But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

 Manifestation for the common good:

 

1 Corinthians 12:7, 11

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

           

            Notice that it says to each one is given the manifestation (or expression) of the Spirit for the common good. We’re all supposed to be manifesting or expressing the Holy Spirit. Most Christians are not doing that. Some are actually manifesting what seems like the exact opposite spirit. Usually it’s just the flesh.

            Do you want to get more out of church? Then allow the Holy Spirit to express Himself through you in the church … whether in a service or in some other way during the week. You don’t have to be a preacher to be manifesting the Spirit. What is the purpose of this expressing of the Spirit? It’s not to lift you up so everyone says, “Oooo. Look at him/her.” It’s for the common good. If it’s not bringing good to the church community, it’s not the Spirit being manifested.

            You don’t have to get good enough for this manifestation to happen. If that were true, there wouldn’t be any manifestation at all. Also, you don’t get to choose which manifestation you have. The Spirit chooses and does the work. He knows what’s best. One person may want to pray for the sick and see them healed. That’s a good thing to want. But if you get tunnel vision and are only looking for that manifestation to occur in your life, you may miss out on something even better for you and for the Church. Allow Him to choose and to manifest Himself.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You have Me residing in you, My children because you have My Spirit residing in you. He will show you the way to live your lives and to walk in My Kingdom and power. He will show you the way to manifest My presence and My power in your lives. He will show you how to minister to one another and to those in the world. He will manifest My power and My gifts that I have given unto you. They are to be used to help your fellow believers and to bring others into the Kingdom. You will not be alone; for He will show you the way to walk in My power in My Spirit.”           

 

            52. I will allow the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself in me in the way He desires so that I may bring good to my fellow believers.

 

            The Holy Spirit in us and in our lives is our destiny. This is what God had in mind all along. He wasn’t some afterthought. He is the real deal. When I allow Him to operate freely in my life, I will show forth to others what God has in store for His believers and will bless those around me.

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

 Anointing:

 

1 John 2:20

20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.

 

            The anointing oil of the Holy Spirit has flowed over our lives. His anointing dwells within us. This anointing will direct our lives, if we let it. It will guide us when we have a decision to make. If we go in the direction God wants us to go, the anointing will bring peace within. If we don’t, there will be a “tightening” within, and we’ll know that we shouldn’t do whatever it was that we were about to do. Also, when we sense this anointing within, we can know that we know we are saved!

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My Spirit has come upon you to anoint you with power. It is the power to accomplish My will in the earth. My will is to bring all into the Kingdom who will truly follow Me. You are My ambassadors to the world to bring them into the Kingdom. When they see My power residing upon you, they will want what you have. They will come unto you and say, “How can we know the Living God? How can we come into His Kingdom?” You will show them the way; for that is why I have chosen you. You will know the way to bring this about  because of My Spirit which is in you; and He shall direct your paths as you allow Him to have control over your lives.”

 

            51. I have the anointing of the Holy Spirit within and I know that God indwells me. I also know by His anointing when I am in God’s will.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

                                                                         Chapter 6

Results in Your Life

 

            My math students are always asking, “How can we use this in real life?” Well, how can we use this destiny thing in real life? That’s what this chapter is all about. It goes through some of the verses that we have not already looked at in the previous two volumes. We can see further how God wants us to use what is ours to bring about His Kingdom in our lives.

Overcoming:

             Victory in Christ:

           

1 Corinthians 15:57

57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

            He gives us the victory. We don’t have to earn it. We couldn’t earn it; otherwise, we wouldn’t need Him. We don’t just barely make it, either. We have victory. This victory is through Jesus. Notice that it says our Lord Jesus Christ. If He’s not Lord, you won’t be having victory in your life. You will always be struggling to accomplish what He’s already done in our lives.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are not losers, My children. You are winners through Me. I have chosen you to be conquerors through Me. You are champions in My Book. You cannot be defeated as long as you trust in Me. I will show you the way to always win in Me. You are undefeated in Me. You are always overcomers in Me. You are to champion My cause to the world to bring them to Me. Then they too will be overcomers in this life and in the next.”

 

            55. I have victory through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am more than a conqueror.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

 Liberty:

II Cor 3:17

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

            “Give me liberty, or give me death.” When you’ve tasted the freedom of the Holy Spirit, then you do say to give you that liberty or to give you death. There is nothing like it. Too many Christians try to live the Christian life in their own power. You can’t. You will wear yourself out trying. It is only as you follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit that you will be able to live it. This liberty doesn’t mean that you can do just any old thing that comes to your mind. But if you are following the directions of the Holy Spirit, then the things that come to your mind will be those that are acceptable to God; you will be free to do whatsoever you desire. Remember … the Holy Spirit must be Lord for this to be true.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are free; My children … free to release yourselves in My love. For I have given you the Kingdom gladly. You shall walk in My freedom as you allow Me to control your lives. The world says that is not freedom, but I say that there is freedom in no other way. You cannot be free apart from Me. Worship Me and stay in My freedom. My Spirit guides you into the true liberty in Me.”

 

            50. The Spirit is Lord in my life. Therefore, I have complete liberty.

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

 Work of the Holy Spirit:

 

            Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit:

 Romans 14:17

17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

                 We get so caught up in the trappings of looking Christian to those around us and doing those things expected of us that we forget what the Kingdom of God is all about. It is living the holy life; living in peace with God and man; and rejoicing always in the Holy Spirit. If we are content with these, we shall truly be able to accomplish all God has in mind for us. Also, others will want to enter the Kingdom too.

 

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "Many people have rules and regulations to come unto Me. I have but one … that you desire to be with Me. You shall come unto Me whenever you desire. You shall be in My company all the days of your life. You shall never wither, and you shall never die as long as you stay in Me. You are in My Kingdom when you desire to be with Me; and you shall be protected from the ills of the world as you reside daily in My love.”

 

            49. I am in the Kingdom of God and will walk continually in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.