GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 28, 2013.
PROVERB:
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
PROMISE:
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
PRAISE:
I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34: 1-3.
December 29, 2013
Christmas Day: December 25, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2013.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration day for the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were numerous unusual events that proceeded and happened in the world when Jesus was born. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus when he said, The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until the Messiah comes and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.
When Jesus was born this prophecy was fulfilled. First, the scepter of rule departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Judea was then part of Syria and Cyrenius was governor and Herod was King. So a foreign, alien power ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah which is now known as Israel.
It was prophesized that Jesus, the Messiah, was to be born in Bethlehem and His birth fulfilled this prophecy. The taxation happened just at the right time to bring Joseph and Mary to the right location to fulfill this prophecy. God controlled these events for sure.
The birth of Jesus and all the events that surrounded His birth should be more than enough to convince us to consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of salvation for us to have the penalty for our sins paid for by this babe in a manger. Our hearts are so blessed, as we hope yours is, on Christmas day. What an awesome God we serve.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the miracle of Christmas day and the birth of our Savior, Jesus. May my family be reminded as I am that we serve an awesome, miracle working God! Help us to celebrate with thanksgiving the miracle of Christmas.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration day for the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were numerous unusual events that proceeded and happened in the world when Jesus was born. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus when he said, The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between His feet, until the Messiah comes and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.
When Jesus was born this prophecy was fulfilled. First, the scepter of rule departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Judea was then part of Syria and Cyrenius was governor and Herod was King. So a foreign, alien power ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah which is now known as Israel.
It was prophesized that Jesus, the Messiah, was to be born in Bethlehem and His birth fulfilled this prophecy. The taxation happened just at the right time to bring Joseph and Mary to the right location to fulfill this prophecy. God controlled these events for sure.
The birth of Jesus and all the events that surrounded His birth should be more than enough to convince us to consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of salvation for us to have the penalty for our sins paid for by this babe in a manger. Our hearts are so blessed, as we hope yours is, on Christmas day. What an awesome God we serve.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalms 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the miracle of Christmas day and the birth of our Savior, Jesus. May my family be reminded as I am that we serve an awesome, miracle working God! Help us to celebrate with thanksgiving the miracle of Christmas.
Misunderstood: December 27, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 27, 2013.
MISUNDERSTOOD
DEFINITION:
To understand or interpret incorrectly; attach a wrong meaning to; unappreciated; misjudged.
SCRIPTURE:
And being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It hurts to be misunderstood. When our motives are right and our actions are above reproach, we want to be accepted and appreciated and it hurts when our purpose is misunderstood and we are rejected.
Jesus understands our anguish and pain when we are misunderstood. Christians are mocked and made fun of for their faith in Jesus and their Christian values but no one has been misunderstood and mocked more than Jesus.
Judas was one of Jesus’ own disciples but he had no understanding of Jesus’ purpose and mission. Judas thought Jesus would overthrow the Romans and set up a new government.
Even the religious leaders misunderstood who Jesus was. They knew the scriptures and should have been the ones to understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They saw Jesus as a threat to their positions and power because of His popularity. The Scribes and Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God. They thought He was from Satan (Matthew 12:24).
Those from Jesus hometown of Nazareth misunderstood Jesus. They saw Him only as the carpenters son and they took offense at Him (Matthew 13:55-58).
King Herod misunderstood who Jesus was also. When he heard the reports about Jesus and His miraculous works, Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
We read what Peter said about our Lord, above. Jesus was reviled (abused or maligned) with abusive and vile language. His response was to never retaliate with vicious words or threats. He always responded in love.
To be misunderstood and treated badly when your motives were right and your actions were above reproach, as in the case of our Lord, usually brings frustration and bitterness. But this is not how Jesus responded and we can learn from this.
The temptation that most of us have when we face misunderstanding is to withdraw, sulk, or immerse ourselves in self pity and then grieve. But these reactions are wrong and are not how our Lord responded.
Criticism and misunderstandings will teach something we need to know about ourselves. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work for good to them that love the Lord. The enemy uses being misunderstood for evil but God can and will use circumstances of misunderstanding for good in a believer’s life. But we must be willing to let Him do it and we show our willingness by the depth of our trust in Him.
When we have suffered because of misunderstanding we can be sure God understands our pain. When we turn it over to God, then by Gods grace, He will turn the situation around and bring us into a new and stronger relationship with the Lord. This could be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Father, to allow You to use the hurtful misunderstandings in my life for good. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and a sensitive heart towards those who wrong me.
MISUNDERSTOOD
DEFINITION:
To understand or interpret incorrectly; attach a wrong meaning to; unappreciated; misjudged.
SCRIPTURE:
And being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. I Peter 2:23
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
It hurts to be misunderstood. When our motives are right and our actions are above reproach, we want to be accepted and appreciated and it hurts when our purpose is misunderstood and we are rejected.
Jesus understands our anguish and pain when we are misunderstood. Christians are mocked and made fun of for their faith in Jesus and their Christian values but no one has been misunderstood and mocked more than Jesus.
Judas was one of Jesus’ own disciples but he had no understanding of Jesus’ purpose and mission. Judas thought Jesus would overthrow the Romans and set up a new government.
Even the religious leaders misunderstood who Jesus was. They knew the scriptures and should have been the ones to understand that Jesus was their Messiah. They saw Jesus as a threat to their positions and power because of His popularity. The Scribes and Pharisees could not accept that Jesus was the Son of God. They thought He was from Satan (Matthew 12:24).
Those from Jesus hometown of Nazareth misunderstood Jesus. They saw Him only as the carpenters son and they took offense at Him (Matthew 13:55-58).
King Herod misunderstood who Jesus was also. When he heard the reports about Jesus and His miraculous works, Herod thought Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
We read what Peter said about our Lord, above. Jesus was reviled (abused or maligned) with abusive and vile language. His response was to never retaliate with vicious words or threats. He always responded in love.
To be misunderstood and treated badly when your motives were right and your actions were above reproach, as in the case of our Lord, usually brings frustration and bitterness. But this is not how Jesus responded and we can learn from this.
The temptation that most of us have when we face misunderstanding is to withdraw, sulk, or immerse ourselves in self pity and then grieve. But these reactions are wrong and are not how our Lord responded.
Criticism and misunderstandings will teach something we need to know about ourselves. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work for good to them that love the Lord. The enemy uses being misunderstood for evil but God can and will use circumstances of misunderstanding for good in a believer’s life. But we must be willing to let Him do it and we show our willingness by the depth of our trust in Him.
When we have suffered because of misunderstanding we can be sure God understands our pain. When we turn it over to God, then by Gods grace, He will turn the situation around and bring us into a new and stronger relationship with the Lord. This could be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Father, to allow You to use the hurtful misunderstandings in my life for good. Give me a spirit of forgiveness and a sensitive heart towards those who wrong me.
Serve: December 26, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 26, 2013.
SERVE
DEFINITION:
Attend or wait upon; work for, to meet the needs of and subject one’s will to that of another.
SCRIPTURE:
You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. I Samuel 12:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times have you said to yourself and then prayed saying that you wanted to serve God? And then a few hours later your sincere intentions are forgotten and you are doing things your way and really not doing anything to serve God.
When you read about the Israelites you will see that repeatedly, they turned away from God and did things their way. After the death of Joshua, God provided judges to rule over them. For over 350 years the Israelites went through cycles of rebelling against God and were overrun by enemy nations. When they were in danger of total destruction they would turn back to God and God would then provide a God-fearing judge to deliver them. The Israelites rebelled over and over and God would save them over and over under these judges.
God’s way for them was to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan and insisted on a King. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would have to endure under a King they continued to insist that they wanted a King. They forgot that the Lord their God was their King. (I Samuel 12:12)
God allowed them to have their way but when they soon realized what they had done they asked Samuel for help and his prayers. We can read Samuel’s response in the verse above. Samuel saw they were afraid. He began by saying, “Do not fear” and then he called on them to turn from their wickedness and serve the Lord. Even though we do the wrong thing, God does not give up on us. He wants us to repent of our disobedience and return to serving Him.
When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we need to realize that we cannot undo what we did yesterday, but we can act beginning today. We need to learn to humbly ask God for His forgiveness for our disobedience and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow’s victories.
Serving the Lord has a direct tie to obedience. The Israelites had to become obedient to God’s will before they could serve Him.
Our children came into this world to be served. When they were hungry they wanted to be served their milk immediately. As they grew it was necessary to teach them to serve but we couldn’t teach them to serve until we taught them to obey. When they were old enough our children were given responsibilities of service in our home whether they liked it or not. Yes, there was often grumbling. We would hear things like, “Why me?” or “Why do I have to do everything?” In spite of their complaints they did their responsibilities because we taught them that God commands, “Children obey your parents.”
When children are taught to obey God they will desire to serve Him. What children are taught as a child will carry over to adulthood. What we see in each of our children today is a servant heart which we thank the Lord for.
With certainty we look forward to with the soon return of Christ which is by far the most important reason we need to serve the Lord daily now. The anticipation of this great event should overwhelm our hearts with excitement and give us a new desire and a sense of urgency to serve our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given us in expecting Your soon return to take us to spend an eternity with You in heaven Keep us faithful and willing to serve You in our walk and in our talk, moment by moment. As parents guide us as we teach our children to live for You and obey You and desire to serve You and others.
SERVE
DEFINITION:
Attend or wait upon; work for, to meet the needs of and subject one’s will to that of another.
SCRIPTURE:
You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. I Samuel 12:20.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
How many times have you said to yourself and then prayed saying that you wanted to serve God? And then a few hours later your sincere intentions are forgotten and you are doing things your way and really not doing anything to serve God.
When you read about the Israelites you will see that repeatedly, they turned away from God and did things their way. After the death of Joshua, God provided judges to rule over them. For over 350 years the Israelites went through cycles of rebelling against God and were overrun by enemy nations. When they were in danger of total destruction they would turn back to God and God would then provide a God-fearing judge to deliver them. The Israelites rebelled over and over and God would save them over and over under these judges.
God’s way for them was to be governed and led by a judge chosen by God. The people rejected God’s plan and insisted on a King. Despite the warnings from Samuel of the hardships they would have to endure under a King they continued to insist that they wanted a King. They forgot that the Lord their God was their King. (I Samuel 12:12)
God allowed them to have their way but when they soon realized what they had done they asked Samuel for help and his prayers. We can read Samuel’s response in the verse above. Samuel saw they were afraid. He began by saying, “Do not fear” and then he called on them to turn from their wickedness and serve the Lord. Even though we do the wrong thing, God does not give up on us. He wants us to repent of our disobedience and return to serving Him.
When we fail to serve God, as we know we should, we need to realize that we cannot undo what we did yesterday, but we can act beginning today. We need to learn to humbly ask God for His forgiveness for our disobedience and acknowledge His faithfulness to us. God wants us to serve Him today and we cannot let yesterdays failures bankrupt tomorrow’s victories.
Serving the Lord has a direct tie to obedience. The Israelites had to become obedient to God’s will before they could serve Him.
Our children came into this world to be served. When they were hungry they wanted to be served their milk immediately. As they grew it was necessary to teach them to serve but we couldn’t teach them to serve until we taught them to obey. When they were old enough our children were given responsibilities of service in our home whether they liked it or not. Yes, there was often grumbling. We would hear things like, “Why me?” or “Why do I have to do everything?” In spite of their complaints they did their responsibilities because we taught them that God commands, “Children obey your parents.”
When children are taught to obey God they will desire to serve Him. What children are taught as a child will carry over to adulthood. What we see in each of our children today is a servant heart which we thank the Lord for.
With certainty we look forward to with the soon return of Christ which is by far the most important reason we need to serve the Lord daily now. The anticipation of this great event should overwhelm our hearts with excitement and give us a new desire and a sense of urgency to serve our Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1.
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the great anticipation You have given us in expecting Your soon return to take us to spend an eternity with You in heaven Keep us faithful and willing to serve You in our walk and in our talk, moment by moment. As parents guide us as we teach our children to live for You and obey You and desire to serve You and others.
Christmas Eve: December 24, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2013
CHRISTMAS EVE
We want you to join our family in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Every Christmas eve we get together as a family and celebrate Christmas. Our family includes our six children, their spouses, our 20 grandchildren, the husband of one of our grandchildren and several of our children’s spouses’ parents.
The younger children have costumes that Dottie made years ago and they act out the events as we know them from the scripture of that Christmas morning in Bethlehem. We have the stable, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and the wise men.
At the end of the celebration we all say together the following and urge you to join us in reading these words from Luke 2: 1-14.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!”
Have a blessed Christmas and remember to give glory to God in the highest for the great gift of His Son, Jesus --- the babe born in the manger. Jesus is the reason for the season.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Glory to God, our Heavenly Father! We thank You and praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that He came to save us and to bring peace and goodwill to a lost and sinful world.
CHRISTMAS EVE
We want you to join our family in celebrating the birth of Jesus. Every Christmas eve we get together as a family and celebrate Christmas. Our family includes our six children, their spouses, our 20 grandchildren, the husband of one of our grandchildren and several of our children’s spouses’ parents.
The younger children have costumes that Dottie made years ago and they act out the events as we know them from the scripture of that Christmas morning in Bethlehem. We have the stable, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, shepherds, angels and the wise men.
At the end of the celebration we all say together the following and urge you to join us in reading these words from Luke 2: 1-14.
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!”
Have a blessed Christmas and remember to give glory to God in the highest for the great gift of His Son, Jesus --- the babe born in the manger. Jesus is the reason for the season.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Glory to God, our Heavenly Father! We thank You and praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You that He came to save us and to bring peace and goodwill to a lost and sinful world.
Holy Spirit: December 23, 2013
TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 23, 2013.
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I Corinthians 6:19
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the gifts that God gave us with the birth of His Son Jesus was given to believer’s years later after Jesus was resurrected back into Heaven to be with His father. The verse above from John gives us the words that Jesus gave to His disciples and believers just prior to His resurrection.
Most people have a pretty good understanding of who God, the Father and God the Son (Jesus) are. But there are three persons that make up the Godhead known as the Trinity. The third person is the Holy Spirit.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believer’s from the rest of the world.
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple where the Holy Spirit, received from God, will live. At this Christmas season we need to be reminded of this gift that God has given us. Possibly you may be asking about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives. There are seven specific things He does for us.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins. (John 16:8)
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires. The mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit leads to peace and life. (Romans 8:5)
3.THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: The Holy Spirit works within us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine. He guides us in an understanding of all truth. (John 16:13)
4.THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: He gives us the assurance that we have been redeemed and we are the children of God and have an inheritance of life eternal in heaven with our Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:16)
5.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS: God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength. (Romans 8:26)
6.THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: Every believer has the comfort of knowing that someone (The Holy Spirit) who is wiser than they are is interceding before God for them. (Romans 8:26b)
7.THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: He sanctifies us, blesses and purifies us, by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives. (II Thessalonians 2:13)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You Almighty God that You have given me the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins, to guide me into truth and to keep my mind focused on pleasing You. Help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit daily and hourly on every step I take.
HOLY SPIRIT
DEFINITION:
The third person of the trinity; also called the Holy Ghost.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? I Corinthians 6:19
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
One of the gifts that God gave us with the birth of His Son Jesus was given to believer’s years later after Jesus was resurrected back into Heaven to be with His father. The verse above from John gives us the words that Jesus gave to His disciples and believers just prior to His resurrection.
Most people have a pretty good understanding of who God, the Father and God the Son (Jesus) are. But there are three persons that make up the Godhead known as the Trinity. The third person is the Holy Spirit.
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit within the believer is what sets apart believer’s from the rest of the world.
When you accept Jesus as your Savior, your body becomes a temple where the Holy Spirit, received from God, will live. At this Christmas season we need to be reminded of this gift that God has given us. Possibly you may be asking about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives. There are seven specific things He does for us.
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVICTS: It is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit that brings us to repent of our sins. (John 16:8)
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT CONTROLS OUR MIND: The Holy Spirit keeps our mind set on pleasing God and keeping His commandments rather than pleasing our sinful desires. The mind that is controlled by the Holy Spirit leads to peace and life. (Romans 8:5)
3.THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES: The Holy Spirit works within us to enable us to determine truth from false doctrine. He guides us in an understanding of all truth. (John 16:13)
4.THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US ASSURANCE: He gives us the assurance that we have been redeemed and we are the children of God and have an inheritance of life eternal in heaven with our Lord and Savior. (Romans 8:16)
5.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESS: God knows our weaknesses and that is why He sent the Holy Spirit so that we do not have to rely on our own strength. (Romans 8:26)
6.THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYS FOR US: Every believer has the comfort of knowing that someone (The Holy Spirit) who is wiser than they are is interceding before God for them. (Romans 8:26b)
7.THE HOLY SPIRIT SANCTIFIES US: He sanctifies us, blesses and purifies us, by working in us to make us desire to become more like Christ and to live pure and holy lives. (II Thessalonians 2:13)
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 100:1
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.
PRAYER:
Thank You Almighty God that You have given me the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins, to guide me into truth and to keep my mind focused on pleasing You. Help me to rely on Your Holy Spirit daily and hourly on every step I take.
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