Tag: Holy Spirit
Day 5–Humbled and Thankful!
Scripture reading for April 17: 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible Gift!”
As we just passed the half-way point of this devotional, I want to personally share how thankful I am for God’s ‘inexpressible Gift’ in my own life. The big ‘Gift’ is His Son, Jesus Christ given to all mankind to show the heart of our Father to bring forgiveness of sins and restoration into His Forever Family. God patiently worked with me through a believing mother sharing God’s love and Jesus with me from my earliest remembrance. She read the Bible to me and told me the stories of Jesus through flannel board and songs. She took me to church and Sunday School where others shared the Good News. Their joy and encouragement drew me to a commitment to follow Jesus in my early teens when I responded to an altar call at youth group.
My loving Father God and the Savior also provided me with Mary, a wonderful wife of 58 years and five children and ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. I have also had the privilege of being given many wonderful friends and Christian brothers and sisters who have encouraged me in my journey and challenged me to follow Jesus day by day.
Another ‘inexpressible Gift’ is from God our Father–the indwelling Holy Spirit Whom I received as I believed on Jesus. The Holy Spirit has given me assurance that I was in God’s family and daily reveals God’s Word and will to me. He is ‘God with me’ on a daily basis. His presence brings transformation and power to live in the freedom of forgiveness and grace. He comforts me in my trials and strengthens me to be a witness of Jesus Christ in word, deed, and attitude. He corrects me with gentleness and directs me with a still small voice. He brings God’s Word to my remembrance and empowers me to share it as He opens doors.
Father God, Thank You for Your ‘Inexpressible Gift’ in Your Son Jesus Christ for revealing Your heart and giving His body and blood for my salvation from sins power and consequences. Thank You for the Holy Spirit living in me revealing Your glory and holiness. Thank You for my wife, family, and friends given as gifts to enrich my journey. I am so blessed and the best is yet to come! Amen.
Standing fast in the Lord!
Scripture reading for September 16: 1 Thessalonians 3
“But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you–for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
In the culture of our world, people are often very fickle. They may be enthusiastic about a cause or even about the Gospel presented in the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They start out well and with good intentions, but then Satan’s hinderances and attacks draw their heart back to their old ways. Their world view is that whatever feels good at the moment is what to do and follow. They naturally seek the easy route through life’s difficulties.
Paul had been informed that the Thessalonians had suffered great affliction and persecution. He was concerned that this affliction would send the new converts back to their old ways. He sent Timothy there to check on them and he brought good news of their faith and love for Paul and one another. They longed to see Paul again and were standing fast in faith. This report brought great joy and thanksgiving to Paul for God’s faithfulness and provision. Paul prayed all the more that God would allow him to return to them and see them face to face and further help them in their new life of faith. Reports of faithfulness bring comfort and encouragement to spiritual fathers and leaders. Praise our Lord!
In your own walk with Christ, have you ever allowed affliction or hardship to send you on a path away from faith? Have you ever been surprised by someone standing fast in faith in spite of many difficulties and hardships? What are some factors that help us to stand firm in faith in spite of suffering?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for strengthening the hearts of Your people through the Holy Spirit and preparing us all for suffering through Your Word and the example of past believers. As a pastor, help me to pray for those going through suffering and affliction and encourage them. Amen.
“Who are you?”
Scripture reading for May 30: Acts 19
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the Name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that he fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Acts 19:11-16
Everyone likes miracles and Paul the Apostle was used by God in ‘extraordinary’ miracles. Pieces of cloth or handkerchiefs that Paul had kept on his body were sent to the sick and demon possessed and they were made well and cleansed. Some Jewish exorcists observed Paul in action and the disciples that worked with him. They thought that they would just adopt and imitate the formula that he was using so successfully. They carefully used the words, “In the Name of Jesus” but added for clarification “Whom Paul proclaims.” The results were disastrous! The demon in the one they sought to deliver took on all seven of these exorcists and beat them up!
To add insult to injury, the demon spoke to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” That is a penetrating question that begs for an answer. When we try to imitate Jesus or other believers without true faith, we cannot get results. In fact, we may be shown up for the frauds we really are. If we are to be truly used in healing and deliverance, we must know Jesus Christ personally and have the seal of the Holy Spirit declaring we are God’s child. Demon spirits recognize true faith and those marked by God’s Spirit. There is no way we can fake spiritual authority effectively.
How does this record of Scripture help you to understand how spiritual authority operates? How did the evil spirit recognize Paul and Jesus? What was lacking in these Jewish exorcists? Could you face a demonic force with confidence in Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Like the apostles of old, I want to be used by You to bring Good News to those who are hurting and demon possessed or oppressed. Do miracles through me as You have promised in Your Word. Amen.
Gentile Pentecost!
Scripture reading for May 19: Acts 10
“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain some days.” Acts 10:44-48
Peter was a Jewish believer in Jesus. The Jews were taught to maintain separation from Gentiles. But as Peter was praying, God gave him a vision and then spoke to him by the Holy Spirit, instructing him to go with Gentiles who would come to his home. These Gentile men had been sent by the Roman centurion, Cornelius in obedience to God’s instructions to him. All of these events were planned by God and designed to bring these Gentile believers into the body of Christ, His Church. They were also designed to expand Peter’s world view concerning Gentiles and their calling as Spirit-filled believers.
Peter went with the men to Cornelius’ home and found a crowd of friends and relatives awaiting him. He explained how God had planned this event and how he had come in spite of his Jewish upbringing and rules forbidding interaction with Gentiles. As Peter preached Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit took over the meeting and fell on those in attendance. They began to speak in tongues and glorify God. Peter and his Jewish companions were amazed and declared that these Gentile believers should be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues had convincingly shown them that God had shown no favorites but wanted all men, Jew or Gentile, to be empowered and saved.
Has God ever brought about events in your life that turned your thinking and understanding upside down? In what ways had the Holy Spirit been working in Cornelius to bring him to salvation? Though Peter was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, why did God have to help him to reach out here?
Prayer: Father God, sometimes my past religious training and traditions have limited my willingness to love others and share Christ with them. Forgive my ignorance and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Use whatever means necessary to bring me to a fuller Christ-centered world view. Amen.
“Do you now believe?”
Scripture reading for April 28: John 16
“Now we know that You know all things and do not need anyone to question You; this is why we believe that You came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me. I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:30-33
Jesus’ disciples had just experienced the last Passover meal with Jesus where He had shared with them the coming events. One (Judas) would and had betrayed Him. Peter would deny Him three times. And now, all of them would be scattered and forsake Jesus during this coming trial. Jesus would give His body and blood as atonement for sin, demonstrating the love of God His Father for each of them and for the whole world. He had shared an extensive teaching on the Holy Spirit, the Father’s Gift of Comforter, Helper, and constant companion. He told them that they would be able to ask in His Name for anything, and it would be done. They would go through sorrow, but their sorrow would be turned to joy.
They had professed to believe in Him and felt that Jesus had demonstrated His knowledge of all things. They claimed to know that He came from God. But now Jesus declared all of their coming fearful reactions to His crucifixion. “Do you really believe?” was Jesus question for them. He had told them all these hard truths that they might believe in Him and have peace in the midst of the trial and afterwards. He declared peace over their lives and assured them of His own victory over death and the world! The rest was up to them to choose faith and begin believing, asking and living a life of peace.
What claims, promises, or declarations of Jesus have opened your eyes to truly believe in Him? “Do you now really believe?” What indications of believing stated by Jesus can you list as confirmation that you are living by faith?
Prayer: Father God, I have often wrestled early in my faith life with whether my faith was sufficient. Thank You for assuring me through Your Word that I am Your child through faith in Jesus Christ. Let Your peace in my daily life be a reason that others ask me for the reason! I gladly will share Jesus Christ! Amen.
“What shall we do?”
Scripture reading for March 6: Luke 3
“. . .during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. . . .And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And He said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And He said to them, do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be content with your wages.”” Luke 3:2-3, 10-14
When the time was right, John the Baptist received the Word of God in the wilderness. He responded by preaching as instructed a call to repentance and water baptism for all for forgiveness of sins. As the people heard the message, they asked John specifically what repentance would look like for them. To each inquirer, John gave a specific answer as the Word of God came to him. We might call John’s answers a “Word of knowledge given through the Holy Spirit.” Each person then had the opportunity to respond to the instructions and submit to water baptism as an act of faith that they had repented and received cleansing.
As we ponder John’s ministry and also that of Jesus and His disciples, we can see that as the Word of God is preached and declared, the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin and our need of righteousness and of the coming judgment on unforgiven sin. We know our own guilt and also cry out to God for mercy and a new pathway of obedience. Repentance is more than being sorry for sin. Repentance asks God for mercy and then sets a new direction of obedience and faith in God’s Word. What we once did as the world, we now have turned from and do what God helps us to do through the Word and Holy Spirit.
Have you ever heard God’s Word preached and experienced conviction of sin? What was your response to the conviction? Did you ask God, “What then shall I do?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing Word and those that You have called to proclaim it. Thank You for the example of John the Baptist and his ministry. Empower me daily to share Your Word with those You send me to. May they ask “What then shall we do?” as the Holy Spirit draws them to godly sorrow and repentance. Amen.
Anointed to preach Good News!
Scripture reading for October 21: Luke 3-6
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” “Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-21
Not much is recorded about the life of Jesus from twelve years old until He was baptized by John at the age of thirty. We know that He worked with Joseph for part of that time in their carpenter shop. He took part in normal family life and community life in the town of Nazareth. Can you imagine eating off of a table that Jesus had made? Or using an ox yoke that He had crafted? The Son of God learned about our struggles doing menial labor for ordinary people! This was part of His preparation for the ministry of preaching the Good News to the lost of the world!
At the proper time, Jesus went down to the Jordan River to where John the Baptist was baptizing those who would repent. John had spoken of One Who would come after him Whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. When John saw Jesus, he immediately knew that He was this One! (John 1:29) Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. A Voice from heaven declared: “You are My Son, Whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) God loved His Son and anointed Him with the Gift of His Spirit to empower His preaching.
Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. For forty days, Jesus fasted all food. Satan came to tempt Him and each time, Jesus quoted Scripture to defeat him. He was successful against the temptations of Satan through living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
When he arrived back in Nazareth at His home synagogue, He was invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah 61:1-2. He read the words quoted to begin this devotion. The Spirit had anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom to all who would hear. He was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. This Scripture was fulfilled in the hearing of those present that day in Nazareth! (Luke 4:21)
The anointing of the Holy Spirit indwelling Jesus Christ is for us today! The Holy Spirit will do even greater things in our lives because Jesus has gone to the Father! (John 14:12-13) Ask boldly in faith!
The Power of our choices!
Scripture reading for April 9: 2nd Kings 1-3
“What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” (2nd Kings 2:9)
This is essentially the same question God asked Solomon when He appeared to him a few years earlier. (1st Kings 3:5) Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people. God gives us choices. One of the tensions in Scripture is between our free will and God’s sovereign will. God is sovereign but He has chosen to work with man who is made in His image. Part of that image is the ability to make choices.
Elijah had been instructed by God to tap Elisha to take his place some ten years earlier. Elisha was the son of a farmer. He was plowing with 12 yokes of oxen–a big rig of that day! (1st Kings 19:19) At God’s instruction, Elijah threw his mantle over him. Scripture records that he left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he sacrificed his oxen, burning his plowing equipment to offer the sacrifice. Choices have consequences and rewards and often lead to more choices.
As the time for Elijah’s departure drew near, Elisha had to continually choose to stay near his mentor. Elijah kept asking him to stay away, but he kept insisting on staying. If we are going to get all that the Lord has for us, it means we must persevere! Elisha asked Elijah for the double portion of his mentor’s spirit. Elijah could not give that himself. It must come from the Lord. Elijah gave him a word of knowledge–that if he could see him when he departed he would have what he asked for. (2nd Kings 2:10-12) As they walked on together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind right before Elisha’s eyes and the mantle fell to earth! It was an exciting exit for the prophet Elijah and an exciting transition for the prophet Elisha as he picked up the anointed mantle and began to do greater things than his mentor!
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the final word from God. He has told HIs disciples to ask Him for whatever we need and He will do it. (John 14:14) He has given us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and bring forth the gifts of the Spirit as they are needed to glorify the Lord. He has told us, that we will do even greater works because He has gone to the Father. (John 14:11-14) Ask the Lord today for what you need! How much more will God the Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! (Luke 11:13)
Washed and renewed!
Scripture reading for September 27th: Titus 3, Psalm 43, Proverbs 7
Titus 3: 3-7 “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, let astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
We who are followers of Christ have a ‘past life’ that we are not proud of. We were born in sin and until we were ‘born again,’ we lived like the world in the passions of our flesh. But when Jesus Christ laid hold of us and we repented of our sins, we were saved out of the old life and washed from our sins through faith in Jesus’ blood applied on the altar of heaven for us. We received the gift of the Holy Spirit, Whose job it is to form in us the image of Jesus Christ and renew our minds to think the thoughts of God and humbly walk by faith. We are ‘justified’, made right with God, and adopted into His forever family. We are full of exceeding joy as we now have Light and Truth living in us. We respond in worship and embrace Jesus, the Living Word in worship and adoration! He is our Wisdom and Insight now and forever!
Psalm 43:3-4 “Send out Your Light and Your Truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding Joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Light and Truth in Your Son! Thank You for washing me from my sins and adopting me into Your family, renewing my mind and giving me true wisdom and insight through Your Holy Word. You are my ‘exceeding Joy’ and my delight! I trust You to keep me each day from the seduction of this world and my flesh. Use me to proclaim Your goodness and mercy to those still lost.
Proverbs 7:4-5 “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.”
Good news: mercy and justice!
Scripture reading for June 30th: Luke 3, Psalm 130, Proverbs 6
Luke 3:15-18 “As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all saying, “I baptize you with water, but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear the threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached Good News to the people.”
John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, created a stir among the people and religious authorities. His preaching called people to repentance and to baptism or washing of filth in expectation of the coming Messiah. This Messiah, according to John, would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He would come to bring in the harvest of souls from the earth, symbolized by a winnowing fork, a tool that was used to harvest the wheat. The wheat would then be beaten on the threshing floor to remove the chaff. The Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, cleansing all sin and creating a new life. Sins would not only be forgiven, but consumed completely because Christ paid our penalty for sin. This message was “Good News” for sinners who were humble enough to repent!
Psalm 130:3-4 “If You, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great mercy in sending Your Son to take the fire of judgment for broken law on our behalf on Calvary’s cross. Thank You for Jesus Christ, our Messiah, providing us with an inner baptism of the Holy Spirit and cleansing us with Holy Fire from Your altar of mercy. But for Your mercy, we would be consumed in the fire of judgment as chaff instead of gathered into Your Barn!
Proverbs 6:27-29 “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.”