The results of the workings of the Holy Spirit: Mary was found with child through the Holy Spirit. It was through the working of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would proclaim justice to the nations. It was the power of the Holy Spirit which raised Jesus from the Dead. It is through the Holy Spirit that life will be given to our mortal bodies. It was through the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was able to offer himself unblemished to God. It was the power of the Holy Spirit by which Jesus did not give in to the temptations, in the desert, by the evil one. Jesus drove out demons by the power of the Spirit. It was as a result of Jesus’ leaving the earth that the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort, counsel, teach and lead us. Jesus gave instructions to the Disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that has placed God’s seal of ownership upon us and sealed us for eternity to belong to God the Father. The Holy Spirit is the power or energy for bringing about God’s desires, and His plans. The Holy Spirit was the power and energy in Christ’s life and ministry here on earth. This same Holy Spirit is the motivator, the power, and the energy in our lives! He brings about change! He helps us accomplish God sized tasks! He helps us turn dreams into reality; to develop a more Christ-like character! He is the Producer - the Farmer of the Fruit, and He lives within me and you!!!
Do I hear a WOW!
I am ready and willing to completely surrender my will, to allow the Holy Spirit to have more of me; all of me; to produce Fruit in me!!! Are you ready?
Hi Sandra, I like you have had a very challenging week. Being late in getting started on this study and the challenges, I have not gotten really very much through the first lesson. I want to do this, but at same time having frustrations and guilt complexes about not getting in to the groove like I fee I should. Any suggestions or helps? Other than I need to be in heavy prayer myself, which I am.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your struggle. Life often throws us curve balls, and the devil sure doesn't want us to study God's Word. I do have a couple of thoughts.
1st I do understand frustration and guilt, but this study doesn't allow room for you to feel guilty because you were unable to get a lesson or two done, no frets.... okay? Remember too, guilt is a tool of the enemy, if he can convince you that you are less than.... or too far behind, then he wins and we are going to do our best to see that doesn't happen. These past two weeks have revolved around the Holy Spirit and His power in our lives. Why.... I just can't imagine why the devil would want to discourage us....can you? :):):):)
With that being said how can we pray for you?
If your struggle is too personal to share as a group that's okay, we don't need the details. If you wish, you may shoot me an email privately and I will most certainly pray specifically for your need.
In the mean time ladies, we need to lift our Study Buddie, Mary in prayer as God knows her need and the stressors she is facing.
2ndly I have tried to design the lessons so they don't completely build on each other. That means start with this week and just try to get through it. If you only get the reading done... that is okay... if you get the reading and some questions done... even better. If you get it all done... shout "Hallelujah". But no stressing allowed. When you find you have some extra time, go back through the first few weeks and, start by just reading the material, without worrying about answering the questions. That will give you plenty of the background we have studied thus far.
Again my Study Buddie thanks for sharing... I have a hunch you are not alone. Know I am praying for you!
Be Encouraged,
and Hugs too.
Sandra
I appreciated Mary's comments too. I printed out the study last Sunday with good intentions. I finally picked it up today (Sat.) and realized it was supposed to be a daily thing. Oops. (-: Oh, well. I did it all in one day.
ReplyDeleteThe new thing I learned was that when the Bible talks about the spirit of truth and the spirit of wisdom, it really meant THE Spirit of truth and wisdom. I guess I always thought it was sort of speaking of a temperament or nature we strive for, like having a "gentle spirit about you." Sort takes some of the pressure off -- we aren't just continually striving to develop a "spirit of truth or holiness," etc. We got Him IN us!!
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteOne new thing I discovered regarding the Holy Spirit: Reading 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 - I know I have read that Scripture before, but I really enjoyed reading how God puts His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit as a guarantee of what is to come. That is just so very comforting to me. We are God's children, and He has a vested interested in us - because He created us and gave us the Holy Spirit to be with us forever. PTL.
Do you see evidence of the Holy Spirit working in your life? I see it everyday. I don't know what I would do without the Spirit
guiding me in all that I do - my thoughts, my words, my actions.
I need Him to help me, to energize me so that my eyes are always fixed on Jesus and so I can continue to stay in His Word and be obedient to Him - every day, all day.
Great study. Thanks Sandra.
I would love to hear how all of you are doing - how you abide in the Spirit - things you have or are doing that have been a blessing to you. How the Holy Spirit is working in your life.
Also - here are my answers to Love is....
Love is God in us.
Love is eternal.
Love is standing by your friends no matter what the storm.
Love is forgiveness.
Love is our life line to God and to others. (To let God love us and love others through us.)
Hi ya all
ReplyDeleteI would like to try memorizing as was suggested. Do you all have any ideas for that. I have never been good at that sort of thing. I hope ya all are enjoying this study as much as we all are. Thank ya Tootie
As Mary, I too have been struggling. I have many storms in my life right now. Last week I didn't get fully through the study and didn't get a chance to blog. I did do my assignments for this week but I am having so many life issues that when I open my Bible I just can't seem to concentrate on what I am reading or even feel God's presence. I am trying but seems like to no avail. Everything that we studied this week I did know but it was nice to be reminded. Lately I don't feel the Holy Spirit working in my life, but that doesn't mean He is not there. I have to believe He is with me through everything that is going on or I think I would have lost it by now.
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteI've been on vacation so am just catching up. I want to back up and make a comment on week one because God's been talking to me a lot about abiding. He's said that my job is to abide in him and he'll take care of the rest. I really struggle with that! I'm so accustomed to taking care of so much and so many that I can't seem to make myself take the time to read & pray. I always let everything get it the way, but can't figure out why when I know for certain how much better it makes my life. I need prayer and encouragement & accountability to abide in Him and let go of trying to control my world.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing a common thread with us as a whole. So many challenges, struggles, storms. I, too, am facing one of the roughest seas I have ever encountered. Yesterday afternoon I was hit with another crippling wave. They seem to be coming daily and I am continuously hit by the onslaught of one major blow after another. I finally just broke yesterday. I thought that I had been giving all of it up to God but the truth is that I have only given what I thought I could "afford" to give up. The rest I kept tightly in my grip.
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to understand a few things about myself. Some of it I am happy about. Like, every other time in my life when things have gotten very rocky, I have thrown up my hands, said God didn't love me, and walked away. If anything, I am drawing closer and closer to Him in this storm. That makes me feel very secure and joyful.
But I also realized that I have a long way to go when it comes to giving up control. I never really thought of myself as a control freak but in some matters I really am. The whole "Let go, let God" theory would only go so far with me. I may not be able to change all of this overnight. But I am willing, right now, to hand it all over. Progress.
I feel comfort in knowing I am not alone. Many of you are struggling just like me.
"I will lift my eyes up to the mountains;
From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
Hang in there, fellow bloggers, and I will as well. I will pray for you and feel blessed to know you are praying for me.
Hi Mary, Janie, Shelly and Everyone!
ReplyDeleteSounds like we are all struggling a bit.... I have sent out an email to everyone today. I pray it will encourage you! Thank you for sharing your struggles.
Ladies I can not stress enough... not to stress... like that play on words:):) It will all come together in the end. Remember who is behind the stress... the devil!!! He does not want us in God's word. He does not want us to know more about the Holy Spirit and His Fruit. He does not want us to share with each other, to encourage each other, to be a part of a small group. Because when we are .... he does not win... we do!!!
Julie
Welcome back from vacation. Hope you had a great time. Thanks for sharing. Like you and many of the rest of us, I struggle with abiding as well. I too am a doer... However I have learned when I abide I do, my doing, much better.
What types of things are you doing to abide? Or have tried in the past?
If you do not journal on a regular basis, may I suggest you try prayer journaling. It has helped me so much. I would be happy to explain if interested.
Lori,
Thank you for sharing your insights. Sounds very much like the Holy Spirit was working in you this week! Way to go!
Shelly,
Shelly, how may I pray for you?
Life, especially when it is topsy turvy and full of trials, can certainly drown out the Holy Spirit. I know in my life I can become so focused on the junk in my life, that it begins to consume me, and I don't even realize I have allowed it to do that. I have found it helpful during those times.... to just pray. To let it all hang out. To let the Lord know I can't feel Him... I can concentrate, I can't..., I can't....., I can't...... Then I ask for some reassurance that He is there. Life doesn't always get better at that point, but something usually happens that I know is a God thing. Like I will receive a card from friend, or something will happen that I know He is saying, Sandra, I am here.
Shelly, trust and know that the Holy Spirit is most definately there. I will pray that this week He will reveal Himself to you. That you will see and feel His presence in a way that cannot be missed!
Tootie, I have some ideas for you... but before I respond, I would love to hear some ideas from the rest or our small group. So if you can just wait a little while longer. In the meantime share what kinds of things you have tried in the past, if any, to help you memorize.
Ladies, how about it... What are some things you do to hide God's Word in your heart? To memorize Scripture?
Be Encouraged, Sandra
Hello,
ReplyDeleteSome ways I have used to memorize Scripture is to write the passage or Chapter I wanted to memorize down on a 3 x 5 card and carry it with me, or when our pastor challenged us to memorize 1 Corinthians 13, we were given this Chapter on a bookmark, and I would carry it with me everywhere - I would keep a copy in my car - and whenever I was at a red light I would read it and practice memorizing. I would also tape a copy to my bathroom, or bedroom mirror, as well as to my refrigerator. Whenever I was at one of these spots, I would read the Scripture and memorize a little more. Worked great and it is such an encouragement to your day.
I also wanted you to know I am praying for each of you and the struggles you are going through. May God give you strength and courage each day and may you always know how much He loves you and cares for you. You are all so very, very special and I pray that God would guide you through these storms and encourage you daily.
Dear Just Loving Jesus
ReplyDeleteThank you for your vulnerablity and sharing. I am sorry you had a melt down. How may I pray for you? Please shoot me an email directly that I may lift your challenges up specifically before our Lord. Praying for you.