“But you, Israel, My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
Descendant of Abraham My friend,
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its remotest parts
And said to you, ‘You are My servant,
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”
Isaiah 41:8-10
There are seasons when we feel totally alone, when an invisible curtain of emotional isolation seems to suffocate us. We hurt. We cry. We grieve. No one seems to care. The people at the office who greet us with their usual cheery “hello,” the grocery store clerks who remind us to “have a good day,” only heighten our sense of alienation.
We can persevere when we truly grasp the unceasing presence and care of God for each detail of our existence. Listen to David’s affirmation of God’s lovingkindness that sustained him in his darkest hours. “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways....Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:1-3, 7).
God is with you, for you, and in you. He never abandons the works of His hands. Instead of being overwhelmed by your feelings of loneliness, turn your attention to God’s steadfast care. Meditate on His total provision for your every need.
“...I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Holy Spirit - Our Guide, Part 2
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
The most vital area of truth the Holy Spirit guides us into is the knowledge of God Himself. His holiness, love, faithfulness, wrath, judgement, mercy, grace, patience, power, and numerous other attributes are unveiled for us. Without the Spirit’s aid we could never see God for Who He is.
The Spirit also reveals the truth about man. It is the Spirit of God that convicts the unbeliever of sin and his estrangement from God. It is the Holy Spirit that underscores man’s depravity and desperate need for a Savior. Apart from the Spirit’s enlightenment, man is blinded by his own pride and conceit. Once a Christian, the Spirit continues His ministry of conviction and illumination, not to condemn, but to enlighten and correct.
In addition the Holy Spirit highlights God’s truth about His specific instructions for living. He clearly shows us the pattern for family harmony, the proper motives for business, the guidelines for getting along with our neighbors and enemies, and the principles for ethical and moral conduct. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into His truth for your special need today.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go....” Psalm 32:8
The most vital area of truth the Holy Spirit guides us into is the knowledge of God Himself. His holiness, love, faithfulness, wrath, judgement, mercy, grace, patience, power, and numerous other attributes are unveiled for us. Without the Spirit’s aid we could never see God for Who He is.
The Spirit also reveals the truth about man. It is the Spirit of God that convicts the unbeliever of sin and his estrangement from God. It is the Holy Spirit that underscores man’s depravity and desperate need for a Savior. Apart from the Spirit’s enlightenment, man is blinded by his own pride and conceit. Once a Christian, the Spirit continues His ministry of conviction and illumination, not to condemn, but to enlighten and correct.
In addition the Holy Spirit highlights God’s truth about His specific instructions for living. He clearly shows us the pattern for family harmony, the proper motives for business, the guidelines for getting along with our neighbors and enemies, and the principles for ethical and moral conduct. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into His truth for your special need today.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go....” Psalm 32:8
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Holy Spirit - Our Guide
“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” John 16:12-15
A major function of the Holy Spirit it to guide God’s children. But too often the leadership of the Spirit is ascribed to methods and sources of which the Father has no part.
In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer helps us to understand the fundamental error and make the proper course correction. “Earnest Christians seeking guidance often go wrong about it. They look for a will-o’-the-wisp; they overlook the guidance that is ready to hand, and lay themselves open to all sorts of delusion. Their basic mistake is to think of guidance as essentially inward prompting by the Holy Spirit, apart from the written Word.
...The true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the Holy Scriptures through which He guides us. The fundamental guidance which God gives to shape our lives...is not a matter of inward promptings apart from the word but of the pressure on our consciences of the portrayal of God’s character and will in the word...The Spirit leads within the limits which the Word sets, not beyond them.”
“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction...” 1 Corinthians 10:11
A major function of the Holy Spirit it to guide God’s children. But too often the leadership of the Spirit is ascribed to methods and sources of which the Father has no part.
In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer helps us to understand the fundamental error and make the proper course correction. “Earnest Christians seeking guidance often go wrong about it. They look for a will-o’-the-wisp; they overlook the guidance that is ready to hand, and lay themselves open to all sorts of delusion. Their basic mistake is to think of guidance as essentially inward prompting by the Holy Spirit, apart from the written Word.
...The true way to honor the Holy Spirit as our guide is to honor the Holy Scriptures through which He guides us. The fundamental guidance which God gives to shape our lives...is not a matter of inward promptings apart from the word but of the pressure on our consciences of the portrayal of God’s character and will in the word...The Spirit leads within the limits which the Word sets, not beyond them.”
“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction...” 1 Corinthians 10:11
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
You Shall Be Holy
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:13-16
The moment a person embraces Christ as Savior he becomes holy and blameless in God’s sight; his sins forgiven by the blood of Christ. Yet salvation is only the starting block for a life of holiness. Our holy state, or position, as new creatures in Christ must be continually appropriated as we grow in holiness.
Think of humanity as an analogy. When a child is born he is a human being in the fullest sense. However, his entire life is spent developing physically and emotionally, authenticating his humanness. As a Christian grows in holiness, he demonstrates the reality of his new identity as a saint or “holy one.” Although he must apply all his faculties to experience growth in holiness, the Holy Spirit is always the Change Agent for holy living.
External observance of religious traditions will not make you holy. Good works will not make you holy. Avoidance of certain activities will not make you holy.
Do you want to be holy? Remember that God has already accepted you as His holy child, and then depend on the Holy Spirit to dynamically and continuously make you a partaker of God’s divine, holy nature.
“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2
The moment a person embraces Christ as Savior he becomes holy and blameless in God’s sight; his sins forgiven by the blood of Christ. Yet salvation is only the starting block for a life of holiness. Our holy state, or position, as new creatures in Christ must be continually appropriated as we grow in holiness.
Think of humanity as an analogy. When a child is born he is a human being in the fullest sense. However, his entire life is spent developing physically and emotionally, authenticating his humanness. As a Christian grows in holiness, he demonstrates the reality of his new identity as a saint or “holy one.” Although he must apply all his faculties to experience growth in holiness, the Holy Spirit is always the Change Agent for holy living.
External observance of religious traditions will not make you holy. Good works will not make you holy. Avoidance of certain activities will not make you holy.
Do you want to be holy? Remember that God has already accepted you as His holy child, and then depend on the Holy Spirit to dynamically and continuously make you a partaker of God’s divine, holy nature.
“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Process of Sanctification
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
We are born-again by God’s Spirit when we believe in Christ’s atonement for our sins. That is salvation - a singular decision with eternal permanence. We are also sanctified by the same Spirit of God. But unlike salvation sanctification is a lifelong process.
In his book The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges describes the joint venture of holy living. “...The farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate; he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in a partnership with God and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities. Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do and God will not do what the farmer should do. We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life; but just as surely, no one will attain it without effort on his own part.”
“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7
We are born-again by God’s Spirit when we believe in Christ’s atonement for our sins. That is salvation - a singular decision with eternal permanence. We are also sanctified by the same Spirit of God. But unlike salvation sanctification is a lifelong process.
In his book The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges describes the joint venture of holy living. “...The farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilize, and cultivate; he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season. In a sense he is in a partnership with God and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities. Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer. The farmer cannot do what God must do and God will not do what the farmer should do. We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life; but just as surely, no one will attain it without effort on his own part.”
“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7
Monday, October 3, 2011
Walk in the Spirit, Part 2
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
Walking in the Spirit certainly is not as simple as one, two, three; but there is a pyramid of biblical truth that can help us keep in step with His cadence.
When we walk in the Spirit, we are doing what God tells us to do. That entails a consistent reading and hearing of God’s Word and obedience to His commands. We progressively discover what the Spirit of truth reveals through the Scriptures.
When we walk in the Spirit, we are doing what God says to do and how He says do it. Learning God’s methods comes only through systematic, persistent study of God’s Word. It is not enough to simply to read His truth. We must investigate, explore, and examine His principles.
Finally, we walk in the Spirit when we do what God says, how He says to achieve it, and why He says to accomplish it. Applying the “why” is attained through deliberate meditation on God’s Word. We read and study, but then we delight, revel, and ponder the awesome truths designed to glorify Christ that it reveals.
Keep these cornerstone tenets in focus each day and walking in the Spirit will be the natural overflow.
“So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects...” Colossians 1:10
Walking in the Spirit certainly is not as simple as one, two, three; but there is a pyramid of biblical truth that can help us keep in step with His cadence.
When we walk in the Spirit, we are doing what God tells us to do. That entails a consistent reading and hearing of God’s Word and obedience to His commands. We progressively discover what the Spirit of truth reveals through the Scriptures.
When we walk in the Spirit, we are doing what God says to do and how He says do it. Learning God’s methods comes only through systematic, persistent study of God’s Word. It is not enough to simply to read His truth. We must investigate, explore, and examine His principles.
Finally, we walk in the Spirit when we do what God says, how He says to achieve it, and why He says to accomplish it. Applying the “why” is attained through deliberate meditation on God’s Word. We read and study, but then we delight, revel, and ponder the awesome truths designed to glorify Christ that it reveals.
Keep these cornerstone tenets in focus each day and walking in the Spirit will be the natural overflow.
“So that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects...” Colossians 1:10
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Walk in the Spirit
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” Galatians 5:16-18
There is only one way to walk, no matter how fast you stroll - one step at a time. The biblical command for believers to “walk by the Spirit” is obeyed and practiced in the same sense - one decision at a time.
You are driving on a long trip to visit your folks for Thanksgiving. In the back seat, friction is rising between your ten year old and twelve year old. You have a decision. Will you lose your temper and discipline the children, or will you firmly correct them with your emotions under the Spirit’s control?
Such are the constant choices each individual makes to “walk by the Spirit.” It is not a mystical type of experience but practical submission to God’s will in everyday circumstances. Walking in the Spirit is thus a cultivated lifestyle, learning to act and react under His direction and influence rather than being controlled by temperament or personality. Each day brings increasing cooperation with the Spirit’s will and power. You can “walk by the Spirit” one trusting step at a time. Begin with the next decision you must make.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
There is only one way to walk, no matter how fast you stroll - one step at a time. The biblical command for believers to “walk by the Spirit” is obeyed and practiced in the same sense - one decision at a time.
You are driving on a long trip to visit your folks for Thanksgiving. In the back seat, friction is rising between your ten year old and twelve year old. You have a decision. Will you lose your temper and discipline the children, or will you firmly correct them with your emotions under the Spirit’s control?
Such are the constant choices each individual makes to “walk by the Spirit.” It is not a mystical type of experience but practical submission to God’s will in everyday circumstances. Walking in the Spirit is thus a cultivated lifestyle, learning to act and react under His direction and influence rather than being controlled by temperament or personality. Each day brings increasing cooperation with the Spirit’s will and power. You can “walk by the Spirit” one trusting step at a time. Begin with the next decision you must make.
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
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