The Power of the Holy Spirit

Steps in the Redemption Process

C. H. Spurgeon 

(1834-1892)

© Copyright 2002 by Tony Capoccia. This updated file may be freely copied, printed out, and distributed as 
long as copyright and source statements remain intact, and that it is not sold. All rights reserved.

Verses quoted, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION 
©1978 by the New York Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

“The power of the Holy Spirit.”--Romans 15:13

Power is the special and distinctive prerogative of God, and God alone. Power belongs to God. God is God: and power belongs to him. If he delegates a portion of it to his creatures, yet it still is his power. The sun in the heavens, although it is “…like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course” [Psalm 19:5], yet it has no power to move through the universe except as God directs it. The stars, although they travel in their orbits and no one can stop them, yet they have neither power nor force except that which God daily infuses into them. The tall archangel, near God’s throne, who outshines a comet in its brilliance, and who excels in strength and listens to the voice of the commands of God, still has no strength except that which his Creator gives to him. As for Leviathan, who causes the sea to boil like a pot that one would think the ocean was white: as for Hippopotamus, who could almost drink up the Jordan in one swallow, and boasts that he can inhale rivers; as for those majestic creatures that are found on earth, they owe their strength to him who formed their bones of steel and made their muscle of brass. And when we think of man if he has might or power, it is so small and insignificant, that we can scarcely call it such; yes, when it is at its greatest-when he waves his scepter, when he commands vast armies, when he rules nations-still the power belongs to God.

This exclusive prerogative of God is to be found in each of the three persons of the glorious Trinity. The Father has power: for at his word the heavens were made, and by his strength all things continue, and through him they fulfill their destiny. The Son has power: for like his Father, he is the Creator of all things; “Without him nothing was made that has been made” [John 1:3], and “in him all things hold together” [Colossians 1:17]. And the Holy Spirit has power.

It is concerning the power of the Holy Spirit that I will speak this morning; and may you gain a practical example of that attribute in your own hearts, when you sense that the influence of the Holy Spirit is being poured out on me, so that I am speaking the words of the living God to your souls, and the power bestowed on you when you feel the effects of it in your own souls

Disciple in training

In all your ways, acknowledge Him.

In the morning when you wake up.

"So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please [Him]
in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God." Colossians 1:10 

Come closer to God and He will come closer to you. 

Pick up your cross and follow him.

Time is short.  Life is but a mist.  What are you doing with the gifts that God has given you?  What would you regret not doing for the King who gave us everything including life eternal.  At the Judgement Seat of Christ will you say, I should/could have done more?  Why wait?

Go and make disciples of men to follow Jesus.

We are called, as men (as Father's for some) to be Prophets, Priests and Kings of our household.  Are we being good stewards of what God has given us.  Turn from sin, repent of the heart and mature in Christ.

It all goes back in the box...

It all goes back in the box, you cannot take anything with you.  No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot leave this world with anything. Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the oneand love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. Youcannot serve both God and Money."

Mat 6:19-21 (TEB) "Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, wheremoths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches foryourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannotbreak in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are."  Heb 13:5 (RSV) "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be contentwith what you have."

Ps 37:7,16 (NAS) Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fretbecause of him who prospers in his way... Better is the little of the righteousthan the abundance of many wicked.  

Prov 23:4-5 (NIV) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom toshow restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they willsurely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Prov 30:8-9 (NIV) ...Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only mydaily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, "Who is theLord?" Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Phil 4:11-13 (Phi) ...For I have learned to be content, whatever thecircumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and Iknow how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I havelearned the secret of eating well or going hungry--of facing either plenty orpoverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who liveswithin me.

Phil 4:12 (NAS) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also knowhow to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned thesecret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and sufferingneed.

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No matter what you think you are accomplishing in life, take a self test and see where you priorities lie.  As for this blog:  Core values start with the following:

A Legacy Dad is:

A man who is bold but humble

A man who honors his wife and treats her as his united partner and confidant

A man who is not afraid to speak about his beliefs and values

A man who has or is ready to become the spiritual leader of his family

A man who sets the example for others to follow

A man who friends and colleagues look up to and ask advice of

A man who is willing to lay it all on the line to protect his family

But most importantly Legacy Dad is

A man who realizes that his children are God’s greatest gift to him and his legacy will not be his job, will not be his money, and will not be his personal accomplishments; but it will be the teachings, guidance, and values that he passes on to his children. His children will take these principles on to their children and their children’s children thus creating a family Legacy.

We the people

Philippians 4: ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Video below may offend some, but, we the people have to start leading again.  What do you think...

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpEyA&hl=en&fs=1&&w=560&h=340]

Why do we make it so hard for ourselves

  

1 Timothy 6:6-7 (New International Version)

 ⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

What does culture teach us:  To always want more

What does God say: 

1. Believe in His Son

2. Confess your sins

3. Repent and be born again

4. Sanctify yourselves

5. Holy Living/Living Sacrifices

6. Mature as a Christian

7. Find Contentment

So, where do we start:  PRAY THE FOLLOWING:

"Dear God, Please answer this prayer, less of me and my needs and more of you and your needs..."

The Perfect Father's Day Gift

There is no greater love than for someone to lay down his life for another.  Imagine dads, that if you had the power to save the world from sin by sacrificing your child who would die a gruesome death in order to save the "World".  Could you do it?  If it were up to me I could probably guess what I would tell the world if I had to sacrifice my son, yet, God did exactly what had to be done.  His Son, Jesus, was sent to earth to fulfill prophecy and to die for our sins (A sin offering) so that we could come to the Father in Heaven and be Saved.

As we enjoy are barbeques (or picnics, lunch, or whatever your Father's Day activity may be) let's say thank you to our Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, and thank him for the sacrifice that he made for us.

May God Bless you and keep you and make His Face shine upon you.

Happy Father's Day!

Respectfully,

Lance & Dante

A Father's Day prayer...

"Dear God, this year please send clothes for all those poor ladies in Daddy's computer, Amen."

Job 31

1 "I made a covenant with my eyes
not to look lustfully at a girl.

Galatians 5

Life by the Spirit

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This Father's Day give your wife and children the gift and promise to try and walk the way that God desires us to walk.  Trust and Obey for there is no other way...

Vision

Imagine a discussion between yourself and three other leaders.  Imagine the discussion being about something that you hold true and near to you heart: Men's Ministry.  Now imagine that the conversation takes a turn to your wildest imagination.  Here is the thing, I have often been told that these leaders have really good vision and discernment, but I have never seen it first hand.  The thing that makes this day most rewarding is that we all, for just a short moment, were able to share our hearts desires for men and where we would like men to start:  Reading God's Word.  Prayer.  Listening to the Pastor's Sermons, obedience to the Holy Spirit.  These are the ways that we can hear God talking to us.  

The most intimidating thing about the Bible is the parts that we don't understand, but today on the radio, I heard a pastor say that in order for us to come to understanding to the parts that we don't understand, we have to hear and listen and DO the parts that we do understand.  Come closer to God and see what he does in return.  ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication).  Give God your heart.  Don't just hear the Word, Listen to the Word. And do what it says.