Peace

 All Christians share a common Lord, a common goal, and a common family. Nonetheless, we are individuals at different places along our individual spiritual journeys 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.

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.’" Rom. 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." - Eph. 3:20-21.

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. As we follow our unique individual spiritual journey, the Holy Spirit will guide us as much as we will allow Him to do so. We need to explore His words in scripture then hold on to the promise, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." -  Jn. 14:26 (ESV).

Clothed

 Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, making us children of God. This internal position should lead them to produce words and actions that surround them, or clothe them. When people view a Christian's 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." - Gal. 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 God, 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). Christians must ask the Holy Spirit to guide them thought these challenging times.

Trapped

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! One might think they have been set loose from the things that bound them:redeemed. If one really considers the human plight for eternity without Jesus, relying only on ourselves, it might be something like the previous situation. But, Those who follow Jesus have those burdens about eternity lifted - the person following Jesus been freed. Plus they receive a guide that is with them always to provide guidance when they 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).

Communication

Communication from the Holy Spirit may take many different forms, depending on the person. The indwelling Holy Spirit knows how to best communicate with each person and their background. Some have had dreams, many have had other Christians encourage them, others have had an experience of thoughts being placed into their minds, still others have had abrupt and clear realization of a scriptural teaching. At times one may experience an unending burden, a thought supported by scripture continually comes to mind. This is typically not an event that can be predicted or instigated, but is very powerful for the person involved.

Completion

 When God wants a task done, he supplies the guidance and power necessary for the willing servant to accomplish the needed action. In these last days, we should view the Holy Spirit as very active. He only needs to locate willing servants who will follow His guidance. "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" - Jdgs. 11:29 (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, one 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 - they needed different help. 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.

Love

Jesus emphasized and displayed love. God uses love to describe his essential nature. The Holy Spirit pours love into our hearts. Jesus stressed love would be our identifying quality as his disciples. When it comes to discipleship, Christian virtue, spiritual character, and ultimate holiness, it all boils down to love. Now we're not talking about some sappy, insipid, fleeting emotion. We're talking about that determined, disciplined, and deliberate commitment to others to work what is for their best good in every situation.

Always

 Since creation, God has been extremely nurturing of His children. He has wanted to provide the best things for those who were faithful and correct those who made decisions about which He did not approve. YHWH was extremely happy when His children would listen to His instructions via the Holy Spirit. God and Jesus do not change (Heb. 13:8 '... yesterday, today, forever ...'); His pleasure in the time of Moses can be replicated now, when we follow His instructions. "Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the Spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses." Deut. 34:9 (NIV).

Love

 In modern society, we use the word "love" to describe many things and levels of feeling. When Jesus spoke, He intended "love" to indicate more than thoughts, but actions. When we reach out to help other people with the same concern as for ourselves, we mirror God's efforts for us. He loved us so much He came to earth and suffered a cruel sacrifice for us. How should this realization affect our view of other people? "And the second command is like the first: 'You must love other people the same as you love yourself.' All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands." - Matt. 22:39-40 (ERV)

Sharing

 As far back in time as Moses, God's focused servants who had the Holy Spirit have wanted this Spirit to be distributed to more people. This would mean they could be closer to God. Those who accept Jesus' gift, possess what Moses wished for so long ago. "Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" - Num. 11:29.

Others

We think a great deal about people, be it family, friends, or strangers near Christmas time. It is important how we view other people since we are only declared sinless. Jesus' sacrifice provides two choices, to view them as spiritual brothers and sisters which we might encourage or a person whom we might influence to look toward Jesus in some way. Brothers and sisters will likely disappoint us at various points, however, if we will allow, the Holy Spirit can motivate us to consider them in a different way, valued beyond their earthly existence and actions. "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Cor. 5:14-17 (ESV). 

Right and Wrong

A preacher once said, "There is never a right time to do a wrong thing; there is never a wrong time to to the right thing.” In the wake of this statement, we are sometimes left with the difficulty of understanding or admitting the difference. When faced with these choices, we must rely on our understanding of God's desires and our consciences. Through study of the scripturers and clarification provided by the Holy Spirit, our consciences can help us to understand the best actions and opinions when these challenges arise. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb. 4:12.