Holy Spirit Activated

 

Spirit living in a carnal world

Walking in love is so difficult these days. Living in the Spirit when the world is so carnal . . .

There are so many people and so many things that can cause anger, bitterness, and resentment to rise up within us. So many will misrepresent us and take what we say and how we do things the wrong way. Satan is so busy trying to negate our testimony.

Hang in everyone. God is able . Keep trusting and keep striving. He is soon to come!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:24-26)

We are never alone!

Never go it alone! Jesus never intended for His followers to be alone. He stayed close by when He was on the earth and He keeps His promise to be with us now, in the Person of the Holy Spirit! We are never alone!

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. (John 14:15-19)

Jesus had to go to the cross so we could be forgiven. He had to go back to His Father so He could make it possible to be with every believer all the time! His gift of the Holy Spirit enables every believer to have 24/7 access to Him all the time!

When He was on the earth, people could only access His presence when He was physically in their presence. Not so with us today. He gives His Spirit to live within every believer. Let's take advantage of that gift and dwell with Him more often! We are never alone!

Set an example

 I am really concerned for our younger generation today . . . those between sixteen and thirty-something. They have a lot of challenges and are being told a lot of lies and shown a lot of deceptive plans for their future. Satan is indeed busy . . . . and it seems busier than ever!

“Don’t let anyone look down on your because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith and purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

This generation is going to be in charge on day. Teens need to know now, though, that their opinions are important. They should be encouraged to set an example to peers and even adults. They must be encouraged to not simply blindly follow others. Young people have the ability through Christ to do amazing things in their life and in the lives of others. 

We, as adults, need to listen more and be willing to learn from our younger generation, even as we are teaching and modeling life as a believer for them. While the Gospel remains the same, as culture changes, we must adapt to how we present God's Truths. Jesus did not share the same way with every one He encountered. He listened, He healed, He comforted, He corrected, and He cared through it all. As Christ was, we too need to be in touch with the Holy Spirit and led by Him in our daily activities.

We all, young and not-so-young alike, need to set an example for others to witness and follow, even before words are ever spoken!

Never . . . more!

So when do we know enough? Simple answer . . . NEVER! We need to know!

While we will never know all about God, we should never stop trying to find out more about Him. The more we can understand of the magnitude of His love and grace, the more we grow in our love for Him. Just like with our spouse, we should be desiring to know more and more about the person God is. After all, He is the most important person in our lives!

God the Holy Spirit is not spoken about or spoken to as often as should be. He is real. He is living inside every believer. he desires for us to know Him deeper. He wants nothing but good for us. In fact, He even prays for us when we don't know what to say! Why do we not seek Him more?

Let's focus on getting to know God the Holy Spirit more today . . . this week . . . every day in fact. We will never know enough but should be seeking to know more.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

an indescribable God

How to describe an indescribable God . . . hummmmm. Remember that time when you were so blown away that you couldn't even speak? Recently God has done some really stupid stuff in our lives. By stupid, I mean literally crazy and indescribable things! In the last year or so, we have gone from a rather regular life in our home of 24 years, to getting a mind-blowing offer for that home, living in hotels and relatives for months, getting an unbelievable offer on a new home, moving 25 miles away from where we were, paying cash for two newsed vehicles . . . . an simply indescribable past six months for sure! Oh, and we also have been leading a team of teenagers from school in missions training with a goal of raising over $15,000 in less than nine months to serve in Puerto Rico. Guess what? God did that and more too!

He is an indescribable God for sure! Yes, we have had our struggles too, but we are so learning to simply trust God. The more we lean upon Him, the more He delivers what we need, even when we don't even know what we need . . . like a different home!

Listen . . . God is real and He wants us to be real with Him. He wants to change each of us to be more like Him and to want more of Him. The same power that raised Him from the grave and empowered hundreds to give their lives for Him is within us as believers.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Even when we have no clue . . . His Spirit knows what we need and pleads with the Father for us! That's my Daddy . . . that's my God!

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.         (Romans 8:27)

Tell me about your God!

Understand your gift

 The Holy Spirit gives His gifts to every believer, yet we all receive differently. It is important to understand your gift so it can be used properly. As we each know and understand how God has gifted us, we can then work as a "Body" and function properly! As one teaches, one counsels, one intercedes, one encourages . . . we work as one. (John 17). If we work out of order, then the Body is out of order and walks with a limp!

Not knowing our gifts neglects the entire Body. Not using our gifts is sin against the Body and God. We must know them and grow them. If don't use them we lose them! It is time we begin to understand how to properly gift one another as God has gifted us!

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

We are not alone!

“Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 31-33)

Jesus is explaining to His disciples that He is about to leave. Just before He would go to the cross, He gives a great example of the loneliness a follower of our Lord would face. He was about to be abandoned, even by His closest followers, yet He would not be alone . . . He had the Spirit of God with Him the entire way until He gave up that Spirit!

We are not alone either! That very Spirit that enabled Christ to go through the torture of the Cross is the same Spirit that raised Him from the grave. That very same Spirit now lives in side every born-again follower of Christ! He enables us to face adversity . . . yes even abandonment of friends, family and the world in general!

Remember, as we go through various trials and temptations that we are not alone . . . He is with us!

Do not lose those things you have worked for!

 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (2 John 1: 8-11)

Beware of the fancy words, the slick talkers, and the one with the charisma and charm. There are many who sound great and speak with flair and romanticize the Gospel. They smile, encourage, and even comfort many of us with their words and presentation. BEWARE! There are still wolves in sheep's clothing! (Matthew 7:15)

We still must try every spirit, especially in these challenging days. Many come promising cures, emotional relief, financial prosperity and more. When in doubt, we must always compare what we are reading and hearing with the doctrine of Christ . . .the teachings of Christ and His disciples. If there are inconsistencies, then flee! 

Jesus gave too much for our souls. We also have sacrificed along the way in our walk with Christ. Do not give it up for nonsense! Do not be fooled!!!

Be very careful . . . and calculating!

  . . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit . . . (Ephesians 5:16-18)

Be very careful . . . and calculating! Test every spirit! (1 John 4:1) These are trying times and many are out to take advantage of everyone and everything possible. Oh, by the way, Satan is very good at this as well!

We can be duped into staying indoors, not socializing, isolating ourselves and living in fear forever! As believers, we must live in community as best we are able, even during a pandemic. We must redeem the time, yes because these days are evil! 

However, we also must be careful and calculating. Where can we minister? Who can we serve? How are we able to reach people? Is there more than a virtual reality CHRISTianity?

People still need folks to share Christ with them . . . in words and deeds. There are still very safe ways to be personal with folks . . . in real life! Maybe it's just me, but I do not believe Jesus would have stayed locked in His home if there were a pandemic going on in Jerusalem in His day. In fact, he went to the unwanted and abandoned! He touched the lepers, healed the woman with the issue of blood, and healed the beggars and others left for dead. 

How can we reach the lonely, isolated, depressed, and needy folks of today . . . in our own families and neighborhoods? Can we try????

Spirit Week V: Is it God?

The Holy Spirit is called the Helper in the Bible, but He cannot help you with some of the things you will need help on unless He can first communicate directly to you on exactly what He wants you to do. Have you ever tried giving Him permission to lead and guide you? Yes, give God permission! He will not force Himself on anyone. However, if we simply ask, He will freely give!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith . . . (James 1:2-6)

Yes indeed, God is available for the asking . . .it is His Spirit! As we give Him control, we are freed up to act according to His will.

 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God . . . (Romans 8:13-16)

That feeling . . .that gut . . . that conscience . . . that is His Holy Spirit alive and working in the believer!

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit . . . (Romans 9:1)

Allow God to work within you! Just ask!!!  I hope Spirit Week was worth it . . . .

 

 

Rejecting the Holy Spirit? A call to holiness . . .

 

Spirit Week IV: A Call to Holiness 

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204&version=NKJV)

There is one thing that will keep us from God . . . forever. That is simply rejecting Him. By Him, we mean all of Him . . . Father, Son and Holy Spirit! God is not divided, but One, since Genesis 1! We cannot pick and choose Whom we believe God is. As true believers, His Spirit resides within us, convicts us, consoles us, directs us and disciplines us . One cannot reject the basic doctrines of God and believe they are a child of God.

We all must work at listening to the Holy Spirit and not the world . . . having a relationship with Him and abiding in Him, even as He disciplines us, molds us and prunes us away from unclean living to a life of God-honoring holiness. 

We cannot do it, but He can! He is working everything out for our good! (Romans 8:28) Even as we have been secluded and kept away from people, we can still draw near to His Spirit! (James 4:8)

 

 

Walking "in" (with) the Spirit . . . .

 Spirit Week: Holy Spirit Part III

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26) 

I got a HUGE question: If we say we are saved and agree that the Holy Spirit lives within us, why do we choose the wrong thing so many times?  I know we all struggle. Nearly every night we all can look back upon our day and realize how many times we have failed Christ and grieved the Holy Spirit. We honestly repent and seek forgiveness . . . the life of a Christ follower!

There is a key word in Paul's words above . . . practice. Yes, we are talking about practice! However, unlike what the famous NBA player was referring to years ago (https://youtu.be/eGDBR2L5kzI), this practice leads to eternal life! It refers to a habit, a way of life!

As we grow in faith, the influence of the Holy Spirit should be growing within us. We should be sinning less and less and walking in the Spirit more and more! We should be acknowledging our sin and denying our flesh more than giving in to it. Let's make a habit of walking in the Spirit!

 

 

 

 

 

The Holy Spirit is alive and working

Spirit Week II. . .

How does the Holy Spirit work? What does He do? I could not say it better. The Holy Spirit is alive and working in every believer! Read on . . .

The Holy Spirit today plays a major role in the application of salvation to the individual. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light.Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature. The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church. He also unites the believer with Christ in His death, enabling him to live victoriously over sin.The Holy Spirit controls the believer who yields to God and submits himself to God's Word. When these conditions are met, the believer lives in the power of the Spirit and produces the fruit of the Spirit.The Holy Spirit indwells the believer permanently.While the child of God may sin and grieve the Spirit, the Spirit will never leave the true believer. Absence of the Holy Spirit is the mark of the unsaved. The Holy Spirit seals the believer. This ministry guarantees the security of the believer "until the day of redemption." (https://www.moodybible.org/beliefs/positional-statements/holy-spirit/)

So you say you want to read these words from God? OK . . .

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:8-11)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:9)

 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

Wow! To think we ignore Him so often, as if He is not right here with us! Look at all He does and calls us to do in partnership with Him. God is right here with us . . .living and working right in us! Will we just allow Him the freedom to work in and through us?

The HIStory of the Holy Spirit

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1–2)

It is Spirit Week at school so I am led to discuss THE SPIRIT . . . so often forgotten in our studies, our prayers, and our daily activities. Yet He is One Who is present in every believer! How can we not know? How can we forget?

The Hebrew word for Spirit, RUACH is often translated as wind or breath in the Old Testament. The same word is found in Psalm 33 where we again catch a glimpse of the Spirit’s work in creation: 

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath [Spirit] of His mouth.” (Psalm 33:6)

RUACH ELOHIM, in Hebrew, represents the Spirit of God. In Matthew, we see the picture of the Trinity; the Spirit of God present at Jesus' baptism along with the voice of God the Father:

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

The Spirit was promised the Jesus' followers before He went to the cross (John 14:15-17) and first given in in the Book of Acts: 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4) 

So for us, we too will receive this power, when we repent and ask the Lord to save us from our sin. Just as the Spirit indwelled the disciples we too possess that power to do His work! 

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

 

That very same Spirit!

 

Now we can do everything the law requires. Our sinful nature no longer controls the way we live. The Holy Spirit now controls the way we live. 

Don't live under the control of your sinful nature. If you do, you will think about what your sinful nature wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants.

 The way a sinful person thinks leads to death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit brings life and peace.

 The sinful mind is at war with God. It does not obey God's law. It can't.

 Those who are controlled by their sinful nature can't please God.

 But your sinful nature does not control you. The Holy Spirit controls you. The Spirit of God lives in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 

 Christ lives in you. So your body is dead because of sin. But your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God.

 The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies, which are going to die. He will do this by the power of his Spirit, who lives in you. 

 Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the control of our sinful nature. (Romans 8:4-12)

Think about it . . .the very same Spirit of God that was working in and through Christ . . . the same Spirit Jesus committed back to God on the Cross . . . . the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead . . . . that very same Spirit lives in you and me . . . . the Christ follower

The power that raised Jesus from the grave lives inside of every believer! It grieves me daily to ask this question of myself and others: Why do we keep on grieving that Spirit? (Ephesians 4:30) Jesus said if we love Him we would keep His commandments, yet I still sin! I do love Jesus too! It is a battle indeed that only the Spirit can win! 

Yet we fight from victory . . .the Risen Savior! He promised us His Spirit and He lives within us. I fight it . . .you fight it . . . Paul fought it as well (Romans 7). It is a fight we can and will win . . . There is victory in Jesus! 

That very same Spirit fights with us and for us!

Let's Be One!

 

Brothers and sisters, I make my appeal to you. I do this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I ask that all of you agree with one another in what you say. I ask that you don’t take sides. I ask that you are in complete agreement in all that you think.(1 Corinthians 1:10)

Fellow believers . . .CHRISTians . . . everyone who calls on the name of the Lord  and claims Him to be God and Savior and knows His Word to be true . . . Let's be one! Listen to some of Jesus' last words as He spoke with His Father before going to the cross . . . .

“I do not pray only for them. I pray also for everyone who will believe in me because of their message. Father, I pray they will be one, just as you are in me and I am in you. I want them also to be in us. Then the world will believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory you gave me. I did this so they would be one, just as we are one.  I will be in them, just as you are in me. This is so that they may be brought together perfectly as one. Then the world will know that you sent me. It will also show the world that you have loved those you gave me, just as you have loved me.(John 17:20-23)

Oneness shows unity. Discord and division reflects chaos and confusion. Who wants to be a part of chaos? How can we win folks for Christ when many do not know what they believe one day to the next?  Christ came and sacrificed so we may be one Body, not numerous denominations and religions.

Before our families, communities, churches or nation can be one, we as individuals must be one with Christ. . .one faith, one baptism, one Lord, one Father of us all!

Where you you stand today? Let's be ONE!

Are You Part of the TEAM?

 God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be.  If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?  As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body. The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without. The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care. The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any.  In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:18-27)

Are you part of the team or on the sidelines, on injured reserve, or worse yet, the other team? A member of a team wears the team colors. It represents something . . . . unity, common goals, brotherhood, commitment, cohesiveness, family. One would not be allowed to play without a uniform. All team members look alike in how they dress. They have a game plan and are committed to it! They work in unison. They are all for one and one for all!

Paul reminds us here that we as members of Christ's Body. . . His team, are to be in uniform daily. . . suited up, ready to engage the enemy, with common goals and a game plan! God is our Coach, Jesus is our Captain and the Holy Spirit carries us on when we get tired and out of breath. Our game plan is clearly drawn up in His playbook, the Bible! We are in it to win it!

Are you ready team? It's game time!

Start at home.....God is still God!

 Jesus sent these twelve out with the following orders. “Do not go among the Gentiles,” he said. “Do not enter any town of the Samaritans.  Instead, go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have become lost.  As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases ‘clean’ again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely. “Do not get any gold, silver or copper to take with you in your belts. Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs.  When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, greet those who live there.  If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don’t bless it.  Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don’t, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet.  What I’m about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves.(Matthew 10:5-16)

Jesus sent the twelve out among the Jews . . . His people. He gave specific instruction not to go among the Gentiles or Samaritans, but the people of Israel!

In these challenging times of sickness, unrest and real fracture and divisions . . . yes, among believers, I believe it is time to start at home! Forget about the unsaved, the unsure or the unknowing for a moment: What about our family members and church members who seemed to have lost it?

I don't know how many times I have seen or heard words and reactions on social media from believers which totally contradict a biblical worldview! Have we been so duped by the enemy to support any and every social cause, political agenda, or policy that comes along, simply because it sounds good on the surface? What has happened to sound scriptural teaching and commitment to His Word? 

It s ok if you don't agree, but His Word is Truth! By the way, God does not change for politics, social media, culture or for our feelings!  He is still God!

Focus upon the Holy Spirit!

The power of sin should no longer control the way we live. The Holy Spirit should control the way we live. So don’t live under the control of sin. If you do, you will think about what sin wants. Live under the control of the Holy Spirit. If you do, you will think about what the Spirit wants. The thoughts of a person ruled by sin bring death. But the mind ruled by the Spirit brings life and peace. The mind ruled by the power of sin is at war with God. It does not obey God’s law. It can’t. Those who are under the power of sin can’t please God.(Romans 8:4-8)

How is it possible to focus on the Holy Spirit with so much evil going on around us? We see  sin everywhere . . . on TV, on the internet, in our neighborhoods, in our homes, in our schools, even in our churches! Though we are ALL sinners, those of us who are in Christ have the power within us to not sin!

As impossible as that sounds, it can be done. Have I mastered it? Nope . . . not yet. However, I attempt to every day by His power, not mine. I am learning to surround my self with His Word and His people (my wife especially) to keep me focused. When I see or experience evil, I am learning to discern whether or not I should even entertain the thought to confront it. 

Sin and evil seem to seek me out if I don't search for it myself.  What about you? Have you put up barriers to keep out sin? Have you removed some people from you social circles and replaced them with some Godly influences? Do you have others to keep a watch on your internet choices? With whom do you share your music play lists? Do you even read scripture, seek biblical articles and videos, have a church home?

You see, just like we choose to sin, we choose not to sin! Instead of focusing upon our next sinful endeavor, try focusing upon the Holy Spirit inside and His choices for you! It's a process . . . .