More and More Spirit

 

     Are you recognizing the potential to gain the “more” of Christ? How about the “much more” of His love and His gifts? Our gravity-bound, earth-dwelling selves know how to love. But the love of God is beyond the moon and the stars for us beyond earthly measure.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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 the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”  Luke 11:13

     We give good gifts to our children and want the best for them. But “how much more” God gives to us! Did you notice what Jesus instructs us to do? That’s it. Ask for the Holy Spirit. This greatest of all gifts will be your teacher, your guide, your comforter, your intercessor. The very Spirit of God is within you. Sit with your heavenly father and ask for “more” of the Spirit and feel the power of the resurrected King.

Lord,

We ask for complete filling of Your Spirit, the same Spirit that dwells with You! You always have more to give and You tell us to ask. We pray to You this morning in Jesus name.

Amen

 

More and More Glory

     Moses came as close as any man to the presence of God in the Old Testament. God hid Moses in the crevice of a rock and placed His hand over the crevice as His glory moved past. The closeness of the glory of God, even hidden in the rocks, shone on Moses and he had to wear a veil in order for the Israelites to look at him!

     As Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple ripped in two. (Mark 15) This veil is believed to have been 30 feet long and 30 feet wide and as thick as a man’s hand.This enormously heavy veil enclosed the inner sanctum where the presence of God resided. It was called the “holy of holies.”  Only the high priest could enter the sanctuary on the holiest of days.

     Here we are, in the days of God’s grace, beyond the cross and the resurrection. See the “more” of Christ in today’s verses. Paul wrote these words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, about 30 years after the resurrection.

Even to this day when Moses is read a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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 3-15-18

     These are some life-transforming verses. Let them sink in. We are being transformed into Christ’s image with ever-increasing glory! From glory to glory, the more and even more of a relationship with Christ. In the book of James (Jesus’ half-brother) we see the word of God compared to a mirror. As we read and meditate and learn from it, we are transformed more and more into the image of Chrst.

     Reflect God’s glory. Let Him take over and transform your life as only He can. The veil has been lifted forever. It’s His work, not ours. Become that jar of clay.  As He molds you into His work of art, remember His temple, that inner sanctum where He resides, now resides within us. Hallelujah!

Dear Lord,

These words are miraculous and awe-inspiring. Only you could take sin-filled man and fill them with something beautiful and holy; Your Spirit. Let it be said of us that we are Yours.

Amen

Grace and More Grace

 

     We are fortunate to live in God’s grace. Grace is the good news of Jesus. In addition to Webster’s definitions of the ways we use the word, like “goodwill” and “beauty of form or movement,” there is the definition, “God’s love.” Yes, grace is God’s love poured out through His Son. We live in His grace day by day and as we continue to talk about the “more” of Jesus, there it is. His abundant grace.

For from His fullness, we have received grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV

     When we think we can’t be forgiven one more time, when that nasty habit rears its ugly head, when we speak out in anger or use God’s name in vain, the Holy Spirit convicts us with a gentle voice and Jesus waits for us again to come back to Him. He reminds His children that it was finished on the cross. He never leaves us. He just keeps washing over us with His grace. And then more grace. Grace upon grace.

Jesus,

Thank you for Your never-ending grace. Your gospel is the gospel of grace. What a beautiful gift from You. May we never forget it. It is Your gift. The gift of everlasting life. The gift we didn’t deserve and You give it with grace.

Amen

More and Even More

 

     Jesus offers us more. Are you satisfied? He will give you more. Are you empty? He will fill you to the full until it overflows. Do you have more than enough? He offers even more! The choices are stark. Evil may increase more and more. Corruption even more. Sin abounds.

     The contrast? There He is: Jesus. Each day this week we will focus on a verse; a verse with the “more” of Jesus. Remind yourself of the choices you have today. Fill up on life and blessing. He offers it in abundance.

     From the Amplified Bible, Jesus tells us:

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) John 10:10 AMP

    Don’t let that pesky devil steal your joy, destroy your health and kill your soul. Ask Jesus to give you more of the abundant life in Him. He gives and gives to the full, until it overflows.

Dear Father in Heaven,

Your Son freely gave Himself to us when we didn’t deserve it, accepting the suffering we all deserve. Not only has He washed us clean from sin and promised heaven, He offers the abundant life on earth. How do we not choose Him?

In Jesus name,

Amen

Children of Love

 

     There is nothing quite like the blissful ache of loving a child. The over-powering love that takes you through chaotic sleepless nights, questioning the cry. Are they hungry? Are they tired? Are they hurt? Are they sick? Trips to the doctor, tender moments of the first laugh or first step or first steps onto the school bus. That first step that opens up a world away from you.

     The years move with ever-increasing swiftness, but the blissful ache remains. Are they happy? Are they texting while they are driving? Will they be safe when they go out? The love acts as a magnet. And the blissful ache continues with the next generation, our grandkids. The mind and heart consistently reacts to their joy, their laughter, their pain, their hopes and dreams. There is really no earthly comparison to this all-consuming sacrificial, unconditional love.

     My prayers for our girls have been steadfast and hopeful since they were born. I prayed consistently over the years for them to find spouses, chosen by God. And my prayers have been answered by our loving God. There is pride and hope and overwhelming joy and just a twinge of what? Maybe it’s a tough realization that there is a letting go. The letting go, however, comes with an answered prayer, the fulfilled dream of raising remarkable human beings. My husband and I have realized it twice. The Lord has blessed us richly. The blissful ache of the deepest love. It’s what Jesus feels for you, His child. It is an everlasting love.

 

The Lord appeared to us in the past saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children. Psalm 103:17

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  1 John 3:1

Father,

Teach us how to lavish Your love onto our children and grandchildren. The love we feel is beyond measure and yet there is no comparison to the way You love us. Teach us how to accept Your perfect love and pass it on generation to generation.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Hope of Glory

 

     Minnesota weather makes us strong and hardy or it is weak and foolish? Reading these words of Scripture today makes me smile and realize we really need God’s strength!

But God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. 1 Corinthians 1:27

     When change surrounds us in the weather or in life, when we feel weak and foolish, God is there. Skies may darken. Lightning and thunder may strike and roll. After the storm there is hope. The rainbow lights the sky. Something awakens within us. Suffering brings doubt and sadness, but it also brings strength and compassion. Somehow our loving Father uses the storms to bring hope to others. Our pain draws us deeper; deeper into the big questions in life; deeper in our faith; deeper in our trust.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 5:3-5

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

     Jesus will walk us through this life. Count on Him. Keep hope alive. There will be flood waters rushing by us, and flames burning around us, but heaven calls, the hope of glory. Hang on to hope. We persevere. We find times of refreshment. We hold on for dear life. We hang on to each other. And we hang on to Jesus. He will never let us go.

…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27b

Jesus,

You know what we go through. Give those suffering right now Your comfort and peace. Help us to persevere and develop character and bring hope. You are the hope of glory, now and forever. And we rely on Your strength

Amen

Ambassadors

 

For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should. Ephesians 6:20

     Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles (non-Jews) and offer the Gospel of grace. He was and we are ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents his or her home in a foreign land. Our ultimate home is in heaven and now? Our home is in Jesus Christ. How can we faithfully be His ambassadors?

     We can get to know Him intimately. The Bible promises us that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. (John 14;26) The Spirit of Christ teaches us from the Bible and through prayer. All we do can bring the glory and the light of Christ. What a calling! What a blessing! What a miracle! To think, a fallen human being like me or like you can be Christ’s ambassadors to others.

     One day soon we will be clothed with our eternal bodies. We will still be ourselves. Jesus was recognized even in His glorified body. We will move between the new heaven and the new earth and maybe even through the universe. Jesus was in two places at once. He moved through a wall. He was no longer encumbered with space and time. And the new city of Jerusalem will be our temple of worship. Read about it in Revelation 21. One of the most astounding facts about it (other than the precious stones and jewels and the gates made of one large pearl!) is the fact that it is a cube 1500 miles high, wide, deep and long! Imagine that!

 

     All of that and more is waiting for us. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 3 and 13) He sees us there already. Represent Him boldly. He has given you spiritual blessings both now and forevermore.

Jesus,

Let Your Spirit teach us. We want to represent You faithfully wherever we go. Lead us today. Guide our words and our actions to bring light to others.

Amen