Tag: Teacher

The Helpful Holy Spirit

The Helpful Holy Spirit

The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as ‘the Helper’ as well as a teacher in John 14:26 (NKJV).  He truly is our helper, and we should praise God for this truth. 

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 things that I said to you.  (Joh 14:26 NKJV)

The Holy Spirit will teach us all things and remind us of what we have learned from Him.  For example, when we get riled by some inconsiderate driver in traffic, and call that person an unflattering name, the Holy Spirit will convict us to repent and to pray for that driver.

. . . because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe.  (Phil 1:19 CEV)

The help that comes from the Holy Spirit keeps us safe.  Hallelujah! 

Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.  (Act 9:31 NIV)

The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to have a respectful reverence for the Lord.  He helps us to learn about the wonderful characteristics of the love of God, and to appreciate them.

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  (Rom 8:9 NKJV)

Because the Holy Spirit dwells within us (1 Cor 3:16), we know that we are led by the Lord, especially in spiritual matters.

The Holy Spirit helps us to know how to pray, and will even give us the words to pray, if we will be sensitive to His guidance.

The unity of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit forms the Godhead.  The Godhead is united in purpose and implementation of God’s plan for mankind. 

God’s plan for mankind is good and gives us a future and a hope.  (Jer 29:11)

The Holy Spirit gives us life and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  His work is to exalt Christ in our hearts.  The Holy Spirit strengthens us and by grace, enables us to persevere in faith.  Glory to God!

The Holy Spirit in Us

The Holy Spirit in Us

As the Scriptures tell us, the Lord has placed His Spirit within all believers.  In some places, the Bible even says that God poured out His Spirit upon us!

 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.  (Ezek 36:27 NKJV)

And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.  (Ezek 39:29 NKJV)

Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.  (Ac 2:33 NKJV)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  (1 Cor 3:16 NIV)

The person who keeps his commandments abides in God, and God abides in him. This is how we can be sure that he remains in us: he has given us his Spirit.  (1 Joh 3:24 ISV)

We need to listen for the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit daily.  We need to be continuously sensitive to His presence within us.  The Holy Spirit was given to all believers to be a helper and teacher, and to guide us into all truth.  (Joh 14:26; 16:13)

The Holy Spirit within a believer is the source of our revelation, wisdom and power.  (1 Cor 2:10-11; Jas 1:5; Ac 1:8)  The Holy Spirit supplies spiritual gifts to believers.  (1 Cor 12:7-11)  God, the Holy Spirit, has specific roles and obligations in the life of every believer.  Take time as soon as possible to study this key feature of your salvation.  God bless you!

Saved, Sanctified, Justified

Saved, Sanctified, Justified

We, who believe in Jesus Christ, have been saved through God’s mercy.  We have been cleansed, sanctified, and justified in and through Jesus, our Savior.

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  (Tit 3:5 NIV)

The indwelling Holy Spirit is constantly cleansing us and renewing our minds. One tool that is helpful is the Word of God.

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  (1 Cor 6:11)

. . . that he might sanctify her [the Church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word . . .  (Eph 5:26 ESV, words in brackets added)  Another way that we are continuously cleansed and sanctified is through a daily reading of the Scriptures as well as constant meditation upon them.  This is what we may choose to do in order to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, our teacher.

. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.  (Gal 2:16)  This Bible verse reiterates the truth that no one is justified by fulfilling the law but rather through an ongoing faith in and relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.  Praise God!

The Day of Pentecost

The Day of Pentecost

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Ac 2:1-4 KJ21)

Here is a teaching about the day of Pentecost from an independent source:

Thus Acts 2 must be interpreted as a special historical event, signifying a new period in God’s dealings with His people. Pentecost signals the dawning of the age of the Holy Spirit. And the fullness of the Spirit in God’s people is to empower them for witness to all the nations. The meaning of Pentecost is God’s equipping His church with the power of His Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations.  (Source:  https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-4-meaning-pentecost-acts-21-13)

Jesus kept His promise stated in Acts 1:5, “ . . . for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON

The Holy Spirit is a person—not just a force. 

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  (Eph 4:30)  – Only a person can be grieved.

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit . . .” (Ac 5:3) and “You have not lied to men but to God.”  (Act 5:4)  – The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity.  A human being can only lie to another person.

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO INDWELL GOD’S PEOPLE

The Holy Spirit comes to live in us, and we become His temple.

. . . the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  (Joh 14:17)

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  (1 Cor 3:16)

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  (2 Tim 1:13-14)

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?  (Jas 4:5, emphasis added)

As you can see from these Scripture passages, the Lord Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to live within His people as our Teacher, Comforter, and Helper.

OUR GOD IS A GOD OF SIGNS, WONDERS & MIRACLES 

Through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Spirit of God, the Lord has equipped His church to share the Good News, to operate in power and to speak the truth with holy boldness.

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises, doing wonders?”  (Ex 15:11)

So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.  (Deu 26:8)

Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Ac 14:3)

. . .in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.  (Rom 15:19, emphasis added)

God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?  (Heb 2:4)

As the Word tells us, we are equipped for every good work that will bring praise, honor, and glory to our God.  (2 Tim 3:17)  Glory to God! (For more about signs, wonders and miracles, see also Jeremiah 32:21; Daniel 4:2-3; 6:27; Mark 9:23; Matthew 19:26)

Strive for Peace & Holiness

Strive for Peace & Holiness

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  (Heb 12:14 ESV)

. . . let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  (1 Pet 3:11 NKJV)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.  (Mt 5:8-9)

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  (1 Tim 6:11)

STRIVE means to struggle, do your utmost, and to make every effort.  So the Bible is instructing us to pull out all the stops to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives so that we will see the Lord. 

We want to turn away from evil, and live moral, virtuous and upright lives.  A certain path towards good is to look for peace and to take every opportunity to promote and to practice peace.  Jesus said that peacemakers would be called sons of God.  (Mt 5:9)

The Holy Spirit leads us to flee evil, vice and iniquity.  The Holy Spirit will inspire us to chase after and to exercise righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  The Lord also gives us His empowering grace in order to live each day victoriously and with joy.

The Bible reminds us in several passages that the Holy Spirit is our teacher.  (Lk 12:12; Joh 14:26; 1 Cor 2:13)  We need to allow Him to teach us and to lead us in the paths where He wants us to walk.  Submit to the Lord’s wisdom and guidance joyfully.

Food for Meditation

Food for Meditation

Our last article was on the topic of meditation, which included a biblical promise with it.  Today, I’m going to give you suggested food or topics for meditation.  I hope that they will bless you.

The Lord is my:

  • Exceedingly great reward (Gen 15:1)
  • Rock (Ps 18:2; 31:3; 71:3)
  • Rock that is Higher than I (Ps 61:2)
  • High Tower (Ps 144:2)
  • Hiding Place (Ps 32:7;119:114)
  • Very present help in the time of trouble (Ps 46:1)
  • Intercessor (Job 16:19-21 NIV1984; Isa 59:16-17)
  • Mediator (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24)
  • Advocate (1 Joh 2:1)
  • Teacher (Lk 12:12; Joh 14:26; 1 Cor 2:13)
  • Healer (Ex 15:26; Ps 103:3; Mt 4:23)
  • Open Heaven (Joh 1:51)
  • Comfort, Comforter (Ps 86:17; 2 Cor 1:3-4)
  • Strength (Ps 18:1; 32)
  • Fortress (Ps 18:2; 31:3; 71:3; 144:2)
  • Deliverer (Ps 18:2; 40:17; 70:5)
  • Shield (Ps 3:3; 18:2; 28:7; 144:2)
  • Horn of my salvation (Ps 18:2)
  • Stronghold (Ps 18:2)
  • Redeemer (Ps 19:14; 78:35; Pro 23:11)
  • Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6)
  • Sun of Righteousness (Mal 4:2)
  • Bright, Morning Star (Rev 22:16)

May God bless your meditations.

Healing In the Atonement of Christ, Pt. 2

Healing In the Atonement of Christ, Pt. 2

This is a continuation of our previous article. 

According to 1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV), we WERE already healed by Jesus’ stripes.  The past tense is used!   If the fourteen passages from the Bible that were shown in the last post do not make an impact upon your spirit, your soul, or your heart, then I encourage you to check out these additional verses in the Word concerning healing:  Matthew 4:23, 24; Mark 1:34; Luke 4:18-19, 9:11; John 5:1-9, 14.

The Lord reminds us that He is happy to give us the desires of our hearts. (Ps 37:4) 

God withholds nothing from us that is GOOD.  (Ps 34:10b; 84:11; 103:5) 

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits [blessings], the God of our salvation!  (Ps 68:19 – emphasis added)  God blesses us every single day!  Expect it and rely upon it, watching for God’s provision for you in many different ways.

God’s answer is always “Yes” to us when we base our request upon His Word.  (see 2 Co 1:20)

GOD KEEPS HIS WORD:

  • God [is] not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? (Num 23:19)
  • So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isa 55:11)
  • Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” (Jer 1:12 ESV)
  • And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. (Ro 4:21)

If divine healing is a completely new concept to you or if this is not what your church teaches, please keep an open mind.  Ask the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher (Jn 14:26), about these articles because He will guide you into His truth. 

If you know someone who believes in healing and miracles for today, please seek that person out and show them these articles.  Ask them what they think about these ideas.

I pray that you are a follower of Jesus who is open to and hungry for everything that Jesus suffered, died, and was resurrected in order to give to you.  May God continue to richly bless you!