Sparkling Gems from the Greek, with Rick Renner

Hebrews 12:15 reminds us that we are the bishops of our own hearts, responsible for guiding, directing, and giving oversight to what goes on inside us. By taking diligent care of our inner lives, we can prevent negative attitudes from taking root and producing bad fruit in our lives.

Reflecting on one's life and accomplishments is a crucial step towards spiritual growth and fulfillment. By honestly assessing their progress, individuals can identify areas for improvement, repent of past failures, and press towards the mark of God's high calling in Christ Jesus.

The devil seeks to gain control over our lives by exploiting unresolved conflicts and unaddressed emotions, particularly in relationships. By recognizing the "entry points" through which he tries to penetrate our minds and hearts, we can choose to shut the doors to his influence and instead walk in forgiveness, love, and mercy, ultimately preventing him from wreaking havoc on our most precious connections with others.

The Bible teaches us that most of our actions in life should be initiated by the Holy Spirit, not by ourselves. By learning to wait for and follow the Spirit's leading, we can avoid pitfalls, achieve more rewarding results, and experience a 100-percent success rate in our endeavors.

The Holy Spirit wants to help believers pray when they don't know how to pray, offering divine guidance and assistance through intercession. By understanding the Greek word "sun" as partnership and cooperation, Christians can tap into the Holy Spirit's supernatural aid in moments of weakness and helplessness.

As a child of God, you have been given supernatural protection wrapped tightly around your head, safeguarding your mind from every mental assault of the devil. By wearing the "helmet of salvation" - a gift that is as intricate and ornate as a Roman soldier's helmet - you can confidently walk in the full knowledge of your salvation and resist the enemy's attacks on your mind.

The law of sowing and reaping, as stated in Galatians 6:7, is a fundamental principle that whatever a man sows, he will also reap. This principle applies to every area of life, including finances, love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, money, bitterness, strife, and more, emphasizing the importance of consistent and habitual giving. The article delves into the meaning and application of this biblical law, encouraging readers to renew their thinking on the truth of sowing and reaping and to make giving a consistent part of their lives.

Jesus offers a solution to those who are weary and heavy laden, promising rest for their souls by taking His yoke upon them. By embracing this partnership, individuals can find that even the most difficult tasks become pleasurable and manageable, as Jesus' burden is light and easy to carry.

The passage discusses the importance of supernatural joy and peace that comes from the Holy Spirit. It shares a personal experience of facing difficulties due to a "brother" in the Lord, but instead of giving way to emotions, the author chose to let the Holy Spirit work in them, resulting in supernatural joy and peace. The author reflects on how this peace is produced by the Holy Spirit and can dominate one's emotions, helping to maintain stability and eradicate emotional chaos. They encourage readers to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to produce these fruits in their lives, confessing that they are dominated by joy and peace and yielding to the Spirit's control. The passage also includes questions for reflection, encouraging readers to consider times when supernatural joy and peace have sustained them during

The Holy Spirit's gentle yet persistent nudges can guide individuals toward their life's purpose, but often without revealing the entire picture beforehand. By developing sensitivity to these subtle prompts and trusting in the Spirit's leading, believers can experience a deeper sense of direction and fulfillment in their lives.

Hebrews 10:35 warns believers not to give up on their faith despite exhaustion and frustration, as God's promises have great recompense of reward. By holding onto confidence in God's Word, individuals can overcome the devil's attempts to discourage them and ultimately see the manifestation of their dreams.

The Holy Spirit's role is to convict believers of their sin, but also to convince them of their new right standing with God. Through a supernatural work of God, the Holy Spirit opens the eyes and ears of believers to comprehend their new condition in Jesus Christ, freeing them from negative self-image and shame.

The greatest key to winning every battle the devil wages against you is to keep your mind dominated by the Word of God.

God's selection and election of individuals is not based on accident, but rather on a deliberate plan to fulfill His purposes. According to the Bible, God knew and chose each person before the foundation of the world, calling them to be His children with a special purpose to fulfill in this world.

You are sealed and guaranteed by God's Spirit, ensuring that your contents are intact and complete, with no defects or brokenness. This seal, which comes from the Holy Spirit of promise, guarantees your arrival at your final destination, protected by angels and guarded against evil forces.