EXPECTED

“But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) … The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:9, 11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Energetically 

Xenial 

Presentations

Exemplifying 

Christ

Through 

Educational 

Demonstrations 

    Yielding control in our lives, of our lives, is one of the most terrifying and energizing experiences we can allow ourselves. It is terrifying when we yield control of our actions to our sinful nature! Yet, when we yield control to the Holy Spirit, it is the most energizing and gratifying experience. Yielding to the Holy Spirit gives us life, purpose, and access to transformational power. We energetically overcome the problems, setbacks, and sin that separates us from the presence of God. These things are only possible by the Spirit of God living in us.

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” … Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” … “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” … “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:1, 6, 12, 16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    As Christians we live as aliens and strangers in this world because we have been granted “power to become the children of God.” Often in these acrostic messages I use unfamiliar words to make a point, and I’ve been asked by some readers to define those words when I use them. Xenial is just such a word. It comes from Ancient Greek and indicates hospitality between visitors from different countries and cultures. It refers to the relationship with their hosts. Being citizens of Heaven, traveling through this world, I believe it sums up our response to the world around us; Not that we should be friends with the world, but that we should exhibit hospitality and peace inviting others into a relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior.

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:12-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    The gifts and abilities we have been given should be offered to those around us as our presentations of true worship. When we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and follow His leadership the church is strengthened and the Kingdom of God is established in us. By the evidence of our faith the world will see Christ. Upon seeing Him they will be motivated to make a decision, - “How will you respond to Christ?” - is the ultimate question.

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. … 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.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1, 6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Surrendering to the Holy Spirit is not going into some mindless trance. It is our consensus submission to speak what we have been given and take actions that glorify God. Miracles, signs, and wonders go beyond human understanding. They only happen as the result of prayer and our active faithful response to God’s direction through the Holy Spirit.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. … They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:4-5, 11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Presentations and manifestations of the Holy Spirit working in our lives will draw those who are seeking God into a relationship with Him. We are examples of God’s presence and power. 

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22-26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit is the most noticeable way of exemplifying Christ. We experience the grace of God to share the grace of God! Each word used to describe the Fruit of the Spirit contains within itself the essence of healing. Salvation is a miracle of healing and restoration. The Gifts of the Spirit are poured out through the Body of Christ, which is composed of all those who have accepted Him as Lord and live according to the mandates of the Bible. Bringing glory to the Father is not optional. It is the product of a life devoted to God.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:12-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    All the aspects of the Christian life can, and in fact have been, explored on an intellectual level, but if we desire the fullness of God, we must dig deeper spiritually. In 1889 the phrase, “a mile wide, but an inch deep” was introduced to America. Edgar Nye, a journalist, introduced the phrase which was quickly adapted from its original context to mean a person’s knowledge was superficial. Is it going too far to say we, the church, are three miles wide and still only an inch deep?

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6:1-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    The educational demonstrations we present will not reach the expected outcome void of the Holy Spirit.  We are not the ones who are doing the teaching. We are the ones who are being taught. The demonstrations are not of human design. They are the outpouring of the power of God.

“The voice said to me, “Son of man, eat what I am giving you—eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel.” … Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a loud rumbling sound behind me. (May the glory of the Lord be praised in his place!) It was the sound of the wings of the living beings as they brushed against each other and the rumbling of their wheels beneath them.” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3:1, 12-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

    God is sending us. He has equipped us. He has a plan and has given us His promises. He will bring about His expected outcome. Jesus told those He healed, “According to your faith be it unto you.” God asked Ezekiel, “Son of man, can these bones live?” Now we are being asked, “Do you trust Me?”

“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. … He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The Lord has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim, “This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25:1, 8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬