Many have tried to explain the concept of the Trinity. I don’t know if I can. It is hard to comprehend. It is God in 3 persons. Each have a role, yet each is separate. The Father is Almighty God, above all. He is the creator and sustainer. Jesus Christ is the Son. He is our Lord, our redeemer. He paid for our sins so that we can be forgiven if we choose to believe. He will return to judge the earth. He was there during creation, and He will be there in the end. The Holy Spirit indwells those who believe. He guides and convicts. He gives us spiritual gifts. He prays for us on our behalf.
Continue reading “The Trinity: God in 3 Persons”Category: Holy Spirit
Be Sanctified
What does it mean to be sanctified? Sanctification is one of those big words mostly used in Christian circles. What exactly does it mean? Is it something we are given? Something we have to do? Do we obtain it when we receive salvation or is it a process? This is a discussion that I have heard recently with conflicting answers so I thought I would look into it. In the old testament, it is used to mean “to make holy or set apart.” It usually was something God decided to do for His people, an individual or His temple. It was something He declared. So what does it mean for believers?
I looked up the Greek term using e-sword (www.e-sword.net) to learn what the Greek terms are and what they mean. From what I gathered, there are a couple different words and different uses (I found a few in particular: hagaismos, hagios, and hagiazo). I am no scholar or anything near to that, but they seem to be derivatives of the same word. They basically mean “sanctification, consecration, purification.” To purify, make holy, set apart (for God’s glory or to do His work). It is the process of making or becoming holy. Clear as mud, right? Let’s look at the New Testament scriptures to see how the word is used. Continue reading “Be Sanctified”
What are the Spiritual Gifts?
God gives each of us gifts of the Holy Spirit. But, what are they? Paul lists several of them. I believe that this probably is not an exhaustive list, but let’s look at this list and what each of these gifts are. This is what I have gathered from teachings (and, yes, Google). Any comments would be appreciated.
Great Gifts
God has blessed me throughout my life; a good family, a wonderful wife, great friends, and so may experiences and blessings that give me joy in my heart. I am sure all of us have something to be grateful for in our lives. God also gives us special gifts through the Holy Spirit to help others and strengthen the church, giving glory to God. Using our gifts is a part of worship. You may not know what your spiritual gift is. My suggestion is to get involved in your church and serve. If one thing doesn’t work or doesn’t seem to fit, try another. God will lead you to the gifts He wants you to use when the time is right. I believe He may give us different gifts at different times to fulfill a need of a ministry He has for you. I have seen that in my life. When I was young, I tried helping with the youth group, then became a youth leader. That didn’t work out too well. Later on several other ministries came up and God gave me the gifts needed for my particular ministries. No matter what your gift is or if you know what it is, get involved with your church and serve. Let’s not be just a pew sitter but be active for God’s Kingdom. Continue reading “Great Gifts”
The Spirit is a Guarantee
In the previous post on God’s promises, we talked about the Holy Spirit promised by God to those who believe to help us, guide, pray for us, convict us. The Spirit lives in us to help us grow. God also reminds us that it is His great grace that gives us salvation. Nothing we can do will earn our way into heaven or gain God’s favor. He did it all. He gave us grace, the undeserved favor. Christ went to the cross to take away our sins. His work saves us. It is through faith we are saved. And He gives us the Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation. Continue reading “The Spirit is a Guarantee”
My Daily Scriptures 