Tag Archives: Spirit

Regenerating Grace

14 Oct

“So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves up to indecent behavior for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.” Ephesians 4:17-19 

Day to day life can seem like a simple “cruise control” event until we get up, out of bed, and look it directly in the face. Last night’s dishes are still in the sink (too tired), and the refrigerator was emptied of the breakfast meal by a hungry midnight snacker. Deep Breath. 

We begin our days with great expectations and realize that all things change! Some we have control over, some we don’t. Frustration only brings more frustration and coming to a common ground of grace is much more difficult than anticipated. 

When Paul wrote the book of Ephesians he keyed in on the human mind and how once committed mindsets were easily swayed and drawn toward human pleasure rather than to the committed promises of serving the Lord in Holiness. Paul charged the church of Ephesus with the call to Profess the Gospel and help their families and the people of Ephesus find a new life of righteousness and holiness. 

I suspect that they did go to the people of Ephesus with full intentions of helping them find the true life of a believer in Christ. I suspect that their intentions were consumed by the attractiveness of the lifestyle of the people and their intentions to help the people turned into their becoming more like those they were there to profess the gospel too. It was a slow falling away. One little “it won’t make a difference if I” moment, to a “nothing happened when I did the last thing,“ to a complete and unrecoverable fall. 

People started out fully committed to serving the Lord, to teach and be an example to the people of Ephesus by walking out scriptural truths and moral purity. Then, one “little” misdeed turned to daily misdeeds and the “Lord’s chosen” began to act like those very people they were sent to pull away from indecent and impure behaviors. They took on the behaviors of the people of darkness, those blinded by ignorance, walking in lewdness, impurity, and sexual sin. Instead of rising above and helping the lost, they fell deep into their pit and became like those they were sent to save. 

We see it in the church today! We see it in our homes. We see it on the streets. The news stories almost revel in telling  of dedicated people of faith falling into the very things they preach and teach against. Proverbs 14:12 warns them of that very trap, “There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.”  Yet, in those moments of “pleasure” they lose their way and their righteous walk. Their “day to day” faith filled walk took a deadly turn of unexpected distance from the Father. They became blinded by the lure of sin and the appearance of the joyous life that tore them from the hands of God. 

It didn’t happen all at once, it was a slow transition. An “attractive” move into worldliness. Like the the midnight refrigerator raider who didn’t consider anyone other than themselves by eating what was meant for the family for breakfast. It was an “I don’t care” attitude toward the graces and love of others, and of the Father. 

How do we help them get back to the New Man, the New Creation, and live by the New Principles set out by the scriptures of truth? How do we help them regenerate grace and righteousness and right living? We walk with them all the way back to the beginning! All the way back to when they first heard the voice of their Father and wanted nothing more than to please Him and care for His earthly children. We have to walk with them until they know how much they are loved and how their love towards others will change them. We have to take them back to the beginning when they first met Jesus and spoke their acceptance of Him as their Lord and Savior. We have to take them back.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 8

By Linda J. Humes, Written 8-25-25

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fitly Joined Together

15 Apr

“From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:16 NASB

Did you ever feel like an odd one out? You didn’t feel like you fit in anywhere? Everyone else seemed to have it together and you had absolutely no clue what your life was about or where you were supposed to go with it? Other people found groups to join, friends to share with, a concentrated purpose to pursue, and you sat, at a distance, watching, trying to figure out why you didn’t or couldn’t join in. Even those few times when you did attend an event, or party, or interest group, you felt so out of place, distancing yourself, sneaking away. I was that kid! I was that teenager! I was that adult.

Walking past insecurities takes support, guidance, and a gentle hand. Having the desire to teach and share all that I had learned through time with the Holy Spirit in Prayer and Study was a strong drive. How? My desire to teach became greater than my fears. That desire could have hidden away many more years, but God placed a network of people in positions that brought strength to the church and to those who wanted to help that church grow and become all that God intended it to be. People believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. It took a strong Pastor who simply said “I want YOU to do this. I want you to teach me so that I can teach the body.” 

As the Pastor walked away I remember the inner conversations that battled in my mind. “I can’t do this Lord. I am a new believer. How could I learn a scripture, subject or concept well enough to teach the pastor so that he could teach the body?” The reply came loudly and clearly – “I Will Teach You.”

When God plants the building of a church in the hearts of men He sets those people in positions to draw the most out of everyone involved. They become a living organism. They encourage, lift up, pray for and prefer one another over themselves. They see in others what those others cannot see in themselves. All of the people fitly joined together, a smooth running machine, oiled by Grace, powered by prayer, and guided by God. 

God’s “synergy” always amazes me. He births gifts and callings into babies, before they are even born. He guides them in those skills and places mentors in their lives to help them grow.  He moves people around and gets them into the perfect position of ministering together. Brainstorming. Creating a vision together. Birthing a church. Then drawing those people in that God has been preparing to carry the armor and shield. An intricately working Holy Ghost Machine!! 

I didn’t think I could do it, but I did!! God taught me and helped me find the right people to guide my steps to stay on task. Has God been speaking to you about something He needs you to step into? Are you ignoring it as “impossible” and not taking the challenge. Are you afraid that you might fail? Dear one, you will always fail the challenges you don’t try. But, what if you succeed? What if something you say, or sing, or preach, or teach, touches the heart of someone and their life is forever changed? What if . . . . ?

Step forward. God says “I Will Teach You!” What an amazingly wonderful gift.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 7

By Linda J Humes – Written 4-12-2025

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faith Beginnings

9 Mar

“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,”      Ephesians 4:14-15

I will never forget the day a friend asked me if I wanted to go to a faith Crusade. I hadn’t gone to church since I was a child and didn’t know where to start looking for a church that I thought I would fit into. So many different churches to choose from and I had no idea what any of them believed in. I trusted my friend and that night my entire life changed. 

My immediate family weren’t church goers, but I knew that my aunts, uncles and cousins on both sides of the family were. When my brother and I were in grade school we would walk to a little church a few blocks away from our home. It was okay for a little while, but then, one Sunday, something happened in the classroom that scared us and we never went back again. Even though we were afraid of going back to a church, I always felt a connection to Jesus, I just didn’t understand what it was all about.

That day, the day that I went to the Crusade and gave my heart and soul to Jesus, everything began to change. Things in my life started to make sense. What a joyous moment that changed my life into an unbelievable faith walk of trust, joy and peace.  But in those beginning moments of my walk of faith I was not expecting the challenges of becoming a new believer. Thankfully, I grew through that season to a person of confidence and understanding.

Becoming a new believer comes with a whole list of feelings, rules, expectations, self regulations, and so much more that I was very confused about. Eph 4:14 talks about how we are “no longer children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine”. We start out only understanding how to ask Jesus into our heart and then comes the overwhelming amount of scriptures, church denominations, church doctrines, what to wear, what not to wear, earrings or no earrings, dresses or pants, shoes that hide your feet or shoes that let your toes show – and that whole long hair – short hair issue.  **sigh**  In what chapter and verse does the Bible explain it all?!?!?! Is this part of becoming Holy???

I was working on a painting a bit ago and it reminded me of the importance of negative space, and how that can apply to us in all aspects of our lives. As I started thinking about the church and the dynamics of the Pastors, seasoned believers and the new believers I wondered if sometimes we don’t recognize the new believers because of their hesitancy to speak to anyone, sit towards the front, or make themselves recognizable. They fell into the negative space. They are there but not recognized, staying quiet and to the back.  Are they just “someone” there that we expect to grow on their own and make a way out of the confusion into wisdom? Do we see them being “tossed here and there” in complete confusion? Do we realize that they may have left the church without our recognizing it because they didn’t know what to do and felt as if they didn’t belong?? Hard questions. 

Father, I pray that when someone feels their call to come to You that we will make them a priority. Father, help us to bond with them, pray with them, make them a part of what the church is all about – an integral part. Help us help them feel like they belong to this wonderful family of Christ; growing, moving, every present. Father, help us to be the family who helps them feel Your precious love, as well as the love of Your children, firmly rooted and grounded in Your Holy Word. Nurtured. Guided. Taught. Prepared. Ready to receive the gifts that the Holy Spirit is holding for them to request.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 6

By Linda J Humes 3-7-25

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Make Us One, Lord!

28 Jan

And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NASB

When I first dedicated my life to the Lord and began studying I wondered how long it would take me to start making sense of my Bible. Everything seemed so complicated, and the King James Version Language had a whole learning curve of its own. Everyone around me in the classes and services seemed to have it all figured out. I was truly at a loss. Little by little things became clearer and the scriptures started to come alive. The detailed stories of the Old Testament and the promises and journeys of the New Testament. Bible reading first thing in the morning, Bible reading last thing at night, and pondering it all during the day.

How did I fit in??

I remember when I first read Ephesians 4 and all that it teaches about the”Business Management” of the church, so to speak, I was in awe of the thought of how it all worked and how “special” those people must be for God to choose them to lead. I was convinced that they had to be very spiritual, anointed and wise to be placed in those positions. I never, ever thought that I could measure up to any position in the church. Clearly, it was for the favored of God!

I loved the scriptures and God’s presence so much that I studied, studied, studied. Hours every day. I quit my full time job and found work that I could do in my home so that I could spend the entire day and part of the evenings studying. When I wasn’t studying I was praying. I wanted to get closer and closer to understanding everything about the scriptures and the nature of God. I wanted to know where I fit in this mighty Kingdom of God.

I remember people talking about the 5 fold ministry. Apostle. Prophet. Evangelist. Pastor. Teacher. Each with their own specific duties to bring the perfect message to the Kingdom of God. I needed to find out what that was all about.

The Apostle is to Govern the church, be the visionary for growth and balance. He is the envoy, the one commissioned to go forth as a representative of a body with a specific mission planted in his spirit by God.

The Prophet is to hear the voice of God and guide the other 4 ministers in what they are being called to do in that particular season. The prophet is one who speaks forth, is divinely inspired to communicate with God’s will and give that message to others. They are seen as God’s spokespersons, delivering warnings, guidance or revelation. Sometimes they foretell future events or provide insight into God’s plans and purposes.

The Evangelist is to gather people into the church through powerful messages and direction. The Evangelist is a missionary, a bearer of good tidings, a herald of the Gospel. The Evangelist is someone specially gifted and called to spread the message of salvation through Jesus. The Evangelist directs them toward the Church and the body who can lift the people up and help them understand the place they have in the Kingdom.

The Pastor is the Shepherd, He is the feeder, protector, and ruler of the flock. He cares for those who come into the church and keeps the day to day workings of the church running smoothly. He is the presiding officer, manager, director, overseer and Head of the Church.

The Teacher works throughout the week, preparing lesson plans and bringing the Gospel to the body in a format that is accurate and easily understood. The Teacher is an instructor of the divine truth of the Scriptures, teaching spiritual and doctrinal concepts.

Each function of the 5 fold ministry is critical and equally important! Each function is like the gears in a watch, all of the gears are needed for the clock to show accurate time. But – what about the rest of the verse???? “For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.” Who are the Saints and what is their function?? And who are the Body and what is their function?

The concordance says that the Saints are holy, set apart, for a special religious or spiritual purpose. Were they the Disciples?? The concordance says that the Disciples are followers who most commonly learned from the teachers. Disciples follow a teacher or philosopher to learn their teachings and way of life. Or were the Disciples the Body??

The concordance says that the original meaning of the word Body was to save or preserve. Taken metaphorically it could indicate the Saved Ones or the Preserved Ones. Saved by Grace!! Preserved for God the Father’s use in the Kingdom, perhaps to, one day, become an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor or a Teacher!!

Therein still remains the question – where do I fit? Which cubicle do I fit into?? If I am part of the Body then I can aspire to be a Disciple! If I am a Disciple I can aspire to be a Saint! If I am a Saint I can aspire to be a Teacher! I can aspire to be a Pastor. I can aspire to be an Evangelist. I can listen for the voice of God and see if I am called to be a Prophet or an Apostle. I am a part of the BODY of God! That’s where I fit. There are so many opportunities for growth and so much honor to be chosen for ascension. That’s where YOU fit too. We are the Body – we are Kingdom Disciples. We Are One!!!

Through all of that study and dividing and interpreting there is really only one thing that is important, one place where we all fit, one place where we are all equal! We are, first and foremost, a Child of God – and that is priceless.

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 5

By Linda J. Humes – 1-25-2025

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS

19 Dec

“Now this expression, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.”  Ephesians 4:9-10

Many years ago I visited a cavern in Arkansas. I had never been in a deep cavern before, just a few shallow caves where I was never more than 8 feet from the opening. This was very different.

I remember that cavern for many different reasons, and I’m not exactly sure why. I remember the path around the outside that we were instructed to walk single-file on and not veer from. I remember how damp it was and that I could hear the dripping of water from all around. I remember that it was dim inside and that at one point they turned out all of the lights. I remember that just for a moment I started to panic because it wasn’t just dark, it was pitch dark and you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. I remember reaching to my husband standing in front of me, assuring myself that I was not alone. When the lights came I saw the stalactites above, the stalagmites below, the narrow path along the wall, the line of people, and I felt a peace I didn’t really understand.  

It was an interesting experience. I’m glad that I went inside and I saw, or didn’t see, the depths of the cave and the way it seemed to be untouched by anything happening in the outside world. I remember wondering what other things were hidden, untouched, beautiful, dangerous, unexplainable, but right there in the depths of the earth.

Over the last year I have heard God speak to me “Go Deeper!” “Go Deeper.” I have studied and prayed for hours every day. “Go Deeper.”

From the annals of time God has called His people to go deeper. When they couldn’t hear or understand what He meant He set them in circumstances that they could not ignore. 

  • Moses with the burning bush. 
  • Aaron with his rod. 
  • Marian in her dance. 
  • David with his Lyre, his jaw bone, his spear, his 3 smooth stones. 
  • Samuel being called in the night. 
  • Elisha with his fire called down from Heaven. 
  • Jonah in the depths of the water, in the belly of a whale. 
  • Noah building the first ship in a country that had never experienced rain. 
  • Esther, who called the Jewish people to prayer and fasting to save the nation. 
  • Deborah, made a judge and called as a prophet to instruct an army, at a time when women held no value. 
  • Daniel, with faith to disobey a king, tossed into a pit filled with lions, to honor God, and God honored him. 
  • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thrown into a fire for dishonoring a king and refusing to dishonor God. Walking out without a scorch or smokey smell. 
  • You and me . . . . . . . . . . . . . ??

Jesus, God the Son, sent to earth as a baby to bring salvation to all people. Jesus, crucified. Jesus, who walked again with his disciples for 40 days after He resurrected, so that they might understand and never doubt again! Jesus, descended into hades, took the Keys to death and hell, then ascended to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus.

Why??

“So that He might fill all things.” So that the perfect will of God would be completed! So that all of the prophetic scriptures of the Old Testament would be fulfilled. So that all of the scriptures of the New Testament would be walked out and completed. So that Satan would lose all power over death. So that all of the human race could find salvation and a life of eternity with God, in Heavenly places! That everything would be Filled with Him!!! 

All we have to do is ask – and obey!

** A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 4, Part 4

By Linda J Humes – Written 12-7-24

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

A Habitation of God

26 Aug

Uplifted Hands

“So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (ASV)

Have you ever walked into a building or a home and felt complete peace?  It felt like home – warm, open and caring.  The people feel like family you’ve known for your entire life.  You don’t want to leave.  You don’t want to walk back out the door into the confusion and uncertainty of everyday life.  That’s what the “Household of God” feels like.

Have you ever felt like something was missing?  In the happiest of times, in the saddest of times, in the quiet times, in the times of nothingness when you stare blankly into space – something is missing.  Something that you can’t grasp, something just out of your reach of understanding; there is just something missing.

People search for their “inner self” or something to complete them, but they don’t really understand what it is that they are searching for.  They are searching for the period at the end of the sentence.  They are searching for the thing that says “this is home, you belong here.”  They are searching for relationship with God.  Not a church, not a religion, but a relationship that can only be filled by the love of God.

You don’t have to be in a church building to be in the Household of God; you don’t have to be in an organized religion.  The “Household” is the “Temple,” we are the Temple.  The Household of God is within us once we find relationship with our Abba Father.  Scripture says that we are the Temple of God and that the Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor 3:16).  It says that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are from God, we are no longer our own (1 Cor 6:19).  It says that God dwells in us and walks in us, we are His people – the Temple and Household of God (2 Cor 6:16).

We, as believers are lead spiritually (built upon), by the foundation of the apostles and prophets who preached the gospel of Christ, and that Jesus Himself is the Chief Cornerstone; the very piece that holds everything together and in place.  Scripture says that we are fitly framed together, each person having a place, a calling, a position, in the whole Household of God, no one person being greater than another, but all being called to a specific position that supports all of the rest of the body.

We are all fitted together Spiritually into one body (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Cor 12:4-7) and all fitted together physically into one body (1 Cor 12:14-26).  We are all pulled together in a bond of peace and unity to continue to teach the message of Christ (Eph 4:4-7).  We are built together as a strong body, brought together through the relationship we share with God, made a Habitation of God, by the working of the Holy Spirit.

How do you know if the Holy Spirit and the deep relationship rests within you?  You can feel it.    How do you know if your Temple is right?  There will be peace.  There will be a feeling of being home.  You will feel the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit, letting you know that you are in the Habitation / Household of God.

Surround yourself with people in the same place of peace.  Pray for your own spiritual growth as well as those who are struggling to get into right spiritual relationship with God.  Keep your temple clean so that God will want to remain and help you mature even farther.

“Here am I, Lord Jesus.  Here am I!”

**  A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 9

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-26-2015

Tags: , , , , , ,

By One Spirit

25 Aug

flames of fire from angel

“And (Christ Jesus) came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:17-18

The Bible speaks of many aspects of “spirits” and events related to them. 1 John 4:1-3 tells us to test the “Spirit” to see if the words being spoken to you are of the “Spirit” of God, the “Spirit” of a false prophet or the “Spirit” of the antichrist. Mark 1:23-26 speaks of an unclean “Spirit” (demon) being cast out of a man by Jesus, and “tearing him” as it left. Matt 12:43-44 and Luke 11:24 speak of unclean “Spirits” (demons) being cast out of a person, but if the person does not fill their body, soul, and “Spirit” with the word of God and a clean living, those unclean “Spirits” will return with seven more and take back over the person.

1 Samuel 16:14 speaks of Saul. Saul had turned his back on God and had become very jealous of David (who would be King). Saul tried to destroy David on many occasions, only to fail. This scripture states “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” I find this passage to be very unsettling. Can a person be anointed by God to rule a land, or pastor a church, or care for a flock, with the “Spirit” of God leading them, and then fall so deep into deception that God removes His anointing and replaces it with an evil “Spirit?” Based upon this scripture the answer would be “yes.” No man, however powerful he may be, is untouchable by the hand of God. One day a King, the next day a mad man, filled with evil “Spirits.”

But, our hope is in the second chapter of Acts, the day of Pentecost. The day when the “Spirit” of God came down on the 12 disciples, praying all together in one accord, since the day of the crucifixion of Jesus. Acts 2:2-4: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the “Spirit” gave them utterance.” After that day they became a mighty team, sharing the gospel, praying for the sick, and on that very day of Pentecost, by the powerful words working through them, they received the commitment to the Gospel of 3000 people, baptizing them in the Name of Jesus. Glory!

The group broke away into teams and traveled all over the kingdom to preach the gospel and share the ministry of Jesus. In our Ephesian passage, Paul takes us back to the works of Jesus and the gift we all have through Him. His powerful words give us strength to continue forward, knowing that God has our very interest in His hand.

And (Christ Jesus) came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) unto the Father (God). Ephesians 2:17-18

No matter how far we have strayed away, He will send someone to find us and show us the way back. If we are near to God but hurting, He will send someone with a word of comfort and strength. If we have allowed evil “Spirits” to enter out life, He will send the Holy “Spirit” to cleanse us and provide a new avenue through prayer, directly to the throne room. And through it all, no matter how far we have fallen away, if we pray, believing, the Holy “Spirit” will deliver our prayers directly to the ear of God.

A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 8

Written by Linda J. Humes

6-21-2015

Tags: , , , , , ,

His Workmanship

21 Aug

fruit of spirit

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ASV)

We are God’s workmanship. Whether we are white, brown, black, yellow or red – we are God’s workmanship. Whether we were born in a perfect body or an imperfect body, with a perfect mind or a mind that few can break through to, we are God’s workmanship. We were created for a purpose and a call within the specific parameters of our birth, we were not born by accident, we were not shaped by a curse, we are all God’s workmanship.

Psalm 139:13-14 states clearly: “For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks unto thee; For I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.” God knew us before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9). He knew the hour we would be born, the challenges we would face and the path that He set before us. He (God) created us in His image, male and female both (Genesis 1:27), no man can take away that image for it is God created (Genesis 9:6). He predestined us to be who we would be, foreordained to a call, conformed to the image of His Son (Acts 1:8). In fact in Romans 8:30 God states: “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.”

So how can that be?? Can we believe that ALL are created in His image, regardless of physical and mental abilities? Are we to believe that all races and creeds and colors are made in His image? ALL? Romans 8:28 states: “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose.” In 2 Timothy 1:9 it says that these perfect gifts were given to us “in Christ Jesus before times eternal.”

What is His Image? How can every person, every living human being, be made in His Image? The answers come in the scriptures themselves. The Image of God is not the outward appearance, it is the Spirit, the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). “The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

God formed Jesus and gave Him the looks of an average man for a reason. “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2). God did not want people to follow Jesus because of his outward appearance, for it is only temporal. God wanted people to feel the depth of Jesus through His Spirit, His Soul. He was of “no reputation” (Philippians 2:5-11). Paul states that we should not look on the “outward appearance” as we can be deceived by charismatic leaders. But we are to look for Christ’s attributes (2 Corinthians 10:7).

To be in God’s Image we must emulate His behaviors and patterns. Jesus stated that we will receive the “Power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,” then we would be able to take the gospel to the world (Acts 1:8). Once we have the “power,” we will be able to do “greater works” than Jesus did when He walked the earth (John 14:12). To get there Jesus shows us that we must learn to pray, pray until you hear from Father God (Romans 15:30; 1 Philippians 1:19; Colossians 1:3; Matthew 6:6; Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 18:1-8). We are to pray in groups for strength in prayers (Deuteronomy 26:7-8; Isaiah 56:7; II Chronicles 7:14), but there are also times that we are to pray in solitude, a simple time of relationship with Father God (Matthew 6:5; Matthew 14:23). The power through prayer is given to those who commit their lives to following Christ and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, at that point their faith and their understanding begins to grown (Matthew 11:25-26).

To be seen in the Image of God, we must walk in the fruits of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25), we must walk in the fruits of His Righteousness (Ephesians 5:9; James 3:18; Philippians 1:11), we must walk in the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), and in the Fruit of Holiness (Romans 6:22). Then we will honor God with the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15), speaking to Him and listening to Him through the gift of relationship through prayer.

We walk daily in His Image. How clearly He is seen in us depends upon our decision to be more like Him. Jesus was “attractive” not because of His outward appearance, but because of the love, peace, gifts and fruits that shown through Him. The people could look into His eyes and see the Spirit of God. We are made in His image, but we make the decision on how much of God we want to look like. Hallelujah! Will you share “Christ in You, the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27)? Will you humbly and powerfully show that you are made in the Image of God? Will you be an excellent example of the Workmanship of God?

**A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 2, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

12-28-2014

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Spirit of Wisdom

13 Aug

Light from inside bible

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians 1:17-18 (ASV)

I remember, when I was in my younger years, that I tried to read the Bible.  I started in Genesis and never made it much past creation.  I was an avid reader and could not understand why it was so difficult to make sense of the Bible.  I recognized that there was a language written within the book that I could not understand or comprehend.  I tried multiple time to read it, but always ended up just looking at the pictures that my little zippered Bible had inside.  It was a precious gift that I treasured and hoped that someday I would be able to make sense of.

When I gave my life to Jesus I started to read the Bible in Matthew.  The parables and stories were easier to read.  This was the story of Jesus and those who followed Him, something that I could associate with.  It was written by His followers, His Disciples, those who loved and traveled with Him – I felt a connection.  Unfortunately, the Old Testament still didn’t make any sense and the New Testament, although easier to read, was still a story, not a living testimony.

One day, after almost a year of prayer, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit.  Things changed.  Words I had read before, in both the New and Old Testaments came to life.  They were real and living and life changing.  I could feel the scriptures, I could see the stories being told, I became a part of the living Word of God.  It was as real as any person.  It was more than I could have ever imagined.  It was living truth.

In Ephesians 1:17 Paul is praying that God would give the listener, us, the “Spirit of Wisdom” – a wisdom and understanding that can only be felt through the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  He wanted them to feel the personal relationship with Jesus that makes all of the Word a reality to the believer.

The word “Spirit” is also described as the “Breath” or “Wind” of God.  His Breath speaks deep into our souls of the truth, holiness and power that is birthed inside of us when we receive His Holy Spirit.  We read and hear His spoken word and apply the wisdom we received to every circumstance we encounter (John 16:13).

Paul also prayed for the Revelation of the knowledge of Christ. That all of the saints would speak the word in one accord, not in conflict or divisions of opinion of what it means (1 Corinthians 1:9-10).  He prayed that they would share the message of love, joy, and a setting apart from the ways of the world.  God’s word, read through the eyes of the spirit filled saint, has a new life, a new drive, and it births a desire to share the message.

Paul prayed that through the Spirit of Wisdom and the Revelation of Knowledge that we would be enlightened to the truth of the gospel.  He prayed that we would be enlightened to God’s true Spirit, felt in the intimate times of prayer and worship.  He prayed that we would be able to hear the very voice of God in times of meditation, so that we would know what God’s hope is in each of us.  Paul prayed that we would be enlightened to the calling God has placed upon our lives (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

Paul had first-hand knowledge of the voice of God and how it changes the heart of man.  Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, when he thought he knew what was right and truth based upon a knowledge passed down from generations to generation.  But the voice of God cut through him like a knife and performed an intimate miracle (Acts 26:14-15).  It was a miracle that made Paul the most powerful apostle of all time.  Paul knew the impact of the words he spoke (Ephesians 1: 17-18) and what it would mean to those who listened and received with an earnest heart.  Paul knew the inheritance that would lie ahead for each and every one who received his prayer and gathered it to their soul.

Lord, as I received your Holy Spirit and believed in the call that you placed on my life, I pray that others will receive the same gift, with humbleness and grace.  Help them to understand that they cannot receive the fullness of your glory if they do not have the intimate relationship with You that can only be received through the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Lord, I pray that every saint will take that next step toward You, with a heart of desire to know You more. Until that day of prayer, they will only know the shadow of You, they will only know the story of You.  After they have prayed through to the Holy Ghost, they will know the true heart and soul of You; the intimate tender relationship of You.

**A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 10.

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-22-14

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Flame Inside

13 Feb

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”   Acts 2:3-4

 

The flame that glows inside my soul speaks endless words:

  • Words of Joy for the brokenhearted,
  • Words of Peace for those caught in turmoil,
  • Words of Healing for those who suffer,
  • Words of Hope for those in despair,
  • Words of Patience for those who strive,
  • Words of Kindness for those who have suffered at the hands and words of others,
  • Words of Gentleness for those who have lived through trauma,
  • Words of Self-Control for those torn by addictions,
  • Words of Goodness to those who have felt the pains of rejection,
  • Words of Faithfulness for those who have been betrayed,
  • And Words of Love for every soul, young and old, pleasant and tormenting, with a deeper portion for the most unlovable.

 

Lord God, give me the power to unleash the flame,

Growing it large enough to cover every need with Warmth and Grace.

 

Let my words flow with the gift of Life.

Use Me . . . . .

————

Written by Linda J. Humes on 2-13-2018

Published 2-18-2018

Republished 10-13-2021

Republished 6-26-2022

Tags: , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries