Gifts That Expand Spiritual Wealth – Luke 11:11-13
Who would not want to participate in such an incredible cycle of richness and fulfillment?
Public Love and a Tangible Spirit Presence – Luke 3:21-23a
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. Why did the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus in bodily form? Why…
The Comfort and Unpredictability of Fire – Luke 3:15-18
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into…
Repair Work to the Glory of God – Romans 15:14-16
I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering…
Getting Back to Our Roots, Staying Firm in Our Foundation – Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may…
Light Obligations – Romans 8:12-13
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.The word obligation is something that motivates some to action and others see it more like a curse they try to avoid. It is a weighty word, in general, having requirements…
Mind-Control is a Powerful Force – Romans 8:5-8
For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with…
The Eternally Consistent Mailman – Romans 5:5
Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. When I was a young boy, my older brothers (8 & 10 years older) used to wrestle with me, sit on me, throw the football at Mach 2 right at the pit of my stomach, and various other big brother tactics to reinforce to me that they were bigger…
The Spirit – John 3:31-34
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the…