February 6,, 2012
Today’s Meditation Verse:
I Corinthians 12:8a
For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit…
Tag: Christian Blog
Putting the Body of Christ Back Together
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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Wednesday Word Studies – Gifts
February 1, 2012
Gifts
Transliteration: charisma
Phonetic Spelling: (khar’-is-mah)
Short Definition: an undeserved favor
Definition: a gift of grace, an undeserved favor. The operation of grace (divine favor), i.e. a grace-endowment (natural gift ability or quality) to edify the Church.
There is a lot of talk of grace in the church. It is by grace (underserved favor) that we are saved, not by our works.
Monday Meditations – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
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
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
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
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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When the Road Gets Rough
January 20, 2012
The analogy that I gave earlier this week was that of a car and its alignment. If a car is in perfect alignment then it will travel in a straight line without someone turning the steering wheel. If a car is not in alignment then the car can be made to go straight with the steering wheel.
Both ways the car will travel in a straight line, but as I discussed on Monday, God is not concerned about the straightness of our path, but the internal alignment of our souls.
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Wednesday Word Study – Liberty
January 18, 2012
Liberty
Transliteration: eleutheria
Phonetic Spelling: (el-yoo-ther-ee’-ah)
Short Definition: freedom, liberty
Definition: freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery.
From eleutheros; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial) — liberty.
The scripture on Monday was:
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
17) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
The analogy that I gave was that of a car and its alignment. If a car is in perfect alignment then it will travel in a straight line without someone turning the steering wheel. If a car is not in alignment then the car can be made to go straight with the steering wheel. Both ways the car will travel in a straight line. But as I discussed on Monday, God is not concerned about the straightness of our path, but the internal alignment of our souls.
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Monday Meditations – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
January 16, 2012
Today’s Meditation Verse:
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
i·den·ti·ty 