October 2016

Welcome! We’re looking forward to another exciting month of ministry with new articles and brochures. One is called The Christian’s Toolbox, as a reminder to renew your way of thinking with core beliefs.

“…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” 1

Our Core Identity…

Our core is the center of our being. As Christians, the Holy Spirit lives in our core. He empowers us to live an abundant life. Before He came into my heart in ’75, I was accustomed to living in the flesh (self), but now I have “…the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 3

Today, you can have a powerful core identity through faith in Jesus Christ. He desires for you to experience an intimate, personal relationship with Him, as the Holy Spirit flows through you being. That is, core love, core peace, core joy, core acceptance, core security, core significance, core purpose and so much more. The apostle John explained, “…the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 4

Our Core Power…

The power of the Holy Spirit flows from our core. As a person, He is freed to baptize (immerse) is in God’s presence when we take authority over our life as a priest through faith in the blood and the name of Jesus. He is no longer grieved nor quenched by the sin of unbelief, but through faith in God’s grace, He is free to flow forth as rivers of living water. Jesus says,

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 5

We have the power of the Holy Spirit for witness. 6 He is promised to you and your children, 7 to all who ask Him. 8 Jesus not only gives salvation, but baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 9 We receive the promise of the Holy Spirit by faith. 10 Faith comes by hearing God’s Word concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 2, 8, 10, & 19 – believe and receive it!

Praise the Lord, letting the Spirit give you the words, even new syllables in tongues for greater power, boldness, desire to pray and praise God continually and effectively for witnessing and ministering to others. Also, we have God’s anointing for comfort, teaching, remembrance, testimony, reproof, guidance and revelation. 11

Our Core Fruit…

At the same time, our Spiritual core produces more seed for planting in the hearts of others. The seed is the word of Spirit and Life bringing forth this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 12 All these fruit are in us once born again of the Spirit, but not necessarily producing more fruit yet. 13

Jesus said, “…I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” 14

He went on to say, “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” 15

Our Core Gifts…

Our core is filled with different kinds of Spiritual gifts so we can help each other in different ways. These gifts work by God’s love. We are commanded to, “Follow after charity (GK. agape), and desire Spiritual gifts…” 16 Charity is the love that Jesus commanded us to remain in so that we would overflow with joy.

The joy of the Lord is our strength, 17 to operate in the gifts of His Spirit. “There are different kinds of Spiritual gifts but the same Spirit as the source of them all… wisdom… knowledge… faith….healing… prophecy… discerning the spirits… tongues and interpretation of tongues… He alone decides which gift(s) each person should have,” 18 all from the prompting of the Spirit.

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.” 19

A Prayer for You…

Thank You Jesus for loving me. Today I receive Your complete forgiveness in my life for all my sins, mistakes and failings. I release them all into Your loving hands. I declare that in You, I am completely forgiven, free, accepted, favored, righteous, blessed and healed from every sickness and disease, because You reign in the core of my heart. I release You to flow through my mind, will and emotions, anointing me to be a blessing in word and deed through Your fruit and gifts in my live. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Scripture References (NLT):