Together

 

     The heroes of our faith long gone, bless us today through their histories. Our loved ones gone from earth fill our hearts, as they await us in heaven. The list included in our cloud of witnesses gathers around us to strengthen us and give us hope.

     What about the witnesses currently affecting us? Are there women and men of faith inspiring you right now, right here, at this time in history? I have been and continue to be inspired by pastors and leaders around the world, standing for their faith, willing to give their lives and hearts to the gospel of Christ.

     I have been fortunate to be surrounded by other believers in two congregations over a span of over 30 years. Many of my closest friends are followers of Christ. They love Jesus. They love the Word of God and as the proverb says:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

     We sharpen each other, loving each other even when we disagree. As Beth Moore says in one of her Bible studies, Children of the Day, “We don’t have to see eye to eye to walk side by side.

     I pray for you to find women and men of faith to help you grow, to walk by your side, as we continue to admonish, encourage and teach each another. We all have so much to learn from our cloud of witnesses.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Colossians 3:16

Jesus,

Today we thank you for the witnesses You have given us. Bring others around us to strengthen us in our faith. You hae a way of bringing just the right people around us when we need them.

Amen

One in Spirit

 

     Our great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, those past and present. Jesus, in the 17^th chapter of the Gospel of John, not only prays for Himself, and for His followers, but He prays into the future for all who will believe.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent me.”    John 17:21

     This brings the communion of saints to a much deeper level. When we take the bread and drink the cup we remember the sacrifice of Jesus. We come to the table along with the past, the present, and the future believers. We are in the presence of the cloud of witnesses. I hope and pray this brings comfort to you today. Next time you take communion think about your friends, your grandparents, your parents, or siblings and other loved ones already in heaven. They are present with you in this sacred covenant and we will be together again one day.

     In the meantime, we are one together with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, united together to make Christ’s presence known. With so great a cloud of witnesses, we can do it!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for watching over us. You prayed for us two thousand years ago and You are with us today. Watch over our loved ones in heaven. We are one with them in Spirit and one day soon we will all be together forever.

Amen

Faith For the Journey

 

     The men and women of the Old Testament are part of our “cloud of witnesses.” They moved ahead in faith. Abraham did not know where he was going, but he followed the instructions of God. Moses could not have foreseen the armies behind him. He could not have imagined the parting of the Red Sea. And he certainly did not envision leading 2 million people for 40 years on what should have been an 11-day journey. And yet, he followed and obeyed. He trusted God for each step along the way.

     Knowing God so intimately is a gift available to us. The living breathing Spirit of Christ can lead us even when we are scared. Even when the sea is about to crash over us. Even when our future looks bleak. Here is a great definition of faith.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  Hebrews 11:1

     Take your lead from the pioneers of our faith. As we believe in what we cannot see and have confidence in our hope in God, we please Him.  It’s all about faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

Lord,

We want to earnestly seek You. Give us eyes and ears of faith. We, too, want to leave a legacy of faith with our families and friends. Guide our steps to trust You and to seek the wisdom of our cloud of witnesses.

Amen

 

A Cloud of Witnesses

 

     The footsteps of faith mark the way. The faithful servants that went before us.The trails of their lives teach us. One left everything he had known to travel to places unknown. One led his people despite his weaknesses. One built an ark and suffered ridicule and heartache for years. They fought and obeyed and suffered and believed. Can we leave such a witness?

     The 11^th chapter of the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament is often called the “Hall of Faith.” It lists these pioneers of faith, one after the other; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and so many more. They walked by faith and not by sight. Their lives would begin the journey to Jesus.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

     And here we are in this age of grace. Because of their faith and witness, we learn to listen to our God. Can we trust Him through our suffering and our doubts and our uncertain futures? They did.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Dear Father,

We thank You for these men and women of faith. Let us continue to read Your Word as You teach us through the lives of so many. Walking by faith pleases You. Even when we don’t see the promised land, we will follow You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Beyond This World

 

     Walking in the Spirit is a constant battle, isn’t it? We get distracted. Satan is always up to his old tricks of deceit, putting thoughts in our head, lying to us to make us believe him rather than God. Our flesh cries out and the spirit fights back. As we nuture our faith and rely more and more on the power of Christ available to us, we can remain more and more at peace, filled with the constant joy of Jesus.

     The song “It Is Well With My Soul,” is a reminder of what we have in Jesus. Our souls, the very deepest part of us, can be at peace throughout our lives, knowing we are not at home. Our home is with Jesus and one day, all things will become new and we will live forever in His presence. Keep that deep down in your soul at all times. The joy and peace of Christ is not of this world. It is beyond it. And the Holy Spirit within will continue to grow us in that wisdom. All we need to do is ask.

     Ask for His guidance every day. Ask for help when you feel helpless. Ask for power when you feel weak. Ask for wisdom when you don’t understand. Ask for peace when you are in turmoil. Ask for joy when you are downcast. Ask for patience when you can’t take it anymore! Ask for a heart of love when hatred is all around. It is there, just for the asking, the power of the Spirit lives in you.

Let’s end the week with this verse as a prayer:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

 

Amen!

 

    

In Step

 

let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

     Is it possible to keep in step with the Spirit? What does that look like? It means following Christ when it is difficult, doing the right thing when our flesh cries out to do what it wants, taking time to be with the Lord when we are busy, sharing love when we are angry, using our struggles to share a testimony. It is life lived abundantly with the power of the Holy Spirit.

     We can’t do it in our human flesh. It is supernatural, impossible in our humanity. Oh, but God offers us so much more, when we allow Him to work within us.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3

     I don’t know about you, but I want to tap into those heavenly blessings. They are beyond the world in which we live, yet they are made available to us. Ask God to lavish you with His love and blessings today as we listen for the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

 

 

Spiritual Power

 

     The Holy Spirit will teach us all things about Jesus. As you read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes, ears and heart to His truth. The word of God is able to teach us and bring us to new revelation, to new purpose, to a change in life. There may be an eye-opening moment, a verse that leaps off the page, or a deep peace when praying. The words of our Lord. Jesus speak about the promised Holy Spirit.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26    

     The Holy Spirit is our teacher, our counselor, our advocate. He anoints us with His power to represent our Lord.

As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in Him. 1 John 2:27

     We are anointed with His power as He teaches us all things. Remain in Jesus. What an exciting adventure!

Father,

How do we thank You for Your Holy Spirit? His power works in us and through us as we remain rooted in Jesus, in relationship, in prayer and in study. Give us the wisdom to seek You at all times.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Blog will return on Thursday.