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The Strength Of The Spirit

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Ezekiel 36:24-29

[24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
[28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
[29] I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

Ezekiel speaks on the blessings that were being spoken to Israel, speaking on the transformation of the heart. That spirit we have today is used to cleanse us, to walk in the statutes, and do them!

John 14:16-28

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
[22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
[24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
[25] These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
[27] Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
[28] Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Jesus was speaking about the spirit that would be there for us in our time of need, that what was being left behind would keep us until we get to Heaven!

Romans 8:9-10

[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

So when we are in the spirit, He is with us, and without it we are our flesh and the part that is sin. We need the spiritual things to keep us each and every day while we live!

1 John 2:27-29

[27] But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
[28] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
[29] If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

The spirit will teach you, not man, not tradition, not doctrine, not religion, not what you had always thought you knew, but the spirit will!  We need not be ashamed!

Even When We Cannot See, God Is There

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There are so many days when we are in question of what we deal with as well as what we go through. Often times it is truly hard to understand and grasp the true knowledge of the “why” and “what” on everything we face. I am reminded every day that when it does not feel easy that those are the days that we have to allow God to begin to be our strength. Those are the times that we have to allow God to build our faith. Most importantly, we have to remember that God is there.

It would be easy for me to sit down and give up on my faith. Or so we think…I say that because faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. How many times has God came through for us in our lives even when we were not aware of a way to be made through something? I could not begin to count!

It’s by His grace and mercy that we still stand today, and it’s by the blessings that He pours upon us that we continue to strive forward as servants of Him! And remember, that God will never leave your, nor forsake you; especially in a time when you are calling on Him to be near. When Jesus was on the earth, He spoke of a comforter that would come when He would go. That comforter is ever-so-present with us now, and is more than able to help us through the days that are hard!

God is there! He is with you! Remember that, and do not waiver from how far that you have come! You have came too far and done so many great things in your life to simply lay down from a few hard times here and there! Let’s face them together and believe in faith! By the Lord God above, we shall prevail in victory!

In Whom I Believe

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Many world issues are all around us and among us. Nationwide issues are prevalent, and local issues (where we are at least) are in vast abundance. When we hear of all the problems that are going on, the first instinct is to immediately “tune it out”.

That scares me.

My question is, whatever happened to the day when God’s people prayed in whom they believed? I know at one point it use to dominate everywhere that I would go; you could not go somewhere without the presence of God being reflected in some way. Now? It’s starting to fade from the falling away of the conditioning of the children of God today. I wish I could say something better than that, but I like to speak things that will get us thinking. We are all included in that list, because we have to learn to go forward and not stop! Sometimes I know it seems silly to sit down and to pray for situations that are way bigger than you are, but we have to be reminded of two things: 1) We aren’t able, but 2) God is!

If we can remember that, and hold true to the promises of God, we could have enough to fill our prayers every single day. We wouldn’t dread to hear things that would “pull us down”; I would say we would take a different approach. People that came to Jesus were met with faith and power. When people come to us, what do they see? What do they hear? I hope that when people come to the church of today, they know about “in whom we believe”. I hope we do not forget who is alive and on the throne today, and hears our every prayer! Knock the dust off of your prayer voice and get going! The next time someone comes to you with something, just remind them that you are praying about it (and that you actually are for real)!

Beating Life’s Storms

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Mark 4:1-2 – Jesus Teaching at the sea side

[1] And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
[2] And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Mark 4:3-8 – Jesus giving the parable of the sower

[3] Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
[4] And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
[5] And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
[6] But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
[7] And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
[8] And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

Mark 4:9-10 – The people began to question

[9] And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[10] And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

Mark 4:11-33 – Christ brings out the deeper meaning of it

[11] And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
[12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
[13] And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
[14] The sower soweth the word.
[15] And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
[16] And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
[17] And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.
[18] And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
[19] And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
[20] And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
[21] And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
[22] For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
[23] If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
[24] And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
[25] For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
[26] And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
[27] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
[28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
[29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
[30] And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
[31] It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
[32] But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
[33] And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.

Mark 4:34 – Christ broke it down further for his disciples

[34] But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Mark 4:35 – Christ asked the disciples to come along across the waters

[35] And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

Mark 4:36-38 – As the winds blew down, they became worried

[36] And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
[37] And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
[38] And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 4:39 – Christ first rebuked the wind, then spoke to the sea

[39] And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:40 – Jesus questions their faith

[40] And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 4:41- The disciples realized His power

[41] And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

North of Jerusalem about 80 miles lies a body of water known as the sea of

Galilee. It is roughly 12 miles long and 7 miles wide. The sea is quite low at about 680 feet below sea level. The river Jordan flows through it on its way to the Dead Sea. It was the lake that Jesus knew as a child and young man. It was only 12 to 15 miles from this childhood home of Nazareth.

Jesus used the boat to get a few yards out so all could see and hear. As the heat became so great on the sea and the hills around the water, and considering that those hills were very high, this would allow cold air to rush in from above and create truly violent winds. These were the kind of storms they were experiencing as they went across. Jesus calming the storm was one of His demonstrated miracles of power over Nature.

It demonstrated the power of rebuke and how we need to put into practice rebuke AND speaking peace. Demonstrated Godly authority to the enemy AND faith in God bringing peace to your mind!

John 2:6-11 – Water Into Wine

[6] And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
[7] Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.
[8] And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.
[9] When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
[10] And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
[11] This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

When you read about the containers, let us put it into perspective:

1 firkin = 9 Gallons

1 Water pot = 2 or 3 firkins (18-27 Gallons per pot)

6 Water pots = 108-162 Possible Gallons of changed water!

The people that drew the water knew that it was truly a miracle. Not just because of the change of contents, but because of the volume of the change. Normally wine is a very long process and would take longer than literally a few spoken words. You can just consider that by the sacrifice of Jesus and grace of God that we are not the old covenant, but of that new wine of Christ!

Obedience…Must I?

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When it comes to expanding our horizons with God, we mostly feel uncomfortable. We as humans are of a settling nature. It made me realize that not everyone is compelled to be an explorer or the person who draws out the maps of the earth. Everyone is called to do different things in different ways but all (SHOULD) have one connector: the Love of Christ.

If you have been going to a church for a while and are wondering why God does not move in people the same, it is definitely for a multitude of reasons. Do not blame yourself for growth you are unable to see at the time of your obedience; it simply means that people only grow at the rate that they allow God to flow in their lives. Some love God so much that correction is welcome and grow quickly, while others reject it and are not able to enjoy God the way they could.

I have had to learn something quickly along the way, and that is that you must get used to people saying no before you can enjoy them saying yes. You need to first come to the acceptance of your obedience and realize that it is of worth regardless of response! Your obedience is to God, and what flows from you is God to people! How that happens is the wonderful and unique way  that God has called you to present it.

Stay encouraged in obedience! Do not let one rough go of it get you down. The price paid by Jesus for your ministry to be performed was worth far more than giving up on the attitudes of others! Fight the enemy through your obedience!

Feeling Frustrated? Find The Peace Of God!

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THE WORD

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It is an unfortunate truth to accept but we all have learned through experience that it is impossible to avoid all the situations that will bring out the worst in us. Sometimes we will want to get upset because of the circumstance when trying to understand why it happened. Other times we get upset with ourselves because we could have made a better decision and yet chose differently. I think about when Jesus was out on the boat with the disciples. They all began to panic greatly and fear was present. I can imagine hearing “I cannot believe we came out here in this weather” or “we came out all this way for this?!?” There will be countless times where it will be hard to find clarity about the why or what of an event. We become frustrated, angry with life, and needing answers from our state of panic.

And as we read on the disciples went to rouse Jesus out of His slumber but only to hear Him speak to the storm, “Peace, be still” That stirs my heart and soul to not only recognize the power of the peace of God, but the awesome power of God. To be able to speak to the tempests of our lives and have dominion over it all is so amazing. It is wonderful to know that through our faith as we believe we can overcome the raging seas by speaking peace over our circumstances! Find the peace of God in your life today!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

To fully understand the peace of God you must allow it to be fulfilled in your life. This is done best in prayer. For practice I encourage you to take the issue that you are dealing with and enter into surrender by starting out your prayer with the following:

“God, you see this situation in my life. I accept that I may not understand the plan behind that which I am suffering. I put my trust in your will for my life and pray that peace will help me to get through everything that attempts to rise within my human nature. Help me to forgive those who have harmed me and to release bitterness that has come from my confusion. I will obey your holy word and make my best efforts to be a loving example.”

Processing Conviction

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“Simon” comes from the greek interpretation meaning hearing. “Peter” comes from an Aramaic term for rock.

He was one of the first to confess that Jesus was the Messiah, and was also known to be read as one of the first ones to deny him also. It reminds us that even though we often idolize those we read in the scriptures, that they were indeed human and we are able to begin to obey God just as all did that we read about!

Luke 14:26-27

[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
[27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

There are many times that we think that conviction only bears the purpose of bringing others to Christ; however, it goes much further than that if you allow it to. It can begin to show you every single day things that need to begin to change in your life. The big things, the small things, all the things that are a hindrance in your walk with God!

Psalms 51:4

[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

When we allow it to happen, the spirit of God will begin to produce conviction through our willingness to listen. It allows us to draw closer by removing all the parts of our lives that seem so hard to deal with. It separates us from sin, delivers us from temptations, and doesn’t allow the enemy to win the mental battles that are so often won without as much as a fight!

Luke 22:31

[31] And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

John 15:20

[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

We have to learn to follow the leadership of God when He begins to speak to us, to be careful to hear and follow what is instructed. After hearing what we do, we must BEGIN to follow through on that. We must not wait! We have to begin to move forward and remember that as we read that “If they have persecuted me” (being Jesus) that you will face sufferings, but through Christ you will come out victorious!

Psalms 51:10

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Conviction should produce contrition. It should make me begin to cry out to God in a brand new way. I should learn to acknowledge my problems and shortcomings, for God knows far more about our lives; the present day and far ahead of what we can even begin to comprehend!

Luke 22:32

[32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Conviction should produce confidence to help others! The body of Christ when in a stable established walk with God should get to a place where you are able for people to bear of the fruits of the Spirit of you (peace, joy and love). If we are bringing everything else of the world, they cannot be drawn by that, and people cannot be changed and walk in a new person, a new creature.

Galatians 1:16

[16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

“Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” tells me not to lean on my own understanding, but to learn to trust the spirit of God. It will not fail you or forsake you. That’s the only thing that will prove to be consistent in your life AND in your churches of today. A spiritual church is an active church. A non-spiritual church is a church not performing in outreach, but simply performing. People need help and need us to follow conviction once more!

Acts 8:22

[22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Matthew 19:21

[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.Come and follow me

We have to learn to heed to the voice and command to move to what the spirit would want us to do. People need to hear from our experiences and words that are given, for that is life to others. We often question that, but if we surrender and come willing God will prove Himself true and people will be changed! You can guarantee it!

Luke 22:54-62

[54] Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
[55] And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
[56] But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
[57] And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
[58] And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
[59] And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
[60] And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
[61] And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[62] And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

This was a result of conviction in Peter, but this was not the end of Peter. Remember to walk in the confidence that Jesus spoke about that “upon this rock I will build my church”. Jesus was talking about the part of the person that believes. Let that part of you be strong!

Spiritual Quickening

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John 5:18-25

[18] Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
[19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
[20] For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
[21] For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
[22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
[23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
[25] Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

The Jews were coming to slay Christ because he had moved to heal the lame man of 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. It was simply because the work was performed on the day of the Sabbath!

There will come a time in your life when you will be quickened by God to do something as bold as this, even in the midst of those who would reject it. The question we have to ask ourselves is: are we willing to be quickened?

If you read verse 43 (John 5:43), you’ll see that we’ll try to come our own way, which won’t work!

[43] I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Romans 8:8-17

[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
[10] And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
[12] Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
[13] For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
[14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

We always begin in the flesh, for that is where we allow the enemy to win in our lives, our hearts, our homes, our services, etc.! We never get off the ground because we never get past our feelings that pull us down.

But how are we quickened? The spirit of Him that rose up Jesus from the dead dwells in you!

Therefore! We do not live to the flesh or to our will. We will never be stirred any other way lest we live in the deeds in the body of the spirit!

Isaiah 40:28-31

[28] Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
[29] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
[30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
[31] But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

God faints not, nor is weary, but so often our faith and consistency is. We wait through our endurance and obedience to God in the midst of our trials!

I wait by believing and trusting the Lord and being who that God has called me to be!

How can a ministry perform outreach if we work upon stopping or waiting? We must be fluent and continual, always seeking God for those that stand in need beyond what we could comprehend.

God will renew your strength so that you can run! Fly! God will not let you be weary when you are working and waiting on Him!

Romans 12:1-2

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We are quickened not for ourselves, but by the spirit for the service of the lost!

If you read verses 3-12 (Romans 12:3-12), you might find yourself somewhere as I do every time I read over it.

[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Ephesians 2:1-8

[1] And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
[2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
[3] Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
[5] Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
[7] That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Even when we were dead in sin, he loved us! He raised us up to sit in Heavenly places!

By God’s grace we have the ability to be saved through faith and that not of ourselves. That is the gift of God towards us!

Are You Living Or Existing?

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Galatians 5:25  – If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

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I wanted to reach out today to talk about your everyday living. Some of us stay at home and some of us work, while others are dedicated for other hobbies or interests in life. It is interesting to me that when church-goers are inquired about the level of enjoyment that they have that the consensus is usually “so-so” or “not very much”. That really makes me sad to know, considering the guidelines that was laid out in the word of God for us to realize what we can be so much more than average.

God sent Jesus Christ for everyone so we would never have more of a load than we could bear and provided a way of escape from sin! I want to remind you about the peace of God and the joy of the Lord being your strength! I also remind you about how a merry heart doeth good like a medicine! It is healthy for you to be enjoying your life! It is healthy for you to be happy! Do you have to be living in sin and doing horrible things to accomplish this? No way!

Life has many present joys out there to offer that you can begin to take in through God. Including God in your life will allow you to begin to live and not just exist. If you are doing something without seeking God and His will about it, you may be in the existence of sin without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, if you begin to live when the spirit leads you to joy through your trials, you will be strengthened through the provision of what God gives each day! Remember to not just exist, but live and do all things THROUGH Christ!

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Put Into Practice:

Learn to simply not accept any present situation as it is if you are not satisfied with how you feel that it is going. If you feel like you need to pray about something to get peace, I suggest you do it. If you need to sing to bring joy in the moment, do it! If you need to study Gods word more often to give you more guidance, do it! If you need to be humble and more spiritual to endure the harder things ahead of you, do it! The most important thing that I could say for you is to find a part of you that you need to work on and take action! The biggest harm that you could do against yourself is when you do nothing to help.

Do whatever you can to improve your walk with God. Heed to each and every word that you get and let it stick to you like glue. Do not let go of the great things that God will work in your life, for they will begin to build you to the person that you never thought you could be. You will live in the love you never thought you could. But most of all, you will see all your hopes and dreams begin to come alive right before your eyes. Love God, others and yourself!

Daily Regeneration

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Regenrate – reform or reborn; to replace what is lost or injured; a spiritual or moral birth

Birth Of A New Spirit Within You

Ezekiel 36:25-27

[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

God places something within me, and all of my cold and barren conditions are replaced. I am regenerated through the spirit of God! He gives us something to take the place of what needs to change; all the sin and the temptations that drive us from God especially!

The Spirit Is Of Divine Origin

John 1:1,4,13

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

[13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

That which is placed in me is not of my own: not of blood, or in other words my life. It is neither the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but born of God! There is nothing that I could ever find or create in this world that could ever bring me true life and happiness! Try as you may, but it will only be when we finally come into surrender to God and recognize that it’s none of the wills of me but of Him!

Regeneration Is Essential To Spiritual Vision

John 3:3,5-8

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
[7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

We cannot see, be led, enter, or understand the will of God without the spirit! And without a vision, we would perish regardless! I must be born into! I must have that experience! I must come to God to be as new! The spirit performs a work in you to make you as not what you were. We could never imagine what the spirit could do in us, just as we read the reference to the wind. We simply know that when it comes to help us that we must submit, simple as that!

The Spirit Brings Forth A New Creature

2 Corinthians 5:17

[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

By the spiritual transformation through coming to Jesus Christ, all ways and lifestyles and all that I ever knew was made new! The person that I once was has been forgiven and my sins have been cast from me. People might try to remember me as I was, but God sees me as the one who has been saved by the sacrifice at the cross.

You could say that I had a funeral for the death of the old man!

It Is Necessary To Salvation

Titus 3:4-7

[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Not by our works, but the works of Christ! He made a way for you! By His grace through salvation we can be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life! That should stir your heart if you read it over and over each and every day!

We Are Regenerated By The Word Of God

1 Peter 1:23-25

[23] Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
[24] For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
[25] But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

We must be born into the understanding of the word of God and not our own. Our own understanding shall fade away! The word of God will keep you continually! Regenerate you! People could never say enough to help you in a bad situation. That’s why the comforter and teacher of the Holy Ghost is there to guide you and give you water when you thirst, or in other words knowledge in areas that no one could provide.

Obtained By Faith

1 John 5:1

[1] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

Take that step out and believe! God is ready to receive you today! To repent means to turn! Turn to God and away from the life you once had known and renew yourself to be the person that through the spirit can be successful now and in the future!