Tag-Archive for » Holy Spirit «

1.  I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most comtemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Potitus, a priest, of the settlement (vicus) of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive.  I was at that time about sixteen years of age.  I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people, according to our deserts, for quite drawn away from God, we did not keep his precepts, nor were we obedient to our priests who used to remind us of our salvation.  And the Lord brought down on us the fury of his being and scattered us among many nations, even to the ends of the earth, where I, in my smallness, am now to be found among foreigners.

2.  And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my ingisnificance and pitied my youth and ignorance.  And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son.

3.  Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity.  For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.

4.  For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the spirit with the Father, indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by him.  He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe.  And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds.  And he poured out his Holy Spirit on us in abundance, the gift and pledge of immortality, which makes the believers and the obedient into sons of God and co-heirs of Christ who is revealed, and we worship one God in the Trinity of holy name.

5.  He himself said through the prophet:  ‘Call upon me in the day of’ trouble;  I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’  And again:  ‘It is right to reveal and publish abroad the works of God.’

6.  I am imperfect in many things, nevertheless I want my brethren and kinsfolk to know my nature so that they may be able to perceive my soul’s desire.

7.  I am not ignorant of what is said of my Lord in the Psalm:  ‘You destroy those who speak a lie.’  And again;  ‘A lying mouth deals death to the soul.’  And likewise the Lord says in the Gospel:  ‘On the day of judgment men shall render account for every idle word they utter.’

8.  So it is that I should mightily fear, with terror and trembling, this judgment on the day when no one shall be able to steal away or hide, but each and all shall render account for even our smallest sins before the judgment seat of Christ the Lord.

9.  And therefore for some time I have thought of writing, but I have hesitated until now, for truly, I feared to expose myself to the criticism of men, because I have not studied like others, who have assimilated both Law and the Holy Scriptures equally and have never changed their idiom since their infancy, but instead were always learning it increasingly, to perfection, while my idiom and language have been translated into a foreign tongue.  so it is easy to prove from a sample of my writing, my ability in rhetoric and the extent of my preparation and knowledge, ofr as it is said,  ‘wisdom shall be recognized in speech, and in understanding, and in knowledge and in the learning of truth.’

10.  But why make excuses close to the truth, especially when now I am presuming to try to grasp in my old age what I did not gain in my youth because my sins prevented me from making what I had read my own?  But who will believe me, even though I should say it again?  A young man, almost a beardless boy, I was taken captive before I knew what I should desire and what I should shun.  So, consequently, today I feel ashamed and I mightily afraid to expose my ignorance, because, (not) eloquent, with a small vocabulary, I am unable to explain as the spirit is eager to do and as the soul and the mind indicate.

11.  But had it been given to me as to others, in gratitude I should not have kept silent, and if it should appear that I put myself before others, with my ignorance and my slower speech, in truth, it is written: ‘The tongue of the stammerers shall speak rapidly and distinctly.’  How much harder must we try to attain it, we of whom it is said: ‘You are in epistle of Christ in gretting to the ends of the earth . . .written on your hearts, not with ink but with the Spirit of the loving God.’  And again, the Spirit witnessed that the rustic life was created by the Most High.

12.  I am, then, first of all, countryfied, an exile, evidently unlearned, one who is not able to see into the future, but I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and he that is mighty came and in his mercy raised me up and , indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for his great favours in this world and for ever, that the mind of man cannot measure.

13.  Therefore be amazed, you great and small who fear God, and you men of God, eloquent speakers, listen and comtemplate.  Who was it summoned me, a fool, from the midst of those who appear wise and learned in the law and powerful in rhetoric and in all things?  Me, truly wretched in this world, he inspired before others that I could be–if I would–such a one who, with fear and reverence, and faithfully, without complaint, would come to the people to whom the love of Christ brought me and gave me in my lifetime, if I should be worthy, to serve them truly and with humility.

14.  According, therefore, to the measure of one’s faith in the Trinity, one should preceed without holding back from danger to make known the gift of God and everlasting consolation, to spread God’s name everywhere with confidence and without fear, in order to leave behind, after my death, foundations for my brethren and sons whom I baptized in the Lord in so many thousands.

15.  And I was not worthy, nor was I such that the Lord should grant his humble servant this, that after hardships and such great trials, after captivity, after many years, he should give me so much favour in these people, a thing which in the time of my youth I neither hoped for nor imagined.

16.  But after I reached Ireland I used to pasture the flock each day and I used to pray many times a day.  More and more did the love of God, and my fear of him and faith increase, and my spirit was moved so that in a day (I said) from one up to a hundred prayers, and in the night a like number; besides I used to stay out in the forests and on the mountain and I would wake up before daylight to pray in the snow, in icy coldness, in rain, and I used to feel neither ill nor any slothfulness, because, as I now see, the Spirit was burning in me a t that time.

33.  I have said enough.  But all the same, I ought not to conceal God‘s gift which he lavished on us in the land of my captivity, for then I sought him resolutely, and I found him there, and he preserved me from all evils (as i believe) through the in-dwelling of his Spirit, which works in me to this day.  Again, boldly, but God knows, if this had been made know to me by man, I might, perhaps, have kept silent for the love of Christ.

34.  thus I give untiring thanks to God who kept me faithful in the day of my temptation,so that today I may condifently offer my soul as a living sacrifice for Christ my Lord; who am I, Lord/ or, rather, what is my calling? that you appeared to me in so great a divine quality, so that today among the barbarians I might constantly exalt and magnify your name in whatever place I should be, and not only in good fortune, but even in affliction?  so that whatever befalls me, be it good or bad, I should accept it equally, and give thanks always to God who revealed to me that I might trust in him, implicitly and forever, and who will encourage me so that, ignorant, and in the last days, I may dare to undertake so devout and so wonderful a work; so that I might imitate one of those whom, once, long ago, the Lord already pre-ordained to be heralds of his Gospel to witness to all peoples to the ends of the earth.  So are we seeing, and so it is fulfilled; behold, we are witnesses because the gospel has been preached as far as the places beyond which no man lives.

35.  But it is tedious to describe in detail all my labours one by one.  I will tell briefly how most holy God frequently delivered me, from slavery, and from the twelve trials with which my sould was threatened, from man traps as well, and from things I am not able to put into words.  i would not cause offence to readers, but I have God as witness who knew all things even before they happened, that, though I was a poor, ignorant waif, still he gave me abundant warnings through devine prophecy.

36.  Whence came to me this wisdom which was not my own, I who neither knew the number of days nor had knowledge of God?  Whence came the so great and so healthful gift of knowing or rather loving God, though I should lose homeland and family?

37.  And many gifts were offered to me with weeping and tears, and I offended them (the donors), and also went against the wishes of a good number of my elders; but guided by God, I neither agreed with them nor deferred to them, not by my own grace but by God who is victorious in me and withstands them all, so that I might come to the Irish people to preach the Gospel and endure insults from unbelievers; that I might hear scandal of my travels, and endure many persecutions to the extent of prison; and so that I might give up my free birthright for the advantage of others, and if i should be worthy, I am ready (to give) even my life without hesitation; and most willingly for His name.  And I choose to devote it to him even unto death, if God grant it to me.

38.  I am greatly God’s debtor, because he granted me so much grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God, and soon a after confirmed, and that clergy would be ordained everywhere for them, the masses lately come to belief, whom the Lord drew from the ends of the earth, just as he once promised through his prophets:  ‘To you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, “Our fathers have inherited naught but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.”‘  and again: ‘I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles that you may bring slavation to the uttermost ends of the earth.’

39.  And I wish to wait then for his promise thich is never unfulfilled, just as it is promised in the Gospel:  ‘Many shall come from east and west and shall sit at  table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.’  Just as we believe that believers will come from all the world.

40.  So for that reason one should, in fact, fish well and diligently, just as the Lord foretells and teaches, saying, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,’  and , again, through the prophets: ‘”Behold, I am sending forth many fishers and hunters,” says the Lord, ‘ et ceters.  so it behoved us to spread our nets, that a vast multitude and throng might be caught for God, and so there might be clergy everywhere who baptized and exhorted a needy and desirous people.  Just as the Lord says in the Gospel, admonishing and instructing:  ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them ot observe all that i have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the end of time.’  And again he says: ‘Go forth into the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.  He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe shall be condemned.’  And again: ‘This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached through the whole world as a witness to all nations; and then the end of the world shall come.’  And likewise the Lord fortells through the prophet: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days (sayeth the Lord) that i will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams; yea, and on my menservants and my maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit and they shall prophesy.’  and in Hosea he says: ‘Those who are not my people I will call my people, and those not beloved I will call my beloved, and in the very place where it was said to them,  “You are not my people,” they will be called ‘Sons of the living God.”‘

41.  So, haw is it that in Ireland, where they never had any knowledge of God but, always, until now, cherished idols and unclean things, they are lately become a people of the Lord, and are called children of God; the sons of the Irish (Scotti) and the daughtersof the chieftains are to be seen as monks and virgins of Christ.

42.  And there was, besides, a most beautiful, blessed native-born noble Irish (Scotta) woman of adult age whom I baptized; and a few days later she had reason to come to us to intimate that she had recieved a prophecy from a divine messenger (who) adivsed her that she should become a virgin of christ and she would draw nearer to God.  Thanks be to God, six days from then, opportunely and most eagerly, she took the course that all virgins of God take, not with their fathers’ consent but enduring the persecutions and deceitful hindrances of their parents.  notwithstanding that, their number increases, (we do not know the number of them  that are so reborn) besides the wodows and those who practise self-denial.  those who are kept in slavery suffer the most.  They endure terrors and constant threats, but the lord has given grace to many of his handmaidens, for even though they are forbidden to do so, still they resolutely follow his example.

43.  So it is that even if I should wish to separate from them in order to go to Britain, and most willingly was I prepared to go to my homeland and kinsfolk–and not only there, but as far as Gaul to visit the brethren there, so that I might see the faces of the holy ones of my Lord, God knows how strongly I desired this–I am bound by the Spirit, who witnessed to me that if I did so he would mark me out as quilty, and I fear to waste the labour that I began, and not I, but Christ the Lord, who commanded me to come to be with them for the rest of may life, if the Lord shall will it and shield me from every evil, so that I may not sin before him.

44.  So I hope that I did as I ought, but I do not trust myself as long as I am in this mortal body, for he is strong who strives daily to turn me away from the faith and true holiness to which I aspire until the end of my life for Christ my Lord, but the hostile flesh is always dragging one down to death, that is, to unlawful attractions.  And I know in part why I did not lead a perfect life like other believers, but I confess to my Lord and do not blush in his sight, because I am not lying; from the time when I came to know him in my youth, the love of God and fear of him increased in me, and right up until now, by God’s favour, I ahve kept the faith.

45.  What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes.  I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, (he) who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.

46.  Thus, I should give thanks unceasingly to God, who frequently forgave my folly and my negligence, in more than on instance so as not to be violently angry with me, who am placed as his helper, and I did not easily assent to what had been revealed to me, as the Spirit was urging; and the Lord took pity on me thousands upon thousands of times, because he saw within me that I was prepared, but that I was ignorant of what to do in view of my situation; because many were trying to pervent this mission.  They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: ‘Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger among enemies who know not God?’  Not from malice, but having no liking for it; likewise, as I myself can testify, they perceived my rusticity.  And I was not quick to recognize the grace that ws then in me; I now know that I should have done so earlier.

47.  Now I have put it frankly to my brethren and co-workers, who have believed me because of what I have foretold and still foretell to strengthen and reinforce your faith.  I wish only that you, too, would make greater and better efforts.  This will be my pride, for ‘a wise son makes a proud father’.

48.  You know, as God does, how I went about among you from my youthj in the faith of truth and in sincerity of heart.  As well as to the heathen among whom I live, I have shown them trust and always show them trust.  God knows I dod not cheat any one of them, nor consider it, for the sake of God and his Church, lest the Lord’s name be blasphemed because of me, for it is written:  ‘Woe to the men through whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed.’

NOW STAY WITH ME . . .

I was helping out in the junior high school youth group and this was the message.  I had never looked at these verses in this way before.  Look at them with me and see what the Holy Spirit teaches you.  Lets go to 1 John 2:18-29

18  Children, it is the last hour! (John is talking about the last days, the time between Christ‘s first and second coming)  As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now MANY antichrist have come. (antichrist=is someone who is against or puts them selves in the place of Christ. Selfcenteredness)  From this we know that it is the last hour.  19  They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. (The antichrists were not total strangers to the church; they once belonged to it, but they did not comtinue.  Some people may call themselves Christians for less than the best reasons.  Perhaps going to church is a family tradition, or they like the social and business contacts or a long standing habit.  They never stopped to ask themeselves why they do it.  What is your main reason for being a Christian ??  Unless it is a Christ centered reason, you may not really belong.)  But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us.  20  But you have been anointed by the Holy One and all of you have knowledge. (Anointed is when you put your faith in Christ and then the Holy Spirit dwells within you.  Anoint means to rub or smite.)  21  I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you you know it, and you know that no lie comes from the truth.  22  WHO IS THE LIAR BUT THE ONE WHO DENIES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST??  THIS IS THE ANTICHRIST, THE ONE WHO DENIES THE FATHER AND THE SON. 

23 No one who denies the Son has the Father; everyone who confesses the Son has the Father also.

24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and Father.  25  And this is what he has promised us, eternal life.

26 I write these things to you concerning those who would decieve you.

27 As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.  (Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit to teach his followers and remind them of all that he had taught.  Christians have the Holy Spirit within them (anointing) to keep them from going astray.  They also have the God inspired Scriptures.  To stay true to Christ, we must follow his word and his Spirit.  Let the Holy spirit help you discern truth from error)

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming. 29  If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who does right has been born of him.

Those ten verses are amazing when you look at them.  So, anytime I am not Christ centered I am anti-christ.  That is quite a thought.  That bible study has really stuck with me and I have been meditating on it and really trying to stay in prayer and the presence of Christ.  I really wanted to share it and hope that you also could grow and turn again to your “first love,” Christ our Savior.  Our all in all.

Thanks for joining.

I pray that God‘s Holy Spirit will decend on our country and world this year.

That all seeking hearts will find Christ and live for Him.

I pray that all hardened hearts will soften to then seek their Precious Creator.

I pray the the Holy Spirit will spread far and wide and there will be rejoicing like never before for the Joy of the Lord.

For those who are suffering, I pray for peace in the presence in the Lord.

I know we all have prayers and mine can not cover even a fraction, but I wanted to extent some thoughts and prayers for the opening of a new year.  Be safe, walk with Jesus, share Jesus, keep the faith, stay in the word, and I hope your New Year is all that God wants it to be.

New Year

O Lord,

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from thee, but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth thy praise, testify thy love, advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with thee, O Father, as my harbour, thee, O Son, at my helm, thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me, thy comforts to cheer, thy wisdom to teach, thy right hand to guide, thy counsel to instruct, thy law to judge, thy presence to stabilize.

May thy fear be my awe, thy triumphs my joy.

Image by Harpersbizarre via Flickr

v18-Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise:  When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

v19-Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

v20-But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife:  for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

v21-And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

v22-Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

v23-Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  (Isaiah 7:14)

v24-Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

v25-And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Image via Wikipedia

For wisdom and cohesiveness to characterize the teamwork of the President-and Vice President-Elect.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  Psalm 133:1

Lord God, You know all hearts and You discern our motives in ways we cannot know.  You are wise and good and truthful in all things, and You bring together that which can easily be torn apart.  You love unity and in Your triune nature, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are a holy personification of what you desire for all himan relationships.

Today we ask that you bring oneness to our President and Vice President-Elect.  give them unity in all they do, from national policy to work in Congress, to respect for each other. Let them experience a pleasure they did not anticipate, and a joy they could not experience if they were divided and contentious.  We give You glory for this, in the name of Christ our Lord, Amen

Living for Jesus

O Saviour of Sinner,

Thy name is excellent, they glory high, thy compassions unfailing, thy condescension wonderful, thy mercy tender.

I bless thee for the discoveries, invitations, promises of the gospel, for in them is pardon for rebels, liberty for captives, health for the sick, salvation for the lost.

I come to thee in thy beloved name of Jesus; re-impress thy image upon my soul; Raise me above the smiles and frowns of the world, regarding it as a light thing to be judged by men; My thy approbation be my only aim, thy Word my one rule.

Make me to abhor that which grieves thy Holy Spirit, to suspect consolations of  worldly nature, to shun a careless way of life, to reprove evil, to instruct with meekness those who oppose me, to be gentle and patient towards all men, to be not only a professor but an example of the gospel, displaying in every relation, office, and condition it’s excellency, loveliness and advantages.

How little have I illustrated my principles and improved my privileges!

How seldom have I served my generation!

How often have I injured and not recommended my redeemer!

How few are those blessed through me!

In many things I have offended, in all com short of thy glory;

Pardon my iniquity, for it is great!!

Brother

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister and mother.  Matthew 12:50

For both he that sanctified and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,  Hebrews 2:11

For whom he did forknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed  to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Romans