Do you agonize over decisions and wish you could see God’s direction clearly? Jesus called us his sheep and said we would hear his voice (John 10:27). So how do we hear from God? Well you need to remember that we are made in God’s image, we are spirit beings (1Thess 5:23). Our spirit is our spiritual heart or conscience. God contacts us largely Spirit to spirit. God can communicate in other ways but by way of his Holy Spirit to our spirit is the most important way.

How does the Holy Spirit guide us? He reveals God’s word to us (John 16:13-14), brings us understanding (revelation) and if we read the word prayerfully he will bring guidance through the verses we read. How often we read and reread a section of the Bible and suddenly a verse jumps out at us, that’s the Holy Spirit.

The other main way that the Spirit speaks to us is by the still small voice that Elijah heard (1 Kings 19:11-12). That still small voice may bring a scripture, an idea, a word or a sense of conviction. How do we know this is God? Well, that still small voice, that sense in our spirit, comes with a presence of peace and assurance that it is God. God’s wisdom is peaceable and lines up with his word (James 3:17).

To hear from God, we need to still our minds and learn to recognize the voice of his Spirit (Rom 12:2). It’s a bit like the offence in a football team trying to get directions from the Quarter back in the face of a noisy opposing crowd of supporters. Talk to God and spend time in his word; allow the word and time with him, to quiet your mind (Isa 26:3).

He doesn’t always answer right away but often when we least expect it. My wife and I had a major decision to make and we both agreed to pray independently and seek God for several months. When we eventually compared notes, we had heard almost identically from God.

God is good and he wants you to walk in his peace and assurance knowing you are in his will (Prov 3:5-6).

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

I was studying the Holy Spirit and was reminded that he is called the helper (John 14:26). This is the Greek parakletos; which also means comforter, assistant, supporter, intercessor, advocate and one who is just there to help out and support.

He gives us a prayer language called tongues (Acts 2:4) so he can help us pray when we don’t know how to pray for a situation (Rom 8:26-27). Tongues also edify us and build up our faith (1 Cor 14:4; Jude 20).

The Holy Spirit guides us and directs (Acts 16:6-7) us and reveals Gods word to us (John 14:26). He is the power of God that changes us ever closer to God’s image (2 Cor 3:17-18) and brings life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). The Holy Spirit enables us to be the witnesses God desires us to be (Acts 1:8) and enables us to do even greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12). He spreads Gods love abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5).

Wow, do we ever need the fullness of Gods Spirit in our lives; and we only have to ask God to fill us with the Spirit and he will.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14; KJV).

Jesus told Nicodemus the Pharisee that he needed to be born again; he needed a spiritual rebirth or salvation as we often refer to it (John 3:3-5). Salvation only comes through Jesus (Acts 3:12). We know that if we believe in Christ and ask him into our life as Lord and Savior; confess him as Lord with our mouths, we will be saved (Rom 10:9-10).

However, going back to our text above, we need to get into the bible and see just what happened when we were saved. We need to be discipled in a bible believing church and grow in all God has for us. Our text gives us a small glimpse of what God has for us as Christians. It says we have been taken out from under the devil’s power and control and placed in Gods kingdom of light. Satan may still try to tempt and trip us but as we keep our eyes on Jesus, on the word of God, we can walk in the victory we have in Christ.

In our verse above we are also told that we have redemption. The bible says we have been redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). Redeemed means to be bought at a price; the price was Jesus’ death on that cross. The curses of the law are listed in Deuteronomy 28 and can be summarized as poverty, sickness and spiritual death.

In Galatians 3:13 we are told that we are redeemed to receive the blessings of God. Our original text above also tells us that we have been forgiven. We are forgiven freely by God’s grace from sins past present and future. In fact, our sins have been cast as far from us as the east in from the west (Ps 103:12). Satan may try to remind you of bad things you have done but you need to remind him of God’s love and forgiveness for you.

There is so much we have in salvation; we have just mentioned a few points. Dig into your bible and discover God’s love and blessings for you. His promises are all yes and amen (2 Cor 1:20).

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

Blessed in Mathew 5:2-12, means very blessed and more, even super blessed.

Who is blessed according to this passage? The humble (poor in spirit), who realize their spiritual shortcomings and are repentant (those who morn). Those who know who they are in Christ, have their emotions under control and operate in Christ like love (meek). Those who are in right standing with God (righteous) and are merciful and compassionate; the pure in heart who walk not in the soulish but spiritual realm. Peacemakers are blessed of God, as are those who are persecuted because they openly identify with Jesus (the righteous).

We are blessed regardless of what is going on around us. What are the rewards of the blessed? Theirs is the kingdom of heaven; they will see God, be called children of God and inherit the earth. They will be comforted by God, be filled by all his fullness and receive mercy. I don’t know about you but I want in on all of that.

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A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com    

We all sin but we are no longer sinners (1 John 1:8). Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross the price was paid for our sins past, present and future (1 Cor 15:3). As born-again Christians God no longer sees us as sinners he sees us in Christ, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). Righteousness basically means right standing with God.

Satan may try to condemn us but we have an advocate (Rom 8:34), Christ Jesus, who pleads our case before God (1 John 2:1)! As God’s children and members of his kingdom (Col 1:13) we are still tempted to sin and we do sin (1 John 1:8), but the word says that if we repent and ask for forgiveness God is quick to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Now that’s good news.

So, how many times will he forgive us in any given day? Well, we are instructed to forgive our brother 7 time seventy times (Matt 18:22) and God is far more loving and merciful than we are. But brother Norman you don’t know what I have done. God forgave David when he repented after committing adultery and murder (2 Sam 11). Don’t be condemned, look to God our loving and merciful father, humble yourself and ask forgiveness with a truly repentant heart.

Now, as Christians we should not go on willfully and deliberately sinning, if we do, then there is something very wrong. Our spirit (conscience) should convict us of sin if we are born again and in fellowship with God (Rom 2:15). Check yourself; are you truly born again? Have you given your life to the Master? Talk to a mature Christian friend and settle the matter today.

As Christians, we should be quick to repent whenever we sin (1John 1:9); Sin does not cause us to lose our salvation but it does cloud our fellowship with God, just as in any human relationship (1 John 1:7). Run to your loving father, repent and enjoy unbroken fellowship with him. There is nothing better. God bless you, we love you. Norman and Jean. Please take a moment and send God’s word onto others We would be happy to come and minister in your Christian fellowship. All rights reserved.

A BLOG by Norman and Jean Rawlings, authors of the book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”. Check out our web site for information on our book and more encouraging Bible based blogs. Fill out the: “contact us page” on our website and in the comments section REQUEST A FREE COPY OF A CHAPTER FROM OUR BOOK, click here: www.onthewayinlove.com