A Prosperous Soul

July 17th, 2026

Do you want your soul to prosper?

The Beloved Disciple wrote by The Holy Spirit in 3rd John 1:

2 Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.

3 I was filled with joy and delight when the brothers arrived and informed me of your faithfulness to the Truth. They told me how you live continually in the Truth of Christ.

The key is not merely knowing Truth intellectually. John says the Truth was “in” Gaius, and Gaius “walked” in the Truth.

What is the soul?

Biblically, the soul is understood as involving your mind, will, and emotions:

  • Mind — what you think and believe
  • Will — what you choose
  • Emotions — how you respond inwardly

Your spirit may be born again, but your mind still needs renewing:

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:

1 Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be His Sacred, living sacrifices. And live in Holiness, experiencing all that delights His Heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.

2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful Life, satisfying and perfect in His Eyes.

This is where Truth causes the soul to prosper.

1. Truth corrects what you believe

Many problems in the soul begin with believing something that is not true.

A person may believe:

  • “God has abandoned me.”
  • “My past defines me.”
  • “I have no hope.”
  • “I must live in fear.”
  • “I cannot forgive.”
  • “God’s promises are for someone else.”

When God’s Truth enters the mind, it confronts these false beliefs.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 8:

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Bondage often survives through deception. Freedom grows as Truth is received, believed, and obeyed.

2. Truth renews the mind

Your life is strongly influenced by your thought patterns.

“As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7

The world, painful experiences, fear, other people, and our own flesh can establish unhealthy patterns of thinking. The Word of God replaces those patterns with God’s perspective.

Old thinking: “I am alone.”
Truth: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” — Hebrews 13:5

Old thinking: “I must be controlled by fear.”
Truth: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

Old thinking: “I cannot overcome.”
Truth: “We are more than conquerors through Him that Loved us.” — Romans 8:37

As Truth changes your thinking, it begins changing your responses and decisions.

3. Truth brings order to the emotions

Truth does not mean that Christians never experience sadness, grief, anger, or fear. Rather, emotions no longer have to be the final authority.

Your feelings may say:

“Everything is falling apart.”

Truth may say:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

A prosperous soul learns to say:

“I acknowledge what I feel, but I choose to believe what God has said.”

That produces increasing stability.

4. Truth transforms the will. Truth must move from revelation to obedience.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 13:

17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

In other Words, put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!”

Knowing the Truth without obeying it produces little transformation. But when you walk in Truth, your choices begin aligning with God’s will.

The progression is:

Hear the Truth → believe the Truth → meditate on the Truth → obey the Truth → experience the fruit of the Truth.

This is why Gaius’s soul prospered. John did not merely say that Gaius knew the Truth. He said: “Thou walkest in the Truth.”

5. Truth exposes deception

Jesus called Satan “a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). One of the enemy’s primary strategies is deception.

The enemy asks: “Did God really say?”

Truth answers: “It is written.”

That was Jesus’ response during His temptation in the wilderness. He repeatedly answered satan with Scripture: “It is written…” — Matthew 4.  A soul filled with Truth becomes increasingly difficult to control through deception.

6. Truth produces freedom

Jesus spoke in John chapter 17:

17  Sanctify them (make them Holy) by Your Truth. Your Word is Truth.

Truth separates us from:

  • False beliefs
  • Condemnation
  • Fear
  • Deception
  • Destructive thought patterns
  • The world’s value system

The more God’s Truth governs the soul, the less room lies have to govern it.

7. Truth produces peace

Isaiah gives a powerful picture of a prosperous mind as it is written by THE SPIRIT in Isaiah chapter 26:

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

The connection:

Mind stayed on God → trust in God → peace

Peace is not merely the absence of problems. It is the stability of a soul anchored in Truth.

8. Truth changes the fruit of your life

What is planted in the soul eventually produces outward fruit.

Truth → renewed thinking → right believing → wise choices → Godly actions → fruitful living

When the soul is governed by Truth, a person is better equipped to make wise decisions, maintain healthy relationships, resist destructive behavior, handle adversity, and fulfill God’s purposes.  That does not mean a spiritually mature believer will never experience sickness, financial hardship, persecution, or suffering. It means that the soul can prosper even in difficult circumstances.

The deepest Truth is a Person: Jesus Christ!

Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Therefore, the soul prospers not merely by accumulating Bible information, but through knowing Christ, believing His Word, abiding in Him, and walking according to His Truth.

The process of soul prosperity is a simple pattern:

THE WORD enters the mind
↓
THE HOLY SPIRIT reveals Truth
↓
Truth exposes the lie
↓
Faith receives the Truth
↓
The mind is renewed
↓
The will chooses obedience
↓
Emotions increasingly come under Truth
↓
The believer walks in Truth
↓
The soul prospers

The goal is not simply to know more Scripture, but for THE WORD to become the governing reality of your mind, will, and emotions.

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True Unity

July 16th, 2026

Being in unity is vital to our walk with Christ!

Jesus spoke in John chapter 16:

15 “All that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.”

This verse comes from Jesus’ final teaching to His disciples before His crucifixion. He is explaining the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

  1. “All that belongs to the Father is Mine.”
    1. Jesus is declaring His complete unity with the Father. Everything the Father possesses—His Truth, authority, Wisdom, glory, and Divine purposes—also belongs to the Son.
    1. This is one of several statements in John’s Gospel that point to Jesus’ Divine nature.

Jesus also stated in John chapter 10:

30 “I and My Father are One.”

And Jesus prayed in John chapter 17:

9 So with deep Love, I pray for My disciples. I’m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world, but for those who belong to You, those You have given Me.

10 For all who belong to Me now belong to You. And all who belong to You now belong to Me as well, and My glory is revealed through their surrendered lives.

11 “Holy Father, I am about to leave this world to return and be with You, but My disciples will remain here. Holy Father, each one that You have given Me, keep them in Your Name so that they will be united as one, even as We are One.

When you and I fully surrender to Christ, we become one with Him and one with each other… we have a common goal- to establish HIS Kingdom on earth!

  • “That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me…”
    • The Holy Spirit does not bring a different or independent message. Instead, He communicates what belongs to Christ.
    • Since everything the Father has belongs to the Son, the Spirit’s message is ultimately the Father’s message as well.
  • “…what he will make known to you.”
    • The Holy Spirit would guide the disciples into the Truth after Jesus’ departure.
    • This includes helping them understand Jesus’ teachings, His death and resurrection, and inspiring them to proclaim and write God’s Truth.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 16:

13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all Truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

This verse (John 16:15) beautifully reveals the harmony within the Trinity:

  • The Father is the Source of all Divine Truth.
  • The Son shares fully in everything that belongs to The Father.
  • The Holy Spirit reveals and applies that Truth to believers.

The three Persons work together perfectly, not independently or in competition.

For us, John 16:15 is a reminder that:

  • The Holy Spirit always points people to Jesus, not away from Him.
  • When the Spirit teaches us through Scripture, He is revealing Christ and the Father’s Will.
  • We can trust the Spirit’s guidance because it comes from the united purpose of the Father and the Son.

Preaching the fullness of the Trinity requires us to not neglect the vital role of The Holy Spirit in promoting unity among believers!

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The True Spirit-filled Church

July 15th, 2026

What is a true and mature Spirit-filled Church?

The New Testament presents a Spirit-filled church not primarily as a denomination or style of worship, but as a community of believers that is empowered, directed, and transformed by the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit-filled church reflects the Character of Christ, proclaims the Gospel with power, and carries out the mission Jesus entrusted to His followers.

1. The Spirit-filled church is centered on Jesus

Jesus spoke in John chapter 16:

13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all Truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit’s primary ministry is to glorify Christ.

A Spirit-filled church does not draw attention primarily to personalities, programs, or even spiritual experiences. Its focus is on Christ—His lordship, His death, resurrection, and Kingdom.

2. The Spirit-filled church is empowered for ministry

Before His ascension, Jesus told His disciples in Acts chapter 1:

8 “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to:

  • Share the Gospel boldly
  • Serve others effectively
  • Stand firm under persecution
  • Fulfill God’s calling

The power of the Spirit is given for God’s mission, not personal prestige.

3. The Spirit-filled church is devoted to God’s Word

After the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, the believers:

“continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” (Acts 2:42)

The Spirit Who inspired Scripture also leads believers into His Truth. A Spirit-filled church values sound Biblical teaching and measures every experience against God’s Word.

4. The Spirit-filled church is marked by prayer

Prayer was central before and after Pentecost.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 4:

31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.

Prayer was not a formality—it is the church’s lifeline.

5. The Spirit-filled church walks in Holiness

The Holy Spirit is called “Holy” because He produces Holiness in God’s people.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 5:

16 Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life.

17 When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder Him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.

18 But when you yield to the Life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it!

6. The Spirit-filled church displays the fruit of the Spirit

The clearest evidence of the Spirit’s work is transformed character.

Galatians 5:22–23 lists the fruit of the Spirit:

  • Love
  • Joy
  • Peace
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Goodness
  • Faithfulness
  • Gentleness
  • Self-control

Spiritual maturity is measured not only by gifts but by Christlike character.

7. The Spirit-filled church operates in Spiritual gifts

The Holy Spirit gives gifts for building up the church.  These gifts include teaching, serving, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, discernment, healing, miracles, Tongues, interpretation, Wisdom, knowledge, faith, and others.

Their purpose is:

  • To strengthen believers
  • To serve others
  • To glorify Christ

Paul emphasized that gifts must operate in Love and in an orderly manner (1 Corinthians 13–14).

8. The Spirit-filled church exercises discernment

Not every spiritual claim is from God.

John wrote:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” (1 John 4:1)

A Spirit-filled church tests teachings, prophecies, and spiritual manifestations against Scripture and the character of Christ.

9. The Spirit-filled church ministers freedom and healing

Jesus described His mission as bringing good news, healing, and liberty to those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18–19).

The book of Acts records that the Spirit-enabled church ministered through:

  • Prayer for the sick
  • Deliverance from demonic oppression
  • Encouragement
  • Restoration
  • Compassionate care

This ministry was always connected to proclaiming the Gospel and leading people toward Christ.

10. The Spirit-filled church lives in unity

Paul urged believers to:

“Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

Unity does not mean uniformity. The Holy Spirit brings together people with different gifts, backgrounds, and callings into one body under Christ.

11. The Spirit-filled church is generous

Acts 2:44–45 and Acts 4:32–35 describe believers who cared deeply for one another and shared resources so that those in need were helped.

This generosity flowed from transformed hearts rather than compulsion.

12. The Spirit-filled church expects God’s guidance

Throughout Acts, the Holy Spirit directed the church by:

  • Calling missionaries (Acts 13:2)
  • Preventing certain journeys (Acts 16:6–10)
  • Appointing leaders (Acts 20:28)
  • Providing wisdom in difficult decisions (Acts 15)

The early church sought God’s direction rather than relying solely on human

planning.

The New Testament never presents Spiritual gifts as a substitute for Holiness or sound doctrine. Likewise, it does not present sound doctrine as a reason to reject the Spirit’s ongoing work.

Characteristics of a Spirit-filled Church

A healthy Spirit-filled church will generally be characterized by:

  • A Christ-centered focus
  • Faithfulness to Scripture
  • Dependence on prayer
  • Love for one another
  • The fruit of the Spirit in daily life
  • The exercise of Spiritual gifts for edification
  • Bold evangelism
  • Compassion for the hurting
  • Wisdom and discernment
  • Humility and servant leadership
  • Holiness and repentance
  • Unity in the Body of Christ
  • Expectation that God still works by His Spirit
  •  

What is the ultimate measure?

Jesus taught:

“By their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:20)

The clear evidence that a church is Spirit-filled is not the presence of extraordinary manifestations alone, nor merely excellent preaching or organization. It is the combination of Biblical Truth, Christlike character, Love, Holiness, Spiritual power, and faithful obedience to Christ. When those qualities are present together, the church reflects the pattern of the New Testament community that was empowered by the Holy Spirit!

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Waiting For The King’s Return

July 14th, 2026

Randy Kay explores the Biblical significance of the sealed Eastern Gate in Jerusalem, prophetic signs of the times, and the distinction between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

Which group do you belong to? It is all about our relationship with Christ and The Holy Spirit.

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Who Do You Worship?

July 13th, 2026

Whatever or whoever you worship becomes your god!

Do you want to get into GOD’S Presence?

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 13:

1 In the church at Antioch there were a number of prophets and teachers of the Word, including Barnabas, Simeon from Niger, Lucius the Libyan, Manean (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.

2 While they were worshiping as priests before the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “I have called Barnabas and Saul to do an important work for me. Now, release them to go and fulfill it.”

3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them off. 4-5 So Saul and Barnabas, and their assistant Mark (known as John), were directed by the Holy Spirit to go to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they went to the synagogues and declared the Word of God.

In a sense, Acts chapter 13 is the beginning of missionary work.

Psalm 95:1–7 is an invitation to get into GOD’S Presence and worship HIM with joy, gratitude, humility, and obedience. It is often divided into two sections:

  • Verses 1–5: A call to joyful praise because of who God is.
  • Verses 6–7: A call to humble worship because of our relationship with Him.

Psalm 95:1

“Oh come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation.”

This begins with an invitation—not a command given reluctantly, but an enthusiastic call for God’s people to gather together.

Three ideas stand out:

  • Sing unto the LORD — Worship is directed toward God, not ourselves or our emotions.
  • Joyful noise — God welcomes sincere praise whether someone has a beautiful singing voice or not.
  • Rock of our salvation — A rock represents strength, permanence, protection, and stability. God is the dependable foundation upon which salvation rests.

The Rock points forward to Christ, Who is called the cornerstone and the Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4).

Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before His Presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”

Notice the order.  We approach God, first, with thanksgiving, then with praise.

Gratitude prepares the heart for worship.  The Hebrew idea of “come before His Presence” suggests entering before a king. We don’t approach casually but thankfully.

Psalm 95:3

“For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”

This explains why we worship.

God is:

  • Great in power.
  • Great in wisdom.
  • Great in holiness.
  • King over every earthly ruler and every so-called god.

The psalm is not acknowledging that other gods truly exist but declaring God’s supremacy over every idol and every spiritual power people worship.

Psalm 95:4

“In His Hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.”

Everything belongs to Him: the deepest valleys, the highest mountains, and everything between.  Nothing is outside His authority.  This verse reminds believers that no circumstance is beyond God’s control and we are stewards, not owners.

Psalm 95:5

“The sea is His, and He made it: and His Hands formed the dry land.”

God owns creation because He created it.  The sea represented chaos and danger in the ancient world.  Even what humans fear most belongs to Him.  This references echoes Genesis 1 and reminds us that God is Creator, not merely caretaker.

The first five verses emphasize praise.  Verses 6–7 emphasize surrender.  Joy must lead to humility.

Psalm 95:6

“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD Our Maker.”

Notice the increasing humility.

  • Worship
  • Bow down
  • Kneel

These are outward expressions of inward submission.  The Hebrew word for worship literally carries the idea of bowing low.  True worship isn’t simply singing,

it is yielding our lives to God.

Psalm 95:7

“For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.”

Now the relationship changes from Creator and King to Shepherd.

Three beautiful Truths appear.

1. He is our God

This speaks of covenant relationship.  God is not merely “a” God, He is our God.

2. We are the people of His pasture

A shepherd leads sheep to:

  • food
  • water
  • rest
  • protection

God continually provides for His people.

Jesus later declared: “I am the good Shepherd.” (John 10)

3. We are the sheep of His hand

Sheep are completely dependent.

This teaches:

  • dependence
  • trust
  • guidance
  • protection

God personally cares for every believer.

A Significant Transition occurs in verse 7.

The second half of verse 7 begins:

“Today if ye will hear His Voice…”

This phrase introduces the warning found in verses 8–11. The author of Hebrews quotes this passage extensively in chapters 3 and 4 to urge believers not to harden their hearts but to respond to God’s Voice in faith and obedience.

The message is that worship is incomplete if it does not lead to listening and obeying.

Psalm 95 teaches a progression that remains relevant today:

  • Come to God willingly.
  • Sing with joy because of His salvation.
  • Give thanks before making requests.
  • Remember His greatness and sovereignty.
  • Bow your heart in humility.
  • Trust Him as your Shepherd.
  • Listen carefully for His voice through Scripture and respond in obedience.

This pattern moves from celebration to surrender. It reminds us that worship is not only about expressing praise with our lips but also about yielding our lives to the God Who created us, redeemed us, and faithfully shepherds us every day!

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A Christlike Character

July 12th, 2026

The gifts of THE SPIRIT are vital to the Body of Christ, but we must operate in a Christlike character!

In the past, I have seen many men operating in the gifts of The Holy Spirit, including myself.  Spiritual gifts and operate through the immature believer.  When that happens, that believer must be extremely careful not to exalt that gift and allow the ego to infiltrate the ministry.  If anything, the believer must focus on spiritual maturity of his or her character.

Spiritual power is not the same as spiritual maturity!

What is character?

Character is who you become.

Character is not a gift.

Character is formed through:

  • obedience
  • surrender
  • trials
  • repentance
  • perseverance
  • daily walking with Christ

Paul describes this as the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit is:

  • Love
  • joy
  • peace
  • patience
  • kindness
  • goodness
  • faithfulness
  • gentleness
  • self-control

Fruit is singular because it describes one Christ-like character expressed in many ways.  Unlike gifts, fruit is expected in every believer.

Gifts are received instantly whereas character develops over time.

A believer may receive a spiritual gift immediately after conversion.

For example:

  • prophecy
  • healing
  • discernment
  • evangelism

But maturity develops slowly.

James writes:

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.”

(James 1:4)

In 2nd Peter chapter 1: 5-7, Peter likewise teaches believers to add to their faith:

  • virtue
  • knowledge
  • self-control
  • perseverance
  • Godliness
  • brotherly affection
  • Love

And in verse 8:

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gifts can exist without maturity.

This is one of Paul’s strongest warnings.  The church at Corinth operated in many spiritual gifts.

Paul says:

“You do not lack any spiritual gift…”

(1 Corinthians 1:7)

Yet he also tells them:

“I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 3:1)

They had:

  • prophecy
  • tongues
  • miracles

Yet they also had:

  • division
  • jealousy
  • immorality
  • lawsuits
  • pride

This demonstrates a very important principle:

As Paul pointed out, Spiritual power is not the same as spiritual maturity.

5. Love is more important than gifts

Immediately after teaching about spiritual gifts, Paul writes the great chapter on Love.

1st Corinthians chapter 13:

He says:

If I speak in tongues…

without Love—

I am nothing.

If I prophesy…

without Love—

I am nothing.

If I understand all mysteries…

without Love—

I am nothing.

If I have mountain-moving faith…

without Love—

I am nothing.

Notice, Paul never minimizes the gifts.  He simply teaches that character determines their value.  Love is the motive that makes every gift useful.

Jesus warned that gifts alone prove nothing

One of the most sobering passages is in Matthew 7:21-23.

Many will say:

Lord, did we not

  • prophesy?
  • cast out demons?
  • perform miracles?

Jesus does not deny they did these works.  Instead He says: “I never knew you.”

Their ministry exceeded their relationship.

Their power exceeded their Holiness.

Their gifts exceeded their obedience.

Character mattered more than spectacular ministry.

Moses illustrates character.  Moses spent forty years being prepared before leading Israel. God repeatedly described him as humble.

Numbers 12:3 says: “Now Moses was a very humble man…”

His authority flowed from his relationship with God.

On the other hand, Samson illustrates gifts without character.

Samson possessed extraordinary supernatural power.  The Spirit came upon him repeatedly.

Yet he lacked:

  • self-control
  • obedience
  • purity
  • humility

His gifting exceeded his character.

Eventually his sin destroyed his ministry.  How many times has that been the case with well-known ministries in recent years!

Joseph illustrates character before promotion.

Joseph received dreams (a gift).

Before ruling Egypt, God developed:

  • integrity
  • patience
  • forgiveness
  • humility
  • wisdom

The gift came early, but character building took years.  When promotion came, Joseph could carry it faithfully.

Jesus perfectly united gifts and character.

Jesus never ministered merely through power.  Everything He did flowed from:

  • Love
  • compassion
  • humility
  • obedience
  • Holiness

He healed, He cast out demons, He raised the dead.

Yet He also:

  • washed feet
  • forgave enemies
  • served the poor
  • obeyed the Father completely

Power and character were perfectly united.

A helpful comparison

Gifts of the SpiritFruit/Character of the Spirit
Given by GodDeveloped with God
Enable ministryReflect Christ
Can appear quicklyGrow over time
Vary from believer to believerExpected in every believer
Demonstrate God’s powerDemonstrate God’s Nature
Benefit othersTransform the believer
Can function despite immaturityIndicate spiritual maturity

The New Testament encourages believers to seek spiritual gifts:

“Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts…”
(1 Corinthians 14:1)

But in the same verse Paul places the higher priority on Love:

“Pursue Love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts…”

The order is significant:

  1. Pursue Christlike character.
  2. Desire and use spiritual gifts faithfully.
  3. Let every gift operate through Love, humility, and obedience.

A mature disciple is not simply someone who displays supernatural gifts, nor someone who merely exhibits good moral behavior. Scripture presents the goal as believers who increasingly reflect the character of Christ while faithfully exercising the gifts the Holy Spirit has given for the building up of the Body of Christ.

When the fruit of the Spirit governs the gifts of the Spirit, the Church is strengthened, God is glorified, and Christ is accurately represented to the world.

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The Gifts Of The Spirit

July 11th, 2026

The gifts of THE SPIRIT are vital to the Body of Christ!

In the past, I have seen many men operating in the gifts of The Holy Spirit, including myself.

Paul wrote of the nine gifts given by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 12:

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The New Testament makes a clear distinction between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit (character) produced by the Holy Spirit. Both come from the Holy Spirit, but they serve different purposes.

The gifts of the Spirit are for ministry to others

The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural abilities God gives believers to build up the Church and accomplish His work.

Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4:

11 And He has appointed some with grace to be apostles, and some with grace to be prophets, and some with grace to be evangelists, and some with grace to be pastors, and some with grace to be teachers.

12 And their calling is to nurture and prepare all the Holy believers to do their own works of ministry, and as they do this they will enlarge and build up the body of Christ.

13 These grace ministries will function until we all attain oneness into the faith, until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God, and finally we become one into a perfect man with the full dimensions of spiritual maturity and fully developed into the abundance of Christ.

14 And then our immaturity will end! And we will not be easily shaken by trouble, nor led astray by novel teachings or by the false doctrines of deceivers who teach clever lies.

And Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Peter chapter 4:

10 Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace.

11 For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak as though God were speaking His Words through you. If you have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength God gives you, so that in everything God alone will be glorified through Jesus Christ. For to Him belong the power and the glory forever throughout all ages! Amen.

Why are the Gifts vital?

1. They reveal that Jesus is alive and working today.

Jesus ascended into Heaven, but He continues His ministry through His body, the Church.

He told His disciples:

“Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do.” (John 14:12)

The gifts are one of the primary ways Christ ministers through believers.

2. They demonstrate the Kingdom of God

Jesus rarely preached without demonstrating God’s power.

He:

  • healed the sick
  • cast out demons
  • raised the dead
  • performed miracles
  • spoke prophetically
  • revealed hidden knowledge

He said: “If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.”  The gifts are evidence that God’s Kingdom is breaking into this world.

3. They confirm the Gospel

The apostles did not merely preach.  They demonstrated God’s power.

The ending of Mark says:

“…the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”

Throughout Acts:

  • thousands believed
  • healings occurred
  • demons were cast out
  • miracles happened
  • prophetic direction guided the Church

Power confirmed the message.

4. They build up the Church

Paul repeatedly says spiritual gifts are for edification.

They strengthen believers through:

  • encouragement
  • healing
  • wisdom
  • revelation
  • comfort
  • correction
  • discernment

Without the gifts, the Church loses many of the means God has provided to minister to one another.

5. They equip believers for spiritual warfare

Paul reminds believers that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood.

The gifts become spiritual tools.

Examples include:

  • discerning spirits exposes deception
  • faith overcomes impossible situations
  • miracles break spiritual strongholds
  • healing destroys works of sickness
  • prophecy brings God’s direction

Jesus often confronted spiritual opposition through the power of the Spirit.

6. They reveal God’s Love

Healing is not merely power, it demonstrates compassion.

Prophecy is not merely prediction, it often strengthens, encourages, and comforts.

Miracles reveal that God is personally involved in people’s lives.

Jesus ministered through the Holy Spirit

In Acts 10:38, Luke summarizes His ministry:

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power… He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.”

If Jesus ministered through the Spirit’s power, it follows that His disciples also depend on the Spirit’s empowering.

The early Church expected the gifts

Reading Acts, the gifts are woven throughout the Church’s life.

They experienced:

  • prophecy
  • healing
  • miracles
  • tongues
  • discernment
  • supernatural guidance
  • angelic intervention
  • deliverance

These were not portrayed as occasional curiosities but as normal aspects of the Spirit’s work among believers.

Paul instructed believers to desire them

Paul did not tell believers to ignore spiritual gifts.

Instead he wrote:

“Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”

He also instructed:

“Do not quench the Spirit.”

and

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything.”

His concern was not to eliminate spiritual gifts, but to ensure they were exercised with discernment and order.

However, the Gifts without character are dangerous!

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The Keys Of The Kingdom

July 10th, 2026

What are the keys of the Kingdom?

Jesus spoke in Revelation chapter 3:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He Who is Holy, He Who is True, “He Who has the key of David, He Who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

The “keys of the Kingdom” are mentioned in one of the most significant passages in the Gospel of Matthew.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 16:

15 Jesus said to them (the disciples), “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven.

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound (already forbidden) in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed (or already released) in Heaven.”

To understand what Jesus meant, it helps to examine the context, the symbolism of keys, and how the rest of Scripture reveals this Truth.

The Context

Just before Jesus speaks of the keys, Simon Peter declares:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus tells Peter this understanding came from the Father, then says:

  • “I will build My church.”
  • “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
  • “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom.”

These statements all concern the establishment and expansion of Christ’s Kingdom on the earth.

What Do Keys Represent?

Throughout the Bible, keys symbolize authority.

A key gives someone authority to:

  • Open what is closed.
  • Close what is open.
  • Grant or deny access.
  • Act on behalf of the owner.

One of the clearest Old Testament backgrounds is Isaiah 22:22:

“I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”  The key belonged to the king but was entrusted to his steward, who exercised delegated authority.

Jesus, the Son of David, is the True King. He possesses all authority and entrusts Kingdom responsibilities to His followers.

What Are the Keys?

The keys are not physical objects and are generally understood as representing authority to proclaim and administer the Kingdom of God.

This authority includes:

  • proclaiming the Gospel,
  • declaring the conditions for entering God’s Kingdom,
  • exercising Spiritual discipline within the church,
  • teaching Christ’s Truth faithfully.

The authority comes from Christ—not from human power.

Peter’s Use of the Keys

The book of Acts shows Peter using these keys in a remarkable sequence.

1. Jews (Acts 2)

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preaches.

About 3,000 people believe and are baptized.

The Kingdom is opened to Israel.

2. Samaritans (Acts 8)

Peter confirms the inclusion of the Samaritans.

The long-standing division between Jews and Samaritans begins to disappear within the church.

3. Gentiles (Acts 10)

Peter is sent to the house of Cornelius.

The Holy Spirit falls upon Gentiles just as He had upon Jewish believers.

The Kingdom is now clearly opened to the nations.

Notice Peter never claims personal ownership of the Kingdom. He simply opens the door by preaching Christ.

Binding and Loosing

Immediately after mentioning the keys, Jesus says:

“Whatever you bind…whatever you loose…”

In first-century Jewish language:

  • bind often meant to forbid or declare something prohibited.
  • loose meant to permit or release.

In the church this authority includes:

  • declaring God’s Truth,
  • forgiving sins through the proclamation of the Gospel (not by personal power),
  • exercising church discipline according to Christ’s teaching.

Importantly, Jesus gives similar authority to all the apostles in Matthew 18:18 in the context of church discipline, suggesting this authority was not exclusive to Peter.

Peter represents the apostles and, in a broader sense, the church’s ministry of proclaiming the Gospel. The “keys” belong to Christ but are exercised by the church under His authority.

Who Ultimately Has the Keys?

The New Testament ultimately says that Jesus Himself possesses the supreme keys.

The Beloved Disciple recorded what he heard and saw in Revelation chapter 1:

17 When I saw Jesus, I fell down at his feet as good as dead, but He laid His Right Hand on me and I heard His reassuring Voice saying: Don’t yield to fear. I am the Beginning and I am the End,

18 the Living One! I was dead, but now look—I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys that unlock death and the unseen world.

This passage reminds us that all delegated authority belongs first to Christ.

Practical Meaning for Believers Today

The keys of the kingdom remind believers that Christ has entrusted His church with the responsibility to:

  • faithfully preach the Gospel,
  • invite people into God’s Kingdom through faith in Jesus,
  • teach Biblical Truth,
  • exercise Loving church discipline when necessary,
  • proclaim forgiveness to those who repent and warn those who reject Christ.

The church does not create salvation or decide who is saved. Rather, it announces the terms established by the King.

To Summarize:

The “keys of the Kingdom” represent Christ’s delegated authority to open the Kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel and faithful administration of His Truth.

Peter first exercised this authority by opening the Gospel to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles in Acts. Yet the ultimate authority always belongs to Jesus Christ, Who alone holds the highest keys over Life, death, and God’s Kingdom.

The keys given to us, are not about ruling over people but about advancing Christ’s Kingdom through Truth, the Gospel, and obedience to the King.

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Deliverance: Part 7 – Summary

July 9th, 2026

Jesus gave us power and authority over the devil and his demons!

Jesus is our Perfect Example of what it means to walk in Spiritual maturity.  We must not disregard His ministry to set the captives free and this is done through the ministry of deliverance that Jesus operated in… and so should we.  However, we must focus on being fully led by The Holy Spirit as He was in His earthly ministry.

The ministry of deliverance is the Biblical practice of setting people free from the influence, oppression, or possession of demonic spirits through the authority of Jesus Christ. Throughout the New Testament, it is presented as an important part of Jesus’ ministry and the mission He entrusted to His disciples.

Let us summarize the past writings:

1. Jesus Made Deliverance a Major Part of His Ministry

The Gospels repeatedly show Jesus:

  • Preaching the Kingdom of God.
  • Healing the sick.
  • Casting out demons.

One of His first public acts in Mark 1 was delivering a man in the synagogue from an unclean spirit.

Jesus explained the purpose of His ministry as He declared in Luke chapter 4:

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Deliverance demonstrated that the Kingdom of God had arrived.

2. Deliverance Demonstrated God’s Kingdom

Jesus said:

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
(Matthew 12:28)

Casting out demons was not merely an act of compassion—it was evidence that satan’s kingdom was being defeated by the reign of God.

3. Jesus Gave His Disciples Authority

Jesus did not reserve this ministry for Himself.

He commissioned the Twelve:

  • to preach,
  • to heal,
  • to cast out demons.

(Matthew 10:1, 7–8)

Later He sent out seventy-two disciples who returned rejoicing:

“Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name.”

Jesus replied:

“I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
(Luke 10:17–20)

Their authority came from His Name, not from personal power.

4. Deliverance Continued After the Resurrection

The ministry did not end with Jesus’ earthly life.

The apostles continued casting out demons throughout Acts.

Examples include:

  • Philip in Samaria (Acts 8)
  • Paul delivering the slave girl in Philippi (Acts 16)

Deliverance remained part of proclaiming the Gospel.

5. The Purpose of Deliverance

The goal is freedom, not spectacle.

Deliverance aims to free people from:

  • demonic oppression,
  • bondage to fear,
  • spiritual torment,
  • deception,
  • influences that hinder faithful obedience to Christ.

The objective is that people may Love, worship, and serve God with greater freedom.

6. Deliverance Is Centered on Christ

The New Testament never portrays deliverance as a technique or ritual.

It depends on:

  • the authority of Jesus Christ,
  • the power of the Holy Spirit,
  • faith in Christ,
  • submission to God.

No human minister possesses independent power over demons.

7. Deliverance Is Part of Spiritual Warfare

Believers are instructed to resist the devil and stand firm in God’s armor.

(Ephesians 6:10–18)

Deliverance is one aspect of the broader spiritual battle, alongside prayer, Truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God.

8. Discernment Is Essential!

The New Testament emphasizes testing spiritual claims.

Not every physical illness or personal struggle is attributed to demonic activity, and Scripture calls for Wisdom and discernment rather than assuming every problem has a spiritual cause.

Deliverance ministry should therefore be exercised humbly, Biblically, and with care.

9. Life After Deliverance

Jesus warned that simply removing an unclean spirit is not enough if a person’s life remains spiritually “empty” (Matthew 12:43–45).

Scripture emphasizes that lasting freedom is nurtured through:

  • repentance,
  • faith in Christ,
  • obedience,
  • prayer,
  • fellowship with other believers,
  • being filled with the Holy Spirit,
  • renewing the mind through God’s Word.

Deliverance is meant to lead into discipleship, not stand alone.

The Summary

From the New Testament, the ministry of deliverance can be summarized in these points:

  • Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
  • He regularly cast out demons as a sign that God’s Kingdom had come.
  • He gave His disciples authority to continue this work in His Name.
  • The apostles practiced deliverance as part of proclaiming the Gospel.
  • The purpose is to bring people into freedom and deeper devotion to Christ.
  • Deliverance always points to the authority and victory of Jesus—not to the power or reputation of the person ministering.

Taken as a whole, the Gospels show that Jesus’ public ministry consistently included three interconnected works: preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and casting out demons. These were not separate missions but complementary expressions of His work to restore people under God’s reign.

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Deliverance: Part 6

July 8th, 2026

Jesus gave us power and authority over the devil and his demons!

Jesus fully exposed the devil and his devices.  With deliverance being roughly a third of Jesus’ ministry, we must not neglect this aspect of ministry.  We need to know our enemy and his devices!

Matthew recorded by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 4:

23 Jesus ministered from place to place throughout all of the province of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues, preaching the wonderful news of the Kingdom and healing every kind of sickness and disease among the people.

24 His fame spread throughout all Syria! Many people who were in pain and suffering with every kind of illness were brought to Jesus for their healing—epileptics, paralytics, and those tormented by demonic powers were all set free. Everyone who was brought to Jesus was healed!

And in Matthew chapter 8:

14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.

15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a Word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

And in Matthew chapter 12:

22 Then one was brought to Jesus who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.

23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

26 If satan casts out satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

27 And if I cast out demons by beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

This passage is one of the clearest teachings of Jesus about His authority over demons and the arrival of God’s Kingdom.

A man was brought to Jesus who was:

  • Demon-possessed
  • Blind
  • Unable to speak

This verse demonstrates an important Biblical principle: sometimes physical affliction has a spiritual cause. However, Scripture does not teach that all sickness is caused by demons. Jesus healed many diseases that were not described as demonic and also cast out demons when they were the cause.

In this case, after Jesus cast out the demon, the man’s sight and speech were restored immediately.

The title “Son of David” is a messianic title.  The crowds were beginning to wonder:  “Is this the Messiah we have been waiting for?”  Why?

Because the Old Testament foretold that when the Messiah came He would:

  • Heal the sick
  • Open blind eyes
  • Deliver captives
  • Demonstrate God’s Kingdom

Jesus’ miracles pointed directly to those promises.

Rather than denying that a miracle occurred, the Pharisees accepted that the demon had actually been cast out. Their accusation was about the source of Jesus’ power.

Jesus exposes their logic to be false.

His argument is straightforward.  Demons do not wage war against themselves to destroy satan’s kingdom.

This is the key verse.

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Everything hinges on the word if.

Jesus presents two possibilities:

  • Either satan is defeating himself (which makes no sense), or
  • The Holy Spirit is empowering Jesus.

If the second is true—and Jesus says it is—then something profound has happened.

The Kingdom of God is no longer merely a future hope.  It has arrived in the person of the King.  Every demon expelled demonstrated that satan’s rule was being invaded by God’s reign.

This passage reveals several important Truths:

1. Jesus has complete authority over demons.

There is no struggle or uncertainty.  The demons obey Him immediately.

This fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 61, which foretold that the Messiah would proclaim liberty to the captives.

2. Deliverance is evidence that God’s Kingdom is present.

Jesus did not perform deliverance merely to relieve suffering.  Each deliverance was a visible sign that God’s Kingdom was overcoming the kingdom of darkness.

His miracles authenticated His identity as the Messiah.

4. Spiritual warfare is real.

Jesus treated demons as real personal beings, not merely symbols of evil.

His ministry consistently included:

  • Preaching the Kingdom
  • Healing diseases
  • Casting out demons

These ministries often worked together as signs of God’s redemptive work.

Jesus attributes His ministry to “the Spirit of God.” His authority is exercised in perfect union with the Father and through the Holy Spirit.  Our authority is derived from Christ, not self-generated.

The emphasis of Matthew 12 is not on techniques for confronting evil spirits but on who Jesus is. His power over demons is evidence that He is the promised Messiah and that, through Him, the Kingdom of God has broken into the world.

Every deliverance in His ministry points to His ultimate victory over sin, satan, and death through His cross and resurrection.

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