Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira
The passages tells us that the Holy Spirit is God, not just a force. We can sin against the Spirit by doing the following things:
1. lying - doing things without committing through the heart
2. grieving - this is done when we carry anger in hearts, put down others and anything that is against the new nature inside of us.
3. quenching - holding back from giving the Spirit complete control, meaning we resist changing from our old ways by ignoring His promptings
4.resisting - the desire of the Spirit is to bring us closer to God;however, pride will often stop us from acknowledging Christ as our Saviour. Christ, himself, called us stubborn people.
5. insulting - dismissing the great price Jesus paid for us on the Cross; refusing to accept the gift of salvation...
6. blaspheming - rejecting Jesus as our Saviour. This is the ultimate sin, this is the point of no return...
This is a great and informative passage about a husband and wife, Ananias and Sappira, who conspired to cheat God. They were to sell land that give that money to apostles. Out of greed they kept part of the money for themselves. When caught and confronted, they died instantly.
Hebrews 8:1-6
Christ is our High Priest
This passage begins by telling us that Christ sits on the right hand of God. Our places of worship are a mere "shadow" of the real one in Heaven.
Father, I thank for today's message about the Holy Spirit. I know for a fact that I have been quenching and grieving the Spirit. I ask for courage to break this cycle so that I can set the Spirit that lives within me free - free to follow your ways.
Showing posts with label holy spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holy spirit. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
My Lord, My King, Tells Me to be Patient
Acts 2: 14-39
Peter Preaches to a Crowd
I love this quote that King David said about Jesus, 'I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises. My body rests in hope.' (25,26)
How beautiful this is... to know that God is along side me every step of the way, in times of sadness and in times of grief.
I also love this saying from Peter, ' Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' (38)
So does this mean, we will only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, but receive the gift of life in Christ when we choose to follow him?
In the supplementary text, it mentions that the Holy Spirit is not there just to allow us to "feel" a certain way, but rather to accomplish something based on our feeling. The Holy Spirit can be like dynamite, giving us bursts of new energy or it can be "power" to keep us going. We must tap into this "dynamite" so we can have Christ shine through us.
Hebrews 6:7-15
This is a passage about patience. This reminds me of God's message to me... God took an oath in his own name saying: I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions... Abraham waited patiently and he recieved what God had promised. (13-15)
I can hear God whispering to me, "Patience, my child, patience..."
So Father, I pray that you will give me more patience and peace, not only in my yearning for a child, but also in my work place, in working with others. I pray that you will continue to work through me and to bless me so that I may bless others. I pray that you will give me energy, the energy of a thousand horses so that I can get all my work done, but also the wisdom to leave my work when necessary... as you tell us the need for a break.
Peter Preaches to a Crowd
I love this quote that King David said about Jesus, 'I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises. My body rests in hope.' (25,26)
How beautiful this is... to know that God is along side me every step of the way, in times of sadness and in times of grief.
I also love this saying from Peter, ' Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' (38)
So does this mean, we will only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized, but receive the gift of life in Christ when we choose to follow him?
In the supplementary text, it mentions that the Holy Spirit is not there just to allow us to "feel" a certain way, but rather to accomplish something based on our feeling. The Holy Spirit can be like dynamite, giving us bursts of new energy or it can be "power" to keep us going. We must tap into this "dynamite" so we can have Christ shine through us.
Hebrews 6:7-15
This is a passage about patience. This reminds me of God's message to me... God took an oath in his own name saying: I will certainly bless you richly, and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions... Abraham waited patiently and he recieved what God had promised. (13-15)
I can hear God whispering to me, "Patience, my child, patience..."
So Father, I pray that you will give me more patience and peace, not only in my yearning for a child, but also in my work place, in working with others. I pray that you will continue to work through me and to bless me so that I may bless others. I pray that you will give me energy, the energy of a thousand horses so that I can get all my work done, but also the wisdom to leave my work when necessary... as you tell us the need for a break.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
My Pillar of Strength
John 6:47-71
Jesus, the Bread of Life
So Jesus said, " I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day." (53, 54)
Even his disciples doubted this. Many followers chose to leave Jesus at this point, expect his Twelve disciples. I believe and I thank Christ for dying for me and I thank Him for living in me and giving me wisdom and discernment to follow his ways.
1 Timothy 5:3-10
Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves
We are to take care of our family, parents and grandparents for this is pleasing to God. This passage has confirmed the strength of the Holy Spirit living in me. I recall how upset I was when I came home from Cambodia, finding out that my grand-uncle and aunt were treated like outsiders. I was quick to act and show them they had someone to count on in times of need. So I thank God for this pillar of righteousness that is within me. I pray that you will continue to use me to encourage others to do what is right by caring not only for family, but also for strangers.
Jesus, the Bread of Life
So Jesus said, " I assure you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them at the last day." (53, 54)
Even his disciples doubted this. Many followers chose to leave Jesus at this point, expect his Twelve disciples. I believe and I thank Christ for dying for me and I thank Him for living in me and giving me wisdom and discernment to follow his ways.
1 Timothy 5:3-10
Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves
We are to take care of our family, parents and grandparents for this is pleasing to God. This passage has confirmed the strength of the Holy Spirit living in me. I recall how upset I was when I came home from Cambodia, finding out that my grand-uncle and aunt were treated like outsiders. I was quick to act and show them they had someone to count on in times of need. So I thank God for this pillar of righteousness that is within me. I pray that you will continue to use me to encourage others to do what is right by caring not only for family, but also for strangers.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Leading a Life Led by the Spirit
Luke 22:63-71
The Mocking of Jesus and Jesus Before the Council
After Peter denies Jesus 3 times, the guards beat, blindfold and mock Jesus for being the messiah. Jesus was charged with death by Crucifixition for admitting He was the Son of God.
God is telling me that by following Him, I too will be mocked, perhaps humiliated and alienated. This is the price of following His ways. Jesus was given an unfair trial, even death on a cross. This was how He showed His love for us. What am I willing to sacrifice for his love? If this passage were alive in me, I would not be afraid, I would be proud to be a Christian and wear this fact BOLDLY on my sleeve. I ask God to give me strength to look past the opinions of others and only seek satisfaction from God's approval.
1Thessalonians 4:1-8
Live to Please God
"God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. (3)"
The emphasis of this passage is also about living under the control of the Holy Spirit and not falling into pagan temptations. The more the Holy Spirit is in our lives, the stronger we will be to resist these temptations. God is reminding me that even lustful thoughts are not permissible. I thank God that I have a loving and faithful husband, but also ask God to continue to give me strength to live a life led by the Holy Spirit, doing things pleasing to God.
The Mocking of Jesus and Jesus Before the Council
After Peter denies Jesus 3 times, the guards beat, blindfold and mock Jesus for being the messiah. Jesus was charged with death by Crucifixition for admitting He was the Son of God.
God is telling me that by following Him, I too will be mocked, perhaps humiliated and alienated. This is the price of following His ways. Jesus was given an unfair trial, even death on a cross. This was how He showed His love for us. What am I willing to sacrifice for his love? If this passage were alive in me, I would not be afraid, I would be proud to be a Christian and wear this fact BOLDLY on my sleeve. I ask God to give me strength to look past the opinions of others and only seek satisfaction from God's approval.
1Thessalonians 4:1-8
Live to Please God
"God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. (3)"
The emphasis of this passage is also about living under the control of the Holy Spirit and not falling into pagan temptations. The more the Holy Spirit is in our lives, the stronger we will be to resist these temptations. God is reminding me that even lustful thoughts are not permissible. I thank God that I have a loving and faithful husband, but also ask God to continue to give me strength to live a life led by the Holy Spirit, doing things pleasing to God.
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