Place holder - unedited - October 13, 2024

 

Bible Study – Family Conflict (1) – Genesis 4:1-12 - October 13, 2024

GOD expects us to look after our family members.

Our focus scripture is Genesis 4:1-12.

Let’s review what is recorded in Genesis 3: The Temptation and the Fall

3 Now the serpent (Satan) was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You can’t eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Satan is a liar and deceiver. His goal is to prevent people from going to Heaven and to destroy them.

² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. ³ But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, ‘You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.’”

GOD never told Adam and Eve not to touch it. Just do not eat its fruit.

Here we speculate. A deceiver would say, “Oh! GOD said for you to not to touch it. Look, I am touching it, and nothing happens. Now you touch it. See, you are still alive. GOD has deceived you. Plus, as we read on ---

⁴ “No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “In fact, God knows that when^[a] you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ⁶ The woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Adam was right there with Eve and never opened his mouth, yet GOD had placed him in charge of the Garden.

Do you think Adam was allowing Eve to test what GOD had told them? We do not know but we do know the result. All humans inherited death. Thanks Adam and Eve.

But we rejoice that GOD had HIS redemptive plan of salvation through faith in JESUS, HIS only SON. JESUS paid in full for all sin for those who place their faith in HIM!

Sin’s Consequences

⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze,^[b] and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

When we sin, the first thing a person wants to do is to cover it up.

¹⁰ And he said, “I heard you^[c] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

¹¹ Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

First example of transferal of guilt:

¹² The man replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.”

¹³ So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Culprit identified!!!

¹⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent:

Because you have done this,
you are cursed more than any livestock
and more than any wild animal.
You will move on your belly
and eat dust all the days of your life.
¹⁵ I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.^[d]
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.

¹⁶ He said to the woman:

I will intensify your labor pains;
you will bear children with painful effort.
Your desire will be for your husband,
yet he will rule over you.

¹⁷ And he said to the man, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’:

The ground is cursed because of you.
You will eat from it by means of painful labor^[e]
all the days of your life.
¹⁸ It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
¹⁹ You will eat bread^[f] by the sweat of your brow
until you return to the ground,
since you were taken from it.
For you are dust,
and you will return to dust.”

The dynamics upon earth were radically altered. Sin had entered the earth, even nature was impacted as we read in Romans 8: ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. ²³ Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

²⁰ The man named his wife Eve^[g] because she was the mother of all the living. ²¹ The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.

This is a critical verse. GOD had to kill an animal or animals to make clothing for Adam and Eve. This was the first blood sacrifice.

Sin always has consequences. Read on ----

²² The Lord God said, “Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat, and live forever.” ²³ So the Lord God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. ²⁴ He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life.

GOD intended eternal life for humans, but it was throated by sin. GOD loved Adam and Eve and HE had to sacrifice an animal or animals to make clothes for them from the skins of the animal or animals.

This set the example that a blood sacrifice was necessary as a place holder for the forgiveness of sin, until the perfect sacrifice came to earth, JESUS, and lived, died, buried, raised from the physically dead, lived 40 days upon earth and then ascended into Heaven.

GOD had the ultimate redemptive plan for all humans who will place their faith in JESUS.

Now, let’s return to the things taking place upon earth after Adam and Eve were banned from the Garden of Eden because of their sin.

GOD was with Adam and Eve after they were banned from the Garden of Eden. Eve would bear the pain of giving birth to children. GOD would be her mid-wife. Why? Because since sin altered childbirth.

They worshipped GOD.

Let’s read Genesis 4:1-2: Cain Murders Abel

4 The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.”^[a] 2 She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 

As you recall childbirth changed after Adam and Eve sinned as we read in verse 16 in our background scripture.

Let’s read Genesis 4:3-7:

³ In the course of time Cain (farmer) presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. ⁴ And Abel (shepherd) also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, ⁵ but he did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

Cain was the oldest and Able was the youngest in their family.

⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? ⁷ If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

We notice that GOD had a conversation with Cain and attempted to urge him to make the right decision. The key is that GOD spoke to him but left the final decision up to Cain. The same is for us today, we make our own decisions and have to live with the consequence.

The same is true for humans today. Sin crouches at our door and we make the decision. When we do what is right there is victory. When we let sin, which manifests itself in so many ways, we pay the consequence.

When sin rules, terrible things happen. Keep in mind GOD was right there with Cain and Able. Yet, the murder took place.

Let’s read Genesis 4:8-12:

⁸ Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”^[b] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”

¹⁰ Then he said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! ¹¹ So now you are cursed, alienated from the ground that opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood you have shed.^[c] 12 If you work the ground, it will never again give you its yield. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

¹³ But Cain answered the Lord, “My punishment^[d] is too great to bear! ¹⁴ Since you are banishing me today from the face of the earth, and I must hide from your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth, whoever finds me will kill me.”

¹⁵ Then the Lord replied to him, “In that case,^[e] whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” And he placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him. ¹⁶ Then Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod,^[f] east of Eden.

GOD was present with both Cain and Able, yet Cain killed Able. GOD forewarned Cain but HE did not intervene. The still small voice of GOD still warns people to stop and think before breaking GOD’S Law and to what is right.

Our flesh wants revenge, but GOD tells us to forgive and to restore.

GOD sent HIS only SON JESUS to earth to live a 100% human life. Remain sinless for JESUS to be the perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for any person to be forgiven of his/her sin(s).

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Thrive - Purpose Exemplified (6) - Philippians 1-1-11 - October 13, 2024

 

Bible Study – Thrive – Purpose Exemplified (6) – October 6, 2024

GOD is glorified when we, who have been redeemed from walking in the path of sinners to walking in the path of JESUS.

When a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, that person has a change of direction. The person turns around and chooses to walk as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit, WHO is the third person of the Trinity and revelation of GOD to humans.

A person’s faith in JESUS is the beginning of his/her walk as a Spirit-born Christian. Let’s explore as guided by our selected scripture Philippians 1:1-11.

Greetings

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,^[a] 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, ⁵ because of your partnership (koinonia) in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you^[b] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,^[c] and you are all partners with me in grace (unmerited favor), both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. ⁸ For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹ And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, ¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, ¹¹ that filled with the fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

A person must be grafted into the vine, who is JESUS, to produce the “fruit of righteousness.”

Notice, when a person is Spirit-born, he or she produces “fruit” and not “fruits” as often referenced. There is only one fruit that is produced which is defined in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

What must a person do to produce this fruit? JESUS said it best in John 15:1-The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be^[a] my disciples.

Christlike Love

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

¹¹ “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

¹² “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master^[b] is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

¹⁷ “This is what I command you: Love one another.

In our focus scripture, 1 Philippians 1:5: The Apostle Paul used the word “koinonia” or “fellowship” which carries the idea partnership in the work of the LORD. The term also carries the idea of fellowship as “Spirit-born” or “kindred,” brothers and sisters, reaching out, as a loving family, to those who are in or not in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

The physical birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of JESUS removed forever that which blocked the eternal path to GOD, which is sin. The path to the One True GOD, I AM/YAWEH is open because the sin barrier has been removed. However, every person must accept the Gift of salvation from hell to receive eternal life through faith in JESUS. JESUS knocks upon every person’s heart’s door. Only the person who hears JESUS knocking on his/her heart’s door can open it because the latch is on the inside of that person’s heart.

We find this in Revelation 3:20: ²⁰ See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat (reside) with him/her, and he/she with me.

Sin blocks a person’s relationship with GOD. The Good News of JESUS is that HIS passion of living a sinless life, willingly giving HIS perfect life by the shedding of HIS blood, paid in full for all sin. But there is an important step every person must accept and that is to acknowledge what JESUS did for all people. When JESUS’ lady disciples discovered the stone that had once sealed the entrance to the tomb where JESUS was buried had been rolled away, they looked in and discovered an empty tomb.

JESUS is the first fruit from HIS Passion. Life after bodily death is a fact as proven and guaranteed by the resurrection of JESUS. Over 400 people witnessed the bodily resurrected JESUS before HE ascended into Heaven.

A number of years ago, while driving on Interstate 85, I saw a vision outside my car in the sky accompanied by a booming voice like I had never heard. The voice identified the lady in the vision as Mrs. Green. Mrs. Green was the mother of a lady with whom I worked. We, along with co-workers, had been praying for her healing. I would not have known it was Mrs. Green (I had never met Mrs. Green) if she had not been identified by the clear booming voice. If you care to read about this event in my life, go to actsclass.blogspot.com and look at the top left-hand top corner of the page and there is a search box. Type in the name of Mrs. Green and you should be able to access it.

Yes, there is life after the death of our physical bodies and that is GOOD NEWS for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion – Physical life – born 100% human/yet GOD – physical death on the cross -proves JESUS was 100% human – physical bodily resurrection from death is proof that JESUS conquered death – physical bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of HIS FATHER, GOD

As many may know, South Carolina experienced the ravages of hurricane Helene.

We are roughly over 350 miles from the coast where hurricane Helene landed, yet we and cities over 100+ miles further suffered even greater damage.

There is an entourage of people helping – Samaritan’s Purse was one of the first responders I saw serving in North Carolina. The South Carolina Baptist Disaster Relief is another organization ministering to the needs of so many people, as well as so many more people, churches, and organizations.

All who have experienced the miracle of Spiritual Birth, the divine sperm of GOD is in them along with the attributes of GOD given via the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All Spirit-born people have the same Father thus Spiritual brothers and sisters.

Spiritual Gifts are given by GOD to those Spirit-born to minister to others and serve the true church. Fellowship or koinonia includes fellow Christians with a heart for those who do not know JESUS as their Savior, as well as meeting their physical needs. Also, to reach out to fellow Spirit-born Christians who may be struggling in their walk with JESUS. We are to come to the aid of each other. The hot coals of a fire gives off heat when together but when separated, they begin to go cold.

It is the same with walking with JESUS, Satan uses every trick to defeat Spirit-born Christians. The ministry of the church is to minister to all: those who are seeking, those who are walking and those who have been gifted to minister. As we approach the second coming of JESUS, the church, the body of true believers, must be united in the bond of love to minister and serve.

When the hurricane went through our area, most, if not all, lost electrical power. Many people who had generators could share electricity with their neighbor and many did so. Neighbors helped neighbors or helped others just out of their desire to help, do good deeds and minister.

We are blessed to have a loving daughter and her family to minister to us along with those out of town checking to see that we were being taken care of. What a blessing!

Some people use the plight of people to take advantage of those with needs. One person I spoke with told me that a truck came through their neighborhood and offered to cut the tree that was on their home for $34,000.

When we see the ravages that the storms of life bring to good and bad people, as Spirit-born people, that is our call to action. We offer comfort, hope, a listening ear, a helping hand and so much more.

JESUS told us in Mark 13:8 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be earthquakes in different places and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”

Folks, JESUS is coming again. Let us who know the truth share the truth and the Gospel Light of JESUS while there is still light.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Thrive - Purpose Expressed (5) - Galatians 6:1-10 - September 29, 2024 (Edited)

 

Bible Study – Thrive – Purpose Expressed (5) – Galatians 6:1-10 – September 29, 2024

We live out our purpose as we are led and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Our focus scripture is Galatians 6:1-10.

As humans, our human spirit must be radically changed through the miracle of Spiritual conception and birth. When a person is physically conceived in his/her mother’s womb or conceived in a petri dish and planted in the mother’s womb, human conception takes place at the instant the sperm and egg unite.

Spiritual conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye. The human spirit is the egg, and the Holy Spirit is the divine sperm.

We read in the Amplified Classic Edition of the Bible in 1 John 3:9:
No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

Our human conception brings into our lives all sorts of human traits and propensities. However, when humans are Spiritually conceived all the attributes of our Heavenly Father, GOD, are part of our born-again or Spirit-born nature. This newborn-again nature is brought out and developed when a Spirit-born person willingly seeks the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. The Spirit-born person still has the freedom to choose and, as such, the Spirit-born person must grow via prayer, Bible study, application of what he/she is being taught, as GOD gives him/her opportunity.

Who do you think does everything he can to prevent a person from being “born-again” in his/her spirit or once “born-again” for that person not to grow Spiritually? You are right, if you said, “Satan.”

All people are in Spiritual warfare against the spirit world and victory can only be won through faith in JESUS and them allowing THE HOLY SPIRIT to lead, guide, empower and direct their lives. This is walking each moment, as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Spirit-born person is not to judge but to assist others in their Spiritual Walk, as directed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul expressed in Galatians 6:1 a vital caution.

All who are born of the Holy Spirit are called to minister with caution, while keeping a close eye on themselves. Those who are Spirit-born are the target of Satan, but they are also the “Apple of GOD’S EYE.”

Let’s Explore!!!

Let’s read Galatians 6:1-5:

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit,^[a] watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. ² Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

All people are subject to sin. Yes, even those Spirit-born. So, do not think you can walk through Hell and come out without the smell of smoke.

As Spirit-born people we are to help others to grow Spiritually and to come to their aid when they face the trials and temptations of life. Just because a person is Spirit-born does not mean that person is free from the temptations of Satan. Know that as a Spirit-born person you are at war with evil. Satan and his minions are out to defeat you.

So, what must a Spirit-born person do to suit up for battle?

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-20:

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. ¹³ For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, ¹⁵ and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Folks, we are in a Spiritual battle, and we must be suited up to fight the enemy.

Keep in mind what we read in 1 John 4:1 The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error

4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world. (This is so vital as we approach the second coming of JESUS. JESUS has already come in the flesh, lived a sinless life, and willingly gave HIS sinless life to pay the penalty for all sin. When a person accepts what JESUS did and accepts JESUS as his/her Savior, that person is eternally born into GOD’S eternal Family, never to be Spiritually unborn. NOW that is not only Good News but great News.

And guess what? If you had been the only person in all eternity to accept JESUS as your Savior, HE would have died just for YOU.

Now, that is personal and shows how much HE loves you!

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world. Therefore, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Let’s read Galatians 6:6-8:

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 

We, who know the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS, are to share that Good News with others as GOD gives us opportunity.

Some people may say, “I don’t know what to say.” Oh, yes you do. You have a story to tell and that is your own conversion experience. When given the opportunity to tell your conversion experience consider using the format the Apostle Paul used when he approached King Agrippa as recorded in Acts 26:1-32: Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Use Acts 26 as a guide to write your own conversion experience. Give some of your old life, what led you to see your need for salvation in JESUS and then your salvation experience which is unique to just you. Then give the person or persons to whom you are speaking the opportunity to pray to receive JESUS as his/her Savior.

How exciting it is when a person accepts JESUS as his/her Savior.

As a preacher was asked after his Sunday service, “Did anyone join the church today? Just a young boy name Billy Graham.” A person never knows what GOD has in store for him/her until that person takes a step of faith and trusts JESUS as his/her Savior.

Let’s read Galatians 6:9-10:

⁹ Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

As long as we have breath, let us all who know JESUS as our Savior, work in GOD’S vineyard until JESUS comes again, or we meet HIM when we take our last breath upon earth. Blessing!!!

Bible Study - Thirve - Purpose Lived (4) - Galatians 5:16-26 - September 22, 2024

Bible Study – Thrive – Purpose Lived (4) – Galatians 5:16-26 – September 22, 2024

We live out our purpose as we are led and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Our focus scripture is Galatians 5:16-26.

When we read and study the scripture regarding the working of the Holy Spirit, what runs through our minds? That was nice for then, but is the same Holy Spirit, at work today in the lives of GOD’S Spirit Born people? YES!!!

If so, why don’t we witness the working of the Hoy Spirit in our churches and through us who have been born by the Holy Spirit?

Let’s read again the opening statement, “We live out our purpose as we are led and filled with the Holy Spirit.” Often, we, as born-again Christians, must ask JESUS to help us clean house and toss out those things which clutter our minds and hearts. Often, it is unbelief and/or disbelief which we have allowed into our minds as truth, but they are lies. Our redeemed foundation must be based upon truth, as we study and apply GOD’S Word.

Let’s explore!

The Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians in Galatia, and we get to read what he wrote. Does what he wrote apply to us these many years later? Does the Word of GOD change? Can we apply what Paul wrote then to today? Is it for us who have received the Holy Spirit? Do we, who know the truth and have been Spirit-born, fear what we might become if we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as we journey through life?

Let’s read Galatians 5:16-26: The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Step one must be CHRIST in you. A person cannot walk by the Spirit unless the Holy Spirit resides within that person and that person determines in his/her heart to obediently follow the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That requires faith and trust in JESUS.

How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? A person must be born-again as JESUS told Nicodemus in John 3:1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.” ³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 1:9-10 – 9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, ² and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

This sounds impossible but what did JESUS tell us in John 5:19:

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you; the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.

When we, as Spirit-born people, see GOD at work, that is our invitation for us to join HIM in HIS work.

So, as Spirit born people, what does our relationship to GOD mean? It means that we are Spirit-born into GOD’S eternal Family and GOD is our FATHER.

So, why don’t we see the hands of GOD working through us? Is it because of our unbelief as expressed in Mark 9:24: ²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Going back to the origin of this statement ----

We read in Mark 9:17-29:

¹⁷ Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. ¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”

¹⁹ He (JESUS) replied to them, “You unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” ²⁰ So they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, it immediately threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. ²¹ “How long has this been happening to him?” Jesus asked his father.

“From childhood,” he said. ²² “And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Since the passion of JESUS, those who have been born-again Spiritually, by the redemptive shed blood of JESUS are members of those who can. But all must be prayed up – confessing any and all sins.

²³ Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’?^[a] Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: Come out of him and never enter him again.”

²⁶ Then it (mute and deaf spirit) came out, shrieking and throwing him into terrible convulsions. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He’s dead.” ²⁷ But Jesus, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

Only GOD can reveal the identity of the IT’S in life. We must know what we are dealing with before “IT” can be defeated and only GOD can reveal IT to us and how to properly deal with or dispose of IT.

FATHER, cast YOUR protective canopy over all who read this study and protect them and guard them from the IT’S of the evil world. Thank YOU in the name of JESUS!

²⁸ After he (JESUS) had gone into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

Why do we not succeed in overcoming the issues we face in life? Is it unbelief? Is it our lack of prayer? Ask JESUS to reveal what blocks our Spiritual effectiveness?

²⁹ And he (JESUS) told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer.”^[b]

This opens up a deeper study into dealing with the spirit-world, which I will reserve for another time.

Having a strong prayer life is good but also having fellow Spirit-born believers joining with you in prayer is also essential when you deal with the spirit-world. Do everything in the name of JESUS.

The shed blood of JESUS and HIS resurrection are our protection. When we minister to others, it is always good to have Spirit-born people praying for us and with us when we go to pray over those needing deliverance or healing. Spirit born people are always in battle with the spirit world, but they are under the protective covering of the shed blood of JESUS.

Let’s read Galatians 5:19-21:

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[d] sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy,^[e] drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (This is the fruit of Satan in the lives of humans.)

Let’s read Galatians 5:22-26:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.^[f] 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

JESUS spoke of being the vine in John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.”

Fruit grows on the true vine.

Guess who does not want Spirit-born people to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and bear Spiritual fruit? Hopefully, you said it, Satan. The world says, “Who is this goody two shoes who thinks he/she can do miracles in the name of JESUS?” LORD, help their unbelief.

All who have been saved by the blood of JESUS, through faith in JESUS, HIS Passion and is responding to the leadership of the Holy Spirit have the potential. We may have to say, “LORD I believe but help my unbelief.” We believe to a point but when it comes to miracles that may be another story. We must keep in our mind it is not us, it is GOD and HIS power at work through us who have been Born-again and empowered with certain Spiritual Gifts from GOD.

JESUS said in Matthew 17:20: He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

But what do we, who have been born-again by the Holy Spirit, know, as revealed in 1 John 4: ² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you (JESUS) is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world. Therefore, what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

As we approach the second coming of JESUS, we who know the truth of being born-again through faith in JESUS, must be led by the Holy Spirit and work in GOD’S vineyard, earth, while the harvest for the souls of fellow humans is ripe. To GOD be the Glory for great things HE has and will do through us who know the truth!

Rejoice that you can be a part of HIS soul harvesters as you walk and are led by the Spirit. Nothing is impossible. We read in Luke 1: ³⁴ Mary (The mother to be of JESUS) asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?” ^[e]

³⁵ The angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And consider your relative Elizabeth—even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.”

³⁸ “See, I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it happen to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

That took faith and courage! To be chosen by GOD takes courage and faith.

With GOD all things are possible! Do you believe it? If not, why not?

The father of the son who was delivered of the spirit entity said in Mark 9:24: ²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

There is nothing wrong in being honest with GOD because HE already knows our hearts. Confess it and ask GOD to help you build upon the solid foundation of JESUS, The CHRIST, and be led by the Holy Spirit.

It may mean that you have to confess your sins and ask JESUS to come into your heart and experience the miracle of Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS and experience HIS redemptive power.

It may mean that you have to confess your unbelief in GOD/JESUS ability to perform miracles today.

The main question for all who want to experience GOD through his/her faith in JESUS, “Do you believe in GOD, WHO is I AM, and JESUS, GOD’S only son and HIS passion? JESUS willingly left Heaven and came to earth to be born human. JESUS was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary and born physically by the virgin Mary. JESUS lived a 100% human life, subject to sin but HE remained sinless. HE willingly gave HIS sinless life upon the cross, died physically and was buried. GOD raised JESUS from physical death on the third day to show that HE paid the price for all sin, past, present, and future, in full for all who place their faith in HIM. JESUS physically ascended into Heaven and took HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS FATHER, and intercedes for all who have or will accept JESUS as their Savior.

John 14:12: JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for HIS crucifixion and the fulfillment of the purpose of HIS coming to earth to reveal GOD’S redemptive plan.

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he (she) will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me^[e] anything in my name, I will do it.^[f]

Another Counselor Promised

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep^[g] my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^[h] to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him because he remains with you and will be^[I] in you.

GOD sent the Holy Spirit after the physical death, physical burial, physical body resurrection, physical body ascension of JESUS into Heaven and JESUS taking HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD. GOD sent The Holy Spirit to indwell and confirm salvation for all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS passion and bodily resurrection and ascension.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is every Spirit-born person’s eternal guarantee and assurance of eternal life.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three in ONE.

Dear JESUS, this is a lot for a person to unpack. Please help all who have the desire to obediently walk with YOU and to serve YOU to see that the truth of CHRIST in him/her is his/her eternal hope. Remove the walls of disbelief and open the doors of faith through truth, as only YOU can.

Being honest with GOD is ground zero! We must confess our doubts and search GOD’S Word, the Bible, pray and ask GOD to help us discover truth. I use Bible Gateway online as a resource to read and study scripture.

If it is your desire to walk with JESUS, if you have not already asked HIM to forgive you for your sins and come into your heart, ask HIM to do so now. If you are not already in a fellowship of Spirit-born Christians, then ask JESUS to lead you to the fellowship and resources where you can be fed Spiritually and grow into the fulness of JESUS THE CHRIST!

Blessings!!!