Whispers from the Holy Spirit

Simple Salvation 8.23       With help from gotquestions.com           Visit https://christianbloginsights.blogspot.com/ When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free, the true gift of God in Christ, and our only responsibility is to  receive the gift by faith .  Romans 6:23   For the wages of sin  is  death, but the gift of God  is  eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8&9   “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” John 3:4-6    Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.   5 Jesus answered,  “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can e...

 Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV There are six things the  Lord  hates,      seven that are detestable to him: 17           haughty eyes, (pride)          a lying tongue,          hands that shed innocent blood, 18           a heart that devises wicked schemes, (wicked imagination)          feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19           a false witness who pours out lies          and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.  How often do we fit into these categories?  Particularly PRIDE.  It is the basis for all sin.  No matter the sin, drill down and you'll find pride.   _________________________________________ Precious time...

  August 2018 was quite a month.   It started with a retirement party for my sister-in-law at the beginning of the month.   Overnight that night my little Toyota Yaris was stolen and because I had left my wallet in the car, I dealt with two different police departments following a ring of card thefts.   It was necessary for me to reschedule my mammogram from Monday to Wednesday that week.   The mammogram when I found out I had cancer.   Because my son and his daughter had flown out on Friday night to join the rest of the family for their first real vacation, I didn’t want anyone to know and disturb them, so I told no one except a neighbor who gave me a ride to the car rental office.   My five-year checkup is coming up soon and my car is once again just about paid off.   I’ve been reading a book by Andrew Murray about abiding in Christ and it has changed my relationship with Him so much.   I’ve been saved for almost 40 years and this is the cl...

  A.Murray Abide in Me It is for His glory that He has saved us.   It is from and through His son Jesus that we receive our power.     Highlights from Abide in Me , Chapter Four, As the Branch in the Vine -I (Jesus) am the Vine, ye (Believers) are the branches -So close is the union between the vine and the branch, that each is nothing without the other.   That each is wholly and only for the other. -The Believer can each day be pleasing to God only in that which he does through the power of Christ dwelling in him.   -Without the branch, the vine can do nothing.   Without His disciples, He cannot dispense His blessing to the World -The branch does not exist for itself, but to bear fruit that can proclaim the excellence of the vine:   it has no reason to exist except to be of service to the vine. -Every power of his being, every moment of his life, every thought and feeling, belong to Jesus, that from Him and for Him he may bring ...

 From Experiencing God Daily Devotional, 8.3.23 If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.  <ExpGod8.3.23> Thank You, Father Wish I had realized this half a century ago: Let others know your hope for them up front as an encouragement rather than afterward in the form of disappointment. Pick and choose what you let in and give out. Only the Best . God’s love indwells the hearts of Believers. Don’t get in its way. Don’t cripple it with the/our self. LET IT HAVE ITS WAY. Dallas Willard—Grace is God acting in our life to do what we cannot do on our own. People are more important than efficiency. The Bible doesn’t praise efficiency. The story of Mary and Martha suggests just the opposite. Efficiency is an outpouring of pride--showing our super...

Based on the theory that we all have problems, I am going to start including everyday items as well as my life with God.   I have a bit of ADHD and autism and my life is a little more complicated than most.   Old age adds to the mix as it undermines our reasoning.   God has shown me some ways to help me get through my days and accomplish more, adding to my peace and happiness.   A little insight from today: Hefty, Hefty, Hefty.  Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy.  Remember that advertisement?  I just heard a great, rather lengthy commercial for them today on a podcast.   Coincidentally it was paired with a program on creative careers and what it takes to accomplish training and education.   It made me think about choosing to do things the easy way or go the extra mile. Do we just get things done or do we reach for that little more that’s teasing us. We get a dividend reward and we get to stretch our resourcefulness muscles. A shining ...

  Good and Bad There is that principle that things are equally good and bad.   Also, everything has advantages and disadvantages.   As I get older, I am less and less able to do things without help.   The plus side of this is that I am much sooner prompted to ask for God’s help.   You know the feeling just before you update your resume?   You know it's not actually impossible, y ou just need to get started.     Now, I just need to pray about it and ask God to help me and to get started.   It really is comforting and I’m so grateful for this step!    Thank You, father.   Once again, Let Go and Let God

It occurs to me this morning that God doesn’t want us reacting to people when we are short tempered.  Last evening I reacted in kind to a woman who shouted her greeting and birthday greetings to me across the lobby and lounge area.  My reaction should have been to pray and let God guide me.  However, Satan/my temper was in charge, and I was already fretting about something else.  I attended a Zoom workshop on dementia yesterday and this might explain why people can’t understand that shouted greetings are enjoyable for them but upsetting to the receiver.  With a big smile they repeat the joy they receive from the greeting and they seriously don’t really hear about your discomfort.   This should be interesting, please give me any helpful suggestions.  

New Believers expect that God will make our lives easy and worry-free from that day forward, when actually, God is working in the lives of Believers to strengthen them, help/teach them make good choices and seek Him out.  Today, 8-3-23,  in Experiencing God, the Da ily Devotional, The Blackabys say:   If you always choose the easy way, asking for the peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence. The last two Experiencing God entries are from the Book of Joshua.  Powerful reading.