May 7, 2023 • Guest Speaker • Psalm 119:105, John 8:31–32, Mark 6:4–5, John 14:26, 2 Timothy 3:16
The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is not just a distant concept or an abstract idea, nor a passive observer in our lives. He is the living and active presence of God within us who is renewing and shaping our view of the world from God’s perspective.
In a world that is redefining the family, fathers need a clear measurement of what a father is and what God expects of them to succeed. Measurement is like a compass that guides us through the flood of information coming at us today, helping us to navigate our way. For a father to “measure up” he must pattern himself not after what the world is saying but after what God has spoken. Fathers are on a journey, and they need the guiding principles of the Bible to not only tell them who they are, but how they can lead their family safely through the challenging times we live in. Whether it’s checking the length of a piece of wood, the temperature of an oven, or the distance to the moon, measurements provide us with tangible data that allows us to make wise decisions.
The Greek word for “spiritual gift” is charisma. It means, “something freely given.” The plural Greek word, charismata, is found in 1 Corinthians 12:4, 9, 28, 30-31. The spiritual gifts or charismata are operations of supernatural abilities bestowed on individuals, to flow through them at the will of the Holy Spirit revealing the love and power of God. Now about the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed. – 1 Corinthians 12:1 AMP
