Joy Today

Who loves YOU so greatly as to give YOU the multi-dimentional gift of the Holy Spirit? That's RIGHT, my "walking with Jesus" friend, it's ALMIGHTY GOD who loves YOU SO MUCH. Dimension #12 of what the Holy Spirit brings into the life of the Believer is his leadership and counsel for the Believer to honor and give thanks to God. Ephesians 5:18-20, says:" Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be FILLED with the Holy Spirit. Tell each other of your JOY by singing and giving thanks with hymns of praise. Sing in your heart to the Lord. Always give thanks for everything to God our Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." Now, #13. The Holy Spirit helps the Believer to worship God in a way that is good and sincere. Jesus told us, "Worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth, for the Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way."(John 4:23). #14.The Holy Spirit calls Believers to go and to do special work for the Lord...

My " walking with Jesus" friend, I have a question for you this morning. Please, do we sometimes want POWER in communicating about the Gospel and faith? Yes? Then the #10. Activity of the Holy Spirit is for YOU: He enables the Believer to speak the truth of God with POWER. Acts 6:10, says,"Stephen spoke with wisdom and power given by the Holy Spirit." Our faith in Christ brings us the Holy Spirit, who brings the POWER of God into our life, our Words and Actions for the Lord. Now, #11. In prayer, we connect with God. Here's the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer:" The Holy Spirit helps, leads and gives power in prayer for the Believer. Jude 20, counsels, " Dear friends, you must become strong in your most holy faith. Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you pray. " You will also rejoice to read Romans 8:26-27, and Ephesians 6:18 where Prayer is an essential part of the Whole Armor of God, equipping us to Stand firm against the schemes of the wicked one....

We are well on our way to make note of 17 aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer. Glad to "see" you again this morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. #8.The Holy Spirit helps the Believer to remember the things that Jesus says. John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." Now, sometimes we wonder WHY a person does not comprehend the spiritual things we are trying to share. The 9th aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit Wonderfully, the Holy Spirit shows the Believer things about God and helps US to understand, and let's us see that many things are only discerned spiritually. So, a person who is not yet in Christ, and therefore, does not have the indwelling Holy Spirit, is not equipt to understand. Plse, study: 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, "The Holy Scriptures say, Eye has not seen, no...

Our hearts are encouraged, my "walking with Jesus" friend, as we focus on the person and work of the Holy Spirit of God. Do we truly know who we are "in the Lord?" The 5th task of the Holy Spirit is to tell the Believer that he/she IS a child of God! Romans 8:16 says, "For the Holy Spirit "speaks" to us [in our heart] and tells our spirit that we ARE children of God." #6. The Holy Spirit brings fruit/virtuous attitudes and spirit-led actions into the life of the Believer. Galatians 5:22, says:"But the outcome/the evidence of having the Holy Spirit present in one's life shows up as: Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness and Self-control." #7. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. John 16:13, Jesus said, "When the Holy Spirit COMES, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, he will speak what he hears from the Father. And he will tell you of things to come....

Let's sit a while, my "walking with Jesus" friend, with Paul and other Believers in Ephesus and study about the Holy Spirit in the life of a Believer. #1. The Holy Spirit gives New Life. 2Corinthians 5:17, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." #2.The Holy Spirit breaks the grip of sin and death over the believer, setting him free. Romans 8:2, "The power of the Holy Spirit has made me free from the grip of sin and death. This power comes to me because I have chosen to belong to Christ Jesus. #3. The Holy Spirit makes the heart of the Believer strong. Ephesians 3:16."Praying that God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with MIGHT by His Spirit in the inner man." #4. The Holy Spirit leads a Believer to live a life set apart for God. Romans 8:14, "All who are led by the Holy Spirit of God, they are sons of God." Awesome! Right? Le...

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul travelled back to Ephesus, eager to keep teaching them about life in Christ. Meeting with some of the disciples, he asked:"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, 'No. We don't understand what you mean. What or who is the Holy Spirit?' Well then what DID you acknowledge when you were baptised? They told him, "Just what John said. "Then Paul explained that baptism by John was to repent from sin and turn to God Those who had been baptised by John, must then continue on and come to believe in Jesus. When they understood, they all were baptised in the name of Jesus. THEN, when Paul laid his hands on their heads and prayed, the Holy Spirit came upon them..."(Acts 19:1-7a)Jesus told His disciples that he would "Pray to God the Father, to send the Holy Spirit, (John 14:26)...the Holy Spirit is coming, he will lead you into all truth."(John 16:13)In fact, the Bible teaches that there ...

On fire for Jesus, with " the rest of the story," the Miracles, the prophesies fulfilled, the Resurrection and ten post-Resurrection appearances, Apollos decides to travel on from Ephesus in Syria, to cities in Greece where Paul had preached. The Believers in Ephesus, gave him letters of introduction to the churches he planned to visit. Welcome him as a brother, they said. So, away went Apollos. And "he was greatly used by God to strengthen the churches, because He could powerfully present the fulfillment in Jesus Christ of prophecies about the Messiah."(Acts 18:27-28) Are we as zealous to tell others about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Savior...as eager as Apollos? Jesus directed His disciples:"All authority has been given unto me in heaven and in earth, go, therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And know that I am with y...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. If I ask you:"Name something that is quick, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword...what will you answer? From Hebrews 4:12, we answer: "The Word of God IS quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword..." Here is powerful truth from the Word of God in Psalm 24:1-5, for us today:" The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and they who dwell thereon, For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend unto the Hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His Holy place? <The Word of God answers > He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to idols, nor sworn deceitfully. THAT man shall receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation." Let's think carefully before we act, so that our choices line up with having " clean hands, a pure heart, a focus on the Lor...

So, you remember that Priscilla and Acquilla came from Corinth to Ephesus, and stayed there to preach and teach. It will turn out to be very important that Priscilla and Acquilla stayed in Ephesus. Acts 18:24-26 tells us: " As it happened, a Jew named Apollos, a wonderful Bible teacher and preacher, had just arrived in Ephesus, from Alexandria in Egypt. While he was in Egypt, someone had told him about John the Baptist, and what he had said about Jesus, but THAT is all he knew about Jesus. He had never heard THE REST OF THE STORY! Therefore, in the Synagogue he was boldly and enthusiastically preaching:"The Messiah is coming! Get ready to receive him.! Priscilla and Acquilla heard that preaching, and were quick to get with Apollos and TELL HIM "the rest of the story."/ what happened to Jesus AFTER he was baptised by John in the River Jordan. How Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, casting out demons and proclaiming that:" The Kingdom of God is comi...

Please, my "Walking with Jesus" friend, have you ever PLANTED anything, or ever had an indoor plant of some kind? Yes? So, you know that something planted needs cultivation, weed pulling, watering, etc. to grow well and prosper. We have seen that Paul had "planted" churches in many cities, now, after being in Jerusalem, he set out to re-visit the churches he had planted. We're they keeping the Gospel message clear? Were they being blessed by Holy Spirit guidance? Were they worshipping regularly? Did they have questions about prayer? Were they bringing others to faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Messiah, Redeemer! So, Paul set out on his third missionary journey. He went to Antioch(rhymes with clock), to the regions of Galatia and Phrygia ( in Asia Minor). At Ephesus, he stayed two years, converting so MANY Jews and Greeks, that the idol makers' trade suffered and the silversmiths caused a riot against Paul. (Acts 19:23-28)But believers rejoiced that :...

Please, my "Walking with Jesus" friend, have you ever PLANTED anything, or ever had an indoor plant of some kind? Yes? So, you know that something planted needs cultivation, weed pulling, watering, etc. to grow well and prosper. We have seen that Paul had "planted" churches in many cities, now, after being in Jerusalem, he set out to re-visit the churches he had planted. We're they keeping the Gospel message clear? Were they being blessed by Holy Spirit guidance? Were they worshipping regularly? Did they have questions about prayer? Were they bringing others to faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Messiah, Redeemer! So, Paul set out on his third missionary journey. He went to Antioch(rhymes with clock), to the regions of Galatia and Phrygia ( in Asia Minor). At Ephesus, he stayed two years, converting so MANY Jews and Greeks, that the idol makers' trade suffered and the silversmiths caused a riot against Paul. (Acts 19:23-28)But believers rejoiced that :...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Are you ready for more travel? Close to Corinth as the town of Cenchraea. There Paul had his head shaved, according to Jewish custom, because He had taken a vow. The, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him, he sailed to Ephesus. There he went into the synagogue, preached and talked with the leaders. 'Stay a little longer,' they urged him. I must be in Jerusalem for Passover, I can not stay, he told them, but Priscilla and Aquila will stay here and teach. Then Paul sailed on down from Ephesus to Caesarea. And walked from the port inland the 60 some miles to Jerusalem, where he had started out two years before. Now he had travelled about 2,800 to preach the Gospel, plant new churches and teach more and more Jews and Gentiles:" But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love, where with He has loved us, even when we were dead in sin, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace are you saved, and has raised us up tog...

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Things seemed to be going well with Paul and his preaching. But, just as YOU figured, my "walking with Jesus" friend, trouble was brewing. Now Corinth was a city in the region known as Achaia. "And when Gallio was deputy of Achaia, certain Jews rose up against Paul and brought him to the court, saying, "This fellow goes about persuading men to worship God in ways that are contrary to our laws." Well, just as Paul was about to speak, [can YOU guess what happened?] Yes, Gallio took hold and told the Jews: "Listen here, IF this were a complaint about some wrong doing or some wickedness, it stands to reason that I would make a ruling in the matter. BUT, since it is simply a complaint that he THINKS and TEACHES something different that you do, I consider it something to be settled between yourselves. It's not a matter for this court. Case dismissed. The Greeks were upset that the Jews had tried to involve the court, so they dragged out Sosthenes, the leade...

Although we are continuing in the book of Acts, we MUST, here and now, be in fervent prayer for brothers and sisters in Christ who are under severe persecution in far away places. Acts 18:7-8, Paul preached to the Gentiles, and, guess what, my " walking with Jesus" friend, one of them, a worshipper of God named Titus Justus, who lived next door to the synagogue, invited Paul to stay with him. And, Crispus, the leader of the Synagogue, gave thought to the ways Jesus completely fulfilled Messianic prophecy, and he and all his household were baptised...as were MANY others in Corinth." "Then one night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, 'Do not be afraid. Speak out! Do not quit! I am with you and no harm will come to you. Many people in this city belong to me." Paul listened carefully. Believed and trusted the Lord, and stayed on in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching the truths of God."(Acts 18:9-11) Is your spirit/ my spirit open to r...

Paul launched right in, of course. Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend he went first to the synagogue. "There he became acquainted with a man named Aquila, a Jew who had been expelled from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, by the Emperor Claudius Caesar, for being a Jew. Aquila believed Paul's message about Jesus being the Messiah, discovered that Paul was a tent-maker, like himself, and invited Paul to dwell with them. Every Sabbath Paul preached at the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks to believe in Jesus. Some believed, but others opposed him, speaking evil against Jesus. Finally, Paul spoke back at them:'You are cutting yourselves off from the Living God by refusing His love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Messiah," he declared. "Alright I will no longer preach here in the Synagogue, I will take the message to the Gentiles. Many of THEM are eager to hear about the Living God."(Acts 18:1-6) " The same Living God is...

After firmly planting the Gospel of the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ in Athens, Paul, Silas and Timothy travelled 64 miles west to the thriving trade city of Corinth. Well, my "walking with Jesus"friend, a great temple had been built there, on the 2,000' rocky promontory just east of the city, to the god Apollo. So, they are walking into a "mine field," as it were, of idol worship in Corinth. Since the 8th century BC, Corinth had been a fiercely defended city-state. Oft times with tyrannical rulers, always materialistic, rough ground for planting the Gospel. What would you, or I do? How did Paul approach the situation? Paul was undaunted! Pray I was confident: "The Gospel IS the POWER of God unto salvation to ALL who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein the righteousness of God is revealed, from Faith to Faith, as it is written < in the prophet Habakkuk 2:4 > 'The just shall live by FAITH.' ...

Forgiveness for our sins because the sinless Son of God paid the price for our sins, and reconciled us to God in Heaven who is holy and can not look upon sin. Then, my "walking with Jesus" friend, we are to remember that: "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."(1 John 1:9) Its a promise to each person who believes in Jesus Christ! Oh, hooray, we can be forgiven and keep walking in the Light of life that Jesus gives, and keep shining His LIGHT into the lives around us. Jesus instructed us:" LET your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father in Heaven."( Matthew 5:16) How MUCH Light will you, and I, SHINE today? To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If ...

What gave the Apostle Paul great confidence and courage? What would you say, my "walking with Jesus" friend? Yes, it was his unshakeable faith in Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The WHOLE Bible is FULL of who God is, His love for us and His mighty actions. Please, come with me to Psalm 93, and you will see part of what I mean: "The LORD reigns. He is clothed with majesty. He is full of STRENGTH with which He has equipped Himself: the world also is established that it can not be moved. Your throne, O Lord, is established of old. You are from everlasting. [Here's the situation] The floods have lifted up their voice: the floods lift up their waves. [ circumstances seem out of control. But] The LORD on High IS MIGHTIER than the noise of many waters, yes, even than the mighty waves of the sea. O Lord, [we rejoice and find confidence and courage] that Your testimonies are VERY SURE: holiness is the mark of Your character."( Psalm 93, all 5 powerfu...

Now, Paul is coming to the climax of his presentation. "The living God created everything and desires to have fellowship with man. The Living God is holy, and perfect and can not look upon sin, so he can not look upon sinful man, UNLESS the sin is removed. So, God sent His only Son, His sinless Son, into the world, to show men how to live a holy life, and to die to pay the price for the sins of men, and God raised His Son up from the grave, made him alive again, so that each man and woman who will BELIEVE in Him, may be made holy, have fellowship with God here and now, and after death, be admitted to live with the living God in Heaven." God, making the dead to rise!!! The Athenians had never heard such a teaching! Some laughed. Some asked questions, and some, like Dionysius, a member of the city council, a woman named Damaris, and others BELIEVED. (Acts 17:31-34) And so the seeds of faith in the Living God and in salvation through Jesus Christ, were planted by Paul in Athens....

While Paul continued to explain about the one true and living God to the people of Athens, Paul's co-workers were praying that many would turn away from idols to worship the Lord of hosts, the mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After explaining that the true and living God has created all people's, Paul lreached:" God decided beforehand which nations should rise and fall. And He determined their boundaries.. His purpose in this is that men should seek Him, for counsel and companionship, although, in fact, at this very moment, He is not far from any one of us; for in Him and through Him, we live and move and have our being. As one of your Greek poets says, 'We ARE the sons of God.' Now, if that is true, we should not think of God as an idol, made by men, of silver, or gold, or stone. In the past, God tolerated the ignorance of man, but NOW, He commands everyone to put away idols and worship Him only, Paul firmly declared."(Acts 17:26-30) Jesus says:"...

The Apostle Paul is in the great Greek city of Athens. He has seen all their idols, debated with some of their philosophers, and now, has been officially invited to their public forum to explain "this new religion." What you are saying is rather startling, they told Paul. So, standing before them at Mars Hill, Paul spoke:" Men of Athens, it seems that you are very religious, for as I. Was walking through the city, I saw your many altars, and on one of them, it said:"To the Unknown God. You have been worshipping him without knowing Who He IS, and now I wish to tell you Who He IS. [How would you or I explain who God is ?] He made the world and everything in it, and since He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, He does not live in man-made temples, and human hands can not minister to His needs-for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything and satisfies every need. He created all the people of the earth from one man, Adam, and scattered the nation's a...

OK, my "walking with Jesus" friend, so Paul is powerfully teaching and preaching the Love of God in Berea, with SILAS and others. But the angry people from Thessalonica descend on Berea determined to destroy Paul. Not so fast, guys, God is in charge here...The Verean brethren protected Paul and hurried him away, going with him to Athens, out of their reach. And they paid no attention to SILAS and Timothy who stayed in Berea, continuing to teach forgiveness of sins through Christ, and New Life in Jesus. (Acts 17:13-15a) Then Paul sent word for SILAS and Timothy to come join him in Athens. "While he waited for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred by the fact that Athens seemed wholly given to idolatry. So, he disputed with the Jews in the Synagogue, and also, every day he discussed spiritual things with devout persons in the market place. Of course, he drew the attention of certain philosophers."(Acts 17:16-18a) What do you think the philosophers did and said? Was ...

While the Berean were confirming the truth of Paul's message about Jesus Christ being the fulfillment of Prophecy, my "walking with Jesus" friend, can you guess what those "torked" Jewish leaders in Thessalonica were doing? You guessed right. They were getting together a crowd against Paul and travelling the 53.8 miles from Thessalonica to Berea. Yes, they were determined to disrupt things for Paul, and to chase him out of Berea, as they had chased him out of their city. People turning to Jesus, cut into their revenue. People turning to Jesus were freed from following the strict Jewish laws. So they were no longer "under the thumb" of the Jewish leaders. Instead of investigating the Scriptures, they insisted that THEY were right and Paul was wrong and should be derailed. How sad for them, and for any person who simply gets upset at the Good News of the Gospel, instead of giving good thought to the message of salvation: "For God so loved the world...

By studying the Scriptures for themselves, not just taking Paul's word for the prophecies about the Messiah, many Bereans found faith in Jesus. Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, here are a few of the 38 specific prophecies fore telling the coming of Messiah and details of his life, death and resurrection. In @740BC, Isaiah 7:14 prophesied:" Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name:"Immanuel," meaning, God with us. Fulfilled: Matthew 1:18. "Now the birth of Jesus was on this wise...his mother Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit." The prophet Michah, a contemporary of Isaiah, prophesied that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2) Where was Jesus born? Luke 2:4-7, tells us: in Bethlehem. In 605-530BC, Daniel (18:15) prophesied: "The LORD Thy God will raise up a Prophet from among you, who is LIKE ME. Listen to him." Fulfilled! John 6:14, ...