Zacharias and Elisabeth are great examples of a united couple who learned, at times from mistakes, and were bold to speak for God. They were filled by the Holy Spirit and saw God’s grace, forgiveness, service, and deliverance in their lives.
The Bible is God’s will for us and is beautifully put together. Paul’s letters, for example, give teaching, reproof, and correction. You see that in “triads” like Romans-Corinthians-Galatians and Ephesians-Philippians-Colossians. Let’s look at this first group and see how God’s spiritual love in us brings true freedom when we manifest it, show it forth with power.
We went to the Lutheran church a block from our home for the Christmas Eve service. We enjoyed the carol singing and candle lighting last year and did it again for the joy in remembering Christ’s birth with others. I did notice the confusion that exists on Who God is, and who His Son is.
Halloween is a time when people are “scared” of ghosts, goblins, witches, and evil spirits. As believers who have the authority of Jesus Christ’s name, we have NO FEAR. We have authority over all the forces of the enemy!
Jesus answered an important question.
Have you ever stubbed your toe because you had no “night light”? God wants us to see where we are going spiritually. Jesus told us about this.
Showers of blessings, water my soul,
Downpour refreshing, spirit unfold,
As rain from heaven, waters each blade
His holy spirit, ever to save.
Chorus:
Come now, dear Father, through Christ Your Son,
Filled with your spirit, now we are one.
Ever to love me to our last day
Filled with your spirit, guiding the way.
Showers of mercy, forgive my past,
Downpour redeeming, freedom that lasts,
As rain so cleansing, waters the earth,
His pure forgiving, in the new birth.
Chorus:
Come now, dear Father, through Christ Your Son,
Filled with your spirit, now we are one.
Ever to love me to our last day
Filled with your spirit, guiding the way.
Showers of goodness, all is fulfilled,
In Christ accomplished, my future sealed,
Ever my Savior, to intercede,
His great abundance, supplies every need.
Chorus:
Come now, dear Father, through Christ Your Son,
Filled with your spirit, now we are one.
Ever to love me to our last day
Filled with your spirit, guiding the way.
Showers of grace that, carry me home,
Not in my power, but His strength alone,
Knowing this body is mortal and frail,
Yet my true hope is, I shall prevail!
Chorus:
Come now, dear Father, through Christ Your Son,
Filled with your spirit, now we are one.
Ever to love me to our last day
Filled with your spirit, guiding the way.
Acts 10:38:Throughout the Bible, God had His chosen servants anointed with oil to set them apart for His service. This included prophets, priests, and kings. Jesus was all three. See Jesus Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King for more details.
But Jesus was not anointed with the traditional oil. His anointing was with the holy spirit. At his baptism by John, the spirit appeared like a dove—pure and simple. Isaiah had promised God’s coming savior would be anointed with His spirit in Isaiah 61:1. Jesus quoted that scripture when he opened his ministry in Nazareth.
A Christian friend had a good question today regarding the holy spirit not being given “by measure” to Jesus Christ in John 3:34 and 35. Here’s what it says.
John 3:34,35:
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
John the Baptist is talking here about his cousin, Jesus the Christ. What does it mean that God doesn’t give the spirit “by measure” to Jesus?
Living on earth for many decades can bring insight when a person is meek to the Creator. The greatest man who ever lived was only here for three decades, and yet he knew the Creator as a loving Father and made this eternal Spirit known to others. To understand the things of God, let’s consider four questions that every human will face during our brief existence in this world. Where did I come from? Why am I here? Why must I die? Where will I go after death?