Abide in the Holy Spirit

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come the disciples realized why Jesus ascended up into heaven. He left them in order that He might be with each one of them in a more intimate relationship.

The Holy Spirit came to fulfill the ministry of Jesus Christ. “I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” Jesus said (John 10:10b). He indwells so that He can reproduce the character and likeness of Jesus Christ within the born again believer. He continues to do and teach all that Jesus began to do and teach when He was here on the earth (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-17).

He longs for us to respond to His love and make ourselves available to Him to live His life in and through us (1 Cor. 3:16-17).

What does the Spirit find in the temple of our body? Too often the temple looks like a desecrated shrine, unkempt, unclean, and perhaps even defiled.

We grieve Him, and quench His fiery presence by our attitudes and behaviors. The Holy Spirit is always ready to use us, and longs to make us His instruments of grace and mercy to a lost world. How tragic when we deny Him His rightful place in our hearts?

We have each learned again and again that our God is the God of a second chance. How grateful we are that He “will restore the years the locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). “This is the everlasting mercy,” says Fitch. “He gave us another chance of doing what we have failed to do” (p. 125).

We abide in Him as we die daily to self-love and reckon to be dead unto sin and alive to God.

Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

We usually treat ourselves as if we are the only ones of significant value, the most important person in the world. Instead of Jesus being our most valued person, we make ourselves the priority. Jesus said we must die to self-love and make Him our first love.

The apostle Paul applied this great truth to the believer when he wrote, “Even so consider [be constantly counting upon the fact, reckon] yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).

As we daily die to sin and self and reckon upon Jesus we abide in Him. This is the vital ministry of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. This is an important aspect of our spiritual growth.

God is with us and in us by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to make ourselves available to Him. He will take us and cleanse us and use us to fulfill His eternal purpose in and through us.

The Holy Spirit has come to fulfill the ministry of Jesus Christ. He does that in those individuals who have believed on Christ and who make themselves available to the Spirit without reserve. Allow the Spirit of holiness the freedom to apply the blood of Jesus to keep on cleansing us daily, moment by moment from all sin. Permit Him to apply it to your conscience daily and serve the Lord with the fullness of His Spirit. We walk in the light with Him and abide in His presence, as we allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all sin. As a result the Holy Spirit strengthens our conscience and deepens our faith in Christ. In doing so we give Him the freedom to use us to His glory.

When we are cleansed and restored daily we keep short agendas with God and the Spirit keeps our hearts tender to the slightest whisper of His will. The Holy Spirit gives us a sensitivity to the disquiet when we are tempted to sin or not walk by faith. He makes us hate sin as God hates sin, and realize that sin breaks our fellowship with God. As Charles Wesley wrote, “Ah give me, Lord, the tender heart that trembles at the approach of sin.” And may He constantly remind us that the only way to restoration of that abiding fellowship is the cleansing blood of Jesus.

Keep your heart tender toward Him and He will abide in you and you in Him.Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

We Must Start by Taking

If we are going to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we must start by taking the Bible seriously. A. W. Tozer

It is the Presence Of

The energy of the flesh can run bazaars, organize amusements, and raise millions; but it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes a Temple of the Living God. Samuel Chadwick

Are Our Schools Anti Christ?

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 New International Version

Could our schools be preparing a generation for the anti Christ?

Don’t they teach that there are no absolute rights or wrongs?

Is this not against Gods instructions?
Don’t they allow every type of worship except Christians?

How many schools teach that Christmas is because of Jesus’ birth?

You can have Santa Claus in class but not the nativity scene.

Is the “No one left behind” scam not preparing today’s generation to be idiots that do not learn to think?

After all why should they try if they know they cannot fail their class?

Do they not teach that there are no winners or losers, everybody gets a prize?

Does that not set them up to believe they are entitled even though they did not work for it?

Have you talked with anyone that has recently graduated from university or high school lately?

If they grow up believing they are entitled and do not believe in absolute rights or wrongs, if they do not learn to think, is that not making it easy for the anti Christ to smooth talk them into believing his lies?

Is it not our duty to teach the children the truth even though it is not politically correct?

How many people must have laughed at Noah’s children and tried to talk Noah out of this nonsense of wasting his time building a boat because of a little rain? Look what happened to them?

This time around the stakes are even higher aren’t they?

We do not need a degree to teach we need the Holy Spirits guidance to be effective teachers. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Holy Spirit Rabbi (Holy Spirit our teacher) please give me the strength and wisdom to teach all Your Holy and Righteous ways. I ask in the name of the greatest teacher Jesus Christ. Amen.

This photo and article @ Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah 2022

To be Effective Teachers.

We do not need a degree to teach we need the Holy Spirits guidance to be effective teachers. Joseph- Anthony a son of Jehovah

Gladly Send the Answer Man.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. James 1: 5 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation  

When I was a teacher, my children felt comfortable asking me any question that intrigued them. Many times they were astounded that I quite freely informed them that I do not know the answer.

It is funny how many folks are too proud to admit that and try to fake their way through it. They only look stupider and stupider.

Later I would pray and The Holy Spirit would always shed light on the answer. When the answer was given in the next class and the children would ask how I got the answer, I gladly shared with them the not so secret to the answer to all of life’s questions, His name is The Holy Spirit. And, when you respectfully ask Jehovah, He will gladly send the answer man ( well okay, He is not a man but it sounds nice lol ).

“[Christians], at their best, know that often they don’t know. They do not have all the answers. They do not have God in their pocket. We cannot answer every question that any bright boy in the back row might ask. We have only light enough to walk by.” Howard A. Johnson

Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit ‘Ori (the Lord is my Light Psalm 27:1 ) that when I am asked a question I do not know the answer to I do the wise thing and respectfully ask You for Your wise insight. Thank you that Your brilliant light of knowledge shines the proper answer for me to reply with. May this be a light to guide the lost unto my Beloved Father in Heaven. I humbly request this in the name of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Amen

Many you be blessed with the gift of the answer man to answer all of your lifes questions. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2021 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

The gentleness of a

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:15-16 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Prayer: Thank you kindly Jehovah Chatsahi (The Lord is my Strength Psalm 27:1 ) for walking amongst us so You understand the trials and temptations, the tribulations and sorrows we experience in our daily life.

As such, when I come to You seeking help You bless ME with: strength where I am weak and the opportunity to use this strength to help others. The mercy to forgive me when I succumb to my weakness and repent of them.

May I extend that to those who repent when they have wronged me. The gentleness of a loving friend to teach others how to be members of Jehovahs holy family when they are uneducated in the proper etiquette befitting such a noble family.

May I guide others to behave in such a regal manner.

I humbly implore You to grant this petition this in Your gracious name. Amen.

May you be blessed with copious amounts of tutoring at the Masters feet to enable you to be a grand example of a noble family and plenty of opportunities to use them.

Joseph a son of Jehovah. This article and photo @ 2021 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

And Then What?

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 The Holy Bible, The New Life Version

I have encountered too many Christians that are determined to save the world.

Yeah, and then what?

Well, then they say praise Jesus when someone accepts Christ as their Saviour and then walk away.

That is like asking Jehovah to bless you with a child and when the baby is born the parents walk away.

How are they going to learn to live like Christians if you are not prepared to mentor them?

How are they going to learn to serve their King if you do not teach them?

No, that is not someone elses job, you brought them to Christ, now you are to educate them. This is a huge commitment that is going to take a long time, effort and suffering on your behalf. If you are not prepared to make that commitment then just shut up. You do more damage than any good because the newbies are left hanging out to dry and walk away from Jesus feeling angry and bitter towards both Him and His followers.

Bringing one to Jesus is only half of the equation. You must also teach them about Jesus. You must teach them to conform to His will. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Please Jehovah Immanuel (God is with us John 15:1-27 ) bless me to always be there for anybody that You bless me with the privledge of bringing them into Your Holy family as You are always there for me.

I humbly request this in the name of He who always walked with His disciples when He journeyed this earth Jesus Christ. Amen

May you be a blessing unto others as Christ has been a blessing unto you. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

Thank you Holy Spirit Rabbi

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

Today, we know the Book of Instruction as the Bible. The Bible is the answer book to all of lifes questions.

It guides you in your relationships. It guides you in your mental, physical and spiritual health. It guides you in your finances.

It guides you in your career.

Ultimately of course, it guides you to Heavens Gate.

Now of course we require a teacher to explain what the lesson of the Bible are and how to incorporate then into our lives. And of course we know that the best Teacher is the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the answer man to all of lifes questions. Joseph a son of Jehovah

It took me decades to realize this, accept it and incorporate this into every aspect of my life and my life is so much better now because of it. May you not be as slow a learner as I was.

The beautiful thing about the Bible is that you never stop learning from it. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Holy Spirit Rabbi (the Holy Spirit our teacher John 14:26 ) for blessing me with You skilful mentoring. It has truly been life changing for the better. Thank you that You never walked away from me when I was a stubborn, difficult student but kept gently, firmly teaching me the Holy precepts of Jehovah. Thank you that You will continue to teach me all the way to Heavens Gate. It is with great admiration I thank you in the name of the greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ. Amen

May you be blessed with abundant joy in your heart filled with love and your life overflowing with laughter every day this year. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

To My Dear Cherished

In the morning, O Lord, I will direct my song and my prayer unto You and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)

To My dear cherished Poppa : Good morning Poppa This is the day that You have made and I rejoice and be glad for the gift of it.

With gratitude, I thank You for preserving my life for one more day.

With gratitude, I thank you for Your ultimate gift of love for me, in the form of Your Son and the sacrifice of His life on my behalf. Because of this overwhelming gift that I often cannot comprehend, I humbly submit to You.

I know Lord, that I am a mere human and cannot instruct You, but you Lord bless me with The Holy Spirit to instruct me.

So teach me Your ways that I may rely on Your steadfast faithfulness. Teach me to number my days and to use my time wisely. I don’t know what this day holds, but I know that You hold the day.

It was you that laid the foundations of the Earth and therefore understands every part of it. I know that you keep the sun in the sky, the stars in place, and have created this Earth for me to inhabit and enjoy.

Throughout this day, may I be always be keenly aware of Your presence in everything I do – as I commute to work, drop children off at school, keep house and speak with my neighbors.

May my life be a living example and may others see Christ in me.

There are many that are hurting in this world – may I be a salve to someone today Lord, in a way that I can’t even imagine.

May my words be seasoned with salt and minister grace to all that hear.

May my actions be aligned with your Word.

I pray for wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, and approachable, with lots of mercy and fairness. You said an unlimited supply of wisdom is available to me if I simply ask, I so humbly request for wisdom to know how to deal with the many people and situations that will cross my path.

I pray for protection throughout this day; protect from harm and evil; go before me, to the left and right of me and behind me. Guide my steps so that I walk worthy of Your calling throughout this day. May I always be sensitive to Your promptings – whether it shows up as a gentle tug or a strong conviction. I pray for reconciliation in families, in nations and to You.

I pray that all may come to know you and be reconciled back to You.

Poppa, you know my faults and my flaws, please forgive me for being unkind with my words and my thoughts; forgive me for being self-serving; forgive me for holding on to old wounds instead of giving them to You.

Please forgive me, Poppa. When I am overwhelmed, confused, unsure, and restless, help me run to Your Word, The Holy Bible.

May your Word come alive to me so that it is a living guide in every situation I encounter this day.

Help me, Poppa, to remember the promises of your Word and bring the right passage to my remembrance for the situation I encounter. I acknowledge Poppa that I need to spend more time with You reading and praying so that I am prepared for whatever the day brings. Poppa I know that your Word is indeed a light unto my feet and a light unto the path You have chosen for me to walk this day .

Please remove fear and anxiety. from my heart and mind . As believers You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love power and a sound mind. So when I are fearful, please remind me of Your love for me and use that love as the impetus to love others and see situations differently; may I tap into the power that you have given me, for I am never alone because You have not left me comfortless.

May Your wisdom be the underpinnings for my sound mind.

May I remember that I do not have to be anxious and when I am tempted to be anxious or worrisome, may I verbalize my concerns to you and then leave them there as You taught me to do. Worry does me no good and limits me, and You do more with my worry than I ever could. So please help me to turn all of my anxious thoughts and nerve-wracking situations over to You; to truly do that and trust that You are working. That You are working all things together for my good because You love me; that You are working in ways that I cannot comprehend because Your ways always supersede mine. And that in this working You are molding me continually into masterpieces fit for Your use.

Thank You for increasing my faith and capacity to love You by being loving towards others just as You are loving towards me.

As a child of yours Lord, I know that I am Your masterpiece though sometimes I feel so far from it. Please help me to remember my worth in You when I’m faced with challenging situations.

When I feel depressed, help me to remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image , a replica of You and that You loved me so much You thought that I was worth dying for.

I do not know anyone that would die for me, but Your beautiful Son, my best friend did, and I’m eternally grateful and humbled for His supreme gift of love towards me.

For the unseen, Poppa, I thank you. You are beyond understanding, You are abundant, you are mine, and I am Yours. I totally and completely submit everything in my life to You today,

I humbly request this in the name of He who humbly went to the cross for me, Jesus Christ. Amen.

May your heart, mind and feet walk hand in hand with Christ this day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.