Led By God's Sprit

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

If the question were raised, Why is it important to be led by the Spirit of God? God's Spirit lives in each believer to lead, guide, instruct and protect us.

In each of the Holy Spirit's functions has a specific purpose in the lives of all believers, and they are (a) the Holy Spirit leads believers by prompting believers to do God's will and mortify the deeds of the body/flesh (v. 13) and oppose sinful desires that can and will cause the believer to stumble. (b) He guides believers to live in harmony with God's Word and His instructions are designed to teach us how to live according to God's Word. God's Word is designed for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Believers are to live according to God's righteousness and standards. (c) God's Spirit will aid the believer in persevering in faith and protect believers by warning them of Satan's hidden snares that will result in the believer falling away. Lastly, God's Spirit protects believers from all hurt harm or danger as He sees what's ahead.

Believers are led by God's Spirit by allowing Him to become an integrate part of ones lives through daily scripture reading, meditating and applying God's Word to ones daily life as well as desiring and valuing the manifestation of His presence.
Yield to God's Spirit as He leads the way.

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Uplifting Insights: A Time Of Harvesting

Uplifting Insights: A Time Of Harvesting: Revelation 14:14-20 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golde...

A Time Of Harvesting

Revelation 14:14-20

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

What is the meaning of these verses? The phrase "like unto a man" represents Jesus Christ Himself who is preparing to reap the harvest of the earth. Some popular beliefs is that in verses 14-16 represents God's wrath on the earth while in verses 17-20 is a different harvest because it make mention of another angel. God's harvest of judgment is the greatest as it will be His judgment on all who followed the beast as described in chapter 13. The grain harvest in this section is the great end-time harvest of salvation (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43).

Verse 19 further explains the judgment that will take place during this time as it talks about the great winepress. From Biblical OT reading the treading of grapes is used as an illustration to express how the execution of all unbelievers by God Himself. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternal damnation.

What all this means is that all believers who have remained steadfast to Christ will be included in the grain harvest and will rule with Christ when He establishes His kingdom on earth.
The time of harvesting is near; which harvest will you be in?

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The Lord's Supper-Communion

Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:2-28

Today's topical discussion takes another look at the Lord's Supper which is commonly referred to as Communion. Partaking of bread and wine is in commemoration the night Christ and His disciples were eating before His betrayal. They were eating the Passover meal and "Jesus took the bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28).
We know that Jesus came to earth to be man's propitiator through His shed blood on the cross of Calvary. We also know that man's sins had to be forgiven before man's broken fellowship could be restored and Jesus was the only sinless person who could atone for the world's sins. Jesus' death on Calvary's cross made forgiveness possible. In order for forgiveness to be received, true repentance, having faith in Jesus Christ and confessing ones sins.
With that being said, What symbolism and importance does the bread and wine have in your life? Bread and wine symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ as the source of spiritual life for each believer and the Christian church as a whole. The bread represents the broken body of Christ's life in the redemptive sacrifice He paid. The blood represents Christ's blood or the bruising by the divine wrath of God, which Jesus Christ took on because man lacked the ability to die for his sins; as God had found the whole world guilty (Romans 3:10-18). In a word, bread and wine represents the sacrifice of Christ's life. As a memorial to Christ's death it is the believer's renewed obedience to the will of Christ while acknowledging that our salvation rests solely on Christ's broken body and His shed blood.
The question now becomes, How must one partake in the Lord's Supper? According to scripture, all those participating in the Lord's Supper must be regenerated by grace and that the communicant must be living a life consistent with the commemoration of Christ's death. It is also noteworthy that each participant examine his or her faith before participating in the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Also, our scripture verses states that communicants living obedient lives while refraining from deliberate sins opens one self to a more intimate fellowship with Christ (1 Corinthians 11:28).
Allow me to close today's discussion by summarizing the significant of the Lord's Supper as it relates to the past, present and future.
1. The past significance is the remembrance of Christ's death in redeeming all who believe from the condemnation of sin.
2. The presence significance is the fellowship with Christ and a participation in the benefits of His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary.
3. The future significance is the foretaste of God's kingdom and His heavenly banquet feast prepared for all believers (Matthew 8:11; 22:1-14; Mark 14:25; Luke 13:29; 22:17-18; 30; Isaiah 55:1).
Given all that Christ has done for mankind the question is worth repeating, How are you partaking in the Lord's Supper? Is it in true faith, with a repentant heart, sincere prayer and a renewed commitment to God, His Word and will? However it is, He is worthy of our best and total commitment.
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Revelations From God

Ephesians 1:17-18

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory in his inheritance in the saints,

The term revelation mean to uncover what was hidden or making known the unknown (Romans 16:25). God has revealed Himself through His written word-the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ who was the final revelation of God the Father. With that being said, Paul's prayers for the Ephesians believers is that God through His spirit of wisdom and revelation make known just who He is and His will and purpose for His people. It is important that all believers know the will of God and His redemptive purposes for salvation and to experience a more abundant power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all believers (vv 19-20).
Each believer has been given a specific calling in Christ's church and with the revelation of the gift through the Holy Spirit and His power then believers become more effective in the believer's ministry building God's kingdom. As recorded in Acts 1:8 we receive power to boldly witness Christ with such effectiveness that souls will be saved. Another important factor in receiving revelations from God is that believers come to know that God has outfitted each with His body armour for this spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:11-18).
God reveals His will and purposes for man.
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The Importance Of Biblical Training

2 Timothy 2:2; 15

And these things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
To answer the implied topical discussion question of why is Biblical Training so importance there are several reasons that come to mind such as one cannot teach what one doesn't know neither can one lead where one doesn't go.

However, our scriptures texts provide the answer in that what one has learned of God must be shared with others so they too will have a firm foundation in the Apostles and New Testament doctrines. We hold to the fact that the Bible is the final authority as it is God's holy word that was written by inspired men of God (v. 16). Also, verse 15 records why we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God's Word as His approval of our works are superior to that of man. It is important for the trainer/teacher to know God's Word so when training others they too can and will rightly divide the word of truth. When the truth of God's Word is taught the hearer/student will have a firm foundation on which to stand thus preventing them from being swayed by false doctrines.

With that being said, the church has the responsibility of training current and future believers in the truth of God's Word so that believers both now and new converts can and will live accordingly without compromise or becoming corrupt by society's way of life. If the question were raised, Where should Biblical Training occur? It should occur in the church, home and school. Biblical training becomes more effective when taught in all three institutions. Therefore, Satan wouldn’t have a fighting chance.

Let us look at some of the benefits derived from Biblical Training, and they are
1. Biblical Training entrusts the gospel of Christ to believers so they may know the truth, guard against false doctrines, and teach others the truth and knowledge regarding God's righteous standards (2 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 1:14, 2 Timothy 2:2; Romans 6:17).
2. Biblical Training instills in believers the necessity of contending for the faith to deflect Satan's fiery darts of wickedness and all false doctrines that will be encountered (Acts 20:31; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:3-4; Titus 1:9).
3. Biblical Training lead students in continual growth in Christ and a better understanding of God's Word and godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Matthew 28:20; Psalm 1:2-3).
4. Biblical Training strengthen the believer and promotes Christian maturity to other believers as the current believer reflects Christ-likeness, and thereby the overall church grows (Ephesians 4:11-16).
5. Biblical Training motivates students to commit themselves to evangelizing to others/lost souls in obedience to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
6. Biblical Training brings students into a deeper understanding of God and His kingdom and the spiritual warfare that all believers are engaged in (Ephesians 6:10-18). It also deepens the believer's/students experience of Christ's love, develop a personal fellowship with Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit's presence as the student/believer has been baptized in the Holy Spirit (John 17:3, 21, 26; Ephesians 3:18-19). It also teaches believers/students how to pray, fast and worship God with all sincerity (Matthew 6:9, 16; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13).
We can conclude that there are many benefits to be received from Biblical Training as it is vital to Christian growth and kingdom building. With that being said, let's continue teaching.

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Uplifting Insights: Intercessory Prayer Purposes

Uplifting Insights: Intercessory Prayer Purposes: Genesis 18:22-23 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew...

Intercessory Prayer Purposes

Genesis 18:22-23

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom; but Abraham stood yet before the Lord. And Abraham drew near, and said, With thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

The background of today's lesson study is that sin and wickedness had become so prevalent and perverted that God was going to destroy the entire city of Sodom. Abraham a righteous man who was very concern for his relative Lot and other righteous so much so that he went to God in prayer asking Him not to destroy the entire city (vv. 22-23). God answered Abraham's prayer by sparing the city and destroying the wicked that was within the city.

From our illustration, an intercessory prayer serves specific purposes made by God's people. With that being said, then our intercessory prayers serves a purpose in that God-fearing believers pleads with God to turn aside His judgment (Genesis 18:22-23). Intercessory prayers help to restore God's people (Nehemiah 1; Daniel 9). Intercessory prayers deliver individuals from danger (Acts 12:5, 12; Romans 15:31); also, intercessory prayers are prayed to bless God's people (Numbers 6:24-26; 1 Kings 18:41-45; Psalm 122:6-8). There are intercessory healing prayers (1 Kings 17:20-21; Acts 28:8; James 5:14-16), prayers for the forgiveness of sin, Christian growth, for the Holy Spirit's power to come, effective leadership and ministry work, salvation of others and for people to offer praises to God.

Therefore, intercessory prayers are both powerful and purposeful; prayer warriors-pray on because your prayers are making a difference.

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Again, today's discussion is taken from my Heavenly Bread devotional as it is a prelude to my study guide on prayer. Heavenly Bread is available through www.Amazon.com, www.createspaces.com and the author.

Results Of Unified Payer

Acts 1:8; 2:1-4

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Two factors are at work in our lesson study, and they are (a) the promise of the coming Holy Ghost/Spirit as Christ followers were gathered together in one place on one accord praying. God kept His promise of sending the Holy Spirit so that Christ's earthly ministry could continue winning souls for Him. The second factor at work here is that the Holy Ghost came and manifested Himself in three ways; (1) audible, (2) visual and (3) speech manifestations. The results of this group of believers, they received power to boldly witness Christ, drive out demons, and anointing to heal the sick. Believers today have the same power to boldly witness Christ the world over so lost souls can be saved.

Bold witnessing power weren't just given to believers during the time of Pentecost, but to all who come together in unified prayer with a sincere heart for God and to do His will. It is noteworthy to say that as prayers of the righteous come together in unified prayers things change. Just as Daniel (9:3) prayed for the sins of his nation so are believers today praying for the conditions of our nation and the world.

Prayer changes things--believers lets continue in prayer

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Today's discussion is from my monthly devotional Heavenly Bread which is available through www.Amazon.com, www.createspaces.com, and the author. This month's devotional is a prelude to study guide book, in progress "A Prayer Study Guide."

Effective Prayers

Mark 11:24

…I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

If the question were raised, What make for an effective prayer? The best answer to the question is that one must first believe with sincere faith in what we ask God our Father for that He will grant our request. Our scripture text supports this answer as expressed by Jesus Himself. To further authenticate that faith holds the key to effective prayers is stated in Mark 9:23, "All things are possible to him that believeth." Allow me to clarify something on the "all things" phrase is that the prayer of faith must be based upon the will of God; meaning not "asking amiss" (James 4:3).

As stated in Hebrews 10:22 that we draw near to God in prayer with a true heart in full assurance of faith is another ingredient to effective prayers. What this is saying is that faith is necessary in coming to God in prayer and believing Him for His goodness (Hebrews 11:6). God plants faith in the hearts of faithful believers who live faithfully according to His will. Another ingredient to effective prayers is never waver in our faith (James 1:6 cf. 5:15).

To conclude this discussion on effective prayers is to say that we must believe in sincere faith, align our will with God's will, and ask in Jesus name (John 14:13-14).
Faithful prayers are effective prayers.

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http://willie-writing.blogspot.com, white3285@sbcglobal.net

Today's discussion is taken from my monthly devotion "Heavenly Bread".