My Thoughts - My Journey

Gifts of the Holy Spirit.....The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts to build and sanctify the church, demonstrate the validity of the resurrection, and confirm the power of the Gospel. The Bible lists of these gifts are not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations. All believers are commanded to earnestly desire the manifestation of the gifts in their lives. These gifts always operate in harmony with the Scriptures and should never be used in violation of Biblical parameters.  (Hebrews 2:4; Romans 1:11, 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:16; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-40; 1 Peter 4:10).

Solomon was crushed by the realization that on his own, he could not fashion a happiness or satisfaction that would endure beyond the momentary. In Ecclesiastes 3, he turned his expression of frustration on God who made him, concluding, “He has put eternity into man’s heart” (3:11). In this passage eternity refers to our deep and abiding awareness of something outside the boundaries of our senses. We are unique because we hunger for something the experiences of this planet ca nnot satisfy....a quest for eternity. The implications of Solomon’s statement are staggering....people are looking for the eternity God created for us to long for, but no one can find it on their own. What Solomon tried in vain to fill is woven into the fabric of human existence.  God designed us so we can’t find fulfillment or lasting enjoyment apart from this eternity. The more we try to satisfy our deepest longing by good and bad horizontal means, the more likely we are to miss God’s vertical invitation to e

This is so awesome! Imagine the Holy Spirit speaking to God on our behalf. For those that believe that the Holy Spirit gave us the Bible and then went back to heaven......wonder how they handle these verses.  smile emoticon  For me, it is very comforting. "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[l] in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:26-28

Notice the text below....Jesus "stands at the door." He does not just open the door and walk in....He isn't going to knock the door down and force His way in. He knocks.... The next move is up to you and me. We must open the door and ask Him in. If you have not opened the door and accepted Jesus into your heart and life....He is standing, knocking...waiting patiently on YOU. † “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:20-22

Know that you are never alone. In the midst of sorrow, trials, heartbreak....He is right beside you. He will heal you, restore the broken, and He will fight the battles in your life....right along with you. Doesn't mean that all will be perfect in this life, but through Him, we will always win.....eternally. He is our Deliverer! Amen! † "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety." ~ Psalm 18:2

Have you called on the name of the Lord in trusting faith? It is your beginning journey toward an eternal home. No one verse is all encompassing; however, we find eternal hope in these two verses. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:13 "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.: Acts 2:21

"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." ~ Luke 14:13 Do we "REALLY" take this scripture to heart and live accordingly? During this time of thanksgiving and celebrating, let's step outside our comfort zone and reach out to those who are in need. Great are His rewards! †

Jesus talking....."“He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone...." ~ John 8:7 Who is qualified to throw stones at another? Not one of us. As humans, we might consider our sins as having different degrees; thereby, allowing us to cast stones at another IF their sin is worse than ours. Sin is sin; however, the consequences or results of various sins are different. One might lie, one might cheat, one might murder, another might commit adultery....varying results; however....sin none the less. Jesus said let the sinless....those with NO sin cast the stone. We must be careful and lay our stones down. Amen! †