Jackpot!

Warriors Arise: October 29, 2020

Luke 24:48-49 (NKJV) And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

What is the Promise? Why is "Promise" capitalized? The disciples do not find out until later that the Promise is not a what but a Who. The Promise is the Holy Spirit, the third part of the Trinity; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each fulfilling a specific role in mankind. God the Holy Spirit is an integral part of the Trinity. He is necessary in our opportunity to become God's child.

Scripture tells us, no one comes to the Father except through Jesus and the Holy Spirit testifies of Jesus.

John 14:6 (NKJK) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 15:26-27 (NKJV) But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

The Holy Spirit is already involved in our lives before we accept the salvation Jesus offers. When someone is sharing of their experience with God and that Jesus is the way to eternal life in heaven, the Holy Spirit stirs in us and tells us they are speaking the truth. Most people do not reject God because they believe what they just heard is a lie. They reject God, because they do not want God to lead them. They see God's leading as being in control or in charge of their life. They see this as a bad thing; because they do not understand God knows time past, time present, and time to come. He knows what will benefit each one of us the most. He sets those things in motion so we will fulfill our destiny. God created us with a purpose. When we do not follow the purpose for which we were created, we grow dull and complacent. Complacency leads to apathy and apathy leads to bondage. The book of Judges reveals this over and over again. Nobody is happy or content when they are complacent.

Another reason people do not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior is because they see it as giving up their own personal say-so in a matter. However, what they fail to understand, love is a choice. God gives us a choice. Of course He wants us to choose Him and to choose to follow Him, but that is because He knows we will live our best life walking in the plans He has for us, rather than if we choose to live without Him. As a parent, I want what is best for each of my children. No matter how old they get; I have a feeling that will never go away. God is the best parent we could ever have. No matter how great your parents have been or how great I have been to my children, God is better.

Luke 11:9-13 (NKJV) So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

This makes me wonder if the disciples could have had the Holy Spirit at this time rather than waiting until Jesus ascended to heaven. There are times when I want my children to get the answer. I want to give them the prize or reward so I tell them exactly what they need to do. Jesus is telling the disciples the answer: Once you are God's child, the best gift you could ask for is the HOLY SPIRIT! Jesus even ends His teaching with an exclamation mark. He wasn't mad. He was excited, hoping they would get the understanding and ask for the Holy Spirit. Isn't it mind boggling that they don't ask?!

In the English translation isn't it neat how God worked it out to emphasize our ask? Check out Luke 11:9, ask begins with an a, seek begins with a s, and knock begins with a k. A.S.K. Pretty cool! Jesus could have put this teaching with anything else; but He put it right before He shares with them of "giving good gifts" and "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to this who ask Him!"

I am curious as to why Luke 11:13 is cross-referenced with James 1:17. When I looked it up I was shocked to see the verse that proceeded it.

James 1:16-17 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

I wanted to quote just verse 17 in James 1 but verse 16 grabbed my attention. I totally understand what is being said. James does not want the people to be deceived. I remember when it hit me that Eve walked with God EVERY DAY and still she was deceived. God actually came from heaven every day and walked with her and Adam. It is so astounding that she could be deceived. Why didn't she wait to ask God about what the serpent was telling her when it was in complete contradiction with what she knew of God? That is another blog. Let's get back to today's blog. Why would John put verse 16 before 17?

So I had to back up to up to James 1:12.

James 1:12-17 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

The original Scripture didn't come with chapter and verse; therefore, my understanding is that everyone is tempted but not everyone has to indulge in the temptation. We have been given a good gift, the perfect gift to strengthen us to resist the temptation and send the enemy packing.

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit comforts us through our pain, sorrow, and disappointment. The Holy Spirit speaks to us from the Father. The Holy Spirit strengthens our inner being when we pray. The Holy Spirit brings clarity of mind. The Holy Spirit opens our mind to understand Scripture. Jackpot! You get all that every day, out loud when you have the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is evident in our life as we respond and release:

• Love

• Joy

• Peace

• Patients

• Kindness

• Goodness

• Faithfulness

• Gentleness

• Self control (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jackpot again! With the Holy Spirit we do not have to respond like those without Christ. We have a choice to respond differently and that difference should be noticeable.

The Holy Spirit gives gifts:

• Word of Wisdom

• Word of Knowledge

• Faith

• Gifts of healings

• Working of Miracles

• Prophecy

• Discerning of spirits

• Different kinds of tongues

• Interpretation of tongues (I Corinthians 12:4-11)

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all... 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

I'm not sure what you call a winner who gets Jackpot three times but with the Holy Spirit, you are that winner!

Father, I ask You for the Holy Spirit! How can I pass up on One who gives me exactly what I need, guides me in the way that best for me, and wants me to succeed in the destiny You have for me. I pray You would fill me to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, so that I represent You in all I do. I pray there would be a difference in me from unbelievers. I ask for Christians all around the world to desire the Holy Spirit. I pray each one would submit their lives to You, follow the Holy Spirit and actively seek to operate in the character of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I pray each one would reach out to those who do not know God. I ask for boldness to come upon each Christian to share Your love and set the captives free as they receive salvation. I pray each one would study the Word and renew their mind, from the world to righteousness in Christ Jesus. I pray each one would embrace their gifting from the Holy Spirit and walk with You in Jesus' name amen.

A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,

Veridee Joy

My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.