Move Out!
It can seem like wickedness, evil, and deceit have no end. That this visible and tangible environment is the ultimate and only reality. It can appear as if societal structures and political positions are the most important issues of life.
-
-
One Baptism
There’s only one baptism. Accept no substitutes.
-
Cooperating with God
We cooperate with what He is doing within us by yielding to prompts and urges that whisper things like…
-
The Dynamo Energizing Us
We do not work to get this power. We merely allow it to flow by flipping the switch as it were from off (living in fleshly ways that quench His guidance) to on (living in dependence on Him by faith).
-
Spiritual Subversion
A good friend recently asked, “Can we completely subvert the working of the Spirit in our lives totally?” I think this is an insightful question and one that many believers find themselves asking at one time or another.
-
Grieving & Quenching the Spirit
I think all fleshliness grieves and quenches Holy spirit.
To speak of grieving Him is to speak of the effect fleshliness has on the Spirit of God in us. He wants better for us, and it breaks His heart, so to speak, when we live as though we were still in the flesh.
-
That Unsettled Feeling
That unsettled feeling is definitely Holy Spirit. I bet you’ve noticed Him speaking to you in a way not unlike intuition. That strangely unsettled feeling over a poor choice, or joyful peace over a good one. I sure have.
-
EPHESIANS: Word Sword
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh, and you are in Him. This is why hearing the truth of the Good News resonates with your spirit.
-
Conquering Temptation
We react almost instinctively, so when we are not watching closely enough it appears as though there was no opportunity for a decision at all. This is a subtle lie from our enemy and once we recognize it, we can become more aware of those moments in which we choose ungodly attitudes and actions.
-
Simple Acts of Love
In tiny ways as we go about our daily lives, we naturally spread the Love of God. People see more than we realize and seeds that have the potential to change the landscape of people’s lives are planted.
-
Spirit and Flesh, a Candid Explanation
Paul says that sin lives in his members, in his body. The Greek here is (melos) which means members or parts of one’s physical body. For me, this is crucial because it helps me understand the Biblical use of (sarx-flesh) more readily.
-
Proving Yeast
If the dough rises, however, you can be sure there is living yeast in it. Risen dough is evidence that there is life in the yeast. James said something similar; “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24, NASB 2020)
-
Falling from Grace
When you fall back into navigating life like the world and its systems think you should, you’re walking according to the flesh. That never ends well. It results in life on a performance treadmill trying to get closer to God while in truth, you’re getting nowhere.
-
Body, Soul, and Spirit
Let’s face it, the world is full of evil of every sort. Sin is everywhere and we are not immune to the effects of evil and sin around us. It pervades our day-to-day lives and pressures us constantly. The temptation it engenders can be strong and we sometimes, maybe even often, fail to escape it.
-
Introducing the Lord Jesus Part 4
REVELATION Number 36Introducing the Lord JesusPart 4 In Revelation 3:1 we find the Lord’s letter to Sardis. There, the Lord introduces Himself as “He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.” We know from Revelation 1:20 that the seven stars are the angels, or messengers, of the churches. Having earlier written…
-
New Spirit or Renovated Spirit
New Spirit or Renovated Spirit For me heart and spirit are very closely related. Our spirit is the life force. It’s who we are as a being. Then we have a soul (mind, will, emotions) which comprises our personality. As used in scripture, “heart” can refer to either or both. Our deepest desires and motives…
-
Thoughts on the Role of the Spirit
Thoughts on the Role of the Spirit The Spirit guides us into truth. He is active in causing us to see sin in our lives. The Holy Spirit prompts believers toward godly behavior and attitudes, but He does not convict believers. The definition of “convict” is: “1) declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal…
-
Three Parts, One Human
Three Parts One Human We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. Jesus said that what is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. (see John 3:6) So, when we are born again, we are born of God, born of the Spirit….
-
Evil Spirits
Evil Spirits Saints, Now that we have placed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, no evil spirits have any place in our lives. There is only one Spirit for us, and He lives in us. The enemy can insert thoughts into our minds using old pathways of thinking we have habituated over long periods…
-
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Baptism in the Holy Spirit Some wonder about baptism of, or with, or in, the Holy Spirit. Pentecost with its flame-like visitation was a one-time event. I believe it happened as it did as a sign to mark the establishment of the new covenant. Since that event, every believer is baptized in/with the Holy Spirit…
-
Profound Change
Profound Change God’s promise in Ezekiel 11:19 & 36:26-27 contained these things:Removal of our old heart of stone (it was deceitful, cold, and unloving)A new heart of flesh (it’s soft, warm, and loving)A new spirit (the old one was bent on rebellion)His Spirit in us (without Him, we do not have eternal Life) Our new…
-
Humble Yourself
Humble YourselfA study from 1 Peter 5 (ESV) 1 Peter 5:1–4 “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,…
-
Thoughts on Quenching the Spirit
Thoughts on Quenching the Spirit No one who is in Christ wants to quench the Spirit, yet we all do from time to time. Sometimes we may squelch Him often and for long periods. We may yield to Him in some things and not others. We are all maturing into the fullness of who we…
-
Dear Saint
Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (NASB 2020) Dear Saint, God is love.He lives in you, so you’re loving too. God is genuinely joyful.He lives in you, so you can be joyful. God is serenely peaceful.He…
-
Living Water
Living Water John 7:37–39 37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 But…
