Holy Spirit

May 18th – 1 Peter 1:23

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1 Peter 1:23

Evangelist Henry Drummond said, “The Spiritual Life is the gift of the living Spirit. The spiritual man is no mere development of the natural man. He is a new creation born from above.” Our physically birth into this world doesn’t mean we are also born spiritually. Paul himself told us that we all start out dead in sin. (Eph. 2:1). It is God alone who makes us alive when we come to Him through faith in Christ. (Eph. 2:5–9) The minute we receive Jesus as our Savior, we become part of God’s family. And as His adopted children, we have been given some pretty amazing privileges and heirs to His promises. Even more wonderful, we receive a life altering transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. A new eternal nature which celebrates our new life in Christ, and the incredible hope and security we have as believers.

May 18th – 1 Peter 1:23 Read More »

May 13th – Romans 6:4

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Romans 6:4

Receiving Jesus as Savior is more than a get out of hell free card. It’s the beginning of a true, spiritual transformation. And even better, a deep, abiding relationship with God. Paul uses the image of burial and resurrection to illustrate that transformation. As followers of Jesus we have been “buried with Him by baptism into death.” This means that we have died to our old way of life and have been made new in Christ. Through baptism, we identify with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection, and we share in the new life that he offers. This new life is characterized by a new way of thinking, a new way of living, and a new relationship with God. As Christians, we are called to live in a way that is pleasing to God. And this involves putting to death our old sinful nature and living according to the Holy Spirit. Because of His great love, our heavenly Father sent His Son not only to pay for our sins, but to offer us a beautiful abundant life on earth. (John 10:10) Won’t you take Him up on His offer?

May 13th – Romans 6:4 Read More »

May 9th – 2 Corinthians 5:17

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2 Corinthians 5:17

In most mystery shows when the main witness testifies against the “big fish”, they enter the witness protection program. There they start a new life, in a new town with a new name. As Christians when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we enter God’s witness protection program. For we undergo a spiritual transformation making us a new person, with a new identity, and a new purpose in life. Gone is our old self and old identity with all of its sin and brokenness. And in its place, through the grace of God, is a glorious new self, empowered by the Holy Spirit. And as this new self, we are called to live a life that reflects our new identity in Christ. This includes growing in knowledge and love of God, pursuing holiness and righteousness, serving others, and witnessing to the world of God’s saving grace.

May 9th – 2 Corinthians 5:17 Read More »

May 8th – Ephesians 4:22-24

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Ephesians 4:22-24

After we receive Jesus as our Savior, He doesn’t leave us floundering out on our own in the world. Or asking, “What’s next?” Instead He gives us His Spirit to guide us, and His Word as a blueprint for life. And here in Ephesians, Paul tells us how we can live a life of victory and one the glorifies the Lord. He begins by telling us that as believers we are united with Jesus, who now sits at the right hand of God. And as such, it’s time to get rid of the old and put on the new. Time to shed our old clothes of disobedience, sin, and earthly living. Time to dress as the royalty we are and put on our new clothes of righteousness. For we are citizens of heaven and should dress like it. No longer are we to wear the filthy rags of immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, but rather the designer clothes of glory that reflect “those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved.” (Col. 3:12)

May 8th – Ephesians 4:22-24 Read More »

April 23rd – 2 Timothy 1:9

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2 Timothy 1:9

Whenever I would hear people talk about how they found God’s purpose for their lives, I felt jealous. I didn’t understand why God made their paths straight and clear while mine was crooked and murky. Did they have some special phone line to Heaven that I didn’t? Why were they part of the “it” crowd while I remained on the outside looking in? I was so caught up in finding out what God had planned for me, that I forgot what His calling is truly about. It isn’t what I can do for God, but rather what God can do both for me and through me for others. God has personally set each of us apart to have a close personal relationship with Himself. And He desires hearts that earnestly seek His will above all else. Those who joyfully spend time daily with Him and in His Word, and are open to being used by Him. Answering God’s call means submitting every area of our lives to the Lord and being obedient to the direction of His Spirit’s leading. Knowing that there is no greater calling than bringing  glory to His name!

April 23rd – 2 Timothy 1:9 Read More »

April 18th – Acts 2:1-2

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Acts 2:1-2

In the current climate, there is more than enough hate to go around. And it’s easy to get caught up in the anger and turmoil of the day. But as the church, as Jesus’ representatives on earth, shouldn’t we strive to do better? To be better? Shouldn’t we want to get back to the same rejoicing, generosity, togetherness, and worship demonstrated by the early church? Shouldn’t we have hearts which share God’s will to be beacons of light in a dark world? If that is indeed our will, the Holy Spirit is the way. For the more we walk in His power, the more the fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives. So let’s get back to being the church the Lord established on that glorious Day of Pentecost. May each of us, out of love and joy, let the fruit of the Spirit flow abundantly through us to others. And may the Lord’s church be so powerful a witness that Jesus can add to the number daily, “those who were being saved.”


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April 14th – Proverbs 19:2

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Proverbs 19:2

Missionary Jim Elliot once said, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.” Even the best of us fall victim to making choices in haste and without first seeking God. And more times than not, these choices lead to mistakes which in turn lead to unpleasant consequences. That’s why Solomon warns that having strong desires or ambitions without having knowledge or understanding isn’t a good thing. This means that it’s not enough to just  want something. We also need the know how and understanding necessary to make good and wise decisions that line up with the will of God. Because rushing or acting too quickly can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. So to stay on the right path, and avoid the mistakes of life, we need to check everything with God first. Through prayer, reading His Word, and following the prompting of the Holy Spirt, we can rest assured we are making the right choices.

April 14th – Proverbs 19:2 Read More »

April 8th – 2 Corinthians 3:18

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2 Corinthians 3:18

One of my heroes in the Bible has always been Paul. He’s the perfect example of how no one is beyond God’s reach. Previously known as Saul of Tarsus, a great persecutor of Christians, through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, he became Paul, a great disciple of the Lord. Our God is so loving that He never wants to leave us as He found us. He wants to transform us into all we are meant to be. But that transformation won’t come easy. Because the Christian walk is a lifelong journey of growth and change. There will be times when that change will be hard, frustrating, and painful. But if we keep seeking God, allow the Holy Spirit to work both in and through us, change will come. Until then keep trusting God, keep moving forward, and remember this quote by Joyce Meyer which says, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be!”

April 8th – 2 Corinthians 3:18 Read More »

April 7th – Isaiah 6:8

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Isaiah 6:8

Have you ever thought you washed a window to crystal clear perfection only to find it full of streaks when the rays of the sun shined on it? That’s how it is with us. No matter how hard we try, or how clean we think our lives are, they are nothing more than dirty, streaky, windows compared to the perfect goodness of God. But because of His boundless love, just like He did for Isaiah, God provides a way for our sin to be taken away and forgiven. That way is Jesus Christ. Through His work on the Cross and the shedding of His precious blood, the minute we receive Him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit goes to work. First he humbles and convicts us about the filthiness of our lives. Then He begins transforming, cleansing, and getting us ready for God’s service. No longer unworthy, and like the prophets before us, we can be eagerly obedient to God’s calling. And after our own life changing encounter with the Lord, with a thankful heart we too can say to God, “Here am I. send Me!”

April 7th – Isaiah 6:8 Read More »

March 13th – 1 Corinthians 10:13

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1 Corinthians 10:13

Evangelist Billy Sunday once said, “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” Temptations are everywhere, and not even the strongest Christian is immune to their pull. But thankfully we have the blessing of knowing that God will never let Satan tempt us beyond our ability to resist. And by turning to Him when we are at our weakest, we can resist any enticement. Through prayer we can ask God for strength and wisdom. By studying His Word we can gain God’s insight to help us overcome. And through the mighty power of His Spirit living inside of us, we can discern right from wrong. We serve a God who knows firsthand the temptation of sin. So when when Satan is enchanting us to wickedness, by turning to God and fellow believers we can turn aside from sin. And we can be victorious, living a life that is pleasing to God.

March 13th – 1 Corinthians 10:13 Read More »