“Now John had a camel-hair garment with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.” ~Apostle Matthew
John calls on the religious and the religious elites to confess missing God’s goal (aka sin) and to be baptized. …
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
“Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ~Jesus
Nicodemus doesn’t get what Jesus is saying. I am the same way some days. I hear Him but I don’t …
“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” ~Moses
There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. …
“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” ~Luke
We seem a little reluctant to talk about the ecstatic experience. Is that for mystics and weirdo’s I think? Maybe …
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
We love to eat fruit. We love the fruit and the juice. It gives us nourishment and refreshes us. May …
Is the gift of the Spirit for all believers?
I have the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is a gift from Jesus. There is nothing …
Does justice come through the Holy Spirit of God?
The Holy Spirit convicts me. I miss God’s goal for my life (aka sin) and the Holy Spirit of God …
“You’re not listening. Let me say it again.” ~Jesus
I am like Nicodemus. Jesus wants me to understand something but I’m not quite getting it. Jesus is patient. Jesus …
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” ~Jesus
Everywhere Jesus went and whenever He would minister to His disciples or the people, He brought calm and peace to …
Is Jesus the Messiah the source of eternal life?
Jesus is the Son of God. I have a witness that Jesus gives me eternal life. That life is found …
Is the Holy Spirit real?
There are many misconceptions about the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some view the Holy Spirit as a mystical force. …
Ecstasy – Is it in response to the Holy Spirit?
We seem a little reluctant to talk about the ecstatic experience. Is that for mystics and weirdo’s I think? Maybe …
Baptism – Does sprinkling with water symbolize spiritual cleansing?
I must prepare myself spiritually to fellowship with God. The Old Testament priest had to go through various washings and …
Joy – Is it evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work? Does it prompt believers to rejoice?
When the Holy Spirit moves, it is a stunning thing to behold. It makes me want to glorify God. I …
Goodness — Good Works will be Rewarded
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit”. “Fruit,” here, means “beneficial results,” the good things that come …
I am a Devoted Slave of Jesus, the Messiah
My role is one of a slave. I am a devoted slave of Jesus, the Messiah. Really? Yes, a slave. …
“Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit!” ~Luke
Jesus rejoiced. Jesus is exuberant in the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to usher in the Kingdom of God in the …
Joy — The Holy Spirit gives Joy to Jesus the Messiah and to Those who were Anticipating His Birth
The Holy Spirit brings joy to believers, giving them an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external …
“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” ~Luke
Am I happy? Do you see my joy? Or am I just a grumpy old man most days? In …
Is love optional?
Is love optional? Yes, I get to decide whether to love or not. So do you. I often am not …
“Whether it’s right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.” ~Apostle Peter
Jesus has ascended to sit at the right hand of God. The power of the Holy Spirit has descended on …
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” ~God
How do I get things done in God’s world? What makes the difference? Does it happen if I am just strong …
“And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses to the ends of the world.” ~Jesus
Jesus has given me a mission. He has also given me power. The first charge was to wait for the …
"Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." ~~William Faulkner
Comparisons aren’t helpful at all. Jesus challenges to see into our own heart. We need Jesus and we need redemption. …
“I decided not to make another visit that could only be painful to both of us.” ~Apostle Paul
Paul decided not to show up, even though he was wanted. How often, just because someone asks me to come, …
What is the message of the new plan of Jesus?
We have ministers that are very faithful. Everyday they do their thing. Same message; same station. If you do something …
“Jesus is going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives.” ~John the Baptizer
John the Baptizer was doing some amazing things. People were coming out to see him in droves. John was clear …
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you.” ~Apostle Paul
God is amazingly wealthy. Jesus has riches beyond what we can even imagine. The power to tap into His strength …
“They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”)” ~Angel of God
Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus came to us, born of a virgin. His name is “God is with us”. …
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah to eternal life.” ~Jude
So here is something else to be anxious for. Am I anxious for the mercy of Jesus the Messiah? I …
“God can do anything. Far more than you could ever imagine.” ~Apostle Paul
I have ideas. I imagine “what if”. Some of this stuff is pretty cool!! Do these ideas seem to be …
“She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus (Yehshuah)—’God saves’—because he will save his people from sin.” ~God’s angel
Joseph had a lot to deal with. What to name the Son of God wasn’t one of them. God’s angel …
“You are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you.” ~Apostle Paul
This is stunning and over the top. I am not what I think I am some times. In fact, Paul …
“Build yourselves up in this most holy supernatural courage by praying in the Holy Spirit.” ~Jude
There are some things to be careful about. I must take responsibility for building myself up. In fact, I can listen to my-self, …
“May the God of green hope fill you up with joy.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus calls on me to be a person of hope. God gives me the Holy Spirit so I can brim …
"What you’re called does not matter and where you go to worship does not matter." ~~Jesus
It is not about what religious group you are born into. It doesn’t matter what church you go to. Jesus …
“This signet (the Holy Spirit) from God is the first installment on what’s coming.” ~Apostle Paul
God has given us the Holy Spirit. That is a sign of His authority in our life. Jesus has left …
"What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit." ~~Jesus
Jesus was about to ascend into heaven. The disciples were very concerned and wanted to know if Jesus was going …
“His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.” ~John the Baptizer
I love to hear God remind me that I have been changed from the inside out!! I am a new …
“It’s in the Messiah that you found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
Do I see that I have finished the most difficult part? In the salvation that Jesus offers me, I’m not quite there yet …
Why don’t I do something about changing things I know are important to Jesus?
What do I want to be different in my life? Actually, there are lots of things. I must admit it …
“I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth, walk!” ~Apostle Peter
I may not have a lot but I have the power of God. Jesus has given me the Holy Spirit. …
“Does God do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust God to do them in you?” ~Apostle Paul
I can’t do anything, in and of myself, to please God. That is difficult to get in my core some …
You were given this new life in God. With Jesus, you are strong enough to live it.
We are born. And then, some of us are born again. I have a new life in Jesus. I can be strong …
“God picked you out as his from the very start.” ~Apostle Paul
I should never lack for anything to pray about. I can thank God, all day long, for my family, friends, …
” God the Father has his eye on each of you.” ~Apostle Peter
God has given me an assignment. Jesus personally has a mission for me. I must focus on knowing what it is …
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need.” ~Jesus
When we talk with God, Jesus the Messiah challenges us to be direct. God already knows what we need. God …
“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” ~Apostle Paul
Some times, OK, many times, I need to be reminded to fan the flame. It hasn’t completely gone out but …
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” ~Apostle Paul
What happens when I live God’s way? (I am pausing here to think on this!!!) Jesus, the Messiah, brings gifts into …
God is talking
God has been talking to me a long time. I can go way back. Dr. Pirtle spoke the word of …
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” ~God
It is all about our heart. Jesus, the Messiah and our Master, has given us a new heart. We must …
“The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.” ~~Jesus
What does it take to get my attention and to keep me focused? Hard to say some days. There are …
What is it that God can’t do?
What can’t God do? It is a simple question. The silence around this one is deafening. There is nothing God can’t …
“Your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” ~Jesus
12 years is a long time. She had tried everything. No one could help. They all tried but it was …
Where does my identity come from?
Jesus knew before he selected Judas that he would betray him. He wanted him as a part of the 12 …
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
There is a whole lot of shaking going on. It isn’t about the economy or politics. The shaking is God’s …
Where is God’s Holy Spirit leading me today?
After his baptism, Jesus learned to live, in the present, with the power of the Holy Spirit. He was baptized …
“Did Jesus keep his promise? What has he done for our hearts?” ~~John Eldredge
We are at war. The prize is my heart. Jesus kept His promise. He healed my heart. I need to …
“You don’t find God’s wisdom lying around on the surface.” ~Apostle Paul
We don’t find God’s wisdom in the popular philosophies that are floating around. This is not about the “success mentality” …
“It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people.” ~Author of Hebrews
This is in fact stunning. How can I characterize His sacrifice? It was perfect. There was nothing lacking in it …
“Whatever the Father does the Son also does.” ~Jesus
Jesus promises that I will do even greater things than He did. So … how is this possible? Well, I …
“The Spirit dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along.” ~~Apostle Paul
A lot of people are just flitting around the surface. I can be one of them. The Holy Spirit of …
The Digital Ministry: A Manifesto
Jesus has a mission for us. He commissioned us. He commanded us to do it. He demands we pay attention. …
"But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part" ~~Apostle Paul
Paul depended on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to speak about the Good News. He depended on Jesus completely. While …
“Do not worry about how or what you are to say.” ~Jesus
Oh man, this hits home with me. I think a lot. I am a thinker. So, I think about what …
“The Pentecostal power is just more of God’s love. If it does not bring more love, it is simply a counterfeit.” ~William J. Seymour
It is all about love!! May our Father’s HOLY Spirit bring more love!!! How powerful is that? “The Pentecostal power, …
"Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is." ~~Jesus
Sometimes we are very good at pretending. We want it to look easy. We don’t want anyone to know that …
“Where can I go from Your Spirit ?” ~~King David
I am an open book to our heavenly Father. He knows everything I am going to say before I even …
"Let your enemies bring out the best in you, not the worst." ~~Jesus
There are people in our lives that simple challenge us. Many times that challenge clearly brings out the worst in …
"A good life is a fruit-bearing tree; a violent life destroys souls." ~~King Solomon
When we live the life God has intended for us, it is like a tree that gives us delicious fruit. …
“With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation.” ~Simeon
When God makes a promise, He is true to His word. His Spirit gives power to the word and it …
Working up a thirst for God
It is as if I have been traveling across a desert. A very dry and weary desert. I am so …
Putting my foot down
I was a dupe of sin. I was stubborn, refusing to believe Jesus. I went around with a chip on …
"Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God’s World (Kingdom), you can drink water …
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” ~Apostle Paul
I have ideas. I imagine, “what if”. Some of these thoughts seem pretty cool!! Does it seem to be far fetched …
“Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” ~Apostle Paul
What excuse do I find to sing a song to God? I don’t need one. Everything is a reason to …
“Wait for what the Father promised” ~Jesus
Jesus told them they had to wait. He didn’t have to. He could have given them the Spirit of God …
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power.” ~Apostle Paul
My heavenly Father is VERY rich. His riches exceed anything I can imagine. They are glorious. Through the power of …
"If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."~~Jesus
Jesus knows first hand the generosity of God. Everything starts from God caring and His generosity. Jesus knows that God …
“God’s Spirit and God’s power did it.” ~Apostle Paul
Paul wasn’t afraid to admit that he was inadequate. Now that is something. In fact, he was scared to death. …
The Yes of Jesus in us
God makes a promise. Jesus says YES to it. The Holy Spirit makes it happen in us. Jesus is the …
"Who touched my robe?" ~~Jesus
Jesus is wired with the power of God. God’s energy flows through Jesus continuously. So much so, when a sick …
