THE HOLY SPIRIT - Pastor Seley

 1. Anxious thoughts, fear of the unknown, scared of what might happen, the feeling of losing control....
The Bible says: Philippians 4:6 ... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiiving, present your requests to God."

2. How we talk about our feelings, how we express our agreement or disagreement...
The Bible says: Ephesians 4:29 . ..  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up acoording to their needs, that it might benefit those who listen."

3. The primacy of UNITY in God's body... the church.
The Bible says: Ephesians 4:1-3. . .". . . I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

4. Be extremely aware of Satan and his agenda... to divide, create confusion, isolate portions of Christ's body, to hinder the work of God's kingdom.
The Bible says: 1n Peter 5:8 . . .: . . .Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. . . "

5. We need God's wisdom for making decisions in our lives.
James 1:5. . ."If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

6. Remember what our purpose and plan is for life.
The Bible says: Matthew 22:37-39. ..  "Love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the 1st and greatest commandment. And the Second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
The Bible says: Matthew 28: 19-20. . "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the the name of the Fathere, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

For many believers, the Holy Spirit is a mystery. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God.
The Holy Ghost,
1. What the Bible reveals about the Holy Spirit:
a.  According to the doctrine of the Trinity and God exists eternally in three persons: God the Father,
God the Son,  and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
b. God the Holy Spirits the             who came to dwell permanently in the hearts of believers after Jesus; ascension into heaven. In this way, God lives and loves               us. (Acts: 2:1-4; Romans 8:1,2.10.11)
c. The Holy Spirit                us of sin, prays for us, helps us,                  us, teaches us, in every way abouot God's will. (I Corinthians 2:10-14)
d. The Holy Spirit gives Christians Spiritual gifts (tongues, healing, miracles, exhortation, mercy, hospitality, teaching, preaching, service, etc.) in order to                      the church. (I Corinthians 12:1,4-11)
e. He is called the Comforter, Helper, the Spirit above the Waters, the Breath of Life, the Servant, the Spirit of God, Oil, the Double Portion, the Hand of God, the Breath of Judgement and Fire, the Spirit of Creation and Renewal, the Lamp of the Lord, the Spirits

2. Specifics about the Holy Spirit:
a. The Bible reveals the Holy Spirit to be a                with all the characteristics of a living personal being.
b. One of the key reasons why we believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit is that He has the characteristics of a person,              emotions                 (I Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30: 1 Corinthians 12:11)
c. The Holy Spirit does things that only a person can do: teaches, prays, guides, performs miracles, comforts, guides.

3. The Holy Spirit is God

4. The Holy Spirit has three defining characteristics of God:
a. He is all-knowing                         . (omniscient) (I Corinthians 2:10-11)
b. He is all- powerful                       . (omnipotent) (Genesis 1:1-2, 26)
C. He is everywhere simultainously  . (omnipresent) (Psalm 139:7,8)

Go Figure

Go Figure? What exactly does that mean? Does it mean that you just do not understand why someone is doing something or does it mean that you just cannot believe that they are doing it. Go Figure?

If you have been reading my blog, you know that sometimes I get on my soapbox and here I am again today.

Sometimes things are just not what they seem. People just want to do what they want to do. Sometimes they don't care about convention or tradition. They just want what they want. I am not perfect and have never claimed to be. I have done some things in my life that I am not proud of. But when I came to my senses and remembered that my eternal life depends on what I do in this world. I have never been a homosexual but I have relatives who are. I love them as I love others. I do not agree with their lifestyle, but that is between them and God. I do feel like they should have a civil union if the law allows, not a marriage.

Marriage was instituted by God as the union of one man and one woman so they could have children and populate the world. Marriage is sacred, homosexuality is not. The Bible does not now and never has made it okay. After thousands of years of homosexuality being taboo or sin if you will, it does not suddenly become a wonderful relationship. Just because the closet has opened and everyone is trying not to hurt anyone else's feelings, people are agreeing that it is alright now. Having sex with someone that you are not married to is a sin called fornication or having sex with someone who is married to someone else is adultery. Homosexuality is sodomy.

When I lived and worked as a decorator in Dallas, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with a lot of homosexuals. I have been propositioned by other women, but certainly did not even hesitate to say no. I went out with my brother,  who was gay and I think sometimes they wanted to make me a beard. That is a woman who hangs out with a male homosexual to make others think he is straight. I was not having any of it. I started wearing open-toed shoes so I could not go into the bars he frequented with his friends. My brother had a good job with a A+ company. He did a good job but he traveled a lot and partied a lot. Most of the friends I met were pretty irresponsible. It was almost like they did not want to grow up. They seemed to want to party most of the time. What brought me away from that world was moving to Virginia to be near my children.

I really didn't want to think about my brother not being in Eternity with me, and try to rationalize that because he accepted Christ as a  child and was baptized that he would be in Heaven. But, if he had truly done that, he would not have let the homosexuality dominate. He ended up dying from his exposure to AIDS. I miss him, even after over 25 years. I was 11 when he was born. I fed him, changed him, bathed him, rocked him to sleep, and loved him very much. I am saying that it is not my place to judge, but it is not my place to impose my will and try to change society of the accepted terms for marriage.

Civil union should be available to anyone living together. Marriage should be reserved for the union of a man and woman. There are many places in the Bible where homosexuality is condemned. Take a look at Sodom and Gomorah.