Tag: Spirit without limit
Jesus Christ is above all!
Scripture reading for October 18th: John 3, Psalm 58, Proverbs 22
John 3: 30-36 “He (Jesus) must increase, but I (John the Baptist) must decrease. He Who comes from above is above all. He who is of earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He Who comes from Heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For He Who God has sent utters the Words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin and the one chosen by God to prepare the way for the kingdom of heaven ushered in by Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. John had the privilege of baptizing Jesus as Jesus began His ministry. John saw the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus and heard the Father commend His Son. John testified that Jesus was the “Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world.” John proclaimed that Jesus was much greater than him and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John knew that Jesus was the supreme Son of God, loved by the Father and King of all. As King, all judgment belonged to Jesus. John called all to repent and believe on Jesus the Son and receive eternal life. Failure to believe and obey would bring eternal wrath.
Psalm 58: 10-11 “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on earth.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the amazing Gift of Your Son! We have received grace and love beyond our understanding. Thank You for John the Baptist’s testimony of Jesus Christ. His simple message of repentance and faith bringing eternal life is the Gospel You gave to all who would believe. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh today and empower me to preach the Good News of the Spirit Giver!
Proverbs 22:12 “The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the traitor.”
What can I do for you?
Scripture reading for April 10th: 2nd Kings 1-3
As the prophet Elijah was about to depart from this earth, he asked Elisha: “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” (2nd Kings 2:9) The understudy wisely answered that he desired a double portion of the Spirit. This is essentially the same question God asked Solomon a few years earlier. (1st Kings 3:5) 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) He was called when Elijah threw his cloak over him. Scripture records that he left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Then he sacrificed his oxen, burning his plowing equipment to cook the meat and set out to follow Elijah.
As the time for Elijah’s departure drew near, Elisha had to choose to stay near his mentor. If we are going to get all that the Lord has for us, it means we must persevere! 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 appeared and Elijah was taken to heaven in a whirlwind right before Elisha’s eyes! Elisha picked up the fallen cloak and began to do greater things than his mentor!
Jesus Christ has told us 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)