Category: The Power of the Holy Spirit

Posted in The Gospel, The Power of the Holy Spirit

When Can I Boast?

Posted on by Streim

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

And He said to me (Apostle Paul),
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” **

 

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Paul told the believers in Romans 8:6-11

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.  But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (esv)

I thank my Father in heaven for His amazing promises!  The promised Messiah, Jesus Christ who was/is the only One able to bear “sin” for the world, to redeem us from the penalty of an eternity without God and thus reconcile us to the Father through Him.  Only one requirement ” You personally accept the atoning blood of the Lamb of God as yours, by faith in Him (Jesus Christ) and repent of your sins before a Holy God.

Then and only then do we have a new life in Christ with all the promises of hope, joy, peace, eternal life with God and our Father’s sanctification.  Read and study God’s Word–pray always–share the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ–love others. 

** When I am weak –then I am strong!  Only because of the gift of God .May all of you be blessed … ♥Streim

Posted in Living in Today's World, The Grace of God, The Joy of His Love, The Power of the Holy Spirit

Whom the Father Loves… Part2

Posted on by Streim

Whenever the Lord impresses me to write about something,  it’s because I am going through it myself.  I know you all will agree when I say that the temptation to sin enters our lives everyday.  Often it’s very subtle and appears harmless, or maybe it even seems right— but it leads to sin against the Father and our Lord Jesus.  That’s how the enemy of our souls plays his game.  He started that game in the Garden with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7) and still uses it today.

I knew something wasn’t right between the Father and myself.  I read and studied the Word on a frequent basis, spent quiet time with Him in prayer and surrendered myself to the Lord Jesus to be conformed to His image.  BUT—- there was an awkward, disturbing  sense that something was amiss within my heart.  I prayed often and asked the Lord to show me what was wrong… but as so often is the case, He waits until it is His time and not ours.  (PRAISE HIM!!)  In recent months I’ve heard many sad statements made by some Christian authors and writers.  I’ve watched  popular Christian leaders speak words that I knew were unbiblical.  I read in various types of national news sources how our country’s largest Christian denominations are accepting sinful practices into their churches; saying the church must change with the times.  I know we live in times of extreme attacks by the ” unseen darkness in heavenly places” ( Ephesians 6:12).  I made sure I had my armor on, and walked daily with a “sharpened Sword–the Word”.   I thought the words I spoke were truthful when I’d share with you readers and others what I saw as our battleground.  But… I was horribly wrong!  One of those “fiery darts” (notice they’re not flaming arrows) got past my “shield of faith” and I didn’t even know it.  I wasn’t exactly sure what “my sin” against Him was until last Monday.  Now I must say, it definitely wasn’t something I expected.  I couldn’t see it because:  I had a 4×4 in lodged in my eye.    In the letter Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he was clear in his closing remarks to them.

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,  against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints–

I wasn’t praying for ALL THE SAINTS with prayers and pleadings (supplications) as instructed… I was pointing fingers, as though I had it all right and others didn’t!  Our Glorious Loving God didn’t knock me around; or give me an incurable disease; or take away His Spirit from me.  Instead, as I sat outside Monday morning I asked Him again.  “What is wrong dear Father… I love you so, please for your glory an honor, in Jesus name please show me.”  He did!  I waked into my apartment just in time to hear one of my morning radio programs make their closing remarks.  It was Ephesians 6:18; immediately I received a devotional on my phone with basically the same content.  I could finally see—  I wept as though as I realized my pride was the target of that “dart” and it was effective… until I repented at that moment!  What joy there is when we know that the Creator God, the Great “I AM”, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ love us so much, that we are gently  chastened and corrected.  Thank you Father for loving us so much you chasten us!

My prayer is that this experience of mine may help someone…  Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus  Christ… I extend my blessings to all of you! ♥ Streim

Posted in Living in Today's World, Security in Jesus, The Power of the Holy Spirit, Trusting God

W-O-R-D-S

Posted on by Streim

Ecclesiastes 11: 12  ” The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;”

Proverbs 16:24 ” Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

Psalm 36: 1-3 ” To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.  For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.”

Psalm 94:12-22: ” Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, And teach out of Your law, That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.  For the Lord will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.  But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it.  Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?  unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.  If I say, ‘ My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.  Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?  They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge”

Yes, the tongue is unruly… very much able to tear down a person’s integrity; however… when we ask our Heavenly Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to help us bridle the tongue… He does so by the power of the Holy Spirit.  A lifelong lesson for many, one I am constantly reminded of and chastened for;  as I am learning to talk less and listen more— Praise be to my Father and Lord Jesus!

I pray this video and the song will be a blessing to all.  ♥ Streim