GOD'S SPIRIT SIMPLIFIED
Jesus' teachings simplify our understanding of God's Spirit. Jesus describes the "HOLY SPIRIT" as "ANOTHER HELPER, COUNSELOR, OR COMFORTER"… "THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH". A very descriptive term Jesus also uses is "THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER". We are to worship and seek guidance from God, not His Spirit as Jesus tells us His Spirit "WILL SPEAK ONLY WHAT HE HEARS" from God. Jesus says God will "WILL GIVE" His Spirit to us because Jesus asked Him to. Jesus refers to himself as "THE TRUTH" which may help in understanding why He calls God's Spirit "THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH" and tells us the Spirit will not come "IF I DO NOT GO AWAY". 1
When Jesus was baptized at the beginning of His ministry the "Spirit of God" descended upon Him. Previously we have record of God's Spirit being upon or in individual people like Gideon and King David, etc., yet after Jesus' ministry on earth God's Spirit is now available to everyone including non-Jews or "Gentiles" as God said, "I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL PEOPLE". This is a major transition in man's relationship with God. 2
To receive God's Spirit, Jesus tells a story how fathers give good gifts to their children and then states, "HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM". All of the many gifts that are enabled through God's Spirit such as casting out "DEMONS", communicating with and from God, healing the "SICK", "POWER" to be "WITNESSES" etc. are found in Jesus ministry on earth. All gifts from God's Spirit are encompassed in Jesus statement, "ANYONE WHO HAS FAITH IN ME WILL DO WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING". God Spirit that was in Jesus is available to believers who ask enabling us to do everything Jesus did. Simple summery: At Jesus' request God now gives His spirit to all believers who ask, enabling us to do what Jesus did. 3
1. Jn 14:16-17; Mt 10:20; Jn 16:13; 14:6; 16:7 (IC)
2. Mt 3:16; Jdg 6:34; 1 Sa 16:13; Ac 10:45; 2:17 (NI)
3. Lk 11:13; Mk 16:17-18; Ac 1:8; Jn 14:12 (NI)
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection "Teach me to do what You want, because You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Ps 143:10 (IC)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote). For those who prefer not to take the time to look up a scripture, click on the underlined hyper link to read the scripture. Example, click here for a teaching about love.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
As you improve communication, you will discover that most problems can be solved by improved communication using the Speaker Listener Technique we teach in our Marriage Workshops. Occasionally there could be a problem that could use formal problem solving. The 4 steps to problem solving are: 1. Agenda Setting - decide and write down the specific concern (like, how do we keep our dishes washed) 2. Brain Storming - write down all the ideas, no evaluating, silly ok (like, hire a maid, only use paper plates, eat out all the time, take turns, etc.) 3. Agreement and compromise - a good time to use the SLT 4. Follow Up - agree to a specific time to follow up and see how the agreement worked and be specific (like if you wrote down we agree to get our son a pet, one of you could be thinking a puppy and one could be thinking a horse) Remember some problems could seem to be unsolvable. That is the time to decide how we can protect what is great about our marriage from this seemingly unsolvable problem.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). Obviously, without your spouse's cooperation you would have difficulty in problem solving. No matter how serious the problem appears to be, it is good to consider that your marriage may be more important than most problems and it is good to make an effort to protect your marriage. Remember, God said, "I hate divorce" (Mal 2:16 NI). When a spouse calls "time out", it is an opportunity for a couple to calm down before continuing the conversation at a later time (anywhere from an hour to no later than the next day) using the Speaker Listener Technique. Initially after calling time out it is an opportunity to take authority over the enemy and pray for the marriage. Example: "In the name of Jesus I command you demons to shut up and leave our marriage and not return" "Thank you God for helping our marriage be in Your will and guiding us in our relationship, in Jesus name, amen." When a spouse will not cooperate, you can still take authority over the enemy and pray for your marriage.
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Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *