Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

                                                 Be filled with the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18.

Jesus Promised Another Helper

                 Before Jesus went back to Heaven, He promised to send the disciples another Helper, that He may abide with them forever the Spirit of truth who will dwell with them and be in them. If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth - John 14:16,17.

Received the Holy Spirit

                 After His ascension, all the disciples continued with one accord in prayer and supplication waiting for the promised Holy Spirit and they received it. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 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 2:1-4.

Peter's sermon

                   Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and he received the power he needed to feed the sheep which Jesus asked him to do. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole" - Acts 4:8-10. When he preached, about three thousand people were baptized and added to the church - Acts 2:41. They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them - Acts 5:14.  

Power

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth - Acts1:8.

Hope

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13.

Boldness

When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness - Acts 4:31.

To walk in God's commandments

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them - Ezekiel 36:27.

Revelation

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 things that I said to you - John 14:26.

New life

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you - Romans 8:11.

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! - Luke 11:13.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us be filled with the Holy Spirit and do great things for Your glory by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

All Came To Pass

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass - Joshua 21:45.

              God brought the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan as He promised to them. None of His words promised to them failed and all came to pass. The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago - Lamentations 2:17a.  God is always faithful to fulfill every single word of His promises. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” - Jeremiah 1:12. 

God's promises to Israelites

Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God - Genesis 17:8.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Depart and go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it’ - Exodus 33:.1

Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey’- Deuteronomy 6:3.

Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers - Deuteronomy 8:1.

So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full - Deuteronomy 6:10-11.

Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers - Deuteronomy 30:5.

Promises fulfilled

So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass - Joshua 21:43-45.

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed - Joshua 23:14.

I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant - Joshua 24:13.

For the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God - Joshua 24:17,18.

Trust the promise-keeping God

                Let us trust our promise-keeping God. He will fulfill every single word of His promises and all will come to pass. God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? - Numbers 23:19. “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’” - Ezekiel 12:28.

                                                                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the Promise Keeper. We thank you for fulfilling every word of Your promises in our life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Peter's Repentance

                                                    Feed my sheep - John 21:17.

Peter followed Jesus

                    Peter who was a fisherman started following Jesus. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him - Matthew 4:18-20.

Peter's willingness to die

            Peter said that he was willing to die with Jesus if he had to but Jesus told that he will deny Him three times. Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same - Matthew 26:31a, 33–35.              

Peter's denial

               Peter denied Jesus three times despite knowing Him and the rooster crowed as predicted by Jesus. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed - Luke 22:54-60.

Peter's repentance

                 Peter went out and wept bitterly. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly - Luke 22:61,62.

Peter's restoration

              When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” - John 21:15–17.

Peter's ministry

              Peter also strengthened the other disciples and he was mightily used by God. He became the pillar of the early church in Jerusalem. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18. And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” - Luke 22:31,32. When he preached, about three thousand people were baptized and added to the church - Acts 2:41. He healed a lame man and preached boldly. They brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them - Acts 5:14.  

Repent , Restore & Serve God

             Even though Peter failed by denying Christ, he wept bitterly with regret and humility and repented afterwards. When Jesus appeared to the disciples, He restored Peter. Later, Peter served God by preaching and by doing powerful ministries. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding. Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor - Proverbs 15:32–33.

                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Give us a heart of repentance. Let us be restored, feed Your sheep and do mighty things for You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Peace Be With You

                                                      Peace be with you - John 20:19.                  

Jesus appeared to His disciples

                 Jesus appeared to his disciples on the evening  of His resurrection day when they were in fear and said to them "Peace be with you". Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit - John 20:19-22. 

Fear replaced by peace

               The fear of disciples was replaced by peace and Jesus appeared to them again and said "peace to you". Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” - Luke 24:36-39.  

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid 

              There is no need for our hearts to be troubled or afraid in any situation as God had given us His peace. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid - John 14:27. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world - John 16:33. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all - 2 Thessalonians 3:16.     

May God’s peace rule our hearts

                   May God’s peace be with us, replace our fears and rule our hearts always in every way in any situation. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful - Colossians 3:15. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:6-7. Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river - Isaiah 66:12. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces - Psalm 122:7.  

                                                                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the God of Peace. We thank You for giving us Your peace in all situations and replacing all our fears . In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.   

You Were Bought At A Price

                                       You were bought at a price - 1 Corinthians 7:13.            

              Jesus paid for our freedom not with corruptible or perishable things but with His precious blood. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot -1 Peter 1:18,19.

                  Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and so we need to honor God with our bodies as we are not our own but bought at a price. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

               Let us praise God who already paid and bought us with a price by His precious blood and glorify God with our bodies. Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God - 1 Peter 1:23. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:16.                                                                          

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We were bought at a price. We thank You for redeeming us by Your precious blood. Let us honor You by doing everything for Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

He Is Risen

 He is risen - Mathew 28:6.

            Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb and they saw that the tomb was rolled away and an angel sitting on the top. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” - Matthew 28:5,6. The angel told them that the Lord is risen as He had promised and the tomb is empty. He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee - Luke 24:6. Death is swallowed up in victory. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.     

                The angel instructed the women to go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. The risen Lord met them as they went to tell His disciples about His resurrection. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you. So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me" - Matthew 28:8-10. 

                We live in the power of resurrection as the same mighty power and the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us and raise us by His power. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you - Romans 8:11. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power -1 Corinthians 6:14. What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places - Ephesians 1:19, 20. 

                 Let us thank our resurrected Christ and walk in the newness of life just as He was raised from the dead. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - Romans 6:4. According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead - 1 Peter 1:3-5. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live - John 11:25. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2.  

                                                              

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the resurrection and the life. Let us walk in the newness of life and go quickly and tell others about You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.  

Divine Exchange At The Cross

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16.

             The Cross is the place of divine exchange where the Lord Jesus Christ tasted death for everyone. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8. Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29. 

Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7.

Jesus was wounded that we might be healed

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.

Jesus tasted death for us that we might share His life

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9.

Jesus was made a curse that we might receive the blessing

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith - Galatians 3:13-14.

Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich - 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross for us to live for righteousness

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness - 1 Peter 2:24.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him - 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God - Hebrews 12:2.

Jesus endured my rejection that I might have His acceptance with the Father

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved - Ephesians 1:3-6.

Jesus was cut off that we might be joined to the Lord

For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken - Isaiah 53:8.

Our old Man was put to death in Him that the new Man might come to life in us

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin -Romans 6:6.

We can live a life full of favor, grace, blessings, and closeness with God because of the divine exchange at the cross!!

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for all You have done on the cross for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.