In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking how exactly God “transforms” a Christian after He saves them.

Rom. 12:2 tells us “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”, which is the influence of God’s Holy Spirit on our minds.  God does not force His influence on us, we must desire, seek and expect this from God.   Hab. 2:1-3 tells us how to do this in 5 simple steps, 1) stillness-we must become still by shutting out all distractions, 2) expectancy-we must expect God to communicate with us, 3 and 4) communication, we speak to God and He speaks to us, 5) God reproves us-He corrects our thoughts.

In Luke 10:38:42 Jesus tells us the “one needful thing” that we need is to hear Him speak to us (Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.).  All of the good works that may do mean nothing unless we hear God tell us to do them (  Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.).

God desires to give/tell us ways of receiving many good gifts from Him, all we have to do is desire, seek and expect a “transformed” mind from God.  (Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?)
We receive those gifts by being filled with the attributes of His Holy Spirit.  (Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

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.)

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

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.
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Isa 12:1 And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Psa 142:2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
Psa 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

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.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In today’s message Bro. Leo continues our study of God’s Holy Spirit by looking at what is required of a Christian in order to receive God’s power, knowledge, counsel and plan that He has for us.

1)  We have to seek and ask for it (John 4:10, James1:5).

2) In order to do this we must realize our need for everything God desires to bless us with, He wants to give us “zoe” the highest state of blessedness in this life (John4:10,14).  The scriptures tell us not to do anything before we receive from the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).  Religion today has a tendency to over emphasize the output of a Christian and rarely even talk about the input, but it is very important that we have the input of God’s Holy Spirit first so that our output agrees with God’s will for us.

3) Once we decide that we do indeed need the counsel of God (2Cor. 10:5), we can begin to distinguish between the worldly influences in our life and the righteous ones from God (Rom. 12:1-2).

Conclusion:  To receive God’s power, knowledge, counsel and plan that He has for us through His Holy Spirit, we must not only seek it but also allow Him to change our thoughts from our nature to spiritual (!Cor. 2:11-14,16).  To hear from God we the scriptures say to present ourselves quietly, relaxed and open before Him (Psa. 46:10, Hab. 2:1).

Scriptures used in today’s message:

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 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
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.

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.

Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isa 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Joh 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Luk 18:35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
Luk 18:36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
Luk 18:37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Luk 18:38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Luk 18:39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
Luk 18:40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
Luk 18:41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
Luk 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
Luk 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

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.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Jas 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Hab 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

-Written by Benjamin Greuter

Jesus Christ cried out, “If anyone who thirsts, let him come unto me and drink.” Brother Leo continues out study of the Living Water today with the 3rd of the 4 conditions which need be met for Christians to achieve our goal: Live a Spirit filled/affected/led/energized life. After recalling for us the first two conditions, that we must recognize our need of Him, that is to thirst, and that we need to come unto him, that is to set time with Him, for Him, Brother Leo takes us deep into the third condition, that is to drink, or to receive within us the flowing rivers of Living Waters directly from Him, their Source.

In Galations chapter 3, verses one through nine, we are addressed for the very foolishness with which we’ve allowed the world to blind us; if we neither received salvation nor the Holy Spirit by good works in this world and life, then neither can we sustain ourselves or become matured through any good works in this life or world, and how foolish we are to even entertain the thought that we could earn by work either salvation or Spiritual maturation and energy in this world! Rather, It was by faith that we were saved; it was by faith that we received the Spirit who dwells in us; and so much more so is it that we by faith are grown, matured, sustained, and filled with energy and joy.
We have been taught and are taught so consistently that who we are and our value is based solely upon output and production. This deception has capped and quenched the Spirit in us. We so often gauge our own identities or success by our output or level of productivity. We work by our own strength, by the sweat of our own brows, and the strengths of our own backs. We achieve new heights by our own persistence and intellect. As Brother Leo reminds us, God does not need our strength. God does not need our intellect. In Jeremiah chapter 2 verse 13, the Lord spells out our problem: His people forsake Him and the rivers of Holy Water He offers, and instead, build their own cisterns which cannot even hold the waters we so desperately need and which He freely offers!

Turning then to Isaiah, Brother Leo leads us to understand what this third step, drinking of Him, really looks like. In chapter 12, Isaiah expresses how this time of rest and communion works, and explains the benefits therein promised to us. In verses 2 and 3, we are taught that God alone is our salvation, we will trust and not fear. He is our strength and our song. So in joy, we shall come to the wells of Living Water. In our time set apart for Him and for communion with Him, we are not to fill that time with petition and intercession, as we are so accustomed, because those are output. Rather, we are to firstly trust more and fear less. Psalm 46:9-11 celebrate this aspect of our relationship with God, as the Lord commands us to be still and know that He am God, our refuge. So just as if into a refuge, we are to enter into this time alone with Him, seeking shelter from the storms and circumstances of life, asking Him to still our minds and give us rest from our struggles. Having done this, we receive then strength, not from ourselves, but from Him who protects us. In Mark chapter one, verses 29-34, Jesus Himself puts out, healing and teaching so many, but then in verse 35, as in many other places in the Gospel, we see Him get alone with his Father, to drink and be filled just as we are to here, and in that time He was filled with the strength and power to continue on with His mission. So much more do we need to drink Him and His strength in daily to ‘do far greater things than these.’
And finally, just as Isaiah concluded above, there will be joy. Joy in Him, joy in His strength, in His refuge, and in His presence. Brother Leo reminds us that this is necessary in our Christian lives, that we not only fight the good fight, but that we receive from Christ the strength AND joy He wishes us to have, to find joy in Him. Psalm 63 shows us again just what resting in Him looks like, and we are encouraged to speak Pslam 63 and 104 out loud to Him, as we ponder the depth and breadth that is our God the Creator of all things in our time alone with Him, as well as Isaiah 40:25-31.

As brother Leo concludes, he reminds us once more of the significance of this, recalling Jesus final, concluding message to us in the Holy Word of God itself, and therefore SO significant is this: That we thirst for Jesus, that we come unto Jesus, and that we drink in the waters of Life from their Source! (Revelation 22:17)

God Bless