SEALED by the HOLY SPIRIT

 

Ephesians 1:13

King James Version

13 In whom ye also trusted, 

after that ye heard the word of truth, 

the gospel of your salvation: 

in whom also after that ye believed, 

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Once you have become God's own, become born again, a true believer, your heart in great earnestness at following JESUS and His commandments, getting things right in your heart, and sharing the GOSPEL, you are a new creation in CHRIST.

You can never revert to who you were before, if the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD has taken wonderful hold of your heart.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

King James Version

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, 

he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; 

behold, all things are become new.

You will drop things of old.

You will be a new person in CHRIST.

Ephesians 4:21-24 

King James Version

21 If so be that ye have heard him, 

and have been taught by him, 

as the truth is in Jesus:

22 That ye put off 

concerning the former conversation the old man, 

which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, 

which after God is created in righteousness 

and true holiness.

You will know the LOVE, WISDOM, and POWER of the LORD.

Scripture will become clear, as the LIGHT of day.

Every verse from GOD becomes a JOY to behold.

You will forever be changed, your thinking transformed, allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to teach you ALL things CHRIST.

Thus, it's my greatest wish, if your heart truly seeks the LORD, for this to happen for you, too:

Ephesians 1:17-23 

King James Version

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of glory, 

may give unto you 

the spirit of wisdom and revelation 

in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; 

that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, 

and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance 

in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power 

to us-ward who believe, 

according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, 

when he raised him from the dead, 

and set him at his own right hand 

in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, 

and power, and might, and dominion, 

and every name that is named, 

not only in this world, 

but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, 

and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him 

that filleth all in all.

Related material:

What is the SEAL of the HOLY SPIRIT?

Updated 30 March 2023

The LORD JESUS on PRAYER

 

JESUS said:

John 15:7 

King James Version

7 If ye abide in me, 

and my words abide in you, 

ye shall ask what ye will, 

and it shall be done unto you.

What did the LORD JESUS say, about prayer?

Let's hear from the FOUR apostles who documented the WORDS of JESUS:

Mark 11:24 (KJV)

24 Therefore I say unto you, 

What things soever ye desire, 

when ye pray, 

believe that ye receive them, 

and ye shall have them.

John 14:13-14 (KJV)

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, 

that will I do, 

that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, 

I will do it.

Matthew 21:21-22 (KJV)

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, 

Verily I say unto you, 

If ye have faith, 

and doubt not, 

ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, 

but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, 

Be thou removed, 

and be thou cast into the sea; 

it shall be done.

22 And all things, 

whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, 

believing, 

ye shall receive.

Luke 11:9 (KJV)

9 And I say unto you, 

Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Here are the LORD's admonitions about the kind of praying we do:

Matthew 6:5-6 (KJV)

5 And when thou prayest, 

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: 

for they love to pray standing in the synagogues 

and in the corners of the streets, 

that they may be seen of men. 

Verily I say unto you, 

They have their reward.

6 But thou, 

when thou prayest, 

enter into thy closet, 

and when thou hast shut thy door, 

pray to thy Father which is in secret; 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, 

as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

And here's the PRAYER Jesus asked us to pray:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 

Our Father which art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, 

Thy will be done in earth, 

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, 

as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, 

but deliver us from evil: 

For thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory, 

for ever. 

Amen.

As always, I THANK the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, who led me to these verses, easily.

Things are really simple with the LORD.

Let's not complicate it.

Bible DISCOVERY 19: The PARADOX of PRAYER

Updated 25 January 2022

PRAY as a CHILD would

 

Matthew 6:7-8 

King James Version

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, 

as the heathen do: 

for they think that they shall be heard 

 their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth 

what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

Pray as a child would, in all simplicity, and sincerity.

There is usually no guile in a very young child.

There is even no fear, until they are caused to fear.

There is only trust, joy, confidence, excitement.

They also seem to have an instant connection with God.

Maybe that's why JESUS loves them so!

Matthew 19:14 

King James Version

14 But Jesus said, 

Suffer little children, 

and forbid them not, to come unto me: 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Children speak from their heart.

They speak of what they want.

They speak in their own words.

They don't put brakes on their thoughts.

If not intimidated, they just spell it out, and have it out.

They're direct with their questions.

God delights in their "rawness".

A lot of their questions sometimes befuddle us.

And we think to ourselves, "Why didn't I think of that before?"

Their simple thinking delights the LORD.

There is no hypocrisy in children.

They don't know that word.

Much less spell it.

That's how GOD wants us to approach Him in prayer.

To be like trusting, little children, baring our souls to GOD, and expecting a favored response.

Fortunately , before GOD made me born again, I approached Him as a child would -- happy and trusting.

I've always been child-like anyway.

After I became born again, getting to know His WORD now, the happier, and more trusting I got.

My excitement at my many discoveries from the BIBLE is BEYOND description.

Now, I finally know JESUS answers prayers in His OWN PERFECT WAY.

It might not be what we want, but what do we really know?

We do not have the HEART and MIND of GOD, who knows all, sees all, for He is CREATOR of ALL.

The perfect prayer is actually just letting GOD have His will for us.

In the next post, I will share what the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD led me to concerning JESUS, and prayer.

Related material:

On PRAYER

Updated 28 September 2023

Being FED by the WORD of GOD

 

JESUS said:

Matthew 4:4 

King James Version

4 But he answered and said, 

It is written, 

Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that proceedeth 

out of the mouth of God.

There is real sustenance for the spirit.

Nourishing you each day.

Keeping your soul safe.

As a grateful baby Christian, I seek the WORD of GOD constantly, being fed by Scripture each day, feeding my spirit with real sustenance, correcting the errors of my heart.

Be fed by more verses.

John 7:38 (KJV)

38 He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

1 Peter 2:2-3 (KJV)

2 As newborn babes, 

desire the sincere milk of the word, 

that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hebrews 5:13-14 (KJV)

13 For every one that useth milk 

is unskilful in the word of righteousness: 

for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, 

even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised 

to discern both good and evil.

Deuteronomy 8:3 (KJV)

3 And he humbled thee, 

and suffered thee to hunger, 

and fed thee with manna, 

which thou knewest not, 

neither did thy fathers know; 

that he might make thee know 

that man doth not live by bread only, 

but by every word that proceedeth 

out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

Exodus 16:4-5 (KJV)

4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, 

Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; 

and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, 

that I may prove them, 

whether they will walk in my law, 

or no.

5 And it shall come to pass, 

that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; 

and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

Exodus 16:11-12 (KJV)

11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: 

speak unto them, saying, 

At even ye shall eat flesh, 

and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; 

and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.

Exodus 16:31-32 (KJV)

31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: 

and it was like coriander seed, white; 

and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

32 And Moses said, 

This is the thing which the Lord commandeth, 

Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; 

that they may see the bread 

wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, 

when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 16:35 (KJV)

35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, 

until they came to a land inhabited; 

they did eat manna, 

until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Psalm 78:24-25 (KJV)

24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, 

and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25 Man did eat angels' food: 

he sent them meat to the full.

Image source: Mockup Graphics

Updated 25 January 2022

HOW it is to WORK for the HOLY SPIRIT

 

1 Corinthians 2:10 

King James Version

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: 

for the Spirit searcheth all things, 

yea, the deep things of God.

"The deep things of God."

That's what you discover when you work for the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

And so many other things.

Like I just started writing this post, cut out a few phrases, replacing them with new ones.

Lo and behold, a new idea had formed!

But that will be for a later post, to be put in the 17 blogs, as Holy Spirit deems fit.

The theme, the tone, the delivery, are all the Holy Spirit's work in me.

Only because, as born again, I've volunteered to do the job, serving GOD with ALL my heart, mind, and spirit.

All the knowledge I had in the past, I junked most of it.

All the books I collected and read in the past, I junked 99% of it, merely retaining the BIBLE, and a couple more books on GOD.

Waking up this morning, praying to JESUS, I asked to be guided to what He wanted me to do, or write.

As is often the case, BEFORE the prayer is even finished, the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD already had an answer: "obedience".

I was to write about that.

And as I turned on my computer, that word developed on its own, and here's what you're reading now.

The Holy Spirit merely used what I could already do -- which is, given ONE word, an article would "form".

Back in high school, I already had this "gift", if you wish to call it that, wherein the English teacher would give us a subject to expound on.

I found that one word was enough, to trigger a flood of thoughts, words, and ideas.

Essays were pretty easy for me.

That's how the HOLY SPIRIT will be working with His Own.

1. He will use the material in your heart.

2. He will "coach" you.

3. He will "inspire" you.

You will be in the BEST hands ever.

Your soul will be safe -- reserved for GOD's perfect purpose.

The Holy Spirit was a gift from God, prayed for by Jesus.

John 14:16 (KJV)

16 And I will pray the Father, 

and he shall give you another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you for ever;

To TEACH us ALL things, in remembrance of JESUS.

To SEARCH the DEEP things of GOD.

Can you comprehend the enormity of that?

I am here to tell you how it all works.

Given the contents of your heart (or even the emptiness of it), the HOLY SPIRIT will guide you, in a way only GOD knows how.

With Spirit comes liberty.

And that's for a next post, somewhere among the 17 blogs.

I don't know where.

Only the HOLY SPIRIT knows.

At its own perfect time.

For now, this post.

Can you now see how it all is?

I prayed, an answer was given, before I finished praying.

We wrote, and two other ideas formed along the way.

Thus, I have TWO other articles to write today.

It's a "thread" the HOLY SPIRIT gave me.

It's a very delicate thread, which needs great attention.

Get distracted, and you "lose" that thread.

Two articles within one.

That's the gift given me today.

It's also a gift for all who care to listen to the WORD of GOD, for all my articles have verses selected by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.

The HOLY SPIRIT and I work with PRECISION.

It's the only way to HONOR the WORD of GOD.

In your case, things may be different, for you are different from me.

GOD created you for a purpose, too.

When you open your heart to Him, asking Him what He wants for you, what His WILL is, be in for a WONDERFUL surprise.

But again, there are no shortcuts.

You have to become born again.

Only then will you understand things of the SPIRIT, for the HOLY SPIRIT will be your "instructor" in ALL things of JESUS.

Being taught by the HOLY SPIRIT means you are no longer "beholden" to the world.

The world has always sought your destruction.

Where do you think LIFE comes from?

Only from God, dear reader.

Genesis 2:7 (KJV)

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, 

and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; 

and man became a living soul.

P.S.  Seems it's not just two other ideas given. Another "developed" as I edited, for publishing. That's how the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD works. With the knowledge and wisdom of the LORD, I have merely seen and experienced a sample of it. Won't you want to see how it all works for you, too? Your life, persona, and goals will SURELY change -- in a way that fills your heart, and gives joy to your existence. CHOOSE GOD!

P.S. 2  A fourth idea developed as I'm still editing, making sure I got things right. The "threads" are thin, and fleeting, I have to be really fast! But that's how EXCITING it is to work for the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD. You never know what will result. GOD loves surprises for His faithful. I can't count my blessings enough! To be guided by the SPIRIT of GOD Himself is honor enough.

P.S. 3  By now, the HOLY SPIRIT has "fed" me TONS of potential articles, all because I was reading the finished post. That's how it is to WORK for the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD. ENDLESS possibilities! Follow the THREAD of GOD. Oh boy, another article. Gotta work on it!

Won't you want to see how it all works for you, too?

PRAY to JESUS if you want changes in your life; that's the FIRST step.

Updated 25 January 2022

GOVERNED by FAITH

 

"The Bible tells me so."

Learned that from Catholic school, early on.

It's actually a line from one of the songs we were taught in elementary school.

You know how certain words, phrases, and sentences stick?

Well, that sentence stuck.

But did the Catholic church ask us to study the Bible?

Nope.

The priests did the studying for us.

At mass, they dished out a verse, or two.

So, up until last year -- over 16 months ago -- I had been in darkness.

I was studying the wrong books, searching for ULTIMATE TRUTH.

It was only when GOD made me born again last year, did I finally open a Bible, and REALLY began to read it.

What a treasure it was!

So much so, I dropped ALL other books.

By the GRACE of GOD, and GUIDANCE from the HOLY SPIRIT, I was able to understand what the Bible revealed.

It was easier than I thought, because I was a kid at heart.

I was entirely teachable.

And excited to learn.

Now, I can really say, "The BIBLE tells me so!" 

The WORD of GOD has taken residence in my heart.

Pretty much what GOD did for Israel:

Jeremiah 31:33

King James Version

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make 

with the house of Israel; 

After those days, 

saith the Lord, 

I will put my law in their inward parts, 

and write it in their hearts; 

and will be their God, 

and they shall be my people.

I've always had a love for the LORD.

But being born again really delighted the thirsty child in me, to drink from the waters of life in JESUS.

Thing is, I was not just drinking from it, I was also splashing in GOD's fountain of living waters.

Now, my faith is fully grounded on the WORD of GOD.

Everything is tested upon Scripture.

My unshakable SPIRITUAL foundation is upon the ROCK that is CHRIST.

Psalm 18:2 

King James Version

2 The Lord is my rock, 

and my fortress, 

and my deliverer; 

my God, 

my strength, 

in whom I will trust; 

my buckler, 

and the horn of my salvation, 

and my high tower.

Surrender to JESUS, totally.

That's faith.

In JESUS, I trust.

Related material:

BORN AGAIN articles

SPIRIT of GOD

WORD of GOD

FAITH

Updated 27 March 2022

How can YOU not WANT to BECOME born again?

 

Okay, just so you know, I'm not here to convert you.

Nope.

I ain't gonna do that.

The HOLY SPIRIT does that.

Romans 8:26 

King James Version

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: 

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us 

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

I'm merely here to tell you my own experience, of how my life has changed -- for the better -- the moment I chose to become born again.

God knew I was going to write about the joy I have, at having found JESUS in my heart, and wanting to know EVERYTHING about the LORD.

God likes that kind of persistence, and sincerity.

Sure, it took me a long time to get here, but God doesn't let anything go to waste.

Much more a life He created.

He is MASTER of WISDOM, and KNOWLEDGE.

Like I said in an earlier post, God "let me live my life the best way I didn't know how".

Oh yes, God will do that -- allow you to find things out for yourself -- especially if He knows you learn best that way.

He created you; He knows how your coconut operates.

He knows the contents of your heart.

Or the emptiness of it.

No hiding from God, dears.

Only God knows when you're ready to receive His GRACE, His SON, His WORD.

He is the LORD of PERFECT TIMING.

Doesn't matter if you don't know one iota of who He really is, and what He can really do.

He only cares to know, that you care to know.

Do you?

In my case, since I'm a child at heart, ignorant of His laws most of the time, He allowed me to find out for myself where I erred.

The "awakening" only transpired, the moment I asked for forgiveness for all my faults.

GOD showed up, after five months.

After FIVE months??!!

Yes.

Can you wait that long?

I didn't mind waiting.

I'd messed up a long time.

What's another five months for GOD to show up, and right my life.

I've had too many years of having messed up, of being ignorant, even as I persisted to know His TRUTH.

One day, GOD knew I was sure, I was repentant, and I was defeated.

That's when He showed up, and made me born again.

He always waits for that surrender.

After that, there was no turning back.

How can you turn back from the LORD, once you've already found Him?

Or did He find me?

Nah, He was steady as a rock.

I was the one going around in circles.

But now, the LORD is in my heart, He is my heart, and I follow JESUS alone.

When your heart is true, GOD will send His HOLY SPIRIT to teach you ALL about JESUS.

That's why you have to become born again.

Only then can you understand things of the SPIRIT.

Humble yourself before God, accept you know nothing, but are willing to know EVERYTHING about GOD.

Open your heart to the LORD.

Watch what happens.

Updated 8 March 2022

JESUS simplifies EVERYTHNG

 

Matthew 22:37-40 

King James Version

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets.

What part of that is difficult to understand?

Jesus said, 

"On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets."

These TWO commandments are:

1. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

2. "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

If you were to read the Bible, you'd see GOD's history of love, wrath, man's disobedience, the fallen one's rebellion, and the prophecies on JESUS.

On and on, the prophets called us to LOVE the LORD.

On and on, humans tried, did, forgot, and tried again.

Mostly, we forget.

Mostly, we are beholden to the world.

That's why I love being born again.

Only then could I really understand the simplicity of GOD's commandments, through JESUS.

Those two commandments ought to serve as our spiritual foundation.

Make special note of what JESUS said on those verses:

Matthew 22:37-38 (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

The "first and great commandment", WOW!

It's always been about LOVING GOD.

Really very simple, and easy, to understand.

That one commandment alone is sufficient to meditate upon.

And if you're born again, watch how the HOLY SPIRIT will make things even clearer for you!

Updated 25 January 2022

WORKING for JESUS

Acts 17:11 

King James Version

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, 

in that they received the word 

with all readiness of mind, 

and searched the scriptures daily, 

whether those things were so.

I am grateful GOD gave me the gift for words.

Before I became born again, I could write well enough.

There was delight in research, ease in word play, writing, and creating.

But did it serve God?

I had no awareness of how to serve God accurately then.

I had not read the Bible.

I was working, from my own "steam".

When GOD made me born again, my work shifted.

A full 180 degrees.

Now, JESUS is the one who powers my work.

By the GRACE of GOD, and through the HOLY SPIRIT, I am instructed each day.

I am led daily to the verses that matter.

I am guided what to write.

Because I gave my heart to the LORD -- in full -- naturally, I write only about Him.

Now, I take great care what I think, say, and do.

All my work must be for GOD's GLORY alone.

It must not be for self, for ego, or for the world's dictates.

What the world wants is contrary to what GOD wants.

JESUS said so Himself:

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

When you follow JESUS, your work will radically change.

JESUS went against the grain of the world -- purposely.

Your work will change, if you are truly CHRIST's own.

Are you brave enough to do so?

Are you ready to follow JESUS' teachings?

Would you like to be of use to the LORD?

Would you like your work to be for the GLORY of GOD?

Surely, He created you for a purpose.

It's your job to find that purpose.

PRAY to JESUS for guidance and clarity.

Prepare to be astounded.

Related material:

WORK made NOBLE blog

Updated 13 April 2023

JOY at AWARENESS

 

Hebrews 10:26 

King James Version

26 For if we sin wilfully 

after that we have received 

the knowledge of the truth, 

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

It's a real joy to be born again.

Why?

Once the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD starts teaching you EVERYTHING about JESUS, your soul goes on a spiritual high.

Now, you will know GOD's TRUTH.

Now, you will know JESUS is the one to follow.

Now, you will know the effects of sin.

Now, you will know the world is under the fallen one.

The BIBLE will tell your EVERYTHING.

Past, present, and future.

Scripture will tell you everything, about GOD's story.

Never again will you be afraid.

You will find COMFORT in CHRIST.

Psalm 147:3 

King James Version

3 He healeth the broken in heart, 

and bindeth up their wounds.

John 10:28-30 

King James Version

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

29 My Father, 

which gave them me, 

is greater than all; 

and no man is able to pluck them 

out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

Ephesians 1:7 

King James Version

7 In whom we have redemption 

through his blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

according to the riches 

of his grace;

Revelation 21:4 

King James Version

4 And God shall wipe away all tears 

from their eyes; 

and there shall be no more death, 

neither sorrow, 

nor crying, 

neither shall there be any more pain: 

for the former things 

are passed away.

Related post:

CHILDLIKE series

Updated 20 April 2023