With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18a NASB1995). But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). We are encouraged twice in the New Testament to pray in the Spirit. We should do this, but what does it mean to pray in the Spirit? When I […]
What is Praying in the Spirit? Read More »
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you (John 16:7, ESV). If Jesus is sending us a “helper” who works free of charge, we should take full advantage of
The Five-Fold Job Description of the Spirit Read More »
Recently, someone asked me what type of church I enjoyed attending. I replied that some churches limit the Spirit, others tolerate the Spirit, and some release the Spirit. I enjoy churches that release the Spirit. I think Jesus would say the same thing as He said to the apostles on the evening before His crucifixion.
Churches That Limit, Tolerate, or Release the Spirit Read More »
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14, NLT). Walking with Jesus means daily assignments. Putting verses together like Romans 8:14 (children of God are led by God), Galatians 5:25 (keep in step with the Spirit), and Matthew 28:20 (with you always), means — in totality — that
Daily God Assignments Read More »
Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b, NASB). If someone told us that they wanted to add muscle or increase endurance in their physical body, we might ask, “What plan are you using?” If they responded, “Oh, I’m waiting, being patient, and staying humble while letting God take care of everything.” We would think that they
Exercising Our Spirit! Read More »
The Greek word for “power” is “dunamis,” the same word we use for “dynamite.” The New Testament uses this Greek word about 120 times. The message is clear, our life with Jesus should reflect capability beyond our normal strength and wisdom. New Testament “dunamis” also implies “ability of God” and can also mean “latent” or
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:5b, ESV). I was raised in a denomination that, while believing in the Holy Spirit as a part of the Trinity, had no practical use for the Spirit in the daily lives of believers. I often heard
My “Today” Theology of the Spirit Read More »
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, NIV). Dealing with difficult times, we can either walk in the flesh or be filled with the Spirit. We might say after a tense moment, “I need a drink,” but have we said during trials, “I need to
Give Me a Drink of the Spirit Read More »
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4, NIV). I grew up in a church and then attended a Bible college and seminary that taught speaking in tongues as a first-century experience. As I matured in my thinking about speaking in
The Purpose of Speaking in Tongues Read More »
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16, ESV). Every skill requires training. Caitlin Clark didn’t step onto a basketball court and start shooting 3-point shots. Patrick Mahomes practiced—a lot—before throwing touchdown passes. My friend Ray Willis, who is defending his doctoral thesis this Spring, spent
Walking in the Spirit Read More »