"Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..."
Acts 15: 27&28a
I have written much about the Holy Spirit and his presence in our lives. He is always with us and is always speaking to us. But I know that I have spent much of my life trying to differentiate his voice from my own. My mind seems to be confused about who it is that is speaking. Therefore, I am sometimes unsure about direction or decisions. So how do we tell the difference? How do we know when the Holy Spirit is speaking to us?
The scripture above references a critical decision in the life of the early church. The gentiles had come into the church and there was confusion about what laws they should obey, since they were not followers of the Jewish laws. So the apostles gathered to make a decision and have it delivered to the gentile churches. After much discussion, the verdict was rendered: "It seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit..." They went on to direct the gentiles in a few things that they should follow. So the apostles didn't necessarily hear a clear audible voice, or even a clear thought from the Holy Spirit about the matter. They simply arrived at a conclusion, and then tested it by asking God. They felt the agreement and approval of the Holy Spirit and then they acted on it by delivering the decision.
Sometimes, we make the process of hearing the Holy Spirit much too complex. He is always speaking into our minds, bringing direction and answers. But we say, "Those are only my thoughts." or "I don't know if that is God or not." Rather than spend our energy trying to figure it out, why don't we just agree with the Holy Spirit? If it seems good to the Holy Spirit, go ahead and follow the direction. You may not hear a clear voice in your mind, but you will certainly know when there is the peace of agreement present. If you are acting on your own thoughts and the direction is wrong, the Holy Spirit will correct you.
This problem of not knowing the voice of the Holy Spirit inhibits our faith. If we spend so much time trying to figure out the direction, we may never come to a conclusion and act on it. So, something that God wanted to bless us with, may be missed. Let's just relax and follow Jesus. When we are comfortable with our relationship with God, we will find it easier to agree with the Holy Spirit. We will be able to separate the thoughts in our minds because we will want the same things that God wants.When this happens, we have learned to listen, we are hearing the Holy Spirit, and there is agreement with him. It's easier than we think!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
No More Locusts
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and locust swarm."
Joel 2:25
Swarms of locusts are devastating. They may literally eat everything in their paths and leave nothing but a wasteland. Locusts were often talked about in the Old Testament. You may remember that swarms of locusts were one of the plagues that God sent against Egypt and Pharaoh. Many of you may feel like you have endured a sort of plague of locusts in your own lives. These may have been very difficult times or an old lifestyle that has left its ugly mark on your lives. Either way, these are locusts.
The promise that God has for us is the same one he gave to the nation of Israel through the prophet Joel. He will repay-or redeem-the destruction that has been caused in our lives. I want you to know that there is no sin that cannot be redeemed. There is no addiction that cannot be destroyed. There is no crisis that cannot be defeated. Whatever has happened in your past belongs in the past. None of these locusts should be lingering in the field of your life. God is redeeming everything that has caused devastation in your life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17). You have been set free from the old life of sin.
If you still struggle with guilt from past sin, put it at the foot of the cross, once and for all. If you continue to have issues with past addictions, give it to Jesus and be done. I know addictions may be difficult to overcome, but Christ died to redeem you from them. Receive the gift of deliverance from him. If you are struggling through a crisis in your life, know that God is coming to rescue you. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are his and he will bring the fruit of his kingdom into your life. Crisis cannot remain. When God says it's over, it is over.
If it is difficult to remember the things we have talked about, simply remember this and say it to God as many times as necessary: "No more locusts, no more locusts, no more locusts." He will know exactly what you are saying!
Joel 2:25
Swarms of locusts are devastating. They may literally eat everything in their paths and leave nothing but a wasteland. Locusts were often talked about in the Old Testament. You may remember that swarms of locusts were one of the plagues that God sent against Egypt and Pharaoh. Many of you may feel like you have endured a sort of plague of locusts in your own lives. These may have been very difficult times or an old lifestyle that has left its ugly mark on your lives. Either way, these are locusts.
The promise that God has for us is the same one he gave to the nation of Israel through the prophet Joel. He will repay-or redeem-the destruction that has been caused in our lives. I want you to know that there is no sin that cannot be redeemed. There is no addiction that cannot be destroyed. There is no crisis that cannot be defeated. Whatever has happened in your past belongs in the past. None of these locusts should be lingering in the field of your life. God is redeeming everything that has caused devastation in your life. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17). You have been set free from the old life of sin.
If you still struggle with guilt from past sin, put it at the foot of the cross, once and for all. If you continue to have issues with past addictions, give it to Jesus and be done. I know addictions may be difficult to overcome, but Christ died to redeem you from them. Receive the gift of deliverance from him. If you are struggling through a crisis in your life, know that God is coming to rescue you. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are his and he will bring the fruit of his kingdom into your life. Crisis cannot remain. When God says it's over, it is over.
If it is difficult to remember the things we have talked about, simply remember this and say it to God as many times as necessary: "No more locusts, no more locusts, no more locusts." He will know exactly what you are saying!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Abiding
"I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
John 15:5
We must learn to abide in Christ. The word 'remain' is translated in other versions of the Bible as, "abide." There is great blessing and reward when we take time to simply abide with Christ. Our relationship with God is not a vertical one. We sometimes have the mistaken notion that God is up in heaven and we are way down here on the earth. So our prayers must transcend time and space to reach him. While the Father is on his throne in Glory, and Jesus is at his side, we have the Holy Spirit living and dwelling within us. So when we choose to abide and spend time with God, he is right here with us.
The Holy Spirit is as much God as Jesus or the Father. It seems that some people either forget about the Holy Spirit or they lower him to some kind of lesser status than God and Jesus. He is fully God and God is fully resident within us. So when we make a decision to abide with him, we are in a relationship that is much closer than any other. The Holy Spirit reveals our Father and Jesus to us. He is the mediator, the intercessor, the bridge, that fills the gap between our lives and the fullness of God.
Abiding with Christ is a lot like resting. It is a lifestyle of giving up ourselves and our problems to him, completely trusting him. We are in fellowship with him as he resides in us through the person of the Holy Spirit. Abiding doesn't require us to do anything. We don't have to say the right words or do the right things, we simply rest in the presence of God. When we do this, he speaks to us, shows us great things, and allows us to take in the sights of his kingdom. All this is possible, but only as we give up our hectic lifestyles and just relax in his presence.
There is an element of longevity in the word 'abiding.' It is not a one-time experience. It is a lifestyle. As we learn to abide on a daily, even moment to moment, basis, we will find peace that we can only experience when we are in the presence of God. Try it today. Let all the cares of the world go away and simply take time to 'hang out' with Jesus. He doesn't require you to do anything, just enjoy his presence. This is the joy in abiding with Christ. It will change your life.
John 15:5
We must learn to abide in Christ. The word 'remain' is translated in other versions of the Bible as, "abide." There is great blessing and reward when we take time to simply abide with Christ. Our relationship with God is not a vertical one. We sometimes have the mistaken notion that God is up in heaven and we are way down here on the earth. So our prayers must transcend time and space to reach him. While the Father is on his throne in Glory, and Jesus is at his side, we have the Holy Spirit living and dwelling within us. So when we choose to abide and spend time with God, he is right here with us.
The Holy Spirit is as much God as Jesus or the Father. It seems that some people either forget about the Holy Spirit or they lower him to some kind of lesser status than God and Jesus. He is fully God and God is fully resident within us. So when we make a decision to abide with him, we are in a relationship that is much closer than any other. The Holy Spirit reveals our Father and Jesus to us. He is the mediator, the intercessor, the bridge, that fills the gap between our lives and the fullness of God.
Abiding with Christ is a lot like resting. It is a lifestyle of giving up ourselves and our problems to him, completely trusting him. We are in fellowship with him as he resides in us through the person of the Holy Spirit. Abiding doesn't require us to do anything. We don't have to say the right words or do the right things, we simply rest in the presence of God. When we do this, he speaks to us, shows us great things, and allows us to take in the sights of his kingdom. All this is possible, but only as we give up our hectic lifestyles and just relax in his presence.
There is an element of longevity in the word 'abiding.' It is not a one-time experience. It is a lifestyle. As we learn to abide on a daily, even moment to moment, basis, we will find peace that we can only experience when we are in the presence of God. Try it today. Let all the cares of the world go away and simply take time to 'hang out' with Jesus. He doesn't require you to do anything, just enjoy his presence. This is the joy in abiding with Christ. It will change your life.
Monday, July 18, 2011
To the Fearful Hearted
"Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear, your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.'"
Isaiah 35:4
I know first hand, what fear can do to a person. I have lived there for a good part of my life. Only in the past few years have I been able to overcome, as the Holy Spirit guided me through a great healing. I know that I am not the only one who struggles with fear. Many of us have deep fears that cripple us from really entering into all the great things that God has for us. There is no easy answer, no quick fix to the problem of fear. For most, it is deeply entrenched in our thinking. But God has an answer. It depends on us to receive his comfort and overcome the issue of fear.
It amazes me that God simply says, "Be strong, do not fear." I would think he would give us some clear directions, something that would give us the ability to overcome the problem. But he doesn't. Sometimes, we need to understand that it is enough to trust in God and in his strength to take care of our problems. We need to cling to him and trust the hope that he is coming to save us.
Fear is the greatest tool of the enemy. His power has been defeated and he cannot master a Christian life. So he fills our minds with fear in an attempt to stop us from doing what God wants us to do. The greatest detriment to faith is fear. It cripples us, and we are ineffective. When God asks us to do something, we need to act and thus exercise faith. If we are consumed by fear, we will do nothing and our faith will not be complete..
What are we afraid of? If we will take an honest look, most of us will find that there is little to nothing behind our fears. We have simply become so accustomed to living with fear that we have agreed with the enemy. So I say, let's stop agreeing with the lies of the enemy and start agreeing with the truth that God speaks. He is our protector and he will come with vengeance to defeat our enemy. This is the truth and when we understand and believe it, we will be set free from the entrapment of fear. So be strong! Do not fear! Trust in God and receive his overcoming power. Do this, and fear cannot reign in your life.
Isaiah 35:4
I know first hand, what fear can do to a person. I have lived there for a good part of my life. Only in the past few years have I been able to overcome, as the Holy Spirit guided me through a great healing. I know that I am not the only one who struggles with fear. Many of us have deep fears that cripple us from really entering into all the great things that God has for us. There is no easy answer, no quick fix to the problem of fear. For most, it is deeply entrenched in our thinking. But God has an answer. It depends on us to receive his comfort and overcome the issue of fear.
It amazes me that God simply says, "Be strong, do not fear." I would think he would give us some clear directions, something that would give us the ability to overcome the problem. But he doesn't. Sometimes, we need to understand that it is enough to trust in God and in his strength to take care of our problems. We need to cling to him and trust the hope that he is coming to save us.
Fear is the greatest tool of the enemy. His power has been defeated and he cannot master a Christian life. So he fills our minds with fear in an attempt to stop us from doing what God wants us to do. The greatest detriment to faith is fear. It cripples us, and we are ineffective. When God asks us to do something, we need to act and thus exercise faith. If we are consumed by fear, we will do nothing and our faith will not be complete..
What are we afraid of? If we will take an honest look, most of us will find that there is little to nothing behind our fears. We have simply become so accustomed to living with fear that we have agreed with the enemy. So I say, let's stop agreeing with the lies of the enemy and start agreeing with the truth that God speaks. He is our protector and he will come with vengeance to defeat our enemy. This is the truth and when we understand and believe it, we will be set free from the entrapment of fear. So be strong! Do not fear! Trust in God and receive his overcoming power. Do this, and fear cannot reign in your life.
Friday, July 15, 2011
God is Smiling
"As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorous ones in whom is all my delight."
Psalm 16:3
Let me give you a word of encouragement today. There is so much for us to do, so much that captures our attention. We are all busy with our lives and the work of the kingdom of God. But I would like to offer you a few simple thoughts to comfort and bless.
We don't often think of ourselves as saints. But this is exactly what God calls us. The scriptural meaning of the word is; holy or sanctified. All of us are sanctified or set apart for God's purpose. And all of us are moving daily in holiness. Therefore, we are all saints. I don't say this to puff us up, but we do need to rise above the weak old philosophy that says we are all just sinners, saved by grace. This is true, but God now sees us as saints who are full of his Spirit and the power that he has given us.
We are glorious ones in the sight of God. To me, this is what being sanctified or set apart is all about. God recognizes us as different. We have willfully followed him. Other people look at us and see a difference, too. Saints are different than sinners and people are perceptive enough to recognize it. We don't act the same way, we don't talk the same way, and we don't live the same way as those who are ruled by sin. God sees it, and people see it as well.
God delights in us. When you picture God in your mind, you ought to picture him with a smile on his face as he looks at you. I am a grandparent. Many times, I look at my preschool grandchildren and take delight in them. They are playful, carefree, and simple in their approach to life. They don't worry and they know they are loved and protected by their parents and grandparents. This is like our relationship with God. It is with that kind of pleasure that he looks at us. We are his children and he delights in us.
Be encouraged today. God takes delight in you. Don't let your thoughts condemn you and don't believe the lies of the enemy. God is smiling. You are pleasing him. Lay back and rest in that. Let a smile come across your face and agree with what God thinks. You are a glorious saint!
Psalm 16:3
Let me give you a word of encouragement today. There is so much for us to do, so much that captures our attention. We are all busy with our lives and the work of the kingdom of God. But I would like to offer you a few simple thoughts to comfort and bless.
We don't often think of ourselves as saints. But this is exactly what God calls us. The scriptural meaning of the word is; holy or sanctified. All of us are sanctified or set apart for God's purpose. And all of us are moving daily in holiness. Therefore, we are all saints. I don't say this to puff us up, but we do need to rise above the weak old philosophy that says we are all just sinners, saved by grace. This is true, but God now sees us as saints who are full of his Spirit and the power that he has given us.
We are glorious ones in the sight of God. To me, this is what being sanctified or set apart is all about. God recognizes us as different. We have willfully followed him. Other people look at us and see a difference, too. Saints are different than sinners and people are perceptive enough to recognize it. We don't act the same way, we don't talk the same way, and we don't live the same way as those who are ruled by sin. God sees it, and people see it as well.
God delights in us. When you picture God in your mind, you ought to picture him with a smile on his face as he looks at you. I am a grandparent. Many times, I look at my preschool grandchildren and take delight in them. They are playful, carefree, and simple in their approach to life. They don't worry and they know they are loved and protected by their parents and grandparents. This is like our relationship with God. It is with that kind of pleasure that he looks at us. We are his children and he delights in us.
Be encouraged today. God takes delight in you. Don't let your thoughts condemn you and don't believe the lies of the enemy. God is smiling. You are pleasing him. Lay back and rest in that. Let a smile come across your face and agree with what God thinks. You are a glorious saint!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
God's Calling
"For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."
Romans 11:29
If I were to translate this verse in today's language, I would say it this way: "You can run, but you cannot hide." Obviously, we need to understand first, that we are all called. God has a specific thing for you and I to do. It may be completely different than anyone else, but this is what makes God's call so unique and precious. Each of us has been gifted and called uniquely. It is not a package deal with everyone else. The concept we must understand is this: God looks at us individually, not as just a part of a whole. Yes, God loves his church, and he deals with nations, but he has chosen to work through people as he speaks to them directly and calls them for his purposes.
Sometimes, we make this a little too spiritual. I was reading in Exodus recently and was struck with the mention of two men, Bezalel and Oholiab. It say that God filled them with his Spirit and gave them skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. they also had the ability to teach others these crafts. These men led the construction of the tabernacle. God didn't call them to speak to people, or lead nations, he called them to help build his tabernacle, and he gifted them accordingly.
One of my heroes in the faith is a man named Smith Wigglesworth. He became a great preacher and was a man full of the Holy Spirit. In fact, stories are told about him that are incredible. He would walk onto a bus in London and people would fall on their knees and repent before God. All this would happen before he even spoke a word. He was full of the Holy Spirit. But Smith Wigglesworth was a simple man. He was a plumber. That's what he was first gifted to do. And God took the faithfulness of a person willing to follow him and made him great in his kingdom.
What has God called you to do? How has he gifted you to fulfill his call? You may know already. You may be moving in that call right now. But some may be running from God's call. It is always simple. God may choose you to be a carpenter, and he will use you and your ability to literally build his kingdom. He may have called you to be a teacher, or a barista, or a janitor. Whatever God has called you to do, do it with all your strength. He has called you and he will use you and your call to glorify himself. Many people will be brought into his kingdom through your faithfulness. Don't run from God's call. It will always be with you no matter where you go. Take hold of it and live for God.
Romans 11:29
If I were to translate this verse in today's language, I would say it this way: "You can run, but you cannot hide." Obviously, we need to understand first, that we are all called. God has a specific thing for you and I to do. It may be completely different than anyone else, but this is what makes God's call so unique and precious. Each of us has been gifted and called uniquely. It is not a package deal with everyone else. The concept we must understand is this: God looks at us individually, not as just a part of a whole. Yes, God loves his church, and he deals with nations, but he has chosen to work through people as he speaks to them directly and calls them for his purposes.
Sometimes, we make this a little too spiritual. I was reading in Exodus recently and was struck with the mention of two men, Bezalel and Oholiab. It say that God filled them with his Spirit and gave them skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. they also had the ability to teach others these crafts. These men led the construction of the tabernacle. God didn't call them to speak to people, or lead nations, he called them to help build his tabernacle, and he gifted them accordingly.
One of my heroes in the faith is a man named Smith Wigglesworth. He became a great preacher and was a man full of the Holy Spirit. In fact, stories are told about him that are incredible. He would walk onto a bus in London and people would fall on their knees and repent before God. All this would happen before he even spoke a word. He was full of the Holy Spirit. But Smith Wigglesworth was a simple man. He was a plumber. That's what he was first gifted to do. And God took the faithfulness of a person willing to follow him and made him great in his kingdom.
What has God called you to do? How has he gifted you to fulfill his call? You may know already. You may be moving in that call right now. But some may be running from God's call. It is always simple. God may choose you to be a carpenter, and he will use you and your ability to literally build his kingdom. He may have called you to be a teacher, or a barista, or a janitor. Whatever God has called you to do, do it with all your strength. He has called you and he will use you and your call to glorify himself. Many people will be brought into his kingdom through your faithfulness. Don't run from God's call. It will always be with you no matter where you go. Take hold of it and live for God.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A Sure Destiny
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.'"
Isaiah 14:24
When people talk about the future, there are varying opinions about how it works. Some say it is all just happenstance. There is no divine intervention and life is what you make it. Others say that all people have a destiny. They do not attribute this destiny to God, but they do believe that the future has been appointed for people. The truth is this; God has plans and destinies for all of us, and those plans do not change.
God is the same now as he has always been. He will be the same as he is now. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." God does not change, neither does he change his mind. This is the stability that we have within our relationship with him. We know that the rules do not change. He doesn't dangle a carrot in front of us, only to remove it before we can take hold of it.
the future that is set for you, your destiny, is set by the hand of God. The Word says that "God Almighty has sworn" that his plans for us are set. We need not worry or attempt to direct our own lives. God is in control. Our destinies were created by him when he created us. He had in mind what each of us would do and his mind has never changed. Our place is to find out what that destiny is, and then live our lives agreeing with God. It is then, that we find fulfillment. We can choose to spend our lives fighting against God, or spend it agreeing with him and fulfilling his will.
The things God has purposed will stand. Today, let's get back to the basics. Why don't you ask God to show you what your destiny is? Although he will not reveal his entire plan for your life with one question, he will set you on a path that leads to your life's destiny. It amazes me how God can orchestrate situations and circumstances to direct us. He is a master at carrying out his plans. We are not puppets. God longs for us to agree with him so his perfect plans will be fulfilled.. It is never too late to enter into God's plan. The prodigal's son came back and found it, so can we. Why would we settle for less than God's best for us? If we submit to God's will, we will have a uniquely designed, blessed future.
Isaiah 14:24
When people talk about the future, there are varying opinions about how it works. Some say it is all just happenstance. There is no divine intervention and life is what you make it. Others say that all people have a destiny. They do not attribute this destiny to God, but they do believe that the future has been appointed for people. The truth is this; God has plans and destinies for all of us, and those plans do not change.
God is the same now as he has always been. He will be the same as he is now. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." God does not change, neither does he change his mind. This is the stability that we have within our relationship with him. We know that the rules do not change. He doesn't dangle a carrot in front of us, only to remove it before we can take hold of it.
the future that is set for you, your destiny, is set by the hand of God. The Word says that "God Almighty has sworn" that his plans for us are set. We need not worry or attempt to direct our own lives. God is in control. Our destinies were created by him when he created us. He had in mind what each of us would do and his mind has never changed. Our place is to find out what that destiny is, and then live our lives agreeing with God. It is then, that we find fulfillment. We can choose to spend our lives fighting against God, or spend it agreeing with him and fulfilling his will.
The things God has purposed will stand. Today, let's get back to the basics. Why don't you ask God to show you what your destiny is? Although he will not reveal his entire plan for your life with one question, he will set you on a path that leads to your life's destiny. It amazes me how God can orchestrate situations and circumstances to direct us. He is a master at carrying out his plans. We are not puppets. God longs for us to agree with him so his perfect plans will be fulfilled.. It is never too late to enter into God's plan. The prodigal's son came back and found it, so can we. Why would we settle for less than God's best for us? If we submit to God's will, we will have a uniquely designed, blessed future.
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