MINISTRY OF HOLY SPIRIT

JOHN 16:7-15

The moment we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are adopted into God’s family, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. His presence is a guarantee that we belong to our heavenly Father.

The Spirit’s ministry is essential to our ability to carry out God’s work--and do it in a manner pleasing to Him. Transforming us from the inside out to be like Jesus and producing godly fruit in our lives are significant parts of His work. He also convicts us of sin, provides us with understanding and wisdom, and gives us the spiritual gifts we need to serve God. Only through the Spirit’s divine presence do we receive the equipping and empowerment necessary to accomplish God’s plans. As we serve in a godly manner, we will testify to the truth of who Jesus is.

All believers have God’s supernatural power to accomplish the work He has for them to do. Yet not all Christians choose to operate out of the holy Spirits’s strength. Sometimes that’s because we’re confident in our own abilities and see no need to involve Him.. A related reason is pride: we want to work things out ourselves and not depend on God. Human nature likes to be in control and have its own way.

By attempting to live the Christian life in our own strength, we achieve only what we ourselves are able to accomplish. However, when you and I operate in the strength and power of the Spirit, the result is what our almighty God can do. The presence of the Holy Spirit is essential to our living a victorious life.

GOD OPENS AND CLOSES DOORS

ACTS 16:6-10 -- Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, v7..After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit suffered them not. V8...and they passing by mysia came down to Troas. V9...And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. V10...And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. kjv

We know God has the power to open any closed door--no circumstance is too difficult for Him to overcome. And yet He may decide to let things that seem important to us remain blocked. Why does the Lord allow doors to stay shut?

Protection: Perhaps He is trying to keep us from making a mistake. On our own, we may not have adequate knowledge to make right choices.

Redirection: God could be sending us on a new path. His plan might include bigger opportunities for us, deeper satisfaction, a wider area of service, greater productivity, a season of suffering, or an opportunity to glorify His name. God closed doors in Asia so that the apostle Paul would minister on the continent of Europe. His obedience led to increased fruitfulness--the churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth--and to more knowledge for us through his letters to them. Though Paul experienced much suffering, he also knew the joy of participating in God’s work.

Testing: When God says “No,” our faith is tested, and we discover what we really believe about Him and His plans.

Perseverance: In these roadblocks, we have opportunity to develop steadfastness a vital quality for believers. ( Roman 5:3-5 -- And not only so, but, we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; v4...And patience, experience; and experience, hope: v5...And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us). kjv

Timing : Our Father places stop signs along our path in order to work out the correct timing for His will.

Disobedience: Past waywardness can affect future experience and blessings. When our way is stopped, we must look to God and seek His purpose for the interruption.

WHERE ART THOU

When God comes walking in the cool of the day

Where will you be when He calls where art thou

Will you try to hide in shame from your maker

Where will you be when He calls where art thou

                          --------

Where art thou when God called Adam in the garden

Are you clothed or are you hiding in your sins

You can be covered with the precious blood of Jesus

Where will you be when He calls where art thou

                          --------

How many times has the Lord called unto you

You have no covering for your sins you’ve been found out

But there’s a robe of righteousness He will put on you

That you may wear when He calls where art thou

~~

A song written by: Sue Sparks ( The Harvester Trio)

BE DRESSED FOR THE BATTLE

EPHESIANS 6:13-18

When we start our day by dressing appropriately for the weather or an activity. But many believers leave the house unprepared--they fail to arm themselves for spiritual warfare. Our first prayer before rising should include step-by-step application of God’s armor.

First, we strap on the belt of truth. A leather apron protected the Roman soldier’s abdomen; our protective girdle is the truth of who we are in Christ: saints with supernatural power from God’s indwelling Spirit. Next, the breastplate deflects arrows. As difficult situations arise, we can repel the temptation to live by emotion--whether anger, fear, or dissatisfaction--and respond with a right spirit instead.

The sandals of peace help us to stand firm. Roman battle sandals usually had thick, spiked soles so that the soldier could anchor himself in the dirt. Regardless of the fierce enemy buffeting us, we can remain firmly planted in God’s peaceful will. The shield of faith is no tiny, round piece of armor; it is door-sized equipment representing Christ’s protection against anything Satan throws.

Faith brought us salvation-the point at which we exchanged our old thought patterns for new ways of thinking. Consequently, with salvation’s helmet, we put on the mind of Christ, which gives us discernment and wisdom. Finally, we take up the sword of the Spirit sot that we can combat Satan’s lies with Scripture’s truth.

Knowing precisely what we will face each day, The Lord has graciously provided the perfect equipment needed for our challenges. Always be sure to dress for battle.

A MAN ON THE RUN

JONAH 1:1-17

The prophet Jonah went to Tarshish in an effort to escape from the presence of the Lord and thereby avoid a God-given assignment. Probably none of us would book a flight to a distant land in order to escape from God’s presence. Nevertheless, good people actually try to run from God in many different ways and end up experiencing the miseries of Jonah.

While running from the Lord, the prophet over looked some essentials that we should all keep in mind. In the first place, he incorrectly assumed that fleeing from God would release him from having to obey God. He probably never imagined how persistent the Lord can be when He calls us to a duty station Eventually Jonah found that it is impossible to run from God successfully--His love will pursue us, even to the depths of the sea in order to conform us to His will and His plan for our lives. God simply will not be deterred by our slippery disobedience.

Jonah had also overlooked the fact that the direction of disobedience is always downward. The Scriptures tell us that the reluctant prophet initially went down to Joppa. There he found a ship and proceeded down into it. And the next thing you know, he is plunging down into the depths of the sea--even down to the roots of the mountains. (Jonah 2:6).

When one runs from God, there is no hiding place, even in the bottom of the sea. Our whole life is always visible to the Lord. So instead of trying to flee His presence, welcome it.

LET GOD BE GOD

ISIAH 44:6 -- Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of Hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

We serve a sovereign , holy God. It is good gospel news that what God does for us is not contingent on what we are able to do. He is going to be God, regardless of what you and I do. You are not going to make God what you want Him to be. You may make a god, but it will not be the God.

He is more than able for every situation of our lives. The kingdom of darkness is subdued, and the blood-stained banner of His Cross is exalted. He is sitting high upon His throne, far above every principality, power, might and name is that is named (Ephesians 1:20 -- According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death).

It is time to destroy our idols and manmade temples and return to the pursuit of the God we are supposed to be serving--an omnipotent, all-powerful, holy God of mercy and grace.

When you truly let God be God in your life, you will be able to attain the unattainable and reach the unreachable.