Posts Tagged ‘ Holy Spirit ’

Advent 2022 – Day 20: Matthew 2:19-20

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

Matthew 2:19-20, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Jesus came to live amongst us, bringing danger to His earthly family.

The promises we get from God are that those of the world will hate us for following Him, so it is dangerous to follow Christ. (John 15:18-25)

We still see that God protects His own.

The one who tried to kill fellow image-bearers in an attempt to destroy God had died, and God told Jesus’ family they could safely return home.

Likewise, we know that we face dangers from those in this world who want to do the same as Herod, and sometimes this includes our own thoughts and actions.

Yet, God came to us, defeating the power of Satan and this world, showing He still protects His own.

So we also know that this world is not our home, and Christ has defeated the power that still influences our lives. (John 16:33)

Christ has shown us how to live and trust and love in the midst of danger.

He did not give in, but He made a way for us to join Him in our eternal home.

May we seek the Lord who has saved us from sin and protects us from the ultimate effects of sin.

2022
12/16
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Advent 2022 – Day 18: Matthew 2:12-13

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

Matthew 2:12-13, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

But God was not willing to leave us mired in our sin.

God came to us, born as an infant, weak, physically powerless, yet without sin.

But we know He did not stay weak and powerless.

Many people in this world are hostile to Christ, afraid of His power or not wanting to follow His commands, thinking they know better. This hostility is often directed at Christians

But we also know God watches out for His people.

Herod wanted to destroy Christ, and possibly he would have hurt the wise men and Mary and Joseph in the process. God sent an angel to warn them to flee.

We have been shown the truth of who Christ is through His Word, and this same Word warns us of those who put up the pretense of being followers but secretly seek to or inadvertently damage and destroy the truth of Christ.

And this can include questioning the need for Christ coming or claiming God is the bad guy.

Yet, God came to us, joining in our suffering to help us through this life, even with those who seek our harm.

We may face persecution and hatred, but we also know Jesus faced it first and it is all ultimately against Him. And He helps us in the midst of the persecution. (John 15:18-26)

May we seek the Lord who knows our pain and fear.

2022
12/14
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VerseD: 1 John 4:15

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 4:15, ESV

We must acknowledge that Jesus is the second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God who is God, or we do not have God in our life.

2022
12/11
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VerseD: Matthew 7:7

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7, ESV

Our Ggod has given us everything we need to change our world: Himself. Through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Let us seek Him, and ask for His power to move through us to bring the Kingdom of heaven to earth.

2022
12/10
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Advent 2022 – Day 12: Isaiah 40:13-14

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40:13-14, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

Sin is rebellion against the character of God.

And we think we can tell God what is good? What justice and goodness are? That we know better what God’s character and will are?

Who do we think we are? Why do we think we understand God’s creation and character better than He does when He has revealed it through HisbWord by His prophets and apostles?

And this is what the prophets, including John the Baptist, were telling us.

“Repent! Stop your foolish thinking, and turn from your sin! The kingdom of God is at hand, and you think you can judge your Creator? Prepare for His coming, now!”

But we still try to justify our sin, correct God on His justice, and fix His revelation.

Yet, God came to us, showing us the depth of our misunderstanding of sin, revealing His character in person, and taking on Himself the justice we deserved.

We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to the Word and trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Christ to us.

May we seek the Lord who took on the just punishment we deserved, preparing ourselves by seeking His revelation.

2022
12/08
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Advent 2022 – Day 10: Isaiah 40:6-8

A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 40:6-8, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.

Sin is the act of willfully separating from God, putting something between God and ourselves, weakening ourselves from the inside out as we cut ourselves off from the source of life.

And God will let us have what we want. (Romans 1:20-32)

Therefore, we internally die continually, and the only hope is a long life to stave off the eternal death and suffering.

All because we choose our sin over God and His Word.

Yet, God came to us, breathing out His Word and His Spirit to give us new life through His death and resurrection.

We therefore prepare ourselves by investigating His eternal Word through reading the Scriptures and trusting in the Son.

We may still suffer in this world, but we have the hope of eternal life in New bodies with our Lord forever.

May we seek the Lord who gives us life, preparing ourselves by seeking His Word.

2022
12/06
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Advent 2022 – Day 7: Isaiah 9:6-7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We may do horrible things to ourselves, to each other, and against God.

We tend to commit so many injustices against each other, to seek manufactured kindness and perceived justice that still harms others, even intentionally.

Yet, God came to show us His kindness, the depths of His justice and love, using our horribleness and injustice to redeem us as our Savior and King.

His Kingdom is growing in this world, but there is still much work to be done.

Our mighty God is destroying strongholds and bringing peace to individuals and groups.

He became one of us here onthe earth, being born in the natural way, but He is currently reigning from Heaven. He has sent His Counselor to live in and through us to spread His rule across the globe and time.

We have failed time and again, yet He works in and through us – the redeemed of the Lord – to bring about righteousness.

So we do not lose heart in this broken and wicked world, rather we join with our Lord in zealously seeking those whom will be saved and ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

May we seek the Lord who works in us to spread His kindness and grace and justice.

2022
12/03
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VerseD: Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Psalm 100:4, ESV

God has called us into community with Him and with His Chosen people. May we come together and thank God for this brotherhood: the Church filled with the Holy Spirit.

2022
11/21
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VerseD: Matthew 10:16

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Matthew 10:16, ESV

We must understand this w world, but we are to be better than the world. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit and because of Christ can we do this.

2022
10/28
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VerseD: John 7:37-38

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 7:37‭-‬38, ESV

We long for peace and fellowship, and when we believe in Christ, His Holy Spirit flows through us, giving us inner peace and peace with God and others.

2022
10/24
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