Devotional Series: The Holy Spirit - Revive Outreach Church

The Manifestation Gifts Part 2

Posted on Jan 10, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, discerning of spirits, faith, healings, Holy Spirit, interpretation of tongues, manifestation gifts, miracles, prophecy, speaking in tongues, word of knowledge, word of wisdom

Jan '17

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

At Revive Outreach Church, we believe the Holy Spirit still operates through believers using the manifestation gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-10. We do not believe these gifts belong to any one person, but that the Holy Spirit chooses how and when to administer them. We take care to heed the Apostle Paul’s direction in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, where he provides clear instruction regarding the operation of these gifts within the church body. In fact, he states emphatically in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Jan '17

The Manifestation Gifts Part 1

Posted on Jan 9, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, Holy Spirit, manifestation gifts, spiritual gifts

Jan '17

Perhaps the most misunderstood and in some cases abused of all the spiritual gifts are the manifestation gifts. The majority of believers fall into two distinct groups regarding the operation of these gifts. The first view, which we will focus on today, sees these gifts as having ceased. They support this view using 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, which states, “Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” They interpret “that which is perfect” to be the completed Bible thus making the manifestation gifts no longer necessary.

Jan '17

The Ministry Gifts

Posted on Jan 4, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: administration, devotion, exhortation, gifts of the Spirit, giving, helps, Holy Spirit, mercy, ministry gifts, service

Jan '17

Romans 12:6-8 – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:28 – And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Like the motivational gifts, God has provided the church ministry gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. The scripture references above from Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 list the six ministry gifts. They are service, exhortation, giving, administration, mercy, and helps. Let’s take a brief look at each of these and discover what they mean to the church.

Jan '17

The Motivational Gifts

Posted on Jan 3, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: apostle, devotion, equipping, evangelist, Holy Spirit, motivational gifts, pastor, prophet, teacher, witness

Jan '17

In the last 20 years, motivational speaking has developed into big business within American culture. People flock to conference centers around the nation to hear someone encourage them to make better choices, to change the direction of their lives, and to chase their dreams. Companies bring in big names to pump up productivity and increase morale among the rank and file. Many times, those who left pumped up are back to the old routine in no time. Why? Because there was not a change of heart only a momentary emotional change.

Jan '17

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit

Posted on Jan 2, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, faithfulness, fruit of the Spirit, gentleness, goodness, Holy Spirit, joy, kindness, longsuffering, love, peace, self-control

Jan '17

I love fruit! Peaches are my favorite with pineapples a close second. A basket of ripe and healthy fruit is a joy to behold. The beautiful colors and the sweet aromas beckon the hungry forward to try a bit of everything. Galatians 5 teaches us of a spiritual fruit basket, produced by the Holy Spirit in us, which can brighten our days and bring true contentment to our lives.

Galatians 5:22 and 23 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love (1 John 3:16), joy (1 Peter 1:8), peace (John 14:27), longsuffering (Ephesians 4:1-3), kindness (2 Timothy 2:24), goodness (Galatians 6:10), faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-24), 23 gentleness (Colossians 3:12,13), self-control (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Against such there is no law.” This fruit manifested in our lives will impact the decisions we make, our interactions with the world around us, and lead us ever closer to the abundant life Jesus promised us (John 10:10).

What is the secret to producing the fruit above? Walking with the Holy Spirit each day! Galatians 5:24 and 25 tells us, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Equips Us

Posted on Dec 20, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: abilities, gifts, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, love, manifestation gifts, ministry gifts, motivational gifts, purpose, servant, service, talents, the Holy Spirit

Dec '16

Along with empowering us to accomplish God’s purpose for our lives, the Holy Spirit also equips us supernaturally. He expands the toolbox God gave us when we were born with gifts only He can operate in and He does so through us. But, before we dive into those gifts, we must first look at who God uses, why God chooses to work in this way, and our personal motivation to be used by Him.

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Empowers Us

Posted on Dec 18, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: abilities, baptism of the Holy Spirit, devotion, empowering of the Holy Spirit, gifts, Holy Spirit, purpose, talents

Dec '16

Ephesians 3:16– that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

I am terrible when it comes to building things requiring tools to assemble. Throw in the curve ball of no instructions for a DIY project and I might as well quit before I get started. You could say I am hammer, screwdriver, saw, etc. challenged. But even in my pitiful state of tool ineptness, I recognize the benefits of a power tool over a standard hand tool. For example, on the rare occasion I am forced to use a screwdriver, I will always opt for the power of an electric drill. Why? Because I can complete the job far more quickly, efficiently, and impress my wife by using the power drill.

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Guides Us

Posted on Dec 17, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: choices, decisions, devotion, direction, guidance, Holy Spirit, leading, purpose

Dec '16

Before the Holy Spirit came to indwell servants of Christ, a system of lots was used to determine God’s will in many situations. In fact, just before the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), the disciples chose someone to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Christ. They used the system of casting lots to make the choice (Acts 1:23-26).

After the day of Pentecost, a distinct difference exists in the way followers of Christ operated to make choices. When a decision was made by some to send Paul and Barnabas out to declare the gospel, the Holy Spirit directed them specifically to do so; He spoke to them (Acts 13:2). And when Paul and Barnabas, in turn, traveled to Cyprus they were “sent out by the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:4).

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Us

Posted on Dec 16, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: comfort, dealing with pain, dealing with tribulations, dealing with trouble, devotion, God's will, Holy Spirit, intercession, joy, peace

Dec '16

Are you currently experiencing a situation in life so painful and distracting, you simply do not know how to pray? Perhaps a severe health issue, a financial crisis, family problems, job uncertainty, or a combination of the above? The great and comforting truth of scripture is, when you and I do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit does it for us. He intercedes on our behalf!

Romans 8:26, 27 – Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Illuminates God’s Truth

Posted on Dec 14, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, Holy Spirit, illumination, inspiration, Revelation

Dec '16

Imagine you are entering a dark room. You can see the vague outline of furniture; a table here and a lamp there. It could be the most beautiful room full of Victorian furniture, impeccably decorated walls, and priceless artwork, but without the lights on, you can only see odd shapes and outlines. You cannot truly enjoy or appreciate the beauty without light to illuminate it for you! God’s truth is like that room. Mankind knows it’s there, but understanding it and applying it requires the light to be turned on.

1 Corinthians 2:10-13 – But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Dec '16

The Holy Spirit Indwells Us

Posted on Dec 13, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, Holy Spirit, salvation, seal of God, work of the Holy Spirit

Dec '16

As discussed in our previous post, the Holy Spirit is God and His activity in the life of a believer is critical to our spiritual fulfillment. In the next several posts, we will look at how He is important to our lives each and every day.

Today we focus on the spiritual truth, He indwells us. Romans 8:9 says, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” When we accept Christ as Savior and make Him Lord over our life (Romans 10:9, 10), the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of us. He is God’s seal upon our lives declaring to the world and assuring us, we belong to Him (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13).

Dec '16

God, The Holy Spirit

Posted on Dec 12, 2016 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: devotion, Holy Spirit, trinity

Dec '16

Acts chapter one records the promise Jesus made just before He ascended to heaven. He commanded those gathered to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Father to send the Holy Spirit to them. Acts 1:4, 5 states, “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” But, who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, is God. He is omnipotent (Psalm 104:30), omniscient (1 Corinthians 2:10), and omnipresent (Psalm 139:7). He is one with the Father and the Son (Acts 2:33). And like the Father and the Son, He has a specific role in the life of every believer.

Reflection:

In your own words, Who is the Holy Spirit to you?

What does it mean to you that the Holy Spirit is God, just like the Father and the Son?

As the third member of the trinity, have you ever stopped and wondered what His role is in your life?