The Scripture makes it very clear that as we focus on purity we experience power from above. Paul stressed this in his final letter to his understudy Timothy. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter [i.e., “iniquity”], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2Ti 2:21). How? The process is simple: God the Father works through the Son. The Son works through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works through the Word. The Word works through the believer. The believer works through living faith.
1st Thessalonians – The Word Working in You – Uniontown, PA 2007Gene Cunningham - January 8, 2000
The Divine Mentor #4
Psa 23:1-6 It's important to focus on the Shepard and His guidance."He leads me besides the still waters" -- Joh 14:27 Jesus has given us peace; Rom 5:1 we have peace with God (He's our Father; we are reconciled); we can find the "peace of God (Phi 4:6-7); we're lead to and by the Holy Spirit (Joh 4:14 - He'll comfort us; Joh 7:37-39 - we're promised the rivers of living waters). "He restores my soul" : restore means healing like setting a broken bone; this applies to our soul (Psa 51:1-19, Psa 103:1-5) He forgives (1Jo 1:9, Gal 6:1-2), heals, redeems us from distruction, crowns us, and satisfies us (Psa 103:1-5). He cleanses us (Eph 5:26, 1Jo 1:7, Joh 13:10-15). He restores us because the gifts are not changeable (Rom 11:29), and because nothing can separate us from His Love (Rom 8:39); He prays for us. "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His namesake" -- 'namesake' is His glory. He leads us in righteousness six ways: (1) by His Truth (Joh 14:17, Joh 14:26, Joh 16:13); (2) to bear fruit (3); makes us to be salt and light (Mat 5:13-16); salt preserves; light shows the way; (4) to walk in His Spirit (Gal 5:16, 1Jo 1:7); (5) to faith and obedience (2Co 5:7, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:1, Rom 8:29); (6) to suffer for His namesake (1Pe 1:5-7). Melted gold makes impurities come to the top so the dross to be removed (1Pe 4:12-14, Isa 43:7) We will share His glory; that's His purpose.
Scripture References: John 7:37-39, Romans 8:29, Ephesians 5:26, John 14:26, John 4:14, Ephesians 4:1, Psalms 103:1-5, John 14:17, Philippians 4:6-7, Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 8:39, Romans 5:1, John 1:7, John 1:9, Romans 11:29, John 14:27, Galatians 5:16, Psalms 103:1-5, John 13:10-15, Psalms 23:1-6, Matthew 5:13-16, Psalms 51:1-19, Isaiah 43:7, John 1:7, John 16:13
From Series: "The Divine Mentor"
The Divine Mentor is God the Holy Spirit. God answered Jesus' prayer to provide us the Spirit not just to be with us but in us -- to pray with us labor with us to guide us teach us and equip us -- the goal being that we'd be prepared for the troubled times in which we live.