In Constant Communication

July 20th, 2026

We have the ability to be in constant communication with Our Heavenly Father!

The Holy Spirit connects us with a direct line to Our Heavenly Father.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Thessalonians chapter 5:

17 “Pray without ceasing.”

This is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, yet it expresses one of the deepest principles of the Christian life. Paul is not commanding believers to pray every second of every day without interruption. Rather, he is calling them to live in continual fellowship and dependence on God.

To understand the verse, it helps to look at its context.

Paul closes his letter with a series of brief exhortations:

  • “Rejoice always.” (v.16)
  • “Pray without ceasing.” (v.17)
  • “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (v.18)

These three commands belong together.

  • Joy is the attitude of the heart.
  • Prayer is the posture of the soul.
  • Thanksgiving is the response to God’s faithfulness.

Together, they describe a believer whose life is centered on God.

What does “without ceasing” mean?

The Greek word translated “without ceasing” (G89: adialeiptōs) does not mean an uninterrupted activity with no breaks. It describes something that recurs continually or persistently.

Paul uses the same word elsewhere when he says he remembers believers in prayer “without ceasing” (Romans 1:9). He clearly did not pray for them every second of the day. Rather, they remained a regular and constant part of his prayer life.

The idea is persistent, ongoing communion with God, not nonstop verbal prayer.

We are intended to Live in continual Communion with Our Heavenly Father as Jesus did.

Imagine a close friendship. You may not speak every moment, but throughout the day there is an ongoing relationship. You know the other person is there, and you return to conversation naturally.  Paul is describing something similar in our relationship with God.

Praying without ceasing means:

  • maintaining an awareness of God’s Presence,
  • continually depending on Him,
  • bringing every concern to Him,
  • and remaining open to His guidance.

Prayer becomes the atmosphere in which life is lived, prayer is dependence.  A person who rarely prays often relies primarily on personal wisdom and strength.

A person who prays continually acknowledges:

  • “Lord, I need Your Wisdom.”
  • “Guide my decisions.”
  • “Give me strength.”
  • “Thank You for Your blessings.”
  • “Help me Love others well.”

Prayer becomes woven into everyday life.  Jesus is our perfect example of continual prayer.

Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16).

He prayed:

  • before choosing the Twelve,
  • before major miracles,
  • before His arrest,
  • on the cross,
  • and in thanksgiving to the Father.

Even while actively ministering, He maintained constant communion with the Father. If the sinless Son of God lived this way, how much more do we need continual dependence on God?

Praying without ceasing can include:

  • beginning the day by committing it to God,
  • asking for Wisdom before meetings or decisions,
  • thanking Him for blessings as they come,
  • praying silently for people you encounter,
  • confessing sin promptly,
  • seeking strength during difficulties,
  • ending the day with gratitude and reflection.

These prayers may be only a few words, yet they cultivate a life of fellowship with God.  As I said earlier, The Holy Spirit is vital.

Paul immediately continues:

“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

A prayerful life keeps us attentive to the Holy Spirit’s work. As we remain in conversation with God through His Word and prayer, we become more responsive to His guidance and conviction.

Prayer and anxiety

Paul echoes this teaching in Philippians 4:6–7:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

Instead of carrying every burden alone, believers are invited to turn concerns into prayer. Continual prayer gradually reshapes our perspective and deepens our trust in God’s care.

At its heart, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is an invitation to continual fellowship with God. Prayer is more than presenting requests—it is living in conscious relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

When combined with “rejoice always” and “give thanks in everything,” Paul paints a picture of a mature believer whose life is marked by joy, gratitude, and constant dependence on God.

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140 Witnesses

July 19th, 2026

If you were on a jury and the defense attorney produced 140 witnesses who all experienced the same event, how would you respond? Randy Kay was given an edict to “Take back the narrative!”

The following interview should broaden your understanding:

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Have Compassion

July 18th, 2026

If we are to minister to people as Jesus commanded, we must have compassion!

Compassion was a driving force in Jesus’ ministry.  Jesus did not minister merely to demonstrate power. His power flowed through compassion.

Compassion sees the need.
Love is moved by the need.
Faith believes God can meet the need.
The Power of God acts upon the need.

The Gospels repeatedly say that Jesus “had compassion” or was “moved with compassion.” His compassion was more than sympathy. The Greek word often used, splagchnizomai, describes being deeply moved from within. His compassion repeatedly led to action—teaching, healing, feeding, cleansing, restoring, and raising the dead.

Major examples:

  ScriptureSituationHow Jesus responded
Matthew 9:36The multitudes were weary and scatteredHe saw them as sheep without a shepherd
Matthew 14:14A great crowd followed HimHe healed their sick
Matthew 15:32 / Mark 8:2The crowd had been with Him three days without foodHe fed the 4,000
Matthew 20:34Two blind men cried out for mercyHe touched their eyes and healed them
Mark 1:40–42A leper begged to be cleansedHe touched and cleansed him
Mark 6:34The multitude was spiritually leaderlessHe taught them many things
Mark 9:22–27A father pleaded for his tormented sonJesus delivered and restored the boy
Luke 7:11–15A widow was burying her only sonJesus raised her son from the dead

1. Compassion for people who were spiritually lost

Matthew 9:36

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Jesus looked beyond people’s outward appearance. He saw their spiritual condition.

They were:

  • Weary
  • Scattered
  • Vulnerable
  • Without proper spiritual leadership

His compassion recognized that humanity’s deepest problem is not merely physical or economic—it is separation from God and the need for a Shepherd.

Immediately afterward Jesus said:

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” — Matthew 9:37

Compassion sees spiritually lost people as a harvest to be reached, not as people to be condemned or avoided.

2. Compassion that healed the sick

Matthew 14:14

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.”

When the crowds followed Him, He responded to their needs.

The sequence is important:

Jesus saw → Jesus was moved with compassion → Jesus healed.

His healing ministry was repeatedly connected with His compassion.  Compassion does not merely notice suffering—it seeks to relieve it.

3. Compassion for people who needed Spiritual Truth

Mark 6:34

“And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”

Notice that Jesus’ compassion did not always result first in a miracle. Here, compassion caused Him to teach.  Why?  Because people need more than temporary relief. They need Truth.

Compassion without Truth may relieve a temporary problem.  Compassion with Truth can transform a life.

4. Compassion for physical hunger

Matthew 15:32

“I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.”

Jesus was concerned that the people might faint on their journey home.  He then multiplied the loaves and fish and fed more than 4,000 people.  Jesus cared about ordinary physical needs.  Spiritual ministry did not make Him indifferent to hunger.

5. Compassion for the blind

Matthew 20:30–34

Two blind men cried:

“Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.”

The crowd tried to silence them, but they cried even louder.

Then:

“So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”

The crowd saw an interruption. Jesus saw two people who needed mercy.  Compassion is willing to be interrupted.

6. Compassion for the rejected and unclean

Mark 1:40–42

A leper came to Jesus and said:

“If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth His Hand, and touched him.”

The touch itself is significant.  A leper was socially isolated and ceremonially unclean. People normally avoided physical contact with lepers. But Jesus touched the untouchable.

Then He said:

“I will; be thou clean.”

Compassion moves toward suffering when others move away from it.

Jesus was not contaminated by the man’s uncleanness. Instead, His cleanness overcame the man’s uncleanness.

7. Compassion for a tormented child and desperate father

Mark 9:17–27

A father brought his son, who was suffering terribly, and pleaded:

“If Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”

Jesus responded by delivering the boy from the unclean spirit and restoring him. 

The compassion of Jesus confronts spiritual bondage and brings freedom.

The pattern of Jesus’ compassion

JESUS SAW
↓
JESUS WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION
↓
JESUS ACTED

What He saw determined the particular response:

  • The lost → He shepherded them
  • The ignorant → He taught them Truth
  • The sick → He healed them
  • The hungry → He fed them
  • The blind → He restored their sight
  • The rejected → He touched and cleansed them
  • The grieving → He comforted and restored
  • The oppressed → He brought freedom

Jesus’ compassion should also characterize His followers.

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

17 If anyone sees a fellow believer in need and has the means to help him, yet shows no pity and closes his heart against him, how is it even possible that God’s Love lives in him?

18 Beloved children, our Love can’t be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of Life demonstrated through our Loving deeds.

19 We know that the Truth lives within us because we demonstrate Love in action, which will reassure our hearts in His Presence.

The clearest summary of Jesus’ earthly ministry is this:

He saw people through the Eyes of the Father, was moved by their condition, and acted in the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT to meet their need!

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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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