Spirit Power

 

     When we first believe in Christ, we are immediately sealed with His Holy Spirit. Nothing can ever take away our salvation, our eternal home. Christ died for us while we were sinners and offers us this free gift. Last week we talked about faith. That is all He asks. We are guaranteed eternity!

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, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

     Take in the wonder of the verses above. We are sealed forever with the Holy Spirit. We are guaranteed a heavenly, perfect home forever. This week we will talk about the Holy Spirit’s work in us from now to eternity. Praise God!

Jesus,

The very Holy Spirit of God resides within us when we believe. The gift is beyond our human thought. Teach us this week the power we have available and the ways we can grow to be more like You.

Amen

Intimacy With God/ Fully Known

 

     I pray you have reconnected or become more connected with God this week as we read His words together. His ways, His thoughts are beyond measuring.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways My ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

.  The wonders of His knowledge of us, our thoughts, our personalities, our foibles and frailties,  and our gifts are His to use for His glory. Let Him take hold of your life right now and ask Him what’s next. He has hope in store for you until you step into heaven with Him.

     And one day, soon, you will see Him face-to-face and you will know Him just as you are fully known. All things will become new. Such hope, Such love. Such grace.

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

Father,

One day You will be completely known to us. For now, we trust You and Your mighty words to us. Give us Your Spirit power as we meet each day, knowing You are with us always, to the end of the age.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Intimacy With God/He Will Not Leave You

 

     God never sleeps. His promises, His words are true and worthy of our time. Not only is He right beside you, not only does He hear you and capture your tears, not only does He guide you, He will never, ever leave you. Until your last day on earth, He is there.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:8

     With God by your side forever and ever, you need not be afraid.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

     The love of God, the presence of His Holy Spirit, the promises of Chist are yours now and forevermore. Nothing, not anything, can separate you from that love.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

     You are His today and tomorrow. Hold onto these truths and He will give you His peace.

Jesus,

You promise to be with us, now, tomorrow and forever. You know the end from the beginning. Help each one of us to trust You with our very lives. You take it from here.

Amen

Intimacy With God/He Guides You

 

     Feeling stuck? Need a new beginning or just some help taking another step? Know that God will guide you and give you hope. He is willing to listen and help as you struggle, as you take a misstep, as you stumble. And as you move ahead, you will hear His voice behind you.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

     When you can’t see the way ahead, God can.  He will smooth the way.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known. Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. This is what I will do. I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

     God sees you right where you are. He is ready to take your hand and show you the way. Believe Him when He says there is hope ahead.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Dear Father,

We are listening for Your voice. We are waiting for Your guidance. We are looking ahead to hope.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Intimacy With God/He Hears You

 

     God’s intimacy and love for you goes beyond imagining. Did you know He collects your tears in His bottle, that your prayers are collected as incense in the throne room of heaven?  I know. Incredible!

     Each tear of sorrow and grief, of worry and stress is felt and recorded by your Father in heaven.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. Psalm 56:3

     As you arrive in heaven, each and every tear will be wiped away gently by Jesus, never to be felt again. No more tears. No more pain.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

     Feel God’s gentle touch as you mourn, as you worry, as you cry. Those tears are with Him and He will comfort you now and forever. As you pray, remember He treasures our prayers. They rise as a fragrant aroma right into the midst of heaven.

Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. Revelation 5:8b

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, the prayers of God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. Revelation 8:3

     God sees you. He hears you. He holds your tears and understands. And your prayers rise up as an offering. They are treasured. They are heard. His heart is full of love just for you.

Lord,

How can we thank You for caring so much? One day we will see the unfathomable glory of heaven and all of our questions will be answered, all of our unfulfilled dreams will come true, and Your eternal love will be with us. You will be known. Just as we are known to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Intimacy With God/He Knows You

 

You have searched me, Lord, and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:1-6

     You may not yet feel an intimacy with God. Or, you may have been close to Him once, and now wonder where He has gone. Believe the words written above. As the last verse reminds us, His ways are often too lofty, too wonderful, for us to grasp!

     Allow His love to shower over you and fill you. Feel His presence behind and before you as you go through your day. He knows the number of your days.  He understands you, knows you much better than anyone. I pray you believe this right now, even if you don’t feel it. Ask for His presence to be known. Seek Him and you will find Him. He is right beside you, ready to listen, to guide to bring hope and comfort.

Jesus,

Let Your mighty presence be known to us this week. We long to feel the intimacy that You feel for us. We love You.

Amen