In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at the ministry of the Holy Spirit to each individual.

The Holy Spirit delivers God’s specific message, concerning every aspect of our life, directly to us.  Every born again Christian has been equipped with the capability to receive direct messages from God (Joh 14:26, Joh 15:26,  Joh 16:7,  Gal 4:6).

The Holy Spirit has the ability to teach us what Religion, Church, Priest/Pastors/Preachers/Mankind can not, which is God’s will for us in any and every situation of our life including our relationship with Him (Gal. 1:11-12, 15-16).

Only God knows His plan for you and only His Holy Spirit can reveal those plans to you (John 16:13).  Therefore we are not only capable of knowing God’s will for us, but also responsible for knowing His will for us.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1Jn 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

One of the themes/principals taught throughout the Holy Bible is God’s desire to commune with us in a personal one on one relationship and it is always God who initiates the relationship.  God pursues us and attempts to get our attention so that He can tell us what we need to here from Him.

In the event of the birth of Jesus, God used the angel and heavenly hosts to get the attention of the shepherds (Luke 2:9,13).  God, used a star to get the attention of the wise men (Matt. 2:2).  Both the shepherds and the wise men responded by going to the Lord.

In the Church age that we live in now,  God uses His Holy Spirit to get our attention and if we respond by seeking Him we will hear what we need to here from Him and we will know Him (relationship Matt. 11:29).  But, if we do not respond by seeking Him we will not know Him and will not have a relationship with Him (John 1:10).

(Matt. 11:29) The word translated “learn” comes from the Greek word  manthanō and it means to acquire intimate knowledge of someone through a relationship.

(John 1:10) The word translated “knew” comes from the Greek word  ginōskō and means to “know” absolutely.

A personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to receive the free gift of salvation and afterwards the only way to receive the day to day guidance of God that will leave us content (John 7:37-39).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Mat 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Psa 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
Psa 139:18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mar 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
Mar 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Joh 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
Joh 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at the source of Biblical Joy.  To understand what the Scriptures are talking about when they say “Joy” we must first understand the difference between Joy and Happiness.

Joy is a deep inner gladness of heart and it’s only source is God’s Holy Spirit.

Happiness, on the other hand, is an emotional reaction to circumstances, therefore the source of happiness is circumstances.

Rejoicing is an outward expression of a deep inner gladness of heart.

What I’m about to share with you is a personal experience of “Joy in the Lord” that I had yesterday.  I believe it will help us all better understand what the Scriptures are talking about when they say “joy”.

Yesterday morning I found my wife on the toilet slouched against the bathroom wall.  Her eyes were open, but she was not responsive to anything I said to her.  The circumstances brought fear to me, but while I was praying with her God’s Holy Spirit gave me these words “Lord Jesus we trust You with our complete being and we know You are in complete control and what ever happens next will be for our best”.  Although I did not know how things would turn out I had “joy” in my heart because I knew they would turn out for our best.

The EMS took my wife to the hospital where the doctors could not figure out what the cause was for this episode.  What ever it was Jesus took care of it for us, because within an hour or so my wife was back to normal.  I praise Jesus for the “joy” He filled my heart with and I’m happy she is ok now.  My spirit truly “rejoices in the Lord”.

We know the source of “Joy” is the Holy Spirit, because the Scriptures tell us in gal. 5:22.  The Holy Spirit brings “Joy” to us in two ways, 1) through the revelation of God (The Bible) and 2) through the presence of God (Matt. 2:9-11).

God desires us to enjoy our relationship with Him.  For this to ever happen we must seek the power of His Holy Spirit in us.  We can be saved and not have the power of His Holy Spirit (remain worldly by relying on our own power, strength and knowledge) or we can be saved and seek the power, strength and wisdom of God’s Holy Spirit and experience “Joy” in the Lord.

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Luk 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Mat 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Neh 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at the example of Mary when she was told God’s course for her by the Angel.

Mary realized that God’s course for her was impossible for her to walk in her own power, strength and knowledge (Luke 1:34).   The course that God had planned for Mary could only be accomplished in the  power, strength and knowledge of His Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35).  God has a course planned out for every born again Christian (2Tim. 4:6-7, Psa. 37:23) and likewise can only be accomplished through the power, strength and knowledge of His Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4).

To accomplish God’s course for her, Mary had to present herself submissive to God (Luke 1:38).   In order for us to accomplish God’s course for us, we too have to present ourselves submissive to God (Rom. 6:13).  Only then will we know and have the ability to walk the course God has planned for us (Eph. 5:18, 17).

Just as born again Christians need the  power, strength and knowledge of God’s Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s course for them, the un-believer/lost  person also needs the power, strength and knowledge of God’s Holy Spirit to save them (Luke 18:25-27).

Could the reason why this country is in the shape it’s in be because most of us born again Christians are making our own course under our own power, strength and knowledge and asking God to bless them rather that seeking God’s course for us and submitting to it?

Scriptures used in today’s message:

Luk 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luk 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luk 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Luk 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jer 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.