Exhortations for The Soul

It’s amazing the revelation one can get once we allow the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher.   Fresh anointing for spiritual warfare is one of the topics that came to me amongst the several others, and I put it off until these last few days because I quite frankly thought it was a bit above my head.   But as we continue this season of inviting the Holy Spirit to anoint us afresh each morning, I was reminded of John 14:26, reading from the NLT version: “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”   Growing up a Methodist and later going to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, spiritual warfare was not something I heard much about. But over the last 10 and a half years, through this ministry, I have learnt that spiritual warfare does not only refer to literal demons or evil spirits, but to more subtle areas as well. But what was so encouraging for me is learnin...

The subject of infighting within the Body of Christ is one that has been going on for a long time and it continues today. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 spoke about factions within the Corinthian church, urging unity and reminding them that Christ is the centre of their faith, not individual leaders. In James 4:1-3, James gave a reason for division within the Body of Christ. He pointed out that this often stemmed from selfish desires and wrong motives, and he called on believers to seek God with humility. So fights, conflicts, disagreements are nothing new. Doesn’t make it right. But it’s a sad reality that we have seen happening throughout the ages. Thanks be to God we are not left without wise counsel, from Jesus Himself, who provided a framework for resolving conflicts within the church.   In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus emphasized direct communication and accountability. So, unity in the Body of Christ, the community of believers in Jesus Christ, is not just an ideal sit...

I s any among us really still shy to talk about the goodness of God in our lives? Surely not.   But if by chance you are, I trust you will be encouraged today to seek fresh anointing for boldness and evangelism, to do as the Lord has asked us to in Matthew 28:18-20. Reading from The Message version of The Bible, “Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”” This was not just an order for the disciples, but for us as well today. The timelessness of the language supports the idea that this mission remains central to the identity and purpose of the church today.   So why do some people believe that it’s a job only for ...

So what is discernment? More specifically, what is spiritual discernment? Discernment is the ability to judge well. In the spiritual context, this is a gift cultivated by the Holy Spirit, studying the scriptures, and through a close relationship with God.   We get or have spiritual discernment as we grow in faith. We are better equipped to know right from wrong, truth from lies or deception, and good from evil. But we need that fresh anointing.   We need that unction from the Holy Spirit, that divine enablement that teaches us all things and aligns our understanding with God’s Word. 1 John 2:20, 27 NLT says “But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with C...