Question: “Do I [Really] Need the Holy Spirit?”

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13)

The mystery of the Holy Spirit has many Christians confused. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as “He,” which means the Holy Spirit is a living deity, the third person of the Trinity [God, the Father, Jesus, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit]. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit and we have evidence in Acts chapter 2.

Why are we confused about the Holy Spirit? In the Garden of Eden, Eve was deceived by Satan because she desired to possess God’s knowledge. The creation [humanity] has the innate desire to possess omniscience [all-knowing], which only belongs to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Have you secretly desired to know your future? Just enough to understand how your current situation will turn out. You are not alone. Yet, the desire to be god-like disrupts the peaceful life that Jesus promises us.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.
‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Worldview: What is truth? The age-old question is now answered, “The truth is what I believe it to be.”

In John chapters 14 and 16, Jesus explained why we need the Holy Spirit. There is only one way to be assured that we know the truth. Always “Pray for the Anointing of the Holy Spirit Before You Study!”

Christian view: We listen to speakers, pastors, ministers, and others based on credible reputations. But frequently, in their sermons, a bait and switch technique is used. They read the Scripture, but then they interject their interpretation. Most speakers realize that many believers do not study the Bible. Tip: Does the speaker pray and ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit before delivering their sermon?

Fact Check: “A survey from 2021 found that 11 percent of Americans read the Bible daily. Trends in reading habits over four years showed that the majority of Americans never read the Bible, however in 2021 this number dropped to 29 percent of respondents.” https://www.statista.com/statistics/299433/bible-readership-in-the-usa

The Function of the Holy Spirit When We Study:

  • “He will teach you all things”
  • “And bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”
  • “He will guide you into all the truth”
  • “He will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Pentecost: Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4).

Verse 4: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues.”

Fact Check: “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?'” (Acts 2:5-8).

Suppose you never prayed for the Holy Spirit because, from popular belief, the anointing of the Holy Spirit causes one to speak in an unknown tongue [a heavenly language]. In that case, you can be assured that the word tongue means a known language.

Clarification: “‘9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.’ 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?'” (Acts 2:9-12).

The Main Issue with the Human Mind

“Others mocking said, ‘They are full of new wine.'” (Acts 2:13). We attempt to create an explanation or strategy when faced with God’s infinite wisdom in our finite minds. And because we fail to pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, we accept false teachings and a mixture of Biblical truth with the error of human interpretation of the Scriptures. Or we are part of the statistics that do not study the Bible.

Jesus promised us a Helper. Yes, the Holy Spirit has other functions, but our focus is on knowing that the biblical concepts we believe are the truth from God. We are blessed that our Heavenly Father has provided spiritual guidance so none will fall astray.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1).

Prayer: God, we thank you for protecting us by sending the Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and provide discernment of Your truth. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

The Loving Jealous God

“For you must not worship any other god. For the Lord, Whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14)

Jealous: Definitions
1. feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages. “Monica’s husband grew jealous of her successful career.”

2. feeling or showing suspicion of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship. “Jealous people fabricate supposed imaginings of their partner cheating.”

3. fiercely protective or vigilant of one’s rights or possessions. “Howard does not allow guests to enter the living room that is decorated in white and gold.”

The definition of jealous always describes unhealthy behavior. Yet, God describes Himself as “a jealous God.” Jealousy is an intense harmful response, yet, God used “Jealous” as a gatekeeper adjective that humanity could understand. Why was the warning necessary?

The emancipated Israelites were given divine laws [boundaries] to ensure that they would not involve themselves in the worship of pagan [manmade] gods. Once they were free from the Egyptians, they secretly worshipped statutes and participated in paganistic rituals. “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7).

What was the root cause of their desire to become involved in pagan rituals? Seeking and enjoying Pleasure!

“Pagan rituals can serve a number of purposes, they are ‘performed to celebrate the seasons, honour the deities, attune with nature, attain self-realisation, induct participants into the mysteries, and for magical and healing purposes'” (Hume, 1998).

Worship of idol statutes seems absurd, yet, we are involved in idol worship at a greater level than the Israelites.

  • Relationships [Unequally yoked]
  • Prosperity [Worldly possessions]
  • Social Media [Wasted Time]
  • Entertainment and Sports Idols [Emulating their lifestyles]
  • Mystical Religions [Yoga, Crystals, Anxiety Rings]

How do believers in the Most-High God get themselves into the predicament of idol-worship?

Root Cause: “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Root Cause: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6).

Root Cause: “Jesus answered, ‘You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.'” (Matthew 22:29).

God lovingly created us to worship Him through obedience. Without the diligent study of the Scriptures and praying for the anointing, discernment, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we willingly fall into temptation. Sadly, we end up in the same predicament as unbelievers.

Still, another group of “believers” study the Scriptures but decide to live according to their hearts’ desires. They say “Lord, Lord” but are in agreement with the unbelievers who view God’s laws as “a list of can’t do anything.”

God’s jealousy is for the protection of the righteous!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Dedicated worshippers who love God with all of their hearts, souls, and minds are grateful for the commands that keep us in the safekeeping of our Heavenly Father.

God’s jealousy as our Father provides us with the perfect [godly] husband, wife, and material provisions and prepares us for eternal life with Him.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17).

Yes, I love that we are loved, protected, and given perfect gifts by a “Jealous [Heavenly Father] God!”

Prayer: God, we thank you that You are Jealous. Our hearts are filled with gratitude that we belong to You, and Your ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Please forgive us for our intentional disobedience. We love You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

What is the secret to having extraordinary talents, skills, intellect, and physical fitness and finesse?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17).

The Giver of all good things has imparted to everyone innate gifts. If used for His honor and glory, God will propel us to a level of par excellence. We look at sports figures, Olympic contenders, successful entrepreneurs, etc., and wish for great achievements.

Yet, we overlook our God-given talents or know that we are gifted but do not use our abilities to glorify God. How many individuals recognize their gifts but refuse to use them–burying their talents? For the believer, God uses people to alert us that we are talented in specific areas.

Although I have been writing for 20 years, it was on the advice of my mom [who is also a writer] to compile and submit my devotionals to a publishing company. I reluctantly submitted the manuscript to Christian Faith Publishing company in August of 2020. In 7 days, I received a call from the literary agent that my manuscript had been accepted. Yet, God brought me through a spiritual journey of transformation, which lasted 18 months before the book was published.

Thankfully through His Divine intervention, I endured many months of perseverance through the publishing process to prevent my natural tendencies from taking credit for my gift.

Pray for Divine revelation of your spiritual gifts and talents and how to use them. We were created to worship and honor God. Our finite minds can never equal His Omniscience!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Prayer: God, we have buried our spiritual gifts and natural talents or used them to glorify ourselves. And for this grievous sin, we repent and ask forgiveness. Please give us spiritual insight and direction. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.

The Bible Has Lost Its Importance

Is this statement sacrilegious or full of truth? The following excerpt was written in the late 19th century.

“The Bible has been placed in the background, while the sayings of great men, so-called, have been taken in its stead. May the Lord forgive us the slight we have put upon his word. Though inestimable treasures are in the Bible, and it is like a mine full of precious ore, it is not valued, it is not searched, and its riches are not discovered.”

“…and it is in the word of God we find out how we may become possessors of these heavenly riches, and yet why is it that the word of God is uninteresting to many professed Christians? Is it because the word of God is not spirit and is not life? Has Jesus put upon us an uninteresting task, when he commands us to “search the Scriptures”? (John 5:3). The Highest Treasure, EG White

Fast forward to 2022, and if asked, “What is your favorite book?” rarely will the answer be “the Bible.” When I read the Devotional this morning entitled “The Highest Treasure,” I felt like rocks were in my stomach. Why? I have two reference points, a godly mother who studied the Bible as if her life depended on it, and I attended a Christian school for 10 years where the Scriptures were taught in a two-hour class, five days a week. And this was from kindergarten to the 9th grade.

“LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23).

It is the reigning worldview to live your life as you desire. Since the Scriptures provide God’s instruction, direction, and acceptance of His plan for our lives, we understand why studying the Scriptures is no longer desirable.

Another issue has arisen with modern Christians–studying the Bible only to have a scholarly knowledge base, yet they do not live a life of humility and obedience to God. This is not judging others–their conversation, the places they visit, the people they hang out with, and the music or programs they watch reveal their true character of living to please themselves.

Still, the number one reason for not studying: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” (Matthew 22:37).

Today was definitely a “Come to Jesus” moment. What excuse could I offer for not diligently studying the Voice of God–the Bible every day? Studying the Scriptures is not scanning a few verses or reading multiple chapters to follow a daily Study plan. We are spiritually incomplete without an in-depth love for God and the desire for righteousness, knowledge, and wisdom.

David provides us with this prayer of humility:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24).

Self-reflection is only effective from the desire to give our whole hearts to Jesus. The simple, daily prayer of “Lord, not my will, but Your will be done in my life” is proof that we are ready to surrender to God. We become hungry and thirsty for direction from God. Our greatest desire will be to do God’s will.

Although there is a narrow focus on worshiping God by singing, which evokes an emotional response, we learn our priorities in approaching God. Through diligent prayer and study of the Scriptures, we follow the example of the life of Christ.

“But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24).

Prayer: God, we ask for forgiveness for not having the desire to commune with You through the Study of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.