John OBrien

It was a bad time for Israel. The leadership was feeble and they faced strong enemies. Their knowledge of God supported them knowing that the God they served was The Lord of hosts, of all the hosts both of heaven and earth.
The mother of Samuel approached God through prayer for a child. Hannah was her name. She was childless and her affliction was aggravated by her rival’s uncomfortable insolence. However she did have a kind husband. His kindness toward her brought her some relief.

Background: The name Jabez in Hebrew means “He that causes pain”. In the Jewish culture, it is a common practice to use symbolic names for the children. Jabez’s mother experienced great pain in giving birth to Jabez, much more pain than the usual childbirth, so this is why his mother named him Jabez.

When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. (Romans 7:5)

The ministry of the Holy Spirit As the New Testament is read, it is easy to see the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The early church had confidence in the Holy Spirit and exhibited confidence in its leadership. This confidence grew out of the church’s daily experience, direction and blessing from God by means of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ said, "I will build My church" Obedience  as a building block The Church is being built on Church members dedicated to obedience. Jesus set out certain expecations for Church membership to adhere to.  One sentence enbraces these expectations: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself".  

What are the gifts of the Spirit ? Every Christian has the guidance of the Spirit of God. Jesus said He was sending the Holy Spirit to help us. (John 14:16) The word that He used, Paraclete, has a meaning of a friend, Helper, Advocate, the One called alongside. This word implies that the Holy Spirit walks beside you. The Holy Spirit has His arm around you to keep you for falling. The Holy Spirit gives you guidance and intercedes for you to the Father in your behalf.

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit you are/will experience joy in living.1 Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to us.  When our lives are changed by having the Holy Spirit, this give glory  to Jesus for it is His will for us. Do not snuff out the Spirit Paul  told us to not to snuff out what the Spirit is doing.  Do not snuff out what the Holy Spirit is doing in the life of the church and in the life of its’ members.The members of the church are members of the Kingdom. As members we are tod to expect  suffering and opposition from the enemy.  This suffering comes from  and is directed toward us because of our faith in Christ. 2

The Special Book The whole Bible is special. The Book of Acts is extra special. In it we find that the work that Jesus started in the Gospels was continued in the book of Acts.This work was continued by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had departed but His leadership was continued through and by the Holy Spirit.

The reading today is a  summary of some of  the actions  and charasteristics the  Holy Spirit revealed in Old Testament times. 

It would be wonderful to see and know what the Holy Spirit is doing in this world today, in the 21th century.