Tag Archives: Jesus

The Holy Spirit In the Believer

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God’s gift to believers

Jesus spoke these words the night before his betrayal at the Last Supper. Jesus anticipated returning to His Father in Heaven, but He would not leave His followers helpless and alone. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit would be with them—giving them comfort, guidance, and strength. But instead of being with them physically as Jesus was, the Holy Spirit would reside in them (See also 1 Corinthians 3:16). I think this is one of God’s greatest (and mysterious) miracles: giving us new life through the baptism of His Holy Spirit—spiritual birth (John 3:3-8).

When we understand that Christ died in our place for our sins, rose from the grave, and we place our complete trust in Him for salvation—the Holy Spirit comes and indwells the believer.

Security in Salvation

Believers can be secure in their salvation. We are sealed by Christ through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus, who is stronger than the grips of death, is our Sealer. His seal is the Holy Spirit, “given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Believers are chosen [in Christ] before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6). Why? Paul says: to create a family of people who are passionate for God’s honor and glory (Ephesians 1:10-12). This is made possible through the Holy Spirit.

God’s children now have direct access to Him because Jesus has made us acceptable in His sight (unlike the Old Testament era when people could only approach God through priests, operating under the old sacrificial system, Hebrews 10:19-23).

Benefits of the Believer’s Security in Christ (Romans 8)

The Holy Spirit plays an active role in the believer’s life by:

  • Removing chaos and confusion with life and peace
  • Protecting against Satan
  • Assuring no condemnation
  • Uniting us with Christ, (no separation from God)
  • Preserving and protecting what the Father brings into being

Have you been sealed with the Holy Spirit by placing your complete trust in Christ?

Is it possible to grieve the Holy Spirit? How?

How can believers cooperate with the Holy Spirit and glorify God?

 

Three Effective Evangelism Plans (Part 5)

Posted on by under Salvation

Along with Billy Graham’s plan “Steps to Peace with God,” which I posted last week, the following plans have helped millions of Christians share the Gospel in a simple, but effective way.

1) The Romans Road of Salvation
  • Human Need (Rom. 3:23)
  • Sin’s Penalty (Rom. 6:23)
  • God’s Provision (Rom. 5:8)
  • The Person’s Response (Rom. 10:9)

 

2) Four Spiritual Laws (Campus Crusade for Christ)
  • God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life (John 3:16; 10:10).diagram_2
  • Humans are sinful and separated from God. Thus, they cannot know and experience God’s love and plan for their lives (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
  • Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for humanity’s sin. Through Jesus, you can know and experience God’s love and plan for your life (Rom. 5:8; John 14:6).
  • We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our lives (John 1:12; Eph. 2:8-9).
3) Bridge to Life (Navigators Resource/Tool link: http://www.navigators.org/Tools)bridge-illustration
  • The Bible teaches that God loves all humans and wants them to know Him (John 10:10; Rom. 5:1).
  • But humans have sinned against God and are separated from God and His love. This separation leads only to death and judgment (Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:2).
  • But there is a solution: Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins (the bridge between humanity and God) (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 5:8).
  • Only those who personally receive Jesus Christ into their lives, trusting Him to forgive their sins, can cross this bridge. Everyone must decide individually whether to receive Christ (John 3:16; John 5:24).

William Brent Ashby’s reference, 24 Ways to Explain the Gospel (Rose Publishing), is also great resource that uses word pictures. He highlights biblical illustrations and metaphors to clarify difficult concepts about salvation in a fold-out pamphlet. You can find it here: http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Explain-Gospel-Rose-Publishing/dp/1596363525

This wraps up my Evangelism series. Please come back next week for a new study. Have a fun and safe Memorial weekend!

The Supreme Gift

Posted on by under Salvation

Why am I in a cleaning out frenzy lately? My husband attributes it to female nesting. Hmm . . . possibly . . . . Or maybe:

  • Anticipation of a new year?
  • Seeing the contrast between my home and Better Homes and Gardens January issue: Simply Organized?
  • Cluttered drawers; forgotten, broken stuff; tripping over my daughter’s toys and boys’ clothes?

Yep . . . all of the above.

Clutter drives me nuts. I feel great after organizing a drawer, but maintenance . . . now that’s an ongoing project! Papers crumple, paint peels, toys break, carpet stains. Eventually, everything material crumbles and fades.

I’m really not trying to downplay giving gifts. I really do love Christmas. Baking, decorating, giving and receiving gifts, watching the kids’ excitement (which begins on Thanksgiving), attending their basketball games and concerts, spending time with family, sending and receiving Christmas cards . . . . It’s all good!

But I have to say, all of the above dims in comparison to knowing Jesus Christ. And I have to ask myself: Is there room in my heart for Christ’s reign, or is it cluttered with other stuff?

A Babe in a Manger

I love that God came down to earth in a poor and lowly place, in the form of a little baby. Jesus–Immanuel–God with us came to bring salvation to everyone, even the poorest and lowliest. As God’s Son, He came to save us from our sins and give us new life. The One who fashioned the universe (Psalm 104:1, 5) also clothed Himself in humanity so we can relate to Him.

Although Christ traveled ancient paths (John 1:1), He’s in the business of restoration and abundant life. Although “the mountains melt like wax before the LORD” (Psalm 97:5), He transforms and renews the surrendered heart (2 Corinthians 5:17). He never fails, breaks down, fades, or changes. His love is bigger than the universe He created.

His Name:

 Jesus Name Tree

(Created by K.D. Manes at tagxedo.com)

What’s on your Christmas list this year? Have you received the supreme gift of Jesus Christ–eternal life, adoption, forgiveness, restoration, healing, love, joy, peace, hope, purpose, friendship, abundant life? (For more on the supremacy of Christ, see Colossians 1:15-20.)

When Jesus was born, there was no room in the inn. Is there room in your heart for Him today?

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The Christmas Story

Posted on by under Salvation

My family and I enjoyed visiting the Okanagan Valley and West Kootenay region of B.C. Thanksgiving week. Kootenay Lake, Slocan Lake, and Arrow Lake—nestled between giant mountain peaks—stretch on for miles. The pine blanketed forests and rugged wilderness reminds me of God’s great creativity and power. IMG_2205_1

Holiday Time

The holidays can bring both joy and stress. Amidst busy preparations and seasonal activities, I hope we’ll all find time to relax and delve a little deeper into God’s Christmas treasures.

Last Christmas I bought a short reading guide, The Christmas Story, published by Zondervan in 2010. It highlights Messiah prophecies to the miraculous birth of Jesus. This book also features questions and summaries to help individuals and families better understand corresponding Scripture passages. The following references may be adapted according to your schedule and/or family’s ages.

Christmas Scripture Reading Plan

Old Testament Prophecies and Background of Messiah’s Coming

  1. God’s Promise to David: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
  2. The Sign of Immanuel: Isaiah 7:10-8:10
  3. A Child Is Born: Isaiah 9:1-7
  4. God’s People Ask for Salvation: Psalm 80:1-19
  5. The Branch from Jessie: Isaiah 11:1-10
  6. God Will Come To Save: Isaiah 35:1-10
  7. A Promised Ruler from Bethlehem: Micah 5:1-5

Events Surrounding and Including Jesus’ Birth

  1. The Birth of John Foretold: Luke 1:5-25
  2. An Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth: Luke 1:26-56
  3. Joseph Has a Dream: Matthew 1:18-25
  4. The Birth of John the Baptist: Luke 1:57-80
  5. The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2:1-7
  6. The Shepherds and the Angels: Luke 2:8-20
  7. Mary and Joseph Present Jesus at the Temple: Luke 2:21-40
  8. The Visit of the Magi: Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus: The Son of God and Channel of God’s Loving Forgiveness

  1. Jesus, the Son of God, is Baptized: Matthew 3:13-17
  2. From the Beginning: John 1:1-18
  3. God’s Great Gift of Love: John 3:1-21
  4. Jesus Christ Is Supreme: Colossians 1:15-20
  5. “Let All God’s Angels Worship Him”: Hebrews 1:1-14

May God’s great love and redemption plan seep into our hearts this Christmas . . . . I love the following rendition of Drummer Boy.

Holy Spirit’s Filling—Part 3

Posted on by under God's Call

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  – Jesus (John 7:37-38)

Jesus used the term living water in John 4:10 to symbolize eternal life. Living water in 7:38 (above) refers to the Holy Spirit. Wherever the Holy Spirit is accepted, Jesus brings eternal life. (Related post: Thirsty?)

This summary caps my final review of the Spirit’s filling, taken from the following key verse:

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery [wickedness]. Instead be filled with the Spirit.”   – Ephesians 5:18

The Apostle Paul contrasts the effects of alcohol here—associated with selfish desires and the old way of life—as a temporary high to being controlled by The Holy Spirit, which results in lasting joy.

Although I’ve sensed the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in church services and in my own life, I haven’t dwelt on the following question until recently.

How Does The Holy Spirit Fill Us?

God’s ways can’t be pinned down to formulas, but He doesn’t leave us clueless either. Tony Evans suggests that Paul’s following remarks in Ephesians 5:19-21 explain the process of the Spirit’s filling:

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord: always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”

(Paul also urges us to hold our own private worship services, Romans 12:1.)

Practical Application

How does this practically relate to Christians?

  1. Communicate with one another: Christians should regularly reinforce—and be reinforced by others—to keep our focus on Christ and stay on track spiritually (Hebrews 10:24-25)
  2. Communicate with the Lord: Pray . . . . Pray . . . . Pray (John 16:24; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
  3. Give thanks: for everything in Jesus’ name (Ephesians 5:20; I Thessalonians 5:17)
  4. Be subject to one another: This doesn’t mean the demeaning, subservient thing defined in many circles. But rather, reflecting the servant spirit Jesus beautifully demonstrated.

I don’t know about you, but in comparison to an inflated balloon when filled by the Holy Spirit, I admit—I rapidly deflate at times—spinning wildly before crashing to the ground (especially before my morning cup of coffee, or after too many cups!) 68b9b998e8bfb984213c7a440b36ceedMaybe that’s why we’re told to consistently meet together and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25). I for one need this!

Results of The Holy Spirit’s Filling

In Christ—when controlled by the Holy Spirit—we have a higher and longer lasting remedy to depression, tension, or boredom. When filled, we benefit from the following results:

  • Christlikeness: (Romans 8:5; Galations 5:22, 23)
  • Help: in daily problems and in our praying (Romans 8:26, 27)
  • Empowerment: to freely serve God and carry out His will (2 Corinthians 3:17; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6)

The Spirit’s filling brings peace and life (Galations 5:16-23). The quantity and frequency of submitting ourselves to the Spirit’s control directly relates to our spiritual growth. (Related post: Training or Trying)

God loves you! Come to Him right where you are . . . . I was blessed by Steve Rebus’ testimony. Here is a link to his page: http://steverebus.com/about/.

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