“Breath of Life”
Children’s message:
Sometimes, it’s hard to believe the things that we do not see. We may not be able to see the Holy Spirit in our lives, but just as we feel but do not see the wind on our skin, we can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through prayer and conversation with God, we can feel His presence. At our most difficult times, we can ask God for direction and feel his gentle hand of guidance in our lives.
John 10:38 AMPC. But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me or have faith in Me, [at least] believe the works and have faith in what I do, in order that you may know and understand [clearly] that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father [One with Him].
The Bible, specifically John 14:11, suggests believing in Jesus' words about his relationship with the Father, or at least believing based on the evidence of his works. Jesus tells people to believe either because of his words or because of the "works themselves". This means that if you can't believe in what he says, you can still believe in what he does.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Believing in Jesus' words:John 14:11-12 implies that if you believe in Jesus' statements about his relationship with the Father, you will be able to do the works that he has done, and even greater ones.
Believing based on the works:John 10:37-38 suggests that if you witness Jesus performing miracles, you should at least believe in those works, even if you don't believe in his words. This belief in his works can lead to a greater understanding of his relationship with the Father.
The connection between belief and works:The Bible emphasizes that believing in Jesus and doing works are interconnected. John 6:29 states that believing in Jesus is the work of God, and John 14:11-12 suggests that believers will do works similar to those of Jesus.
In essence, the Bible provides options for faith, whether it's based on the teachings of Jesus or the evidence of his actions. Both can lead to a deeper understanding of his identity and his relationship with the Father.
The phrase "it is by their faith that people of ancient time won his approval" is from Hebrews 11:2, which is a section of the Bible that describes the role of faith in the lives of people who lived in the past. This verse emphasizes that faith was the defining characteristic of those who were considered righteous and pleasing to God.
Here's a more detailed look at the concept:
These verses define faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" and state that "it was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval".
The passage highlights that faith was the foundation upon which these individuals lived and acted, leading to their recognition and approval by God.
Hebrews 11 continues to give examples of individuals, like Abel, Noah, Abraham, and others, who demonstrated their faith through their actions and choices.
The passage emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God, as faith is the key to understanding and relating to the unseen realm and God's promises.
Galatians 5:22-25 speaks about the contrast between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. It outlines the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) and urges believers to walk in step with the Spirit, not the flesh.
Elaboration:
This passage lists the "fruit of the Spirit," describing the positive characteristics that emerge when a believer is led by the Holy Spirit rather than their own desires (the "flesh"). These characteristics include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This verse emphasizes the importance of "crucifying the flesh," meaning putting to death our old, sinful nature and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our lives.
This verse instructs believers to "keep in step with the Spirit" by following His guidance and not yielding to the flesh's desires. It suggests that living by the Spirit is a conscious choice and a continuing process of reliance on God's guidance.
In essence, Galatians 5:22-25 calls Christians to consciously choose to live in alignment with God's Spirit, allowing His positive influence to shape their character and actions, rather than being controlled by their own selfish desires and impulses
