5 posts tagged “holy spirit”

ENCOURAGEMENT

Oct 4, 2008
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ATTITUDE

Read Philippians 2

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5 NIV

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Paul continues his words of exhortation for unity in the church at Philippi. These new believers have trusted in Christ for their salvation and are growing in faith. He reminds them that they don’t have to do it in their own strength:

“...work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” he writes, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (12b-16a)

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Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your Spirit to help me to will and act according to Your purpose. Forgive me when I complain or argue, and give me the encouraging, uplifting words of life that will shine like stars in the darkness.

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If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

EMPTY JARS AND DITCHES

Jul 4, 2008
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Read 2 Kings 3:1–4:7

"Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the LORD says: 'You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.' " 2 Kings 3:16-17 NIV

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In these stories, Elisha performs two miracles: One for the armies of Judah and Israel, asking God to deliver them from the Moabites–and the other for a widow and her sons who could not pay her creditors.

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In each case, Elisha asked them to do something that demonstrated their faith: The armies were to dig ditches–in anticipation that God will fill them with water. The widow and her sons were to gather empty jars–believing that God would fill them with oil.

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Both the armies and the widow were faced with a situation they couldn’t handle alone. They had to acknowledge that God was able to meet their needs, by obeying the Word of the Lord spoken through Elisha. The jars were filled with oil and the ditches with water–which miraculously appeared to be blood–causing the Moabites to be defeated.

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We too can be victorious when our hearts are filled with the water of God’s Word and faith in the shed blood of Jesus for our sins. Like the widow’s jars, we will be filled with the oil of God’s Holy Spirit.

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Lord, I bring my empty jar to You. Fill me with a double portion of Your Holy Spirit as I walk out into this day, and may the oil and water continue to flow out to others through me.

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"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37b-38 NIV

THIS SAME JESUS

Mar 20, 2008
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Read: Acts 1:1-11

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He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 NKJV

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After forty days of being with Jesus and rejoicing that He was truly alive, the disciples asked Him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) He told them that it was not for them to know the times and dates, "But," He said, "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." (Acts 1:7-8)

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Then just when they must have wanted to ask Him many other things, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight! Just imagine how alone they must have felt at that moment. We know now - and they knew in just a few days - that they would not be alone.

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Lord, I praise You that You have given us Your Holy Spirit to guide us. Thank You that Though we cannot see Him, He dwells within us and prays for us according to Your will.

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They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:10-11 NIV

ADAM AND EVE

Mar 1, 2008
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Read Genesis 1:26–3:24

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,”… male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26a, 27b NIV

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God created the heavens and the earth and all the living things that inhabited its boundaries. Then He created the first man in the likeness of Himself and He called him Adam. Adam named all the animals and found none among them that could cure his loneliness. So God made from Adam's side a woman, and Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living. (Genesis 3:20) Both husband and wife were fashioned in the image of the triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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Dear Father, that little word "us" is our first glimpse of the Trinity, all present when You created the first married couple in Your image – body, soul and spirit. Sadly, those first wonderful days together were overshadowed by sin. Thank You Lord, that You made a way to restore the family resemblance we once had to You. Continue to work in my heart, through Your Holy Spirit, and may that transformation be visibly reflected in my attitude and countenance – that others will see Jesus in me.

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"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Steps Toward Faith

Feb 28, 2008
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At middle school or junior high age I read the classic book "What Would Jesus Do?" by Charles Sheldon. That influenced me to think about the standards of Christian living. Later, I received more teaching about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives - helping us to live the Christian life. I especially responded to the idea that God had a plan for my life. I wrote a song in high school and sang it at a Youth for Christ ralley. My piano teacher helped me write the music. I was thrilled as I got a standing ovation after singing it. The words tell something of what was on my heart at about age 16.

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"One day as I was out walking - a thought occurred to me; Perhaps the Lord up in Heaven is making plans for me. Maybe he's planning my every step - what I will do and say; Maybe he's planning some glorious things - if only I follow His way. Dear Lord, I call - I give You my all; please mold my life lest I fall. My vision is clear, and now I can see; I know that the Lord up in Heaven - is making plans for me."

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Can you think of anything in your early years that led you step by step toward a closer relationship with the Lord