deriving directly from His divine wisdom.The gift of knowledge is more than just an accumulation of facts; it's a deeper spiritual understanding that comes from God. This divine knowledge enables us to understand the deeper meanings behind God's Word and His workings in the world, providing insight into His will and our part in His plan.Let's Explore the Gift of Knowledge in a Biblical Context:* Biblical Examples:* Daniel: Renowned for his ability to interpret dreams and visions, Daniel's knowledge was directly imparted by God, enabling him to serve effectively in the courts of multiple pagan kings.* Apostle Paul: Known for his profound understanding of Christ's teachings and the gospel, Paul's writings reflect a deep knowledge that has shaped Christian theology.* God's Method of Imparting Knowledge:* Through His Word: Regular study and meditation on the Bible open us to God's knowledge, as the Holy Scriptures are the primary source through which God communicates His wisdom and knowledge.* Through the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting spiritual knowledge, teaching and reminding believers of everything Jesus said and revealing the truths of God.* The Importance of Seeking Divine Knowledge:* For Spiritual Growth: Understanding the deeper truths of God's Kingdom equips us to grow spiritually and fulfill our divine purpose.* For Making Godly Decisions: Divine knowledge guides us in making decisions that align with God's will, impacting our lives and those around us positively.Conclusion: Divine knowledge is a precious gift that deepens our understanding of God and His universe. By seeking this knowledge through scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can live more effectively as Christians, making decisions that reflect God's wisdom and love.A Question of the Day: How can you actively seek and apply God's divine knowledge in your daily life to deepen your relationship with Him?Let's Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of knowledge, which opens our eyes to Your truth and deepens our understanding of Your ways. Help us to continually seek Your knowledge through Your Word and the Holy Spirit. Guide us in applying this knowledge in every aspect of our lives, that we may live according to Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.As we continue to seek the source of divine knowledge, let's remain committed to deepening our understanding of God's Word and His will for our lives. Stay focused, stay prayerful, and keep seeking God's wisdom in all things. Let's get to work.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a Text Message.Subscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comFor an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;patreon.com/JeremyMcCandlessStudy Notes:OverviewIn this episode, we explore the third part of our mini-series within a series on "The Three Relationships of Life," focusing on our relationship with the world as described in John 15:18-16:6. This passage highlights the world's hostility towards Christians and the appropriate response of believers.Key ThemesHostility from the World: Jesus warns that the world will hate His followers because it hated Him first. This hatred is rooted in the world's opposition to the values and teachings of Christ.The Call to Be Different: Christians are chosen to live distinct lives, embodying Christ's teachings and standing firm in their faith despite persecution.The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and live out their faith boldly, acting as their Advocate and Guide.John 15:18-25 – The World's HatredVerse 18-19: The world hates Christians because they do not belong to the world; they are chosen by Christ.Verse 20-21: Jesus reminds His followers that they will be persecuted just as He was. This persecution is due to the world's ignorance of God.Verse 22-25: Jesus' coming exposed sin, and those who reject Him also reject God. This fulfils the prophecy of being hated without cause (Psalms 35:19; 69:4).Historical ContextEarly Christians faced severe persecution, accused of disloyalty, insurrection, and bizarre charges like cannibalism due to misunderstandings.Today, Christians are often seen as nonconformists, and their moral standards can be perceived as a silent condemnation of others.Responsibilities of Being Chosen by JesusPartnership with Christ: Believers are partners, not just followers. They share in His mission to lead the world to God.Ambassadors for Christ: Christians are to represent Christ in the world, living a life that attracts others to the faith.Living Advertisements: By embodying Christian virtues, believers spread Christianity through their actions, not just words.Privileged Members of God's Family: Believers have the privilege of prayer, guided by faith, alignment with God's will, and selflessness.Practical ApplicationIn the Church: Active involvement in both the Lord and fellowship with other believers is crucial. Joining small groups fosters connections, support, and true fellowship.In the World: Believers are called to witness to non-believers, navigating obstacles with the insight and power of the Holy Spirit.ConclusionCall to Action: Abide in Christ, love one another, and witness to the world. Whether you are a long-time believer or seeking to know more about Jesus, focus on Christ, follow His commands, and engage in meaningful relationships with other believers.Invitation: For those who do not know the Lord, an invitation to learn about Jesus Christ personally, trust in Him, and experieSupport the Show.Jeremy McCandless is creating podcasts and devotional resources | PatreonHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

In our ongoing exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, we delved into Matthew 7, focusing on the profound importance of nurturing a close relationship with God through persistent prayer. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT) Key Points: 1. Continuous Prayer: - Ask, Seek, Knock: These actions symbolise a continuous process of engaging with God. This persistent approach in prayer deepens our relationship with Him. - Effective Prayer: Introduced in Matthew 6 and continuing in Matthew 7, effective prayer aligns our desires with God's will as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT). 2. Prayer as a Gift: - Transformation: Prayer changes situations, people, and importantly, the one praying. It draws us into intimacy with God, granting us access to His presence. 3. Persistence in Prayer: - Ask - Be Persistent: Regularly bring our needs before God, aligning our desires with His plans. - Seek - Pursue God's Presence: Actively desire and pursue God, demonstrating faith, focus, and follow-through. - Knock - Relentless Pursuit: Continuously press into God's presence, understanding He is always willing to open doors for us. 4. Purpose of Prayer: - Love for God: Prayer stems from our love for God and our desire to be in His presence. - Dependence on God: Recognising God as the source of our lives. - Resistance to Temptation: Through prayer, we gain strength to resist temptation (Matthew 26:41 NLT). - Obedience to God's Command: Devotion to prayer as instructed in Colossians 4:2 and Luke 18:1 NLT. - Example of Jesus: Jesus' life exemplified perfect communion with the Father, showing the significance of prayer. - God's Response: Confidence that God hears and answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7 NLT). - Joyful Fulfilment: Prayer fills us with abundant joy (John 16:24 NLT). 5. Role of the Holy Spirit: - The Holy Spirit aids us in prayer, comforting, strengthening, and interceding on our behalf when we lack words. Practical Application: - Record and Reflect: Keep a journal of prayers and answers, fostering encouragement and motivation to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. - Advance God's Kingdom: Persist in prayer to see God's Kingdom manifest in our lives, families, church, and communities. In conclusion, let us commit to asking, seeking, and knocking continuously, allowing God's Kingdom to advance in every aspect of our lives.

Devotional: The Account with Purity Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:18-20 (KJV) "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man." Today, we're going to talk about something Jesus taught His disciples. He said that it's not what we eat or touch that makes us impure, but what comes out of our hearts. This means our thoughts, words, and actions show what's really in our hearts. Jesus tells us that things like bad thoughts, lies, and unkind words come from our hearts. Even if we try to be good on the outside, what's inside our hearts is what really matters. So, how can we make sure our hearts are pure and pleasing to God? We can't make our hearts pure by ourselves. We need Jesus to help us. When we invite Jesus into our lives, He helps us clean our hearts. He shows us how to love others, be kind, and think good thoughts. Pray: Talk to Jesus every day. Ask Him to help you have a pure heart. Read the Bible: Learn from Jesus' words and follow His teachings. Listen to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit helps us make good choices and fills our hearts with love and kindness. Imagine you have a cup of water. If the water is dirty, you can't drink it, right? But if someone cleans the cup and fills it with fresh water, it's good to drink. Our hearts are like that cup. Jesus can clean our hearts and fill them with His love, making us pure. Let's pray together: "Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us about our hearts. Please come into our hearts and make them pure. Help us to think good thoughts, speak kind words, and do good deeds. We want to follow You and show Your love to everyone. Thank You for always being with us and helping us. In Jesus' name, Amen." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mybestforhimtoday0/support

Welcome back to "From Glory to Glory: Seven Keys to the Uncommon Spiritual Life." This is Module 2, where we explore the second key: Your Spirit is the Receiver of God's Spirit. Let's begin with a key scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:9-12: "But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” Key Insights: Your Spirit as a Receiver: Just as a radio receives invisible airwaves and translates them into sounds, your spirit is designed to receive the deep things of God. This connection is made possible through the Holy Spirit residing within you. Revelation through the Spirit: The mysteries and deep things of God are revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things and makes known to us the thoughts and purposes of God. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit within you is the key to understanding God's thoughts and intentions. As God's Spirit resides in your spirit, it illuminates and guides you in the truth. Practical Application: Grounding and Receiving: Just like a radio needs both grounding and an antenna, your spirit needs to be grounded in the Word of God and open to receiving from God. Ensure your spiritual life is rooted in Scripture and attentive prayer, raising your spiritual "antenna" through worship and devotion. Daily Practice: Spend time daily in God's Word and prayer, allowing His Spirit to reveal truths to you. As you read the Bible, let verses speak to you personally, and be still in God's presence to hear His voice. Reflection Questions: How grounded are you in the Word of God? What does your prayer life look like day to day? Do you find yourself looking inward and being distracted by your cares during prayer, or do you focus upward and give God your attention? What areas of your personal devotional life need strengthening to better receive the things of God? Declaration and Prayer Declare this over your life: "My spirit is open and receptive to His divine presence and power. I am a vessel eagerly awaiting the infilling of His Spirit, equipped for every good work and empowered to live a life that glorifies God. As I yield to His presence within me, I am transformed from glory to glory, reflecting more of His character and nature. I am not alone, for the Spirit of God dwells within me, guiding, comforting, and strengthening me in every situation. Each day, I am filled afresh with His Spirit, overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Today, I surrender anew to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to lead me into deeper intimacy with my Heavenly Father and greater effectiveness in His kingdom." Say this prayer: "Heavenly Father, thank You for pouring out Your Spirit upon me. I acknowledge that my spirit is the receiver of Your Spirit. Help me to be sensitive to Your presence within me, guiding and empowering me to live a life that honors You. Fill me afresh today with Your Holy Spirit, that I may walk in greater intimacy with You and experience Your power working in and through me. In Jesus' name, Amen." Thank you for being a part of our e-course. This e-course is 100% free, made possible by the generous support of our friends and partners. Would you consider giving a one-time donation or becoming a monthly ministry partner to help us continue providing free e-courses and e-books? Visit Father's Glory for more information on events, live sessions, and donations. Thank you, and God bless you. TO PARTNER AND OR DONATE TEXT GLORY TO 801801 (FOR USA & CANADA) OR VISIT: https://FATHERSGLORY.ORG PAYPAL PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/fathersgloryintl CASHAPP https://cash.app/$fathersglory  

Understanding the Trinity and the role of the Holy Spirit can be very confusing, but don't worry!  Patrick Madrid is here to explain. Let's delve into the highlights:   Understanding the Holy Spirit   Nature of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. This means we're talking about one God in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is fully God, possessing the same divine nature as the Father and the Son.   Eternal Mystery   Beyond Time: God exists outside of time. When we say God is eternal, it means He is not bound by temporal limitations. This applies equally to the Holy Spirit.   Trinity Explained   One God in Three Persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate gods. They share one divine essence. If they were separate, it would limit God's infinitude, contradicting His nature.   Analogies: Patrick uses the analogy of a reflection in a mirror to illustrate the distinct yet unified nature of the Trinity. Though this analogy is not perfect, it helps us grasp the concept of distinct persons sharing one essence.   Scriptural Insights   Incarnation and the Holy Spirit: Jesus, the incarnate second person of the Trinity, receives the Holy Spirit in His humanity. This is seen at key moments like His baptism, where the Holy Spirit descends like a dove.   Mary's Role: Mary, full of grace and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, becomes the mother of Jesus through a miraculous, divine act, showing her unique relationship with the Holy Spirit.   Divine Knowledge and Love   Infinite Attributes: God's knowledge, power, and love are limitless. The Holy Spirit, sharing in this divine infinitude, also embodies these attributes fully.   Go Deeper   If you want to learn more, Patrick recommends Dominum et Vivificantem, an encyclical by St. Pope John Paul II, which delves into the Holy Spirit's role and nature. 

The weekly adult Sunday School class at OAG taught by long-time teacher, Mrs. Jeanie Davis. Title: Experiencing the Supernatural Power of God: Lessons from Scripture Summary: This week's message by Jeanie Davis focused on the dynamic demonstrations of faith and God's provision in the scriptures. We looked at two main stories: the prophet Elijah being miraculously fed by ravens, as ordained by God in 1 Kings, and the widow of Zarephath who, by obeying God's command through Elijah, saw her meager supplies of flour and oil never run out. These narratives led us to understand that when God commands, He also provides. The message underlined the importance of obedience, faith, and trust in God's instructions, no matter how unusual they seem, with the assurance of His supernatural provision. The core takeaway of the sermon was about the vitality of active faith and expectation in God's ability to provide and perform wonders in our lives. Outline: Opening Prayer Invocation of God's presence and healing Prayer for wisdom and guidance Invocation of the Holy Spirit Introduction Importance of expecting God's presence and action Reference to previous lesson on Rhoda's expectation The Glory of the Lord Appears Leviticus 9:22-24: Aaron and Moses bless the people, and the Lord's glory appears The significance of God's glory appearing to the whole community Imagining the scene of God's fire consuming the offering The Budding of Aaron's Staff Numbers 17:1-11: God ends murmuring with a miraculous sign The sprouting, budding, blossoming, and fruit-bearing staff of Aaron Lessons on God's chosen leaders and supernatural signs Elijah and the Ravens 1 Kings 17:1-6: Elijah is fed by ravens during a drought The supernatural provision of bread and meat by ravens Trusting in God's specific guidance and provision The Widow of Zarephath 1 Kings 17:7-16: Elijah and the miraculous provision for the widow The widow's act of faith and God's continuous supply of flour and oil The importance of sacrificial giving and trust in God Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand Matthew 14:14-21: Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish The compassion of Jesus and the miraculous feeding God's ability to provide abundantly and meet every need The Temple Tax and the Coin in the Fish Matthew 17:24-27: Jesus instructs Peter to find a coin in a fish's mouth The supernatural provision for paying the temple tax Lessons on obedience, provision, and the supernatural in everyday life The Role of the Holy Spirit John 15:18-27: Jesus promises the Advocate, the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit's role in teaching, comforting, and guiding believers The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all believers The supernatural signs of wind and fire and speaking in tongues The inclusivity of the Holy Spirit's filling for all believers The Vision of Peter and the Gentiles Acts 11:4-18: Peter's vision and the inclusion of the Gentiles The Holy Spirit's instruction to Peter and the acceptance of Gentiles The breaking of barriers and the universal offer of salvation Conclusion The importance of seeking the fullness of the Holy Spirit Encouragement to step out in faith and expect God's supernatural work Reminder to stay connected to the community of believers and support each other Closing Prayer Thanksgiving for the lesson and God's presence Prayer for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and boldness in faith Encouragement to live out the lessons learned in daily life

Join us for a heartwarming conversation with Sam Cabra, a pastor from Reunion Church, as we explore the depths of our spiritual journeys and the quest for authenticity in our relationship with God. In this episode, you'll discover the transformative power of personal encounters with the divine, moving you beyond intellectual understanding into the realm of experiential faith. We tackle the challenging task of reconciling the images of God from the Old Testament with the loving figure of Jesus, and engage with touching stories of healing, miracles, and the pursuit of a deeper connection with our Creator. Our dialogue with Pastor Cabra offers profound insights into the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding our faith and decisions, and how embracing the concept of God as 'Abba, Father' can enrich our spiritual lives. Hear about moments that defy logic and challenge the balance between faith and reason, inspiring a renewed openness to the charismatic gifts of the Spirit. This conversation is an invitation to reflect on the humility and growth that come from our personal experiences with God, and how they can navigate us through trauma, skepticism, and towards a genuine embrace of His presence. Wrapping up, we contemplate the delicate dance between taking action and patiently waiting on God's timing. The heart and the Holy Spirit emerge as central guides in this journey, leading us to trust in the wisdom within us. As you join us on this episode, we trust you'll be inspired to recognize the joy that stems from a true, loving connection with God, and to appreciate the balance between self-reliance and divine surrender. Don't miss the opportunity to have your heart stirred towards a deeper, more authentic faith.    --------- EPISODE CHAPTERS --------- (0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity (0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence (0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth (0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth (0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit (0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith (0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self (0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support    --------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS --------- (0:00:01) - Navigating Relationship With God and Authenticity Experiencing God's presence, reconciling Old Testament image with Jesus, creating space for personal encounter to understand His goodness. (0:10:43) - Encountering God's Healing Presence Spiritual experiences can heal trauma, bypass conventional communication, and challenge traditional religious expectations. (0:15:49) - Encountering Miracles and Spiritual Growth Divine intervention, humility, skepticism, and healing through prayer and ministry are explored through transformative experiences. (0:28:11) - Deep Dive Into Spiritual Growth Jesus's actions reflect God's nature, offering choices and challenging individuals to let go of pride and find fulfillment in their soul and love. (0:39:44) - Fatherhood and the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit helps us see God as a loving father, transforming our beliefs and behaviors through encountering His love. (0:43:48) - Trusting Your Heart in Faith God's word, heart's deepness, old vs. new covenants, trusting our hearts, Holy Spirit's guidance, genuine desires for joy and love. (0:48:14) - Trusting in God and Self Trusting God in decision-making, balancing action and waiting, and staying connected to Him through life's challenges. (0:57:56) - Gratitude for Podcast Support Nature's discussions on language, culture, and perception, and the importance of ratings and reviews for our work. To learn more about what Sam is doing in church or in his ministry school: Reunion Church: www.reunionhawaii.com Kingdom Living ministry school: www.kingdomlivingoahu.com  

Do you need some encouragement to finish that project? How many times in your life have you started a project and struggled to complete it? Perhaps you are in that situation right now! Where do you go to get the encouragement you need to finish a project?  Striving to find a way So many times in my life I have been unable to find a way through. I strive to find the strategy, to find the key to moving forward. When I feel myself striving this way, I know there is only one action to take - Be Still. Yes, Psalm 46:10 again! I keep coming back to that very clear command from God - Be Still. Just “Be Still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). It's as though God is saying, “Will you just stop thinking all those thoughts and listen to Me.”  Not by might nor by power Often too God reminds me of the words the angel said to Zechariah to encourage the Israelites to complete the rebuilding of the temple after their return to Jerusalem from exile. The angel said to Zechariah, “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV) It was a challenging time for the Israelites, they were returning to a city that had been decimated. One commentary says, “Although the archaeological data is fragmentary, there is enough to suggest that the exiles returned to a shattered urban landscape where considerable effort was needed to simply survive.” (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, p1555). Encouragement to complete the project The rebuilding of the temple project seemed impossible to the Israelites. There was so much to be done and limited resources available. The Israelites needed some encouragement to keep focused and complete the project God had given them to do. So God provided that encouragement through Zechariah. Here is what one commentary says about their struggle: “The community was struggling to rebuild a sustainable economy, and severe limits on resources made rebuilding the temple an almost unthinkable task. For this reason, both Haggai and Zechariah needed to remind their audiences that God controlled the resources.”  (NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, p1555).  Who controls the resources? An aside (or perhaps a key point!), in the economy we are living in today, it is important to remind ourselves that God still controls the resources. I remember one day last year I was walking and talking to God about my concerns about our finances, a Philippians 4:6-7 prayer. As I prayed a flock of cockatoos flew over, probably about 30 of them, and the Holy Spirit reminded me of Matthew 6:26,  “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26 NKJV).  Yes, God is in control and He is trustworthy. By My Spirit says the Lord Getting back to completing projects and the need for encouragement, let's have a look at  Zechariah 4:6 from the Amplified Bible, Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 AMPC  I love how the Amplified Bible gives that fuller picture to help us understand more of what God is saying. Read it again and listen out for which words the Holy Spirit quickens to you,  Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 AMPC  A Ceaseless supply These words are quickened to me “ceaseless supply of oil”, followed by "“My Spirit” [of Whom the oil is a symbol]."  Who is the Spirit? He is the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit comes and indwells in us. Jesus tells us this in John 14:16-17, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."  John 14:16-17 NIV So with the Holy Spirit living within us we then have a ceaseless supply of God's power. The Holy Spirit The Passion Translation footnote on John 14:16-17 explains some more about the Holy Spirit,  “The Greek word used here is parakletos, a technical word that could be translated “defence attorney.” It means “one called to stand next to you as a helper.” Various translations have rendered this “Counsellor,” “Comforter,” “Advocate,”  “Encourager,” “Intercessor,” or “Helper.” However none of these words alone are adequate and fall short in explaining the full meaning. The translator has chosen the word Saviour, for it depicts the role of the Holy Spirit to protect, defend, and save us from our self and our enemies and keep us whole and healed. He is the One who guides and defends, comforts and consoles. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ, our Saviour.” (The Passion Translation p630). Ask the Holy Spirit for help So what do we do when we need encouragement to finish the project, or perhaps we need some wisdom on how to finish the project? We ask the Holy Spirit for His encouragement and help. Joyce Meyer says,  “Are you faced with a difficult obstacle? Like the Israelites, you cannot overcome any situation with determination alone. You do need to be determined, but as Zechariah 4:6 teaches, be determined in the Holy Spirit - not in the effort of your own flesh. The Holy Spirit is your Helper; seek His help. Lean on Him. You cannot make it alone. You need Him.” (The Everyday Life Bible - Joyce Meyer (p1451)) No project is too big or small for the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is there available to help with all sorts of projects and problems - nothing is too big or small.  Last week I was having difficulty doing some formatting in a word document. I tried a few things but they didn't work, I could feel myself getting frustrated. So I paused and asked the Holy Spirit for help and then I felt a quiet prompting, “Try this,” I did and it worked. Perhaps I should have asked sooner for His help!  As the year ramps up and the days get busier, sometimes it is a challenge to fit all the tasks and activities into one day and I can once again feel myself getting frustrated and impatient, saying things to myself like, “There is not enough time to get this all done.” But again, a simple inquiry to the Holy Spirit as to what is actually necessary to do today always makes the day flow better. He knows which jobs can wait, and even which jobs are completely unnecessary.  On the bigger scale, there may be a situation that I have been asked to pray for - a situation where there appears to be no human way for things to change. So people pray, the Spirit moves, miracles occur and situations change. I've been blessed to witness this more than a few times in my life.  These are only a few examples of surrendering something, some project, to the Holy Spirit and trusting that He will bring the right resolution,  “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV) The parenting project A final note about a slightly different type of project - parenting. It is a project I find I often need encouragement for!  Parenting is a major area in my life where I have found this truth, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit"  to be revolutionary. So many times I have wanted to yell and scream and jump up and down and say to our children “Just do it this way!” And honestly, there have been occasions, to my embarrassment, when I have done that and it didn't end well! I quickly learnt that “Might and Power” wasn't a good strategy with teenagers! Yes, boundaries are necessary but the implementation has to be right - love, grace and truth is a good starting point. And who is best-placed to give you the specifics of that implementation - the perfect approach for each child? Yes, that is right - the Holy Spirit! A challenge for this week So I'll leave you with a little challenge for this week. The next time you need encouragement with any project, big or small, and you are tempted to just ‘get in there and fix it' or perhaps even thinking of giving up, then pause, take a breath and declare that this situation won't be resolved “by might nor by power, but by the Holy Spirit,” and then ask the Holy Spirit for His guidance, making sure you be still so you can hear His answer! To find out more please visit https://drawingclosertogod.org

Making difficult decisions can be stressful and even paralyzing.  "Should I take the job or not?  "Where should I live?" " How should I spend my money?" "What should I study in school?" "Who should I marry?" As you can see the list can seem to go on and on.  The "right" answer seems to be hidden and rarely appears to give us that definitive statement that we are searching for. Seeking God's Will can be challenging, but in this episode, Linda and Merrill discuss six things we can do to help us discern God's Will when we are confronted with decisions to be made. Matthew 7:7-87 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.1. Seek God through Prayer: Prayer is the foundation for any attempt to discern God's will. Humbly approach Him in prayer, acknowledging your limitations and seeking His wisdom. Ask for guidance, clarity, and peace in your decision (Proverbs 3:5-6).2. Align your desires with Scripture: God's word reveals His character and desires for us. Immerse yourself in the Bible, seeking verses that speak to your situation. Align your desires with what God reveals about Himself and His plan for humanity (Psalm 119:105).3. Seek wise counsel: Surround yourself with trusted believers who know you well and understand biblical principles. Seek their advice and prayerful support, considering their insights through the lens of Scripture (Proverbs 15:22).4. Listen for the inner leading of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides us in God's ways. Be attentive to nudges, convictions, and a sense of peace about one path over another. Remember, the Holy Spirit will never lead you to contradict Scripture. Romans 8:14  For those that are led by the spirit of God are the children of God.5. Consider the fruits of each option: Evaluate the potential consequences of each choice. Ask yourself which path aligns with God's character of love, justice, and peace. Choose the path that leads towards spiritual growth and the well-being of yourself and others (Galatians 5:22-23).6. Trust God for the outcome. Could you follow 1 through 5 and still make a mistake? YES. That's because We're not God we're HUMAN, but God already knew you would and that may very well be part of his plan…his good and perfect plan. Discerning God's will is a process, not a one-time event. Do not put God on your timeline. Timing is among the most challenging components of seeking God's Will.  Our vision for the future is limited.  Be patient and trust that He will lead you in the right direction. Ultimately, God desires our obedience to His ways, not our ways.   And remember….Discerning His Will doesn't mean you're always going to get it right, but it's important if we want to discern God's will that we look to His word and his people…it's a dead end street if we look to the world to steer us. Paul warns us of that in Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.We hope these insights are helpful as you navigate your decisions. If you are struggling with discerning God's way we encourage you to seek Godly counsel.  If Rock Solid Families can help, please reach out at 812-576-7625 (rock) https://rocksolidfamilies.orgSupport the show

Ananias and his wife lie to the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit and the early church The two die and are buried side by side Why we should always fear God   The Newest spicy YouTube video about women's roles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHLmV4Uicfc&t=336s   Save little babies with Seven Weeks Coffee:  https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40   Support P40 further: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries  Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com  Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk  Merch Store - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop   

“The Difference Between A Medium/Psychic and A Prophet Of God” Website: www.PastorTodd.org To give or support: www.ToddCoconato.com/give Church website: www.RRCNashville.org New book: www.PastorToddBook.com According to the Bible, there are clear contrasts between a medium or psychic and a genuine prophet of God. These differences can help believers discern between true spiritual guidance and deceptive practices. Let's explore these contrasts and how we can tell the difference as followers of Christ: **1. Source of Authority:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** They often claim to receive information from spirits, the deceased, or supernatural sources outside of God.    - **Prophet of God:** Their authority comes from the one true God. They receive messages directly from Him through His Holy Spirit. **2. Message Alignment with God's Word:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** Their messages will be inconsistent with or contradictory to the teachings of the Bible. Or they will twist scripture.    - **Prophet of God:** Their messages align with the teachings of the Bible and do not contradict God's revealed word. **3. Motive:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** May often seek personal gain or profit from their practices.    - **Prophet of God:** Their primary motive is to honor God, share His messages, and guide people toward His truth. **4. Character and Lifestyle:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** Their practices usually involve occultism and involvement with spirits that are not of God.    - **Prophet of God:** They live in obedience to God's commands, leading a life characterized by holiness and godliness. **5. Miraculous Confirmation:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** The "miracles" they perform are not be truly miraculous, but rather deceptive manifestations.    - **Prophet of God:** Their messages may be accompanied by genuine miracles and signs that confirm the divine origin of their words. **6. Discernment Through the Holy Spirit:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** They lack the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and teachings.    - **Prophet of God:** Operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who empowers them to speak God's truth accurately. **7. Fruit of Their Ministry:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** They lead people away from God's truth and promote confusion.    - **Prophet of God:** Their ministry bears fruit that aligns with God's purposes—such as repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual growth. **8. Recognition by the Community of Believers:**    - **Medium/Psychic:** Their practices should be viewed as dubious or even harmful by the broader Christian community.    - **Prophet of God:** Their authenticity may be recognized and affirmed by fellow believers and spiritual leaders. As believers in Christ, we can discern between a medium/psychic and a true prophet of God by comparing their teachings and practices with the principles outlined in the Bible. Regularly studying Scripture, growing in our relationship with God, and seeking wisdom from godly mentors can equip us to recognize and reject false teachings while embracing genuine messages that draw us closer to Him. According to scriptures, there are several ways believers can hear from God. It's important to approach this with humility, seeking a genuine connection with God rather than relying solely on our own desires or expectations. Here are some ways through which Christians can hear from God, as outlined in the Bible: **1. Prayer:** Regular, sincere prayer is a powerful way to communicate with God and hear His voice. Jesus emphasized the importance of prayer in Matthew 6:6 (NIV): "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." **2. Scripture:** The Bible is God's revealed word and a primary means through which He communicates with His people. Reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture allows us to understand His character, will, and teachings. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) affirms this: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." **3. Holy Spirit:** The Holy Spirit, who dwells within believers, guides, comforts, and speaks to us. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit's guidance in John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." **4. Circumstances:** God can use circumstances to communicate His will. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) states, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Paying attention to the doors that open or close and seeking God's guidance through circumstances can provide insight. **5. Wise Counsel:** Seeking advice from godly mentors, pastors, and fellow believers can help us discern God's voice. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV) says, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." **6. Still Small Voice:** God can speak to us in subtle, quiet ways—what's often referred to as the "still small voice." 1 Kings 19:12 (NIV) describes how God spoke to Elijah: "And after the fire came a gentle whisper." **7. Dreams and Visions:** While not as common, God has communicated through dreams and visions in the Bible. However, it's important to discern these experiences through prayer, Scripture, and spiritual discernment. **8. Worship and Praise:** Engaging in worship and praise can create an atmosphere where we are more receptive to God's presence and leading. Psalm 22:3 (ESV) says, "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." It's crucial to approach these methods with a heart that is open to God's will, seeking His guidance rather than imposing our desires. While God communicates in various ways, His messages will always align with His character and the principles found in Scripture. Developing a deep relationship with God through prayer, study, and obedience enhances our ability to hear and discern His voice in our lives.

This week we celebrated Pentecost. Louis Els shared a very significant word on "When Love Poured Out". He shares the two outworkings of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit within you and the Holy Spirit upon you. The Holy Spirit upon you is for others, to empower you for the mission, and then the Holy Spirit within you is for the transforming work that God wants to do in and for you personally.

In part 3 of “The Secret Power of the Gospel,” we get to the “secret power” part - the Holy Spirit! The ministry of the Holy Spirit gives us the power to have encounters with God, experience our union, renew our minds, escape temptation, and so much more!  In this episode:  * Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, wisdom, revelation, and grace * We are the temple and home of the Spirit of God * The power of God comes to us through the Holy Spirit * The Holy Spirit reveals God, Jesus, and the Gospel to us * It’s the Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus to work with the Father and perform the miracles of His ministry * The Holy Spirit gives us instantaneous help, with infinite goodness and depths of love and mercy The Spirit of God is the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind - the gift of God Himself, with us, upon us, and within us. Trusting the Holy Spirit is the most powerful way to live. That’s why it is crucial to acknowledge the Holy Spirit and cultivate a greater relationship. If you’d like to dive deeper into working with Holy Spirit to reveal your true identity in Christ, schedule a free breakthrough call with us: https://schlyce.krtra.com/t/ahbfKYlU1PlF

5-14-2023 Sunday Sermon Message Meditations of the Week: Psalm 91:1-16 Text: Genesis 24:61-67 Word title: A bride who meets and marries Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit        The Holy Spirit testified through the Apostle John about the words recorded in the...

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 20Acts 28:17-31. This book has been focused on the acts the Holy Spirit as He worked through the early believers in amazing ways. In a sense though, the book of Acts is still being written through us as we continue to serve the Lord in the power of the Spirit even today!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 19Acts 27:13-28:16. On his journey to Rome Paul endured a tempest and a shipwreck. When gathering wood for a much-needed fire, Paul was then bitten by a viper! Even that did not discourage him! He merely shook off the serpent and continued to serve!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 18Acts 26:1-27:12. Realizing his limited understanding of the Jewish religion and culture, Festus brought Paul before Herod Agrippa, but after hearing his defense, the bewildered leaders lamented the fact that Paul had appealed to Caesar, as they believed him innocent of the charges.

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 17Acts 23:30-25:27. Paul spent two years in Roman custody at Caesarea. When Festus was appointed as Governor of Judea, the Jews tried to take advantage of his lack of local knowledge by insisting he return Paul to Jerusalem and so Paul appealed to Caesar, thus sealing his fate!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 16Acts 21:31-23:30. As the Prophet Agabus had predicted, upon arriving in Jerusalem Paul was seized by the Jewish authorities and handed over to the Romans, but the Lord stood near Paul and told him to “take courage". God's plan for His Apostle was not yet complete!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 15Acts 20:1-21:30. Many feared for his safety and begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem; but his mind was already made up! It broke his heart to see how distressed they were, yet he was unwilling to disobey God's command.

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 14Acts 18:12-19:41. Paul faced opposition wherever he went. The silversmiths of Ephesus were angry because of his preaching. As people turned to Christ, they lost their fascination with the goddess Artemis and the silversmiths' business suffered because of it!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 13Acts 17:1-18:11. Paul was never ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Though he faced hardships frequently, God urged Paul to continue to speak and to not be silent, for He promised to be with him no matter what!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 12Acts 15:36-16:40. After several unsuccessful attempts at journeying into Asia, Paul and Silas traveled to Philippi. Their ministry there probably looked different to what they had expected, as after delivering a slave girl from demonic possession they ended up beaten and thrown into prison!

Jim & Sandy McCann are an example of how not only survive but thrive and make a difference for God in the most difficult of circumstances. their service in Ukraine is a picture of Christians living in tragic times of suffering but turning suffering into serving and intercession. Losing their only child to medical malpractice, when they began as missionaries in Ukraine, helped prepare them for this challenge. they chose to turn their sorrow into surrender and raised Ukrainian orphaned children. We see an example of what happens when you follow The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit showed them 15 Years in advance, that the War was coming and they strategically built facilities and prepared for refuge centers for Internally Displaced People. 3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant andboundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested andpurified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of [a]your souls. (1 Peter 1: 3-9) Visit our website at https://www.hftw.church/

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 11Acts 14:8-15:35. It was not long before false teachers began to disrupt the church in Antioch with their doctrine of circumcision teaching that salvation was only for the Jews. The Council of Jerusalem issued a firm decree confirming that salvation is for both Jew and Gentile alike and that it is given by grace, not by the Law.

Paul wrote these instructions to help us feed our minds well: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.' John Ortberg wrote: ‘The striking word in that command is whatever. Our minds are being shaped all the time, but we have great freedom to pursue minds that flourish. As a bee that can find nectar in all kinds of flowers, we are now free – even commanded – to feed our mind on noble thoughts wherever we find them. The Bible itself commands us to look beyond just the Bible to feed our minds. Let us meditate for a moment on that phrase “whatever is lovely”. Think of something that is “lovely” to you. A sunset. A favourite novel…The face of someone you love. Music that makes you dance. Let your mind dwell there for a moment. Give it directed mental focus. You just obeyed the Bible. That “counts”. You just opened your mind a bit to the flow of the Holy Spirit…The Holy Spirit's goal is not to get you really good at suppressing angry behaviour. It is for you to have a mind characterised by an ever-increasing flow of Spirit-guided, truth-based, life-producing thoughts and feelings. When we read about what is noble, when we see something praiseworthy, we experience what psychologist Jonathan Haidt called “elevation”. We actually feel a slight expansion in our chest; we feel lighter in our bodies. Our emotions are inspired, and we want to become more excellent ourselves. That counts as obedience to Scripture. That is spiritual.'

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 10Acts 13:1-14:8. The Holy Spirit dispatched Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Relying heavily on prayer and upon the Holy Spirit, they lovingly spread the Good News even at great cost to themselves!

David Smythe - The Acts of the Holy Spirit (The Holy Spirit with and in us) How to keep the book of Acts rolling.  

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 9Acts 11:1-12:24. As the church grew to include the Gentiles, despite the hesitant response of some, they went into a time of persecution. James had been killed, Peter arrested, and it seemed as if the Church was “on the run”; but God was about to change all that!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 8Acts 9:32-10:48. Peter was used in exceptional ways by God. Without showing any discrimination, Peter took the risk of accompanying Cornelius' servants to Caesarea where he preached the good news of Jesus Christ to Gentiles.

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 7Acts 9:1-31. Saul's life was transformed when Christ met him on the road to Damascus. This man who had been such an enemy of Christ became His follower and the greatest Apostle and teacher of the New Testament church.

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 6Acts 8:1-40. The church began to grow. However, in Acts 8 we become keenly aware that it was the Holy Spirit who guided the spread of the Gospel and who opened hearts to the truth about Jesus Christ!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 5Acts 6:1-8:3. The death of Stephen led to a great persecution of the believers in Jerusalem and many were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. But what was meant for evil, God used for good - they took the Gospel with them and shared it with everyone they met!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 4Acts 4:23-5:42. Satan's attacks came from without and from within. First through the intimidation of the religious leaders and then through the hypocritical and deceptive behavior of two people who claimed to follow Christ. Yet God protected the church through it all!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 3Acts 3:1-4:22. God used Peter and John to heal a man who had been lame since birth. The crowd marveled at what they saw, but surprisingly the religious leaders could not find it in their hearts to praise God for what had occurred!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 2Acts 2:1-47. Christ's followers waited to be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit and Luke records the miraculous events of Pentecost and how the believers' effectiveness changed so radically as a result!

ACTS of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the central figure in the Book of Acts. This wonderful book not only reveals the beginnings of the early Church, it uncovers how the early believers triumphed in the face of bitter persecution. From their example, we learn how to share with those who have not yet trusted Christ as their Savior and how to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.Lesson 1Acts 1:1-26. Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for the promised infilling of the Holy Spirit. How amazing it is that a small band of ordinary people, who likely had never travelled outside of Judea before, somehow evangelized the whole world by depending on the Spirit's power!

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit in the New Birth -part 1

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit in the New Birth -part 2

Aloha and welcome back to Faith In Between, I'm so happy that you are with us, today I want to talk about the Freedom in Knowledge, Wisdom and Truth.  Three things that go hand in hand as well as reflect another three beautiful trinity that we all know today as the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.  That's right how does the Holy Trinity reflect Knowledge, Wisdom and Truth?  Tune into today's episode and I will break it all down for you! Key Verse: Colossians 2:2-4:  My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and United in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (3) In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4)I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.-4 chapters in the book of Colossians, it is an entire letter written from the apostle Paul to the church in Colossae, this part is explaining why he is bringing to them the word of God In this letter and what his goal for doing this is.     Knowledge= Father- From him comes the facts of the world, the creation of the world, the very existence of life and all the knowledge. Having knowledge isn't only knowing about the good things but the bad and the in between. Proverbs 1:29:  Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.  Wisdom=Jesus- He came here on earth he is the closest things that we can get to being right next to God, when I think of wisdom I think about our experiences and the things we acquire though our journey, not necessarily that its written in a book for us to read but that it was lived out in our lives and taken from the most deepest parts of us is what wisdom is and only Jesus knows that and he lived the life we have lived so when I think wisdom I can say that Jesus is what I would consider wisdom. Colossians 3:16:  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Truth=the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is what drives us to know the word of God, it is what guides us to where we need to be so we can find out the truth of who God is so that we can gain the knowledge and wisdom of God to carry with us in our lives. It bring us the truth when we need to know it. John 16:13: But when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into the all the truth.  He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  The father the son and the holy spirit are all interlocked just like knowledge wisdom and truth.Verse 2:  so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, ChristGod wants this for us we are the church it doesn't matter what specific church he was speaking to at this time today he is speaking to us directly as a whole body of Christ.  Verse 3: In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.In Christ in God there is wisdom and knowledge to be had so that we are able to live our lives. In a more productive and pleasing way.Verse 4: )I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments When I talk to other I pray for the holy spirit to guide my heart and my words Contact: uilanikumuhone.fib@gmail.com Next episode: September 28th            This is Faith In Between my name is Uilani Kumuhone and  Iʻll see you later! Byeee!! 

This week we continue our discussion on Baptism with Holy Spirit Baptism. This weeks topics: Holy Spirit Baptism Who is the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament The Holy Spirit in the New Testament What the Holy Spirit does now in and through us How to receive this Baptism What of speaking in tongues

Often, Christians treat the Holy Spirit the same way we treat that green jello salad at potlucks - We don't know quite what to do with it, so we leave that for someone else to deal with, right? But in discounting or ignoring the work of the Spirit, we lose a tremendous source of comfort and truth. In today's sermon, we discuss the role of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit’s role is to rescue us from our state of being spiritual orphans and bringing us into a forever home with God. He reveals truth about ourselves by continually pointing us to the truth of Jesus and the Bible, and in that truth, we can enjoy a deep and abiding hope that transcends our circumstances and our sinfulness.

This week we are learning about the third member of the Trinity: the Holy Spirt as we conclude our series on the Apostle’s Creed. Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, God in very God who alone gives new life to the believer [Regeneration: to spiritually be made alive] and... Read more »

"You are the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13) Salt of the Earth Salt is one of the most important commodities in the ancient world. Before the invention of refrigeration, packing meat in salt was the only way to preserve it. Although salt is now used more for flavoring than as a preservative, it still has that preserving characteristic. Jesus wants His followers to have that preserving power. Luther teaches us in the Small Catechism that this preservation comes through the power of the Holy Spirit: "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith." The Holy Spirit's preservation comes through the great means of the Church: the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. By these means, the Holy Spirit grants us faith and keeps us together with the whole Christian Church on earth in the one true faith in Jesus Christ. "You are the salt of the earth," Jesus says. Be salt and use your God-given gifts to preserve the faith of those around you. Amen.

What is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit mediates between illusions and the truth. Since He must bridge the gap between reality and dreams, perception leads to knowledge through the grace that God has given Him, to be His gift to everyone who turns to Him for truth. Across the bridge that He provides are dreams all carried to the truth, to be dispelled before the light of knowledge. There are sights and sounds forever laid aside. And where they were perceived before, forgiveness has made possible perception's tranquil end. The goal the Holy Spirit's teaching sets is just this end of dreams. For sights and sounds must be translated from the witnesses of fear to those of love. And when this is entirely accomplished, learning has achieved the only goal it has in truth. For learning, as the Holy Spirit guides it to the outcome He perceives for it, becomes the means to go beyond itself, to be replaced by the Eternal Truth. If you but knew how much your Father yearns to have you recognize your sinlessness, you would not let His Voice appeal in vain, nor turn away from His replacement for the fearful images and dreams you made. The Holy Spirit understands the means you made, by which you would attain what is forever unattainable. And if you offer them to Him, He will employ the means you made for exile to restore your mind to where it truly is at home. From knowledge, where He has been placed by God, the Holy Spirit calls to you, to let forgiveness rest upon your dreams, and be restored to sanity and peace of mind. Without forgiveness will your dreams remain to terrify you. And the memory of all your Father's Love will not return to signify the end of dreams has come. Accept your Father's gift. It is a call from Love to Love, that It be but Itself. The Holy Spirit is His gift, by which the quietness of Heaven is restored to God's beloved Son. Would you refuse to take the function of completing God, when all He wills is that you be complete?I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts. Father, Your Son is perfect. When I think that I am hurt in any way, it is because I have forgotten who I am, and that I am as You created me. Your Thoughts can only bring me happiness. If ever I am sad or hurt or ill, I have forgotten what You think, and put my little meaningless ideas in place of where Your Thoughts belong, and where they are. I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts. The Thoughts I think with You can only bless. The Thoughts I think with You alone are true. I will not hurt myself today. For I am far beyond all pain. My Father placed me safe in Heaven, watching over me. And I would not attack the Son He loves, for what He loves is also mine to love.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Workbook Part II - What is the Holy Spirit?- Lesson 281

Touched by Prayer is an internet radio show that was established in 2014 by husband and wife, Rob and Lisa Perna. Rob felt that the stories and God encounters that his wife Lisa was having needed to be recorded. He felt a tug from God to start an internet radio show that would be a platform for Lisa to share her stories of healing. ​ After much prayer, God gave them a name for the show and Touched by Prayer was born. ​ Touched by Prayer has a growing popularity with people who are interested in hearing stores about how God moves today. Guests included: authors, pastors, prophets, worshipers, and healers, and to everyday people who have had incredible encounters with God. ​ Lisa has such a laid-back approach to her interviews that the listener may feel like their listening to some old friends sharing stories. The flow of the show moves quickly and effortlessly from topic-to-topic. ​ Touched by Prayer is an internet radio show that connects people and teaches by exciting the listener to go out and make their own stories. ​ Our Beliefs The Scriptures: The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Godhead: Our God is one, but manifest in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Man, His Fall and Redemption: Man is a created in the image and likeness of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world. Eternal Life and the New Birth: Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life. Water Baptism: Baptism is water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, as an ordinance of the church it represents Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. The Lord’s Table: The second ordinance of the church is the remembrance of the price Christ paid at Calvary by the elements of the bread and the cup. Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in the dispensation and is revived subsequent to the New Birth. Sanctification: The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace. Divine Healing: Healing is for the physical ills of the human body that is wrought by the power of God and is provided for in the atonement of Christ. The Great Commission: The Bible commands us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone as well as make disciples in every nation. The Return of Our Lord: Jesus will come just as he ascended, in the clouds, catching up His believers. Hell and Eternal Retribution: Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but will also be the eternal home of all those who reject Christ. The Sanctity of Marriage: Marriage should only be between one man and one woman as is the Biblical pattern since the Garden of Eden. The Ascension Gifts of Christ: Jesus Himself gave gifts to men upon His ascension. These gifts consist of: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit gives supernatural gifts to members of the Body of Christ who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These nine gifts consist of: The Word of Knowledge, The Word of Wisdom, The Discerning of Spirits, The Gifts of Healing(s), The working of Miracles, The Gift of (Special) Faith, Tongues, The Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy.

Touched by Prayer is an internet radio show that was established in 2014 by husband and wife, Rob and Lisa Perna. Rob felt that the stories and God encounters that his wife Lisa was having needed to be recorded. He felt a tug from God to start an internet radio show that would be a platform for Lisa to share her stories of healing.​After much prayer, God gave them a name for the show and Touched by Prayer was born.​Touched by Prayer has a growing popularity with people who are interested in hearing stores about how God moves today. Guests included: authors, pastors, prophets, worshipers, and healers, and to everyday people who have had incredible encounters with God.​Lisa has such a laid-back approach to her interviews that the listener may feel like their listening to some old friends sharing stories. The flow of the show moves quickly and effortlessly from topic-to-topic.​Touched by Prayer is an internet radio show that connects people and teaches by exciting the listener to go out and make their own stories.​Our BeliefsThe Scriptures: The Bible is the inspired Word of God.The Godhead: Our God is one, but manifest in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.Man, His Fall and Redemption: Man is a created in the image and likeness of God, but through Adam’s transgression and fall, sin came into the world.Eternal Life and the New Birth: Man’s first step toward salvation is Godly sorrow that works repentance. The New Birth is necessary to all men, and when experienced produces eternal life.Water Baptism: Baptism is water by immersion is a direct commandment of our Lord, as an ordinance of the church it represents Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.The Lord’s Table: The second ordinance of the church is the remembrance of the price Christ paid at Calvary by the elements of the bread and the cup.Baptism in the Holy Spirit: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift from God as promised by the Lord Jesus Christ to all believers in the dispensation and is revived subsequent to the New Birth.Sanctification: The Bible teaches that without holiness no man can see the Lord. We believe the Doctrine of Sanctification as a definite yet progressive work of grace.Divine Healing: Healing is for the physical ills of the human body that is wrought by the power of God and is provided for in the atonement of Christ.The Great Commission: The Bible commands us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone as well as make disciples in every nation.The Return of Our Lord: Jesus will come just as he ascended, in the clouds, catching up His believers.Hell and Eternal Retribution: Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but will also be the eternal home of all those who reject Christ.The Sanctity of Marriage: Marriage should only be between one man and one woman as is the Biblical pattern since the Garden of Eden.The Ascension Gifts of Christ: Jesus Himself gave gifts to men upon His ascension. These gifts consist of: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit gives supernatural gifts to members of the Body of Christ who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These nine gifts consist of: The Word of Knowledge, The Word of Wisdom, The Discerning of Spirits, The Gifts of Healing(s), The working of Miracles, The Gift of (Special) Faith, Tongues, The Interpretation of Tongues and Prophecy.

2/9/20 - Many people have heard about the Holy Spirit but how many followers of Jesus have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity (Father God, Jesus (Son), and Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit wants to empower Jesus' followers to live lives like Jesus. Have you met the Holy Spirit? MESSAGE NOTES: Those who were filled with the Spirit prior to Jesus' ascension: Holy Spirit present at Creation (Genesis 1:2) Joseph (Genesis 41:38) - supernatural ability to interpret dreams Bezalel (Exodus 31:1-5, 35:30-31) - giver of artistic skills Moses (Numbers 12:17)  70 Elders with Moses (Numbers 12:25) - they prophesied Balaam (Numbers 24:2) Joshua (Numbers 27:18) Spirit already in him when commissioned to take Moses’ place Othniel (Judges 3:10) Caleb’s younger brother; judge who delivered Israel Gideon (Judges 6:34) Jephthah (Judges 11:29) Samson (Judges 13:25, 14:6, 14:19, 15:14) Saul (1 Samuel 10:6, 10:10, 11:6; then Spirit left him 1 Samuel 16:14) Messengers of Saul (1 Samuel 19:20) David (1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Samuel 23:2, Matthew 22:43) Obadiah (1 Kings 18:12) Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:24) Elijah & Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-16) Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18) Azariah (2 Chronicles 15:1) Jahaziel (2 Chronicles 20:14) Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20) Prophets (Nehemiah 9:30, Zechariah 7:12) Isaiah (Isaiah 59:21, 61:1) Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:2, 3:24, 8:3, 11:5, 37:14, 39:29; 43:5) All Believers (prophesied) - Joel 2:28-29 Micah (Micah 3:8) Mary (Matthew 1:18, Luke 1:35) John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) Elizabeth (Luke 1:41) - John’s mother Zechariah (Luke 1:67) - John’s father Simeon (Luke 2:25-27) Jesus (Isaiah 11:2, 42:1 prophesied; Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 4:1, 4:18; John 1:32 - fulfilled: baptized & Spirit descended on him like a dove) Prophecies of believers receiving Holy Spirit: Moses - Numbers 12:29 - “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”  Isaiah 44:3 - For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Ezekiel 36:27 - And I will put my Spirit within you [Israel], and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 37:14 - And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD." Ezekiel 39:29 - And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD." Joel 2:28-29 -  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. John the Baptist - Luke 3:16 (also Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8)  Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit: John 14:16-17, 26   John 16:7-15   Acts 1:8 “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.” - Jesus Acts 2:1-21, 36-41 ESV     1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.      5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his ow...

The Presence of God is the power of God. If we want His power, we must seek His Presence. In Psalms, David longs for the holy places, which is the Presence of God. In the Presence of God, we see His power and Glory. God also promised Moses that His Presence would go and help him. For hundreds of years since Moses and the children of Israel entered the promised land, the identity of his Presence remained a mystery, until Jesus arrived and revealed who this Presence was – the Holy Spirit! Jesus came not just to save us but to also give us the Presence of God in the person of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is the Presence of God. HOLY SPIRIT’S PRESENCE helps us in: TO BE, TO DO and TO GO! Pastor Klayton Ko continues the series on the power of God's Presence.

What is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit mediates between illusions and the truth. Since He must bridge the gap between reality and dreams, perception leads to knowledge through the grace that God has given Him, to be His gift to everyone who turns to Him for truth. Across the bridge that He provides are dreams all carried to the truth, to be dispelled before the light of knowledge. There are sights and sounds forever laid aside. And where they were perceived before, forgiveness has made possible perception's tranquil end. The goal the Holy Spirit's teaching sets is just this end of dreams. For sights and sounds must be translated from the witnesses of fear to those of love. And when this is entirely accomplished, learning has achieved the only goal it has in truth. For learning, as the Holy Spirit guides it to the outcome He perceives for it, becomes the means to go beyond itself, to be replaced by the Eternal Truth. If you but knew how much your Father yearns to have you recognize your sinlessness, you would not let His Voice appeal in vain, nor turn away from His replacement for the fearful images and dreams you made. The Holy Spirit understands the means you made, by which you would attain what is forever unattainable. And if you offer them to Him, He will employ the means you made for exile to restore your mind to where it truly is at home. From knowledge, where He has been placed by God, the Holy Spirit calls to you, to let forgiveness rest upon your dreams, and be restored to sanity and peace of mind. Without forgiveness will your dreams remain to terrify you. And the memory of all your Father's Love will not return to signify the end of dreams has come. Accept your Father's gift. It is a call from Love to Love, that It be but Itself. The Holy Spirit is His gift, by which the quietness of Heaven is restored to God's beloved Son. Would you refuse to take the function of completing God, when all He wills is that you be complete? I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts. Father, Your Son is perfect. When I think that I am hurt in any way, it is because I have forgotten who I am, and that I am as You created me. Your Thoughts can only bring me happiness. If ever I am sad or hurt or ill, I have forgotten what You think, and put my little meaningless ideas in place of where Your Thoughts belong, and where they are. I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts. The Thoughts I think with You can only bless. The Thoughts I think with You alone are true.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 281

Part 1 of Holy Spirit | The Holy Spirit is God. He has been sent to us to help us in life and walk us through every challenge that we face - to empower, embolden, fill us, use us, and so much more...

HOLY SPIRIT - Week 3 of 4 កម្លាំងនៃព្រះវិញ្ញាណបរិសុទ្ធ |The Strength of the Holy Spirit _______ The Holy Spirit is working AROUND | INSIDE | & THROUGH us. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER! _______ ICF Cambodia is mostly financed through donations. In order to make our vision come true, it must be supported by individuals, as well as partner churches, who believe in it and show their faith through giving. To donate go to www.icf-cambodia.com/donate _______ Stay connected Website: www.icf-cambodia.com ICF Cambodia Instagram: www.instagram.com/icfcambodia ICF Cambodia Facebook: www.fb.com/icfcambodia #icfcambodia #icfcampus #empoweringcambodians

Who here can say they know who the Holy Spirit is? To most of us, he's the ninja of the Holy Trinity. We know he exists. We never see him, just the effects of his presence in our lives or the lives of others. In this episode, Andre, Angele, and Gerhard discuss the Holy Spirit and try to come to a better understanding of who he is. – The Holy Spirit was sent to infill us with Grace so that He can operate – The Holy Spirit guides us and gives us the vision for our lives – The Holy Spirit is God with us – How to practically listen to the Holy Spirit – Our weaknesses allow for us to lean on the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit often works on and through the weak and the poor To check out the Source faith study mentioned by Angele, click HERE Here are the other faith studies: Discovery, Growth, Obedience, Commission

Who is the Holy Spirit? - The Holy Spirit’s Role in SalvationOctober 28, 2018 @ EFCCLPastor Jay Childs(Romans 8:1-17)He Delivers Us From Condemnation (vs 1-4)He Frees Us From Slavery to Sin (vs 5-14)He Assures Us of Our Salvation (vs 15-17)

Who is the Holy Spirit? - The Holy Spirit for Dummies”September 23, 2018 @ EFCCLPastor Jay Childs(John 14)The Identity of the Holy SpiritThe Agenda of the Holy Spirit

Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit - part 7

The Indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit - part 4

Episode 111 How should Christians use the Law of Moses today? How should Christians use the Law of Moses? This seems to be a major issue in our time. The law was given to Israel through Moses and takes a large place in the Old Testament. But most of us are not of Israel, so how should we use the Law? In our last program we introduced this subject but today we want to go farther. Most of us are very familiar with the teaching that the law came through Moses, but grace through Jesus Christ. But what does that mean to us in practical terms? Do we just completely discount the Law of Moses? What meaning does it have to us? How should we use the law in our personal lives, with our family, and in the church? How should we use it with those who are not in Christ? Many today are trying to go back and keep certain parts of the Law of Moses. Is this right? Why was the Law of Moses given? To specify the moral requirements of a Holy God To reveal sin (Rom. 7:7-13) To minister Christ (Ceremonial-sacrifices, Tabernacle) To structure the nation of Israel until Christ came (Gal. 3:19-25) When Christ came He fulfilled the Law (Matt. 5:17-20) He kept all of the commands of God perfectly He fulfilled all of the prophecies concerning the Messiah He gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin once for all He made the way that the righteous requirement of God could be fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:1-4) How then is the law to be used today? To convict the sinner (I Tim. 1:8-10) As a basis for teaching the moral requirements of God (Matt. 5-7) As a basis for civil law How is the law not to be used? As a basis for our acceptance before God ((Rom. 3:19-20) As a legal (literal) requirement for conduct (Col. 2:11-23) In the New Covenant God writes His law on our hearts by the presence of the Holy Spirit (Heb. 8:7-13) God writes His word on our minds by the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit will interpret and apply spiritual truth from the Law of Moses Spiritual men and women will use the Law of Moses to minister Christ Should Christians today keep the holy days (Sabbath, Feasts) (Rom. 14) Not to be approved before God or to be more spiritual (Gal. 5:1-6) Could be used as a form of teaching (ministry of Christ) The spirit in which we use these things is critical (must not be legal or condemning) The supreme test: Does our use of the Law of Moses minister grace? (John 1:17) Does our ministry always lead a person to union with Christ as our complete sufficiency? (Col. 2:10) Is our ministry using the Law of Moses a ministry of life or death (2 Cor. 3)   Additional resources at  http://www.ntchurchsource.com/ Theme song “Will Your Anchor Hold” sung by J. Ashley Milne Comments and questions welcome. Email David@AnchorOfTruth.com  

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a Person of the Trinity. He is a gift to believers! This series will look at our relationship with Him, how His presence affects us and how we can be empowered by Him to live a life of holiness before God. The Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives us will shape our lives and communities for the Kingdom of God.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a Person of the Trinity. He is a gift to believers! This series will look at our relationship with Him, how His presence affects us and how we can be empowered by Him to live a life of holiness before God. The Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives us will shape our lives and communities for the Kingdom of God.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a Person of the Trinity. He is a gift to believers! This series will look at our relationship with Him, how His presence affects us and how we can be empowered by Him to live a life of holiness before God. The Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives us will shape our lives and communities for the Kingdom of God.

Who Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is a Person of the Trinity. He is a gift to believers! This series will look at our relationship with Him, how His presence affects us and how we can be empowered by Him to live a life of holiness before God. The Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives us will shape our lives and communities for the Kingdom of God.

Transformation Tuesdays was inspired by the CD "The Jesus Question" by Matthew Kelly. We recap the Gospel from the prior Sunday and give action steps and resources to transform our lives for that week every Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Morris Hall. Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione: Hello, I’m Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione Aaron Emig: And I’m Aaron Emig We are celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord… The Question for the week is… What……Who are you seeking in life? This week’s Gospel comes from: Matthew 2:1-12 Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione: We hear this gospel about these 3 seekers. Wise men, 3 Kings whatever you may call them. They were seeking the Lord. Maybe they didn’t even know what or who they were looking for at the time. Sometimes we’re seeking happiness or fulfillment, and sometimes we’re looking in all kinds of places. When in reality it is only in Jesus, our Lord and New Born King, that we find true and lasting Happiness. The Real Wise men and women are those who still seek him. Aaron Emig: The magi followed the star to find Jesus with his mother Mary and father Joseph… Just like the magi was guided by the star…we too can be guided every day to Jesus… And we can do that through the Holy Spirit… The Holy Spirit is the One that puts that burning desire in your heart to accomplish great things in your lives… We just need to open our hearts to Him every day so He would lead us to Jesus… Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione: Many people are seeking to improve their life in some way by making new year’s resolutions. Lose Weight Pay Off Debt Get more exercise Those are all good things but are they gonna get you to heaven? Here’s a resolution that is worth making and sticking with. To make God a more important part of our life this year than He was last year. Aaron Emig: Again…it might sound like a broken record…but we need to get back to the basics… And that is the daily scripture…every day the Holy Spirit can lead us to Jesus… We need just to ask and open our hearts and our minds to the Word of God… Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione: Wisdom Words for the Week You know if you make a resolution to lose weight, pay off debt or get more exercise… those may be good things but either you do or you don’t. And it is certainly a good thing if you make a resolution to make God the #1 priority in your life …. either you do or you don’t. What……Who are you seeking in life? Aaron Emig: Transformation Tool “The Jesus Question” CD from Matthew Kelly He talks about how God created us for happiness…how’s that working out for you? Matthew mentions if we don’t do anything else in our lives…the one thing is to get to know the Shepherd Free copies at Morris Hall on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Only while supplies last Aaron Emig: Transformation Tuesdays Prayer…“Jesus, how do You want me to transform my life today?” Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione: God Bless from Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church…A Spiritual Home for Everyone

This second sermon in our God in Us series focused on the broad question of, “Who is the Spirit?” This message focuses on three characteristics of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit is personal and the Holy Spirit is distinct in nature. Greg emphasized that the main role of the Spirit is to show us clearly the person of Jesus and help us to recognize God when we would have no other way of recognizing Him. The Holy Spirit is working to remove the veil in our mind and can do this through our imagination.

This second sermon in our God in Us series focused on the broad question of, “Who is the Spirit?” This message focuses on three characteristics of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit is personal and the Holy Spirit is distinct in nature. Greg emphasized that the main role of the Spirit is to show us clearly the person of Jesus and help us to recognize God when we would have no other way of recognizing Him. The Holy Spirit is working to remove the veil in our mind and can do this through our imagination.

This second sermon in our God in Us series focused on the broad question of, “Who is the Spirit?” This message focuses on three characteristics of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit is personal and the Holy Spirit is distinct in nature. Greg emphasized that the main role of the Spirit is to show us clearly the person of Jesus and help us to recognize God when we would have no other way of recognizing Him. The Holy Spirit is working to remove the veil in our mind and can do this through our imagination.

This second sermon in our God in Us series focused on the broad question of, “Who is the Spirit?” This message focuses on three characteristics of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit is personal and the Holy Spirit is distinct in nature. Greg emphasized that the main role of the Spirit is to show us clearly the person of Jesus and help us to recognize God when we would have no other way of recognizing Him. The Holy Spirit is working to remove the veil in our mind and can do this through our imagination.

This second sermon in our God in Us series focused on the broad question of, “Who is the Spirit?” This message focuses on three characteristics of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God, The Holy Spirit is personal and the Holy Spirit is distinct in nature. Greg emphasized that the main role of the Spirit is to show us clearly the person of Jesus and help us to recognize God when we would have no other way of recognizing Him. The Holy Spirit is working to remove the veil in our mind and can do this through our imagination.