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."