It seems every time I turn around another week has sped by...weeks turn into months, and months turn into years...Christmases come so quickly anymore. Do you remember as a child thinking Christmas would never arrive? Now I find them coming faster than they should...it really feels like someone is messing with my calendar!
And here we are on Week 54...we've made a definitive jump over the midway mark on our journey to 100. Back on the Appalachian Trail...where do we find ourselves at this point?
Some where right around High Point State Park in New Jersey, the highest point in the state, with the ability to see into three states, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania from its summit. The second picture shown was taken at High Point at a time of being able to view the Northern Lights. Wouldn't that be a great site? So when you're at High Point you have a wide view of many different aspects of our world.
"High Point"...don't you think that's an appropriate place for us to be this week...right in the middle of our study of the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? Just as in High Point State Park you are given a vantage point of seeing a wide array of scenic views, the Holy Spirit enables us to see so much more than we can when we are trying to view life, both earthly and eternal, through our human eyes. The Holy Spirit lifts us up to a higher point of view, with sights not only of things as amazing as the Northern Lights, but straight into eternity---into the absolute Light of truth and life.
Let's review our verses of the past 22 weeks....
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Leading right to Ephesians 5:20...
"Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
My first thought when reading this week's verse was, "What does this verse have to do with the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? I'm not getting where we're going here."
Well, hang on, we'll climb up to a high point as we look at this verse, in context with our previous two verses, and our relationship with the Holy Spirit. We may see something we have never seen before!
And here we are on Week 54...we've made a definitive jump over the midway mark on our journey to 100. Back on the Appalachian Trail...where do we find ourselves at this point?Some where right around High Point State Park in New Jersey, the highest point in the state, with the ability to see into three states, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania from its summit. The second picture shown was taken at High Point at a time of being able to view the Northern Lights. Wouldn't that be a great site? So when you're at High Point you have a wide view of many different aspects of our world."High Point"...don't you think that's an appropriate place for us to be this week...right in the middle of our study of the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? Just as in High Point State Park you are given a vantage point of seeing a wide array of scenic views, the Holy Spirit enables us to see so much more than we can when we are trying to view life, both earthly and eternal, through our human eyes. The Holy Spirit lifts us up to a higher point of view, with sights not only of things as amazing as the Northern Lights, but straight into eternity---into the absolute Light of truth and life.
Let's review our verses of the past 22 weeks....
Promises of God (10)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)
Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.
Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."
The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Leading right to Ephesians 5:20...
"Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
My first thought when reading this week's verse was, "What does this verse have to do with the Holy Spirit's role in our lives? I'm not getting where we're going here."
Well, hang on, we'll climb up to a high point as we look at this verse, in context with our previous two verses, and our relationship with the Holy Spirit. We may see something we have never seen before!
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