Purpose

 

     Our spiritual gifts are given to us to serve others. Some of us love to open our homes to others in hospitality, (not one of my gifts!), others find comfort in keeping things in order, the gift of administration, others have the ability to listen patiently, with understanding and encouragment to those who are suffering, the gifts of encouragement and mercy. Still others have the gift of teaching and writing, the gift of shepherding a group of children or adults, the gift to be a pastor or the gift of service, working behind the scenes, the gift of faith, believing when others lose hope, the gift of intercessory prayer. You can add others.  (see Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4)

     God loves to see us using our unique gifts for His purposes. When you fit in the body of Christ right where you were meant to be, you will be filled with joy and passion and the power of the Holy Spirit. Is God calling you to a new ministry, to be a prayer warrior for others, to help a neighbor? Watch for His lead. Wait for the prompting of the Spirit within and follow. He is the Great Shepherd and you will hear His voice.

My sheep listen to My voice. I know them and they know Me. John 10:27

Jesus,

Keep our ears and our hearts wide open to hear You. Guide our ways and show us how and when to use the gifts You have given us so graciously. Fill us with passion and with joy.

Amen

Passion

 

     It’s all about me! Me, me, me! Self-improvement, self-made, self-confidence, self-awareness, self-satisfied, self-assurance, self-gratification, self-image, self-promotion, self-respect, self-sufficient, self-indulgent. You get the picture. All of the above can be summed up as “selfish.” Jesus shows us another way, the way of blessing, the way of looking beyond ourselves. His way was and is self-sacrifice.

     Jesus sacrificed everything for us, becoming one of us and suffering all of our sins on Himself. It is called, “the passion of the Christ.” How did he do it? This verse may help.

For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

     For the joy set before Him? Jesus saw beyond the pain of the cross to the everlasting life He offers us. He looked to the day we will be with Him forever. That self-sacrificing love teaches us how to live and how to love. Raising children has taught my husband and me the most about sacrificial love. Not always easy, but filled with the deepest, most astounding, most earth-shattering blessings of life. Giving to others brings blessing right back to us.

     Give away the love Christ has given you to others, even when it’s not convenient, even when it seems impossible, even when it’s too tiring, even when we don’t have time. The joy set before us, through Christ, gives us perspective and passion. Eternity-bound blessings.

Jesus,

You remained steadfast in Your suffering to fulfill the promises of Scripture. You saw us as You suffered. Teach us Your ways and to live beyond ourselves, to give away our lives in service to You.

Amen

 

Perspective

 

     The joys of digging into God’s Word each day and passing His truth along is as much for me as for anyone else. To those of you who stop in daily or now and then, I am grateful to you and I continue to pray for you.

     I pray God continues to open our hearts to Him and all He has in store for us. His promises are eternal and life-changing. The self-discipline of rising with the dawn and starting my days here, at the computer with Jesus, have deepened my faith and given new meaning to everyday life.

     The perspective God shares with us is invaluable. His vision is eternally-bound and yet He understands our earthly living. He has been here. He has walked on the desert paths of the Middle East. He has experienced hunger and weariness and He has been overwhelmed with grief and with joy. He has suffered much for you and me. Before His death, He prayed for Himself, He prayed for His followers then and He prayed for us. You can read through this entire prayer-filled dialogue in John 17. Here it is in part:

“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 17:20-21

     Such powerful and beautiful words from our Savior, that we may be in Him and His Father. Why? So that the world may believe. Our purpose as believers? That others will know the truth. Here is the end of this long chapter of prayer, some of the last words of Jesus on earth.

I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:26

     To make the world believe. How? Through the love we have within us because of Christ. Soak in those words as you begin your day. I will, too.

Jesus,

Thank You for the love You have shared and for the vision You give us to inspire others to believe. Thank You for the privilege of reading the very words of the Creator of the world, to know You, to live with the Holy Spirit within us and to trust in the opportunities You give us. Continue to keep us on the paths You desire.

Amen

Unexpected Savior

 

     God answers us in unexpected ways, not always to our liking, but always for our good. He brings unexpected hope to the hopeless. He gives unexpected peace that passes all understanding and He allows us to pray unexpected prayers as He listens to us throughout our days.

     One day soon our Savior will come, at an unexpected time. We don’t know the date or the hour. Even though His arrival will be at an unexpected time, we should be waiting expectantly! Are you ready? Have you spoken of Him to your friends and family? Do you know Him and love Him with all of your heart, soul and strength? Will you be ready when He arrives to take us home? And will Jesus respond to us like this?

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.’ Matthew 25:21

     The signs Jesus told us to look for are upon us. It might not be in our lifetime, but there is a good chance His unexpected arrival could be soon. What are we to do? Jesus tells us:

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18

     I pray these words will encourage you. Expect the unexpected. Listen for the answer, look for hope and peace, pray for all things and stand and look up! Your redemption is drawing near.

Father,

Sometimes we long for our heavenly home, but You have things for us to do. We await Your coming with expectant hearts. Keep us awake and ready to meet You face-to-face.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unexpected Prayer

 

     I don’t know about you, but before I came to know Jesus I did not pray much. There may have been a “forgive me” or “help me” prayers, but they were few and far between. Before accepting Jesus as our Savior, I bet most of us resort to prayer only when we find ourselves in trouble. For me, God was sometimes a benevolent figure and other times a vision of an old man watching for me to do something wrong.

     Instead, Jesus is within us, He is around us and best of all, He loves us. It still boggles my mind that the sovereign, omniscient and magnificent God of ours, not only loves us, but can use us. He loves nothing more than when we include Him in our everyday needs. Think of the most loving father figure you know on earth and imagine his heart for his children. Multiply that by a trillion and beyond. Jesus loves us that much. He will listen and He will answer.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?  Matthew 7:11

     Shoot out an unexpected prayer to Your loving Father throughout the day. He longs to be with you every step of the way. He will use you to bring glory to Jesus and will prompt you to pray for others. He will answer your everyday needs. Your faith pleases Him.

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

Father,

Thank You for loving us, for using us, for listening to us, for giving us the gift of faith and the intimacy of prayer. We earnestly seek You throughout the day with unexpected prayers and praise. You love to answer our prayers.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Unexpected Peace

 

     A contest was held for artists with the theme, “Peace.” Many of the artists depicted a scene most of us would imagine; blue skies, ocean views, palm trees and solitude. Surprisingly, the winning artist painted a scene in direct contrast to those peace-filled scenes. There were dark skies, lightning bolts, scenes of war and confusion. Each scene within the painting brought a feeling of darkness and of chaos and doom.

     But right there, in the center of the mayhem, sits a small yellow bird singing a song. In our lives, we experience chaos and confusion. Within our times of unease and war, of terror and death, Jesus can provide peace. In the words of the familiar song, “All is well with my soul.”

     In the beginning, He was there. In the everyday, He is there. At the end of life, He is there. He is waiting, watching, and He is ready for the circumstances. Our peace is found, again and again, in Him and nowhere else. If turmoil is surrounding you, find peace in Jesus. There is peace available in the middle of a storm.

     Both my daughter and I have experienced the fear and anxiety of panic attacks. Here are some words that remind us of the peace available to us through our Lord. Take a deep breath and sing a song of peace in the midst of it all.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Jesus,

Remind us in our anxiety, in our unrest, in our grief and through our busy days, that we can find deep peace with You. Hear our petitions and our prayers as we thank You for the deep peace available that passes all understanding. As we turn to You each day we find peace.

Amen

Unexpected Answers

 

      God shows up at our weakest moments. When did you first meet Jesus? I searched for answers after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, followed by the death of my beloved mom. When you seek answers, you will find them. Often the light of Christ appears for the first time or the hundredth time in the dark times of life. Cry to Him. Seek Him. Lean on Him.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9

You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

     Cry out to Him with all your heart. Seek Him with all your heart. Lean on Him with all your heart. Trust Him with all your heart. The answers may not make earthly sense, but they bring heavenly glory to Jesus.

Lord,

You understand. We ask for Your help and we ask for Your presence to be made known in our darkest times. Let all of us feel Your unwavering presence around us.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Unexpected Hope

 

     The rainbow after a storm. A baby’s cry after the pain of childbirth. The first real smile after a time of deep mourning. Healing after a battle with cancer. The unexpected hope of Jesus. Life is full of surprises and miracles. Are you looking up with hope?

     I have watched as Jesus worked through times of depression, hopelessness, grief, loneliness and despair. I have witnessed a deep and abiding joy in the lives of Christians through the difficulties of life. There is unexpected hope of heaven just beyond the earth. The unexpected love of a Savior. I pray we will witness the transformation of those we love to witness the glory and light of life with Jesus. He changes everything.

…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They shall be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. Isaiah 61;3

     Allow Jesus to bring hope to you. Praise Him even in the pits of despair. He will turn your suffering into hope and bring joy after your mourning. The unexpected hope of Jesus. He will lift you up.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6

Jesus,

Bring unexpected hope to those in need. You will lift us up when we need it most. We place our hearts and our hope with you forever.

Amen

The Joy of the Lord

 

     Hope. Jesus returns us, always, back to hope. During the crisis times in our lives, the times of deep suffering, we often lose hope. Where is God? How did this happen? And why? We have all been through so much, especially those of us who have lived many decades. If you have known Jesus for a while, you know He provides a way through, a way out, a reversal in circumstances, a fresh beginning.

     Hope and joy. I pray your times with family and friends will be joy-filled. If it is a difficult time right now, hang on to hope and Jesus. Here is my prayer for us in the weeks to come.

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

     Trust Him with it all and allow His peace to wash over you with hope for the future. May His joy be complete in us.

Jesus,

The joy of the Spirit is unlike any other joy in life. It is eternal and it is filled with hope. No matter what each of us is going through today, would you fill us with that peace and deep joy as we hope and trust in You?

Amen

 

 

The Joy of the Lord

 

     Deep joy is a promise to believers. It is available to us along with the other fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5) Joy in Jesus does not depend on our circumstances or even our feelings and emotions. It is the constant presence of Jesus within. Feel His joy in your spirit today. Let the joy be complete and steadfast throughout the rest of your life. Jesus brings spiritual joy.

I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

     Believe, just believe and experience spiritual joy, deep and rich and overflowing.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

     Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with that inexpressible and glorious joy. It is beyond earthly boundaries, heaven-sent.

Jesus,

We do ask You and Your Holy Spirit to fill us with the deepest joy that only You provide. We pray for our hurting world, that You would come into the hearts and minds of those who do not yet know You. Let Your joy shine in our lives so others may see You.

Amen

The Joy of the Lord

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

     The verses above are a challenge to me. The testing of our faith through trials and suffering? The perseverance through times of suffering often seems utterly impossible. The tears flow, the anxiety appears time and time again. We fret and fume. We ache for relief. We pray for a miracle. We pray for peace. We long for comfort and hope. And somehow, we persevere. Some days are easier than others, as we place one unsteady foot in front of the other. The wisdom of God grows slowly but surely as we face our trials head on and persevere through the wait.

     God listens as we cry out to Him. The verses challenge us to place our focus on Jesus. To trust Him and believe we will get through this. There will be a purpose and a plan and He WILL work this for good and for His glory. Place your faith in Him and offer it all into His mighty hands, the hands that hold the whole world as He continues to fight our battles and bring us to victory.

Father,

Please give comfort to those suffering right now. Surround them with a hedge of protection and give them comfort and hope in You. Fill us with that deep spiritual joy that only comes from Jesus.

Amen

The Joy of the Lord

 

     Sitting in the presence of the Lord brings joy and peace. Be still and know that He is God. (Psalm 46) Let His presence fill you with what the world is unable to fill. He protects and loves us. Listen to the words of the Psalmist.

But let all that take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Psalm 16:11

     The poetic words above are written to comfort you, to bring you joy, to remember the eternal gifts of our God, so deeply felt as we sit in His presence and feel His joy.

Father,

Your words are beautiful to our ears and lift us up to the heavens. Let them sing in our hearts as we go through our day, recognizing who You are and all You have to offer those who love You. We take in the joy of Your presence and Your protection.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

The Joy of the Lord

 

     Joy. Have you experienced joy? Where do you find joy? Is it elusive and rare? Joy-filled times in my life are etched forever in my mind. A new bicycle. Dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Weekends with good friends. Long summer days. The times I still had my mom and dad around to love me unconditionally. The day I said, “I do.” The births of our daughters and watching them grow. Their weddings ond spending time with our grandkids. The list is endless, isn’t it? Joy-filled times are most often found as we share life with friends and family and with our true love, if we are lucky enough to have them.

     But Biblical joy goes deeper. Jesus-type joy is not rare or elusive. It is available every day. Deep-seeded joy grows in our life with Christ, as we are rooted in Him. If everything in life is falling apart, Jesus is there to help put it back together. He is here, there, everywhere. He is near. He is available and we will be with Him one day forever and ever. Let this joy give you strength. This is a favorite of mine:

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b

     You are walking on holy ground with Jesus. Let His kind of joy fill you with strength to take on the day. His joy is your strength.

Jesus,

Your joy is soul-deep and available each day. Fill us up with spiritual joy as we go about our tasks today and teach us to savor the moments of earthly joy as we travel through life.

Amen

Heavenly Light

 

     Try to imagine the radiance of heaven. Picture the glimmering new city of Jerusalem, the spectrum of colors beyond anything the human eye has seen, the sea of glass, the trees producing new fruit each month, no more night, no more sorrow, no more pain, surrounded by pure light.  (Revelation 21)

    Humans cannot experience the full glory of God and live. Even with God’s back turned to him while hiding in the crevice of a rock and with God’s hand over that crevice, Moses’ whole countenance changed.

     Reflecting the light of Christ is just a small part of the unimaginable glory of heaven! Let’s keep that in mind when we stumble, fall and pick ourselves back up again and again throughout our lives. There is a future filled with forever light!

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  1 Corinthians 13:12

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its light. Revelations 21:23

There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light and they will reign forever and ever.  Revelations 22:5

Dear Father,

We thank you for the light of Christ, the light of the world, the light of our hearts and the light of heaven. Show us how to shine with His light throughout our earthly lives. One day we will witness Your full glory. Let that always bring hope.

In Jesus name

Amen

Unveiled Light

 

     The closest any human has come to seeing the glory of God is Moses. When God called him to lead his people into the promised land, he did not believe it. He was not ready. He was not qualified. He wanted God to pick someone else. All of us can relate! Moses asked to see God’s glory. You can read through the encounter in Exodus 33 and 34.

     God told Moses that His presence would pass by, but no man could see His face and live. God hides Moses in a crevice in the rock and God passes by with His back to him.  This encounter with God leaves him radiant. In fact, he has to wear a veil! His countenance is so bright the Israelites are unable to look upon him.

     Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus leaves him blinded. Soon he has a new name, a new path, a new ministry. He is changed forever. Read all about it in Acts 9. Isaiah is allowed a peek into the throne room of heaven. He immediately says that he is undone and that he is a man of unclean lips. Encounters with the living God bring us to our knees in humility and awe, in fear of His holiness (not afraid, but a reverential fear) and we are undone. The power and the glory of God change us. We will never be the same. And His glory shines on us and through us.

     Remember that the veil to the temple was ripped from bottom to top when Jesus was dying on the cross. The veil separated the ordinary folks like us from the Holy of Holies. The death and resurrection of Christ left us with full access to the throne room. The high priests were the only ones able to enter the inner room of the temple where the presence of God resided. Listen to what Jesus has done for us!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

     I pray for each of us to be completely changed by the living God! His love is deeper. His light is brighter. His glory is beyond anything our earthly eyes can see. Someday we will see Him face to face. We’ll talk about that tomorrow. In the meantime, go boldly to the throne room time after time and be changed by the radiance of Christ.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18

Dear Jesus,

Let these words rock our world! You transform, you change. You mold us more and more into Your image. We come before the throne room boldly in need of Your mercy and grace and glory.

Amen

You Are Light

 

     You know the song. We sang it in Sunday school, “This Little Light of Mine,” The chorus includes these words, “I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine let it shine.” Picture a very dark cave. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. You struggle, groping in the dark, trying to find a way out. And then you spot it; a candle ahead, brightly lit, on the floor of the cave.

     This tiny, intimate light changes everything. This seemingly insignificant light will guide you out of a dark place. It lights the space around you, bringing awareness to the truth of your surroundings, a beacon, a feeling of warmth, a way out. It brings hope. A small amount of light will offer the same into the darkness around us. Our little lights can bring hope and guidance. The light in us is Jesus.

     We can’t shine for others until we are emptied of the darkness within and filled with the light ourselves. Jesus exposes darkness, all of it, and heals it with His love and light. Allowing Him into our secret places isn’t always easy. We are comfortable there. Can we trust Him? Can we trust Him with the hurt stuffed down deep within, all of the past and present grief? Can we bring it out into the light and allow the God of love to remove the darkness? He is the great healer. He will do it!

     And nothing can snuff it out again. Even if the enemy of our souls tries and tempts and entices, Jesus is more powerful. The light dispels the darkness. The darkness has lost its power.

The light of the righteous shines brightly but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.  Proverbs 13:9

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.  John 1:5

    If there is darkness engulfing your life right now with dread, worry, hopelessness or fear, God can handle it. That darkness has no power over Him. Fill up on His light.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine! (Matthew 5:14-16)

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your words to us today. With You in our hearts, our minds, and our spirit, we can bring Your light to a darkened world. Remind us of that truth. Where You are, there is light. You have come into the world as light and Your glory will shine within us and through us until we witness Your full glory.

Amen

God's Word is Light

 

     Jesus is the light of the world and the lamp of heaven. It is no wonder we read that the Bible is a lamp and a light. Jesus is the word of God come to life in the flesh (see John 1)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

     The word of God gives life and hope. It brings comfort and healing and conviction. When we read it, it reads us! The word might give us just enough light to take one small step during a difficult season. Other times, it shines like the noon-day sun, giving immediate joy and warmth to our whole being.

     I love the second verse above. The unfolding of the Bible opens up new understanding. God wants every part of us, spirit, soul and body under His direction. He can handle every part of our past. As He unfolds His wisdom, little by little, everything can be brought into His glorious light. If there are simmering coals of hurt, anger, unforgiveness or past shame still being covered by activity, addiction or despair, give it all to the light of the world.

     Do not fear. He is a mighty God. Our pasts will be used in a future filled with the light of Jesus and the lamp set before our feet. Light exposes darkness. The unfolding of our lives under the power of God’s word leads us onto a stable and firm and open path filled with light and freedom.

Dear Father,

Your word fills us with joy, with hope, with new beginnings. Continue to open our understanding as You light the path before us and remove the darkness behind us. We take one more step into a future with You today. Make our stories count for You. Take our hand and walk with us into a brighter future.

In Jesus name

Amen

God is Light

 

     God is love. God is light. As believers we are children of the light. We no longer live in darkness. I could use a little extra light right now. How about you?

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:5

     How blessed we are to be called children of God! We have been drawn to the light of Christ. We have been drawn to hear His Gospel. Our souls have been renewed. The Holy Spirit within us continues to draw us to the pure light and love of Jesus. I pray you hear these words and take them in. As believers, God continues to work in us. We are continually being sanctified, made more and more into the image of Christ.

     Only a miracle-working God could take lumps of clay like you and me and mold us into something new. His love and light have turned my world upside down and I only grow deeper in my love for Jesus as the years drop away, one by one. Each day brings us closer to our heavenly home and each day on earth can draw us closer to the transforming light of Christ.

Dear Jesus,

We no longer walk in the dark. You have shown us the light of the world. It is You. The darkness no longer has power over us. We are Your children today, tomorrow and forever. Give us lives of passion and purpose to shine Your light before others.

Amen

The Spirit and the Savior

 

     We are sealed forever with the Spirit when we first believe and the adventure begins. As we relax into our faith with trust, the Spirit takes us to places and on adventures beyond our imaginations. As Scripture reminds us, the Spirit is like the wind.

     He may speak with a gentle whisper or with a powerful gust. We are prompted, pushed through our fear, knocked off of our feel, forcing us to be still and know God. We are turned in a new direction or we are asked to stay put for a time with patient endurance, as the Spiritual winds die down.  We are His; wherever the wind may blow.

     The Spirit teaches and guides us to understand the Scriptures, opening our eyes and our hearts to hear the truth in new ways. The Spirit, always, always points to the Savior. The Holy Spirit continually brings us into the presence of Christ.

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?

Psalm 139:7

     As our lives become melded with His, and molded by Him, the image of Christ grows from within. This process is due to no work of our own. We are helpless without the Spirit’s guidance. Falling in love with Jesus is a work of God. Let the wind take you on a ride today, soaring higher and higher into Christ’s presence.

To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy; to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen

Jude 1:24-25

The Spirit and The Church

 

     We are in this together. It’s not about ritual or religion or tradition or denomination. Jesus doesn’t look at our divisions and our man-made rules. The law was covered by grace when Jesus suffered on the cross as a free gift for us.

     We are the body of believers throughout the world, connected by the one and only Spirit of Christ. This Spirit blasts through evil, overpowers darkness with light and the name of Jesus Christ when spoken through a Spirit-filled believer, can move mountains.

     Believe it, Live it. Shine it. We are the church, each one of us, in our families, our neighborhoods, our places of work, in the grocery store, in traffic. The Spirit clothes us with goodness, mercy and love. We are the church. Not the sit-in-church on Sundays and live the way we want Monday through Saturday. We are the Spirit-filled believers of Jesus Christ. You have the power of the resurrected Lord!

 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and In Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen

 

The Spirit and The Seal

 

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13

     The gospel has to be heard.  Our eyes and ears are opened to the truth and we believe! Jesus is ours, now and forever. The promised Savior of the world has saved you and me for all eternity. Nothing can separate us, ever. We are signed, sealed and delivered, heaven-bound.

     At the very moment we accept and believe in Jesus as our Lord, the very Spirit of God, the promised Holy Spirit seals us. Seals were an important part of ancient days. Each prominent person had his own seal and any document would not be accepted as authentic without it.

     Picture yourself with the seal of Christ, permanently stamped in heavenly writing, “WE ARE HIS!”  These words, written by Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, will remind you of all that we are in Christ.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

     Such powerful words to consider; His chosen ones, His special possession. And as His holy people we are called to declare His praises, reminding ourselves that we are now children of the light.

Dear Jesus,

We are sealed with the promise of heaven, Your special possessions, now and forever. We will thank and praise You for that until we see You face to face.

Amen

The Spirit and The Sword

 

     God’s word penetrates and convicts. His word heals and comforts. The weapons of our warfare listed in Ephesians 6 are all defensive, all but one. Read these verses with me:

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

     The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. Feeling powerless? Read Scripture aloud. It is alive and true and it can break down strongholds in your life. It will bring your devastated heart comfort and give you strength for another day. It cleanses, creates and clarifies life. Invest in it as you would in silver and gold. It is more precious than both.

The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72

Lord,

We thank You for the treasures discovered in the word of God. Change our lives to be in line with it. It cuts to our hearts and renews our souls. Give us understanding and wisdom to walk in Your ways.

Amen

The Spirit and The Wind

 

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.  John 3:8

     Following the Spirit’s lead can be exhilarating, puzzling, surprising, perplexing and even frightening. Keeping in step with the Spirit of God will bring challenges, and even fear of the unknown when we need to take a leap of faith. Think about the wind. John’s Gospel compares our lives as born-again Spirit-filled believers to the wind.

     How does the wind affect us? The answers can be as varied as a life lived in the presence of God. The wind can direct us, change us, move us and touch us. The wind can knock us from our feet, force us to turn around, refresh us, invigorate us, whisper with softness, or shout with its strength. A strong gust out of nowhere can surprise us and a gentle breeze can soothe us.

     The wind can steer us off of a prepared course as we face the unknown. Are you ready to allow the Spirit of God to move you in unexpected ways? Even when we aren’t listening or following, God will get us back on track with His glorious Holy Spirit.

The wind blows to the south and turns to the north, round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. Ecclesiastes 1:6

     Wherever the Spirit leads, it always returns to its course, our loving Father.

Dear Father in heaven,

Make us aware of Your Holy Spirit today, whether in the softness of a whisper or the shout of a gust of sheer power. Keep us from fear when You ask us to change direction. Bring us back to our feet if we have been knocked down and keep us steady when the wind is rising before us. Keep us on Your course wherever and however the wind blows in the Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen