Scriptural Topics
The Scriptures are all powerful in breaking down strongholds, raising up those who are pressed down, and guiding us into experiencing the Lord’s victory over all things. In this segment we set forth a series of subjects with appropriate Scriptures that strengthen faith, and lead to overcoming in the Lord.
Subject areas will be changed regularly, and previous scriptural readings and commentaries may be accessed by clicking different weeks in the calendar below.
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The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7.KJV.
Here the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. In such moments as sorrow, rejection, failure etc, we may turn inwardly to receive the power of the Holy Spirit cushioning the downcastness, and replacing it with the peace, joy, and the love of the Lord.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Cor 13:14.
The communion of the Holy Spirit may be translated as the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we may have a continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit, hearing His words and knowing His continual guidance and help. This speaks of a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit that deepens with experience.
The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7.KJV.
Here the Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. In such moments as sorrow, rejection, failure etc, we may turn inwardly to receive the power of the Holy Spirit cushioning the downcastness, and replacing it with the peace, joy, and the love of the Lord.
Sonship by the Holy Spirit
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Rom 8:14
We can trust in the power of self, or natural man, or we can continually seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. Those who trust God rather than self, and seek to by guided or led by the Spirit, are declared to be sons of God.
The Infilling and Outward Flow of the Holy Spirit
But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14
The Holy Spirit is eternal, and when He imparts His life to us He imparts a measure of eternal life to us to bring to nothing Satans power of death. The end result of His earthly ministry is that we are raised from death to the reality of eternal life.
The Infilling and Outward Flow of the Holy Spirit
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38-39
This reading relates to the coming of the Holy Spirit. He who believes in Me is he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, who has come not only to redeem us, but to abide in us and impart His life to us by the power of the Holy Spirit. As a person grows in this belief, the Holy Spirit will become a fountain of living waters rising up and flowing out of his heart in ministry to others.
We are Temples for the Holy Spirit
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Cor 3:16-17
BRIEF COMMENTARY
Some people imagine that the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts, but not our bodies. As this reading states, our whole being is a temple for the Holy Spirit, and His work in us and through us encompasses the use of our bodies, our souls, and our spirits. Such being the case, Paul charges us to maintain our whole beings in a state of holiness, or total commitment to the Lord.
The Holy Spirit forms Fruit in us.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Gal 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit is not instantaneous, but is formed gradually over the whole course of our lives. With our compliance, the Holy Spirit puts to death the deeds of our flesh as we lay our carnal natures on the altar of the cross. The life and nature of the lord Jesus He imparts to us gradually becomes a permanent part of our natures. This imparted nature of the Lord is referred to as the fruit of the Spirit..
The Holy Spirit may be Rejected or Resisted.
You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Acts 7:51-52
Unfortunately this commentary is all too true today. Before leaving the earth Jesus said He was sending the Holy Spirit to be His representative on earth, and this current age is the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately the church has to a large degree rejected the Holy Spirit, restricting His ministry to the age of the early Church. Without the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the modern Church has become worldly and powerless.
The Holy Spirit may be Rejected or Resisted.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thess 5:19-22
The Holy Spirit is quenched when we reject His ministry in believers. Nevertheless, not all spiritual manifestations are of the Spirit, and it is vital that all manifestations are validated or rejected by mature overseers preferably elders.
The Holy Spirit honours the Lords Authority.
He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13.
The Holy Spirits ministry is to represent the Lord. Just as Jesus spoke only the words given to Him by the Father, the Holy Spirit speaks only that which is given to Him by the Lord.
The second part of the reading tells us that the Holy Spirit will prophecy of things to come.
REJOICE: The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Neh 8:10.
Satan is called the destroyer, and his attacks on our bodies, souls, and spirits, are directed towards destroying us through accidents, illnesses, immorality, drugs and the like, leading to continual dissatisfaction and hopelessness, depression, and premature death.
Jesus came to share His life with us through His indwelling Spirit. Part of that life is His joy, which He willingly bestows on us. He said, these things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11-12.
Notice that it is His joy that He is bestowing on us, a joy that is well able to overcome all of Satans attacks. His joy, received by faith, becomes our strength.
REJOICE: The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
[Jesus came] to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness [or depression]. Isa 61:3.
This verse is part of the statement of Jesus commission set forth in the sixty first Chapter of Isiah. It compares opposites, and how Jesus will replace one with the other.
Beauty for ashes: the beauty of holiness replacing the ashes of lives destroyed by the power of sin.
The oil of joy for mourning: Jesus came to replace mourning and sorrow with the joy of His indwelling presence and victory over all things.
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness [or depression]: An alternative meaning for the Hebrew word for heaviness is depression, a mental state dogging mankind today. Praising God in the anointing of the Holy Spirit has great power to lift souls out of depression into the joy and peace of the Lord.
REJOICE: The Joy of the Lord is your Strength.
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Prov 15:13.
Do not fret, it only causes harm. Ps 37:8. Prov 15:13.Ps 37:8.
These readings imply a choice of how we set our wills. Satans spirits have the capacity to inject thoughts into our minds. If we choose to entertain negative thoughts from Satan, we allow him to impose a sorrowful negative attitude on us, and we become pressed down and unable to shake ourselves out of it.If we choose to be joyful in all circumstances, we will walk through the day with a cheerful disposition that promotes an overall well-being.
REJOICE: Rejoice in our Salvation
We will rejoice in your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
Ps 20:5.
Setting up our banners: Banners with insignias were set up in warfare as rallying points. The principal insignias under which we wage war are, the name of Jesus, the blood of the cross, and the Scriptural word. By the legitimate use of each one of these, Satan is rendered powerless, and we can celebrate his defeat with rejoicing.
REJOICE: Rejoice in our Salvation
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20.
We may take our salvation for granted, but here Jesus declares it to be the most important subject for our continual rejoicing because our names are written in the book of life in heaven.
Testimonies to our salvation have tremendous power in blunting Satans attacks. Jesus makes this clear in the above reading, when He prioritises salvation above power over the enemy, to be the focus of our rejoicing
REJOICE: Rejoice in our Salvation
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Ps 13:5-14.
It is not only our eternal salvation that we should rejoice in, but also the many occasions where God has delivered us out of troubles and dire circumstances. E.g. He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters [troubles]. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me. 2 Sam 22:17-18.
REJOICE: Rejoice in our Salvation
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.1 Peter 1:8-9.
Some people declare wrongly, once saved, always saved. It is possible that under relentless attacks from Satan that a person may become disillusioned, and abandon his faith, but when a person sets his heart to continually rejoice in Gods saving graces and steadfast care of us, our faith in our eternal salvation never wavers.
The reason God encourages us to rejoice in our many blessings, is because it has the power to lift our spirits out of the negativity or downcastness or depression Satan has the capacity to lay on us.
REJOICE: Rejoice in your Labours.
And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. Deut 12:7.
How you approach your job is a sure barometer of your state of well-being, because it occupies the majority of your time throughout the day. If we approach the working day with reluctance and negativity, our mental state and health will deteriorate. If we choose to rejoice and be of good cheer in approaching our work, we will experience enthusiasm and satisfaction,iligence is mans precious possession. Prov 12:2.7
REJOICE: Rejoice in Gods Provision.
So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you. Deut 26:11. Deut 26:11.
The flesh is never satisfied. Even when surrounded by more than adequate pleasing possessions, it never ceases to want and covet more. Happiness and contentment do not depend on possessions, but serving the Lord, and having a personal relationship with Him that allows us to rest all into His hands.
REJOICE: Rejoicing and Praise Bring God Into our Presence.
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvellous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. 1 Chron 16:10-12.
When seeking to know the Lord, it is important to have a heart or will that rejoices in God, with a fervent desire to praise Him for His wisdom and excellent wonders. Ps 22:3 declares that God inhabits the praises of His people. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (KJV). Praising God and rejoicing in wonders and blessings, bring Him into our situation to meet our requests.
REJOICE: Rejoice that God is Reigning Over the World.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, The Lord reigns. 1 Chron 16:31
In these times when wickedness dominates the world scene, it is easy to have doubts, and say that Satan is the supreme ruler of the world, but all is as God has preordained. These times of darkness and tribulation are necessary to test the allegiance of everyone, whether to Satans world order, or to God as our head, and the supreme ruler of the universe. In this time of darkness and chaos, it is our pleasure to say with rejoicing, our God reigns.
REJOICE: Rejoice when God Answers to our Prayers.
Now therefore, arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. Let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let Your saints rejoice in goodness.
2 Chron 6:41.
God wants us to beseech Him to act that we may rejoice in His awesome power exerted for our benefit. In this last time when darkness and turmoil encompass the earth, it is important that the saints unite in presenting such a prayer to God - that the ark of His strength, or the power of His abiding presence, be manifested among us, bringing salvation and rejoicing.
REJOICE: Rejoice when God Answers to our Prayers.
I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You and You healed me. Ps 30:1-2.
It is a matter of great joy when we know that God has heard our cries for help and has lifted us out of despairing trouble. Prayers of rejoicing and thanksgiving strengthen our faith and capacity to face future trials in peace and assurance of Gods continual grace and care of us.
REJOICE: Rejoice that God Defends us and Turns Back our Enemies.
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name. Ps 5:11.
Those who endeavour to walk in righteousness are inevitably confronted by opposition from Satan and his demon spirits, but we can rejoice in Gods faithfulness to defend and keep us. Also, let those rejoice who know His name, who have a personal knowledge and experience of His attributes.
REJOICE: Rejoice that God Defends us and Turns Back our Enemies.
When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. Ps 14:7.
Ps 14:7.
We are in a continual state of conflict with Satan and his hosts of wickedness, who endeavour to take various areas of our lives captive - particularly in our thoughts and emotions. God allows this to teach us to be overcomers in spiritual warfare. Our rejoicing and praise in moments of victory are important, because they strengthen our faith for the battles to come.
REJOICE: Rejoice that God Defends us and Turns Back our Enemies.
When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad. Ps 14:7.
We are in a continual state of conflict with Satan and his hosts of wickedness, who endeavour to take various areas of our lives captive - particularly in our thoughts and emotions. God allows this to teach us to be overcomers in spiritual warfare. Our rejoicing and praise in moments of victory are important, because they strengthen our faith for the battles to come.
REJOICE: To Rejoice is a Command from God.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Ps 32:11.
God does not need our prayers of joy and thanksgiving, because He is all sufficient in Himself. He enjoins such prayer because it is beneficial to our spiritual growth in the knowledge of the Lord and His victory over Satan. Having gladness of heart and rejoicing is not an injunction, but a command. This is because it has the capacity to lift us out of despair and depression, from defeat to victory in various areas of our lives.
REJOICE: Rejoice in Gods Grace and Faithfulness.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His holy name. Ps 33:21.
Our hearts, in this case means from the centre of our being. We will rejoice because our trust in Gods holy name was well founded, because we have experienced His gracious faithfulness and infinite love towards us.
REJOICE: Joy and Gladness Hasten Recovery after Gods Correction.
Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Ps 51:8.
Make me hear joy and gladness: God continually speaks to us through His word and His Spirit, but how it affects us depends on the state of our hearts. This is a plea for God to open our hearts to receive gladness and encouragement from His word - just as He intended that we should.
That the bones You have broken may rejoice: the bones You have broken symbolise whatever suffering God has precipitated to quell our carnal natures and turn our hearts to Him. We rejoice when the Spirit reveals the change in our hearts.
REJOICE: Rejoice when you Suffer Persecution.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven... Matt 5:11-12.
Jesus dwells in us by His Spirit, and shares the burden of our suffering as we take His yoke and lay the burden on Him. We can rejoice in our persecutions because Jesus is helping us to bear it, and we are assured of reward in heaven.
REJOICE: Rejoice in the Success of Joint Ministries.
And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. John 4:36-37.
In our ministry we are bond servants of the Lord. We wield the authority of His name as He directs, and He empowers our ministry by His Spirit, and consequently there are absolutely no grounds for personal glory. On the other hand, there is much blessing where two minister to the Lord in harmony, and they may rejoice together in fruitful outcomes.
REJOICE: Rejoice in the Indwelling Presence of the Lord.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:22.
This is talking about this life on earth, when the Lord makes Himself known to us by His indwelling presence. He is in us, and His joy is in us, available for us to experience as we receive it by faith. As long as we endure in faith and belief, we are assured by Jesus that He will maintain it.
REJOICE: Be One with Fellow Believers in their Joys and Sorrows.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Rom 12:15-16 Rom 12:15-16.
Love for one another is the lynch pin of the Christian faith, a love that creates a oneness that automatically makes us embrace the joys and sufferings of fellow Christians as if they had come upon us.
REJOICE: Be One with Fellow Believers in their Joys and Sorrows.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Cor 12:26.
Love and care for one another are key elements of our Christian faith, having empathy with each other in sufferings and trials, and rejoicing when another is honoured.
REJOICE: Be One with Fellow Believers in their Joys and Sorrows.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
James 5:13-14.
Indifference towards other Christians is not acceptable as it denies the essence of Christian love. When one is suffering, we must support him in prayer. The text also says that if one is cheerful, let him sing psalms (or Christian choruses), so that his rejoicing is unabated.
REJOICE: Rejoice in Gods Grace and Faithfulness.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him because we have trusted in His holy name. Ps 33:21.
Gods holy name means His attributers, particularly His faithfulness to answer our prayers and meet our needs. We should continually rejoice as we call to mind Gods wonderful care of us.
REJOICE: Rejoice Exceedingly as we Enter into Gods Presence.
But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God; yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name. Ps 68:3-4.
It is pleasing to God when we enter into His presence in prayer with cheerful hearts full of spiritual praise and worship.
REJOICE: Rejoice when Christ is Honoured.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.Phil 1:18. Phil 1:18.
Paul determined that even if his own preaching was mocked and yet Christ was honoured, he would rejoice.
REJOICE: Rejoice in the Triumphant Risen Saviour.
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. Rev 19:7-8.
In this time of darkness when Satan seems to have complete control over the world, it is altogether pleasing that we can look ahead to contemplate the ultimate victory of the Lord. In these perilous times God has been preparing His Sons bride, not the whole church, but a refined and perfected remnant. Now we rejoice that all of Christs enemies will be put beneath His feet, and His victory celebrated by His marriage supper.
REJOICE: Rejoicing in God is an Act of the Will.
I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. Ps 9:2-3.
Each of the statements above are preceded by I will, revealing a determination or setting of the will to rejoice. When we express praise and gladness of heart at Gods faithfulness to defend and keep us, we are not overwhelmed, because our enemies fall back when they see the presence of God with us.
REJOICE: Rejoice in God in all Circumstances.
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labour of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I WILL rejoice in the Lord, I WILL joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:17-19. 3:17-19.
The reading above illustrates the desirability of setting our wills to rejoice at all times. Habakkuk made a solemn pledge by setting his will, that in whatever dire circumstances that might confront him, he would joy in the God of my salvation, even to the loss of his whole provision. This paves the way for us to receive the joy of the Lord as our strength. Habakkuk continued, The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deers feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.
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