“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Phil 3:10). The apostle Paul in this verse indicated that his goal in life was to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Think what power (the Greek word dunamis) was needed to raise Jesus from the dead (Eph 1: 19-20). We get our English word dynamite from the Greek word dunamis. That same power dwells in us: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus form the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom 8:11). That power brings life to our mortal bodies, empowers us to be witnesses for him (Acts 1:8) and in fact, makes us like Jesus (2 Cor 3:17-18). Wow and double Wow.

The apostle Paul also mentioned (Eph 1:19) another form of God’s power (Greek Kratos), the power of dominion or authority, which he exercised in raising Christ from the dead. As born-again believers in Jesus we walk in the authority of Jesus over the devil; Jesus took back authority from satan through his (Jesus) death and resurrection (Eph 1:19-22). What a victory we have in Jesus.

But Paul does go on to say, in our theme verse above (Phil 3:10), that we must also be willing to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and death. With the power and authority Jesus brought us, we must also die to self and live for Christ, no matter how much persecution or difficulty this may bring; are we willing?

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I love Paul’s humility in 1 Cor 2:1-5. He gets to the very crux of the source and power of Christianity. He says I came preaching the Gospel with fear and trembling; speaking only God’s word, not man’s wisdom and not with elegance of speech. Paul dared not insert himself but focused on Jesus; allowing the Spirit to give him the words to share. He gave pre-eminence to the power of the word of God to affect and change men’s hearts and lives. His preaching was accompanied by clear demonstrations of the power of the Holy Spirit; signs wonders and miracles.

To preach, as the word is defined, is simply to proclaim, publish or herald. As the word is preached, the Holy Spirit takes it, reveals it to the sensitive and receptive heart and provides the power for the word to impact, bless and change the receptive listener (1 Cor 2:10). Paul was bold enough to say that as we preach in obedience to God and as directed by the Holy Spirit, then the father will demonstrate his power among us.

God’s word, his power, humility, fear of God and obedience, as exemplified in Paul’s life and ministry, are a recipe for change. We really need to meditate on this and get it down in our spirits.

I love the Psalms; reading one a day is a good plan. David really shows his love, fear of and heart for God in his poetry. In Psalm 139 verses 23 and 24 David humbles himself before his God and cries out that his heavenly Father would search his heart for any wickedness and show him how to walk in godliness.

As with David, we cannot do this and walk the walk on our own; o how we need God in our lives. In Romans chapter 2 and verse 15 we learn that our born-again spirits, hearts or consciences will show us if we are right or wrong, if we allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate and strengthen our spirits with the word of God. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26; KJV).

Get in the word, ask God to make the word come alive to you (what we call revelation) by the Holy Spirit as you read and meditate. Allow the spotlight of God’s word to show you where you need to change so you can draw ever closer to God. Remember it is not in our own strength but it is God who shows us the way and empowers us to change and be more like him (Phil 1:6). “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6). Lord, flood us with your presence, your Holy Spirit today and have your way in our lives. Be blessed today.

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“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:2). God set laws in place that govern our lives and cannot be changed. Without Christ we live under the curse of the fall of man. Adam sinned and this brought spiritual death to us all (1 Cor 15:22). We are spirit beings and we live in bodies and have souls, our minds, wills and emotions (1 Thess 5:23). When we accept Christ as our savior the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us to bring new life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:11) and our spirits are made new, are born again (John 3:1-7). Our bodies and souls are not born again but have to be renewed and disciplined (1 Cor 9:27; Rom 12:2).

But the kicker hear is that we have to make the decision to walk in the Spirit, be led by the Holy Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to change us (Rom 8:14). Paul describes the battle between his flesh (body and soul) and his spirit in the 7th chapter of Romans; his spirit wanting to be led by the Holy Spirit of God and his flesh rebelling. However, he goes on to say that in Christ we have the victory (Rom 8:1-2). It’s a decision, we can choose to be carnally minded and operate in the soulish realm or we can choose to be spiritually minded, to allow our spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, to govern our lives and decisions (Rom 8:6).

Often our first reaction to a situation is to wrestle in our minds and react, bringing turmoil. But look at verse 6 of Romans Chapter 8: “To be spiritually minded is life and peace”. O Lord, help us to learn to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit speaks to our spirits. How do we know it is the Holy Spirit speaking? Well that guidance, that inner voice (1 kings 19:12) or sense of conviction (Rom 9:1), will be full of peace (James 3:17). We need to read our bibles, pray and let the Holy Spirit rule our spirits and lives, the results are awesome.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

I was studying the Holy Spirit and was reminded that he is called the comforter (John 14:26; Greek parakletos), helper, assistant, guide, revealer of the word of God, one who pulls alongside to help, strengthen and support. He gives us a prayer language (Acts 2:4; tongues) so he can help us pray when we don’t know how to pray for a situation (Rom 8:26-27). Tongues also edify 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 God’s word to us: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26; KJV).

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: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rom 8:11). The Holy Spirit enables us to be the witnesses God desires (Acts 1:8) and enables us to do even greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12). He spreads God’s love abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5). Wow, do we ever need the fullness of God’s Spirit in our lives; and we only have to ask God to fill us with the Spirit and he will (Luke 11:13).

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.