Category: Holy Spirit

Faith, Holy Spirit, Sanctification

Sanctification by Faith

Inge Schultz

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

2 Thessalonians 2:13

What about Sanctification? Sanctification is a word that is not often spoke about, yet it is one of the most important aspects of a Christians position in Christ.  A. B. Simpson, founder of Christian Missionary Alliance spoke of the “Fourfold Gospel,” which is Jesus Christ as the Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King. Have you ever thought about Jesus as your sanctification? The Greek word for sanctification is “hagiasmos,” which means separation, or setting apart. Did you know that this is “the will of God, even your sanctification?” [see 1 Thessalonians 4:3]. As a young adult, I learned about the importance of being set apart for a special purpose. I did not know what that special purpose was at that time, but I did know that I was saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. That Christ was my savior who rescued and delivered me from danger and destruction. The power of God literally saved me from death more than once in my life.

The apostle Paul was thanking God for those who were at Thessalonica. God had chosen them to receive salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. They accepted the truth about Jesus Christ that he came in the flesh, died, and arose from the cross. Christ death on the cross and resurrection has freed us from sin. This brought reconciliation to God and the purification through the Holy Spirit. The process of being made holy and pure is what sanctification is all about. It is God’s will for each Christian to continue in the process of sanctification. This process is done through faith in Christ, and it is worked through the Holy Spirit. The aspect of sanctification is vital to every believer in Christ in that it establishes our position with God. It is why Peter stated, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” [see 1 Peter 1:16]. To sanctify is to be made Holy. It is hard for us to believe that we can be holy. Holy in our actions and in our conversations. Just look at the apostle Paul’s life. Paul a Pharisees was persecuting Christians in Rome. Listen to what Paul said about what he done.

“For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.”

Galatians 1:13

Noticed how Paul did not deny what he had done in the past. He had persecuted the church of God and wasted it. A voice from heaven asked Paul the question, “Why do you persecute me?” “I am Jesus whom you persecute.” [see Acts 26:14-15]. Just think about it if you persecute a brother or sister in the Lord, you are persecuting Jesus. It was Jesus who revealed this to the apostle Paul. It is clear that God had chosen Paul for a specific purpose and that purpose was to make him a minister and a witness of the truth about Jesus, [see verse 16 of Acts chapter 26]. Oh! What a witness Paul was to the early church and look at verse 18 in chapter 26 of Acts.

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Acts 26:18

Open our eyes and turn us from darkness to light, oh Lord, from the power of Satan to God. That we may receive the forgiveness of sins. Take note of the end of the verse that states, “sanctified by faith that is in me [Jesus].” These are the words of Jesus Christ. We are all sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus. Why, because Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, [see Hebrews 12:2]. Our faith is in Jesus who is the object of our faith. Sanctification takes on two essential points. The first point is the objective which is in the person and the finished work of Jesus. The second point is the subjective which brings provision by the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent in the process of sanctification. God has called us to holiness which means the state of being holy. Are you continuing to be in the state of holiness? Can you see how the apostle Paul’s life was changed from hostility and ill-treatment of Christians to loving them in Christ Jesus.

Every Christian should be changed in their actions and characteristic from hatred, rage, hostility, and anger to the characteristics of Christ, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, and temperance.  As Christians we continue to be sanctified through the word of God. Jesus prayed to the father for those who believed that they would be sanctified through God’s truth. [see John 17:17].  We must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, [see Hebrews 11:6]. The body of believers in the church is subject unto Christ. We are now under the control of Christ through the Holy spirit and not under the power of Satan. We yield ourselves to God the Father because Christ has reconciled us unto God.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

Ephesians 1:4

It may be hard to understand that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world and that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. We all should have similar experiences on how we have been changed in our actions to the characteristic of Christ. Sanctification is a process that is worked out daily in our Christian walk because it is by faith, and that is how we are set apart unto God. If we purge ourselves daily of unwanted actions and or feelings, we will be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and ready for the master’s use and prepared to do every good work, [see 2 Timothy 2:21]. This reminds me of a song written by A.A. Whiddington and Albert B Simpson titled, “Not I, But Christ.”

  1. Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted.
    Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard.
    Not I, but Christ, in every look and action.
    Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
    • Refrain:
      Saved from my sin and myself, dear Lord,
      Saved to be filled with Thee.
      Self-crucified, so now not I,
      But Christ, that lives in me.

Remember it is not I, but Christ in every thought and word.

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Holy Spirit, Life, Living Water

The Spirit Gives Life

Inge Schultz

It is the Spirit that giveth life; the flesh profited nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

John 6:63

The “Spirit” gives life, stated Jesus. In the scriptures the Holy Spirit is linked to the living waters. How long do you think you would survive without water? The general consensus is that humans would not survive 3 days without water. 60 to 74 percent of the human body is made up of water. A lack of water brings dehydration which causes headaches and fatigue. Organs and cells within the body start to break down and the end result is death. Even when a person is fasting, they are to drink water to ward of dehydration, so important is water to all human beings. No water means death. Have you ever considered the importance of water? Every living thing on earth needs water. With climate changing around the world, harvesting water will become a priority.

Recent dry spells in certain areas of the world have caused drought conditions. California is one state listed that is known as a drought state, but recent snowfall and rain have lifted some areas out of drought conditions. When it rains in Botswana, Africa it is a joyous occasion for the rain waters bring new life to the environment. Seeds that are locked into the dry sandy dirt begin to grow. I always look forward to Spring when after the rain has come, it brings new growth of flowers such as the crocus and daffodils. I turn to look at the Camilla tree for its beautiful pink blossoms. This reminds me how important it is to have water, for it gives us life. Jesus was adamant when he made the following statement.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.”

John 7:37-38

Out of an individual’s heart shall flow rivers of living water. What does it mean to have rivers of living water flowing out of a person’s heart? Remember the women at the well who Jesus spoke with in John, chapter 4? Jesus said, “whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life,” [John 4:14]. This is every believer’s current possession as well as the future. That living water is the Holy Spirit. It means continuous life.

The Holy Spirit is the spirit that gives us life. The truth is that many churches are dead because they deny the Holy Spirit to come and minister to the needs of the people. Man cannot fulfill individual’s needs like the Holy Spirit of God can. It is the Spirit that gives us life. The Spirit comes and renews our weak body, mind, and soul. The Spirit comes to bring healing to our physical bodies. The Spirit comes to bring repentance and forgiveness. This is why today Jesus continues to pray and intercede on our behalf [ see Hebrews 7:25] as well as the Holy Spirit when we are so troubled that we cannot pray [see Romans 8:26]. If you are dry and thirsty, in need of a drink, then come to Jesus who will send you the Holy Spirit as your comforter. Break with tradition and allow the Holy Spirit to come and bring renewal to your own life. Do not deny him access into your life, ask and you will receive.

At the beginning of this year, there has been a word for Christians to return to the Lord. Return to your first love which is Christ. Remember when you have first received the love of Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and became a new person in Christ. There are those who have fallen away from their first love, [see Revelation 2:4]. Remember where you have fallen and repent. Remember that whatever is not done in love is nothing, and it is not profitable according to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. We should check ourselves to see what spirit we are in when doing things for the Lord and reconsider our position.

Before there is any movement of the Holy Spirit, there first must be repentance. The Holy Spirit is gentle and pleading within the heart of man to come to Jesus and repent. Repentance is having a sincere regret or remorse about a behavior that has followed a different path other than the path of Christ. Have you heard about the Asbury revival? It was stated that students have come to the alter repenting. A renewal is happening in the hearts of these young people thus they are experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As we come to the Lord and repent and worship him renewal begins. So precious is this renewal that one will experience His presence and know that through His Spirit we experience the Spirit that gives us life. When we lift up Jesus in worship, He will be present in our midst, and this allows the Spirit to move among the people. Wonderful healing and forgiveness will flow like rivers of living water. Are you thirsty for the living water? Come to Jesus who will give you a well of living water springing up into everlasting life. Bow down before him, for He is Lord of all. Let us have the freedom of worship in our hearts and in churches around the world that we may see Jesus and begin revival again by the Spirit of God who gives us life eternal.

The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24

Let us bow down and worship Christ the Lord. Let us ask for forgiveness for our sins and allow His Spirit to flow within our heart with rivers of living water, for this is the Spirit that gives us life. Spent time everyday giving him praise and begin to see the glory of the Lord within your own life.

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Holy Spirit

The Anointing

Inge Schultz

But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.”

1 John 2:20

The anointing oil has taken on a religious meaning to the point of some mystical phenomena that has happened. Throughout history items of Christ have been known to carry some kind of spiritual power like the holy grail. The holy grail is the cup that Jesus drank out of at the Last Supper. It was said to have healing powers, but for the knighthood it was a spiritual journey towards eternal life. The journey to know more about God and His son Jesus Christ, but most of all it was a journey in learning how to gain immortality. The quest itself was a test of the character of a knight. It was to see if a knight was worthy of service to their King. The quest was the search for spiritual enlightenment, but it also revealed the weaknesses of the human heart of man to which they had to overcome.

Every human being is on some kind of quest either for good or bad. That quest is a revelation in who they are as a person. The quest builds character in who they become as an individual knight. Some will find the light, and some will not see it. The quest to see the light are those who are seeking the kingdom of God. Walking in light speaks to the fellowship we have with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. That fellowship only speaks to the truth of who we are in Christ and that we are sinners who are forgiven because we confess our sins to God and each other. We know that we are weak, but through Christ we have become strong. The blood of Christ is the divine provision for our atonement. Our walk should reveal the character of Christ within us. There should be no hatred in the body of Christ.

He that loveth his brother abided in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.”

1 John 2:10

Those who walk in love will not cause a brother or sister to stumble. Those who walk in love will help their brother or sister by edifying them and building them up in the Lord. They will be doing the work of Jesus. What did Jesus say to his disciples after he washed their feet?

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

John 13:15

Jesus is our example, and we should heed his call and not our own individual calling. We are not greater than our Lord Jesus Christ even though some may think they are. This was in the very next verse [16] of John chapter 13. He that is sent is not greater than the person who sent him. There is no competition for a position in Christ or even a special service that a person may be called to. Have you heard about Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit who was chosen to serve tables and the widows. Stephen had done great wonders and miracles among the people. Stephen went out in a blaze of glory seeing the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand [see Acts chapter 6 & 7]. Stephen a man who not only helped the widows but preached to the Sanhedrin about the prophets of God and how the people always resisted the Holy Spirit. He had the unction from the Holy One and spoke the truth to the Sanhedrin. In the Old Testament only the Kings, prophets, and priests were anointed with oil, but in the New Testament something has changed.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teaches you; but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.”

1 John 2:27

Who was John referring to when he said, “but the anointing which you have received?” Who is it that teaches us? We must go back to the gospel of John chapter 14, verse 26, which states that the “Comforter” who is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in Jesus’ name shall teach you all things. We must remember that the Holy Spirit will testify of Jesus. A lying spirit will deny that Jesus is the Christ, but not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that is sent by the Father to each person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God come in the flesh. This is the love of God to reconcile the world back to God.

Having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Colossians 1:20

Christ has reconciled us back to God. What a glorious action of God to bring us back into fellowship with him. This should stir your heart to have the anointing, the unction from the Holy One who will teach you all things and that you will walk in it. The unction that will teach you the ways of God, the wisdom of God, that you may be made perfect in Jesus Christ. We must be settled in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. If we are not, we cannot become perfect in Christ. We are walking in unbelief, for we are not willing to receive the Holy Spirit. The hope of the gospel is Jesus Christ who prayed that the Father would send the Holy Spirit. Do not become stiff-necked and resist the Holy Spirit like the Sanhedrin. We need that anointing oil to flow in us and to perfect us in Christ Jesus. We need that anointing oil to abide in us and help us in our weaknesses. We need that anointing oil in order that we may be bold like Stephen who was full of the Holy Spirit. The unction is also for service.

How can you serve God without the unction [the Holy Spirit]. You can’t. If you do it is done in the flesh and not in the Spirit of God. “The flesh lusted against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would,” [see Galatians 5:17]. We must have the outworking of the Holy Spirit which is Christ in us the hope of glory. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. There is no glory in man, for all glory goes to God in what He has given unto us. He has given unto us His Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit. It is from glory to glory that we are being changed into His image. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, [see 2 Corinthians 3:18]. Why did Jesus say, “if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink, [John 7:37]?” What would we be drinking? If we believe on Jesus as the scripture has said, Jesus stated that out of his or her heart shall flow rivers of living water. Are you thirsty?

If you are thirsty then come to Jesus for the living water that flows down from the Father. This is the Holy Spirit that gives us life and the way to fellowship within the body of Christ. This is the mystery of the power of God. The working where great wonders and miracles will happen among the people. God will bless those of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, [Isaiah 57:15]. If you need your spirit revived and your heart, come to Jesus and pray for it. “Will thou not revive us again; that thy people may rejoice in thee, [Psalms 85:5]?” Let us not go back to being foolish, He will show us mercy and grant us salvation. “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven,” [Psalms 85:11]. Let us walk in his steps and see His glory. Let the unction from the Holy One come and fill us forever. Let us walk in it and speak in boldness of the coming of our Lord. Let us become His trees of righteousness.

Trees of Righteousness

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Holy Spirit

Have you received the Holy Ghost?

Inge Schultz

He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”

Acts 19:2

Have you received the Holy Spirit after you believed in Jesus Christ? I wonder how many Christians who profess that they believe in Christ have not yet received the Holy Spirit. Throughout history the subject of the Holy Spirit may be one of the most debated topics. For most church leaders it is a matter of control in the body of Christ. Are we missing something that God intended for our life as a Christian? We may sing about the Holy spirit, but not allow His movement within the congregation. The Holy Spirit is a mystery for many, yet it is the vehicle in which God moves to bless his people within the congregation. It is the Holy Spirit who brings conviction within our heart to change the way we are living. What did Jesus say about the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit our comforter? Yes, the comforter is the Spirit of truth, and who testifies of Jesus [see John 15:26]. Let us look into the gospel of John in chapter 16.

And when the Spirit [he] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

John 16:8

This is known as the threefold ministry of the Holy Spirit. Read on to the next three verses in John chapter 16. The Spirit convicts us of sin because there are those who do not believe in Jesus. The Spirit convicts us about righteousness, for Jesus goes to the Father and the Father see us only through his son who is our righteousness. The Spirit convicts us about judgment for the prince of this world is judged who is the devil.

If we do not have the Spirit, who will guide us into truth? Jesus said it is the Spirit who will guide us into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show us things to come, [see John 16:13-14]. It is the Spirit that helps us to glorify Christ. Jesus said, “if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me,” John 12:32. How can we draw close to him without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Jesus also said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” John 14:16. We will never be alone if we have the Holy Spirit living within our heart. Will you give your heart to the Lord?

Will you give the Lord your heart?

We surrender our heart and ourselves to the Lord so He can create in us a new clean heart. We must have our stony cold heart changed.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26

Ah, yes, a new spirit will He put within you, and He will give you a heart of flesh. A heart of flesh for He has awakened you spiritually to the love of God. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God the apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:30, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God to which Jesus prayed that he would send to each person who believes in Him. The apostle Paul was asking those who were disciples of John the Baptist in Acts chapter 19, “to whom where you baptized.” To whom where you baptized into? Paul said that John baptized unto repentance, but it is Jesus who you should believe in who came after John the Baptist. Paul than laid his hands upon them and the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Glory to God they got the baptism in the Holy Spirit. All we have to do is ask for the Holy Spirit to come upon us. Jesus provided the way, and He gives us the comforter who is the Holy Spirit. The Jews were astonished as to the words of Jesus when he said, “how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him,” Luke 11:13.

This is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel, [see Acts:2:16]. This is that, meaning to what was spoken previously. The prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. This would happen in the latter days in the church, but it also relates to when Israel will return to the Lord. Yet, the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon those who believe. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has brought the charismatic movement through the centuries, and it is still happening around the world.

Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them.”

Numbers 11:29

This is Moses’ desire and what the prophet Joel declared. All will prophesy and have visions and dreams as the Spirit falls down upon them. Be sure that God will fulfill all what Joel prophesied. These are exciting times for those who are charismatic Christians who have placed their faith in Christ Jesus and are baptized in the Holy Spirit. How can you hear his voice if you do not have the Holy Spirit as your comforter. It is the Spirit that searched all things and the deep things of God. This is not man’s wisdom, for who can know the things of God. It is what the Holy Spirit teaches and through the Spirit we are able to compare spiritual things with spiritual as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:10-13. You do not have to fear the Holy Spirit when you ask the Father for the baptism of the Spirit.

I remember a worship leader who asked me to give him the Holy Spirit. I told him I could not give him the Holy Spirit, for he must ask the Father for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit only comes from the Father and Jesus prayed to the Father that he would give the comforter to those who would ask. He got it in a parking lot. Yes, the Holy Spirit came down upon him in a parking lot as he was trying to get into his car. Amazing. We receive it through faith and God answers our prayer.

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

1 Corinthians 12:3

Anyone who curses Jesus and who confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God. That person is not of the Spirit of God. Those who are baptized in the Holy Ghost will point to Christ as Lord overall and believe that Jesus came in the flesh and has died for our sins. If they do not confess this, then they are of the spirit of antichrist [see 1 John 4:1]. John tells us that the antichrist is already in the world. That is why we must have the Holy Spirit as our comforter. But we must also test and try the spirit to see if it is of God. John gives us instruction to try the spirits whether they are of God. We need never fear as to what spirit we have when within our heart we confess Jesus as Lord who came in the flesh, died and arose from the grave. We can ask the spirit this question to see if it is of God. We must remember that we are the temple of God and that His Spirit dwells within us.

It is written “be ye holy for I am holy,” [1Peter 1:16]. Our hearts are purified for the service of the Lord. That is why the apostle Paul stated, “we are laborers together with God; you are God’s cultivated field, you are God’s building,” [1 Corinthians 3:9]. Our foundation is built upon Jesus Christ, and He has called us friends. His love now reigns, and He instructs us to walk in love. Receive the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus and walk in love every day.

Overcome Evil

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Holy Spirit, Sanctification, Separation

What House will you Build

Inge Schultz

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. What house will ye build me? saith the Lord.”

Acts 7:49

What house will you build for the Lord? Did not the Lord make all things with his hand? Maybe we forgot that God has laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of His hands [see Psalms 102:25]. Yet in verse 26 of Psalms 102, it states it shall perish, but thou will endure. How is it that we will endure, but the earth will perish. What is the meaning of the Lord asking what house you will build me? Here in Acts chapter seven, we have Stephen who was full of faith and power and did miracles among the people [see Acts 6:8]. Stephen is addressing the Sanhedrin on Israel’s past and what God has done. In 1st Kings chapter five we read that because of wars on all sides that the house of the Lord could not be built. There had to be a time of rest for the Lord’s house to be built. A time where peace will reign without adversary or evil occurring. Can you imagine what that would be like? Yet, God promised there will be a new heaven and earth and those who belong with Him will have peace for a 1000 years, which is known as the Millennium.

Isaiah, apostle Peter and John have all stated that a new heaven and earth will be created, and the former earth will not be remembered [see Isaiah 65:17]. Some call this a supernatural act of God, yet this is what the apostle Peter said that he was looking for. The promise of the coming new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells [see 2 Peter 3:13]. Peter said this after explaining how the Lord will come like a thief in the night and the heavens will melt with fervent heat along with the earth. Then Peter asked, “what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” What manner indeed! Where is the house of the Lord? It is not in the many buildings we call churches. Churches are a place for Christian religious activities. Church buildings are not the house of the Lord. Churches are to be a place of worship, but they are not the house of the Lord. This may be shocking to hear, but the house of the Lord is where the Holy Spirit resides in individual hearts.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

2 Corinthians 5:1

The earthly house is our physical body which will dissolve, and we will have a new body that is not made with physical hands but with the hand of God. Our physical body is temporal whereas our heavenly body is eternal. Remember the Spirit of the living God is to reside in the stony heart of flesh and not in stone tablets or buildings. It is the Spirit that gives us life [see 2 Corinthians 3:6]. The ministration of the Spirit is to be more glorious in those who have believe. God has given us the earnest of the Spirit which now resides in our heart. This is eternal and it is the new building of God. It is the spiritual house that is being built up in Christ. This is a holy priesthood, a birthright for those who believe in the son of God. They can now have access to God through Jesus Christ. That is why the apostle Paul implores us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. This is total surrender to the will of God and allowing His Spirit to dwell within our physical body.

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5

A spiritual house that is acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Every believer is born of the Spirit and indwelt by the Spirit of God to where the believers body becomes a temple of God. That is why the apostle Paul exhorted to the Corinthians, “know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Because you were bought with a price through Christ death. Christ died for our sins and through Christ resurrection we receive eternal life. We must not defile the temple of God. We must be separate from those who are unclean. God is calling us to be separate, a people of God who through the Spirit has mortify the deeds of the flesh [see Romans 8:13]. We must not deceive ourselves, for the temple of God is holy, which you are [ 1 Corinthians 3:17-18]. We must allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and have His way within our hearts. Let us not become stiff-necked like the Israelites under Mosses. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God,” [Romans 8:14].

I found it interesting to note that in 2 Chronicles chapter 6 in verse eight God told David that even though He desired to build a house for the Lord, that David did well in that it was in his heart. It was in his heart the house of the Lord. This is the key of where you will build your house for the Lord. Yes, our God knows the secrets of the heart of men.

Trust not in oppression and become not vain in robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

Psalms 62:10

Whatever happens in the world today, we can have the peace of God within our hearts. It is Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of God and our Father [see Galatians 1:4]. Now is the time to cleanse our house from all fleshly desires and separate ourselves unto God. That we may be a building of God. We must become living stones desiring the word of God and growing by the word that we may be rooted in good solid ground. We must present our life, our bodies as a spiritual sacrifice that is acceptable unto God. Asking God to purify our minds and to guide us with His Spirit is the will of God. Allowing his Spirit to help us to hear the word of God will change us from glory to glory, this is sanctification.

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

May we witness the ministration of the Spirit under the law of Christ which has hath made us free from the law of sin and death. Let us build our house on the foundation that is on a rock, which is Christ Jesus. May we grow into the living stones chosen of God and precious in His sight.

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Holy Spirit, Persecution, The Seed

Godly Living

Inge Schultz

All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

2 Timothy 3:12

Is it possible to live a godly life? Some may question the possibility of living a godly life. I can remember people saying that it is impossible to live a godly life in the world we live in today. This was back in the 70’s when the question was raised about godly living. Yet, when the power of God moved upon people it brought change and some knew the importance of godly living and discipleship. Weekly groups were the outcome for discipleship teaching in learning to live a godly life. I remember the Navigators for Christ, which is an interdenominational Christian ministry. Navigators for Christ went into colleges across the U.S. to help young Christians in discipleship. I attended a weekly group that met at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. A godly life is pursuing a life of holiness and obedience to the Lord. Is it hard to live a godly life? Some would say yes. The truth is, it is hard if you are trying to live a godly life in the flesh instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to come and do the change within your heart. And what about suffering persecution for Christ. Have we witnessed persecution in the world we live in today? The answer is yes.

Dicipleship must allow time for meditation on the word as well as prayer time for the Holy Spirit to enlighten those who are seeking that closer walk with God. We must seek God through the Spirit since God is a Spirit [John 4:24]. Revelation is through the Spirit of God, and this is knowing and understanding what the will of God is.

God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. “

1 Corinthians 2:10

The apostle Paul goes on to explain in 1st Corinthians chapter two that we receive the Spirit of God through the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that teaches us the truth of God through spiritual revelation to where we are able to compare spiritual things with spiritual [1 Corinthians 2:13]. The more you take time to read the word and pray for wisdom in understanding it, the more you will gain knowledge and know what the will of God is. The Spirit of God will reveal where your own heart stands. Will you be ready to submit your will to God and allow His Spirit to change your heart? Godly living is surrendering your will to the will of God. Have you read Andrew Murray’s book titled “Absolute Surrender” written in 1897? I have the audio book and I listen to it often to remind me that this is a requirement to daily living in His Love. Click the link to the site to download and read. Daily surrendering is the key to living a godly life.

Click to access Absolute_Surrender_Andrew_Murray_1897.pdf

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world

Titus 2:11-12

The godly life is one who denies worldly lust and one who lives soberly in this present world. That is moderation or self-restraint living allowing the Spirit of God to light our path as we walk in the Spirit of Christ.

Let not sin, therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in its lusts, neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

Romans 6:12-13.

We must not yield to unrighteousness and sin. Paul tells us in Romans chapter six that we do not serve sin and that we are no longer slaves to sin. If we are dead with Christ, we are free from the power of sin. As Christ lived unto God, so do we. The Spirit delivers us from the old nature of sin. Thus, we have Paul statement in Romans, “for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death,” [Romans 8:2]. We must be grounded and rooted in the word of God in order to be free from the law of sin and death. Our life is in Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. It is those who are led by the Spirit of God that has become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. We are now the people of God who has obtained mercy. Our behavior should reveal Christ character in doing good works to the glory of God.

One of the signs of evil is when evil men and seducers become worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived [see 2 Timothy 3:13]. These are men who abuse their authority to gain their own reality of rulership. They take no thought about the welfare of others, and they themselves are being deceived. They are not subject to the law of God since they are carnal minded. They are offended and accurse those who do not follow their pacific will. This is the reason that those who follow Christ will have persecution from those who do not follow Christ. Persecution can also come from those who are professing Christians but are not grounded or rooted in the word of God.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

Mark 4:16-17

Are you grounded and rooted in the doctrine of Christ where faith is based upon Christ sacrifice for your sins? Do not allow other things to choke out the word of God. Do not become offended by the word of God which is able to perfect us into the love of God. The word of God is the incorruptible seed that bears fruit as long as we do not choke it out. Remember that Jesus said that it is Satan that comes to take the word away after it was sown in the heart [Mark 4:15]. Yet, Jesus tells us to have ears to hear and to take heed how we hear.

Take heed what ye hear; with what measure ye measure, it shall be measured to you; and unto you; and unto to you that hear shall more be given.”

Mark 4:24

Hearing the word is how you personally will measure it. It is what you will choose to believe in how it will be measured to you. How much of the light of God’s word will you allow into your life? Will you stay the course? For some it is a great sacrifice because being a follower for Christ means losing ties from their own natural families. That loss is real, and many do not understand the pain that an individual suffers from separation of family, but Christ can identify with your pain. You may be detached from your own mother, father, brother, or sister but you have been grafted into the family of God. Sometimes you may find yourself isolated from those who do not follow Christ. This is a form of persecution. Any hostile feelings, attitudes, words and actions against an individual because they believe in Christ is a form of persecution. I personally went through this myself and it was Christ love for me that won me over to becoming a Christian. I was ignorant about who Jesus was, but I found the reality of that love and made the choice to follow Jesus. I have no regrets where Christ is concerned. I pray that you too, will choose to live a godly life in Christ Jesus despite the persecution you may receive. We can say along with Paul, ” I endured: but out of all the persecutions, the Lord delivered me,” [2 Timothy 3:11]. He will deliver you too. . .so, stay the course to live a godly life.

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Holy Spirit, Inheritance, The law of the Spirit of Life

The law of the Spirit of Life

Inge Schultz

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:2

The Spirit of Life is through Jesus Christ, for Jesus is the chief corner stone in which the building is structured to a holy temple in the Lord. The church is structured through the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, and it is fashioned through the character of Christ. Paul told the Ephesians that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” [Ephesians 2:10]. We can boast what Christ has done in our personal life, but we cannot take glory for the work of the Lord, for it was a gift of God and we were all bought with a price. There is a law put in place and that law of the Spirit of life is Christ Jesus himself. This is the everlasting life that flows through us by the Holy Spirit and builds us up into the character of Christ.

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:21-22

We become a holy temple and a habitation of God through the Spirit. Wow! This takes some consideration in our minds to get around the full meaning of what this means. To imagine that each of us is fitly framed together to grow into a holy temple can be hard to understand. This is the body that is being built in the church. I have not even thought about this in my early walk as a Christian. I became a Christian in 1974 in Seattle Washington. Several of us from the youth group at the Presbyterian Church and some from the Catholic church went to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington. We had heard about the charismatic movement and the speaking of tongues. I cannot remember how or who suggested us to go and check it out. But we went one Sunday morning to St. Luke’s in Ballard, for we wanted to learn more about the baptism in the Spirit. We went forward during the invitation to come to the alter and pray. Rev. Dennis Bennett came in back of each of us praying and laying hands on us to receive the Holy Spirit. When his hands touch my head, I felt the power of God go through me and I began to speak in tongues. We were all full of the Holy Spirit and God’s light shown upon our faces.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the beginning of building the holy temple in the Lord. The Holy Spirit comes in clean vessels that are yielded vessels for the work of God to move in the heart towards the character of Christ. We let go the youthful lust in the flesh which was common among youth and desired to have peace, love, and faith in the Lord Jesus. Our sins were forgiven and now we wanted the fullness of the Spirit to walk in the love of Christ. The apostle Paul stated to depart from all iniquity. If a man would purge himself from all that is unclean, he would become a vessel of honor, sanctified, and fit for the master’s use and this would prepare us for every good work, [see 2 Timothy 2:21]. This is the law of the Spirit of Life through Christ Jesus. Being made free from the law of sin and death. Created in Christ Jesus to the glory of God. We were so full of the Spirit of God that we would gather at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle late at night to sing praises and dance unto the Lord. This may sound astounding, but like King David dancing before the Lord, so did we play cymbals and tambourines and danced. In those days the church door was left open for anyone to come and pray when needed. This was a house of prayer.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle

“Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.”

Psalms 149:3

I can remember this as if it was yesterday, but this was 48 years ago. So much joy was in our hearts that we had to spend time in the Spirit to exalt the name of the Lord. This was the beginning of walking in the Spirit. We did not want to be carnally minded for to be carnally minded brought death and not peace.

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Romans 8:6

The word carnally is the Hebrew word “shakab” which means copulation, seed, or sexual act. We wanted life and peace that is from being spiritually minded through Christ Jesus. The righteousness that is in Christ Jesus has the redemptive power to save and to create a new man. This is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Jesus. Romans chapter 8 mentions the Holy Spirit nineteen times. This is an important note for us to consider and chew upon. Sin and death no longer have control over us, for we belong to Christ, and we now have the righteousness of Christ who is the victor over sin and death. If we put to death the deeds of the body, we shall live [see Romans 8:13]. Our body and mind belong to the Lord, and we must worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. It is the Spirit that works in the yielded Christian to bring the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus into effect. This is so marvelous that the power of the resurrection of Christ will give life to our mortal bodies by His Spirit [see Romans 8:11]. As the believer becomes a habitation for God, our adoption is assured as children and heirs of God.

The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”

Romans 8:16

Do you have that witness within your own spirit? Is your position in Christ a reality? The indwelling of the Spirit gives the realization of the present experience which is the earnest down payment of our inheritance that we have through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sonship is the adoption we receive the moment we believe. Regeneration takes on the meaning of the divine life of Christ nature to flow in the believer by the Holy Spirit. This means we do not work at achieving it ourselves, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit to renew our mind and heart to that of having the mind and heart of Christ. The apostle Paul states it as the following:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

The washing or bathing in the regeneration or new birth is in Christ Jesus who gives us the Spirit to help us become more Christ like in our nature and character. It is from glory to glory that He is changing us. When the Holy Spirit convicts us about something, we surrender it, and he works the change within us. We are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God states Paul in 1st Corinthians 6:11. This is the saving grace of God the Father, and it is done through the Son who gives us the Holy Spirit as our helper. The mystery of the work of the Spirit who points to Christ who points to the Father is something many theologians have debated. The Trinity is the three in one {Father, Son, and Holy Spirit}. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to give life to our mortal bodies so that we can live in peace, love, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we can rejoice in and give thanks to the Lord.

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washing-regeneration
Believe, Faith, Holy Spirit, Regeneration

The Washing of Regeneration

Inge Schultz

according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Titus 3:5

What is the washing of Regeneration? The Washing of Regeneration is associated with the “New Birth.” It is like a sunny Spring morning after the shower of rain. When new growth appears as flowers emerge from the ground and leaves spring forth on the trees. Everything becomes new and one can see the beauty of it. It is a divine act that is imparted to all repentant sinners to a higher plane. Regeneration is a divine act of a repentant sinner to a new life in Christ. It is what I see in God’s creation. Thus, the nature of regeneration takes on certain aspects within a believer. These aspects are a new birth, a cleansing, a quickening, a new creation, and a resurrection. This to me is the essence of regeneration and it is as Myer Pearlman wrote in his book titled, “Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible” that was published in 1937. This is the Christian who is begotten of God, who has gone through a thorough washing in order to be regenerated.

Are you not begotten of the Father God through the love of Christ? Are you not born again as Jesus stated in the Gospel of John chapter three in verse 7? Being born again is God’s creative work through the Holy Spirit. It is like the birth of Spring within our gardens. It is the grace of God at work in our lives. Along with the birth comes a cleansing from your burdens and stress of life. The word “washing” is having a bath to wash away the dirt and grime we have picked up on our bodies. Think about how the trees are dusted with dirt from the wind, or from birds cleaning themselves on the trees leaving grime and waste on the tree. When the rain comes it washes away the dust and the grime on the trees. Christians experience the same when they work out in the world touching unclean things or associating with those who are against them because of who they are in Christ. Anything that defiles one’s life is to be washed away in order that new life may be experienced. This could be considered as a time of reckoning for you personally when the Holy Spirit brings conviction upon your heart about something.

Remember that “Regeneration” is a divine act of a repentant sinner to a new life in Christ. The new life is experienced by the quickening of the Holy Spirit. Notice the scripture at the beginning of this devotional in Titus 3:5? At the end of this verse it states, “and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised each believer in John chapter 14:16 and verse 26. The Holy Spirit is the comforter whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus. It is the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things and will help us to remember what is important in our life. All that we do should be guided by the Holy Spirt leading and guidance. This is tested by the word that is written in the Bible. We may not know everything that we need to know. This takes time and a period of growth in walking out your Christian walk-through faith. It is understanding who the bread of life is. Is he more than just a place to come and get your personal needs met? Is this not what Jesus was referring to in John 6:26-27.

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

John 6:26-27

What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? So, many try to do the works of God in their own flesh. What was Jesus’ answer to this question?

 This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:29

Wow! What an answer. It is not doing great works but believing on him whom God sent. If we labor at all it should be to know him, for He is the Bread that brings us life. This in itself is a revelation even when we ask for something in our prayers. You may not be in the right mind to receive what God wants to reveal to you because you may be in unbelief. Like King David we must ask that our sins are blotted out and that God would create in us a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us [see Psalms 51:10-12]. There is no arrogance in David’s attitude, it is a total surrender to the will of God. The Holy Spirit will impart the new life within us to where we can have our fellowship restored with God. This will bring the new creation within your heart and soul. There will be no doubt that you are not sealed with the Holy Spirit, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [see 2 Corinthians 3:17]. This is the glorious change each believer goes through, and this is continued throughout a believer’s life.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

We are changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Can you imagine that? Maybe it is too high a concept for us to reach or even think about it. Have we witnessed this in others? Have we witnessed this in our own life? This is the question of the hour, when we are struggling to find answers. Our Lord is in the business of reconciliation and in building up the temple of God. Is this not what the Apostle Paul questioned the Christians at Corinth by saying, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [see 1st Corinthians 3:17]. Let the wise man beware, for God will take them in their own craftiness, [see 1st Corinthians 3:19]. What Christians need is constant renewal of the mind, soul, and spirit to that of Christ. Therefore, we need to feed upon the word on a daily basis. For most Christians this was done once a week attending a service. The question is, is this enough? All services help to build up and edify Christians in their walk in living out the will of God through Christ, however; a Christian must learn to stand on their own two feet and be able to walk in their own faith and not the faith of others. A Christian must grow and have a deep personal relationship with the Lord in knowing who they are in Christ so when unusual circumstances happen like Covid-19, they are able to stand on a firm foundation in Christ knowing that they have a heavenly Father who will hear their prayers.

We must see a radical change in our nature, character, desires, and purposes in the way we are living every day. There must be something new for us to see in living as a Christian. There must be a progression in our growth in that we become excited, are joyous, and have a love for God as well as for others. Regeneration is the change that God through the Spirit brings to us. The revelation of what is new or learning something about our Lord in regard to our personal needs. We need to experience this on a personal basis. This is more than just a religion, which is the act of doing some kind of ritual in a specific order. Rituals can become a law to which man can be bound to. Christianity is not meant to be a ritual. Christianity is through the person of Jesus Christ. A Christian who has believed in who Christ is and is now living a life under grace for the glory of God. This is where liberty is. It is always through the love of Jesus Christ, for He gave His life for us.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Galatians 5:1

Christians must stand fast in the liberty they have received from Christ and not go back to what they were before they came to Christ. There should be no shallowness in our walk as a Christian. We are born of the Spirit to receive spiritual food that will bring us to the Kingdom of God. We partake of the new divine nature of Christ to walk in newness of life. The practical side is resting in that love, having remorse against sin, and having victory that overcomes the world, which is done through faith in who He is. We continue on this path until the resurrection of our body after death, or until Christ gathers us at His coming.

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord. “

1 Thessalonians 4:17

This is the resurrection of life eternal to be with the Lord forever. The washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit is very important in our walk as a Christian. We should maintain that walk on a daily basis. The very nature and virtue of Christ is now within us through the Holy Spirit, and this will take us onto sanctification which is the separation from the things of this world unto the holiness of God. This is dedication and consecration of our lives to God for His service. The Christian walk is never stagnant it is always moving. If you find yourself stagnant and parched, get on your knees and pray for revelation of what caused it. Ask God to reveal the truth to you and be ready to receive the answer. He is always ready to receive you when you surrender your all to him. May you continue your walk with a cleansing, a quickening in the Spirit, a growth in the image of Him as a new creation, and in the final resurrection of Christ our Saviour.

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Holy Spirit, Inheritance

Be Filled with the Spirit

Inge Schultz

“And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:18

Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? To be filled with the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit and not to walk in the flesh. Have you not been quickened together with Christ and saved by grace? If we have been quickened with Christ and saved by grace, we should be walking in the Spirit whereby we have been sealed unto the day of redemption [Ephesians 4:30]. This is the gospel of your salvation that the apostle Paul spoke about in Romans.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”

Romans 1:16

Jesus Christ’s resurrection is the power of God. It was Jesus Christ himself who spoke of the promise of the Spirit’s indwelling in the Gospel of John, chapter 14. Oh, how we need the Spirit so desperately to guide our path in these days. The Holy Spirit that Jesus prayed to the Father for was to be our comforter and guide in our everyday living. Jesus did not want us to be orphans, He wanted us to be children belonging to the Father God. The Holy Spirit is to teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance. The Holy Spirit will also teach us what we need to know and hear in the word of God. We are to be filled and led by the Spirit in order that we do not go back under the law where the works of the flesh bring bondage. The works of the flesh that we were saved out of such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying’s, murders, drunkenness, raveling’s, and such like as is stated in Galatians 5:21. If we are in Christ, we have crucified the flesh with its desires. We put to death these desires by binding them in the name of Jesus. We are no longer under its control and the Holy Spirit comes to dispel us of those desires.

Have you received the Holy Spirit? This is a question for every believer of Christ. If you are a believer of Christ, you are His disciple and you should receive the Holy Spirit of God. We need the Holy Spirit in our life to teach us every day, for temptations are visible and we must make decisions not to fall into them. How can we compare spiritual things with spiritual [see 1st Corinthians 2:13] if we do not have the Spirit of God residing within us? We need the Holy Spirit convictions to guide us into the truth of the word of God and to discern its meaning. This is more than just mere head knowledge of the bible. This is a deep heart felt knowledge that is proven in your life because you are walking in it and experiencing it firsthand. The apostle Paul states that the natural man cannot receive and know the things from the Spirit of God [ see 1st Corinthians 2:14]. We must have the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and keep us in the light of Christ. There is so much disillusionment and false teaching regarding the Holy Spirit that the Spirit is stamped out in our life as well as the church. When this happens, we become dead in Christ rather than alive in Christ.

After I got saved, I went with a small group to another church where the pastor laid his hands on our heads to receive the Holy Spirit. We all started to speak in tongues. Was this wrong? No, it is no different than what happened in Acts 8:17 and Acts 9:17. I went back to my church and word got out about the young people who received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. The pastors of the church said it was of the devil and those who spoke in tongues were to stop. I missed this service were this was said but had a long discussion about it with one my friends. My faith stumbled. I could not believe that something so joyous was of the devil. The apostle Paul told the Thessalonians in 1st. Thessalonians 5:19, “Quench not the Spirit.” Some churches are doing exactly that quenching the Spirit. Why? Because they do not understand, believe, or feel that they cannot control the Spirit of God. In fact, some believe that it was only for a specific time period of the early church in 30 AD.

I did not have the assurance of what happened to me and being a new babe in Christ, I could only continue my walk as a new Christian. The truth about the Holy Spirit I kept to myself, and I struggled with it for a while not being sure about it. However, when I had my prayer time, or when I sang, I knew I still had God’s Spirit residing with me, for I sensed His presence. This was a heartfelt experience and I know I was praying and singing to a person rather than just praying and singing with no knowledge at all to whom I was praying or singing to. That made a big difference in my life, just knowing to whom I was praying and singing to. That God was real in my life and that I had experienced His divine intervention in my life. It was not magic; it was real, and God proved it to me.

Our God is our protector, healer, and provider. He will always give us what we need in life as long as our faith in grounded in His Son Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we have been given the privilege to pray to our Heavenly Father. It is through Jesus that we can also receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus stated that “he that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water,” [John7:38]. Look at the next verse in John 7:39 where it states that He spoke about the Spirit, that those who believe should receive the Holy Spirit. God is a Spirit, and we must worship him in spirit and in truth.

“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

John 4:22-24

I pray that you know to whom you are worshipping. Every believer should have the living water flowing out of his heart, which is the Holy Spirit. Every believer should know to whom they are praying and worshipping to. Every believer should test the spirit to see if it is of the Spirit of God.

“Try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1 John 4:2

The Holy Spirit will always point to Christ, if it does not, it is not the Spirit of God. Remember that Satan has his spirits as well. That is why the apostle John was telling us to test the spirits in 1st John chapter 4. Look at verse three of John chapter 4 where he states, “every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.” In fact, John states that this is the spirit of antichrist, and is already in the world. So, there is the spirit of antichrist, and there is the Spirit of God. Know the difference. Be assured that you stand in the liberty where Christ has made us free from all the works of the flesh. Christ has given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter to help us walk as disciples of Christ. This is the down payment of our inheritance (the Holy Spirit) until the redemption of the purchased possession [see Ephesians1:13-14]. Read Ephesians 5:16-20:

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:16-20

If you lack the Holy Spirit in your life, ask God to fill you with His Spirit in the name of Jesus. Read the Gospel of John chapter 14 verses 13-26. It will happen as you believe.

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Holy Spirit

Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God

Inge Schultz

Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

What does it mean to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God? The Holy Spirit of God is the third person of the Trinity. He is a person who points to Christ and is known as the Comforter [see John 14:26 and 15:26]. The Holy Spirit of God will guide us into all truth and will not glorify himself. He will glorify Christ [see John 16:14]. The Holy Spirit of God is not egotistical, for he will always testify of Christ. As a comforter He is a helper that has come alongside a person to help us in our Christian walk. We are sealed by the Spirit of God unto the day of redemption. This means that we have been delivered by a price that was paid by the blood of Christ. We are no longer a slave sold under sin but have been set free from the power of sin by the blood of Christ. We have been bought and purchased by the blood of Christ. 

The Holy Spirit is himself the seal, which is the finished transaction of ownership. A Christian is a believer of Christ birth, death, and resurrection for the remission of sins. A Christian belongs to God because of the death and resurrection of Christ. A Christian is delivered from being sold under sin through the fall of man. Therefore, a Christian should not be under Satan’s rule of sin, or falsehood. A Christian should be under the rule of God’s love and forgiveness. The apostle Paul is telling us in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 30 that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by speaking evil or having malice within our heart. In verse 31 of Ephesians chapter 4, Paul tells us to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, and evil speaking. We are to get rid of every form of malice and be kind and forgiving. As a Christian we are not to be deceived by vain words that have no value such as dirty jokes.

Acting contrary to the love of God grieves the Holy Spirit of God, who has sealed us unto the day of redemption; therefore, we should be careful how we act and ask God to take these desires from us and lay it down at the foot of the cross. Ask God to help you to walk in love as children of light and not darkness. We must recognize that no unclean person or covetous man will have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ [see Ephesians 5:5]. The apostle Paul is warning Christians about their behavior and walk as a child of God. That is why it is so important to having our mind renewed by the word of God which is the Bible. The Bible is the word of God that reveals what God’s will is. The Spirit of God helps us to understand God’s will and helps us to be formed into the image of Christ. Christ in us is the hope of glory every day.

We must remember that when we are contrary to the love of God in our action, there is a struggle of the flesh taking place against the Spirit and vice versa [see Galatians 5:17]. That is why Paul tells us in Galatians 5:24 that those “that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Crucifying the flesh means to lay it down at the feet of Jesus and ask him to change those desire. It is to surrender your will to the will of God and ask him to cleanse your desire to become the desire of Christ. This is when the Holy Spirit comes in as our helper and comforter to assure us that we are the child of God and that through grace we can come to the Father and ask for help. Like David in Psalms 139 we ask God to search our heart and mind to see if there is any wicked way in us so we can be led into the everlasting life and not death. Thank God that we are not alone and that we have a comforter that comes and helps us to walk the way of Christ and to live in the love of God.

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Fruit of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, Love, Sanctification

The Fruit of the Spirit

Inge Schultz

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

Ah! Juicy sweet fruit in a bowl, but how does that relate to the Spirit? Fruit in this passage of scripture is from the Greek word “Karpos,” which means fruit of the trees. I always find it interesting in deciphering a moral or spiritual lesson of what is written in the Bible. What about the word “Spirit”? The Greek word is “Pneuma,” and in Galatians here the word Spirit is capitalized, so it means it is talking about a personality and character. It is talking about the Holy Ghost the third person of the Trinity. The Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit working in us and not by our own self-effort. The Apostle Paul is talking about the character of the Holy Spirit, which should be a reminder to us that the true Spirit always points to Christ and has the character of Christ; therefore, love, joy, peace, along with self-control will be the character of a true Christian.

We are to be conformed to the image of the Son [see Romans 8:29], so we will have the Son’s character working through us to reveal good fruit ready to be picked from the tree. The Spirit helps us to become free from our sinful habits and to become more like Christ. This is part of the sanctification process of every Christian. The continual renewal by the Holy Ghost to be set a part for Christ. 1st Thessalonians 4:4 states, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. This is the will of God. We are set apart for the Lord and being changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ. Paul tells us where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We must not abuse that liberty we have in Christ and go against anyone and do them harm [see Galatians 5:13]. We are not to be consumed by doing evil to one another. What did Paul say in verse 14 of this same chapter, “for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

In order to bear the good fruit of the Spirit one must receive essential nutrients. Conditions of a fruitful life for a Christian are cleansing, abiding, and obedience.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4 KJV

We abide in Christ through faith. And it is through faith that we ask for help to have our heart cleansed on a daily basis. There is not a day that I do not ask God to forgive me for my behavior of complaining, getting angry, or acting selfish. Sometimes we ignore our behavior, but he wants us to take those things to the Lord in prayer. Abiding in the vine is also seeking God’s word. Reading about who He is and what is the will of God should be done on a daily basis. Jesus said, “if you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you,” [see John 15:7]. Jesus goes on to say that we are to continue in His Love. This is where obedience comes into the picture. Read and ask, read and ask and it shall be done. Read, ask for His love to rule your heart, and serve one another through that love He has given us. Abide in Christ and stay connected into the vine and you will fine that love, joy, and peace will come forth in your life.

Take time to read the following scripture: John 15:1-14, and Galatians 5:13-26, and see how they relate to each other. Cleansing, abiding, and obedience are what Jesus is speaking out in John chapter 15. See how the apostle Paul explains the difference between the flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit and that we are called to serve one another in love.

Listen to Abide in My Love by Inge Schultz from the album “Send The Light.”

This song is taken from the gospel of John 15.

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