“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Ephesians 3:14-15
As Great Britain faced the German might alone in the initial stages of World War II, Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill sent this urgent, but concise message to President Franklin Roosevelt: “Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” The power of the Holy Spirit is the supernatural tool God has given to equip and enable each believer.
The power of the Holy Spirit is to do the work God calls us to accomplish. Serving others, loving even our enemies, building up one another in the faith, sharing Christ, and exercising our spiritual gifts are possible only through the Holy Spirit’s enabling ministry. Trying to do such tasks in our own wisdom and strength and by our own methodology will eventually lead to failure and burnout.
The power of the Holy Spirit is also available for us to become the people God wants us to be. How can we possibly be loving, kind, gentle, patient, joyous, self-controlled, or peaceful apart from the Spirit’s help? Depend daily on Him and the job of becoming Christlike and building His kingdom can be achieved.
“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience...” Colossians 1:11
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
What We Need Today
The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:1-8
Immediately before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples eagerly asked the resurrected Savior His intentions for Israel. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus never answered their query, informing them instead of the imminent, personal ministry of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” (Acts 1:8).
We all have piercing questions we would like answered. But we are not to be overly occupied with them. Our real need is for power to enjoy and experience the abundant Christian life. Our most pressing demand is the divine enabling to know and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear. What the apostles needed and what we need today is the power of the Holy Spirit.
Are you experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis? Are you aware of His equipping and enabling in matters that are too difficult for you? As God’s child you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He will release His power through you to meet every demand, every problem, every emergency, every circumstance. Just call on His name.
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, ‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.’” Acts 1:1-8
Immediately before Jesus’ ascension, the disciples eagerly asked the resurrected Savior His intentions for Israel. “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus never answered their query, informing them instead of the imminent, personal ministry of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” (Acts 1:8).
We all have piercing questions we would like answered. But we are not to be overly occupied with them. Our real need is for power to enjoy and experience the abundant Christian life. Our most pressing demand is the divine enabling to know and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear. What the apostles needed and what we need today is the power of the Holy Spirit.
Are you experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit on a consistent basis? Are you aware of His equipping and enabling in matters that are too difficult for you? As God’s child you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He will release His power through you to meet every demand, every problem, every emergency, every circumstance. Just call on His name.
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Devoted to God
“Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, ‘We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.’” Daniel 6:4-5
“Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, ‘Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?’ The king replied, ‘The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.’ Then they answered and spoke before the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.’
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, ‘Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’
Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.’” Daniel 6:10-16
“When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Then Daniel spoke to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.’ Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:20-23
Even though Persian decree demanded worship to be given solely to King Darius, Daniel continued to worship God. He knew that violation of the decree would lead to the lion’s den, yet he refused to compromise his convictions. We all have moments when we feel like Daniel - times when we stand for what we know is right, but end up feeling like we have been cast into a den of lions. It happens in our jobs, communities, families, and even our churches.
The thing that separated Daniel was his devotion to God. He was not concerned about what others thought of him. Above everything else, Daniel wanted to live only for God. Nothing could change the upward direction of his worship. When people see your life, do they see Jesus? Daniel’s witness was so strong that it made a lasting impression on the king. From the top of the lion’s den, King Darius shouted down, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you” (Dan. 6:16).
May the words of our Savior motivate us to an even stronger commitment, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
God is interested in men and women who are willing to commit themselves to Him without reserve.
“Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, ‘Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?’ The king replied, ‘The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.’ Then they answered and spoke before the king, ‘Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.’
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, ‘Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.’
Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.’” Daniel 6:10-16
“When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Then Daniel spoke to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.’ Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:20-23
Even though Persian decree demanded worship to be given solely to King Darius, Daniel continued to worship God. He knew that violation of the decree would lead to the lion’s den, yet he refused to compromise his convictions. We all have moments when we feel like Daniel - times when we stand for what we know is right, but end up feeling like we have been cast into a den of lions. It happens in our jobs, communities, families, and even our churches.
The thing that separated Daniel was his devotion to God. He was not concerned about what others thought of him. Above everything else, Daniel wanted to live only for God. Nothing could change the upward direction of his worship. When people see your life, do they see Jesus? Daniel’s witness was so strong that it made a lasting impression on the king. From the top of the lion’s den, King Darius shouted down, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you” (Dan. 6:16).
May the words of our Savior motivate us to an even stronger commitment, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
God is interested in men and women who are willing to commit themselves to Him without reserve.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Right Motivation
“The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego.
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.’ But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.’
So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.” Daniel 1:5-15
After he was taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel refused to defile himself by eating food from the king’s table. He was committed to serving God without compromise and knew certain foods were not allowed by Jewish law. However, the Law was not the motivating factor behind Daniel’s decision. It was his unyielding devotion to God that persuaded the commander to serve him vegetables instead of meat.
Many people rationalize their lack of obedience by shifting the blame to others society. Phrases like, “Our world is changing and I must change with it” undercut obedience. When God calls us to obey certain principles written in His Word, He makes no apologies.
The Bible says, “God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander...” (Dan. 1:9). When our motivation is fueled by a sincere love and desire to please God, He always provides a way through the temptation.
What is the motivation of your heart? Is it self-gratification or glorification of Jesus Christ? When you seek Jesus above the things of this world, your life will look strange to those who are lost. Make sure the motivation of your heart matches His call for your life.
The way you respond to temptation reveals the depth of your devotion to God.
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.’ But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.’
So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.” Daniel 1:5-15
After he was taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel refused to defile himself by eating food from the king’s table. He was committed to serving God without compromise and knew certain foods were not allowed by Jewish law. However, the Law was not the motivating factor behind Daniel’s decision. It was his unyielding devotion to God that persuaded the commander to serve him vegetables instead of meat.
Many people rationalize their lack of obedience by shifting the blame to others society. Phrases like, “Our world is changing and I must change with it” undercut obedience. When God calls us to obey certain principles written in His Word, He makes no apologies.
The Bible says, “God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander...” (Dan. 1:9). When our motivation is fueled by a sincere love and desire to please God, He always provides a way through the temptation.
What is the motivation of your heart? Is it self-gratification or glorification of Jesus Christ? When you seek Jesus above the things of this world, your life will look strange to those who are lost. Make sure the motivation of your heart matches His call for your life.
The way you respond to temptation reveals the depth of your devotion to God.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Faith Without Works
“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’” James 2:14-18
Rahab hid the two Israelite spies under stalks of flax that covered the roof of her home in Jericho. Soon after, messengers from the king of Jericho came to see her, demanding that she tell them where the men were. Her life was in danger if they found out the truth - hiding spies was a crime.
However, Rahab did not tell. The messengers left, and Rahab told the Israelite men why she had protected them. “I know that the Lord has given you the land....For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you....for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11).
Rahab believed in the One true God, and God saved her, even including her in the family line of David and of Jesus (Josh. 2:9-11). Rahab put into living practice the faith that was in her heart, and God used her as an instrument of victory to bring His chosen people into the Promised Land.
When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, Jesus came to live within you. You placed your faith in the Living Word who gives you wisdom and guidance for all things. But just knowing His truth does not put that truth to work in your life. You must apply what He shows you and take a step of obedience.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers...” James 1:22
Rahab hid the two Israelite spies under stalks of flax that covered the roof of her home in Jericho. Soon after, messengers from the king of Jericho came to see her, demanding that she tell them where the men were. Her life was in danger if they found out the truth - hiding spies was a crime.
However, Rahab did not tell. The messengers left, and Rahab told the Israelite men why she had protected them. “I know that the Lord has given you the land....For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you....for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11).
Rahab believed in the One true God, and God saved her, even including her in the family line of David and of Jesus (Josh. 2:9-11). Rahab put into living practice the faith that was in her heart, and God used her as an instrument of victory to bring His chosen people into the Promised Land.
When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, Jesus came to live within you. You placed your faith in the Living Word who gives you wisdom and guidance for all things. But just knowing His truth does not put that truth to work in your life. You must apply what He shows you and take a step of obedience.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers...” James 1:22
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Battle of the Flesh
“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:15-25
When temptation comes, the pressure can seem overwhelming. We feel the tug-of-war between our sin and our new, redeemed self; sometimes the pain is intense. In the heat of spiritual battle, we need to remember who we are - victors in Jesus Christ, who conquered sin once and for all on the cross.
Elisabeth Elliot, in her book On Asking God Why, explains this relationship. “Our context is the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world (which is the kingdom of self). You can’t have it all....You may not have it your way. You opted out of all that when you made up your mind to follow a Master who Himself had relinquished all rights, all equality with the Father, and His own will as well.”
With Christ as your Savior and Lord, you belong to Him completely. This is wonderful news in the midst of trial and temptation. And He has promised you this kind of help: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
He will not let you fall if you lean on Him.
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory...” 2 Cor. 4:17
I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:15-25
When temptation comes, the pressure can seem overwhelming. We feel the tug-of-war between our sin and our new, redeemed self; sometimes the pain is intense. In the heat of spiritual battle, we need to remember who we are - victors in Jesus Christ, who conquered sin once and for all on the cross.
Elisabeth Elliot, in her book On Asking God Why, explains this relationship. “Our context is the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world (which is the kingdom of self). You can’t have it all....You may not have it your way. You opted out of all that when you made up your mind to follow a Master who Himself had relinquished all rights, all equality with the Father, and His own will as well.”
With Christ as your Savior and Lord, you belong to Him completely. This is wonderful news in the midst of trial and temptation. And He has promised you this kind of help: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
He will not let you fall if you lean on Him.
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory...” 2 Cor. 4:17
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Test of Commitment
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.’” Genesis 22:1-2
“Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” Genesis 22:9-12
When J.C. Penney opened his first store, a meat market, he had no idea how his Christian business ethics would be tested. The chef of a nearby hotel demanded a bottle of liquor each month as a bribe in exchange for the hotel’s continued business. Penny refused. The hotel and other major clients took their business elsewhere. Penney’s shop closed down, but he didn’t give up. He built his new, successful dry goods business on the same biblical principles. Eventually, certain skeptics recognized the value of following biblical principles.
At some point, the Lord will test your commitment to Him. The test may not be financial, and it may not be like Abraham’s ordeal of faith, but you will be tested. Remember that in every trial, He has your best interest at heart. God does not test you to discover your level of commitment. He already knows how you will respond. Instead, God challenges you so that you will learn the level of your devotion. What areas do you need to give to Him? Is there anything you are holding back?
Friends, family, or co-workers may criticize, but God promises to see you through. Be obedient to His leading, and you will be positioned for His richest blessings. God honors those who obey Him at any cost.
“Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” Genesis 22:9-12
When J.C. Penney opened his first store, a meat market, he had no idea how his Christian business ethics would be tested. The chef of a nearby hotel demanded a bottle of liquor each month as a bribe in exchange for the hotel’s continued business. Penny refused. The hotel and other major clients took their business elsewhere. Penney’s shop closed down, but he didn’t give up. He built his new, successful dry goods business on the same biblical principles. Eventually, certain skeptics recognized the value of following biblical principles.
At some point, the Lord will test your commitment to Him. The test may not be financial, and it may not be like Abraham’s ordeal of faith, but you will be tested. Remember that in every trial, He has your best interest at heart. God does not test you to discover your level of commitment. He already knows how you will respond. Instead, God challenges you so that you will learn the level of your devotion. What areas do you need to give to Him? Is there anything you are holding back?
Friends, family, or co-workers may criticize, but God promises to see you through. Be obedient to His leading, and you will be positioned for His richest blessings. God honors those who obey Him at any cost.
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