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). Surprising as it may seem, God needs our permission to use us to accomplish these tasks since He allows us to be responsible for our actions. Even Mary was given the opportunity to agree to be the mother of the Son of God, "And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant[a] of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.  And the angel departed from her." - Lk. 1:38 (ESV). When we accept responsibility and follow His guidance, we are given direction and power to overcome any obstacles encountered.

More

 The Holy Spirit has power beyond description and He is willing to give this power to us in order to accomplish His desires. Perhaps some of our desires are not in sync with God's purpose. 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." — Eph. 3:20-21 (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)

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)

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 they accepted Jesus' gift. "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" Gal. 3:2 (ESV)

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 considering the immediate 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 New Testament 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 and circumstances. 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.

In Jesus Name

 Many who offer prayers to Jehovah God end them with, “In Jesus name, Amen.” These are not just “fill words,” these are powerful words attempting to link the thoughts and desires of the one praying to Jesus. However, we must carefully consider the things to which Jesus would like to be linked. If we consider His actions while on earth, those actions were generally about the welfare of others. While Jesus healed Jews who believed in Him (26 times e.g. Jn. 5:2), those who were surprised by Him (e.g. widow at Nain (Lk. 7:11-17), He also granted the request from a desperate Gentile woman (Matt. 15:21-28) or believing Romans (when he noted He had not found faith like this in Israel – Matt. 8:10). As God, Jesus knew all about the lives of all people He met. He could slip through crowds (Lk. 4:30-32), or later slip into locked rooms as He desired (Jn. 20:19). His life purpose was focused on others; only once did He ask for another way to accomplish the task He had accepted. While He could have decided to walk away from the act of crucifixion, in Gethsemane, He chose (Mk. 14:32-42) to suffer for the creation He generated (Jn. 1:1). When we pray and end with “in Jesus name,” let’s try to be sure our requests are things consistent with God’s desires and are consistent with Jesus’ desires. We need to pray as Paul encouraged the Ephesians, ". . . praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," - Eph. 6:18 (ESV). Our personal physical desires are important, but spiritual issues more so.

Joy or Happy

One of the characteristics that describes a person indwelled by the Holy Spirit is Joy (Gal. 5:22). A significant portion of Galatians chapter 5 describes how people are known by their displayed actions (worldly or spiritual). But, what does Paul mean by joy and how does being indwelt produce this quality? First, what is “joy” and is it different than “happy”? As we seek understanding and insight about this, we must cautiously attempt to recognize Holy Spirit inspired joy in believers. We must first consider that both joy and happiness are emotional responses to events, perceptions, and opinions experienced in one’s life. This is further complicated by the difference in the emotional level of different individuals. The emotion of joy is deeper and more consistent than the emotion of happiness. While happiness may come and go quickly, joy is a settled confidence that God is in ultimate control of all that surrounds a person. God doesn’t dictate every situation that a person encounters, but for the faithful servant, the Holy Spirit can work out things to allow personal responsibility while yielding an outcome beneficial to God. Paul says explicitly, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Rom. 8:28 (ESV). This assurance should lead to great confidence and contentment that all situations will work out in a way that honors some part of God’s plan. Happiness, may be transitory or changing depending on the environment under consideration, even mostly physical. Usually, joy is observed when someone is more focused on others than themselves; Happiness tends to be observed by more self-focused activities. Some have postulated that while happiness comes from external events, joy comes from inside the person and is more focused on the needs of other people. In this view, happiness becomes more individualistic, whereas Joy has greater meaning when other people are being considered. When accessing Old and New Testament scriptures where the focus was usually on an entire community, the two words may become almost synonymous. Depending on the individuals and context scripture may use other synonyms like blessed, gladness, merry, rejoice, and laughter to create the mental picture desired. Happiness is perhaps more individualistic and focused more on oneself. If however, the actions viewed have benefit for the community and this may be better understood as joy. Happiness tends to be externally activated and is based on things, places, thoughts, and events. Joy exhibits less change and is nurtured internally. It is visualized when a person accepts who they are, a child of God; they display this heritage of why they are and how they are to praise God. All Christians need to recognize they travel along a unique individual spiritual journey with a guaranteed destination. This realization should produce great joy demonstrated in the appropriate manner for that individual.

Differences

When we realize the Holy Spirit works in different ways with different people, we should also understand that comparing ourselves to others, trying to compete with them, or attempting to manage their beliefs can be counterproductive to the Spirit’s desires. The topic for comparison, competition, or management is yours to decide. All comparisons should be based on scriptural revelation, not other people’s desires or practices. In our efforts to satisfy scriptural requirements via our own efforts, everyone will be found lacking. The meticulous Jews proved humans understanding of service to God was impossible. Because of human weakness, Christians were given grace through Jesus’ sacrifice that continuously cleanses us from wrong doings. Additionally, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us in the future; we need to care for others while we care for ourselves. All Christians should have two goals, praise God and encourage others to do the same in the best way they know how at the present time.