1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Paul continues to describe what Love really looks like - which easily helps us discover how far the distance is between real love, unconditional love - and love as defined and acted out by the world today. The people of Paul's day must also have had the wrong understanding of love, even as we do today in our society.
So the question is, "How am I doing in the 'real love' department?" How does the way I actively display love reflect the descriptives in Paul's declaration? Well....I have a long way to go to love. I need the Holy Spirit to continually empower me to love. As I grow in Christ, I will reflect, more and more, the way of Love. Without which, nothing else really matters.... How about you?
As I read and meditate on these verses, some really stick out to me...Love is patient - this is probably one of the most difficult for me...Love isn't self-seeking....this is another one - loving simply because God is Love, not an issue of being loved in return or what I will receive from the one I'm loving... How about you? Which aspect(s) of Love in these verses seem to be the biggest challenge for you?
"Lord, please forgive me for my times of impatience; for not laying aside 'myself' in loving others. God, I cannot Love apart from receiving Your Love and without the power of the Holy Spirit's continued transformation - Help me to love like You Lord....that You will be glorified, others will experience Your Love, and for my own good. Thank You Lord."
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Many Gifts, the Same Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers [and sisters], I do not want you to be ignorant...There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men [people]" (1 Corinthians 12:1,4,5,6).
This chapter of Scripture is one of the most controversial in the church. It is interesting that this is so, because in reading the words of this chapter, it seems quite clear. The only phrase that may not be quite as clear is "to another speaking in different kinds of tongues" (vs 10). Some interpret this to mean different known languages (English, Spanish, Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew etc.) that one speaks without having learned them. Others interpret it as a language that is not decipherable to people, but is a heavenly language that must be interpreted by someone who has a gift of interpreting the heavenly language, if it is spoken in the midst of the assembly. For the purposes of this meditation, I'm not going to outline the reasoning behind these different interpretations. If you are interested in understanding more (and I hope you are), let me know and I will recommend some commentary to you.
Perhaps the most controversial issue related to spiritual gifts, is whether or not some gifts of the Holy Spirit are operable today - whether or not God still moves in the gifts of physical healing as well as words of knowledge and wisdom, and prophecy. What some might think of as the more miraculous gifts.
Simply stated (because there are reasonings behind these positions that are quite involved, which you can read much more about if you are inclined - let me know and I can sent you some references to check out), there are believers who think that God has ceased to move in many of the ways described in the book of Acts (and in this chapter) - that God has certain dispensations (theological term) in which He acts throughout the ages. Others think that God acts in the same ways today as He did in the past and will in the future.
One of the greatest difficulties for believers to deal with is how there are many abuses and missuses of gifts of healing as well as signs and wonders. Therefore, instead of "testing the spirits" (1 John 4:1-6) to discern whether or not the supernatural acts are from God, the demonic or the flesh, some believers dismiss the manifestation of the Spirit in these ways altogether (because we have the flesh and the demonic who can mimic God's movement through healing, prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom). It can be very uncomfortable and scary to be in the midst of signs and wonders, and not be sure if it is God, the demonic, or the flesh - people 'faking' it for all kinds of reasons.
John Piper has stated that:
“So what I think I can say for our guidance is this, [Are Signs and Wonders for Today?]:
1. On the one hand, we ought to honor the uniqueness of Jesus and the apostles and of that revelatory moment in history that gave us the foundational doctrines of faith and life in the New Testament.
2. On the other hand we ought to be open to the real possibility that this too might be a unique moment in history, and in this moment it may well be God's purpose to pour out his Spirit in unprecedented revival—revival of love to Christ and zeal for worship and compassion for lost people and a missionary thrust with signs and wonders.
I want to have my keel [center structure,frame (of a ship)]deep and stable in the once-for-all biblical revelation of God, and I want to have my sails unfurled to every movement of God's Spirit upon the deeps” (http://desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/are-signs-and-wonders-for-today).
I join John Piper, stating that I want to keep my footing firmly rooted in the revealed Word - Jesus and the Apostles - and be open to God's movement by the Holy Spirit in and through people, even as was true in Paul's day - as recorded in the book of Acts and written of in 1 Corinthians 12. Scripture says that the Gospel message is not about words, but power - see for example: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
What gift(s) have you been given by God? Are you yielding to the Holy Spirit to see these gifts used through you to the body of Christ and others for the common good?
"Lord, forgive us for times that we have relied on our own strength and abilities, convictions and commitments, understandings and tradition, instead of on Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, in the full counsel of God. Have Your way Lord - thanks Jesus for leaving so that the Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father...even so Come Holy Spirit, Come (John 14:15-27).
"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers [and sisters], I do not want you to be ignorant...There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men [people]" (1 Corinthians 12:1,4,5,6).
This chapter of Scripture is one of the most controversial in the church. It is interesting that this is so, because in reading the words of this chapter, it seems quite clear. The only phrase that may not be quite as clear is "to another speaking in different kinds of tongues" (vs 10). Some interpret this to mean different known languages (English, Spanish, Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew etc.) that one speaks without having learned them. Others interpret it as a language that is not decipherable to people, but is a heavenly language that must be interpreted by someone who has a gift of interpreting the heavenly language, if it is spoken in the midst of the assembly. For the purposes of this meditation, I'm not going to outline the reasoning behind these different interpretations. If you are interested in understanding more (and I hope you are), let me know and I will recommend some commentary to you.
Perhaps the most controversial issue related to spiritual gifts, is whether or not some gifts of the Holy Spirit are operable today - whether or not God still moves in the gifts of physical healing as well as words of knowledge and wisdom, and prophecy. What some might think of as the more miraculous gifts.
Simply stated (because there are reasonings behind these positions that are quite involved, which you can read much more about if you are inclined - let me know and I can sent you some references to check out), there are believers who think that God has ceased to move in many of the ways described in the book of Acts (and in this chapter) - that God has certain dispensations (theological term) in which He acts throughout the ages. Others think that God acts in the same ways today as He did in the past and will in the future.
One of the greatest difficulties for believers to deal with is how there are many abuses and missuses of gifts of healing as well as signs and wonders. Therefore, instead of "testing the spirits" (1 John 4:1-6) to discern whether or not the supernatural acts are from God, the demonic or the flesh, some believers dismiss the manifestation of the Spirit in these ways altogether (because we have the flesh and the demonic who can mimic God's movement through healing, prophecy, words of knowledge and wisdom). It can be very uncomfortable and scary to be in the midst of signs and wonders, and not be sure if it is God, the demonic, or the flesh - people 'faking' it for all kinds of reasons.
John Piper has stated that:
“So what I think I can say for our guidance is this, [Are Signs and Wonders for Today?]:
1. On the one hand, we ought to honor the uniqueness of Jesus and the apostles and of that revelatory moment in history that gave us the foundational doctrines of faith and life in the New Testament.
2. On the other hand we ought to be open to the real possibility that this too might be a unique moment in history, and in this moment it may well be God's purpose to pour out his Spirit in unprecedented revival—revival of love to Christ and zeal for worship and compassion for lost people and a missionary thrust with signs and wonders.
I want to have my keel [center structure,frame (of a ship)]deep and stable in the once-for-all biblical revelation of God, and I want to have my sails unfurled to every movement of God's Spirit upon the deeps” (http://desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/are-signs-and-wonders-for-today).
I join John Piper, stating that I want to keep my footing firmly rooted in the revealed Word - Jesus and the Apostles - and be open to God's movement by the Holy Spirit in and through people, even as was true in Paul's day - as recorded in the book of Acts and written of in 1 Corinthians 12. Scripture says that the Gospel message is not about words, but power - see for example: 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 1 Thessalonians 1:5.
What gift(s) have you been given by God? Are you yielding to the Holy Spirit to see these gifts used through you to the body of Christ and others for the common good?
"Lord, forgive us for times that we have relied on our own strength and abilities, convictions and commitments, understandings and tradition, instead of on Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, in the full counsel of God. Have Your way Lord - thanks Jesus for leaving so that the Holy Spirit would be sent by the Father...even so Come Holy Spirit, Come (John 14:15-27).
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
God's Wisdom and the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2
This chapter is one of my favorites! There is so much packed into 16 verses! Paul is continuing to break-down the differences between God's wisdom, human wisdom, and who is able to discern/know the difference between the two. Further, Paul explains that unless one has the Spirit of God living within him/her, one can not know God's wisdom...indeed it is foolishness to him/her!
"The (wo)man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him/her, and s/he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Have you encountered folks who, in hearing Scripture or interpretation and application of Scripture either say they don't understand or say, "that is ridiculous, that is foolish, that makes no sense?" Perhaps upon hearing their reply, you have tried to explain the Word to them, and try as you may, it just 'doesn't make sense' to them. Perhaps you have gotten really frustrated and thought that they are either numb or just hopeless.
The reality that Paul is pointing out to us is clear. He is saying simply that when someone is not born-again and thus does not have the Holy Spirit living within, then the Word of God and it's expression or living out of it, is incomprehensible to him/her! S/he is NOT ABLE to get it...no matter how hard s/he tries. So, all your 'explaining' is for naught, until the Spirit lives within them.
So what are we, 'who are spiritual' (1 Corinthians 2:15) to do? Like Paul, we are to humbly approach others who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit - not in persuasive words (1 Corinthians 2:1) - sharing with them the Love of Christ, the power of sin, and Christ's overcoming sin through His shed blood on the cross, and His resurrection. For them. For you. For me.
One needs to receive the love and forgiveness of the cross, before understanding the wisdom of God. We need to rely on and trust in the Lord to convey this reality to folks, as we prayerfully 'share Christ and Him crucified' (1 Corinthians 2:2). Some time ago we talked about the 'order of things.' There is a way in which things work, even as revealed through God's Creation of natural order.
And so it is with the wisdom of God. One must have the Holy Spirit within, BEFORE understanding the things of God - until then God's wisdom is foolishness...
"Lord, thank You that You have made a way for us to know You and thus to understand, increasingly, Your Wisdom. I pray that all who are reading these words now, have the Your Spirit within. If not, right now Lord, move by Your Spirit, drawing each one to Yourself - filling with Your Holy Spirit unto salvation and growth in You Lord. Then, help us 'who are spiritual' exercise 'the mind of Christ' (1 Corinthians 2:16) which You have given us, in all things. We love You Lord. Thank You for loving us."
This chapter is one of my favorites! There is so much packed into 16 verses! Paul is continuing to break-down the differences between God's wisdom, human wisdom, and who is able to discern/know the difference between the two. Further, Paul explains that unless one has the Spirit of God living within him/her, one can not know God's wisdom...indeed it is foolishness to him/her!
"The (wo)man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him/her, and s/he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Have you encountered folks who, in hearing Scripture or interpretation and application of Scripture either say they don't understand or say, "that is ridiculous, that is foolish, that makes no sense?" Perhaps upon hearing their reply, you have tried to explain the Word to them, and try as you may, it just 'doesn't make sense' to them. Perhaps you have gotten really frustrated and thought that they are either numb or just hopeless.
The reality that Paul is pointing out to us is clear. He is saying simply that when someone is not born-again and thus does not have the Holy Spirit living within, then the Word of God and it's expression or living out of it, is incomprehensible to him/her! S/he is NOT ABLE to get it...no matter how hard s/he tries. So, all your 'explaining' is for naught, until the Spirit lives within them.
So what are we, 'who are spiritual' (1 Corinthians 2:15) to do? Like Paul, we are to humbly approach others who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit - not in persuasive words (1 Corinthians 2:1) - sharing with them the Love of Christ, the power of sin, and Christ's overcoming sin through His shed blood on the cross, and His resurrection. For them. For you. For me.
One needs to receive the love and forgiveness of the cross, before understanding the wisdom of God. We need to rely on and trust in the Lord to convey this reality to folks, as we prayerfully 'share Christ and Him crucified' (1 Corinthians 2:2). Some time ago we talked about the 'order of things.' There is a way in which things work, even as revealed through God's Creation of natural order.
And so it is with the wisdom of God. One must have the Holy Spirit within, BEFORE understanding the things of God - until then God's wisdom is foolishness...
"Lord, thank You that You have made a way for us to know You and thus to understand, increasingly, Your Wisdom. I pray that all who are reading these words now, have the Your Spirit within. If not, right now Lord, move by Your Spirit, drawing each one to Yourself - filling with Your Holy Spirit unto salvation and growth in You Lord. Then, help us 'who are spiritual' exercise 'the mind of Christ' (1 Corinthians 2:16) which You have given us, in all things. We love You Lord. Thank You for loving us."
Monday, May 10, 2010
Compelled by the Holy Spirit
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships, are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace" (Acts 20:24).
When was the last time you were 'compelled by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-18)?
This writing is prompted by a sense of being 'compelled by the Spirit.' I am on route to home, sitting in the Cleveland airport, awaiting my flight. Funny place to be compelled by the Spirit...? As I was walking, escalating, and walking on the 'people mover' from one end of the airport to the other, the Holy Spirit birthed from within me a 'new song of praise to our God'!
It was 'an original'...words of Praise about: God's Worthiness, His Love, His pursuit of me, and the precious cross on which my Savior gave His life for mine! It was a new tune - it just came 'out of the overflow of my heart!'(Proverbs 4:23…if you read this Mia, I know you love it and know what I mean!!)
How do I know the new song of praise was from the Holy Spirit? Well, I pray you know through your own experience, it is hard to describe 'how I know', but here it goes: The praise pointed to Jesus Christ; the song was unencumbered - it was not thought through for censorship of it's perfection, correctness, or form before the singing of it - it was joy flowing from within and brought great delight to my soul, it drew me closer to Jesus even as it was an expression of my relationship with Jesus, initiated and empowered by Him; it was fruit born from the Outpouring.
The Outpouring? This was the gathering that brought me to Cleveland and from where I was traveling. We are admonished to not forsake/neglect our gathering together as the body of Christ. This gathering was purposed in the heart of God for believers to come together to worship, pray, and wait on the Lord; to wait on the Lord with expectancy on the Holy Spirit to come amongst us and move by His presence and power. And He came. (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5).
There was worshiping in Spirit and Truth. There were people being set free (Isaiah 61:1-3). There was freedom of expression, pointing to Jesus and our Sovereign God. There were prayers of intercession - personal, family, community, nation, and world - send revival in the land, Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14). People were ministering to others with the gifts the Lord deposited in them. There was challenge to return to the places where God has positioned each one of us and to seek the Lord in evidencing the Fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5, 25, 26). And to share what the Lord did during the Outpouring time - as the Apostle Paul declared, "testifying to the good news of God's grace" (Acts 20:24).
So, the song came, an new song - as a testimony of God's marvelous grace - the movement of His presence and power. I wait, we wait now, to see the evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and power through the fruit to be born as a result of His movement during the Outpouring. Revive us O Lord. Bring Revival to your church.
When was the last time you were compelled by the Holy Spirit? When was the last time you said, 'Come, Holy Spirit' and waited for the presence of the Lord to move in power?
When was the last time you were 'compelled by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-18)?
This writing is prompted by a sense of being 'compelled by the Spirit.' I am on route to home, sitting in the Cleveland airport, awaiting my flight. Funny place to be compelled by the Spirit...? As I was walking, escalating, and walking on the 'people mover' from one end of the airport to the other, the Holy Spirit birthed from within me a 'new song of praise to our God'!
It was 'an original'...words of Praise about: God's Worthiness, His Love, His pursuit of me, and the precious cross on which my Savior gave His life for mine! It was a new tune - it just came 'out of the overflow of my heart!'(Proverbs 4:23…if you read this Mia, I know you love it and know what I mean!!)
How do I know the new song of praise was from the Holy Spirit? Well, I pray you know through your own experience, it is hard to describe 'how I know', but here it goes: The praise pointed to Jesus Christ; the song was unencumbered - it was not thought through for censorship of it's perfection, correctness, or form before the singing of it - it was joy flowing from within and brought great delight to my soul, it drew me closer to Jesus even as it was an expression of my relationship with Jesus, initiated and empowered by Him; it was fruit born from the Outpouring.
The Outpouring? This was the gathering that brought me to Cleveland and from where I was traveling. We are admonished to not forsake/neglect our gathering together as the body of Christ. This gathering was purposed in the heart of God for believers to come together to worship, pray, and wait on the Lord; to wait on the Lord with expectancy on the Holy Spirit to come amongst us and move by His presence and power. And He came. (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5).
There was worshiping in Spirit and Truth. There were people being set free (Isaiah 61:1-3). There was freedom of expression, pointing to Jesus and our Sovereign God. There were prayers of intercession - personal, family, community, nation, and world - send revival in the land, Lord (2 Chronicles 7:14). People were ministering to others with the gifts the Lord deposited in them. There was challenge to return to the places where God has positioned each one of us and to seek the Lord in evidencing the Fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5, 25, 26). And to share what the Lord did during the Outpouring time - as the Apostle Paul declared, "testifying to the good news of God's grace" (Acts 20:24).
So, the song came, an new song - as a testimony of God's marvelous grace - the movement of His presence and power. I wait, we wait now, to see the evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and power through the fruit to be born as a result of His movement during the Outpouring. Revive us O Lord. Bring Revival to your church.
When was the last time you were compelled by the Holy Spirit? When was the last time you said, 'Come, Holy Spirit' and waited for the presence of the Lord to move in power?
Friday, April 30, 2010
"...but who are you?"
Leviticus 19
Acts 19
Food for Life:
Leviticus 19
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (19:2) This verse sums up the entire book of Leviticus which reveals God's instructions on how, as stated previously, the Israelites could be 'positionally holy" - their standing before the Lord, in the first 17 chapters. The last half of the book reveal actions, how to 'walk' holy based on that positional holiness. Many 'don'ts' are contained in chapter 19; really good ones! One writer observed that Jesus' command, "To Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself" sums up all the instruction - the Law of Leviticus and the OT. Jesus Himself said He came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). It is by grace through faith we have been saved, not a work of our own, that we could boast (Ephesians 2:10). Hallelujah, what a Savior! (I [want] to never tire of proclaiming that..."Lord let us never tire of the reality of Who You Are, and Whose we are."
Acts 19
"One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you'" (19:15)?
( One thing I've noticed about blogs or emails etc., is that if they are too long, most people will not read it! Therefore, while much could be said about this chapter - even about this verse, I ask the Lord to help me focus on the one thing to be said for today :))
The demon did not recognize the authority of the one(s) that were commanding the demon to depart. So the demon spoke up! I know Jesus, and I know Paul....but...WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE/??
Paul had The Authority within him. He had the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the Power of God. It wasn't the person of Paul who had power over evil spirits, illness, sickness, and power to imbue handkerchiefs and aprons (19:11) for illness and sickness to be cured. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was blood bought. It was told of him by Jesus that he would see how much he would suffer for Christ's sake.
This is one of the clearest illustrations or portraying the difference between 'knowing about Jesus' and 'knowing Jesus.' The Seven Sons of Sceva and the Jewish chief priest knew ABOUT Jesus - they had cognitive understanding of Jesus...so they thought they could repeat the words they heard and see miraculous acts performed! BUT there was no power in their words, because there was no power in their lives, because they knew ABOUT Jesus, but didn't have a relationship with Jesus. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit.
And the demon recognized this. It is the Power of the Living Christ Who has power over demons. It is the Power of the Living Christ Who has power to heal the sick, to deliver from evil spirits, to raise from the dead. It is the Power of the Living Christ Whose Words have power! Words are just words without the Power of the Holy Spirit behind them.
The Seven Sons of Sceva and the chief priest found this out....the hard way. What about me? What about you? Is the Power of the Holy Spirit evident in our lives or do we have words with no power? Do we have a 'form of religion but with no power' (2 Timothy 3:5)? "God, please reveal Yourself to each one of us, help us examine ourselves and be filled, continually, with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord."
Acts 19
Food for Life:
Leviticus 19
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (19:2) This verse sums up the entire book of Leviticus which reveals God's instructions on how, as stated previously, the Israelites could be 'positionally holy" - their standing before the Lord, in the first 17 chapters. The last half of the book reveal actions, how to 'walk' holy based on that positional holiness. Many 'don'ts' are contained in chapter 19; really good ones! One writer observed that Jesus' command, "To Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself" sums up all the instruction - the Law of Leviticus and the OT. Jesus Himself said He came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). It is by grace through faith we have been saved, not a work of our own, that we could boast (Ephesians 2:10). Hallelujah, what a Savior! (I [want] to never tire of proclaiming that..."Lord let us never tire of the reality of Who You Are, and Whose we are."
Acts 19
"One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you'" (19:15)?
( One thing I've noticed about blogs or emails etc., is that if they are too long, most people will not read it! Therefore, while much could be said about this chapter - even about this verse, I ask the Lord to help me focus on the one thing to be said for today :))
The demon did not recognize the authority of the one(s) that were commanding the demon to depart. So the demon spoke up! I know Jesus, and I know Paul....but...WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE/??
Paul had The Authority within him. He had the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, the Power of God. It wasn't the person of Paul who had power over evil spirits, illness, sickness, and power to imbue handkerchiefs and aprons (19:11) for illness and sickness to be cured. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was blood bought. It was told of him by Jesus that he would see how much he would suffer for Christ's sake.
This is one of the clearest illustrations or portraying the difference between 'knowing about Jesus' and 'knowing Jesus.' The Seven Sons of Sceva and the Jewish chief priest knew ABOUT Jesus - they had cognitive understanding of Jesus...so they thought they could repeat the words they heard and see miraculous acts performed! BUT there was no power in their words, because there was no power in their lives, because they knew ABOUT Jesus, but didn't have a relationship with Jesus. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit.
And the demon recognized this. It is the Power of the Living Christ Who has power over demons. It is the Power of the Living Christ Who has power to heal the sick, to deliver from evil spirits, to raise from the dead. It is the Power of the Living Christ Whose Words have power! Words are just words without the Power of the Holy Spirit behind them.
The Seven Sons of Sceva and the chief priest found this out....the hard way. What about me? What about you? Is the Power of the Holy Spirit evident in our lives or do we have words with no power? Do we have a 'form of religion but with no power' (2 Timothy 3:5)? "God, please reveal Yourself to each one of us, help us examine ourselves and be filled, continually, with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Holy Living
Leviticus 17,18
Acts 18
Food for Life:
Leviticus 17,18
These chapters see the transition in the writing between the instructions to atone for and receive forgiveness for sin and instructions on how to live out of forgiveness. Through 17 we see how the Israelites could be positionally holy before the Lord - their sins forgiven and to be made clean and set apart. Chapter 18 to the end of Leviticus the Israelites are instructed as to how to live out the forgiveness they received - how to live holy lives. How to live lives apart from the pagan cultures around them and to live for the Living God.
18:24-29, "Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, [previous verses in the chapter] because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants....Everyone who does any of these detestable thing - such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord you God."
God-inspired Moses heard from the Lord and had recorded what he was instructed. The practices were the 'abominable' ways pagans around them, godless people, practiced their sexual relations. Before I belonged to Jesus, before I received forgiveness and was set free from sin nature and it's bondage, I defiled myself as described in these verses, practicing some of these ways that were detestable to the Lord....BUT GOD (remember, God is the game-changer). Grace through faith rushed into my life, Jesus Christ Himself, and His blood (not the blood of goats, bulls, and lambs) was sacrificed for that sin of mine. He set me free. And now, I am free to live out His forgiveness in the ways set forth in chapter 18. Thank You Lord!
This body is not my own. I don't 'own my body', God does. He created me for Himself. He created me to bring Glory and Honor to Him. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How about you? If you are born-again, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit, You are filled with the Spirit of God and your body is not your own - you belong to God. Are you living out the ways in which we were created and commanded to? Living out your sexuality in God-honoring ways, the ways for which we were created? Life-giving ways?
If not, you can start today! That is the Good News! I use to live in those ways, BUT GOD, makes a way for us to change and live a new way! The way that fits us best, that is the most life-giving and God-honoring! Then we can be His Light to the godless ways all around us!
"Lord, I pray today, as we hear Your voice, that we would not hardened our hearts - that we would call upon You Lord, for salvation, for grace-empowered living - Your Holy Spirit - to live in ways that are for Your Glory, our best, and the best of others. Thank You Lord!"
Acts 18
The background of Acts 18 fits well w/Leviticus 18 (of course, God orchestrates :). Paul is confronted, and addresses the issues of sexually immorality in 1&2 Corinthians. Corinth was the commercial and political center of Greece - they had a temple to Aphrodite, goddess of love and war. The pagan culture addressed in our reading in Leviticus is the same kind of pagan culture Paul was addressing.
One thing that strikes me is how Paul explains (exclaims actually) his actions toward the Jews. "Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles" (18:5,6). Paul seems to have taken his cue from...Jesus! Jesus told the disciples he sent out that if a town does not accept them in His Name, they were to shake the dust off their feet and leave the town (Luke 9:3-5; Mark 6:6-11). (Perhaps the 'blood be on your own heads' was a response to their 'abusive' behavior toward him!).
This is freeing to me! My responsibility, your responsibility is to share what the Lord has given us to share. The Good News! The message of salvation, in Word and Deed! To speak the Truth in Love to folks in a given situation, to be the hands and feet of Jesus - out of the love Christ has for them, and thus out of the love we have for them. How folks respond, the 'outcome' is up to the Lord. We aren't to drag folks to Jesus kicking and screaming; we aren't to cajole, coerce, chide, deride, ridicule...condemn. Even when folks might respond like that to us - we don't act 'in kind', we back off, walk away...continue to pray for them - asking the Lord to move through the Holy Spirit in their lives...even as we ask the Holy Spirit to move in and through our own lives.
"Thank You Lord that you call us to Yourself and then to those who need You Lord. You are the One that draws people to Yourself through the Love and Power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed, privileged, and humbled that You would choose us, and then use us by working through us. Thank You Lord, I thank You that You use the weak/foolish things of this world to confound the wise; for in my weakness, You are strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Acts 18
Food for Life:
Leviticus 17,18
These chapters see the transition in the writing between the instructions to atone for and receive forgiveness for sin and instructions on how to live out of forgiveness. Through 17 we see how the Israelites could be positionally holy before the Lord - their sins forgiven and to be made clean and set apart. Chapter 18 to the end of Leviticus the Israelites are instructed as to how to live out the forgiveness they received - how to live holy lives. How to live lives apart from the pagan cultures around them and to live for the Living God.
18:24-29, "Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, [previous verses in the chapter] because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants....Everyone who does any of these detestable thing - such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord you God."
God-inspired Moses heard from the Lord and had recorded what he was instructed. The practices were the 'abominable' ways pagans around them, godless people, practiced their sexual relations. Before I belonged to Jesus, before I received forgiveness and was set free from sin nature and it's bondage, I defiled myself as described in these verses, practicing some of these ways that were detestable to the Lord....BUT GOD (remember, God is the game-changer). Grace through faith rushed into my life, Jesus Christ Himself, and His blood (not the blood of goats, bulls, and lambs) was sacrificed for that sin of mine. He set me free. And now, I am free to live out His forgiveness in the ways set forth in chapter 18. Thank You Lord!
This body is not my own. I don't 'own my body', God does. He created me for Himself. He created me to bring Glory and Honor to Him. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How about you? If you are born-again, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit, You are filled with the Spirit of God and your body is not your own - you belong to God. Are you living out the ways in which we were created and commanded to? Living out your sexuality in God-honoring ways, the ways for which we were created? Life-giving ways?
If not, you can start today! That is the Good News! I use to live in those ways, BUT GOD, makes a way for us to change and live a new way! The way that fits us best, that is the most life-giving and God-honoring! Then we can be His Light to the godless ways all around us!
"Lord, I pray today, as we hear Your voice, that we would not hardened our hearts - that we would call upon You Lord, for salvation, for grace-empowered living - Your Holy Spirit - to live in ways that are for Your Glory, our best, and the best of others. Thank You Lord!"
Acts 18
The background of Acts 18 fits well w/Leviticus 18 (of course, God orchestrates :). Paul is confronted, and addresses the issues of sexually immorality in 1&2 Corinthians. Corinth was the commercial and political center of Greece - they had a temple to Aphrodite, goddess of love and war. The pagan culture addressed in our reading in Leviticus is the same kind of pagan culture Paul was addressing.
One thing that strikes me is how Paul explains (exclaims actually) his actions toward the Jews. "Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles" (18:5,6). Paul seems to have taken his cue from...Jesus! Jesus told the disciples he sent out that if a town does not accept them in His Name, they were to shake the dust off their feet and leave the town (Luke 9:3-5; Mark 6:6-11). (Perhaps the 'blood be on your own heads' was a response to their 'abusive' behavior toward him!).
This is freeing to me! My responsibility, your responsibility is to share what the Lord has given us to share. The Good News! The message of salvation, in Word and Deed! To speak the Truth in Love to folks in a given situation, to be the hands and feet of Jesus - out of the love Christ has for them, and thus out of the love we have for them. How folks respond, the 'outcome' is up to the Lord. We aren't to drag folks to Jesus kicking and screaming; we aren't to cajole, coerce, chide, deride, ridicule...condemn. Even when folks might respond like that to us - we don't act 'in kind', we back off, walk away...continue to pray for them - asking the Lord to move through the Holy Spirit in their lives...even as we ask the Holy Spirit to move in and through our own lives.
"Thank You Lord that you call us to Yourself and then to those who need You Lord. You are the One that draws people to Yourself through the Love and Power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed, privileged, and humbled that You would choose us, and then use us by working through us. Thank You Lord, I thank You that You use the weak/foolish things of this world to confound the wise; for in my weakness, You are strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Holiness of God
Leviticus 1
Acts 5
Food for Life:
Leviticus 1
The Book of Leviticus reveals the holiness of God and His expectation of redeemed people. It shows us how impossible it is to please God without faith in the person and Lord Jesus Christ. It reveals to us our need for a Savior, The Savior. Genesis revealed the beginnings of human history, Exodus reveals the redemption of Israel, Leviticus the expectation of a redeemed people toward a Holy God....Leviticus 1 - the burnt offering.
"God thank You that You revealed to us our need for a Savior, our need for Jesus. Thank You that we aren't expected to offer burnt sacrifices, as Jesus Christ was the Perfect Sacrifice. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit so that we may be empowered by Him to fulfill Your expectation of us, Holy Lord."
"God thank You that You revealed to us our need for a Savior, our need for Jesus. Thank You that we aren't expected to offer burnt sacrifices, as Jesus Christ was the Perfect Sacrifice. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit so that we may be empowered by Him to fulfill Your expectation of us, Holy Lord."
Acts 5
Talk about the Holiness of God!
Talk about the Holiness of God!
Annanias and Sapphira kept back some of the price from a piece of property they sold. Annanias with his wife's full knowledge, laid a portion of the price of the property at the Apostles feet, pretending it was the full price. Peter said, "Annanias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?" (5:3) Husband and wife then breathed their last....they lied to the Holy Spirit (notice that Peter didn't say 'why did you lie to me?' - they were misrepresenting themselves as doing the Lord's bidding...they lied to Go) and their consequence was death.
The whole church respected and feared the apostles after this and after many "signs and wonders were taking place among the people... And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly being added to their number" (5:12). And even tho' the people held the apostles in high esteem, they didn't associate with them....they saw Annanias and Sapphira breath their last!
Peter and the other apostles were thrown in jail for....preaching and being used of the Holy Spirit to perform miracles...the religious leaders and the politicians were afraid their power was being usurped. A wise one of the bunch, Gamaliel, counseled them not to try and stop them however. He said, "...if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God"(5:38,39).
"God, I pray we would be filled so with the Holy Spirit that we would have confidence in You such that we know our plans and actions would succeed, regardless of human obstacles. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see Lord. Let us be those who it is said of, "they have been with Jesus; God is with them."
vs41: "So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." Wow, I cannot remember (ever?) walking away from suffering (being flogged??), rejoicing b/c I was found worthy by God to suffer shame for His name! There have been times, when I have felt shamed/been mocked/labeled and by God's grace have been able to see from the Lord's perspective - thank Him and prayed. I felt more humbled; can't say I've actually rejoiced. How about you? "Lord, help us to recognize when we are suffering from our own actions and when we are suffering for Christ's sake. Give us eyes to see Lord, hearts to know and understand...help us to rejoice in affliction. In these last days, when all around us (perhaps we ourselves at times) are folks loving what You created instead of loving You."
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Acts 4, Exodus 40
Acts 4
Exodus 40
Food for Life:
Acts 4
"Move Holy Spirit in our day, today. Move like you did as recorded in the book of Acts 4. Move upon us as you did Peter and John; they spoke of You, what they witnessed and heard. Despite the political figures and religious figures of the day, they swore their allegiance to You, and sought to please You rather than man. They went to jail for righteousness sake; and more than 5000 were saved!!! God, they proclaimed that there is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved, the Name of Jesus Christ! Lord, Your people shared what they had with their brothers and sisters in Christ and no one lacked what they needed. They raised their voices together in prayer and then the place they were standing in shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit...let it be today Lord. We need a move of the Holy Spirit across this land. We are as in days of old, walking in darkness and in need of Your Great Light. We are denying the Creator and worshiping instead what You created - ourselves - we are fashioning idols to worship made of gold and silver, today's mammon, we are calling the Truth a lie and lies the truth; as You are coming any moment Lord, please move across this land with the Holy Spirit and pour out Your Presence upon us. Only in You Lord can we stand."-
Exodus 40 In Acts 4, Peter and John lifted up Jesus and Him crucified. They were more concerned about pleasing God than man - they were jailed for it and people were saved. In this last chapter of Exodus, we see Moses leading the people to lift up God; to honor Him, to follow His instruction...to follow God. They completed the Tabernacle and placed it where God instructed. THEN GOD SHOWED UP...His Glory filled the Tabernacle such that the people could only be still and silent, "Be still and know that I AM God." Let it be today Lord, let it be today.....As we continue to see through Scripture, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The Glory of the LORD 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40
Food for Life:
Acts 4
"Move Holy Spirit in our day, today. Move like you did as recorded in the book of Acts 4. Move upon us as you did Peter and John; they spoke of You, what they witnessed and heard. Despite the political figures and religious figures of the day, they swore their allegiance to You, and sought to please You rather than man. They went to jail for righteousness sake; and more than 5000 were saved!!! God, they proclaimed that there is no other name under heaven by which people can be saved, the Name of Jesus Christ! Lord, Your people shared what they had with their brothers and sisters in Christ and no one lacked what they needed. They raised their voices together in prayer and then the place they were standing in shook and they were filled with the Holy Spirit...let it be today Lord. We need a move of the Holy Spirit across this land. We are as in days of old, walking in darkness and in need of Your Great Light. We are denying the Creator and worshiping instead what You created - ourselves - we are fashioning idols to worship made of gold and silver, today's mammon, we are calling the Truth a lie and lies the truth; as You are coming any moment Lord, please move across this land with the Holy Spirit and pour out Your Presence upon us. Only in You Lord can we stand."-
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Acts 2, Exodus 38
Acts 2
Exodus 38
Food for Life:
Acts 2
2:38 "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call....and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Peter addressed the crowd that had gathered, after Jesus went back to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit - he had waited, as we read of Jesus' instruction in chapter One. He now was ready to see how the Holy Spirit would move from within and around him. He shared the history/prophecy of Jesus' coming - "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?" (vs 37) (to be saved).
Peter told them, simply what to do - as it was evident that they believed what Peter told them about Jesus. Repent (agree with God that you are a sinner/disobedient to God, turn toward God and away from sin) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins (go under the water and come out, signifying the crucifixion, burial (under the water), and resurrection (up out of the water, cleansed) of Jesus. He told them in doing so, they would at the same time, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3 THOUSAND were saved that day!!! The POWER of the Holy Spirit moving through Peter!!
"Lord, let us see this in our day. God fill us to overflowing with the Holy Spirit so that You will be glorified in seeing many saved!!"
Have you repented, been baptized and thus been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, as the Scripture says? Do you know others that have not? Pray for them, ask the Lord to open doors to share Jesus with them, that they too will ask, what must I do? Jesus is coming soon....maybe today...are you ready?
Exodus 38
THe amount of gold received from the wave offering - the offering of the people - was @ 1 ton!!! And silver, about 3/4 of a ton!! Wow, when was the last time you and I saw an offering from the church that size...?! These folks were convinced that God was who He said He was...they were honoring Him and being obedient. "Oh Lord, forgive me (us) for times of disobedience. Convict us at those times, that we might repent...Lord we believe, help our unbelief. Whatever You are calling of each one of us, empower us with the Holy Spirit that we would say 'yes' immediately, and follow You. Thank you Lord, let us not hold back ANYTHING from You."
Exodus 38
Food for Life:
Acts 2
2:38 "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call....and about three thousand were added to their number that day." Peter addressed the crowd that had gathered, after Jesus went back to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit - he had waited, as we read of Jesus' instruction in chapter One. He now was ready to see how the Holy Spirit would move from within and around him. He shared the history/prophecy of Jesus' coming - "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?" (vs 37) (to be saved).
Peter told them, simply what to do - as it was evident that they believed what Peter told them about Jesus. Repent (agree with God that you are a sinner/disobedient to God, turn toward God and away from sin) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins (go under the water and come out, signifying the crucifixion, burial (under the water), and resurrection (up out of the water, cleansed) of Jesus. He told them in doing so, they would at the same time, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3 THOUSAND were saved that day!!! The POWER of the Holy Spirit moving through Peter!!
"Lord, let us see this in our day. God fill us to overflowing with the Holy Spirit so that You will be glorified in seeing many saved!!"
Have you repented, been baptized and thus been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, as the Scripture says? Do you know others that have not? Pray for them, ask the Lord to open doors to share Jesus with them, that they too will ask, what must I do? Jesus is coming soon....maybe today...are you ready?
Exodus 38
THe amount of gold received from the wave offering - the offering of the people - was @ 1 ton!!! And silver, about 3/4 of a ton!! Wow, when was the last time you and I saw an offering from the church that size...?! These folks were convinced that God was who He said He was...they were honoring Him and being obedient. "Oh Lord, forgive me (us) for times of disobedience. Convict us at those times, that we might repent...Lord we believe, help our unbelief. Whatever You are calling of each one of us, empower us with the Holy Spirit that we would say 'yes' immediately, and follow You. Thank you Lord, let us not hold back ANYTHING from You."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Acts 1, Exodus 37
Acts 1
Exodus 37
Food for Life:
Acts 1
This book records how the people of God were first called Christ-ians...and there is described throughout the book how the Holy Spirit moved among, from within His People in ways that those who witnessed and heard had to say..."that must be God!" "Let it be today Lord, even as it was in the days of the book of Acts!"
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This is no different that our instruction for today! When we receive Jesus, are born-again, we receive the Holy Spirit within...we have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead living within us. Also, we are to wait upon the Lord, day by day, moment by moment for the in-filling or empowerment of the Holy Spirit. For our heart, mind, spirit, to yield to the movement of the Holy Spirit; to 'walk in the Spirit and not the flesh;'.
Will you join me in being determined to wait on the Lord, to be filled with His Spirit, to be empowered by Him in order to live moment by moment by His strength and wisdom? His Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Humility, and Self-control?
Exodus 37
Wow - how beautiful, well made the Tabernacle of God was..."The ark (also called the ark of the Testimony or ark of the covenant) was built to hold the Ten Commandments. it symbolized God's covenant with his people. Two gold angels called cherubim were placed on its top. The ark was Israel's most sacred object and was kept in the Most HOly Place in the tabernacle. Only once each year, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to sprinkle blood on the top of the ark (called the atonement cover) to atone for the sins of the entire nation"(pg 162, NIV Study Bible). In Psalm 139 the psalmist writes that we "are fearfully and wonderfully made." After Jesus went to "sit at the right-hand of the Most High" and the Holy Spirit was sent to us, to live within us, WE became the tabernacle of the Lord. Not made with precious gold as in the Old Testament, but made in the Image of the Living God...fearfully and wonderfully made...we are!
Exodus 37
Food for Life:
Acts 1
This book records how the people of God were first called Christ-ians...and there is described throughout the book how the Holy Spirit moved among, from within His People in ways that those who witnessed and heard had to say..."that must be God!" "Let it be today Lord, even as it was in the days of the book of Acts!"
Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This is no different that our instruction for today! When we receive Jesus, are born-again, we receive the Holy Spirit within...we have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead living within us. Also, we are to wait upon the Lord, day by day, moment by moment for the in-filling or empowerment of the Holy Spirit. For our heart, mind, spirit, to yield to the movement of the Holy Spirit; to 'walk in the Spirit and not the flesh;'.
Will you join me in being determined to wait on the Lord, to be filled with His Spirit, to be empowered by Him in order to live moment by moment by His strength and wisdom? His Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Humility, and Self-control?
Exodus 37
Wow - how beautiful, well made the Tabernacle of God was..."The ark (also called the ark of the Testimony or ark of the covenant) was built to hold the Ten Commandments. it symbolized God's covenant with his people. Two gold angels called cherubim were placed on its top. The ark was Israel's most sacred object and was kept in the Most HOly Place in the tabernacle. Only once each year, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to sprinkle blood on the top of the ark (called the atonement cover) to atone for the sins of the entire nation"(pg 162, NIV Study Bible). In Psalm 139 the psalmist writes that we "are fearfully and wonderfully made." After Jesus went to "sit at the right-hand of the Most High" and the Holy Spirit was sent to us, to live within us, WE became the tabernacle of the Lord. Not made with precious gold as in the Old Testament, but made in the Image of the Living God...fearfully and wonderfully made...we are!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Faith is
being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"(Hebrews 11:1) One of the things I often pray for is more faith. Even tho' Jesus says that even faith as small as a mustard seed would move mountains... Everyday there are opportunities to walk by faith and not by sight, to chose faith instead of fear, and to trust God for the impossible.
Certainly Safe Families for Children (www.safe-families.org) movement is a movement of faith. Yet, I am challenged everyday with Safe Families to choose between that which can easily or by harder work be done, or, choose that which requires more faith. Admittedly, I often choose that which may take a little faith and that for which I can see just how it can be done - financially, people-power wise, systemically, and practically. I often have both a nagging and exhilarating sense about desiring to see God move in a way that everyone seeing would have to say, 'wow, that must have been God!" Do you?
I guess what I'm saying is, "I want more." I want more of God. I want more of the Holy Spirit - we are told that "the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us" (Romans 8:11) who have been blood bought (1 Corinthians 6:20), who are not our own, who have been purchased with a price. What I'm writing doesn't have to do with theology or doctrine (in the sense that I'm not making positional theological or doctrinal statements, so lets not get stuck there :)). I'm simply saying that I long to see more of that same power that raised Jesus from the dead working in and through me, you, the body of Christ.
You might ask, "What is behind this blog?" Good question.
This morning I heard something that riveted me, even seeing it as an answer to my prayer. I was told that a Christian businessman (whom I know) said that his approach to business decisions is this: "Whenever I have a decision or choice to make, I choose the option that requires the most amount of faith." I love that! For some reason, it is such a freeing approach for me! I do not do that as a 'rule.' Do you? I do take steps of faith, there are people who have told me over the years that they would like to have the faith that I have (I still don't see it the way they do...) and yet I have to say that generally, even while taking steps of faith, I can "see" ahead in some fashion.
So, today, I determine, by God's grace, to make the decisions and choices before me by which option requires the most faith. I recognize that this looks different for different people; my step of faith may not be faith for you and vice versa. How about you? Will you join me in asking God and stepping out to see God's promise that He will do "exceedingly, abundantly beyond whatever we could ask for or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20) - that same power that raised Jesus from the dead?
Certainly Safe Families for Children (www.safe-families.org) movement is a movement of faith. Yet, I am challenged everyday with Safe Families to choose between that which can easily or by harder work be done, or, choose that which requires more faith. Admittedly, I often choose that which may take a little faith and that for which I can see just how it can be done - financially, people-power wise, systemically, and practically. I often have both a nagging and exhilarating sense about desiring to see God move in a way that everyone seeing would have to say, 'wow, that must have been God!" Do you?
I guess what I'm saying is, "I want more." I want more of God. I want more of the Holy Spirit - we are told that "the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in us" (Romans 8:11) who have been blood bought (1 Corinthians 6:20), who are not our own, who have been purchased with a price. What I'm writing doesn't have to do with theology or doctrine (in the sense that I'm not making positional theological or doctrinal statements, so lets not get stuck there :)). I'm simply saying that I long to see more of that same power that raised Jesus from the dead working in and through me, you, the body of Christ.
You might ask, "What is behind this blog?" Good question.
This morning I heard something that riveted me, even seeing it as an answer to my prayer. I was told that a Christian businessman (whom I know) said that his approach to business decisions is this: "Whenever I have a decision or choice to make, I choose the option that requires the most amount of faith." I love that! For some reason, it is such a freeing approach for me! I do not do that as a 'rule.' Do you? I do take steps of faith, there are people who have told me over the years that they would like to have the faith that I have (I still don't see it the way they do...) and yet I have to say that generally, even while taking steps of faith, I can "see" ahead in some fashion.
So, today, I determine, by God's grace, to make the decisions and choices before me by which option requires the most faith. I recognize that this looks different for different people; my step of faith may not be faith for you and vice versa. How about you? Will you join me in asking God and stepping out to see God's promise that He will do "exceedingly, abundantly beyond whatever we could ask for or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20) - that same power that raised Jesus from the dead?
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