Help

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” – Rom. 5:8 (ESV). There are times in the lives of humans in which they need help. This help can apply to myriad of activities in daily life. When we need help, many times we reach out to those we trust, those we love for this help. Th greatest need for help humans have is to remove what separates them from God, sin. John described the solution, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” – Jn. 3:16 (ESV). This is a free gift because of God’s Grace and only needs to be accepted. William Barclay said, "Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up His Cross." With this gift also comes an indwelling partner and protector. If one asks, the Holy Spirit will guide them along a unique individual pathway to eternity with God. 

Harm

"The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV). We observe this promise in action when we consider the life of Joseph, son of Jacob. The overarching theme of Joseph's life was that no matter what circumstances he faced, God was always with him. Whether it was dreams about the future, struggles with his brothers's poor treatment of him, whether his work was in slavery, his ability to explain dreams, his abilities ot manage the food source for millions of people, or reconnecting with his family, God was with him as He promised. Those of us who have accepted Jesus as our savior also have a promise. It is a promise that He will never leave us, and He will supply what we need spiritually, and He has prepared for us a place with him in heaven for eternity. We also have a demonstration of God's ability to protect and use us so long as we are faithful to Him.

Good

Jesus responded to a man’s comment by saying that none is good except God alone (Mk. 10:18, Lk. 18:19). From this, we need to understand that when we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us, the result will turn out to honor God. When our values are similar to God’s, we will be satisfied that the results are “good” for the Father, not necessarily what we may define as good for us. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Rom. 8:28 (NLT). 

Charity

 Our lives on earth are all about choices. We can choose to learn about good and evil; we can choose to use good or evil words; we can choose to do good or evil acts. We can choose to encourage others, or not. Our spiritual life is all about choices as well. The first choice is to believe in Jehovah God, the second most important choice is to accept that Jesus is His son and our pathway to redemption. Beyond this, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and sanctify our choices. Evelyn Underhill once said, "The spiritual life is a stern choice. It is not a consoling retreat from the difficulties of existence, but an invitation to enter fully into that difficult existence, and there apply the Charity of God, and bear the cost." Think of this and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you along your unique individual spiritual journey.

Desire

Creatures God created are driven by desire. An animal, fish, or bird is driven by at least two primal desires, to exist (food, and water, safety, companionship) and to reproduce. Humans also have these, followed by a desire for acceptance by other humans. Beyond these needs for existence is the desire to reproduce. A significant part of this process is attraction of one gender to the other. Humans also have a desire for the pleasure that accompanies the reproductive process. Satisfaction of sexual or reproductive desires can escalate into cravings, a strong desire to resolve the need in a particular way.

Similar to the other parts of creation, God made the bodies of His human creation to alert them to needs for survival. At times, a dry mouth or thick tongue becomes a signal from the body that hydration is needed. A growl from the stomach is a signal that sustenance is needed. As these needs increase, intensity to satisfy them escalates. These needs are critical to our bodies for survival, but they must be satisfied or controlled. A really thirsty or dehydrated person can attempt to drink more water than their body can absorb quickly; thus they become sick. The same is true for hunger. This bodily alarm indicates that cells need energy. When one attempts to satisfy intense hunger, one may eat more food than can be timely digested and distributed to body cells; sickness ensues.  The end result is actually worse for the body than a slower pathway to gaining the needed result. Beyond this, some bodies signal a need for solving bodily needs by a strong desire for a particular food or drink, a craving.

Like Jesus, humans exist in this environment we call the world. We live in the world, work in the world, and function as human beings in the world with other human beings. This is God’s will for humans. Jesus didn’t pray that His disciples would be removed from the world, but they would be kept from the world (John 17:15), or essentially being controlled by the world’s values. There is nothing wrong with going to work, enjoying a sport, buying a house or a new car. We may even enjoy having and wearing beautiful clothes. Those things are part of living a fruitful life in our environment, earth. These desires are not wrong unless they consume and preoccupy the person’s thoughts, pushing God’s interests aside.

Desires and cravings extend to other aspects of their physical lives, as well. Companionship is a fundamental need for humans as are their psychological, emotional, and sexual needs. These needs are some of the most difficult to monitor and control. Our minds work at an amazingly fast pace and actions caused by these needs and desires are often difficult to rapidly understand and fully manage. A Christian has a huge advantage since they have the Holy Spirit (God) dwelling inside them. Sometimes this seems like a complete solution, however, we must realize that although we have the greatest entity that exists living inside us, He does not overpower our personal choices, (good or bad). Like Jesus, God does not force us to make any particular decision. 

The struggle we humans face between good and evil or flesh and spirit have been described and debated for millennia. There seems to be absolute answer for many items, but many others have several acceptable answers considered “good”, and righteous before God. In the social aspect of human life, attraction and bonding can defy logical explanation. Humans of both genders can be filled with strong emotions of anger, envy, and hurt; these feeling can cause opinions they never thought possible and actions that follow, may be astounding. Competition between acquaintances can be similar to lower class animals.

Humans also have spiritual aspects of their lives. Humans also desire to know the reason they exist; due to this, many pursue locating a supreme being.  Some find Jehovah God. This desire leads to expectations.  Desire+expectation=Hope. Hope in the view of the Hebrew people also included, commitment. It was an expectation that God will always love them and protect them spiritually. When the biblical writers focused on the physical interests, they generally referred to them as concerns of the flesh, or dominated by non-spiritual elements. When a person decides to accept Jesus as their savior, all their past physical and spiritual mistakes are erased before God; they are as pure as newborn infants. Not only this, but also the Holy Spirit begins to reside within them. This indwelling prompts them to remember what they have learned from scripture. Those who are sealed by God and are His children are expected to increasingly act as He desires. Paul would say, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Gal.5:16 (NIV) or “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Gal.5:16 (NLT). As we move along our unique individual spiritual journey, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us each step of the way.

Hidden

Many people become uncomfortable when information or actions are hidden from them; they want to know more information about many things. When information is uncertain, humans may create personal explanations. Jesus was careful to instruct His disciples about His coming death, but they did not understand without the help of the Holy Spirit. Now, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand at a rate we can comprehend, the only pathway to an eternity with the Father. “But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. Is there anyone who can understand his own thoughts except his own inner spirit? In the same way, no one can know the thoughts of God except God's Spirit. Now, we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we can understand the things that were freely given to us by God.” 1 Cor. 2:10-13 (ISV). Let us rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us along our unique independent spiritual journey towards heaven.

Fear

Fear is a compelling emotion. First, one needs to believe there is something that exists to fear. Once this has been established, one should attempt to understand the item that is feared. Some people many fear rattlesnakes since they can be lethal. With some knowledge, great fear can evolve into great respect. Many people say they "fear" God, but God does not desire people to fear Him in this way; He wants the respect He deserves. When people really fear (or are afraid of) God, it is likely because they do not know how much He loves them. Those who know more about God, recognize He only disciplines people when nothing else has achieved the results needed. He loved us so much he sent Jesus to die a cruel death to provide a way for His children to be near Him forever. "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." — Psalm 103:13 >> Remember He loved each of us enough to seal us with His Holy Spirit, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit."-  Eph. 1:13 (NIV).

Price

Few things in our physical lives are gained without some kind of cost. Many events in this life represent a transaction of cost/benefit decision, and the exchange may be money, services, or other efforts. At some time, each Christian has realized their actions produced a debt that was impossible for them to repay and they do not have the proper method of payment. The cost for repayment of their debt was a gift, yet it was extremely expensive: a person’s life who was unflawed, yes, Jesus’ life. Christians are not expected to pay back this gift, but inform others about it out of appreciation and concern. There have been some, however, who have exchanged this precious gift for something of less valuable, earthly concerns. This is precisely what we find in Rom. 1:25. Paul uses a word for “exchange” which was usually applied to financial transactions, when he said they, “exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Rom. 1:25 (ESV). They made a poor purchase transaction. As we follow our unique individual spiritual journey, let’s allow to Holy Spirit to prompt us to make eternal decisions. 

Committment

In Hebrew, one prominent meaning of "love" includes the element, 'commitment.' Have you ever been associated with an intense discussion or argument? Have you ever had a friend or a loved one who was involved in such an encounter that their lives might be in danger? Sometimes those people having such a discussion cannot speak rationally due to other personal issues and it is best to leave the situation and let tempers "cool down", some. Let’s remember one situation in which the persistent Paul found himself as he taught about Jesus. He had an intense argument. Yet when he went away, the Holy Spirit continued to work on these people in his absence. While his efforts were productive, Paul was not the point, it was the Holy Spirit promoting Jesus. "And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase." - Acts 9:29-31 (NASB). If Christians have the opportunity, they need to introduce others to Jesus, but they must remember that they are the instruments of the message, not the orchestrator.

The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling Place

Jews in the first century had a belief that God dwelled on Earth in the Holy of Holies at the Jerusalem temple. They were very protective of this area since they thought God had asked them to defend His dwelling place. In an argument with some Freedmen Jews in Jerusalem and before his death Stephen pointed out that the places to worship God had moved around to different places in the past and now, that “God dwells in heaven, not in temples made with hands.” (Acts 7:48-50). No, God’s presence was not limited to the one temple area. Speaking by the Holy Spirit, Stephen spoke of the ultimate dwelling place of God, within humans. If defaming the earthly temple was an action worthy of death, what of defaming the present dwelling of the Holy Spirit, our bodies? Not so long ago, a group of people set fire to a church and it burned to the ground. His was appalling. Perhaps they were disappointed or angry with God, but God does not live in church buildings. What do we think when some attack the present dwelling of God the Holy Spirit, our bodies? Many Christians don’t have the same shock when it comes to harming the present temple of the Holy Spirit -their own bodies. Some distract efficient bodily function with drugs, food, or drink. Another group burden the body with stress and exhaustion. Many people justify these abuses as their right to treat their body as they want. But that is especially not true for Christians. The Corinthians had followed idols which allowed them to act without any control. Now, when they accepted Jesus and received the indwelling Holy Spirit, they needed to understand that what they did to their body was important to God for personal health and their influence on others. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Cor. 6:19-20 (NASB). While we exist in this world, we can do nothing apart from our physical body. We will only have one in this life, so we should do our best to keep it in good condition. Believers should also recognize their responsibility to treat the earthly body like the sacred and special dwelling place that it is. People cannot reach their full potential while neglecting the proper care of their bodies. Education, talents, abilities or gifts are of little use if one does not have the health to complete needed tasks well. As we move along our unique independent spiritual journey, we need to maintain our health so that we can be the best servants of the Holy Spirit possible.

Expectations

 In hindsight it seems evident that the Jewish people of the first century did not expect or understand the message Jesus brought. They desired and expected a different form of Messiah. They expected physical freedom, but were offered spiritual freedom. They did not recognize God walking among them, and could not believe the words He spoke. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 'But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep,'" - Jn. 10:22-25 (ASV). 

Jerusalem

 When Abram entered the land of Canaan around 2000 BC the city of Jerusalem was called Salem (Genesis 14). After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. - Genesis 14:17-20. Melchizedek’s city was called Salem, or Shalem, which is also the name of the God whose worship was centered in the city. The full name of this God was “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth” since he was the God of creation. That the name Salem refers to Jerusalem is evidenced by Psalm 76:2 which uses "Salem" as a parallel for "Zion", the citadel of Jerusalem. Acts 15, uses the statements “up to Jerusalem; down from Judea”, or essentially Jerusalem. To the Hebrews, Jerusalem was an elevated area, both physically and spiritually. The city of Jerusalem is certainly on a raised area, so this is literally true. But, there are other spiritual meanings as well. The word comes from Hebrew, Yerushalayim, literally "foundation of peace," or a place that indicates peace with God. God directed that a temple be built on this plain to remind those who believed in Him that He loved them and would protect them, so long as they were faithful to Him. Jerusalem came to represent the presence of God on earth, especially in the Holy of Holies within the temple. It was the place King David established the capital of the promised land. The location also reminded those to whom it was precious, they no longer needed to fight against God. It was here, at the temple, that their sins were not “removed,” but “covered,” or “pushed forward” each year. Removal would wait for Jesus’ sacrifice. He displayed what God wanted from His servants, but those of the religious firmament in Jerusalem, killed the Messiah, the promised King. When Jesus came to earth, he was Emmanuel, a visible indication of “God with us,” more personal than “God on Earth. When Jesus returned to heaven, believers were given the Holy Spirit to reside inside them. Because of this, we now experience “God within us.” In the first century, the reminder of God’s presence was so strong the Holy Spirit led John to use a concept supplied by Ezekiel as he described the future relationship with God; it was a New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1ff.). New leadership was being installed. This indicates a promise to enjoy continued peace and fellowship with God -  over, under, around, and through our being for eternity.

Courage

 “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” – Heb. 3:13 (ESV). Courage is serious business; it is the ability to act in the face of something that is frightening or painful or threatening. Encouragement or exhortation means that you share your courage with someone who needs it. It means you’re going to join hands and walk with them while they’re facing something difficult. Maybe that person is grieving or facing a serious challenge or going through a hard season where there are no easy answers. Encouragement is not necessarily about knowing just the right words. Sometimes words are not necessary. Sometimes words are inadequate. Many times just your presence says, “I know this is a hard place, but I’m going to stand here with you. You’re not going to go through this alone.” Commit yourself to being an encourager. Allow yourself to stand alongside someone and share your strength even when you don’t have all the answers.

Unexpected

Then Peter responded (to the Jerusalem Council), "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” - Acts 10:44-48 (NASV). Can anyone properly object when the Holy Spirit has clearly been involved?  No, Never!