Monday, May 19, 2008
Rest-Again
Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you (NIV). The once more part jumped out at me. How often I allow the rest to disappear. I give place to fear, doubt, negative thinking, etc. Those things that steal the rest away from me. The choice to rejoice in the goodness of God. The choice to 'rest in His almighty power.' The choice to rest in the finished work of Christ and the promised future for the people of Christ. Lord, forgive me for not enjoying the rest. The opportunity for the rest is always there, I must embrace it. I must fix my eyes on Jesus and set my mind on the things that are excellent. May the Holy Spirit help me to be discerning concerning those things that disturb the peace of God. Thank you Lord, you are good to me.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pentecost
Jesus promised the presence of 'another counselor'. One who would be in us and would be forever with us. The blessed Holy Spirit is that person and presence. Jesus was God with us, but the Holy Spirit is God in us. What an incredible provision of the New Covenant! The Holy Spirit is to fill the believer. Be filled with the Spirit is more than a command, this is the key to vitality and victory. We should seek to be filled with the Spirit and discover this Divine provision. This Divine possession of the human heart results in purity and power. To be filled with the Spirit is to allow God to cleanse our hearts from all else. From carnal selfishness, from selfish arguments and excusses our heart is to be cleansed. The goal of the new covenant in the blood of Christ is that we would be wholly God's. There must be a complete consecration of all we are to the Lord before we will begin to taste this blessed fullness. The great hindrance is carnal selfishness. Let us pray with the apostle, "God of peace sanctify us completely (1 Thess. 5:23). This is God's provision for His people. Let's not sell ourselves short. Be filled with the Spirit!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Power of Pentecost
As we move through the week leading to Pentecost, we want to focus on the promise of power. As I am thinking about this incredible reality, and the promises surrounding this in God's Word, here are a couple thoughts to help us get a handle on this truth.
This power of the Holy Spirit filling and cleansing the human heart is the promise of the new covenant. He will put His Spirit in us (Ezekiel 36:27). Man discovers a source of life outside of himself. Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
This is the power of God to make the heart pure. This is essential because we are God's dwelling place, His temple. Purity, holiness is essential for God's dwelling (1 Cor. 6:19)
This is the power of God to make a man's spirit strong. This provides the ability to pursue and fulfill the Father's will. We are not of those who shrink back (Hebrews 10:39), we are those who press through to find and fulfill the Father's will. Without the Holy Spirit's powerful fullness, the flesh becomes weary and retreats in the hour of difficulty.
This is the power of God to make a man's life fruitful. John 15 identifies this as God's calling. The fruitful life will bring glory to the Father. The fruitful life will bring life, healing, hope into the world around us. This fruitful life is evidence of the Spirit's power. It is a beautiful picture. A Divine work that points others to the Holy and Righteous One (Gal.5:22).
This power of the Holy Spirit filling and cleansing the human heart is the promise of the new covenant. He will put His Spirit in us (Ezekiel 36:27). Man discovers a source of life outside of himself. Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
This is the power of God to make the heart pure. This is essential because we are God's dwelling place, His temple. Purity, holiness is essential for God's dwelling (1 Cor. 6:19)
This is the power of God to make a man's spirit strong. This provides the ability to pursue and fulfill the Father's will. We are not of those who shrink back (Hebrews 10:39), we are those who press through to find and fulfill the Father's will. Without the Holy Spirit's powerful fullness, the flesh becomes weary and retreats in the hour of difficulty.
This is the power of God to make a man's life fruitful. John 15 identifies this as God's calling. The fruitful life will bring glory to the Father. The fruitful life will bring life, healing, hope into the world around us. This fruitful life is evidence of the Spirit's power. It is a beautiful picture. A Divine work that points others to the Holy and Righteous One (Gal.5:22).
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Power and Pentecost
As we approach Pentecost Sunday, I have thinking about the all powerful God. The promise of Pentecost is the promise of power through the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). What about this power? What is the purpose of this power? Do I know this power on a daily basis? Following Pentecost the disciples exhibited new power in multiple areas of their daily life. It was a power that made them different and enabled them to fulfill the mandate of the Master. Maybe I short circuit the whole promise of power by attempting to plug into this power for selfish purposes. Everyday I am reminded of my need for power. I rejoice that a primary purpose of this power is the transformation of my person from the inside out. When I pray for power may the purpose of the prayer be a desire to be a different person. Pentecost, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the cleansing fire of His presence, the power that comes when He is in control is all about making me like Christ. 2 Peter 1:3 captures this. His divine power...for life and godliness through our knowledge of Christ...so that... I'll let you read the rest of the verses, it's shocking and full of hope for our daily journey.
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Monday, May 19, 2008
Rest-Again
Psalm 116:7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you (NIV). The once more part jumped out at me. How often I allow the rest to disappear. I give place to fear, doubt, negative thinking, etc. Those things that steal the rest away from me. The choice to rejoice in the goodness of God. The choice to 'rest in His almighty power.' The choice to rest in the finished work of Christ and the promised future for the people of Christ. Lord, forgive me for not enjoying the rest. The opportunity for the rest is always there, I must embrace it. I must fix my eyes on Jesus and set my mind on the things that are excellent. May the Holy Spirit help me to be discerning concerning those things that disturb the peace of God. Thank you Lord, you are good to me.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Pentecost
Jesus promised the presence of 'another counselor'. One who would be in us and would be forever with us. The blessed Holy Spirit is that person and presence. Jesus was God with us, but the Holy Spirit is God in us. What an incredible provision of the New Covenant! The Holy Spirit is to fill the believer. Be filled with the Spirit is more than a command, this is the key to vitality and victory. We should seek to be filled with the Spirit and discover this Divine provision. This Divine possession of the human heart results in purity and power. To be filled with the Spirit is to allow God to cleanse our hearts from all else. From carnal selfishness, from selfish arguments and excusses our heart is to be cleansed. The goal of the new covenant in the blood of Christ is that we would be wholly God's. There must be a complete consecration of all we are to the Lord before we will begin to taste this blessed fullness. The great hindrance is carnal selfishness. Let us pray with the apostle, "God of peace sanctify us completely (1 Thess. 5:23). This is God's provision for His people. Let's not sell ourselves short. Be filled with the Spirit!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Power of Pentecost
As we move through the week leading to Pentecost, we want to focus on the promise of power. As I am thinking about this incredible reality, and the promises surrounding this in God's Word, here are a couple thoughts to help us get a handle on this truth.
This power of the Holy Spirit filling and cleansing the human heart is the promise of the new covenant. He will put His Spirit in us (Ezekiel 36:27). Man discovers a source of life outside of himself. Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
This is the power of God to make the heart pure. This is essential because we are God's dwelling place, His temple. Purity, holiness is essential for God's dwelling (1 Cor. 6:19)
This is the power of God to make a man's spirit strong. This provides the ability to pursue and fulfill the Father's will. We are not of those who shrink back (Hebrews 10:39), we are those who press through to find and fulfill the Father's will. Without the Holy Spirit's powerful fullness, the flesh becomes weary and retreats in the hour of difficulty.
This is the power of God to make a man's life fruitful. John 15 identifies this as God's calling. The fruitful life will bring glory to the Father. The fruitful life will bring life, healing, hope into the world around us. This fruitful life is evidence of the Spirit's power. It is a beautiful picture. A Divine work that points others to the Holy and Righteous One (Gal.5:22).
This power of the Holy Spirit filling and cleansing the human heart is the promise of the new covenant. He will put His Spirit in us (Ezekiel 36:27). Man discovers a source of life outside of himself. Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
This is the power of God to make the heart pure. This is essential because we are God's dwelling place, His temple. Purity, holiness is essential for God's dwelling (1 Cor. 6:19)
This is the power of God to make a man's spirit strong. This provides the ability to pursue and fulfill the Father's will. We are not of those who shrink back (Hebrews 10:39), we are those who press through to find and fulfill the Father's will. Without the Holy Spirit's powerful fullness, the flesh becomes weary and retreats in the hour of difficulty.
This is the power of God to make a man's life fruitful. John 15 identifies this as God's calling. The fruitful life will bring glory to the Father. The fruitful life will bring life, healing, hope into the world around us. This fruitful life is evidence of the Spirit's power. It is a beautiful picture. A Divine work that points others to the Holy and Righteous One (Gal.5:22).
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Power and Pentecost
As we approach Pentecost Sunday, I have thinking about the all powerful God. The promise of Pentecost is the promise of power through the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). What about this power? What is the purpose of this power? Do I know this power on a daily basis? Following Pentecost the disciples exhibited new power in multiple areas of their daily life. It was a power that made them different and enabled them to fulfill the mandate of the Master. Maybe I short circuit the whole promise of power by attempting to plug into this power for selfish purposes. Everyday I am reminded of my need for power. I rejoice that a primary purpose of this power is the transformation of my person from the inside out. When I pray for power may the purpose of the prayer be a desire to be a different person. Pentecost, the fullness of the Holy Spirit, the cleansing fire of His presence, the power that comes when He is in control is all about making me like Christ. 2 Peter 1:3 captures this. His divine power...for life and godliness through our knowledge of Christ...so that... I'll let you read the rest of the verses, it's shocking and full of hope for our daily journey.
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Posts (Atom)