Wrapped In The Spirit

I am sorry to see the end of September Spirit but it is not the end of the Spirit working in us for sure, and I hope you have been blessed this month and please go back and read or share if you like. Those familiar with my blog know how I like pretty pictures, and I had used veils recently and I could have called this fragrance of the Spirit, maybe I will do one called that, but i want us to realize that we are wrapped in the Spirit as a believer, a woman of faith and virtue.

We are literally wrapped in Jesus, and He has given us access to the Father, imagine us, mere mortal women, allowed behind the curtain or veil of the temple into the holy of holies. It was a solemn and holy place that only a high priest could go, and even he faced death were he not in right standing, a cord was tied to his foot, in case they had to drag him out.

But Jesus is now our beloved High Priest, and He as embraced us with His sacrifice and love, His flesh, the veil, torn for us. Did you know it was four inches thick, and rent in two when He died? By His grace and Spirit, we can come boldly and without fear to the Father and make our petitions known.

Imagine Jesus walking you into the Holy of Holies, and showing you the Mercy Seat, letting you there with Him. His blood was shed for us. And His body representing the Eucharist, we can have holy Communion with Him, figuratively and literally, And in the Spirit.

We are held, wrapped and comforted in His fragrant love, joy and peace. The Rose of Sharon, the sweet smelling savor or love, envelopes us. Have you ever experienced anything like that? I have, as I was sitting here typing one day, a sweet smell encompassed me and I realized I had on no perfume but it was powerful and a lovely, sweet scent of His presence.

While we enjoy glimpses of heavenly dreams or visions or experiences, even angelic ones, we long to walk in that anointing that welcomes Him with worship day and night, He really is in us, around us and through us, as a believer. The worries of the world have desensitized us to the presence and walk with the Spirit, let’s not let that be taken away, stolen by an enemy that has no place in our midst.

I want to leave you with the thought of Jesus love as a bouquet of of roses given to you and another poetry quote, and of course the Word.

” Unable are the loved to die for love is immortality. ” Emily Dickinson

For believers in Him, God’s love is immortality and resurrection. If you do not know Him as Lord, now is the time. He is returning soon, and wants you seated with Him at His banqueting table, His banner over us is love. Song of Solomon 2:4, that represents the chuppah ( pronounced hoop a ) where the wedding is held, the beloved bridegroom is coming for the church, a figurative and spiritual union in heaven.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy. All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad. Psalm 45:7,8

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of one’s friend by advice from the heart. Proverbs 27:9

The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens adore you. Song of Solomon 1:3

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15

Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. Ephesians 5:1,2

Thank you so very much for reading or following me, I appreciate all the support and comments, praying you are richly blessed in Him.

Rebecca Jones / Rosie Gil photo –

 

The New Wine

 

Remember, how Jesus talked about not putting new wine into old wineskins. Well, that phrase relates to the Holy Spirit in us as believers, at salvation the Spirit draws us to Christ and convicts of sin. While we are talking about wine the photograph actually has a woman about to add a few drops of perfume or oil, both also representing the Spirit as well as water, wind and wine.

When we accept Jesus as Lord by confessing Him with our mouth, Romans 10:9,10, and invite Him into our hearts, the Holy Spirit is in us, in a measure, and we all have a measure of faith. Now, we are to grow in grace, to produce fruit and prosper in the good things He has for us, but often, we are still in the flesh, a type of old wineskin. That is why it important to study His word and understand how to keep our flesh from ruling us and how to listen and obey the Spirit. So He can both fill and pour the Spirit into our new wineskin and we won’t leak or burst.

When Jesus turned the water to wine, Mary told the servant to do whatever He said, that was good advice and it still is. Water and wine are also types of the Spirit, and it was at a wedding and He is our beloved bridegroom. He is coming for a spotless bride or church. Another reason to learn of the Spirit.

When the Spirit moved on the disciples, and others at the Upper Room, and there were likely both men and women present. When people began speaking in tongues, and perhaps the women did as well, some believed them to be drunken, it was early in the day. Now, tongues is a gift of the Spirit and there are two types one, edifies or builds you up and the other is to give a prophetic word in church. We studied the gifts of the Spirit before. Need a refresher, just click September 2020, all the Holy spirit post are there in the sidebar.

This is problematic for a lot of people, they had been taught that they have the Holy Spirit, and don’t seek the baptism of the Spirit, many people fear it, the enemy has counterfeits but the Holy Spirit will never go against the Word, deceive or hurt you. Not everyone will be who they say they are but He gives discernment and wisdom and counsel. And as His coming nears we are in great need of His wisdom, though you can have it without tongues, and they will pass away as prophesy will, it is still something Jesus would like for us to pursue.

The Spirit and baptism of fire, that Jesus offers is a powerful gift, one I tell people to study up on before asking Him for it. It was powerful for me, like a lightning bolt, a stream of thick pure power and love, some feel the fire and burning, that is a good thing. He will burn away things and protect you from the wicked one.

Many people will believe that there is only one baptism, and there are two I always ask them to look to the response of believers who had not heard of the Holy Spirit in Acts. They reply they were baptized with John’s baptism and then receive Jesus’ subsequent baptism of the Spirit. It is evidenced by speaking in tongues. Actually, though I usually teach two, there are even three, as were are baptized in the beloved or accepted into the beloved.

When I once heard that, I thought, ” Wait, I have the Holy Spirit and I was never baptized.” I was not a swimmer, and hesitant about trusting some of the people I knew to dunk me in backward, but the Lord or rather the Spirit reminded me quickly of my Catholic baptism, when I was sprinkled with holy water in a chapel. He is really good about that, and brings things to remembrance.

In John’s day people were dunked head first, even Jesus, afterward it was the other way, and I have seen people that were zealous about it, even fiery Baptists, no wonder I prefered sprinkling, but let me tell you that babies who are sprinkled and even those who are not will go to heaven should they die. Just being sprinkled, isn’t the whole of salvation though, as you mature you are accountable to ask for salvation, you must accept Jesus and decide then about the Spirit.

I like joyful and lively, not frantic. You don’t have to go wild to be a believer, or sit like a toad. You can be saved and have the Holy Spirit or go a step further and receive the new wine. And I could use some holy laughter. But  holy laughter also demands a holy lifestyle, and not all are willing to live it, either by changing and losing the sins they still commit, or by loving and forgiving as Christ did. Most things work both ways.

Our visual today can also represent Communion, the wine and the wafer that is His body. He is not going to put Himself into an unclean vessel or an old wineskin, so who is in control, the flesh or the Spirit.  I hope you get that imagery. I know sometimes I do deep studies, but more than anything you can rely on His love.

Rebecca Jones   Chill Jane / pexels

Holy Spirit Fall Fresh On Me

We all can use a fresh anointing now and again, even spiritual things can become routine, and sometimes the warfare is is so draining that we need the Spirit to fall fresh on us. I felt led this morning to write more on the gift of faith, We may all have our measure of faith, but when it grew from the mustard seed, it was attacked..

I’m not sure most people even realize that the birds Jesus refers to in this passage are demonic. The faith we have, the more we have to offer others, a lot of times we fall under attack, whether mental or physical. I have seen so many prayer requests this morning.

I am compelled to say this afternoon as I write, or to ask as a prayer for there Spirit to fall fresh on us. As for the gift of faith, I made the mistake of trying to have great faith to be healed, I sacrificed a lot. I can in all honesty tell you, He knows our hearts. It is never going to be about what we do, the fasting, praying, years of ministry or anything. It is all about Him, His decisions and His love.

I think sometimes we are in the pretense of something we aren’t even aware of without knowing it. We are professing faith, but wondering what is wrong, why me? I know this is a question in your heart if you are anything like me as a believer. What have I done wrong? You can read more, pray more fast more. Yes, fast more, because you read that it breaks the yoke, or that some demons only go by prayer and fasting. But it is still not about you, it is His love that heals.

You will never defeat the enemy by your own efforts, there is so much we are unaware of but the Spirit knows. Anything we have or our healing is by His grace. It is not based on our works or lack of, it is simply His goodness. Hard work may pay off in some ways, but does it really, if it costs your soul? I racked my brain, lost so much sleep, was mocked  for believing, hurt and broken hearted but He saw my heart and He is healing me.

When I did fast, it was not about weight like many use it to diet, I asked Him to honor it, a partial one, and do what He saw fit. I wasn’t starving, I missed a few meals, some social media but so what. God rewards those who seek Him. Truthfully, I wasn’t even thinking about that. He was rewarding my prayers of intercession, doing things I never knew, in my struggle. But that was not where He wanted me to be, not in a place of striving but of rest and stillness.

Like a butterfly beating our wings we grow strong in our cocoon and the we emerge, flounder and fly, but the life span is short as is ours in the face of eternity, so you see why the gift of faith is important, paramount, to take us where we want to be, with Jesus forever. Many walked away from His teaching of Communion, many start out with Him and ended up lost forever, not knowing Him as Lord, they have not exercised the gift of faith they were afforded. I know this gets over into faith healing and I don’t like that term at all. I saw a lot of my confession, just not happening, but the Spirit understood and had reasons, He is not withholding, He gave us His Son, why would He spare any good thing?

We should still be safe in the cocoon of the Spirit, soaring with Him, walking among angels, seeing the miraculous. And we will not as long as we rely own our own faith or works, even prayers. It is all about love and all about Jesus. I just read about a couple who lost a baby, even with prayer and fasting. A singer with spots on both lungs, Covid patients, and woman who at seventy four and deaths door may not know the Lord. So much suffering and pain among the lost but also believers. Why? I think we are relying too much on own our own selves and our efforts. It is His love that heals, delivers and saves us from so much, every day all day.

I have been reading poetry and I found some George Sand quotes to be appropriate, ” Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow. There is only one happiness, in life to love and be loved. ” And who knows love better than Jesus, no one loves you more. She also said, ” The truth is simple so we complicate the journey. ” How profound from  a lady poet with a man’s pen name. I could quote you more about love or flowers, beauty but there is no greater poetry that the Lord, no greater music, no greater literature or love, He is above it all.

And we should kneel if we can or bow our head and hearts today in quiet and pure worship and awe of His majesty. Our King is coming and we want Him to find that our gift of faith is alive and well because He has breathed the Spirit of His peace on our hearts. It is nothing we do, we have complicated our journey, forgive us Lord as we look to your wonderful face. embrace us with your love, and let your Spirit fall fresh on us. I pray you can envision this today.

Rebecca Jones Vino Li / Unsplash

Freedom In The Spirit

I had a bracelet once when I was young, I wish I knew where it is, it has been over forty years ago, but it had this verse, and it is still true and resonating with me.

For the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17.

Some translations say freedom and that is probably even better. We are free in Jesus, for if the Son makes us free, we are free indeed. John 8 32. And we want freedom of religion, and from religion. Why do I say that? Religion actually means to bind and though we are bound to Christ, His yoke is easy and His burden light as He ushered in grace and truth and gave us His peace, and offered Sabbath rest again.

Paul calls himself a slave to Christ, but not in that sense of the word. Since we are not under the law, we are not the one responsible for offerings and sacrifice, which we will study next month. Jesus is our once and for all offering as a believer in Him.

So we are bound or dependent on Him in a loving way. We have allowed our flesh to be crucified with Him and we no longer want to sin, but if we do we have Him and can quickly repent. I tell people to keep a repentant heart. God is Spirit and we should worship Him in Spirit and truth. John 4:24, and we live in a time when it is very necessary to rely on Him. There is a lot of spiritual warfare and we need His gifts and discernment.

As I have been reading and writing poetry recently, actually, I do a lot of that, I found this verse to be helpful in seeing us as free in Christ.

In Him we live and move and have our being as even some of your own poets have said,

” For we are indeed His offspring. ” Act’s 17:28

The poets are even cited, as I am not exactly a  Greek scholar or familiar with a lot of the poetry, I will have look that up, Epimenides of Crete and Aratus’s poem Phainomena. It is phenomenal how much He loves us, the Greeks put lot of stock in philosophy but many listened including a woman named Damaris.

While we are not bogged down with rituals or living in fear of God, though we should have great respect, we are still not to insult or trample the Spirit of Grace, our freedom is in Jesus and He makes us free indeed, Galatians 5:1, says it is for freedom, He made us free, and what a great sacrifice, it is not to be ignored.

So our visual today is Acts 17:28, every heartbeat, every breath, we live and breath and move in Him. Whether dancing or flying a kite, writing a poem. Are you are writer? Even if you just journal, Let Him minister to you today, and it is my prayer to find total freedom in Him.

Rebecca Jones  Taisiia Stupak / Unslpash

Gifts Of The Spirit

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

While I am giving a few verses, I recommend studying chapters 12, 13, and 14. You can read different translations and  do deeper studies, 13, the Love chapter is really all about Jesus, I think we can overlook that in trying to see what we are supposed to be. And 14 is also about gifts and tongues.

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14: 1,2. As I said I would read all three chapters.

In verse 22 of 1 Corinthians 14, the verse says that tongues are not for believers but unbelievers. I know that has confused people as to the gift, and it also clearly states that it is referring to tongues and interpretation, not speaking in tongues to build yourself up. There are two different applications of the Spirit here, one is personal, one is public, prophesying is for believers and that  is to draw unbelievers or those who speak another language, He allows you to speak to someone if you don’t know that language, that is  gift.

The gifts of the Spirit are distinct and different, all from one Lord. Some may have one gift, others more, it as the Spirit decides, we are to be members of one body and work together, sadly that doesn’t always happen does it, and tongues and gifts are a part of the disagreements many have and even argue about, why we must not allow Him to be grieved or insulted. And we don’t want Him hindered.

We often want His help, and then try to solve our own problems.  We must work together, people who don’t speak in tongues can also have wisdom and gifts. It is time to lay aside differences and let the Spirit lead and draw us to heaven, there are many unopened gifts, some that are named and others that are just personal and unique.

Our visual today is to see Him giving you at least one gift, or a stack of them, whatever He sees fit. Salvation is a gift, you received it as a believer so pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, He is waiting to offer them and they have to be accepted and used, and thank Him for them.

And if you do pray in tongues and have not been on regular basis, start to worship Him and refresh yourself, build yourself and your most holy faith up. Jude 1:20 And as for women keeping silent in the church, men and women sat apart in those days, naturally they did not want women asking their husbands something in church. Women were in the upper room, and sent out to minister as husband and wife teams.

Rebecca Jones   Chalo Garcia             

Living In The Spirit

Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 – A lot of believers are like the foolish Galatians, learning about  Jesus and believing in Him as Lord and going back to the law or symbolically, like the rich young ruler, depending on himself and not the Lord.

Let’s look at how the flesh, the carnal, the weaker part of us will fail without learning to walk in and obey the Spirit. First, the flesh…..

Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. John 6:63

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:18

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Romans  8:9 NIV

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desire. Romans 13:14

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:17

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

See how useless the flesh is. Nothing good is in it but we have His Spirit, and if He is in control, life is easier. The enemy goes after the flesh but the Spirit is greater and can get out any sin of sickness, the mind is part of the flesh too, and has be renewed.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.…John 14:16-18

God is Spirit, and it behooves those worshiping Him to worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63

The Spirit Himself  bears witness conjointly with our own spirit, testifying that we are the children of God. Romans 8:16

Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

Living in the Spirit takes some getting used to, but the more you allow Him to be in control, the better your life will be. Not everyone will receive, understand or accept the gifts of the Spirit, but He will be patient and understanding if you will will allow Him to rule your heart.

Our visual today comes from a conversation with a friend, see yourself the way God sees you. What does He see when He looks at you? Someone clothed in the robe or righteousness and wearing the fragrance of Christ? Or someone struggling and still being under grace? I pray His peace for you today, receive that gift in Jesus name.

Rebecca Jones Ilonya Panych / Unsplash

The Gentle Spirit

We have talked a lot about the power of the Spirit, how He drives away the spiritual warfare and really is is the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind that we are given. 2 Timothy 1:7. But we want to talk today about the gentle Spirit.

To begin to know the gentle Spirit, you must be a believer in Christ, we receive the Spirit after we are convicted of sin and ask Him to be our Lord. what is known as John’s baptism or even being sprinkled, though babies are more dedicated and will have tp make a choice. And Jesus will baptize with fire, a subsequent baptism of the Spirit, and a powerful one, and yet, there is the tenderness of Christ that sometimes we so often overlook in trying to study or pray or just live.

Gentleness, is a fruit of the Spirit, and there is no law against any of the nine, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. They are grouped in threes, they go together. No wonder gentleness is toward the latter, the others have to work first.

I tell people it starts with love and ends with self control. But what about gentleness?Sometimes, I think I am seeing less of it in others, but I know it has always been in me, though a lot of times I had to just hold tightly to my anchor of faith to keep the enemy at bay. I know love is what disciplines you, delivers you, and ultimately heals you.

It is not even how much you love Him as much as how much He loves you. We have not even come close to the heaven He prepared for us. Let’s see what will remind us to be gentle today.

Have you ever caught a butterfly? I have. It’s wings are so delicate, a thing of beauty, it’s life span so short. I have held it gently by the wing tips so as not to break them, enjoyed its beauty and let it fly. I really don’t recommend this, they are so fragile as hearts can be .And then there are the times, that they may just light on you.

Have you ever fed the doves, and seen how how soft their feathers are? Probably a lot like angel wings, that embrace us with His gentleness and protection. What are some other things that make you think of gentleness?

For me it is the sunlight that knocks dust off the blinds and streams through with warmth and light, and the moonbeams that rest over the darkness of night, not being out done by the starlight.

Clouds are a reminder of gentleness, a wisp of white that spans the baby blue sky or puffs of pink and purple at sunset. I am just giving you a few descriptive visuals, but gentleness can be a kiss, a touch, or embrace. And it should be in words. Poetry and music, can be gentle, like Jesus, the gentle healer, so is His Spirit.

I have a lot of poetry on my boards and blog in fact I will leave some links, so leave a comment about gentleness for me, and have gentle butterfly day in the Spirit.

Thiều-Hoàng-Phước /pexels

http://alsoadaughtersgiftoflove.blogspot.com/2016/06/angel-on-my-shoulder_18.html

http://alsoadaughtersgiftoflove.blogspot.com/2016/06/gentle-whispers.html

http://alsoadaughtersgiftoflove.blogspot.com/2016/06/how-does-one-become-butterfly.html

http://alsoadaughtersgiftoflove.blogspot.com/2016/06/gentle-jesus.html

http://alsoadaughtersgiftoflove.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-butterfly-artist.html

The Spirit Of Grace

We have all heard the phrase, ” There but for the grace of God go I. ” But what about it? Do we really know how much grace we have been given, how many times the Spirit has stepped between us and danger with a host of angels or even Jesus Himself? I doubt it.

I had that encounter, a profound one, as I was providing protection, I was being protected. I want you to know that His love and Spirit are very real and He is our peace and protection as a believer. While we are taught to watch our mouths, we also have the God given right not to be trampled on, we should be trampling right over the snakes and scorpions that come against in the spiritual.

If you are a believer, man or woman, though I write mostly to women, I want you know that you are under grace and if you keep that repentant heart toward Him and are not continuing life as a willing inner, He covers you completely, As a father protecting his family, you are protected, as a wife or mother, you are protected, even if your husband is not a believer or is behaving badly, you are protected. God hates abuse, and will make a way, but you are surrounded and protected by the Spirit of Grace and He can speak to you heart things you would never dream, if you can be still and know Him. Psalm 46:10.

We need to recognize the real enemy and the real Savior, the reality of angels and the Spirit that we must not insult with doubt and disobedience. We are flooded with His grace, and we have the Spirit bring us His rest and His peace and allowing us to walk in His love.

Looking back on my life, I know how much grace He has afforded me, the many times I was spared from a worse situation, even if something was bad, there was grace. So let’s look at a few verses about grace and think about our visual. What is grace? It is something we don’t deserve, favor, kindness, gifts. Jesus made us worth. It is my prayer He keep us from evil and the wicked one.

So let’s see His grace around us, our new life is in Him as a believer is like a butterfly who has beaten its wings against the cocoon, and emerged a beautiful butterfly. The life span of a butterfly is short, so is ours compared to eternity, and that is what we want is His eternal life an love. Yet, grace is still a protective cocoon, the Spirit is all around us as we soar through life.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

For those who find me find life and receive favor ( grace ) from the LORD. Proverbs 8:35

And from His fullness, we have received grace upon grace. John 1:16

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14

There are many more verses about grace, and more posts on my blog. While He says His grace is sufficient and it is it abounds.

Rebecca Jones Motoki Tonn / Unsplash

Pour Out Your Power And Love

 

This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:6

I took the verse from Titus and found the waterfall to further demonstrate how He pours out His power and love by and through the Holy Spirit, but I went back and read the chapter as well. Titus tells us how He saved us, not by any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy.

And that is so true, being a good person won’t get you to heaven, no matter what you do. You only have access to the Father, through Jesus. We are not righteous, just as He was not sin, but He became sin for us to receive His righteousness. He was cursed on that cross for us. Galatians 3:13.

He did wash us and cleanse us by the Spirit as we received salvation, the new birth. And Titus uses the word renewal. That is something He did and does daily as we refresh ourselves in Him, and rest in His love, and receive His peace. He goes on to say that we are heirs and hope in eternal life.

The chapter is also about words and works, while works will not save us, only His mercy and grace, He prepared works for us as we came to believe. There is supposed to be respect and not strife, we are to avoid arguing and speaking badly of others, when some have been warned, he says once, twice, then have noting to do with them.

We know we are to do our best to live peacefully with all, but that often doesn’t work that way. I tried to be the forgiving one, the seventy times seven, but that was tiresome on a daily basis. Jesus did not make us doormats, He will give us wisdom, and peace. When you can’t live in peace, it robs you of you Him peace And if the situation is familial, it takes prayer, and alone time with God to be renewed and refreshed. Of course, He will lead you from dangerous situations.

I went to the mountains once a long time ago, there was a trickle of water flowing down the rocks, enough to fill a bottle and drink, and it was cool, crisp and refreshing, no dirt or impurities, even flowing over a rock. That can be our visual today or even the waterfall.

Jesus invites us to drink His living water, the Holy Spirit, the refreshing water that is flowing from the rock with no impurities can continually cleanse, refresh and renew us.  And like the water we drink, the Spirit has to be in our mouth and bellies, whether the gift of tongues or even the speaking of His words, they are written on peaceful wings, untroubled hearts, and are a seal upon the soul.

The Holy Spirit is our seal, and our water and He has poured the Spirit out in abundance. Will you receive Him today? I pray we all do and feel the trickle, the refreshing flow and even the waterfall, as He renews us for His return.

Rebecca Jones Caitlyn /  Noble Unsplash

The Spirit of Peace

When we went over the names of the Holy Spirit, I may or may not have mentioned the Spirit of Peace, but here are a few verses that will help us think about how the Holy Spirit imparts the peace of God that passes all understanding and bring us the gift of His peace, John 14:27.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:13

The Peace of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah, the Love of God and the Fellowship of The Spirit of Holiness, be with all of you. 2 Corinthians 13:14

So from these verses and there are some others, we see how the Holy Spirit guides us into His peace, and while we would like to have it with everyone, it is not always possible is it, but we have the Comforter and Advocate to turn to in our times of despair and He can bring us back into peace and communion with Him, the Spirit, even if others refuse to hear His voice.

God is the God of peace and churches should be peaceful and orderly in conducting services, and when someone has a prophetic word or uses the gift of tongues to prophesy to the body of Christ, it should be done orderly. I guess that is why I like a quieter praise and worship, you can be joyful and lively and still, have peace and reverence for the Lord, and let the Spirit of peace rule our hearts.

Peace, His peace is a gift from Jesus, and we must obey the Spirit in order to keep that gift flowing from the throne of grace, it is a gift we can have even if we do not always have peace with others and in the world. Todays visual is seeing Jesus give His peace in a lovely gift box to the Spirit, and Him giving it to you.

Rebecca Jones Jonathan Borba / Unsplash, verses are from various translations on Bible Hub.