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Category Archives: Holy Spirit

It’s Warming Up? Are We??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #325

26 Wednesday Feb 2025

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, 'Tis The Season?, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, Abiding In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Firecrackers of Regret!, Following Jesus or the World?, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, IN HIS TIME!, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus-Wonderful Counselor, Light In The Dark, Salvation, the Lamb of God, The Light of The Word IS Jesus, The Light of The World, The Little Things., The Love of God, The Word

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It’s Warming Up? Are We???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #325

“I indeed baptize you with water

unto repentance:

but he that cometh after me

is mightier than I,

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:

he shall baptize you

with the Holy Ghost,

and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand,

 and he will thoroughly purge his floor,

and gather his wheat into the garner;

but he will burn up the chaff

with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12

John the Baptizer was telling the people that the “One” (Jesus) who would come after him would baptize with The Holy Ghost and with fire.  While fire is a purifying element, it is also an element of judgment for those who reject Jesus!  Jesus promised his disciples (and us) that He would send the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit to dwell within His own, and we would be empowered to do His work in His Spirit not our own.  It seems to me that Satan is busy putting out the fires of God’s Spirit in His own, with weariness, distractions of every sort, and we have allowed the coals to cool the fire that came down at Pentecost.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,

they were all with one accord

in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven

as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues

like as of fire,

and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,

and began to speak with other tongues,

as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  Acts 2:1-4

This was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to His disciples, and we get so distracted with the issue of “tongues” that we miss the point that they did what The Spirit gave to them, and they went forth with the Gospel and people were saved.  Let’s not let Satan stir us to focus on our disagreements and differences of insight into scripture, but to let the fire of The Holy Ghost fill us and work at HIS direction.  We must focus on the promises of our Lord.

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you…

… 25 These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”                             Portions of John 14:16-26

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

 if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him that sent me…

…26 But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  Portions of John 15:17-27

Jesus went on to give us more about our precious “Comforter”—the One who would come along side to guide our steps—if we will but “stop—look—and listen”!

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world is judged.

12 I have yet many things to say unto you,

but ye cannot bear them now.

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”  John 16:7-15

Jesus has given us of His own Spirit to lead us, guide us, help us to understand His written Word as well as the promptings of The Spirit.  Oh, there is so much more that I want to share with you, but I think this is enough for today; my prayer is that you will let the fire of The Holy Spirit warm your heart, light a fire in your soul and lead you and me to spread the warmth and saving power of the Fire of Jesus’ saving grace!  We can either receive the warming gift of salvation or experience the fire of His judgment when He comes, or when you face Him in death.  Oh, my dear ones, I truly believe that Jesus’ return is eminent, and we are sorely unprepared and less than busy about “my Father’s business”!  Oh that the fire of repentance, revival and renewal shine in our hearts, and before a lost and dying world that needs Jesus.  May we be a faithful light!

“Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill

cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle,

and put it under a bushel,

but on a candlestick;

and it giveth light

unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16

To God be the glory!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

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When Do You Need Jesus??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #290

20 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by Blanche in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abundant Life In Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, HOPE, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Relying on self or Jesus?, Seeing Truth, Seek ye first The Kingdom of God, Self-sufficient or Dependent on Jesus?, The Word

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When Do You Need Jesus???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #290

Life happens, time flies, and the world around us seems to suck us in sometimes but are we who claim the name of Jesus depending on Him or our own devices—the amazement of the techno-world gadgets, our own wisdom, intelligence or are we walking with our Lord, as the old song says, moment by moment!  There are days that I know that I am conscious of depending upon my Lord second by second.  I’d like to share some scripture that may help us to keep our eyes on Jesus—for one of Satan’s ploys is to keep us going on the toddler’s cry, “I can do it myself!”  How about you?  Are you leaning on the promises and truths that God’s Word provides, or something else.

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them

to observe all things whatsoever

I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world. Amen.”                Matthew 28:18-20

Acts also records Jesus’ instructions as He was about to ascend to heaven, and they are words on which we must depend and keep in mind, for our strength is small, but as Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”!  And Jesus made it clear that, “without me you can do nothing…”!

“And he said unto them,

It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But

ye shall receive power,

after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

and ye shall be witnesses

unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judaea, and in Samaria,

and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  Acts 1:7-8

When we are born again, we receive the gift of Jesus’ Holy Spirit to go with us; we could take a whole session to discuss the things which Jesus said The Spirit would work in and through us but suffice it to say we have all we need in Jesus by The Spirit’s work!  It’s one of the reasons that Paul warned the believers at Thessalonica to “quench not the Spirit”!  Stop the maverick lifestyle!  If you don’t have The Spirit, you don’t have Jesus.

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.”  Romans 8:8-9

How can we do this?  You hit the nail on the head; “I” can’t but with The Holy Spirit’s work “we” can!  Remember what Jesus said, “without me you can do nothing…”; how much “nothing” are you spending in your own resources?  Let’s check out some great advice from scripture.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall                                        

not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:16

“If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

Paul also gave some great advice to young Timothy.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing

the word of truth.”   2 Timothy 2:15

Isaiah also shared an amazingly helpful word that I rely upon continually.

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity,

and the water of affliction,

yet shall not thy teachers be removed

into a corner any more,

but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way, walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:20-21

So my question for us today is, “Are you walking with Jesus?  Do you need Him, or are you the ‘solo flight’ of the year?”  I close with a passage that is probably familiar to most, yet I want to explain the context.  Jesus is calling to the church at Laodicea who claimed His name, yet Jesus described their attitude as “needing nothing”!  They had become self-sufficient, and Jesus called them to come to Him.  I find it most interesting that Jesus is outside knocking on the door to get in!  Are you walking in your own self-sufficiency or have you opened the door to Jesus and learned to depend upon HIM continually?

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:

if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Amen & Amen!!!

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Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A Form of godliness?, Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Abiding In The Vine, Advice for the journey, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, Footprints, For Such A Time As This, Holiness, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Longsuffering, Look up and Praise The Lord, Love, Love Is Action, Never Alone, Purity, Salvation

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Sometimes It Ain’t Easy??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #220

This title kind of says it all, and I want us to consider the truth that we often times try to hedge or compromise; but Jesus calls us to a higher plane.  He calls us to love others as He has, does and ever will love us.  Sounds easy—but it “ain’t”!

“Ye have heard that it hath been said,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour,

and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them that hate you,

and pray for them which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children

of your Father which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun to rise

on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you,

what reward have ye?

do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only,

what do ye more than others?

do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect,

even as your Father which is in heaven

is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus has not only called us to walk a path of hardship but to do it with HIS love in our hearts, and that, my friends can only be accomplished because He has given His precious Holy Spirit to those who are born again.  It’s His Spirit that He promised will bring us into all truth, equip us and fit us for HIS service as well as His kingdom.  Paul talks about this to the Colossian believers.

“Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet to be partakers

of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

Also as the Apostle John recorded for us:

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them

that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, the religious leader who was seeking the truth, and Jesus introduced him to truth—The Son of God Himself.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see the kingdom of God…

…5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

 is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth,

and thou hearest the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it cometh,

and whither it goeth:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:3-8

Have you been born of The Spirit of God?  Without the Spirit we can do nothing, and we can’t even belong to God without the new birth which the conviction of the Holy Spirit brings us to and works into us.  As born-again believers we are to go where The Spirit leads, directs and prepares us for! All by “abiding” in Jesus!

“Abide in me,

and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

except it abide in the vine;

no more can ye,

 except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5

The Holy Spirit indwelling us, is the evidence that we belong to Jesus, and it should show in all we think, and say, and do.  Our behavior will reveal what’s inside!  Which Spirit is within you?  The Holy Spirit of Jesus or the spirit of the world?

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.” Romans 8:9

As Jesus said:

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth

in at the mouth goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murders, adulteries, fornications,

thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

20 These are the things which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:17-20

Paul also makes it as clear as glass for us in his message to the Roman believers; it is our great standing ground of truth.  Will you stand upon it, or will you go your own way and miss the joy, peace and salvation that Jesus died to provide for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin?  While this is a lengthy passage, it is too valuable to cut short here (and I would encourage you to read the entire 5th chapter –in fact chapters 5-8 are amazing.)

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

 through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

 knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God is shed abroad

in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.” Romans 5:1-11

So, while the commands to love the unlovely aren’t an easy thing, as the title says, “Sometimes It Ain’t Easy”, yet it is doable in Jesus, when we walk in the Spirit not the flesh (See Galatians 5:16 & 25), and that my friends is the catch, if you want to call it that; we must keep in mind that we “can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me”!  (See Philippians 4:13.) I also want to remind you that there is a payday—and while it may not be today, it is coming!  So press on my friends and depend on Jesus through the power of His Holy Spirit to keep on loving like Jesus—not compromise but “speaking the truth in love” we are to press on.  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“Blessed are they

which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye,

when men shall revile you,

 and persecute you,

and shall say all manner of evil

against you falsely,

for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:

for great is your reward in heaven:

for so persecuted they the prophets

which were before you.”  Matthew 5:10-12

Remember:

“For it is written,

As I live, saith the Lord,

every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us shall give account

of himself to God.”  Romans 14:11-12

Amen and Amen!!!

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Thy Kingdom Come…In Me??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #208

14 Sunday Apr 2024

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, Death and Hell, Flesh-vs-Spirit, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, Full Of what?, Holy, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, JESUS, Jesus Is Coming Again., Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Today IS Today!

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Thy Kingdom Come…In Me???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #208

Just a few thoughts I’d like to share with you this evening, and I pray that we will all be encouraged to reexamine our priorities and see if we are walking in the right direction.

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word,

even in this;

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another,

take heed

that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…

…. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.”  Portions of Galatians 5:14-26

Paul reminds us that we have the choice of walking in The Holy Spirit’s power—who dwells within born again believers –or walking in our flesh; and our choice will show in our actions, either the “fruit” of The Spirit or the “deeds” of the flesh.  The choice is real, and God holds us accountable.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;

Adultery,

fornication,

uncleanness,

lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry,

witchcraft,

hatred,

variance,

emulations,

wrath,

strife,

seditions,

heresies,

21 Envyings,

murders,

drunkenness,

revellings,

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things

shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”   Galatians 5:19-21

Paul makes it clear that our behavior is a display of what is in our hearts; while this isn’t very popular today, it is still truth.  So true that we need to consider it and ask God to help us be honest with ourselves.  Yet, we need to understand that isn’t referring to one instance of “wrath” or “envy” but to a lifestyle of ungodliness.  This heart toward God was exemplified in our Lord.

“And he was withdrawn from them

about a stone’s cast,

and kneeled down,

and prayed,

42 Saying,

Father, if thou be willing,

remove this cup from me:

nevertheless not my will,

but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him

from heaven,

strengthening him.”  Luke 22:41-43

 So what are we doing with our life?  What are we doing for Jesus?  Are we so consumed with doing our own thing that we have forgotten about the thing that Jesus told us to pray:

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

It draws my heart to some more of Paul’s and Peter’s writings that speak to us of the crucified life.  I simply want to share some passages for us to ponder and pursue God’s will for me!  How about you?

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

And from Peter, a reminder that it is Jesus’ blood that purchased our salvation; we need to seek God’s face to revive our hearts and stir them to holy living—a seemingly lost desire in the heart of the church.  May God speak to us through His Word, in one of my favorite passages.

“For what glory is it,

if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,

ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well,

and suffer for it,

ye take it patiently,

this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called:

because Christ also suffered for us,

leaving us an example,

that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin,

neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled,

reviled not again;

when he suffered,

he threatened not;

but committed himself

to him that judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self

bare our sins in his own body on the tree,

that we,

being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness:

by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray;

but are now returned

unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:20-25

Amen and Amen!!!

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Seeing Clearly Or Darkly??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #182

05 Monday Feb 2024

Posted by Blanche in 'Come unto me, Abiding In Jesus, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, Intercessors, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Life or Death?, Light In The Dark, Like Jesus NOT Each Other, Listening To God, Living in Christ, Living Right, Living TODAY!, Look up and Praise The Lord, Looking Unto Jesus, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Seeing Clearly Or Darkly???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #182

One of my favorite parts of the book of Romans is chapter 8, and it is so full, but sometimes we work so hard to separate it into pieces that we forget it was written as a whole (in the whole book, as well as in the particular context of chapters), and Romans can be looked at in sections of chapters: 1-3; 4-5; 6-8; 9-11; and 12-15 and 16.  So as we consider this passage, I won’t take the time to post the entire chapter, although it would be of great benefit for you to read it all.  Let’s jump in and see what we can learn, but first of all a word from Paul’s message to the Corinthian beleivers about love, and seeing clearly, and knowing that God reveals things in His own time; also that we need to walk in love and maturity, not act like children.  There is a difference between “childlike” and “childish”, we need to examine our lives for we all have moments of “childishness” rather than being “childlike” in our faith and devotion to Jesus.

“When I was a child,

I spake as a child,

I understood as a child,

I thought as a child:

but when I became a man,

I put away childish things.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly;

but then face to face:

now I know in part;

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13 And now abideth

faith,

hope,

charity,

these three;

but the greatest of these

is charity.”  1 Corinthians 13:11-13

There is a time coming when we will have that “face to face” understanding, yet I believe that Paul is reminding us that until that day comes, we are to walk in the “love of Jesus” as mature adults!  Children operate in a world of “me” and “mine”, and they often aren’t happy when anyone touches “their stuff”.  Many adults today, even many beleivers in Jesus, often behave the same way; but Paul calls us to walk in maturity, with love in sight at all times.  In fact he calls us to walk as mature adults, with “faith, hope, (and) love”!  And where do we get this love?  Another of Paul’s truths which he shared with the Roman believers answers that question.

“And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.”  Romans 5:5-6

When we are saved, The Holy Spirit makes sure that the “love of God is shed abroad in our hearts”, may we share it generously!  So, let’s jump into Romans chapter eight and consider what else Paul has to say to us about love, maturity, and God’s work of salvation!  Thank YOU, Jesus!

“There is therefore now no condemnation  

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

This is one of my favorite verses of Romans, as it answers the question that ends chapter 7, and yet so many miss that this is the answer to “who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (the sinful flesh in which we still live after our salvation until our physical death).  The answer is “The Holy Spirit”; as we walk in HIS power, deliverance rather than our flesh, we can walk in victory!  Oh, the beauty of God’s provision for us, “no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus”! (See John 3:16-19).  The reason that we are not condemned is because of JESUS’ death, burial, and resurrection to pay for our sin—mine and yours, as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians. In my paraphrase, “Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, went to Calvary in my place—He took my sin, and imparted to me HIS righteousness.  Exchanged my dirty rags for His spotless robe!”  If I may, I’ll write out this verse with my commentary:

“For he–God

hath made him—Jesus–

to be sin for us, –the sinless paying the sinners’ debt–

who knew no sin;–Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God–

that we might be made—transformed by Jesus’ payment–

the righteousness of God—God making the vile holy–

in him. -It’s all about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection-” 2 Corinthians 5:21

(He gave His all that we could be made holy.)

In Jesus, we find the place of forgiveness, righteousness, and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which brings us into the place of “no condemnation”.  Praise God for all that we have in Jesus, as well as what we have been released from!  So, let’s get back to chapter 8:

“2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do,

in that it was weak through the flesh,

God sending his own Son

in the likeness of sinful flesh,

and for sin,

condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law

might be fulfilled in us,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh;

but they that are after the Spirit

the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded

is death;

but to be spiritually minded

is life and peace.”  Romans 8:1-6

Are we displaying the “things of the Spirit” and living as “spiritually minded”, or are we allowing the flesh to have sway over us?  Are we choosing “life” or “death”!  Choose wisely, there is a test; but Paul goes on to give us even more confidence in this work of salvation “in Jesus”!

“So then they that are in the flesh

cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his…

…. 13 For if ye live after the flesh,

ye shall die:

but if ye through the Spirit do mortify

the deeds of the body,

ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received

the spirit of bondage again to fear;

but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption,

whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,

that we are the children of God:

17 And if children,

then heirs;

heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ;

if so be that we suffer with him,

that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time

are not worthy to be compared

with the glory which shall be revealed

in us.”  Portions of Romans 8:8-18

Oh, the glory of living for Jesus, by His Spirit, through His power and unto His glory!  A glory which we will see in Him when we see him in person, either when we leave this world, or when He calls us to Himself in the air!  But in this life, there are a couple of verses which we can often miss the import of, and I want to share them before we go into the last part of the joy, confidence, and assurance of the ending verses of this great and amazing chapter eight of Romans.  We have The Holy Spirit to not only help, lead, guide and direct our steps, but we also have one who intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray!  I’m so grateful for HIS presence, HIS guiding hand, and HIS ever-present help in guiding our prayers be what they need to be –even speaking for me when I don’t know how or what to pray for–before our Father God, and our other intercessor, Jesus!  Thank you, Jesus, for this unspeakable gift of Your Holy Spirit to teach, lead and guide us in this dark place.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Even John reiterated this principle.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him,

that, if we ask any thing

according to his will,

he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us,

whatsoever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

that we desired of him.”  1 John 5:14-15

How often do we forget that prayer is our open channel to our Father God, whose will we are to pursue, knowing that HE is working all things to make you and me more like Jesus, especially  in this world that is lost and dying, and in need of Jesus more than they can ever know unless we not only tell them, but live it out before them; being mirrors of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord!

So, my friends I want to share this last part of Romans 8, simply sharing it for your perusal, praying that we may hear God’s voice speaking to our hearts, leading us to be more like our KING JESUS!

“And we know that all things work together

for good to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate,

them he also called:

and whom he called,

them he also justified:

and whom he justified,

them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things?

If God be for us,

who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son,

but delivered him up for us all,

how shall he not with him also

freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge

of God’s elect?

It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth?

It is Christ that died,

yea rather, that is risen again,

who is even at the right hand of God,

who also maketh intercession for us.”  Romans 8:28-34

Oh how this great and amazing intercessor, Jesus, gives us even more confidence in HIS provision for us—even as I know HE is here, right now for I was just called to pray about an immediate need!  Thank YOU, Jesus!  Our Redeemer saves, transforms, and keeps His own!  But it gets even better as we continue in these final verses of the chapter.  I pray that it will grip, bless, and transform your day—and every day knowing all the joy of His presence, His work, and His love for you and me!  We win!!!

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

shall tribulation,

or distress,

or persecution,

or famine,

or nakedness,

or peril,

or sword?

36 As it is written,

For thy sake we are killed all the day long;

we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                    Romans 8:35-39

Oh, Praise God for His amazing grace, love, and care for us.  May you find God’s peace, presence, and power for your day.  Remember, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”; as I’ve said, we Win!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

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