Level ground

Sometmes our daily lives seem like dragging a heavy weight up hill. At times this weight is further burdened by our attitudes. We MUST allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen us as we move along our spiritual pathway. "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psa. 143:10 (NIV)

Overwhelmed

There are times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by our surroundings. There may be open confrontation or subtle manipulation, but we feel attacked and our spirit can be saddened. This is the time when we need to remember God's words and actions so we can be refreshed. While the troubles may seem gargantuan, the Holy Spirit will encourage us and deliver us at the end.  "For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands" Psa. 143:3-5 (NASV)

Mutual encouragement

All Christians, every one, encounter difficulties. They may be due to unexpected circumstanced, or simply poor decisions. Whatever the reason, we need to speak words of encouragement to our brothers and sisters. Sometimes listening to the comments from others helps them better arrive at a resolution; sometimes they need a noncritical suggestion. Whatever the need, a kind word of understanding and comfort can ease the stress and disappointment. "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion," Phil. 2:10 (NIV) 

Peace

All Christians share a common Lord, a common goal, and a common family. Nonetheless, we are individuals at different places in our spiritual journey and worldly desires are ever present. We must allow the Holy Spirit guide us to place more focus on our common goal and help other people whenever we have the opportunity to promote the soothing bond of peace. "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." EPH 4:3 (NIV)

Father!

A cry out to a parent may indicate a need for help or an endearing comment. For those who have been adopted, hopefully they develop a sense of acceptance by and fondness for the new parent. We should fondly and respectfully reach out to the Father who adopted us, knowing He invested greatly when he purchased our redemption from our old way of life. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’" Romans 8:15 (NIV)

More

The Holy Spirit has power beyond description and He is willing to give this power to us in order to accomplish His desires. Do you want to see God's desires fulfilled? "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." — Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Start Every Day

When we awake each morning, we should invite the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us offer praise to God in some way during the coming day.

Clothed

Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, making us children of God. This internal change should lead us to produce words and actions that surround us, or clothe us. When people view thos words and actions, they should be reminded of Jesus. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." — Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV)

Conflict

Our society is filled with conflict. We cannot avoid all conflict, so how do we handle it? We must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us through such events.  "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want." GAL 5:17 (NIV)

Overwhelmed

When a person comes to the point they feel overwhelmed, with no good way out of a situation, they can become severely depressed. If you have been in such a situation or have known someone who was, how did they feel when their problems were solved and all the burdens lifted? I guess Great! We might think we have been redeemed, set loose from the things that bound us. If we really considered our plight for eternity without Jesus, relying on ourselves, it might be something like the previous situation. But by following Jesus those burdens are lifted, we have been freed. Plus we have a guide that is with us always to provide guidance when we listen. "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.  Gal. 3:14 (NIV)

Untruth

We can all be deceived and convinced untruth is real. We must guard against this and seek God's guidance. Paul admonished the Galatian Christians who considered returning to practices given up when the accepted Jesus' gift. "I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?" GAL 3:2 (NIV)

Travesty

One of the greatest travesties in Bible study is ignoring the audience to whom a message was intended. Each audience had particular needs the author was addressing. When we attempt to apply what was written to one group of people to others without consideration of the situation, we can come away with an incorrect understanding of the teaching. The Gospels reveal the same message, but to different audiences, so their presentation is slightly different. The other books of the NT were written by men who had slightly different viewpoints about Jesus, and to people with different interests and struggles; the writings were intended to address those issues. We can learn wonderful things about God by how He treated others in their individual situations. However, as we study, we must focus on the fundamental element (Jesus) and accept some differences in writings. Peter said that Paul wrote some things that were hard to understand. We should not expect an easier pathway than that of an Apostle.

Completion

When God wants a task done, he supplies the guidance and power necessary for the willing servant to accomplish the task. These are times we view the Holy Spirit as very active. "Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites." JDG 11:29 (NIV)