Faith Tip- The Holy Spirit Lives Where? In you! 4/3/18
Read moreI know some of you are new followers of Christ and I want to share this awesome truth with you. Also for some of you seasoned veterans, this may be a good reminder.
The Bible teaches us the Holy Spirit of God actually lives in us when we become Christians.
Come again?The Bible teaches us the Holy Spirit of God actually lives in us when we become Christians.
If we really believe this it will radically change our lives.
This is incredible news!The Bible spells out to us that the Holy Spirit:
Guides us to His Father and to the Son our Lord Jesus,
Teaches us with great wisdom,
Comforts us during our pain and suffering,
Correct us when we are going astray,
And He gives us a deep peace that can only come from Him.And this is just the start.
The God who created the universe who we love and worship wants to know us so intimately that He has taken up residence in us.
Think about it. What if we have someone who is perfect who is always right with us? Who is always willing to direct us into truth and right living and at the same time, giving us purpose and reason?
Too good to be true? Nope. The Holy Spirit of the One True God who we worship and love and commit our lives to lives in us.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV)Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
Keep in Mind 3 Things
1) Because the Spirit of God actually lives in us, our sin can hurt or grieve the Holy Spirit. So it is very important that we take care of sin immediately when we fall. We need to confess our sin and God is always faithful with His forgiveness.And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:19 (NIV)2) The Holy Spirit does not force us to do anything. We have a choice every day whether or not to allow God’s Spirit to guide and direct us or to do our own thing.
3) People have shared with me, “Well I can’t feel Him so He must not be in me.” But always remember the Holy Spirit is not a feeling. He is God and He is the Truth. He is not a feeling.
If you are a Christian. He is right with you living in you.
It doesn’t matter how long or short you have been a Christian. Will you take a minute now and thank Him for living in you. He is right with you.
Marriage Tip- Planting Seeds of Divorce 3/20/18
Read moreNever plant Seeds of Divorce in your marriage.
Seeds of Divorce are those lines that are said when one is hurt or angry with their spouse.
“Well, I think you just married the wrong person!”
“I don’t think this is going to work out!”
“I can’t see any way this can last!”
My wife Carol and I made a bond with each other when we were engaged that we would never plant Seeds of Divorce.
We’ve never broken that no matter how hurt or upset we have gotten.
Also, Carol and I joke about everything.
I mean everything.
We never joke about divorce.
Consider apologizing and making a change to stop planting Seeds of Divorce.
Put a stake in the ground today. Make a bond. From this day forward…
Faith Tip- Listen To His Voice 3/13/18
Read moreIf you have a voice in your head telling you that you are worthless, that voice is not God speaking.
Listen to God’s voice:
You are my treasure.
You are my child.
You are so very precious to me.
I am holding you in my arms.
Nothing and I mean nothing can separate you from my love.
I love you so much I gave everything for you so I could make you mine.
I love you.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
Family and Parenting Tip- Teach Your Kids How To Pray 3/6/18
Read moreTeach your children while they are young how to pray. Remembering that prayer is simply talking to God.
To help them get started, let them take turns at bedtime or at meals.
Remember, God is not impressed with fancy words. God is not impressed by long prayers. God wants to hear from our hearts.
Teach them to not just pray for themselves but to pray for others, and help them to be thankful.
Then get into the practice of praying throughout the day, for any and every reason.
If your child is uncomfortable praying out loud, give them space and just continue to invite them from time to time.
If your child is not ready to pray out loud, make sure they know that praying out loud is only one of many ways to pray. Teach them that prayer starts with what their thinking. They can think there prayers.
Never put your child on the spot and ask them to pray in front of company, unless you are absolutely sure they will be okay with that.
I learned my lesson the hard way with this one. We were having dinner with some great Christian friends and I put one of their kids on the spot to pray in front of everyone before the meal. He was visibly uncomfortable. I felt terrible. Awesome kid, he was just not ready to pray out loud in front of friends.
Our children can learn to pray as we lead the way and pray out loud in front of them. Don’t push them, encourage them.
Pray together as a family.
