Joseph and the Holy Spirit
68Rambling Thoughts
Just thinking friends! I am revisiting what Scriptures say about the Holy Spirit. So you may see more of these hubs. Please offer any insights you have. I want truths that come from your personal studies. Anyway - here are my ramblings. By the way - What a powerful study!
Three Characteristics of the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
1. Discernment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discernment
2. Discrimination, choosing rightly to live a holy life http://www.billygraham.org/DMag_Article.asp?ArticleID=686
3. Insight - Vision to think big http://www.insight.org/library/insight-for-today/vision.html
Can Anyone Find Such a Person?
Discernment - what is it? One reference says it is having good taste in judgment. A thesaurus search shows it is synonymous with discrimination, sensitivity and perspicacity (or insightfulness).
In Genesis 41 Pharaoh asks the question, “Can we find such a man, one in whom is the Spirit of God.” Immediately he turns to Joseph and in all respects says to him – you are that person, one in whom is the Spirit of God.
Joseph had already shown discernment by disclosing to Pharaoh his dream and its meaning. And He gave credit and glory to God by letting Pharaoh know that His discernment came from God.
God, [by His Holy Spirit] gave Joseph discernment, discrimination and insight for a situation that no one else could resolve. Can the Holy Spirit do this in our lives today? Yes he can. We need to come before the LORD and confess our unbelief and open our hearts and being to the Holy Spirit to be imbued with power from above.
Thoughts To Whet your Appetite for the Holy Spirit
Quotes by Oswald Chambers
We are told by some that it is foolish to tell people to ask for the Holy Spirit because this is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Thank God it is! God’s mighty Spirit is with all men, He impinges on their lives at all points and in unexpected ways, but the great need is to receive the Holy Spirit. There stands the promise for every one who will put it to the test: “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11:13 Are you willing to put this verse to the test?
The bedrock in Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is poverty, not possession; not decisions for Christ, but a sense of absolute futility—“I can’t begin to do it.” That is the entrance; and it does take us a long while to believe we are poor. It is at the point of destitution that the bounty of God can be given.
The power of the Holy Spirit and His personal presence are not the same.
Question – Did the Holy Spirit indwell Joseph or was He with him, yet not in him?
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Comments
I agree with no body, you are indeed imbued with the Holy Spirit dear friend. Such beautiful insight!
Great writing, I am anxious to read the rest of the story!
NB You are always there to encourage and strengthen. Thanks for your love of the Lord.
Jill - ditto for you. You are awesome and such an inspiration. Your love of god shines through as well.
Lord Seeker - I love you
Thank you for choosing this topic. I'm looking forward to related hubs.
coffeesnob - Very well done. Thought provoking.
This is particularly powerful: "The bedrock in Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is poverty, not possession; not decisions for Christ, but a sense of absolute futility—“?I can’t begin to do it.?” That is the entrance; and it does take us a long while to believe we are poor. It is at the point of destitution that the bounty of God can be given."
Great stuff. Thanks for sharing it. Be encouraged.
Mary, thanks. You know I get to where I think I know as much as I need to know and then I begin to study again and find out I knew nothing at all-if that makes any sense. I will be studying the Holy Spirit a while I think.
Ken, bless you. It does take us a while to realize our poverty - especially those who, like me, love independence and self reliance -ouch! But when I am weak He is made strong.
Humility is something we learn, from humility we grew and share with others our insights.
God has given you a gift Coffeesnob...I love the way you use it to teach us all to dig a bit deeper in our faith.
Blessings
Quill,
I am thankful for god's work in my life and the the fellowship of Christian Hubbers, like you, who inspire, encourage and di with me. God bless you!
Indeed "the bedrock in Jesus Christ's kingdom is poverty; not possession." When Abraham gave up Isaac to be sacrificed, the son of the promise (the human hinge upon which the future nation of Israel hung), God provided two things: (1) For Abraham, emptied of everything he had ever hoped for in his son, he received the blessedness of possessing nothing; and (2) for his descendants, the future death of his only and only Son. To possess nothing in ourselves, is to possess everything in Jesus.
Another hub that challenges us to think things thru. Thanks coffeesnob.
Brother Gicky,
I agree. And I also know by first hand experience how hard it is to bring everything to Christ. In my personal life He never has asked me to give everything all at once - but He does ask me for everything. the Holy Spirit moves me to a place where I glady give whatever the LORD asks with a knowing that I do so into the hands of a Savior who is shaping and molding me from ashes to beauty. And when He takes me to that place I am able to let go and it is well with my soul. thanks for your insight. Yes, to posess nothing in ourselves is to posess everything in Christ.
Coffesnob,
Wonderful insightful hub,
Thank God for the gift of discernment!
"We are in the world, but not of the world!
The POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT is AWESOME!
Thank you for sharing!
Blessings
DeBorrah
So true. The power of the Holy Spirit is mighty in God! Thanks for your heart for God
Thanks for sharing. The Holy Spirit does play a very vital part in our life.............. if we allow or should I say, if we yield. Regards. :)
Lady_E,
yes- if we yield. I am always glad when I do.
Nice Hub coffeesnob. Yep the Holy Spirit dwelled in Joseph.
Make Money
thanks for reading and commenting. Looking at the votes your answer is in the highest ranking. In my search I have come to the conclusion that yes, it was a momentary indwelling that empowered him for that time. I think Oswald Chamber's quote helped me settle here. He said, "The power of the Holy Spirit is not the same as the presence of the Holy Spirit." The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost brought His presence among us.
no body says:
2 months ago
great hub sister. the holy spirit definitely lives in you with such insight. love ya