THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION

Time with Jesus - 17 July 2013

Hi all,

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION
HIS ENABLING GIFTS			HIS CHARACTER FRUIT
Revelatory Think like Jesus	Word of Wisdom	A supernatural declaration of the mind and will of God concerning a person, or situation, giving assurance and direction to those in need.		LOVE
	Word of Knowledge	A word of revelation concerning the facts related to a person or situation - sufficient for the occasion or need.		JOY
	Discerning of Spirits	A word of revelation of the nature of spiritual things, whether Divine, human or Satanic		PEACE
Vocal Speak like Jesus	Prophecy (foretelling and forth-telling	The conveyance of Divine Revelation to be made to the Church.  Speaking the mind of God.  A medium through which other gifts usually find their expression		PATIENCE
	Tongues	Supernatural utterance of a Divine language unknown to the speaker as a sign of the operation of the Holy Spirit.  Given for the edification of the individual or the Church		KINDNESS
	Interpretation of Tongues	Supernatural conveyance of Divine Revelation, giving the meaning of an utterance in tongues. When operating in conjunction with tongues, elevates them to the position as prophesy.		GOODNESS
Power Act like Jesus	Faith	A supernatural endowment of the faith of God for Divine purposes to be active in a particular situation		FAITHFULNESS
	Gifts of Healing	A supernatural endowment to impart healing for a specific need without natural means.		GENTLENESS
	Working of Miracles	A supernatural endowment to operate by the power of God's intervening in the course of nature.  A supernatural act on the natural plain.		SELF-CONTROL

Today, I take my life in both hands and produce a table of the traditional nine Fruit and Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Few people will take me to task concerning the list of His fruit. I’ve often said that the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us is character. It’s the lifestyle we should demonstrate to others as a fully mature believer. I’m not sure about you, but I’ve got a long way to go before I display the fullness of all these character traits.

Where people get angry with me is with my list the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I’ve only referred to the list in 1 Cor. 12:7-11.

“Where are the “motivational” gifts? What about the ministerial and other gifts in 1 Cor. 12:38; Eph. 4:11 & Rom 12:3-8?

There is also the “seven-fold” spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:2 to be considered. These are also sometimes called the Gifts of the Spirit

My reply is, “Yes, they have been left out in the table on the left”. Please bear with me. I’ve included those gifts in a table outlining all the Gifts of God; i.e. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I’ll send a copy to those who would like to examine it. Furthermore, the gifts referred to in Ephesians 4 are the gifts which Christ gave to His Church. Also, the Motivational gifts are referred to as gifts from God. I’m not trying to split hairs. All I’m seeking to do is provide a table – the one above – which, in spite of its shortcomings, is helpful to those who would like to consider the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit in a way that is not too complicated.

The meditation is in small print. To try and do justice to the Scriptures it’s necessary to squeeze a lot of information into the Poetry section. It was worth a try, but presents difficulties with available space for a one page meditation. The net result is small printing which may be difficult to read. The fact that most of the Scriptures touched on the Holy Spirit was very helpful for me. I hope and pray that the Lord will touch you through this meditation.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 17 July 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes						©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTION
Talking about Father Christmas among Christians is a bit like discussing the merits of eating pork in a synagogue! Unless you are careful, you will get shot down in flames. Some Christians are highly offended because “we are teaching our children to believe a deliberate lie”. I’ve heard it said many times and must confess that there are many facts to support this. Unless of course you have a wild imagination. Then, perhaps like me you can suggest in some ways, Father Christmas is a bit like Jesus Christ. Jesus doesn’t have reindeer and a sleigh. But if you look at Ezekiel Chapter 1, you will find that the Lord is transported in something almost indescribable. I think the average child could “cut his teeth” on reindeer and a sleigh, then move on to Ezekiel’s vision. The other thing about Christmas is that Father Christmas brings presents for little boys and girls. He always asks them if they have been good. I completely bomb out there! According to Jesus, no one is good except God. Now I can’t speak for you, but I’m definitely not God. So I can’t say that I’m good. However, if you are a good person, please send me your contact details. I’ve never been in the presence of so exalted a person and I’d like to come and get your blessing! I struggle a bit with Father Christmas coming down the chimney. In my case there isn’t a chimney. But I’m not sure the thought of God dying for me, crucified on a wooden cross, is any easier to believe. Perhaps the greatest similarity is the gifts Father Christmas brings. They are entirely unmerited. Of course in this world, they come from the father and mother. For me, the greatest gift I ever received was completely unmerited. Not only did I not deserve the gift of eternal life with Him, it’s the very opposite of what I should have been given. A sentence to Hell for a million eternities would be more appropriate. This means that I don’t have to apologise to you for perpetuating the Father Christmas myth. It also means you don’t have to apologise to me for hating the idea and calling me a heretic. So what do we do with Pentecostalism in the 21st century? If my experience is anything to go by, a number of you would like to burn us at the stake, the way they dealt with heretics in fairly recent times. Sadly, that option is no longer available; which means that we are sort of stuck with each other. But that doesn’t solve the differences between Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals. (Looks like I’ve invented a new word!) The facts are, whether we like or approve of each other or not, we are brothers and sisters in the family of God. To quote Paul in his letter to the Romans: 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV So we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We can’t help it. We were all born into His kingdom this way. Now if you want to call me the black sheep in the family, that’s fine. (no racism please) You can be the white sheep. But we are all sheep adopted into His Family by the same Holy Spirit. So why don’t we all make an effort to love each other? Why don’t we all invite the Spirit of God to help us reconcile our differences and promote our Saviour? Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV	We always should bring our thanksgiving, to God for each one of you. You haven’t been cursed. And you are the first! Who did what He told you to do.		You’re sanctified by His Spirit, because of the truth you believed. The first fruit of those, Whom the Lord God has chose, And Jesus as Lord has received
			16 Wake up, North Wind, get moving, South Wind! Breathe on my garden, fill the air with spice fragrance. Oh, let my lover enter his garden! Yes, let him eat the fine, ripe fruits. Song of Solomon 4:16 MSG	From North and from South blow the breezes, to breathe on my garden so fair. The air smells so nice, With the fragrance of spice, And with fruit that’s deliciously rare.		If only my lover would enter. Come sample the fruit which is here. He’d stay here all day. And would not go away. And would be forever so near!
			11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 2 Corinthians 7:11 NLT	See what your sorrow’s producing; a touch from the Lord we can see. You’re filled with such zeal. Your alarm is so real. The way that we hoped it would be!		You wanted to punish wrongdoers, for that which you knew they had done. The concern and the care, You displayed everywhere! Repentance has surely begun!
			9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:9-10 NLT	When you look deep down inside you, what is it that you can see? If darkness reigns - Your Christian gains Are squandered for eternity!		But if you see deep within you, that which is right and is true. You’ll see His light. - Burning so bright. Taking such good care of you!
			16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him & doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you now & later will be in you. John 14:16-17 NLT	I’m going to ask the Father, to send the Divine Advocate. Do not be surprised, That you’ll recognise, Him, when He descends upon you!		He is the Lord’s Holy Spirit, whom you haven’t gotten before. But He will be, In each one of Thee. And power will be lacking no more!
			5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 TNIV	How do you know that God loves you? His Spirit has filled all your hearts. With strength and with power, To fill every hour, Set free from the enemy’s darts.		No longer will you shake and tremble and walk around cringing in fear. No! You’ll win the day, The Spiritual way. No matter who tries to come near!
			22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind & good. It is being faithful Galatians 5:22 NIrV	The character that you are needing, to stand against every foe. He’s sure to provide, From deep down inside. And His fruit will abundantly show.		It isn’t something accidental. By God it has all been inspired. Love, joy and peace, No more will they cease. Far more than you could have desired!
			2 They have suffered a great deal. But their joy was more than full. Even though they were very poor, they gave very freely. 2 Corinthians 8:2 NIrV	They didn’t have oodles of money. We’d say they were terribly poor. But they were so brave. They liberally gave, And wanted to give so much more!		Their giving exceeded the limits; of what we’d consider was wise. They gave with a glee, Quite hilariously. God’s love shining bright in their eyes!
			11 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:11 MSG	They only have one thing in common, the gifts which The Spirit bestows. Form God they all came. In Jesus’ Name. His love and His care overflows!		He gives people just what is needed, in each individual case. It wasn’t in haste. And none went to waste; Regardless the time and the place!