Tag Archives: holy spirit

H.E.L.P. part 4

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This past week has been uplifting. I am going to share some experiences with you but in order to protect the individuals involved, I am calling them Friend.

But before I do, here are links to the earlier posts in this series. This post, H.E.L.P. part 4, will be the final post.

Consider the Source

H.E.L.P.

H.E.L.P. part 2

H.E.L.P. part 3

Alright, back to this week. As I have been discussing God’s help in our lives, I experienced that help first hand. Here are some events that showed me how God decided to help me this week.

Friend 1 – told me that my family’s return to church (we have been going back to church in person instead of watching online for two weeks now) makes it feel “normal” again

Friend 2 – came over with his chainsaw and helped me cut wood for the fireplace

Friend 3 – gave me a hug

Friend 4 – asked me how my novel is coming along (yes, I am writing a novel but I am not ready to share it with the general public)

Friend 5 – sought out my advice on some board games he was thinking of purchasing

Friend 6 (and his wife) – had my wife and I over for dinner

These are real examples of how my day was brightened or I was encouraged in my faith. I had divine help this past week and it came in the form of People

H – Holy Spirit

E – Ekklesia

L – Logos or Library

P – People

Have you ever had a person step into your world, at just the right moment, to lift your spirit?

Did you ever need a word of encouragement only to have your best friend call you?

It seems that Jesus is often disguised in human form.

In fact, the Word tells us that “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14 NIV

God knew that we, as humans, could not comprehend the Divine. We needed flesh and blood.

Jesus was flesh and blood. And so are the people around us. And God uses them to help us.

So, to wrap up this little journey into divine help, we can know that God wants to and is able to help us whenever we need help. The question, then, is not a question of ‘will’ but ‘how’ will that help arrive.

Friends, stick close to Jesus. Look for Him and He will H.E.L.P.

God bless you!

Until next week!

H.E.L.P. part 2

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Hey there! If you are joining me for the first time, you have stepped right into the middle of a series! Don’t worry, you don’t need to clean your shoes.

The first part was last week’s post, H.E.L.P. Click here to catch up.

Alrighty! Jumping in where we left off…

The word HELP is an acronym.

H – Holy Spirit

E –

L –

P –

So now, we come to the E. I hope you like different languages because we are about to head to Greece!

The New Testament was written in Greek. It was a common language at the time of Jesus. I do not claim to be any type of scholar but I have learned some things. Let me share one thing I have learned.

The Church is a great help when it comes to living for God.

This entry is from biblehub.com. Biblehub.com is an excellent resource when digging into God’s Word. I copied it from this web page.

“1577 ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, “out from and to” and 2564 /kaléō, “to call”) – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.”

The definition you just read comes from the word “church” used in Matthew 16:18.

Jesus said to Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church (ekklesia)”

H – Holy Spirit

E – Ekklesia

L –

P –

The second form of divine help is the church.

With that statement, there can be a myriad of ideas as to what the church is or should be.

Let’s go back to that definition. We are “people called out from the world and to God.”

When we get together for church, we celebrate this idea that God has called us out! He has purpose for us. And by worshiping Him with other believers, we can keep moving forward in our pursuit of Him!

As to which specific church building should a person attend? That is highly subjective because of so many differing reasons.

Here is my simple formula for deciding:

  1. Is the church bible-based with its teaching and doctrine?
  2. Do you feel challenged and encouraged when learning about God and His Word?
  3. Is there music that is within your range of liking?
  4. Is there a place within the church that you can help and share your talents?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then you may have just found your church home!

The reason I write about a local church is that I think that it is supremely important to be connected to a body of believers.

Through COVID and 2020, my family and I have not been to church but for a few weeks. It has been terrible.

It is really difficult to live for God as a lone ranger. The Kingdom of heaven is not for mavericks!

The Holy Spirit resides in each believer. That form of help cannot be taken away.

The church, ekklesia, is also available for anyone. Make use of that help today.

H – Holy Spirit

E – Ekklesia

L –

P –

God will help you everyday. He might just choose to a church.

Two forms of help explained. Two more to go. See you next week.

H.E.L.P.

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Do you remember this movie?

Image result for walle

It was a Pixar movie that came out in 2008. Here is a link to Pixar’s website about the movie.

I put this one in my top 5 animated movies of all time.

But it was not until I had watched it several times that I realized the name, Wall-E, was an acrostic.

A quote from Pixar’s website proclaims, “WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) is the last robot left on Earth, programmed to clean up the planet, one trash cube at a time. However, after 700 years, he’s developed one little glitch…”

I want to share another acrostic with you. H.E.L.P.

As in, God has help available for you and I but it comes in various forms. I took the liberty to use the word HELP and made an acrostic.

Last week’s post, Consider the Source, will give more context as to why I am writing about help.

I would recommend reading that one so what follows will make more sense. Click here.

When God helps us, He does not always use the same methods. If you read the Old Testament, God was super-creative in how He would spare the children of Israel.

For us, that same supernatural creativity has not been exhausted.

The first Help He gives is the Holy Spirit.

Here is verse 7 from John 16: “7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” NIV

Let’s focus on that word, Advocate. If we look a little deeper, we can get a grasp on its meaning.

In a broad sense, think helper, aide, or assistant. The Holy Spirit would replace Jesus. It was his role to lead the apostles (and us-by extension) into a deeper knowledge of God and His truth, and also to provide divine strength when undergoing temptations or persecution.

Trials and tribulations were never meant to be removed but endured. God would not allow us to go up against something alone. He knew we are only frail humans.

But with His help, the Holy Spirit, we can be over-comers! Romans 8 gives us that title.

Volumes upon volumes have been written about the Holy Spirit. Various doctrines center around the third person of the Trinity.

I am not writing on behalf of a specific church or denomination.

I am trying to interpret God’s Word accurately.

And if I am correct, which, by the way, I am confident that I am, the Holy Spirit is right beside me every step along this journey of life.

He is also right by your side.

Let’s continue to walk in stride with Him.

H – Holy Spirit

E –

L –

P –

Call on Him today and enjoy this first Help of God. Good night!

Jars, pt. 2

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Last week I started a series about jars. To catch up, I put the whole story in here.

1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:1-7

Verse 6 is a very revealing verse. There are some applications to be made.

1. “When all the jars were full…” The widow was obedient to the instruction given to her.

2. “Bring me another…” The widow was not content with what she had. There was more.

3. “There is not a jar left…” God had met here needs.

4. “Then the oil stopped flowing” No more jars meant no more oil.

This is what really struck me. God has “oil” for me. The Holy Spirit is that oil. God living in me. The power and grace I need to live everyday for Him is right here. So my job is to bring empty jars for God to fill.

The jar of my marriage.

The jar of my kids.

The jar of my church.

The jar of my fears.

The jar of my insecurities.

The jar of my mistakes.

The jar of my…

So as long as I keep bringing these jars, the oil will keep flowing.

What jars do you have for God today?

widow oil