By: Undre Griggs, Jr Giving your life to Jesus Christ through baptism is necessary to receive the blessing of eternal life. Only after baptism for the remission of sin will you receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (ESV): And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. While we understand the blessing of eternal life, we sometimes overlook the blessings of the Holy Spirit here on earth. Besides assisting us with our prayers to Father God, the Holy Spirit produces blessing we would spend an inheritance to secure. Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Love: John 13:34-35 (ESV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Joy and Peace: Romans 15:13 (ESV): May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Gentleness and Self Control: Titus 1:8 (ESV): But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Kindness and Patience: 2 Timothy 2:24 (ESV): And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, Goodness and Faithfulness: Proverbs 3:3 (ESV): Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. You will notice obedience to God is the manner in which the Holy Spirit provides the gifts. You cannot be baptized, do nothing to grow your faith, and expect the Holy Spirit to miraculously provide these blessing to you. You have to be diligent in your faith and work to grow it (Revelations 2:10). After baptism; stay in constant prayer, meditating on what is good and pure, reading your Bible daily, and the fruits of the Spirit will be yours.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. The Bible speaks on the difficulties an unbeliever will have understanding the word of God. Are we understanding and long suffering with them as they grow in understanding? 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV): The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. While the challenge an unbeliever will face through their conversion is understood, it is not a pass or excuse for their inaction. God believes He has provided enough evidence for us to be able to conclude that the world did not end up this way by chance.
Romans 1:18-20 (ESV): For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. There is enough evidence for anyone to start the quest for truth. There is enough information for an unbeliever to start to understand something greater than luck is at hand. The role of Christians is to be ready to help build a foundation of truth in love for Jesus Christ. Once that foundation is built, all questions will not be answered, but there is an element of faith that cannot be overlooked. There is enough evidence to understand God exists, but that does not mean all information will be made available. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV): And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV): Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
by Undre Griggs, Jr We have all been there at some point in our lives. We are faced with a decision and for one reason or another; we don’t make a judgment. We start to think, rethink, and think some more and as a result, nothing happens. God is there to help us make decisions. God wants us to be decisive, confident, and reliant upon Him. He is there for us when we are in need and there is not a question God does not know the answer to. Ask God for guidance in your decision-making. Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Be humble. Psalm 25:9, NKJV: “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way.” When God guides your path, He will stay with you. Psalm 37:23, NKJV: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” Plan for the task at hand. Luke 14:28-30, NKJV: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?" Make sure you have the facts and hear both sides of the matter. Proverbs 18:17, NIV: "In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines." Always pray. Luke 6:12-13, NIV: "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:"
By Undre Griggs, Jr We are fortunate to have Jehovah as our heavenly Father. We are blessed to have a heavenly Father who loves us enough to sacrifice His only begotten Son. We prosper because we have a Father God who loves us enough to correct us with the Bible. Earthly fathers benefit by having the example and pattern of the heavenly Father. CORRECTION: 2 Timothy 3:16 -17 (NKJV): All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. FORGIVENESS: Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV): Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. LOVE: John 13:34-35 (NKJV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. DISCIPLINE: Hebrews 12:5-7 (NKJV): And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? Every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). If you want to be the perfect gift for your family, your church, and your community; follow the word of God. Strive for perfection in all you do (Matthew 5:48) and do all things in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). MARRIAGE:
Ephesians 5:25-26 (NKJV): Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word. |
Dean Road
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