The Holy Spirit in the New Testament

So the Holy Spirit was with people for short times in the Old Testament. As we look into the New Testament we’ll see how the Holy Spirit is manifested, revealed and indwelling in individuals.  

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.  But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:18-20 HCSB

Here we see the Holy Spirit and Jesus—two parts of the Trinity—together. This is the beginning of the whole miracle of God becoming Man. Can you imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt? Overwhelmed—no one else had been through this before. The Holy Spirit not only conceived the Man God within Mary…but guided Mary and Joseph as they began their journey with the Son of God. Joseph and Mary were both righteous people. God chose them to raise His Son. He had a plan from the beginning—even before Eve and Adam ate that fruit off the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (see Genesis 2 and 3). Amazing love that God had for mankind. A plan for salvation. Just as Joseph and Mary were righteous—we need to strive to be righteous. To live to please God—our amazing God—who loved us enough to allow His Son to give His life for us. What does that mean to you?

Prayer ~ Lord God, just as Your angel told Joseph—don’t be afraid—I claim that promise. I will not be afraid because You, Heavenly Father, had a plan. A plan that included Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my life—forgiving me and rescuing me from an eternal life apart from You. You are an amazing God. You are my Heavenly Father, my Savior, my Comforter—my God.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

I had a great chicken curry at an Indian restaurant in Lynnwood recently, so I’ve found a nice spicy recipe to try. Do you like curry? I’ve been told that it is better to use all the variety of spices as listed rather than a pre-mixed curry powder.
 
Indian Chicken Curry
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup cooking oil
1½ cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1½ teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon water
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup water
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with 2 teaspoons salt.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat; partially cook the chicken in the hot oil in batches until completely browned. Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a plate and set aside.
3. Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-high; add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the oil remaining in the skillet and cook and stir until the onion turns translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir the curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, and 1 tablespoon of water into the onion mixture; allow to heat together for about 1 minute while stirring. Mix the tomatoes, yogurt, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and 1 teaspoon salt into the mixture. Return the chicken breast to the skillet along with any juices on the plate. Pour ½ cup water into the mixture; bring to a boil, turning the chicken to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the garam masala and 1 tablespoon cilantro over the chicken.
4. Cover the skillet and simmer until the chicken breasts are no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Sprinkle with lemon juice to serve.

Serve with rice and a tossed green salad.

Note: Garam masala is one of the most known Indian spices. It is made up of coriander, green & black cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, cumin.

© 2015 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

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