The Roles of the Holy Spirit

I did some studying on the Holy Spirit this morning, and I thought I'd share some of what I found.

This is a small sample of what the Word has regarding the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost. One thing I noticed is ,when studying the Spirit, you have to make sure and differentiate between the spirit and the Spirit. The word "spirit" has many definitions. I think only the capitalized one is used in reference to the proper noun of the Holy Spirit. See the Strongs definitions for clarifications.

First off, I was encouraged by the word to beginning praying for the Spirit to fill me each and everyday.

Lu 11:13 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?I was also reminded, in Romans 5, that when people see the love of God in us, that it's important that we remember that it's not us, but it's the Spirit which shineth through us. We deserve no credit for our goodness, it is only by the righteousness of Christ that we do any good thing. Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

In John 16:13, we see the Spirit of Truth as our teacher:

“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.”In John 14:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, and teacher:“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.”*note here that the "bring all things to your remembrance" is in reference to the Word of God, not necessarily work material, or school stuff...not that the Spirit couldn't do those things too, but just realize that that's not what Christ is saying in this particular passage.

In Romans 8:26, we learn that the Holy Spirit is there for us in times of weakness and prayer as our intercessor:

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”The Spirit also has a role in our sanctification and justification.1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.The Spirit is our teacher/guide (guides by teaching from His Word), comforter, and intercessor. He also works in our sanctification and justification.

In closing, I found this verse really encouraging and great summary of why Christ came. So often I forget - lose sight of - the simplicity of Christ's purpose. I get caught up in the daily grind, and in my own problems which can seem so large. I need to remember that I'm the carrier of the best news the world has ever recieved!Lu 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,

Be encouraged New Believer. It will take time as you die to self and allow the Spirit to fill you completely, but God has some amazing promises for you in His Word. You've accepted Christ and have been set at Liberty!! Praise Him!

In Christ,
Luke

Engaging Culture

I've copied this from the STR blog.

Engaging Culture
A new Pew poll about religion and Christianity in the U.S. has soon good news and some bad news no matter who you are. Here are my thoughts on some of the responses in the poll.

I'm very glad to see that Americans can perceive the effort of to remove Christianity from the public square, and that it's not a matter of Christians inappropriately intruding in the public realm. All religions have a right to participate in the public square and it's contrary to a pluralistic society to try to vacate some or all religions from the public discussion.

Christians aren't trying to "impose" their views - they are vocally participating in the public square and the democratic process, like every other citizen and group with a stake in this country. It's really impossible to impose a view view the democratic process. After all, all candidates and propositions are up for vote for everyone to weigh in on. Some silly fears about imposing an American theocracy have appeared in print recently, but that is not at all what Christians are doing. They are doing what every American can and should do in the democratic process.

On most of the contentious and controversial social issues, Christians are on the defense not the offense. Christians are defending the status quo or the historically status quo from radical social change, very often being applied through the courts rather than the vote. Abortion, same-sex marriage, much going on in education are examples where proponents are aggressively advancing their views. Christians have not introduced "attacks" on homosexuals. They are responding to and defending the what has been the accepted norm in America.

Anytime a question involves "taking the Bible literally" it's unhelpful because different people read "literally" differently. This is often a way of phrasing it to make Christians look like back-woods ignoramuses against the modern world. We take the Bible as literally as the text indicates. The Bible has different kinds of literature - history, poetry, analogy, etc. - and it has to be interpreted as the author intended. The author and intent is the key to literalism.

Christians aren't imposing the will of God or the Bible on society. Those influence our values and views that we then exercise through our right to vote and engage in society. Every other citizen has background sources that influence their values and views that they also then use to inform how they vote.

Christians do need to exercise wisdom and charity because Christianity is not a political position, though it should influence our worldview and values that work out in our politics. But it's hardly a straight line all of the time. Thus different Christians have different political views. No one is trying to establish a church-state. We always have to be aware that these are two separate spheres, but they do interact in the real world.

God's Mercy

And once again I look upon the cross where you died.
I'm humbled by your mercy, and I'm broken inside.
Once again I thank you.
Once again I pour out my life.

I pour out my life.

Lamentations 2:19
...in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord:...

How Long O Lord?

I'm not perfect, and I don't have it all together.

Psalm 6:1-9

The Law

I just read Mark's post over at theothermarkmiller.blogspot.com. It's a great analogy, and I strongly recommend you take the time to jump over there and read it.

Good stuff.

Somedays

Somedays I just don't know. Ya know?

1Co 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

That's Paul talking to the Corinthians.

How much else do I think I know?

Sometimes our wretchedness is very apparent.

What do you know?

Washed

...But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.

Next time someone asks you how you are doing tell them, "I'm washed,I'm sanctified, and I'm justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God." See what kind of reactions you receive. :) Can you picture it?

So often life's circumstances conspire to drag us down. Satan's trying to pull us back to that post we were once chained too. We forget the promise of this verse.

Hold fast to the promises.

Labor Day Weekend

Well, it's Saturday morning at 7:15am and I'm waiting on my parents to pick me up. We're heading to Taylor this weekend with the entire family. My parents, their kids, their grandkids, and their one great-grandkid are all going to spend the long weekend at the lake I grew up on. The weathers supposed to be very mild, so I doubt we'll too much swimming, but I hoping to get some good fishing time in. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend (or had depending on when you're reading this I suppose).