Bible Study - GOD'S Will (4) - GOD'S Will and the Church - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - November 3, 2019

Bible Study – GOD’S Will (4) – GOD’S Will and the Church – November 3, 2019


This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “How to Know GOD’S Will.”


Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.


GOD often reveals HIS plans for us through HIS church.


What is the true church? Is it a structure? Yes, it is. But what kind of structure? Is it made with human hands? Yes and no!


The true church is the Spiritual body of born-again believers who through faith in JESUS are joined together in unity of purpose to obediently serve GOD. Born-again believers are led by the indwelling Holy Spirit to function in unity, harmony, yet a diverse group.


Natural church growth and development is like a born-again believer who grows Spiritually. The body of believers is led by the Holy Spirit to grow Spiritually. The Spiritual body needs nourishment. The Spiritual body moves from the milk of the Word to the meat of the Word. The order of Spiritual growth comes through the pastor of that body of believers to the congregation. Then GOD gifts those in that body of believers with certain Spiritual gifts for that body of born-again believers to function and grow through the leadership of GOD through faith in JESUS. The body is diverse but in unity and harmony of purpose as led by the Holy Spirit using its diversity of Spiritual gifts.


The Apostle Paul used the human body to help explain how the Spiritual body/true church functions as recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31:

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

¹² For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by^[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. ¹⁴ So the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ Now there are many parts, yet one body.

²¹ So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. ²⁴ But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. ²⁸ And God has placed these in the church:

first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, next miracles,
then gifts of healing, helping,
managing, various kinds of languages.
²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets?
Are all teachers? Do all do miracles?
³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in other languages?
Do all interpret?

³¹ But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

Dr. Henry Blackaby used an example of a person walking along a railroad track. He used a stick-figure drawing to represent the person. In the distance, in front of the stick figure representing a person, as far as the eyes could see the railroad track no was train coming. In fact, the eyes could see all the way to the earth’s horizon. No train.

The ears of the stick-figure person pick up the sound of a train. The ears told the eyes, “I hear the sound of a train coming. But the eyes told the ears that as far as the eyes can see, there is no train. But then the feet picked up a vibration and told the eyes, my feet feel like a train is coming. But the eyes told the feet no train is coming because as far the eyes can see there is no train. The sad truth was the train was coming from behind the stick figure person.”

Unity of the body of born-again believers is vital in the true church functioning as a Spiritual body. The true Spiritual body is not a one-person event. Those with certain Spiritual gifts function within the true body of believers, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Does church leadership listen to those who are gifted with certain Spiritual gifts when they speak? GOD’S design is diversity with unity. The true Spiritual church functions as one under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is vital that church leadership listen to what GOD is saying. HE may be speaking through others but will leadership pay attention or get hit from their blind or deaf side?

The Apostle Paul listed some of the Spiritual Gifts GOD uses to equip the Spiritual body. Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:1-3:

Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning what comes from the Spirit:^[a] brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. ² You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols that could not speak. ³ Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6:

⁴ Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person.^[b]

Diversity is vital. When it is combined with unity, it equals the power of GOD being manifested through the Spiritual church to meet the needs of the body and serve the area where GOD has called the true Spiritual body.

When we grow from an infant into an adult, do we have to think I have to grow today? NO! When we were born, those who loved us made sure we were fed. As we matured, our part was to eat properly, exercise and develop mentally. Our genetic make-up helps us to develop. As a born-again Christian, the Holy Spirit has united with our spirit to produce our born-again Spirit which develops within each Christian. The born-again Christian develops through the renewing of our minds. The born-again Christian must take in the right Spiritual food (Reading and studying GOD’S Word), exercise Spiritually and develop their Spiritual muscles (Praying and applying what the Holy Spirit is revealing).  Christians are grafted into the true vine, JESUS. Spiritual nutrients flow through the true vine and produces, fruit that remains.


What a joy it is when you see those in whom you have made an investment grow and produce lasting fruit. We need to keep in mind that fruit has seeds and when replanted, they also produce fruit.


Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:7-11:

⁷ A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:

⁸ to one is given a message of wisdom
through the Spirit,
to another, a message of knowledge
by the same Spirit,
⁹ to another, faith by the same Spirit,
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
¹⁰ to another, the performing of miracles,
to another, prophecy,
to another, distinguishing between spirits,
to another, different kinds of languages,
to another, interpretation of languages.

¹¹ But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.      

GOD equips the Spiritual body with various Spiritual gifts to accomplish HIS plan and purpose.


Often, the Spiritual body gets side-tracked and chases after the Spiritual gifts rather than seeking the GOD the giver of all Spiritual gifts. When that happens, the Spiritual fails to be about using their Spiritual gifts to meet the needs of others.


What is your Spiritual gift? Are you using it or them as led by the Holy Spirit? If not, why not?


Every Christian has at least one Spiritual gift. What is yours and are you using it for GOD’S Glory?

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - GOD'S Will and the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 - October 27, 2019

Bible Study – GOD’S Will (3) – GOD’S Will and the Holy Spirit – October 27, 2019


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “How to Know GOD’S Will.”


Our focus scripture is 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.


The Holy Spirit will guide us in knowing GOD’S will.


Our lesson last week focused on the Bible guiding Christians in knowing GOD’S will. There is another factor that needs to be considered and that is the role of the Holy Spirit. Once a Christian reads GOD’S Word it has to be more than words on a page. Christians must have understanding of how what they read applies to them.


The word “knowing” means to have full comprehension, understanding and application of GOD’S Will. Let’s explore!


Did you know, as a Christian, that you can know the mind of GOD?


Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:6-8:

Spiritual Wisdom

⁶ However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

What is wisdom? Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan. GOD makes history. People think it they make history but GOD orchestrates the things upon earth and the universe to accomplish HIS plan.

A case-in-point is in the fact that GOD withheld the purpose of crucifixion of JESUS from both the religious leaders and political rulers. GOD sending HIS only SON into the world in the flesh to die is beyond comprehension until a person’s Spiritual eyes are opened to the marvelous truth of that fact. If JESUS had sinned, HE would not qualify as the perfect sacrifice to pay, in full, for sin. JESUS willingly gave HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay the penalty for sin. As I wrote last week, if HE had remained dead then we could question the event but GOD raised JESUS from the dead as the first fruit to show the world that JESUS had conquered both sin and eternal death. GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to receive HIS Glorified Body, which HE commanded. This is the body all born-again Christians will receive at the second coming of JESUS. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14 printed later.)

Will Christians have a special Spiritual body while they are in Heaven waiting for the return of JESUS to earth? YES! It is a Spiritual body/building GOD is fashioning which began at the instant of Salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:1 - For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Any person placing his or her faith in JESUS, acknowledging that he or she is a sinner and accepting JESUS as his or her Savior experiences a miracle. That person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family in that instant. A Spiritual miracle takes place in an instant. That person receives forgiveness for sin and the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. It is the born-again Spirit of a person that will exit his or her earth suit at physical death and in the twinkling of the eye or quicker is with JESUS in Heaven. GOD is fashioning within every born-again Christian a Spiritual body suitable for Heaven. The born-again Christian uses that Spiritual body until the he or she returns with JESUS to receive his or her New Glorified eternal body. That New Glorified Body will be like JESUS’ Glorified body. This takes place at JESUS’ second coming.

It is believed that Paul was describing his death or near-death experience. The person Paul described went to Heaven and returned to earth – 2 Corinthians 12:2-5:

² I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. ³ I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— ⁴ was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. ⁵ I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

Paul’s reporting of this event is much like a friend who was pronounced dead after an auto accident. He was taken to the basement of the hospital for the undertaker to him pick-up. A nurse happened by and saw his eye-lid move and resuscitated him. He told me that he saw Haven but there are NO HUMAN WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT!    

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep (died), so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through^[h] Jesus. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:^[i] We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over^[j] those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[k] with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[l] one another with these words.

Yes, there are Heavenly mysteries but what did the Apostle Paul write as we read on -----

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:9-11:

⁹ But as it is written:

What eye did not see and ear did not hear,
and what never entered the human mind—
God prepared this for those who love Him.^[c]  

¹⁰ Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among men knows the thoughts^[d] of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts^[e] of God except the Spirit of God.

How can mere Christians know these Spiritual facts? Born-again Christians have the Holy Spirit within them and it is the Holy Spirit that connects every born-again Christian to the heart of GOD. WOW! What an overwhelming joy it is to possess that reality! So, why don’t we as born-again Christians live accordingly and serve our LORD without hesitation as HE gives us opportunity?

As born-again Christians, we are grafted into the true vine of JESUS through Whom all Spiritual nourishment flows. Do we as born-again Christians need to confess our lack of faith that GOD can do all things even raise the Spiritually dead from the depths of being bound to Hell to experiencing the miracle of Spiritual rebirth? All things are possible for GOD to those who place their faith in JESUS even to moving mountains of Spiritual resistance.

Let’s reconsider “What eye did not see and ear did not hear,
and what never entered the human mind—
God prepared this for those who love Him.^[c]”

The human mind is limited but the mind of a born-again Christian is beyond human thinking. As you walk upon earth, are you using your human mind or your Heavenly mind? Do you know that the Holy Spirit indwells you and is active in your life as you walk upon earth?

How can that be? Let’s read on ----

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:12-16:

¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people.^{[f] 14} But the unbeliever^[g] does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated^[h] spiritually. ¹⁵ The spiritual person, however, can evaluate^[i] everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated^[j] by anyone. ¹⁶ For who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct Him?^[k]

But we have the mind of Christ.

WOW! Did you know that you have the Spiritual mind of CHRIST? How can that be? As a born-again Christian, you are GOD’S Child. HIS DNA is your born-again DNA. What does the Apostle Paul reveal to us in Philippians 4:13?

¹³ I am able to do all things through Him^[b] who strengthens me.


The indwelling Holy Spirit is our guarantee and assurance as recorded in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22:


²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.


2 Corinthian 5:5:

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.


Ephesians 1:13-14:

¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who^[d] is the ^[e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.


1 Corinthians 6:19:

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?


Why, as a born-again Christian are you not your own?


1 Corinthians 6:20:

²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[g]and in your spirit, which are God’s.


As a born-again Christian your salvation cost JESUS HIS sinless life, because you are of great value. John 3:15-17 says it best:


¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should ^[c]not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Why did he do it? Because HE loves you! How long has HE loved you?

Ephesians 1:4-10:

⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.


GOD chose you. The question is do you choose HIM by placing your faith in JESUS, your Savior?


Blessings!!!

Bible Study - GOD'S Will (2) - GOD'S Will and the Bible - Psalm 19:7-14 - October 20, 2019

Bible Study – GOD’S Will (2) – GOD’S Will and the Bible – October 20, 2019


This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “How to Know GOD’S Will.”


Our focus scripture is Psalm 19:7-14.


GOD gives us direction through HIS Word.


The message of this Psalm is the revelation of GOD’S Glory through nature and the revelation of HIS will through the Law/HIS Word. GOD sent JESUS into the world as HIS Only SON to live fully human. As fully human, HE physically shed HIS blood to pay, in full, for sin and died. If HE had remained dead that would be the end. But GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to reveal to all that JESUS is the true SON of GOD, the promised Messiah. JESUS is every born-again Christian’s guarantee of eternal life. JESUS took away the penalty for sin, which is eternal death for all who place their faith in HIM. That is the foundation upon which all Christians build.

GOD has a wonderful plan for your life. Step one is to place your faith in JESUS Who gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin by the shedding of HIS blood on the cross. HE died where you and I should have died but HE gave HIS life to set all who place their faith in HIM free from the consequence of sin and eternal death.

Why did GOD send HIS only Son to earth and why did JESUS give HIS sinless life for you and for me? It was because HE loves us and does not want any person to die and go to Hell. How does a person escape Hell? It is not by good works, being good or giving money to good causes but placing one’s faith in JESUS. When people ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives, believing that JESUS gave HIS sinless life for them, HE does. When a person takes that step of faith, he or she is born-again through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth into the family of GOD, never to be Spiritually unborn.

How can that be? Can you ever be unborn physically? NO! No matter what a person attempts to do he or she can never be unborn from their parents. Once you are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family you can never be unborn. So once saved always saved? YES! So, a person gets saved and lives like he or she desires? You can but the Bible reveals to us in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15:

⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[e] You are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious, for the day^[f] will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.^[g]

Pay special attention to verse 15. Ground zero for Christians is to build upon the foundation of faith in JESUS the CHRIST. Here is where our human nature will can raise its head. We have a choice. We can build upon the foundation of faith in JESUS as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit or as Christians follow our own will or do our own thing according to our will.

When Christians build as led by the Holy Spirit, they use the materials GOD provides – Gold, Silver and precious stones. When Christians are led by their will and they use the materials, the world provides – wood, hay or straw. All of our work, as Christians, done upon earth will be tested by fire. Of these building materials, which will withstand the test of fire?

But notice that those who have built using the combustible materials will be spared but ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.^[g]

What is the difference? It is the choice of building materials Christians chose to use to build based upon their faith in JESUS. WHO/who guides their choices? Does the Holy Spirit or self, guide their lives? Who guides your life? Who guides my life?

As a Christian, ask GOD to lead you, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, to build according to HIS will and plan. When the Holy Spirit leads and you are obedient, you will use materials that will withstand the test by fire.

Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit. David was describing how GOD/Yahweh revealed Himself to him and HE still reveals Himself today.

Let’s read Psalm 19:1-6: (GOD’S Glory Speaks Through HIS Handiwork – Magnificent and sets the stage for our study. GOD communicates with all humans wherever they are and in many different ways.)

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky^[a] proclaims the work of His hands.
² Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.^[b]
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their message^[c] has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens^[d] He has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵ It is like a groom coming from the^[e] bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
⁶ It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles^[f] to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The handiwork of our LORD speaks HIS message of hope and magnificence to all peoples of earth 24/7. Look up, look around, seek HIM and HE will be found.

Of course, Psalm 19 is in the Old Testament and written before JESUS came physically/in the flesh into the world. The Jews did anticipate the coming of the promised Messiah.

Psalm 19 was written by David and it expresses what he had learned through experience regarding the One True GOD of Israel, Yahweh.

Let’s read Psalm 19:7-10:

⁷ The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.

How was David able to write these words? It was an expression of having an intimate, loving relationship with GOD. When a person goes through difficult times in life and GOD has proven to be faithful, these words of praise come from a grateful heart. They come from a heart that knows GOD and not a heart that just knows about GOD.

⁸ The precepts (ordinances, customs or practices) of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,

The use of the word “fear” is not to be afraid of but to honor and show respect for GOD making the heart glad and the eyes to light up. The joy of the LORD is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10b.

Let’s read Psalm 19:11-14:

¹¹ In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.

¹² Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
¹³ Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

David’s desire was to remain in constant relationship and fellowship with GOD/Yahweh. David did not want any sin - willful, arbitrary or unintentional to come into his life. David wanted his walk, talk and actions to be the true expression of his relationship with GOD and GOD’S relationship with him.

David’s desire was to be obedient to GOD’S will and purpose. He wanted to build with the materials GOD desired for him to use as he journeyed through the rest of his life. He wanted to build upon the foundation of faith in GOD/Yahweh, the personal covenant name of GOD.

The source or origin of David’s revelation is “of and from Yahweh.”

Since the passion of JESUS, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell, instruct, reveal truth, enlighten, lead, guide, assure, convict, restore and to provide so much more to those who have placed their faith in JESUS.

Romans 8:13-17:

¹³ for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that^[k] we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

A Christian who lives by the flesh will not be led by the Holy Spirit and in essence is dead to the activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives. However, those who live by the leadership of the Holy Spirit are led by the Holy Spirit and are energized and made alive by the Holy Spirit. They see the working of the Holy Spirit Who confirms their relationship with GOD and HIS power flowing through their lives. That is an exciting life to live upon earth – knowing and abiding in the presence of GOD through faith in JESUS the true vine. Blessings!!!

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “How to Know GOD’S Will.”
Our focus scripture is Psalm 19:7-14.

GOD gives us direction through HIS Word.

The message of this Psalm is the revelation of GOD’S Glory through nature and the revelation of HIS will through the Law/HIS Word. GOD sent JESUS into the world as HIS Only SON to live fully human. As fully human, HE physically shed HIS blood to pay, in full, for sin and died. If HE had remained dead that would be the end. But GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to reveal to all that JESUS is the true SON of GOD, the promised Messiah. JESUS is every born-again Christian’s guarantee of eternal life. JESUS took away the penalty for sin, which is eternal death for all who place their faith in HIM. That is the foundation upon which all Christians build.

GOD has a wonderful plan for your life. Step one is to place your faith in JESUS Who gave HIS life to pay the penalty for sin by the shedding of HIS blood on the cross. HE died where you and I should have died but HE gave HIS life to set all who place their faith in HIM free from the consequence of sin and eternal death.

Why did GOD send HIS only Son to earth and why did JESUS give HIS sinless life for you and for me? It was because HE loves us and does not want any person to die and go to Hell. How does a person escape Hell? It is not by good works, being good or giving money to good causes but placing one’s faith in JESUS. When people ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for HIM to come into their lives, believing that JESUS gave HIS sinless life for them, HE does. When a person takes that step of faith, he or she is born-again through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth into the family of GOD, never to be Spiritually unborn.

How can that be? Can you ever be unborn physically? NO! No matter what a person attempts to do he or she can never be unborn from their parents. Once you are Spiritually born into GOD’S Family you can never be unborn. So once saved always saved? YES! So, a person gets saved and lives like he or she desires? You can but the Bible reveals to us in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15:

⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[e] You are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious, for the day^[f] will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.^[g]

Pay special attention to verse 15. Ground zero for Christians is to build upon the foundation of faith in JESUS the CHRIST. Here is where our human nature will can raise its head. We have a choice. We can build upon the foundation of faith in JESUS as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit or as Christians follow our own will or do our own thing according to our will.

When Christians build as led by the Holy Spirit, they use the materials GOD provides – Gold, Silver and precious stones. When Christians are led by their will and they use the materials, the world provides – wood, hay or straw. All of our work, as Christians, done upon earth will be tested by fire. Of these building materials, which will withstand the test of fire?

But notice that those who have built using the combustible materials will be spared but ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.^[g]

What is the difference? It is the choice of building materials Christians chose to use to build based upon their faith in JESUS. WHO/who guides their choices? Does the Holy Spirit or self, guide their lives? Who guides your life? Who guides my life?

As a Christian, ask GOD to lead you, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, to build according to HIS will and plan. When the Holy Spirit leads and you are obedient, you will use materials that will withstand the test by fire.

Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit. David was describing how GOD/Yahweh revealed Himself to him and HE still reveals Himself today.

Let’s read Psalm 19:1-6: (GOD’S Glory Speaks Through HIS Handiwork – Magnificent and sets the stage for our study. GOD communicates with all humans wherever they are and in many different ways.)

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky^[a] proclaims the work of His hands.
² Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.^[b]
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their message^[c] has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens^[d] He has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵ It is like a groom coming from the^[e] bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
⁶ It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles^[f] to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The handiwork of our LORD speaks HIS message of hope and magnificence to all peoples of earth 24/7. Look up, look around, seek HIM and HE will be found.

Of course, Psalm 19 is in the Old Testament and written before JESUS came physically/in the flesh into the world. The Jews did anticipate the coming of the promised Messiah.

Psalm 19 was written by David and it expresses what he had learned through experience regarding the One True GOD of Israel, Yahweh.

Let’s read Psalm 19:7-10:

⁷ The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb.

How was David able to write these words? It was an expression of having an intimate, loving relationship with GOD. When a person goes through difficult times in life and GOD has proven to be faithful, these words of praise come from a grateful heart. They come from a heart that knows GOD and not a heart that just knows about GOD.

⁸ The precepts (ordinances, customs or practices) of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,

The use of the word “fear” is not to be afraid of but to honor and show respect for GOD making the heart glad and the eyes to light up. The joy of the LORD is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10b.

Let’s read Psalm 19:11-14:

¹¹ In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them.

¹² Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
¹³ Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
¹⁴ May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

David’s desire was to remain in constant relationship and fellowship with GOD/Yahweh. David did not want any sin - willful, arbitrary or unintentional to come into his life. David wanted his walk, talk and actions to be the true expression of his relationship with GOD and GOD’S relationship with him.

David’s desire was to be obedient to GOD’S will and purpose. He wanted to build with the materials GOD desired for him to use as he journeyed through the rest of his life. He wanted to build upon the foundation of faith in GOD/Yahweh, the personal covenant name of GOD.

The source or origin of David’s revelation is “of and from Yahweh.”

Since the passion of JESUS, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to indwell, instruct, reveal truth, enlighten, lead, guide, assure, convict, restore and to provide so much more to those who have placed their faith in JESUS.

Romans 8:13-17:

¹³ for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. ¹⁵ For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that^[k] we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

A Christian who lives by the flesh will not be led by the Holy Spirit and in essence is dead to the activity of the Holy Spirit in their lives. However, those who live by the leadership of the Holy Spirit are led by the Holy Spirit and are energized and made alive by the Holy Spirit. They see the working of the Holy Spirit Who confirms their relationship with GOD and HIS power flowing through their lives. That is an exciting life to live upon earth – knowing and abiding in the presence of GOD through faith in JESUS the true vine. Blessings!!!