The Gift

My Savior was born. That’s all that needs to be said. The actual time of year is of no consequence to me.

I grew up thinking that part of celebrating Christmas was giving gifts to one another because the three wise men gave gifts. But it’s not about the gifts brought to Joseph, Mary, and our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s about the gift Christ brought from the Father – to us.

His birth was planned so that He could die for a specific purpose – to save mankind. This was the true gift of his birth…what we call Christmas.

It is a gift that surpasses everything imaginable on this earth.

It is a gift that waits as long as your lifetime to be received by you.

It is a gift of life everlasting that would soon be unwrapped on the cross… where His blood would redeem those who would accept His gift.

So, if I truly want to celebrate Jesus’ birth, then I guess I also need to celebrate His death – as this is the true gift given us.

As I shop through the various department stores I hone in on the small children screaming and crying from visual overloads that spark the greed that has never been tempered with the story of Jesus. I realize the children in America are actually very poor.

I dread buying anything red or green, or that resembles a commercial I zipped past while trying to land on some significant broadcast that isn’t laced with Santa and all the other jingle bells. But, I still buy this stuff out of being a good mother with good cheer and sincere love. I like giving to people…but I want to focus on the true celebration.

If we could give a gift to one another in the same spirit as He gave us, then know that that gift would be called love. That is the perfect gift this Christmas, in case anyone asks.

Don’t forget to accept the Father’s gift, and have a Merry Christmas.

When It's Dark

Recently our group has been in deep prayer for some very sick people that are close to our hearts. Some have been deemed terminal, some are in agony, and most are very young.

In all this sickness we search for God and try to find answers through our prayers, in our fellowship with one another and in the scriptures.

While I was reading "Angels - God's Secret Agents" by Billy Graham, I came across an incident he wrote about on page 106 of the book. I connected what Mr. Graham said right away with those praying for their sick and maybe wondering where God was. It comforted me as a Christian and I wanted to share it with you. Here is what Mr. Graham wrote:

Once when I was going through a dark period I prayed and prayed, but the heavens seemed to be brass. I felt as though God had disappeared and that I was all alone with my trial and burden. It was a dark night for my soul. I wrote my mother about the experience, and will never forget her reply: "Son, there are many times when God withdraws to test your faith. He wants you to trust Him in the darkness. Now, Son, reach up by faith in the fog and you will find that His hand will be there." In tears I knelt by my bed and experienced an overwhelming sense of God's presence. Whether or not we sense and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit or one of the holy angels, by faith we are certain God will never leave us nor forsake us.

Chapter 9 - The Spirit Transforms

Read Galations 5:13-26

(I chose the picture to the right because it represented to me a transformation from the death of unforgiven sin to the fruits of the Holy Spirit as seen in live branches through Christ.)

According to the verses in Galations mentioned above, what are some of the limitations on the freedom we have been set free with?

I guess we can't use this freedom to gratify the desires of our sinful nature. We can't indulge. Have you ever experienced someone thinking "Oh, they think they are saved so they can go do whatever they want."? Do you believe that Catholics just go to their priest and it's as simple as that for them too? We know these statements are not true for Christians.

Doesn't the sinful nature desire what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature? Do you sense this struggle inside of you?

Indulging our sinful nature plays out in today's society in the form of what is described in verse 19. Obvious is sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. We see hatred, drugs, thieves, rapist, murderer's, greed, sexual acts...and on and on. And this was described over 2000 years ago. Seems like someone knew what they were talking about.

So what is Paul saying when he says in verse 21 that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God? What about those of us who are truly Christians who slip and fall into this behavior? What about those who indulge in this sinful nature without Christ as their savior? What is the difference between the two groups? Hard question.

We resolved that as Christians we will sometimes fall into the desires of this world but will generally not gravitate to that behavior without a sense of dread or guilt and be acutely aware of the sinful indulgence. Most often we turn in regret and ask forgiveness. Or in some cases it may take a very long time once we cross a threshold of no longer controlling ourselves. But with others that have never accepted Christ their sin has not been washed with the blood of Christ yet. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit hasn't happened to them. They are not indulging their desires with regret or even care they are doing wrong. It's all about them and their pleasure without consideration of Christ.

The distinction of the acts of the sinful nature is to help us recognize each other by the fruits of the Spirit. These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

We should test our own actions, carry each other's burdens, restore one another gently. We reap what we sow. If we sow to please our sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Look over the list of qualities that demonstrate the Spirit's presence in your life.

Find the qualities that are least in you and make them a priority for development. Mine is self-control in many forms. It has to stay in front of me at all times and it's hard putting it there. I struggle with love when it comes to strangers or nasty people. I have to remind myself that God loves that person as much as He loves me. Christ completes us. We are better people because of the indwelling of His spirit - I can't imagine what I was like before.

Chapter 8 - The Spirit Equips (Continued)

I left off with a discussion on tongues and my early morning revelations as I pondered our study the Thursday before. Since then we have completed Chapter 8 and continued discussing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When it came to the gifts of healing we recognized that this gift wasn’t about producing “Divine Healers”, but rather “Divine Healing”. We discussed many of the public figures of today and included the gift of miraculous powers in the discussion. We accept that God gives these gifts but are also wary of how they are sometimes used - and choose to place our deliberations in the hands of the Holy Spirit to validate and lead.

We then decided that after we completed our next study on the Fruits of the Spirit, we would then study the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and spend more time on each of these. So I won’t write about the Gifts until then. We’ll reserve our thoughts for later, after a more in depth look at the gifts.

But why does Paul talk about the unity of Christ’s body at the same time he talks about Spiritual gifts? The proper use of Spiritual gifts should contribute to the harmonious functioning of the body, in that there are no jealousies, or disputes and that all gifts are important and needed to complete the body. We aren’t to use our gifts in comparison of each other’s worth or to establish our value to the church, as all Spiritual gifts are used as God desires and therefore we can not boast. This “Gift” we did not have until the Holy Spirit gave it to us.

What about the natural gifts some of us are born with? We aren’t born with Gifts of the Holy Spirit but some of us do possess talents that can be used by God. But not everyone is called to use their natural gifts. How many talented people do you see that don’t believe?

When we do discover the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given us, we are to use them to benefit the body of Christ - our church which has many limbs in it’s members.

In The Middle of Chapter 8 - The Spirit Equips

Our study of Chapter 8 is being done in two parts. Last Thursday we discussed the Gifts of the Spirit. The conversation was lively and engaging. When we complete Chapter 8 next week I'll update this blog with that study. In the meantime, Friday morning I awoke early.

There I was awake again before the alarm clock went off. This time it wasn’t 3:00 in the morning so I didn’t try to go back to sleep. As I laid there with the covers over my head my thoughts went back to our bible study Thursday night. Again I felt like I interrupted people too many times when they tried to give their opinions. Richard – I think I did this to you a couple of times – I’m so sorry.

When I hear one of you speak it charges me with so many new thoughts and confirmations that sometimes I can’t contain the words that tumble out of my mouth. I’m so eager to engage and discuss that I find myself doing what I don’t want to do - interrupt. To me, hearing truths is like hearing God speak for the first time. It’s as awesome the 900^th time as it was the first time I realized He loved me.

When I prepare for our group, the study doesn’t always open fully to me until I’m with all of you. And when that happens I’m uncontainable and could jump on top of that round table and do a jig for Jesus. Maybe part of this comes from being single and starved for conversations other than those from work.

But you should see me at home when it does open fully for me. I can't type fast enough. I'm laughing and saying out loud, "Yes Jesus - I got that - I hear you - Yes, Yes, Yes." I believe the filling of the Holy Spirit is one of the most joyous experiences a human being can have. I truly have the desire to express this joy with each of you, but I promise to not overtake your time to express yours. So, I will bring a strip of duct tape to our next study. And anyone may apply it when I runneth at the mouth.

So as I lay in bed Friday morning I thought about the gift of tongues. I actually thought about a lot of the gifts of the Spirit and how they relate in our current times. Our world has changed so much in the 2000 years since Christ. But our Father hasn’t. I realize that I need to accept what I can’t explain or understand and just let the Spirit lead me. If people can speak in tongues today as intended by the Spirit, then I guess I need to pray for the ability to discern if what I’m hearing is from man or from God.

Then came my next conclusion. If I can’t understand what the person is saying, or that person doesn’t understand what he is saying either, how can this magnify the church? How can this gift be used to honor our Father? And of course comes the Gift of Interpretation. TA DA! But of course I say. Tongues is only good if followed by interpretation. And again I would apply the same rule. If people can interpret tongues today as intended by the Spirit, then I guess I need to pray for the ability to discern if what I’m hearing is from man or from God.

I guess I wanted you to know that I don't have all the answers and I may not always be right. I think sometimes for days after our study about what was said. These early morning hours are usually filled with thoughts like I've expressed here and can be so revealing at times. My mind can't contain Him. Therefore I need to learn that my limited understanding should not be applied in limiting what my Father is capable of doing, or when, where, and through whomever He chooses.

To the single adults in this group: I want you to know that you inspire me, challenge me, you are my Wednesday night church - you are the lift in my clothesline as it sags from the weight of my laundry. I guess I need to tell you what that means. Some of you already know.

When I was a child I asked my grandfather why we have to go to church so much. We go Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and then again on Wednesday night. Why Wednesday night I asked.

He explained, "You see your grandmother's clothesline out in the back yard? You see the big T Posts on each end that the clotheslines are tied too?"

I said, "Yes grandpa I see what you are talking about."

"Well, each of those poles represents Sunday, the day we go to church." I was somewhat lost but I stayed up with him. He then reminded me, "You know how sometimes the middle of the line sags and the sheets drag in the dirt?"

"Sure", I said. I'd seen my grandpa fix it so the sheets wouldn't drag anymore.

He said, "Now you see that wooden pole I made to help prop up the middle of the line so it wouldn't sag?" Eagerly I said, " Yes." I knew what the pole was for!

"Well, that's Wednesday night church. Our spirits sag between Sunday to Sunday so we need a lift in the middle of the week.

You are the lift in my clothesline - my Wednesday night church.

Chapter 7 - The Spirit Liberates

What is the source of your freedom? Where does it come from?

For Christians the source of real liberation is the Spirit of God. He liberates the human spirit from bondage to the old masters of sin and death.

Try to imagine life for Paul when he lived under the old taskmasters of the law, sin and death. Paul (Saul at the time) was a very respected Pharisee. He was a scholar of the Torah, the five books from Moses, Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra, Bemidbar and Devarim (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) and of the oral laws of restriction and commands from his era, now found in the Talmud.

You've heard how doctors make the worst patients? Why is that do you think? Possibly because they know too much and may fear the treatment? I think of Paul in this way when I contemplate what it was like to live under the law as he did. He knew so much of the only text available to anyone of his times; taught from it, killed from it, admonished from it. But when it came time for his own treatment do you think he struggled with and feared failure? In those dark corners where there is just him and God, do you think he succumbed to the realization that they were forever locked into a perpetual life of sacrifice? Do you think he struggled with how fallible he was? Can you see the chains now?

So, how did God set us free from the condemnation of the law? First of all the law was holy and good. It was not evil - it came from God. The problem was in our own sinful nature. Whoever tried to keep the law failed. So God sent his own Son to remove the burden of the law from us by offering himself as an eternal sacrifice for our sin. (Pop! There goes a link in that sin chain of bondage!)

Then, how does God set us free from being dominated by our sinful nature? It's by being controlled by the Spirit instead of being controlled by the sinful mind. We either live in accordance with our sinful nature or we live in accordance with the Spirit. BUT HOW? I HAVE SO MUCH TO GET RID OF! The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, that supernatural spirit of the Father living inside us, counters our sinful nature. Do you now utter to yourself things like - "Oh!! That shouldn't have come from me!" when before it was common behaviour and you never considered it? This is the Holy Spirit countering your sinful nature. He intercedes and teaches, convicts and converts. (Pop! There goes the link that says "You don't have the ability to change.")

But what about death. How does God set us free from this? First, we were dead in our spirit toward God but now our spirit has been made alive. Second, the death of our body will be overcome by our future resurrection. The Spirit is active in both. Our body dies to our sin but our spirit is alive because of righteousness. If His Spirit is in us, He that rose Christ will also raise us. And no power on earth can separate us from the love of God. (POP POP - The chain of death broken at the cross)

Why do we still try to submit to the authority of legalism? We are still flesh and it still has sinful ways. We will battle these sinful urgings. As we cultivate our lives in the realm of the Spirit we become more accustomed to a life of godliness - Less Flesh - More Spirit. (Pop - The link of thinking "It's going to be a breeze" is broken - Satan can't use this to bring us down)

Where can I find the strength to battle this sinful nature? We can come to God now as one of his children. There is no more condemnation of our sins. Take confidence in this. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is from God to you - take confidence that you belong to Him. We are not alone anymore with the law and our perpetual sacrifice. (Pop - the chain of weakness is destroyed)

And when I am weak how does this Spirit minister to me? What should I pray for? We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Broken - The chains of self-reliance are crushed.)

Can you see the broken chains at the foot of the cross? Death couldn't keep Him, the grave couldn't contain Him and through Him I am saved. My sin is no longer seen by the Father. I am free.

Chapter 6 - The Spirit Guides

Read Acts 16: 1-15

Think about a time when you needed the Lord's direction in a decision. You probably said something like, "If I just knew what God wanted me to do."

How did you seek out God's will? Most of us asked for His guidance through prayer. So, when and how did you get your answer?

I remember praying about this ministry and whether it was what I was suppose to do. I already served as a Sunday school teacher but also knew there would be more that I was suppose to do. I just didn't know what it was going to be. So I prayed for an answer when I was approached with serving in the singles ministry. I emptied myself of human desires and humbled myself as a servant awaiting orders from the Master. And believe me - I'm no saint. I had to get rid of a lot when I went to my Father in prayer.

My answer came to me 3 times because each time I received an answer I asked God, "Did I get this right? Is this what you want me to do? Did this come from you?" Every time I asked Him I got an answer. Finally after the 3rd confirmation I accepted. I realized that when you ask for something or for an answer you just might get it right away. Surprise, surprise! God doesn't waste any time.

In this part of Acts God didn't waste any time either in directing Paul's mission. You see, Paul was already doing what the Father had asked him to do - deliver the gospel. And Paul was fully engaged in doing this when he came to Lystra and met a disciple named Timothy. Paul wanted to take Timothy along on the journey and circumcised him since his mother was Jewish and his father was Greek. We believe he did this because it would make his work more effective among the Jews. They traveled from town to town delivering the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the regions, but were kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. Here we see Paul and his companions first experience the negative leading of the Spirit. How do you think the Spirit told Paul not to proceed into those places? Do you think the road was washed out or something blocked their path? Or perhaps Paul was experienced in understanding when the Spirit directed him?

Let's look at the positive direction from the Spirit. Starting in v9 Paul has a dream of a man from Macedonia standing and begging Paul to come and help them. Paul immediately concludes this vision was God calling them to preach the gospel to the Macedonians. Let's look at what happened when Paul took this path.

Chapter 16 verses 13 - 15 of Acts - On the Sabbath Paul and his disciples had gathered outside the gate of Philippi and had expected to find a place of prayer. There were so few Jews in Philippi that there was no synagogue, so the Jews who were there met for prayer along the banks of the Gangites River. It was customary for such places of prayer to be located outdoors near running water.

Paul spoke to the women who had gathered at the river outside the city gate. One of these women was named Lydia from Thyatira and was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart and she and her household were baptized. She then invited them to come stay in her home. (Lydia's name may be associated with her place of origin, the Hellenistic district of Lydia. Thyatira in the Roman province of Asia. She was a gentile)

From the vision we believe that the Holy Spirit was showing that the path Paul should take was towards Greece where the people were begging for help, therefore receptive and ready to hear the gospel. And this is where Lydia opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. Sometimes the people are at the right place a the right time for the message to be delivered to them by the right person at the right place at the right time.

Do you think Paul would have received the guidance of the Holy Spirit if he had been sitting at home ignoring the call to spread the gospel? Under what circumstances do you think the Holy Spirit helps us to decide the next direction we are to take? Will you know the answer when it is given to you? If we are engaged in a relationship with Christ by actively pursuing his guidance and direction to deliver the gospel, do you think the Holy Spirit will be there to guide us?

We understood from this study that during our journey in delivering the gospel we can expect guidance from the Holy Spirit whether it be a negative direction or a positive one. The path we choose may not be the one the Holy Spirit wants us to take and we should look for that guidance.

Chapter 5 - The Spirit Empowers

Read Acts 6: 1-15 and 7: 54-60

Our group discussion was dynamic, focusing on the "The Spirit Empowers." One of the most powerful statements shared in the study was from Harry Lee a Chinese prisoner, for his faith in Jesus Christ. He replied to the question, "How did you survive such abuse and pain? " His answer was, "Whatever I needed for each hour and each crisis, the Holy Spirit provided. Never any excess. Never any lack."

The study reviewed the story of the first martyr of the New Testament--Stephen, who was chosen to be one of the servants chosen to help with needs of the poor. We found him to be of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, possessing administration gifts, and full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. He humbled himself to serve the needy and probably also served his fellow deacons by working with other men who had the same qualities. The point was made that he probably avoided competition among his coworkers for the greater good of the service in which he was appointed to serve. A point we all need to heed while serving in our communities and in the church. Any one of us would feel privileged to work along side Stephen.

The church grew. Even though a great company of priests were obedient to the faith, they too became believers. Stephen performed great wonders and signs. He was full of grace and power. He engaged in great debates between the non-believers of his times. Two main points that Stephen made upsetting the Councils were that the Temple would be destroyed and the customs which Moses delivered to his people would be changed by Jesus of Nazareth. False witnesses rose up against him and brought him to the Council.

In Acts 7: 1-53 we can find Stephen's testimonial sermon of the witnesses who went before him, from Abraham to Solomon. This part of the discussion was not part of the written study but was read in part by the group to experience the great learner and speaker Stephen was with which he honored his Savior. He did not find favor with the Council and was ran out of the city. He cried out to the Lord, as Jesus did, "receive my Spirit" and "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge," as he was being stoned to death.

Stephen was "illegally" stoned. He spoke the truth in love and in conviction. It cost him his life.

The study group shared many life experiences in which we risk persecution, lying, being "stared down", loosing friends, family or our jobs. We are always, like Harry Lee is, comforted by the Spirit and affirmed by the Holy Spirit to be brave and bold. Stephen was not only a great martyr but a great example for us to follow.

We were all encouraged to read Stephen's sermon and to use it as a synopsis in witnessing or encouragement in times of loneliness and distress. We were admonished to memorize a verse each week with reference and subject.

We all have a heart full of love and life-giving substance to weave into our friends, into our families and into our communities through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and our faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Graciously submitted,

Hope Pottenger

Chapter 4 - The Spirit Renews

Read John 3:1-8

We had an interesting conversation about what we were first told concerning where babies come. And what it felt like to experience birth. Of course this led up to our study on rebirth as described to Nicodemus by Christ in John 3: 1-8.

The group described Nicodemus as being curious, somewhat believing, searching, testing, and humbling when he came to visit Christ. Being a Pharisee, Nicodemus was part of the largest and most influential religious-political party during New Testament times. He was also a member of the Sanhedrin - the highest Jewish council in the first century. The Sanhedrin had 71 members and were presided over by the high priest. They were predominately Sadducee's but a few leading Pharisees were members - like Nicodemus. Nicodemus was considered a teacher of Israel - an authority on the interpretation of the Hebrew scriptures. (The Sanhedrin would later demand Christ's death)

Nicodemus recognized Christ as a Rabbi or teacher from God, evidenced by miraculous signs Christ was doing and witnessed by many. To Nicodemus, these signs bore witness to the presence of God. What he saw was true. But what Nicodemus didn't see was that Christ was also the Messiah.

When Christ told Nicodemus that no one could see the kingdom of God unless they were born again, Nicodemus did not understand and tested what Christ was saying. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born" he exclaimed! He only understood the birth of the flesh and didn't grasp the spiritual meaning of what Christ was saying.

The group discussed the differences between physical birth and that birth from the spirit. The Holy Spirit plays a big roll when we are born again as Christ was talking about. Being born again of the Spirit is also being indwelled by God's spirit.

Verse 8 was a little challenging. "The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." The Spirit is like the wind. It is not under human control. It is not seen and it's path or destination is unknown. Like the wind, the only thing you can see of the Holy Spirit is it's effects. The new birth is inexplicable. One can only observe the results.

If we understand how the Spirit works, then this can effect the way we talk to others about Jesus. We tell the message of salvation and the Spirit draws those who hear to faith in Christ.

We discussed what were some of the signs we observed in those effected by the Spirit. It's evidenced in a person's love, their growth in Christ and knowledge, their change in habits, thinking and participation in earthly things, and in the life changes that take place. Inwardly, we experience the convicting, convincing, and converting of our thoughts and desires. Some of these signs are very obvious in our lives. We described what was lacking or the least obvious and what would it take for us to change those things about ourselves.

In closing, we took a brief alternate route to discuss...why Nicodemus? What was his significance at this particular time? Knowing that God does not do anything by accident, we explored the"why Nicodemus, at this place, at this time".

One aspect we found appears in John 7: 51 where Nicodemus defends Christ at the risk of ridicule from his own group, the Sanhedrin. According to the Sanhedrin, no prophet ever came out of Galilee. So in ridicule they asked Nicodemus in Verse 52 if he was from Galilee too!

But most importantly we read in John 19: 39-41 that Nicodemus contributes to Christ's burial enough aloes and spices to prepare a king for the grave. And so it was, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin - the same Jewish counsel that manipulated the death of Christ, provides the ingredients for a kings burial for the Son of God, the King of the Jews, our Lord and Saviour.

I believe God has shown us throughout the bible that he chooses the right people, at the right time, and the right place, and in the right circumstance to carry out His plan.

Our challenge for the next week is to look a little deeper at the people God puts in our lives - the people he places in our path - the people that seem insignificant but are a part of our landscape - and ask if perhaps God has placed the right person, at the right place and at the right time in our lives.

Chapter 3 - The Spirit Speaks

Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 2

Have you ever been in a situation where you wished God would just speak directly to you?
Most of us in the group had plenty of answers to this question. Our common answer was - in times of great decision we'd wished that God would just shout the answer at us.

What does it take to get your attention though? What are you listening too for your answers?

This study focused on how to help us hear God's message with renewed intensity.

I want to start with 1 Corinthians 1:17. This verse sets a tone to our study in a way that I think helped us understand Chapter 2. The NIV translation is: "For Christ did not send me (Paul) to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

Right off in Verse 1 of Chapter 2 Paul states that he had not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as he proclaimed the testimony about God. He says he came to them in weakness and fear and with much trembling. His message was not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. Again, Paul is pointing to the power of the cross - and unless the Holy Spirit works in a listener's heart, the wisdom and eloquence of a preacher are ineffective.

What are the results of following God's wisdom vs man's?

(v.6) The wisdom of this age is purely human wisdom unaided by God's truth or spirit. Wisdom that ignores God leads to emptiness and irrational behavior. Wisdom from God leads to maturity and glory. Human wisdom alone is inadequate to answer the deepest of questions. One of the most significant statements was in v.8, "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." The wisdom of this age was insufficient.

(v.9) However, it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. Ah Ha! Read on for some biblical wisdom.

Who knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit? Likewise, who knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God? In verse 12 it says we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And we can trust our bible because... (v.13) "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

If they speak the words taught by the Spirit then we are hearing God's words. The Word of God plus the Spirit of God equals the mind of Christ. A man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, as they are foolishness to him and he can't understand them. He is spiritually discerned. But the spiritual man makes judgements about all things but he is not subject to man's judgement. Who can instruct a man who knows the mind of Christ?

As we go deeper into our study about the Holy Spirit some of us are already experiencing God's power through the Spirit in our lives. Our eyes can see, our ears hear, and we can conceive what God has prepared for us. What would we have done if the Spirit had never been given to us? We would not have the indwelling. Paul never would have taught the Gentiles. We wouldn't be reading a lot of the books in the New Testament. Thank you Lord!

Our group had quite a lot of discussion on this chapter. Just sharing our experiences with one another can be a study in itself. And today in our Sunday service at church I could not help but feel blessed with the two ladies from our study that always sit with me. We don't talk much during service but sometimes I can sense when they are moved by the spirit. When you witness this the Holy Spirit moves inside you too. Often it will bring your heart to your knees.

And, I watched my pastor sing this morning with his eyes shut. Thank you Lord for this man. Pray for each other.

Chapter 2 - The Spirit Invades

Read Acts Chapter 2

Our study started with sharing verses from the bible that moved us or held a special meaning to us. Sharing how God speaks to us through His word is an intimate sharing among friends. How awesome you are.

So, did you answer the question...Have you ever been in a worship service or prayer group and sensed the Spirit moving in a powerful way? The group positively agreed that attending our Deeper services was one of the most Spirit charged experiences we had all shared alike.

This led us into trying to understand how the people at Pentecost must have reacted when the Holy Spirit arrived. Remember, Pentecost is 55 days after Passover. Christ had been crucified, had risen from the grave, and was among his disciples for 40 days. This means Christ had ascended approximately 12 -15 days before the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost.

The apostles and about 120 followers were in one place when a mighty, violent wind blowing in from heaven filled the whole house. They saw what looked like tongues of fire that separated and come to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in other languages.

In Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost, the area was packed full of people from all over, speaking various languages. These visitors were perplexed at hearing their own language spoken by these people from Galilee. They accused them of being drunk early in the morning. But Peter spoke up and said no, we aren't drunk...this is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel, and he then recited the words of Joel.

Peter then reminded them of how Jesus was put to death by them, but God resurrected him as told by David. And received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what the people were seeing and hearing. Peter further told of David's remarks "The Lord said to my Lord; Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet". Christ was at the right hand of God.

The people were cut to the heart and wanted to know what to do and Peter said, "Repent and be baptized...." Those who accepted his message were baptized...about 3000 were added to their number that day.

We discussed the similarities in Exodus 32:28 when Moses came off the mountain with God's commandments and found the people running wild and worshiping the golden calf, and Aaron totally loosing control of the people. That day the law was delivered to the people and 3000 died because of their sin. Likewise, when the law was replaced with the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit was given, 3000 were saved.

The new Christians then went from home to home, sharing all they had. They were filled with awe and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They gave to one another, daily met together in the temple courts, broke bread in their homes, ate together and were glad and sincere.

This is the purest definition of fellowship. Our small groups are filled with this kind of Christian union... as we gather together and have everything in common.

Pray for one another. Commit to being with one another. Forgive one another. Love one another. Let the Holy Spirit invade your space. There is nothing you can do that will keep His love away - nothing!

Chapter 1 - Meet the Spirit

After taking the summer off our singles group was eager to get started on our 10 week study, "Meeting the Spirit - John 16: 5-15"

The group discussed what our impressions were of the Holy Spirit and described our relationship and also fears about coming into close relationship with Him. We talked about the mood of the disciples as Jesus speaks to them about His leaving and the meaning of the term "the counselor" or the Greek word "parakletos", meaning beside, along side, by, with, to call, invite, summon. Counselor was better understood by the disciples as to the purpose and roll of the Holy Spirit - called alongside to give assistance - helper - advocate - friend -comforter.

There was an advantage to the disciples that Jesus would go away and the Spirit of God would come. Christ could only be in one place at a time physically, thus limiting His presence and the disciples ministry. More people could be reached with the disciples disbursed and spreading the gospel while the Holy Spirit indwells not only them but those baptized.

The Holy Spirit could then work to convict or convince those who hear the truth and message of Christ that, they have committed personal sin, that Jesus is the only righteous one, and that judgement will come on those who refuse Christ's offer of salvation.

It was important that the Holy Spirit convince the world that their "prince" was already condemed and had lost his battle when Christ died on the cross. So to give yourself to the world would be deadly - you would loose your life. The Holy Spirit would guide you in truth, would only speak what He hears and not on His own, and would tell you what is yet to come. Read Acts 20: 22-23 and see how Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit.

The disciples would later record the message of Christ in the books and letters of the New Testament. Jesus imparted authority in those writings through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to his closest followers by reminding them of his teachings and leading them into truth. Thus approving of what they will write as it will come from the Holy Spirit. "All that belongs to the Father is mine", He says. The Holy Spirit will bring glory to Christ by taking what is His and making it known to us. The Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ by taking what is Christs, which is also the Fathers, and make it known. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is distinct in oneself, yet still equally a part of Christ and the Father.

Next Thursday we will study Chapter 2 - The Spirit Invades - Have you ever been in a worship service or prayer group and sensed the Spirit moving in a powerful way? Let's discuss what you experienced. Have you sensed God's power at work in your heart? What happened? Let's discuss it - next Thursday.

The Challenge the group left with this week was to learn how to see people as Jesus sees them. We are to practice looking people in the eye this week and as much as possible. And every time we do this, remind ourselves that this person is created in the image of God and matters to God.

Next week each person is to bring in their favorite scripture or passage and share that with the group and what importance this brings to your life.

And as Christ spoke in Mathew 18:20 "Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Thank you Lord!

Please keep in your prayers each other, our pastor, and the multitude of helpers, leaders, ministers, and administrative people serving our Lord.