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PRAYERGEAR.COM / SPIRITUAL RESOURCE SERVICES NEWSLETTER
August 18, 2000; Issue 58: Who Is the Holy Spirit? Part 3 of 4


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<>< CONTENTS <><

1. Mini-Reflection
2. Cruising Christian Cyberspace!
3. Prayergear.com product and services updates
4. Let us know!
5. Weekly Reflection: "Who Is the Holy Spirit?" (Part 3)

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Greetings to you and it's great to be back in touch! This month we continue to focus on prayer, faith and the nature of the Holy Spirit.

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1. ~~ ** Mini-Reflection ** ~~

In the US there's a saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch. We are conditioned to believe that everything has its price and we must pay it in some way or another. Typically, the kingdom of God opposes worldly views and principles. And the kingdom of God is misunderstood when we try to apply worldly principles to it. "Let us praise God so we can receive His blessing" or "Let us give to God so we can be blessed" are sad applications of worldly principles to His kingdom. This "works-based" practice is not how the kingdom operates nor is it part of God's covenant with us through Christ. We are not saved by God's mercy or love, though these are motivating factors. Rather, the Scriptures declare we are saved by His grace. The Greek translation for "grace" is "unmerited favor." Unmerited means we cannot earn it. So we cannot earn God's blessing by our tithes or praises. His blessing is already given. To obey, give and praise in order to get something from God is spiritual prostitution, trying to buy the sacred with our personal righteousness that the Scriptures call "filthy rags." Instead, our obedience, giving and praising is a response of deep gratitude for God has already bestowed!

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2. ~~ ** Cruising Christian Cyberspace! ** ~~

Our web site feature of the week is

Prayforme.com
(http://www.prayforme.com)

Prayer is powerful and the Holy Spirit is our Intercessor of prayer. This site provides guidance in strengthening our prayer lives as well as testimonies, inspirational essays, scriptural references and a lot more. Prayforme.com is an encouraging site that merits (and will reward) your visit.

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3. ~~ ** Prayergear.com Product and Service Updates ** ~~


The pastor of our affiliate ministry, Fresh Wind Ministries, recommended "Fresh Faith" by Jim Cymbala as a terrific resource to his readers. As you'll read below, Pastor Cymbala inspired this week's Reflection. You can purchase a copy (along with the powerful "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire") by going to the Best Seller section of our online store or directly by

clicking here

Our ministry is totally dependent on your purchases. And if you are not already subscribed to Pastor David's daily "E-Meditations", go to our homepage at

www.prayergear.com

and click on the E-Meds icon! You'll receive a daily dose of God's blessing through His Word.

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4. ~~ ** Let us know! ** ~~

How do you maintain the faith factor? You'll recall our last newsletter observed how Jesus marveled at only two things: People's faith and the lack of it. Everything we do on the worldly level is predicated by faith. I turn on my computer and expect to publish this newsletter. I get in my car and expect the engine to start. And I am not surprised when what I expect happens. That's faith. But how many of us operate the same way in the spiritual realm? Do we really expect a blessing from God today? Do we really expect our prayers to be fulfilled as He promised? Or are we surprised when they are and not surprised when they aren't, chalking it up to some rationalization that it must not have been God's will? Please let us hear from you on this subject and allow us to share your insights and experiences with many others!

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5. ~~ This week's Weekly Reflection follows below ~~

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11:1-2)
"The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!'" (Luke 17:5)

In Christ's service,
John


John S. Hilkevich, Ph.D.
Spiritual Resource Services: Prayergear.com
~ Education, Services and Products
in the Christian Faith ~
www.prayergear.com
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For a more attractively formatted Weekly Reflection or links to previous
Reflections, point your browser to

http://www.prayergear.com/weeklyintro.html

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WEEKLY REFLECTIONS

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

Part 3 of 4

 

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