Individual pathways

In general, people want to pursue the paths they have decided are correct for the given situation: the ones containing the least resistance to meeting their individual goals. People who live in a "free" society have less overriding requirements and more opportunities for personal choices to achieve their own goals. A difficulty arises when the means to arrive at those goals becomes very difficult or seemingly impossible. This is a time for reassessment of those goals. Such goals or desires are usually enjoyable and very important to the individual. It is at these times many people look for other ways to achieve their desires. If the person remains convinced the goal is the best solution, they may seek help or make decisions they never thought they would choose to achieve that desire. Hopefully, there will come a time when a person’s life beyond this one, is considered. It is at this time a reexamination of one’s overall goals needs to occur. At this time, the person is met with a bold reality: by myself, there is no way I can achieve the goal of being with God after I leave behind the goals on this earth; I need help. If we are sincere in this concern, God will provide a way for someone to introduce us to the one who will offer a solution to this goal. Jesus provided a sacrifice for all those who will believe He exists and He did this for them. Another reassessment of our desires and goals may indicate that the future life we desire is worth changing some of the goals we have held so dear. We may also find that by some redefinition, many of those goals can still be accomplished. The new goal needs be allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them toward a realization that offers praise to God, first. Throughout this exercise of life, the Christian can look back and realize God was always close to those who genuinely seek after him. But at his point, we still must be careful since there is the adversary that wants to entice us to drift away from Him, lose interest, and leave His presence. Yes, it is ultimately up to our own choice as we travel along our unique individual spiritual journey. So let's continue to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through the tough or glorious encounters we face. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near." - Isa. 55:6 (NIV)

Cleansed of Sin

If a believer is really honest, being accused of a sin is shocking. Christians usually think that they try to do as much as possible according to the Bible teaching we understand, but do they miss something? Yes, almost certainly they do. Humans are weak creatures, even with the Holy Spirit living inside us, we can deny His promptings and leadings. Even Paul recognized the impossibility of avoiding sin, "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin." - Rom. 7:24-25 (NASB) However, even though we cannot always avoid sinful thoughts or acts, we can continually admit this truth and repent, trying again to live a more sanctified (holy) life. Our Comforter is close by to help, if we will ask Him to do this.  "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - 1 Jn. 1:8-9 (NIV).

Who to Please

 A well known person once said something like, "you can satisfy some of the people all the time; you can satisfy all of the people some of the time, but you can't satisfy all the people all the time." That spawns a very serious question, who are you trying to please and how often? Who was Pilate trying to please at Jesus' trial, God or the masses? Who were the masses trying to please, the trusted leaders or God? Who are you trying to please, yourself, your peers, or your Savior? Answering that last question is just as crucial for you as it was for the masses and for Pilate about two thousand years ago. "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." - Gal. 6:8 (ESV) Who you are trying to please will either consecrate you or corrupt you! So choose this day to live in a way that pleases the Lord — not only is it the right way to live, but it also has eternal benefits!

Meditate

 History is teaming with ways the word "meditate" has been used to describe the actions of people at various times in their lives. However, one of the general characteristics of this action is to pause from activities that fill our day with distractions. Once you have some extra time, what will you do with our thoughts? Unless you are asleep or distracted by TV, phones, or chores, your mind will continue to churn. You may think about what you did earlier in the day or what you have left to do, but you will think about something. When you have this time, a good choice is to read or listen God's word and think about what you have gathered. When we openly think about God's Word and talk to Him about the promises or divine counsel means, especially to you, this is the time the indwelling Holy Spirit will help the Christian become more aware of who God is and how He wants to or may already be strengthening you for the day or days ahead. The Bible is as insightful today as when it was first given to humankind. Let it be your guide in your own loving relationship with Him and others, because "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." - Psa. 12:6 (ESV)

Choices

 In our everyday Christian spiritual battle, we make countless decisions about choices. Realistically, some are good and some are bad; sometimes, we think, "I wish I had that to do over again, because I would do it differently." That mistake was a learning process! We often find ourselves struggling with the strength to choose between good, better, and best. If we consult the indwelling Holy Spirit, we will generally have a reasonable concept of what is good and bad; perhaps He prompts our consciences to help us. Many times, we try to respond in a way to accomplish some intended goal, but we may not be able to completely predict the results. Sometimes, we find a major challenge is the strength and confidence to act on our true beliefs. If we ask, the Holy Spirit can help with goal clarification, guidance, and strength to move forward on good, even excellent decisions - no matter how inconvenient this excellent decision may seem. Paul would say, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” - Phil. 1:9-10 (ESV)

I will not abandon you

While there can be many reasons, have you ever felt 'alone'? Usually, the numbing, aching loss is caused by the death of someone dear to us, however, the loss of a close friendship either by location or by disagreement can also cause such a feeling. Jesus' disciples had observed, and perhaps experienced, such losses already. Now, the one who had restored all the emptiness was about to go away. Jesus knew he would soon execute the next steps for the salvation of all believers and return to the Father. Jesus understood this and said to them, "I Will Not Abandon You!" [Jesus said,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.  When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.." - Jn. 14:18-20 (NLT). As the disciples loneliness was replaced by a closer relationship with Jesus after He left, we are not left alone either. When we accept Jesus as our savior, our brother, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is the abiding reminder of Jesus' victory over death and his ascension to heaven with power. One day we will live with Him in the place He went to prepare for us.

What is It?

When many people read Matthew 7:7-8, they may be thinking of material things they would like to acquire (food, drink, clothes, goods). However, please recall Jesus' previous words in Matt. 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Jesus' ministry was acutely focused on the spiritual health of human creation. I suggest His focus was our spiritual life. As such, a valid translation based on the context might be: “Ask about righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom will be given to you; seek righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom and you will find help toward this goal; boldly pursue righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom and barriers will be removed for you. For everyone who asks about righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom receives help; the one who seeks righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom finds the path; and to the one who boldly pursues righteousness and guidance toward the Kingdom the gifted path to these goals will become apparent." (paraphrased) “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  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 good gifts to those who ask him!" If we will allow Him, the Holy Spirit will initially  guide us toward the 'it'! "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" - Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV). After this, if we ask, the Holy Spirit will lead us on our unique individual spiritual journey to eternity.

Proper balance

Referring to Ezek. 11:2-4, Phil Ware admonishes Christians. "Our lives and the word of the Lord are needed to counterbalance the leaning of this culture which tends to put its own selfish slant on things.  Let's ask the Spirit to convict us of the lies we are told in our culture. Let's ask the Spirit to empower us to both live and speak God's truth with grace, truth, and power. Our lives and voices are needed to speak to people who are being sucked down the drain of sin and destruction by the many voices around them that do not speak the will of God." We do need to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us along our unique individual spiritual journey. Along this journey, we can encourage others and gain encouragement from them.

Remembered

And I [John] heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them" - Rev. 14:13 (ASV). To the disciples, Jesus described the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and promised the Spirit's abiding and comforting presence within those who accept His Sacrifice - Jn. 14-16. Jesus' word for the Holy Spirit also could be understood as Advocate, Helper, and Counselor. The abundance of the Spirit's presence fills up the goodness of each of these terms. Those who have lived for Jesus are given two promises by the Spirit: Not only will they enjoy the rest of God, but also what they have done for the Lord will be remembered by the one who matters most. What we do for Jesus matters eternally, and it will not be forgotten! - Heb. 6:10. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to guide us on our unique individual spiritual journey to grow ourselves and encourage others.

Feelings

 Many people try to focus service to God only on facts from the Bible. This can be admirable, but we must not forget God made people with feelings. While they should not be the primary guides for the Christian life, they are nonetheless a vital part of it. At one point, we find the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," Jn. 11:35. Many of the actions done by Jesus are accompanied with the understandings, the emotions, the feelings of the people surrounding Him.Imagine the feelings and wonder when He raised to son of the Widow outside Nain - desperation and sadness turned into relief and great joy - Lk. 7:11ff. Paul shared many struggles, and those struggles caused feelings, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies" - 2Cor. 4:8-10 (ESV). In difficult times, we need to focus on the feeling we have when we know someone is praying for us. Paul usually asked for prayers of success, that he could share the news of Jesus. One time however, he makes a global statement, "Brothers, pray for us." 1Thess. 5:25 (ESV). We need others to join us in our prayers. Paul would also say, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" - Phil. 4:6-7 (ESV). We can feel the strength when we know others are praying for us. This is our Kingdom privilege.

Confidence

 Life in the earthly realm is challenging. When considering his situation, John Schnieder commented about life, "there are things that happen in everyday life that are wonderful, not so wonderful, and that are heart-wrenching." This is true for all Christians as we move along our unique individual spiritual journey. Some challenges are caused by our own decisions, some are not. Times like these on earth are inescapable. When these events or situations arrive, that's when our confidence in the Lord's salvation and our relationship with Him is tested! We must persevere! We will do so by depending on the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Peter said, "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." - 1Pet. 1:7 (NLT). In these times, we must keep putting one step in front of the other trusting that the Holy Spirit will give us the strength for the next step. No matter how hard it is at the moment, don't give in to despair; let this struggle build confidence. God does not mind if we argue and complain to Him through the Holy Spirit, but never let go of His promise. The indwelling Holy Spirit is a seal of ownership and a guarantee Christ is coming back for us; don't quit! "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." - Heb. 10:35-36 (NASB)

Rejuvenation

 If we will pause and honestly consider our lives, we understand we will die one day. Our physical bodies will be separated from our energizing life force. However, our spiritual life does not need to under go a separation from the force that provides energy for serving God. Realization of this truth should make us want the best for ourselves and others. "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you" - Rom. 8:10-11 (NIV).

Expected

Almost everything that Jesus did while on earth was predicted in the Old Testament; the Bible student really gets to view how He made it happen. Ezekiel says, “Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple." - Ezek. 43:5 (NIV) First, Peter says, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” - 1 Pet. 2:5. Paul will also later describe the church as the temple of God, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.” - 1 Cor. 3:16-17. Further, speaking of unbelievers, he says, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (1 Cor. 6:15-20). He then adds,“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” - 2 Cor. 6:14-18. To another group of people Paul says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,” - Ephesians 2:19-22. Yes, God’s people replaced the image of the stone temple and He dwells within this new temple via the Holy Spirit.

The indwelling WORD

There are many ways to describe the operation of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and one of the best is closely related to Bible study. These are the times we focus more on God's direction than our fractured surroundings. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." - Col. 3:16 (NIV)

Shocking

"And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the LORD: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind." - Ezekiel 11:5 (ESV) What a frightening thought sometimes, "someone else knows what I thought about that topic or person!" Perhaps shocking, but it is true, God knows the innermost thoughts of everyone. We can plan, scheme, and plot quietly so so no other person might know what we are thinking. We can choose to share our inner thoughts to no one else, but God knows them. For the Christian, the indwelling Holy Spirit will help us dismiss the bad thoughts and focus on the good ones, if we will allow it. The Spirit not only inspired God's message in Scripture, but he also convicts, informs, and transforms our mind and spirit, helping us overcome the pull of our fleshly nature. The Spirit challenges and confronts the thoughts we wouldn't dare say out loud. When God's words are spoken, heard, and read, they are directed to the struggle of each heart seeking to be conformed to the will of God. The message of God comes from the Holy Spirit. That message has power because the Holy Spirit convicts as well as informs. Let's ask the Spirit to speak to our hearts, minister to our needs, inspire our godly longings, support us through our weaknesses, confront our duplicity, and help us know God's truth!