Dedicated because of the Holy Spirit

Circumcision was a physical act used by the Jews. More importantly, the act was supposed to indicate a male’s irreversible dedication to God. This act provided a distinction for those who served only Jehovah God. Such dedicated devotion was understood to symbolize a spiritual commitment to the one God. “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh” Philippians 3:3 (NIV)

Mistakes

Have you ever done something or said something and you just could not forget about the event? This might be your conscience reminding you of something that you knew was opposed to God's desires. All humans experience these times, but Christians should not despair. Christians have a relationship with God because of Jesus. There is a way to correct this feeling: realize and accept that Jesus paid an extremely high price to void those activities, if we will trust Him; the Holy Spirit will helps us learn form these events and put them behind us. "Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins." HEB 9:14 (NLT)

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 a valid translation based on the context might be:7 “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. 8 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.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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 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)

Inheritance promise guaranteed

When a person finds a property they want to purchase, many times they will indicate their seriousness about completing a purchase transaction by making a pledge towards that decision; they invest “earnest money," towards that eventual, final transaction. In order to legally validate such a commitment, this initial action is personally signed, “sealed” or recorded as authentic. God has done the same with those who accept Jesus. “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation – having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASV)

The Gift

As Christians, God’s Holy Spirit in us, is our greatest gift from God. When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we receive the gift and the giver. The Holy Spirit indicates unity with God, our source of communication from God, and the guarantee that we belong to Him, His children. "Being" indicates a continual process. "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him." Rom 8:14-17 (NASV)

The Father was pleased with His Son

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matt. 3:16-17 (NASV)

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."

Holy Spirit, help us set our minds on God

As children of God we need to think often about how to honor our Father. Our indwelling Helper can guide this desire. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:1-4 (ESV)

Good

Jesus responded to a man 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.” — Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Peace with God equals cleanliness

The word “peace” can communicate different ideas to people.  Sometimes the word indicates a broad meaning of general health and well being. Other times, it can indicate lack of disagreement between two parties. When our sins are cleansed, there is no longer something about which to foster any opinion; sin that separated us from God disappears. Acceptance of Jesus’ gift cleanses our sins and allows us to exist very close to God, even a part of Him within us. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalms 103:12 (NLT)

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 create 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)

What does Israel mean?

"Israel" was not only a man’s name, but also a descriptor given to Israel's decedents, the people chosen by Jehovah God to do His will, never a land mass. Initially, the chosen people were Jews but later the title was expanded to mean all those who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and Savior. After the resurrection, God’s chosen people became anyone who accepted Jesus; He then dwelled within them. (Isa. 45:17; Rom. 11:26; Rom. 8:11)

What is a Jew?

No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:29 (NIV)