Hello everyone!

There have been some newcomers recently, so I just wanted to take a moment and welcome everyone!  I also wanted to explain a little bit a about why I started this group.  There are many Christian groups on DS already, so why start another one?  The name of my group is "Christian Overcomers."  I chose that name, because although we live in a fallen world where we will have many trials and tribulations (John 16:33).  I beleive God equiped us with everything we need to overcome those trials.  I believe that is precisely what Jesus was telling in the back half of John 16:33 "...be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  The world is a nasty place, but Jesus came to deliver us from it.  

I think we can find proof of that in Galatians 1:4 (NLT) "Jesus gave his life for ous sins, just as God planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world we live in."  The KJV says, "...present evil world."  

1 John 5:4 (NLT) "For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve victory through our faith."  

So the point of this group is to teach others how to achieve this victory in every area of their lives. 

Galatians 3:12-14 (NLT) tells us, "This way of faith is very different from the way of the law, which says, 'It is through obeying the law that a person has life.' (13) But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law.  When he hung on the cross he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing.  For it is written in the Scriptures, 'Cursed is everyone who hung on a tree.' (14) Through Christ Jesus God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through fiath."  

So we are redeemed from the curses given in Deuteronomy 28:16-68 through the law, and instead we have been given the blessings of Abraham, which includes the promised Holy Spirit.  

What happened when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the earth in Acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost?  Jesus explained what would happen even before He sent Him.  He said in Acts 1:8 (NLT) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." 

 Acts 2:22 tells us, "...God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs..."  How did Jesus perform miracles?  Acts 10:38 tells us, "And you know that God annointed Jesus of Nazarath with the Holy Spirit and with power.  Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him." 

What did the diciples do with the power they were given through the Holy Spirit?  Acts 5:12 (NLT) says, "The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people..." Verse 15 says, "As a result of the apostle's work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by."

Acts 19:11-12 "God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. (12) When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled."  

Who is the Holy Spirit for?  Acts 2:32-34 (NLT) "God raised Jesus from the dead and we are all witnesses of this. (33) Now he is exalted   to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand.  And the Father, as he had promised, gave us the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see today."  Drop down to verse 38-39 "Peter replied, 'Each of you must repent... be baptized...then you will be recieve the gift of the Holy Spirit.' (39) This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles--all who have been called by the Lord our God."  Acts 5:32  also says, "...the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those that obey him." 

I believe we have access to the Holy Spirit and His power today.  There is no where in the Bible that teaches that the Holy Spirit's power or the miracles performed by Him through people ended with the apostles.  

In fact when Jesus gave the great commission in Mark 16:15-18 he said in verse 17-18 "These miraculous signs will accompany those that believe. They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. (18) They will be able to handle snakes with safetly, and if they drink anything poinsonous, it won't hurt them.  They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed." 

 James 5:14-15, "Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in in the name of the Lord. (15) Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.  And if you have committed any sins,  you will be forgiven."  

Anyway, this group was created to teach others how to overcome trials and tribulations (mainly sickness) and I just wanted the newcomers to have an understanding of what this group is about.  Thanks for listening!