holy-spirit

Mystery Revealed ~ Part One

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The mystery that Paul wrote about in Colossians 1:27 is not like the word we use. There are many mysteries that remain unsolved in human experiences. In verses 25-26 Paul wrote about the ministry God called him to.

The ministry to the Gentiles was given to him to fulfill the word of God. Verse 26 says, “The mystery which has been  hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.” 

This mystery was hidden in God’s heart all along. Verse 27 says, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 says, “But we speak the wisdom of God in  a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory. which none of the rulers of this age knew…”

Recall All Things

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Here is my online devotional that posted today.


Recall All ThingsSeptember 16 2024, Written By Marilyn Adams
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.John 14:26
In 1983 I took a written test for a bookkeeping position. I was really surprised when it asked for a definition of terms. I had learned them when I was in high school, but had never used them in the workplace.

Knowing that the Holy Spirit can recall all things, I asked Him to help me answer each of the questions. He brought back to my mind the things that I had studied 17 years prior.

No matter what situation we are in, the Holy Spirit is present to help us. He will bring Scripture to our mind when we ask him to help us with a decision. He will recall the truth from his Word that will stop us from embracing a temptation. In our time of fear or distress, he will recall a verse which will calm our mind.

At the moment that we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, we are given the Holy Spirit of God to live in us forever. He is our helper, comforter, teacher, and guide.

Paul instructed his readers in Galatians 5:16. It says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Our flesh hates the word of God. When we hide it in our hearts, the Holy Spirit will bring it to our minds. That instant recall will effectively protect us from the devil’s hidden traps.

Father, I am so grateful that you gave me the gift of your Holy Spirit. Help me to always follow his leading, so I do not get blindsided and derailed with hidden fleshly lures. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Throughout this day: Take some time to pray about a situation that is concerning you, and specifically ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind what God’s Word says about it. If you realize that you need to get more of his Word into your heart, ask him how and where to start.

Distractions: Frustration

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Years ago the Holy Spirit gave me a definition for frustration. I still use it today as my compass. God intercepting my way in order to redirect me into His way. 

We often get frustrated when our goal is blocked. Anything that we do in our own strength will be opposed by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:17 says, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”

I often think of Acts 16:6-10. Paul and his team wanted to go preach in Asia, but the Holy Spirit forbid them. When they tried to go to Bithynia, the Spirit did not permit them. 

What was wrong with preaching? The Holy Spirit blocked them in order to redirect them into God’s way. Be alert the next time you are blocked.

Indestructible Inheritance~Part Two

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I love Ephesians 1:13-14. It says that believers are sealed with the Holy Spirit, “…who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

1 Peter 1:5 says that our inheritance is, “…kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” David wrote these words. Psalm 16:5-6 says, “O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.”

Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together.”

He has called us out of darkness and has given us an indestructible inheritance. 1 Peter 2:9.

Quench Versus Embrace~Part Two

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When I think of the Holy Spirit opposing my flesh, I  picture two magnets repelling each other. 

The Holy Spirit stands by ready to help us as soon as we ask Him. However we quench Him when we do something in our own strength. Also if we run ahead of Him when He says to wait. Another way that we can quench Him is to ignore His still small voice. 

James 4:4-5 says, “…Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in you yearns jealousy?” Yearn in the Greek means to intensely crave possession.

Unless we embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, He will not be able to display the fruit of the Spirit which glorifies the Father. The Holy Spirit is the Producer, and we are the bearers when yielded to Him.

Quench Versus Embrace ~ Part One

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1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” The Greek word for quench is to suppress, extinguish, or to thwart. Think of snuffing out a burning candle. God often uses His Holy Spirit like a refiner’s fire to reveal hidden dross in our faith.

Authentic followers of Jesus are characterized as following the Holy Spirit’s lead. Romans 8:13 says that if we live by the Spirit, we will put to death the fleshly deeds of our body.

Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” Then Paul listed fleshly ways that we might grieve Him: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice. 

Galatians 5:16 says, “…Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” We are either walking in the Spirit or in the flesh. When we choose to turn away from the Holy Spirit’s leading, He will resist or oppose us.

Praying In The Spirit ~ Part Three

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Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought…” That is why we need to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we pray.

Part of spiritual warfare is standing in the gap as stated in Ezekiel 22:30. The enemy looks for ways to break through against us. Isaiah 7:6 says, “…let us make a gap in its wall for ourselves, and set a king over them…” In context this was written about Judah, but we can apply it personally.

In Galatians 6:1 Paul wrote that we are to restore one caught in sin, “…in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” We don’t know when the person will be triggered to fall back into sin. The Holy Spirit does and He can alert us to pray in the moment of the need. Our part is to be attentive to His leading.

Praying In The Spirit ~ Part Two

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Habakkuk is a great example for us to journal. I’ve been journaling since December 1976. I use a blank journal. I love to circle, underline, or square parts of verses and insights the Holy Spirit gives me. I write the key word or topic in the side margin. It is like a workbook. All my writings come from those insights.

Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to Me, and I will answer, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Revelational insight is His strategic tool for effective spiritual warfare. Insight that is inaccessible except through the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:10 Amplified says that the Holy Spirit, “…searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God (the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny).”

The Holy Spirit will often put words in my mouth as I am praying for someone ~ words of wisdom, phrases of Scripture, or encouragement to share.