Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Lent
What is the meaning of lent? Lent is the season of fasting, praying and almsgiving the 40 days before Easter. Merriam-Webster Dictionary (P. 506) defines lent as "a period of penitence and fasting observed during the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter by many churches." Lent is six and a half weeks or forty days preceding Easter/Resurrection Sunday the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is known as lent. Forty (40) days is significant in the Christian Community because Jesus fasted 40 days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His earthly ministry. The practice of fasting during lent season is where the participant usually gives up something (a less desirable food or a bad habit) that is replaced with something useful. The focus of fasting and praying is repentance and consecrating ourselves back to God. Keep in mind that believers are a set aside people and are to live holy lives before God. Therefore, when we fast and pray it is done to God in Jesus name. The question now becomes, Do we fast and pray only during lent season? No because prayer should be part of our daily lives. Prayer, daily Bible reading and meditation are the believer's communication with God for the purpose of establishing a closer relationship with Him. In doing so we spend time alone with God for His strength and power that will enable us to overcome self's fleshy desires. Therefore, if fasting is your practice during lent season, be mindful that Christ died for the sins of the world and all believers died with Him to sin and rose with Him to a new life. Then let us put away all sinful deeds that hinder our faith journey with Christ. We fast to cleanse the body of all sinful deeds that bombard us daily. Comments are welcome Author's contact wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com http://willie-writing.blogspot.com Follow me on Twitter, and Facebook. All works are available through Amazon.com, all Christian and major bookstore and from the author directly.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit
John 16:8-10
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
In today's discussion we will focus on the Holy Spirit and His convicting work of reproving the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. The term "reprove' is to convict, expose, refute, and convince one of something.
The Holy Spirit exposes sin and humanity's unbelief to awaken a conscious need for salvation. Sin brings about a separation from God our creator, while salvation brings forgiveness of sin and a restored relationship. His convicting work make clear the guilt and shame brought on by sin and the end result is being eternally separated from God. A convicted heart then turns from sin and wrong doings to a heart of righteousness in Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior for He is the one who died for the sins of the world.
The Holy Spirit convinces the convicted hearts that Jesus is the Righteous Son of God who became man's propitiator and all righteousness is in Jesus Christ and God's standards is man's plum line for holy living. The Holy Spirit Himself gives all believers the power to overcome the world's sinfulness because He resides in each believer.
The Holy Spirit's work regarding judgment is that He convinces all who believe that Satan is a defeated foe (John 12:31). The Holy Spirit reminds all of God's judgment of this present world as outlined in Romans 1:18-32 and how God will judge the entire human race as outlined in Matthew 16:27; Acts 17:31; 24:25 Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 14.
It can be concluded then that the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins, make mankind aware of God righteousness and His judgment.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com,
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Follow me on www.Twitter.com, and www.Facebook.com
Books, The Lord Is My Shepherd, An Expose' Of The Holy Spirit and Heavenly Bread devotional is available on author's website, direct from the author, Amazon.com and all major bookstores and Christian bookstores.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
In today's discussion we will focus on the Holy Spirit and His convicting work of reproving the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. The term "reprove' is to convict, expose, refute, and convince one of something.
The Holy Spirit exposes sin and humanity's unbelief to awaken a conscious need for salvation. Sin brings about a separation from God our creator, while salvation brings forgiveness of sin and a restored relationship. His convicting work make clear the guilt and shame brought on by sin and the end result is being eternally separated from God. A convicted heart then turns from sin and wrong doings to a heart of righteousness in Christ and accept Him as Lord and Savior for He is the one who died for the sins of the world.
The Holy Spirit convinces the convicted hearts that Jesus is the Righteous Son of God who became man's propitiator and all righteousness is in Jesus Christ and God's standards is man's plum line for holy living. The Holy Spirit Himself gives all believers the power to overcome the world's sinfulness because He resides in each believer.
The Holy Spirit's work regarding judgment is that He convinces all who believe that Satan is a defeated foe (John 12:31). The Holy Spirit reminds all of God's judgment of this present world as outlined in Romans 1:18-32 and how God will judge the entire human race as outlined in Matthew 16:27; Acts 17:31; 24:25 Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Jude 14.
It can be concluded then that the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins, make mankind aware of God righteousness and His judgment.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com,
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Follow me on www.Twitter.com, and www.Facebook.com
Books, The Lord Is My Shepherd, An Expose' Of The Holy Spirit and Heavenly Bread devotional is available on author's website, direct from the author, Amazon.com and all major bookstores and Christian bookstores.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Holy Spirit at Work in the Community of Believers
Acts 2:42-47
What happens when believers come together on one accord in fellowship, the breaking of bread, in prayer and teaching the gospel? The Holy Spirit is in the midst and disciples are made and the church grows as it is added to daily. This is because others who see this phenomenon will and join this community (the church). The community of believers is given power to boldly witness Christ and to do many miracles through signs and wonders.
The power of the Holy Spirit empowers the church.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
What happens when believers come together on one accord in fellowship, the breaking of bread, in prayer and teaching the gospel? The Holy Spirit is in the midst and disciples are made and the church grows as it is added to daily. This is because others who see this phenomenon will and join this community (the church). The community of believers is given power to boldly witness Christ and to do many miracles through signs and wonders.
The power of the Holy Spirit empowers the church.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Dove-The Holy Spirit A Symbol of Peace
Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:32-34; 14:27
If one should ask the question, Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third person in the Godhead. Many times I have heard people refer to the Holy Spirit as it, let me assure you He is God. His divine attributes as part of the Godhead: He is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Being part of the Godhead, He operates coequally, coeternally, and coextistently with God the Father and God the Son-Jesus Christ. It was during Christ's baptism that all members of the Godhead were witnessed by John the Baptist and others. Jesus God's Son came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven as a dove and rested on Christ and the voice of God the Father spoke authenticating that Jesus Christ is His Son.
There are several symbols that represent the Holy Spirit which are: (a) Wind, (b) fire, (c) water (d) oil, (e) a seal and (f) a dove which symbolizes peace. For today's discussion our focus will be the dove symbol which represents the Holy Spirit. A dove represents peace, honesty, purity as the bird itself is clean, faithful to its mate, peaceful, gentle and innocent. The Holy Spirit produces dove like qualities in all believers who yield to His teachings. God is faithful to His people and desires all to live in peace. John 14:27 speaks of the peace of God as only He can give. This is because God's peace is lasting unlike that of the world.
The peace of God surpasses all other.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, wordforcity.ning.com, Faithwriters.com, and Blackpreaching.ning.com, grouply.com, issuupublishing.com.
Author's books are on Amazon.com, all major book stores, Christian book stores and author's website www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.
If one should ask the question, Who is the Holy Spirit? He is the third person in the Godhead. Many times I have heard people refer to the Holy Spirit as it, let me assure you He is God. His divine attributes as part of the Godhead: He is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Being part of the Godhead, He operates coequally, coeternally, and coextistently with God the Father and God the Son-Jesus Christ. It was during Christ's baptism that all members of the Godhead were witnessed by John the Baptist and others. Jesus God's Son came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven as a dove and rested on Christ and the voice of God the Father spoke authenticating that Jesus Christ is His Son.
There are several symbols that represent the Holy Spirit which are: (a) Wind, (b) fire, (c) water (d) oil, (e) a seal and (f) a dove which symbolizes peace. For today's discussion our focus will be the dove symbol which represents the Holy Spirit. A dove represents peace, honesty, purity as the bird itself is clean, faithful to its mate, peaceful, gentle and innocent. The Holy Spirit produces dove like qualities in all believers who yield to His teachings. God is faithful to His people and desires all to live in peace. John 14:27 speaks of the peace of God as only He can give. This is because God's peace is lasting unlike that of the world.
The peace of God surpasses all other.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, wordforcity.ning.com, Faithwriters.com, and Blackpreaching.ning.com, grouply.com, issuupublishing.com.
Author's books are on Amazon.com, all major book stores, Christian book stores and author's website www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
When God Speaks
John 14:27; Matthew 8:23-27
What happens when God speaks? Peace comes to the situation. Notice if you will when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat going to Gadara and the Sea of Galilee became turbulent from a raging storm and the men on board concluded that death was imminent, but someone remembered that Jesus was on board (Matthew 8:23-27). Jesus rose and calmly spoke to "the winds and the sea and said to the sea "Peace be still" (Mark 4:39). There was a great calm for they obeyed. God is still speaking to all mankind today. He is speaking through nature and in the quietness of our busy lives a still small voice will speak to the nature of our souls saying "Peace be still I am in control." God spoke to His prophet Elijah in a small still voice, while Elijah was listening for God's voice in the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but God didn't speak then (1 Kings 19:11-13). What does this say about God speaking? God wants our attention and He can use the forces of nature to get it, and then He speaks very quietly.
When God speaks all fears, doubts, confusion and discomfort are removed, because He speaks with clarity and authority. God is speaking, I hear Him what about you?
Comments are welcome.
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
What happens when God speaks? Peace comes to the situation. Notice if you will when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat going to Gadara and the Sea of Galilee became turbulent from a raging storm and the men on board concluded that death was imminent, but someone remembered that Jesus was on board (Matthew 8:23-27). Jesus rose and calmly spoke to "the winds and the sea and said to the sea "Peace be still" (Mark 4:39). There was a great calm for they obeyed. God is still speaking to all mankind today. He is speaking through nature and in the quietness of our busy lives a still small voice will speak to the nature of our souls saying "Peace be still I am in control." God spoke to His prophet Elijah in a small still voice, while Elijah was listening for God's voice in the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but God didn't speak then (1 Kings 19:11-13). What does this say about God speaking? God wants our attention and He can use the forces of nature to get it, and then He speaks very quietly.
When God speaks all fears, doubts, confusion and discomfort are removed, because He speaks with clarity and authority. God is speaking, I hear Him what about you?
Comments are welcome.
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Confidence In The Lord
Psalm 27:1-3
There are times when our confidence is shaken as we travel life's journey; our scripture text encourages us to remain confident in God, because He is our refuge and salvation. Knowing who God is these questions beg an answer, who are we to dread, who are we to fear? My answer is no one. We are to fear the Lord in reverence for His awesomeness as He is our creator and sustainer.
Throughout biblical history and personal testimony God has been faithful to His Word and His presence is a constant through His Spirit-the Holy Spirit. He is our deliverer, Savior-Jesus Christ, Comforter and Sealer-the Holy Spirit. What a mighty God!
Be confident for God is with you.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/, http://www.twitter.com/, and http://www.issuupublishing.com/
There are times when our confidence is shaken as we travel life's journey; our scripture text encourages us to remain confident in God, because He is our refuge and salvation. Knowing who God is these questions beg an answer, who are we to dread, who are we to fear? My answer is no one. We are to fear the Lord in reverence for His awesomeness as He is our creator and sustainer.
Throughout biblical history and personal testimony God has been faithful to His Word and His presence is a constant through His Spirit-the Holy Spirit. He is our deliverer, Savior-Jesus Christ, Comforter and Sealer-the Holy Spirit. What a mighty God!
Be confident for God is with you.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/, http://www.twitter.com/, and http://www.issuupublishing.com/
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
God Cares
1 Peter 5:7
In times of trouble and we see no way out and it appears that you are all alone remember God cares. He promised never to leave nor forsake His children. He has proven to be faithful to His Word. He promised to supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19). Psalm 23:1-6 tell of God being our shepherd providing for all our needs. If you need a comforter God is there in the presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). When you need a helper God the Holy Spirit is there (James 1:5). God provided salvation through our Lord and Jesus Christ our Savior who died for us. Believe on Him. (John 3:16).
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
www.Facebook.com, www.Twitter.com
In times of trouble and we see no way out and it appears that you are all alone remember God cares. He promised never to leave nor forsake His children. He has proven to be faithful to His Word. He promised to supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19). Psalm 23:1-6 tell of God being our shepherd providing for all our needs. If you need a comforter God is there in the presence of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). When you need a helper God the Holy Spirit is there (James 1:5). God provided salvation through our Lord and Jesus Christ our Savior who died for us. Believe on Him. (John 3:16).
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
www.Facebook.com, www.Twitter.com
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