Holy Spirit

One of God’s greatest gifts is the Holy Spirit, and it provides a lifeline to God by which He gives many of His other wonderful gifts. The Holy Spirit gives a Christian spiritual power and understanding and makes it possible for us to become more like God and eventually inherit eternal life. So it is important to know how to receive the Holy Spirit, how to stir it up and how to be assured that we have it.

How does the Bible say we receive the Holy Spirit?

Jesus Christ told His disciples that they would receive the Holy Spirit after His death. On the Day of Pentecost, the beginning of the Church of God was announced with powerful miracles, and Peter preached an inspired sermon describing how we can receive the Holy Spirit:

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).

Other passages show that the Spirit is usually given to the repentant believer after baptism when a minister lays his hands on the person and asks God to give the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17).

Repentance, belief, baptism and the laying on of hands are the steps God asks us to follow today before He gives His Holy Spirit, so if a person has not followed these steps, he or she does not have the Holy Spirit in him or her yet.Repentance, belief, baptism and the laying on of hands are the steps God asks us to follow today before He gives His Holy Spirit, so if a person has not followed these steps, he or she does not have the Holy Spirit in him or her yet.

What does the Bible say we should do to avoid quenching the Spirit?

In David’s impassioned prayer of repentance, he pleaded with God, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11). He knew that if he didn’t keep repenting and seeking God, he was in danger of an unpardonable sin, for God will not forgive us if we do not repent.

Paul also gave warnings to Christians not to grieve, neglect or quench the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

To avoid these dangers, a Christian must do the opposite. Instead of grieving the Spirit, we should pray daily to be filled with God’s Spirit, to “walk in the Spirit” (meaning to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit), and to sow to the Spirit—to grow spiritually (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16, 25; Galatians 6:7-8).

Instead of putting out the fire of the Spirit, Paul encourages us to “stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

What are some evidences of the Holy Spirit?

The Bible lists many things the Holy Spirit enables us to do. Paul wrote that God’s Spirit opens up our spiritual understanding of things that seem like foolishness to those without spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Through regular prayer and study of the Bible, the Spirit helps us grow in understanding of God’s plan and our part in it. It writes God’s laws on our hearts and minds, helping us internalize God’s way of life and think like He does (Hebrews 8:10). It enables us to transform or change our minds . Romans 12-2

His Name is Jesus

His name is Jesus,
the bright Morning Star.
He can change your life,
right where you are.

His name is Jesus,
God's one and only Son.
He came to forgive,
each and everyone.

His name is Jesus,
the Savior, the sturdy Rock.
He opens doors,
and hears every knock.

His name is Jesus,
the True Vine and Light.
He will give you victory,
in the battles that you fight.

His name is Jesus,
Immanuel, Prince of peace.
He calms the waters,
and brings sweet release.

His name is Jesus,
The Christ, the Lord of all.
He came to save you,
if only you heed His call.

The Only Forgotten Son

He wasn't what they expected,
or what they thought He should be
and so they rejected . . .
what only their human eyes could see.

They couldn't discern the promise,
for His appearance wasn't kingly
and so they rejected . . .
what their hearts saw so unclearly.

They uprooted Him for fear,
He'd take the "Life from their tree"
and so they rejected . . .
the only one who would set them free.

They detested His lowliness,
a mere servant among the masses
and so they rejected . . .
the Messiah that rode in on an ass.

He once was despised by the crowds,
He is loathed by hoards today
the Only Forgotten Son . . .
the whole world has turned away!

Isaiah 53:2-3
King James Version

"For he shall grow up before him as a
tender plant, and as a root out of a dry 
ground: he hath no form nor comeliness;
and when we shall see him, there is no 
beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men a man 
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised,and we esteemed him not."

Summer Days ( A Time of Forgetting)

Oh, those busy summer days;
People seem to be busy always.

There are those who go to the pool;
Just a few hours to keep cool.

Some take off to the lake;
Catching fish is a piece of cake.

Many people go on vacation;
A time for fun and relaxation.

Money is spent on this or that;
For kid's toys or Mom's new hat.

Come Sunday, many seem to forget;
And do things they'll later regret.

You're on vacation, God will understand;
Going to church, you hadn't planned.

God is the creator of it all;
Winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Give God the glory that is due;
He never forgets about you.

Walk The Talk

Love is a tough word for men made of steel.
Some cannot say it - despite how they feel.
And way down inside, you'll find at the core,
that few can love higher than dog fleas soar.

Some utter their love in flowers and smiles.
There are many words and so many styles.
Some share their feelings with tears in one eye,
while others share thoughts in endless supply....

Talk is so shallow - it's easier said,
than walking the talk, and 'doing' instead.
When we are confronted with our simple trials,
do we drag our cross and for how many miles?

A cross is a menace that scoffs in our ear.
We wish every time it would just disappear;
but if our love's real - and fills us inside,
A cross surely conquers when we are denied.

For there was a Man that lived long ago,
who gave so much more - than we'll ever know.
He shared with the children, women and men,
and taught us all how - to love once again

There wasn't a record of "fanciful" talk,
but rather, instead, of unselfish walk.
While prayers were sincere to His Father above,
mere words didn't finish His dutiful love.

He spoke not a word - defending His own,
and faithfully walked each step all alone.
We cannot imagine the pain He endured,
and from the soldiers, the scoffing He heard.

Mere words had been spoken and all had seemed lost,
but actions spoke louder than two timbers crossed.
For love did not lose to the cross in that war -
-because Jesus yet lives and that cross is no more.

ONE DAY SOON

One day soon
the trumpet shall blast
we'll gather together
going home at last.
The Shepard will come
to bring his sheep in
he'll sheer from their lives
the effects of their sin.
One Day Soon!

One day soon
our tears will dry
no grief to bear
no need to cry
no dread of fear
all pain will cease
he'll wrap his lambs
in robes of peace.
One Day Soon!