I almost hate to leave our most recent section because I know I still have so much to learn regarding the Holy Spirit. I know I loaded you down with all the reference Scriptures, but I just think it is so important to discover Scriptures that explain Scripture! We must learn of the Holy Spirit through His inspired Word...let's keep learning more and more of Him and experiencing more and more of His power living within us.
But tonight it's time to move on. We've lingered a little while at our present "campsite" and now it's time to load our backpack up and head on toward our goal! Are you wondering where we are on the Appalachian Trail by now? Well, let's see...we have traveled approximately 1,300 of the 2,160 miles of the trail. We started in Georgia and we're headed to Maine. Right now we should be entering the Sterling Forest in New York state. Within an hour's drive of New York City...an unexpected area of natural beauty and hiking trails. The pictures I've included below just made me realize how many people probably hike these trails every year...people of all types and people of all ages. But the pictures below, I think, express something about these hikers...don't they look like they're having fun? Don't they look joyful?
But tonight it's time to move on. We've lingered a little while at our present "campsite" and now it's time to load our backpack up and head on toward our goal! Are you wondering where we are on the Appalachian Trail by now? Well, let's see...we have traveled approximately 1,300 of the 2,160 miles of the trail. We started in Georgia and we're headed to Maine. Right now we should be entering the Sterling Forest in New York state. Within an hour's drive of New York City...an unexpected area of natural beauty and hiking trails. The pictures I've included below just made me realize how many people probably hike these trails every year...people of all types and people of all ages. But the pictures below, I think, express something about these hikers...don't they look like they're having fun? Don't they look joyful?
Just like "life in the city" sometimes causes us to forget the joy that being surrounded by nature can bring to us, sometimes we also forget to express in our day-to-day lives the joy that being surrounded by God's Spirit brings. We learned in our past section that joy is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit...and joy is the subject of our next section of 12 verses...as Robert J. Morgan titles this section, "Joy: God's Kind of Happiness."
Let's review our previous sections...
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."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy:God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
This day, wherever you are on the trail, rejoice! God has given each of us this day. It is a day to be joyful. Look at the pictures of the people on the trail...they are joyful because of where they are. But we can be joyful because no matter where we are, we know that God is with us, every day, every step of the way!
If you would do me a huge favor...I recently was told that it was very difficult, or nearly impossible, to leave a comment on this blog. I have revamped the comment section, and I hope that it is now much easier to comment. I would LOVE to hear what many of you have to say in response to my posts. If you would, please leave me a comment via the new system just so I can see if it is now working better! Just click on the link below that currently shows "0 comments" and a pop-up screen should appear allowing you to enter your thoughts....
In His Amazing Love - Janice Hodges
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."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."
Joy:God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
This day, wherever you are on the trail, rejoice! God has given each of us this day. It is a day to be joyful. Look at the pictures of the people on the trail...they are joyful because of where they are. But we can be joyful because no matter where we are, we know that God is with us, every day, every step of the way!
If you would do me a huge favor...I recently was told that it was very difficult, or nearly impossible, to leave a comment on this blog. I have revamped the comment section, and I hope that it is now much easier to comment. I would LOVE to hear what many of you have to say in response to my posts. If you would, please leave me a comment via the new system just so I can see if it is now working better! Just click on the link below that currently shows "0 comments" and a pop-up screen should appear allowing you to enter your thoughts....
In His Amazing Love - Janice Hodges
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