Category: Biblical Truths

The Lavish Love of the Holy Spirit

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 February 17, 2012

i’ve been writing this week about the gift of the spirit the word of knowledge. as i said it very often goes hand in hand with the word of wisdom which i wrote about last week.

there are many instances in the new testament where the church exhibited the use of these two gifts, but the one i want to talk about today is found in acts 21. prior to chapter 21 we see paul’s final journey from to the churches. he was headed back to jerusalem and attempting to get back there by pentecost.

acts 20:22-23
22) “and now, behold, bound by the spirit, i am on my way to jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23) except that the holy spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

now here paul knows that the holy spirit is testifying to him in every city what will happen to him when he gets to jerusalem yet he says he feels bound by the spirit to go to jerusalem. so let’s now look at acts 21.

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Wednesday Word Study – Word of Knowledge

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 February 15, 2012

word of knowledge

transliteration: logos
phonetic spelling: (log’-os)
short definition: a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy
definition: a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy.

transliteration: gnósis
phonetic spelling: (gno’-sis)
short definition: knowledge, doctrine, wisdom
definition: knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. functional (“working”) knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; “application-knowledge,” gained in (by) a direct relationship and is only as good as the relationship.

this week we are talking about word of knowledge. in i corinthians 12 it is the second in the list of the gifts of the spirit. it comes right after word of wisdom and the two are like twins in that they very often are present together.

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Monday Meditations – 1 Corinthians 12:8b

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February 11, 2012

Today’s Meditation Verse:

 

1 Corinthians 12:8b

… and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;

 

Last week I talked about the Word of Wisdom.  This was the first of the ministerial gifts of the Spirit which Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians 12.  This week I am going to talk about the Word of Knowledge.

 

As a ministerial gift a Word of Wisdom and a Word of Knowledge often go hand in hand, coming at the same time.  You may receive the Word of Knowledge about a situation and then a Word of Wisdom about what to do with that knowledge.

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Finding True Life Through Wisdom

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 February 10, 2012

This week we have been talking about the ministerial gift of the Spirit – word of wisdom.  For the body of Christ there has been a take it or leave it attitude.  But Paul instructs the church on its necessity and need.

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Monday Meditations – I Corinthians 12:8a

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February 6,, 2012

Today’s Meditation Verse:

 

I Corinthians 12:8a

For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit…

 

For the next few weeks I want to take a closer look at the ministerial gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Last week I introduced them to you with encouragement that we all need these gifts as it is our duty as Christians to minister as part of the body of Christ. 

 

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Putting the Body of Christ Back Together

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February 3, 2012

How Bad Do You Want To Know The Truth?

 

This week I’ve been talking about the ministerial gifts of the Holy Spirit.  I am sure than many of you decided right off that this teaching did not pertain to you as you were not in the ministry.  But if you are part of the body of Christ you are in the ministry.

 

Christ’s body is a ministering body.  The mission of the body of Christ is one of ministry.  So if you have become part of that body, you are in the ministry.  Even if you do not consider yourself in a ministry, God does and has sent the Holy Spirit to equip each and every one of us.

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Monday Meditations – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

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January 30, 2012

Today’s Meditation Verse:

 

I Corinthians 12
4) Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5) And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6) There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7) But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

 

I truly believe the key to becoming the New Testament church that God desires, is dependent on how we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, both as an individual and as a body.

 

The Holy Spirit is the giver of gifts.  He gives gifts for the spirit, soul and body, but there are some gifts that are strictly set aside as ministry gifts.  Now before you check out and say that you are not in a ministry so this does not pertain to you – don’t.

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A Miracle Among Miracles

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 January 27, 2012

This week I have been writing about the Holy Spirit and his importance in our lives.  Monday I talked about how he grieves for us when we veer off of the path he has for us.  He doesn’t grieve because he expects perfection and control, but because he has laid out an amazing plan for us and grieves when we choose a rougher, more painful road.  That is a testament to His deep love for us.

 

On Wednesday I wrote about how He seals our softened hearts when we genuinely and sincerely give our lives to the Lord and ask for spiritual salvation.  That seal marks us as His own, boldly for the world to see.  He then works to transform our hearts on the inside so that we will one day be revealed as children of God.

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Wednesday Word Study – Sealed

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 January 25, 2012

 Sealed 

 

Transliteration: sphragizó
Phonetic Spelling: (sfrag-id’-zo)
Short Definition: I set a seal upon
Definition:  Signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing or full authority of the owner, authorizing or validating what is sealed. “Sealing” in the ancient world served as a “legal signature” which guaranteed the promise (contents) of what was sealed.  To stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation by implication, to keep secret.

 

In this “Tupperware” age we know the importance of a good ‘seal’.  When things are sealed properly they don’t ‘spoil’.  And with technology there have been many forms and types of seals developed.

 

But in the time of Christ, there was a seal that was formed by dropping wax or softened clay on the opening of a document or other container and then taking your personal signet, probably a stone carved with your personal emblem and plunging it down into the hot wax or soft clay.  This pressed the wax or clay down and solidly imprinted your unique emblem onto the wax.  It marked ownership.

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Monday Meditations – Ephesians 4:30

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January 23, 2012

Today’s Meditation Verse:

 

Ephesians 4:30
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 

I have felt very impressed over the past year to express in my blogs the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

 

We easily talk about God and especially Jesus.  But when it comes to the Holy Spirit we are a little tentative.  He is somewhat of a mystery to us and we tend to shy away from what we do not fully understand or know.

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