Believing Women

Acts 5:12-16 begins a section of Scripture where we see the marvelous hand of God working in the early church. There were many signs and wonders being done and more than ever before, believers (men and women!) were coming to salvation through Christ.  The Holy Spirit empowered these apostles and as a result, the Christians in Jerusalem were held in high regard, many came to know Christ and were healed of their illnesses. A marvelous picture of how when we are faithful to do what God has called us to do that God will bless, in His time, in His way and for His glory. How easy it would have been for the apostles to take credit for all that was happening, but they didn't. They knew that it would be through God alone that they would be able to perform such miracles. These events were even an answer to prayer (see chapter 4:29-30).  It is important to see that just as men were privileged to know Christ, women were as well. Luke mentions that women were part of this church in many instances and what a blessing it is to know that God holds women with equal value despite society which often considers men as superior.  What a blessing that the Gospel is for all!

Is the Holy Spirit at work in my life?

Now we are at the exciting time of Pentecost! The Holy Spirit has come just like Jesus promised! People are trying to figure out what is going on. Peter is preaching to thousands of people explaining who Jesus is and how they should respond to Jesus. In Acts 2:21 – ALL can be saved! Not just men and women – NOT JUST JEWS! ALL…Luke is laying out this new time – the time of the Church. No longer just the religious leaders which were all men – but now ALL had access to God! We do not live in a “class” society so it is hard for us to understand how Jesus changed the world. In Acts Luke makes no distinction between men and women. Both suffer persecution (8:3); both join the church (17:4, 12); and both teach (18:26). WHAT AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A WOMAN! So do I see evidences of the Holy Spirit at work in my life? Conviction of sin, hunger and thirst for God’s Word and His presence, JOY, confidence that I am God’s child, these are just a few of the many works that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in our daily lives.

Water, Blood & the Spirit

Have you ever read this section of 1 John and wondered, "what do these terms mean?" We have! We enjoyed digging into verses 5: 6-8 to discover what each of these terms mean. Here's what we found out: Water - refers to Christ's baptism. Blood - refers to Christ's death. These are two external witnesses to validate Christ's life here on earth. The Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit which lives within the believer. The Spirit gives testimony to the believer of the truth of Jesus Christ. These 3, the water, blood and the Spirit agree to the truthfulness of the person Jesus as the Christ. What a blessing it has been study this passage! And as we seek to apply this section, we ask "How are you doing listening to the Spirit today?"