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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Struggling

Another thought, last night our pastor said that someone said they would rather be in hell than be in heaven with a bunch of hypocrites. And this morning I felt like the Lord was saying to me...Just because we have asked Jesus to be Lord of our lives doesn't mean that we won't have anger issues, or addictions, or control over our mouth. We are not perfect just because Jesus was, we don't become something we are not, we are changed into what we were designed for. Jesus begins to change those things in us if we are willing, but there is sooooo much more to being a Christ follower that saying I am a Christian. We are all fallen humans we all have sin in our lives. Struggling with the same things, money, addiction, love, children, jobs. Christ followers don't have to go it alone. And neither does anyone else just ask Him to come into your heart and life.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Forever After

This is just a quick note. Just got back from an awesome Wed. night service.
My heart breaks for my family and friends who know God but have no relationship with Him. He is the God of relationship, that is why He put Adam and Eve in the garden. They made choices that led to them leaving the garden. He longs to have relationships with us. It is not easy to follow Jesus. Trust me, it is not a cake walk, but He gives you the strength you need, for every step. He doesn't ask anything of you that you can not do.
Religion and relationship are not the same thing. Just because you go to church every Sun AM, Sun PM, and Wed PM, and every Bible study doesn't mean that you have a relationship.
So as our Pastor ask tonight, what do you do with Jesus at you church, and in your life? Is He just someone who died on the cross for you sins? Did He do that yes He did, but He did so much more. He ROSE from the dead and ascended into heaven. He is not longer attached to a cross, He lives. If you are dry and thirsty ask for more of Him. Ask for His Holy Spirit to come and show you how to have a relationship with Him.
John 11:25-26 (New King James Version)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Holy Spirit

What does the New Testament really have to say about the Holy Spirit? I am a Spirit filled Christian and I get very tired of people say to me that the New Testament doesn't say anything about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. I believe that we still live in the New Testament church. We are a continuation of Acts. Just because the book does not continue til today doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit has left the earth. I haven't read anything in the New Testament that stated that the Holy Spirit descended in to the heavens like Jesus did.

So lets take a journey into the Scriptures.

Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

John 14:15-18

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Luke 12:12

12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

John 14:26

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 16:7

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.




So we lean here God is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. If He (Holy Spirit) is something that you long for but don't have, ask.

The world doesn't know Him (Holy Spirit) they don't understand Him. He is a mystery to them. Maybe that is why as Christian we don't talk about the Holy Spirit much anymore. He turns the world off. Because He is the guiding factor in our lives, not a God who dwells in the Heavens, but a God who dwells with us and lives in us.

He teaches us what to say. He speaks to us, yes God does speak to us! He is not this all knowing, but not caring God. He longs to have a relationship with you, for you to share with Him what you share with your best friend. He know what is best for you and He is willing to lead you with His Holy Spirit if you ask.

He is our teacher. Because sometimes when we read our Bibles we don't understand everything, but if you ask and bring it to the Lord the Holy Spirit will lead and guide you to the answer.

He is our Helper! Gift, Teacher, Guide. These are just some of the many verse about the Holy Spirit.

If you don't understand pray ask for guidance, read God's word. Then ask for the Holy Spirit. If He doesn't exist then nothing will happen, but...if God's word is truth then by asking you will be filled. And the Holy Spirit will begin to work in your life. Guiding you, teaching you just like Jesus promised.

He is for today. We need Him as much today as they did in biblical times. He desires to be here for us. Step out.