Spiritual Growth is More of Holy Spirit and Less of the Flesh.

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16

Walk by the Holy Spirit means lean on Him every day, every hour and every moment of your life. It is like a rod a person would use to walk. He leans on the rod and takes each step forward. This is how a believer must live every day. The Holy Spirit of God is a person. The triune God -God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit. One God in three persons. God is One God and three distinct persons in one substance, essence or nature.

When you call upon the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ for salvation, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, God grants His Holy Spirit to indwell in you. Therefore, a believer in Jesus has two mechanisms- old flesh and the new Holy Spirit. Our insight admonishes us to walk by the Holy Spirit. The reason for this admonition is flesh desires what is contrary to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposite to each other. The more you obey the Holy Spirit and less the flesh, the spiritual growth happens.
You and I get can walk by the Holy Spirit or walk according to the fleshly desires. You need more of the Holy Spirit in you and less of the flesh to stop living for the flesh. Jesus said and it is recorded in Luke 11:11-13, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Beloved Jesus says if your son asks for a fish, will you give him a snake instead? If he asks for an egg, will you give a scorpion? The same way if you ask the Father in heaven to give you the Holy Spirit, how much more he would give you? This means you can ask for more of God’s Holy Spirit and He will be given to you. It is a good prayer asking for more Holy Spirit. As we discussed yesterday, the Holy Spirit counsels, helps, teaches, reminds and guides you. Therefore you need more of the Holy Spirit.

The spiritual growth means more filling of the Holy Spirit and less of the flesh.

The acts of the flesh include sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idol worship, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfishness, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and sins like these. (Galatians 5:19-21).

In contrast, God’s Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control inside you. Marvelous fruit humanly unachievable.

You should look like more of the second set above and less of the first set above these days. Do you know why? The reason is the days now are evil. Bible says in Ephesians 5:17-20 do not be foolish in these evil days we live in. Instead, understand the will of the Lord. It is the will of God that you do not drunk with wine, because it eventually would lead you to indecent actions and ruin. Then it says it is the will of God that you be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a command – be filled with the Holy Spirit. It says there when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will have a conversation about the Bible and its verses, sing hymns, and spiritual songs. Your heart would be filled with gratitude toward God. The filling of the Holy Spirit produces a God-honoring lifestyle and character. These are in essence the result of the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 3:16-17 says you would produce the same results – speaking of God’s word to one another, sing hymns and songs, and thankful to God when the Word of God richly dwell in you. Remember yesterday’s insight- do you see the connection here between the Word of God (Bible) and the Holy Spirit. When the word of God richly dwells in you, and you lean on the Holy Spirit every day, He helps you by counseling, teaching, reminding and guiding you by the God-breathed word of God, which is the Bible. You would bear more of spiritual fruit and less of fleshly action – more of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You obtain this when you allow the Holy Spirit fills you by asking God in prayer and studying accurately the Word of God-the Bible.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe your Son, Jesus Christ, died and rose again for my sins. I accept Him as my savior and Lord. Lord, I pray to grant and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to lean on the Holy Spirit, not on my flesh in my life. I know the desires of my flesh and the Holy Spirit are contrary to each other. I surrender and submit my life to you and pray to help me to lean on the Holy Spirit every day. Help me to study your Word- the Bible. Help me to grow in you every day of my life. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.”

You Need Both the Word of God and The Holy Spirit!

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you”. John 14:26.

You need both the knowledge of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to live a healthy and fruitful spiritual life. In some circles, they give all the importance to the Word of God (the Bible) and less importance to the role of the Holy Spirit. In other circles, they give all the priority to the Holy Spirit and less priority to know the Word of God.

Beloved, you need both. Bible says the Holy Spirit is the helper, teacher, reminder, and guide. He comes to your special situation to help you. He teaches you what you should know. He reminds you of things about God and Christ. He guides you into all the truth. (John 16:13).

However, the truth is this – The Holy Spirit of God helps, teaches, reminds, and guides with the eternal Word of God. Therefore, the awareness and a pretty good understanding of the Bible, the Word of God, is cardinal for Him to help, teach, remind and guide you into all the truth. Jesus said in his conversation with the heavenly Father and it is recorded in John 17:17. He said, “sanctify them by the truth, Your Word is truth.” The Holy Spirit of God guides you to all the truth the Word of God declares in the pages of the Bible.

Bible says it is by the preaching of the Word of God and work of the third person of the triune God- the Holy Spirit- a person understand about Sin, righteousness, and judgment. (Romans 10:14-16 and John 16:7-11). It is the same after you believed and accepted Christ Jesus as your savior.

I would recommend you to start reading the Bible from the beginning to the end and let the Holy Spirit of God draw you closer to the loving God. If you are not a believer as of yet, I would recommend you to start reading the Gospel of John in the New Testament section of the Bible. The reason is this the Gospel of John is simple and easy to read and understand. It will provide some immediate answers to your questions regarding, salvation, forgiveness, and everlasting life.

Either way, beloved, you need to read the Bible as many times as you can, so that the Holy Spirit is able to help, teach, remind, guide you in the most efficient way. The Holy Spirit and His work are not mystical as some people may wrongly imagine. The Holy Spirit of God uses the truths in the Bible to help you. If you think or feel like doing something that is not in the Bible, then you know right away, the source is not the Holy Spirit. Such things come only from human feelings, thoughts, or from evil one. Therefore, it is vital to know the truth of the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit of God to guide you into all the truths.

Your feeling or thought process must be according to the written, eternal Word of God. Then you know for sure the Holy Spirit is helping, reminding, teaching, and guiding you. The Holy Spirit still uses the Bible verses I memorized at an early age when I am faced with issues and up to make decisions. For example: as a believer in Christ, if you feel you want to marry an unbeliever who made no serious commitment to the Lord, the source is your feeling, not the Holy Spirit. Check with what the Bible says. It says, “do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14. This is just one small example. May your thought and decision process be guided by the written Word of God and the illumination of the Word by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Bible and the Holy Spirit always walk in total unity. Holy Spirit never contradicts the written Word of God in the Bible.

Beloved, if you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, you do not have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God is given to those who come and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. The first thing is you come to Him and believe God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save forgive, and grant you eternal life. There starts the beginning of a highly rewarding love journey with the creator of the whole world. He grants His Holy Spirit inside you to help, teach, remind and guide you throughout your life.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you for letting me know the importance of the Word of God (the Bible) and the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to read and understand the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to help, teach, remind and guide me into all the truth. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for my sins. I accept him as my savior and Lord. Please save me and grant me your Holy Spirit as you promised. I repent of my sins and turn to you now. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Conceal Or Confess? Two Choices In Life.

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

We can do two things about our sins. We can conceal it and do not prosper in life or we can confess to God and find His mercy and forgiveness. Which path you would choose dictates your well-being and future blessings. It is simple and straightforward. No complications.

David the king of Israel initially tried to hide his sins of adultery and murder. He wrote “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away, through my groaning all day long. Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat.” Psalms 32:3-4.

After some time he said this, I am going to confess my sins to Lord. He decided not to conceal his wrongdoings. When he confessed, the Lord forgave all his sins. (verse 5). The Lord gave the kingdom to him and used him for His glory. The Psalms he penned became part of the Scripture and they help millions of people to find grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God.

Alternatively, Saul, the first king was too proud to confess his sins and shortcomings to the Lord. He never felt sorry about his sins. He ended up in bitterness, jealousy, hatred and was finally faced with the total destruction of his family. He and his children were killed pathetically.

What is confession means? Confession means you agree with God your sins and decide to turn from them. I am not asking you to confess to human priests. Your confession must be to God in prayer in the name of Jesus.

Some people say they never sinned. They do not have a clue about what they are talking about. Such statements are of total ignorance. Bible says in 1st John 1:8-10 if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, there is no truth in us. If we claim we have not sinned, the Bible says we make God a liar because of speaking against his word. However, if we agree with our sins to God, He will forgive and purify all our wrongdoing. He is faithful and committed to doing it. (1 John 1:8-10).

Do you claim you have not sinned? Remember you make God a liar because He said there is not even one who does not sin. All are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.

I invite you to go to God in the name of His Son and our savior Jesus Christ, and agree with him and turn from those sins that entangle you. Jesus died for your sins and paid for it by his divine and sinless blood. The way of the blood of Christ is the only way for forgiveness, salvation, and God’s blessings.

Remember “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. God knows all about it anyway. Then what is the point in concealing? Nothing is hidden from his eyes. The right thing and the way of blessing are to go to him and agree in prayer. It does not matter how many times you ask for forgiveness. God’s ear always opens hearing your confessions and agreement with Him. The Lord never despises a broken and contrite heart when it comes to sins and shortcomings. (Psalms 51:17).

“Father in heaven, I agree with you regarding my sins and shortcomings. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, who died and rose again for my sins. I pray to forgive me. I am sorry and turn to you for help. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.

Thomas Fuller said, “The first breath is the beginning of death.” Death never takes a wise man by surprise; he is always ready to go.” Jean de la Fontaine.

Bible confirms the resurrection of the dead. Bible gives us the reason for death and the solution to death. Death entered into this world through one man- Adam- because of the original sin. As Adam’s posterity, we all are tainted by selfishness and sinful propensities. There is not even one who does not sin. Bible says all are sinners and fall short of the glory and expectation of a holy God. Death, the consequence of sin, “will be swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54) when we get the resurrected glorified and heavenly bodies. The solution to all our sins is on the cross of Calvary where Jesus died for our sins. He died, buried, and rose again for all of our sins. The solution of sin and death is the resurrected and glorified bodies in heaven for those who come to God in the name of Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world.

Our daily insight today informs the distinction between our natural physical body and the spiritual body. It says our physical body is perishable. Perishable means over time it deteriorates decays and finally decomposes. Our body ages, weaken as we get older and older. Finally one day it stops functioning. But do you know the heavenly body a believer in Christ going to receive is unperishable and incorruptible? The heavenly body never deteriorates, decays, or decomposes and it never gets old, tired, or weakens.

Second, it says this body is sown in dishonor. Whatever the achievements a person makes on this earth and however strong, wealthier, or famous a person is, all of us are going to be buried in the dirt. Whenever that casket goes down to the grave 6 feet below and is buried there, it proves this body is sown in dishonor. There is nothing more dishonorable than the thought that the whole body becomes a scoop of dirt or ashes. But God said when our first parents rebelled and sinned against Him-“dust you are and to dust you will return”. The truth of this verdict is what we see all around us. However, the Bible says the resurrected body will be raised in glory. Did you notice the resurrected body will be raised not just in honor but in glory?

Thirdly it says this body is sown in weakness. When we think about it, all of us would admit how weak this body is. Our bodies are susceptible to sickness, illness, severe damages, disabilities. In addition, we have so many limitations and helplessness in this body. My cousin and sister who went to be with the Lord last year was intelligent, communicative, and strong at a young age, but by incurable ALS disease, she became so weak, that she could not move or eat food by herself. How fragile our bodies are? Indeed our bodies are weak. However, the resurrected body is going to be raised in power. Jesus said, “at the resurrection, people will be like the angels in heaven.” Matthew 22:30. Do you know how strong the angels are? 2 Kings 19:35 says, “that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 people.” Our bodies will be supernaturally and unimaginably strong. We will never be weak or get tired.

Fourthly, it says this body is sown a natural body, but it is raised a spiritual body. Our resurrected bodies are different from the earthly body. The spiritual body is a body with all its excellent and supernatural qualities. The physical bodies are made to live on this earth. But the spiritual bodies are made to live in heaven. It will never perish or get corrupt. It will be glorious, it will have high power and strength, and it is made to live in heaven in the presence of God and the myriads of angels.

Dearly beloved, are you sure you will get this great resurrected body Bible promises upon your departure from this earth? If you are not sure about it, can I give you the good news? The Bible promises eternal life in heaven with glorious resurrected bodies if you come to Jesus Christ?
Why? Our sin is what separates us from God and heaven. Once the sin issue is solved, then you will be free to go and live with God in heaven. Jesus Christ came to the earth, lived here, and died for your sins. He was buried and rose again. He paid for your sins and solved the sin issue once for all and opened the door to heaven in and through Him. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish…” John 10:28.

By accepting Jesus as the savior, you will get salvation, resurrected bodies, and eternal life. Your salvation and eternal life are not based on karma or works. It is not based on anything you do. It is 100 percent based on what God has done for you. God has done it, and you can have it by coming to Jesus Christ now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to make sure I will come to heaven and live with you at the time of my death. I believe Jesus Christ paid for all my sins to get glorious resurrected bodies. I accept Christ as my savior. I repent of my sins and call the name of Jesus Christ now. Please save me and grant me eternal life. Amen.”

Be A Comforter to Somone With God-Taught Lessons of Your Life!

“He gives us comfort in all our troubles. Then we can comfort other people who have the same troubles. We give the same kind of comfort God gives us.” 2nd Corinthians 1:4. NLV.

Your past experiences and the wisdom you acquired through them are divinely designed to help and comfort people around you. In other words, God wants you to share your past experiences with someone else ready to hear from you. God wants you to build up, motivate and inspire someone else with your knowledge and experience. When you come out of your struggles Listen! God already prepared someone else to hear your experiences.

When you share your experiences, good or bad, with others, do you know you are in essence giving them hope, encouragement, and new direction? God wants you to be a mentor in someone else’s life with your unique story.

There was a man who lived in Syria about 3000 years ago. He was a Syrian army’s commander in chief. He was a great man and highly regarded. However, he had an incurable bad disease called leprosy. His wife had a servant girl who was captured from Israel. She became a servant to Naaman’s wife. One day, the girl gave comforting hope to Naaman’s wife and said “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” Naaman’s hope kindled and he talked to his king. His king said I would give a letter to the king of Israel. Because of the words of this little girl, the commander in chief of the army of the king of Aram got healed by obeying what Elisha commanded. Elisha said go and wash seven times in the Jordan. Naaman got angry because he thought the prophet would wave his hand on him and the spot and cure him. He was upset. However, due to one of his servant’s counsel, Naaman obeyed what Elisha commanded and got healed instantly. His flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Amazed by his wonderful healing, Naaman confessed with his mouth, “Now I know there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” Naaman believed in the one and true God of Israel because of the words of a little girl. In other words, God used the little girl’s words to give hope, comfort, and healing to a gentile commander in chief in Syria.

Your knowledge, experiences, and words are vitally important for God to accomplish his eternal purposes in other people’s lives.

God gave you special knowledge about him, doesn’t he? He gave you comfort amid your problems and pains, doesn’t he? Why did he do all these things? Why did he invest in your life with much valuable knowledge and experiences? Our insight says so that you can pass on your knowledge, experiences, and comfort to those who have the same troubles. God wants you to be helpers and comforters by sharing your knowledge and experience.

In your school, workplace, circle of friends, neighborhood, community, nation, and the world, someone is waiting to hear your story and experience. Step up to the divine call in this regard. God will equip you with energy, wisdom, and strength if you would say to him you are ready to be used by Him.

“Father in heaven, you led me through different experiences -good and bad – in the past years of my life. And you taught me many lessons. Help me to share those God-taught lessons with other people. Lord, I am available, and use me for your glory. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I trust in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness, salvation, and everlasting life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

The More Earth-Centered, The More Stressful Life Becomes.

The More Christ-Centered, Life Becomes Peaceful and Joyful.

“You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth.”  (Colossians 3:1-2).

Infants and little kids do not have stress over life. As we get mature and older, stress becomes part of our life. In early ages and life, we do not think much about earthly things. Small kids trust in parents and know mom and dad would provide for all their needs.

When we become older our attention centers around earthly things – the things of now and tomorrow. The more earth-centered, the more stressed our lives become. We want to be like other seemingly fortunate and wealthy people. We begin to run after this earth and what it can offer. In prophet Jeremiah’s words, we somehow forsake the spring of living water and start digging our own cisterns- broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Jeremiah 2:13).

The Bible says in our daily insight, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Jesus taught the same principle and it is recorded in Matthew 6:32 the earthly things- things of now and worries about tomorrow- are the passions of the pagans. He said, “For the pagans eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

In essence, let the heaven where God and Jesus dwell fill your daily thoughts. Forsake worrying times about things down here on this planet earth. Ultimately, you do not belong to the earth. You belong to God, Jesus Christ, and heaven. Bible says you are the citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, you do the first things first. What is the first thing? Seek God and His revealed plans for your life. “Set your heart on the rich treasures and joys of heaven where Jesus sits beside God in the place of honor and power.” TLB. You place your mind and thought about what Jesus taught about His kingdom and righteousness. All the earthly things you need here now would be given to you by His sovereign hand. God promised it. He is 100 percent faithful in delivering the promises.

I always say this to my children. After you wake up in the morning wash your face and clean your mouth and teeth, take the Bible, read, and meditate from it for some time. Then kneel and give thanks to God for the day He gave to you. Worship and honor Him first thing in the morning. Then pray to take care of your needs –school, studies, and other duties. Pray to protect you from temptations and deliver you from the evil one. Pray to reveal his best plan for your life. Say you want to obey Him. When you do it, you honor God and seek His kingdom and righteousness.

Beloved, you can set your minds on things above not just in the morning but all through the day as well. When you drive think of Jesus as seated at the right hand of God. Think about his promises and in it. When you walk on the streets or roads talk to him in prayer. At your work, sing in your heart to the Lord, if possible. You can sing in your heart and praise him even in silence. When you come back home, thank and praise him for the quiet and beautiful evening. Thank God for helping you all day. Sing Christ-honoring hymns and songs with your spouse and children, read the Bible, talk about it, thank and pray and go to bed.

Our insight today asks us to develop a God and Christ-centered daily life. At the outset of this new year, why don’t you develop a God and Christ-centered daily routine? That is an admirable goal for your life.

The More Earth-Centered, The More Stressful Life Becomes; The More Christ-Centered, The More Peaceful and Joyful Life Becomes.

Then see how God is going to meet all your needs and desires according to His richness in glory in Jesus Christ. Jesus promised if you do so, you would end up stopping worrying about tomorrow. “God will take care of your tomorrow. Just live one day at a time.” (Matthew 6:34) TLB.

Beloved, for a God-centered life, first of all, you need His Son and our savior, Jesus Christ. May today be a day that you come to God in prayer and claim the forgiveness and new life available in Christ Jesus.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, help me set my heart on things above where my savior Jesus Christ sit on your right side. I believe Jesus Christ died and rose again for my sins. I accept Jesus as my savior. Please forgive me and grant me the new life available in Jesus Christ. May I think about you and meditate on your promises all through the day. Help me to develop a God and Christ-centered daily lifestyle this year. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. “

Two different responses to life’s challenges.

“And all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert, saying, “We should have died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt when we sat by the pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. For you have brought us out into this desert to kill all of us with hunger.” Exodus 16:2-3. NLV.

You can be in the center of the will of God and still lack the basic necessities of life. You can be in the center of God’s will and still have sickness and family issues. You heard it right. You are wanting and lacking, you are being faced with sickness and issues, which does not mean you are not a God’s child. The teaching that if you are a child of God, you would not face necessities, health, relationship issues is not Biblical.

You and I are still living in this sin-bound world with all its tests and temptations and we share our lives with people who are tainted by sins.
Israelites who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses faced hunger, thirst, and other issues, even though they were in the center of the will of God. They obeyed God and began the journey to the promised land under a leader who was chosen by God. However, on the way, they faced severe hunger and other basic needs. At that time they thought God brought them out into the wilderness to kill them with hunger. You would feel the same way when you are faced with the harsh realities of life.

Earlier after the miraculous deliverance of God by dividing the red sea and making them walk through a dry ground in the middle of the sea, the children of Israel had to travel three days in the desert without finding water to drink. Finally, when they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. People got upset against Moses and God. Man of God, Moses, had to cry out to the Lord in prayer and God showed a perfect solution for them. Exodus 15:22-25.

Beloved, you can be in the center of the will of God for your life, and still lacks the basic necessities. You can be in the center of God’s will, still face health issues and the death of your dear ones. You can be in the center of God’s will and feel the absence of support and love. Remember Elijah was moving according to God’s will but still was afraid, discouraged, and wanted to die because he felt he is alone and had no support available in the nation. The great prophet of God in fear, discouragement, and wished to die. He said I had enough and asked God to take his life. He lay down in frustration and sadness. The angel of the Lord had to awake him and give him food and the needed direction and counsel. (1st Kings 19).

Are you in want of necessities of life? Are you sick? Are you facing dangers, loneliness, and issues? Do you feel no one cares? Are you feeling you do not have any support although you were sincere and faithful? You faced with family issues because the one whom you trusted pulled your legs down and you feel like your life collapsed with it? Remember this truth – you can be in the will of God and still face all these issues.

The difference between a Godly person and an ungodly person is this – they will have two different responses to challenges. A godly man or woman would go to God in prayer. He would confess his sins and shortcomings to God. He would claim the victory and solution in the matchless name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. When the children of Israel were faced life-threatening issues, Moses, the man of God, went to God in prayer and sought His face for a solution. Bible says God honors those who honor him. God goes to work for them. However, the ungodly person would not do any of these. He would not need God. He would not seek God’s face and honor him. Most often, I have seen an ungodly person who would harden his or her heart toward God and others.

Beloved, your attitude to your crisis determines the outcome. God-honoring responses result in an honorable and blessed outcome. You won’t feel like going to God or church and you won’t want to pray amid your challenges. However, that is what you must do. When you seek His face for help, you honor Him. Then you admit you are unable to handle it. You are saying to the Lord, I need you. Please, please come and help me. Go closer to God and pray in the name of Jesus Christ. He promises He will draw near to you. (James 4:8). You need God more than any other time because He has solutions in thousands of ways to help you. You will be glad you did it.

In Jesus and only in Jesus, you will find solutions to all troubles. Nowhere else you would find permanent peace, comfort, help, and deliverance. The reason is you honor God and are in the center of God’s will when you confess your sins and accept Jesus as your savior and Lord. Jesus said and is recorded in John 16:33, ” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I want to be in your will. I come to Jesus and invite him to my life. Please forgive me and save me today. Lord, I confess my sins to you, and please help me in my troubles and pain. As you promised I can overcome all that I face with the divine help you give me. I thank you for your presence with me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

The basic passage that defines the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is 1 Cor.12:13-14. “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.” It does not require any signs as some might teach to be validated. It is an act by which each believer, regardless of their racial or social status is baptized (joined) to one body -the church. Spirit baptism is not repeated either as some may teach. Water baptism is the outward expression of this event of the work of the Holy Spirit by which one is saved.

Connect to the power source on the 1st day of the New Year!

“He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:29. NLT.

People make New Year resolutions. Some people decide I want to be better this year. I want to love my spouse and children more. I want to help people more. I want to obey and honor my parents. I want to do my job to the best of my abilities. I want to take care of my health. I want to concentrate on my studies and get an A+ grade. The list goes on like this.

Beloved, we have good desires, wishes, and even the best plans. However, we discover later no matter how hard we do our best, sometimes we fail. We face moral and ethical failures. In short, we fail in our pursuit to be the best. Many people already quit making resolutions because they discovered they failed consistently in achieving the goals they set in the past.

Do not think I am against having resolutions and good plans. They are all excellent and good. Because if you do not have a plan you are lost and do not know what to do. However, the best of our plans come short and we sometimes end up in regret and disappointments. This is a fact of life.

One of the reasons for our failure is simply our goals are simply not achievable. Make reasonable and achievable resolutions. Do not place unrealistic expectations. Secondly, we fail because we try to achieve our goals in our own strength. We are disconnected from the source of all power that enables us to fulfill our goals.

Our insight says, “He (God) gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.”

When you come short and do not meet the bar you placed for yourself, do not forget to turn to God and seek His help. Do not forget to agree with him about your moral failures. Do not forget to humble yourself in front of the almighty God and confess to Him your shortcomings. You see, this is actually the solution to all of our failures. Run to God and do not run away from Him. Draw near to Him. When you run to God and lean on Him, you get divine power to achieve your goals.

Apostle Paul, who understood this truth wrote this in Philippians 4:11-13, “I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” GNT.

You see, you need the power to do all that God asks you to do, don’t you? You need the power and energy to take care of your family, children, work, and a hundred other things. Where do you get the needed power? Christ Jesus gives the power you need as you come to Him. Say it with me, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”

Beloved, None of us can expect our life to be smooth with no roadblocks and issues this coming year. However, when it does hit roadblocks, you need the ever-present help of God available in Jesus Christ. I know God gives me power when I am weak. He gives me strength when I am powerless. The power of God is available in Jesus Christ. Say, “I can do all things and I can face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”

Do you have that assurance?

If not, you need to get connected or reconnected to Jesus Christ, the source of your power. He supplies what you lack to achieve Godly goals in your life. May I give you an opportunity to come to the living God in Jesus Christ? Jesus is the savior of the whole world because he carried your sins and shortcoming on his divine and sinless body and went to the cross and paid the penalty for you. The blood of Jesus is the ransom paid for your salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Jesus died and rose again for you. He has the all-sufficient and never-ending power to help you in all of your needs.

Bible says Jesus stands and knocks at the door of your heart. Invite him to come into your life and begin the New Year with his divine strength, help, and indescribable joy.

Pray after me. “Father in heaven, I believe Jesus died for my sins, buried and rose again. I want to get connected to you and your blessings by accepting Jesus as my savior and Lord. Please forgive my sins. Allow me to have a brand new life on the first day of 2020. Thank you for coming into my life. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

How do I do God’s will in this New Year? 

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:13). (NLT).

Aren’t you glad of what God says to you personally in this New Year? God says He is working in you. He works in two ways -He gives you the desire, and He also gives the power to do what pleases Him. He is in work in you in these two ways.

I was sitting in a watch night service on New Year’s eve yesterday and listening to several young men’s and girl’s desire to do God’s will in the New Year. Our today’s insight helps us to understand how it all works. God already gave the desire to do what pleases Him in their hearts, didn’t He? Now the one who provides the desire also promises He will grant the power to fulfill those desires as well.

You see, to live a life that pleases God, He provides the ingredients.

God gave me the desire to open a website, and He gave me the power and ability to open it, although I am not a skilled computer person. I can testify to you, Jesus, and I together began the website – teachbible.org. It is not my ability or power. It is one hundred percent of God. I was just a channel. He gave me the ability to do it so far. I trust in His strength and power.

My friend, do you have a desire given by God in this new year? Follow that desire, and He will fulfill it with His power. Do not just sit there with your God-given desires. Move the first few stones, and He comes along accomplish it with His sovereign power.

You see, not only God is working in you but also God is in you if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. For those who accepted Christ Jesus in their hearts, God the Father gave them the right to become the children of God. And God is in you because the moment you believed in Jesus Christ, God gives His Holy Spirit to dwell in you. Jesus said, and it is recorded in John 14:20, ” On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” He is in you. The one who is in you working in you by giving the desire and the power to do what pleases him. It is that simple.

Not only God is working in us because He is in you, but one more thing to remember. Bible says God is for us. You see when you start doing the desire God gave you because He provides the ability and power to do it, always remember God is for you. He is your defender and protector. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

Moreover, God is the one who grants you victory in your work. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Paul says, “We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go.” (NLV). Go and start working the desire God had placed in your heart. He gives the ability and accomplishes it by His power. In the end, all is by God. The desire, ability, and achievement all come from God.

In this new year, instead of sitting there idle, move or take action on your desires that the Lord placed inside you for His glory.  Then see how God fulfills it by His power and makes you win.

Listen! When the Lord asks you to do something, he prompts you to do it, based on His ability and power at your disposal, not yours.

“Father in heaven, I understand per your Word that you are working in me, giving the desire and power to do what pleases you. I commit my desire, ideas in prayer to you Lord. Take it and add your power to it to make it pleasing to you. I know you are all-powerful, all knowledgable, and all present. I worship you and surrender my life to you. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”