Thankful for the Word of God

The Wonder of It’s Inspiration

The Bible is the most unique book ever written for it claims to have as it’s author God. It may have been written over a period of 1600 years, on three continents, and by 40 different men. Yet it had only one author – GOD.

The Wonder of It’s Formation
The Bible contains 66 books – 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT.

The 39 books of the O.T. are written primarily in Hebrew, with a little Aramaic, and the 27 books of the N.T. are written exclusively in Greek. Yet these diverse authors each in their own way present a unified portrait of God’s plans and purposes in our world.

The Wonder of It’s Preservation
-Its Hatred - It is the most hated of books.
-It’s Survival - The Bible has survived every attack against it
-It’s Prominence - It is the Monarch of books – The king among books. It rules over all.

What kind of a God would we have if He could give us a Book and then not preserve it.

The Wonder of It’s Design
-The Bible declares itself to be many things and to have many uses.

I have in my hand:
-A Two Edged Sword – Heb. 4:12
-A Hammer – Jer. 23:29 – It breaks the resistance of the heart
-A Mirror – James 1:23-25 – It reflects the true picture of man
-A Fire – Jer. 23:29 and 20:9 – The Word of God is pure and refining
-A Lamp – Ps. 119:105 – It is illuminating

The Wonder of It’s Power
-This book has the power to change lives.
-It has the power to pick drunkards up out of the gutter.
-It has the power to make saints out of infidels.
-It has the power to restore broken marriages
-It has the power to give hope to the murderer on death row.

The Wonder of It’s Message
-It gives Jesus Christ the preeminent place

The Wonder of It’s Promises
-The Promise of Salvation
-The Promise of Forgiveness of Sin
-The Promise of Eternal life
-The Promise of Heaven
-The Promise of Jesus Coming again
-The Promise of Hope – The Word of God is all about hope in a hopeless world.

~Bits and Pieces of the sermon by Howard McGlamery

Need a good study bible? I would like to suggest the bible which has been a help in my studies, the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible. When I went through the Cleansing Stream Ministries and The Cleansing the Church Ministry, it was the bible I sought help from in understanding the ways which how the Holy Spirit ministers to us. The New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, also makes a great Christmas gift for a loved one. I bought each one of my children one. I wanted them to study about the Holy Spirit and how to apply their faith, putting it into action for the Glory of the Lord.

If you are wanting to read the entirety of the Word, the "One Year Chronological Bible", is a great one to read. You will find it puts the scripture in the order the events actually happened. A friend introduced it to me and I use it as one of my daily devotional studies.

What to Pray: For the Holy Spirit with the Word of God

I Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV) For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

I Peter 1:12 (NKJV) To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us^[a] they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

So many Bibles are being circulated. So many Bibles are being read in homes and schools. How little blessing when it comes "in the word only"; what divine blessing and power when it come "in the Holy Ghost, when it is preached "with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven." Pray for Bible circulation, and preaching, teaching, and reading, that it may all be in the Holy Spirit, with much prayer. Pray for the power of the Spirit with the Word in your own neighborhood, wherever it is being read or heard. Let every mention of the "the Word of God" waken intercession. Andrew Murray

Other References for a study on the Word:
Helps to Intercession by Andrew Murray, a daily devotional read

The Mighty Power of the Word of God by by Pastor Jim Feeney, Ph.D.

Thankful for the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a part of the Holy Trinity with the Father and Son. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word (ruwach, pronounced roo'-akh) was used when talking about the Spirit. This word literally means WIND, even the wind associated with a BREATHE! In the New Testament the Greek word (pneuma, pronounced pnyoo'-mah) was used which means the BREATHE or a BREEZE! We can literally think of the Holy Spirit as the "Breathe of God!"

Most Christians today understand Jesus the Son, and God the Father as two very distinct Persons within the Godhead; however, there has been much confusion over the identity of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps some of this dates back to the King James translation of the Bible where the word "Spirit" or "Ghost" was used instead of "Breathe" or "Wind" of God. In any case, many people throughout the ages have thought of the Holy Spirit more as a thing than a Person. Nothing could be further from the truth, and in fact as we begin to know the Person of the Holy Spirit we will want to have a closer relationship with Him just as we would the Father or Son.

Although the word Trinity is not mentioned in the Bible, we know God is three in one. There are three very distinct Person’s that make up the Godhead. They are all equal in every way.

They (The Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are all:

Omnipotent – All powerful. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.

Omnipresent – At all places at once. Psalms 139:7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence?

Omniscient – All knowing. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Eternal - Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Equal - Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God.

The Holy Spirit was part of all things, from the very beginning of scripture to the very end of scripture

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (elohiym (pronounced el-o-heem') created the heaven and the earth.

• Elohiym is the plural form of God. Therefore, as scripture was inspired and man began to write the Word, it was evident to the writers that God was made of more than 1 Person but at the same time there was one Godhead.

There are many scriptural references that show the coexistence of the the entities within the Trinity

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

• Here we see the evidence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit all mentioned within one verse. We also see the same reference elsewhere in the Gospels.

Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:10-13 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Deuteronomy demonstrates the God Israel served was one Godhead made of a plurity of entities within that Godhead.

Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD (Y@hovah (pronounced yeh-ho-vaw') our God (elohiym) is one LORD (Y@hovah)

It is important to understand the Holy Spirit is truly God because of the fact that if we are born again He lives in us.

• What we allow ourselves to be part of we are inviting God to be part of..

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Four important principles to remember

1) The Holy Spirit is God, but He is a Person, not a force

2) We cannot focus on the Holy Spirit too much. Why? What is the Holy Spirit’s mission? To reveal Jesus. What is Jesus mission…to reveal the Father. What about the Father…to send Jesus and the Holy Spirit so we can come to Him. Perfect Harmony. They never had a crisis management meeting in Heaven. They never tried to sit down and work things out. They never had a power struggle amongst themselves.

3) The Holy Spirit gives gifts for use in ministry and empowers effective ministry

4) The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person within the Godhead, not a force, a thing, or an "it"

Qualities that a person has…(a force or thing does not)

1) The Holy Spirit has intellect. (1 Corinthians 2:10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

2) The Holy Spirit has knowledge. (1 Corinthians 2:11) even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

3) The Holy Spirit has emotions. (Ephesians 4:30) And grieve (lupeo (pronounced loo-peh'-o)); to make sad or sorrowful, heavy of heart) not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

4) The Holy Spirit has his own will and he makes decisions. (Acts 16:6) Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia (pronounced froog-ee'-ah) and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

5) The Holy Spirit Loves. (Romans 15:30) Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;

Things only a person would do (a force or thing does not)

1) He teaches you things about God and yourself. (John 14:26) But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2) He tells the truth. (John 15:26) But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

3) He guides. (John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

4) He convinces. (John 16:8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

5) He prays for you. (Romans 8:26-27) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

6) He commands. (Acts 13:2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

The Holy Spirit was on the scene long before the day of Pentecost

• He moved upon the face of the waters and was the active agent in creation. Jesus was the Word, the Holy Spirit moved.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God (elohiym el-o-heem') created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:27 So God (elohiym again) created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

• The Holy Spirit gave us the Word of God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

• The Holy Spirit regenerates our spirit when we accept Jesus Christ into our life. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In fact, the Holy Spirit has always worked hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ

• His Birth - Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
• The life and ministry of Jesus - Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness AND… Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
• His death and offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice- Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
• The resurrection of Jesus – Actually all 3 members of the Godhead had a part in the resurrection!
• Father - Ephesians 1:19-20 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
• Son (He had the power to take His own life up again) - John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
• Holy Ghost - Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
• In fact, the main purpose of the Holy Spirit is to tell us about Jesus and Glorify Him. John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

What All Happened on the Day of Pentecost?

• Jesus said it was imperative that He go or the Spirit would not be sent
• Jesus felt it important enough for them to wait until the Spirit came to empower them
• Jesus own mother needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness.

On the day of Pentecost, the believers who were assembled in the Upper Room experience a new Baptism, the one which John referred to. For an in depth study on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, click here to go to that section of study. ~Knowing the Person of the Holy Spirit

Power Beyond Belief: The Continuing Work of the Holy Spirit in the 21st Century
Dare to dream and brace yourself for miracles as Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Andy Cook writes about the power, promises, and practical truths of Acts . . . still relevant and available today.

Pray for the fuller manifestation of the grace and energy of the Blessed Spirit of God, in the removal of all that is contrary to God's revealed will, so that we will not grieve the Holy Spirit but that He may work in mightier power in the church, for the exaltation of Christ and the blessing of souls.

God has one promise to and through His exalted Son; our Lord has one gift to His church; the church has one need; all prayer unites in the one petition - the power of the Holy Spirit. Make it your prayer. ~Andrew Murray

I bow my knees unto the Father...that he would grant you...to be strengthened with might by his Spirit. (Ephesians 3:14-16)

Wait for the promise of the Father. (Acts 1:4)