Holy Spirit

February 28th – Galatians 5:26

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Galatians 5:26 

Society today glorifies wealth, fame, power, and aggression above all else. This makes it a real challenge for Christians to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. For temptation is everywhere we turn. And the sins of conceit, provoking others, and envy, are easily given in to. Especially when we ourselves are hurting, suffering or wanting. But we can guard ourselves against these negative attitudes by instead cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Fruits including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And fruits that keep our focus off ourselves, and our own desires. Putting them instead where they belong, on God and others. Allowing us not only to live in love, joy, and peace, but build healthy relationships with others and most of all, honor God.

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February 22nd – 1 Corinthians 16:14

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1 Corinthians 16:14

Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.” Nothing is hidden from God. As our Creator, He knows us better than we know ourselves. That includes the motive behind every thought and action. The Pharisees bragged about being righteous in the Lord’s sight. But their actions were based on pleasing their own egos, instead of pleasing God. And repeatedly, Jesus called them out as hypocrites. One of the greatest characteristics of the Lord is His unmerited and unconditional love for all. So true followers of His follow His example and base everything they do in love. This is only possible when we are willing to die to self, allow the Spirit to  work in our hearts, and let Christ’s love flow through us to others.

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February 20th – 1 John 3:11

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1 John 3:11

In the New Testament we are commanded no less than 13 times to love one another. That’s how important it is to Jesus for the children of God to cherish each other. But for fallen people living in a fallen world with a fallen nature, that’s a tall order. Nevertheless, it’s what we called to do. Thankfully, God doesn’t ask us to do the impossible. That’s why the moment we receive Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us and gets busy. Instantly He begins the work of transforming us into the image of Christ from the inside out. Tenderly God’s Spirit remolds and reshapes our hardened, worldly hearts, into ones softened by the love, mercy, and grace shown to us by our Lord. He does this so that we might be set apart from the world. Loving others with the same enthusiasm, abundance, and joy that, “by this everyone will know that you are My disciples.” (John 13:35)

 

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February 15th – 2 Corinthians 3:18

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2 Corinthians 3:18

You may be the only Bible someone reads or the only Jesus they see. That’s why it’s so important to reflect the true nature of God. And we can only do that by being transformed from, “glory to glory.” That means to be constantly maturing and growing in our walk with the Lord. And being continuously molded into in His image and who we were created to be. This isn’t to say that our transformation will come easy. 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. We are all God’s glorious works in progress, and one day when we dwell with Him forever, we will be perfect reflections of His image and glory. Until then we are to mirror God’s love to the world, becoming living examples of our Lord’s love.

 

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January 29th – Acts 2:4

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Acts 2:4

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 lets 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.” (Acts 2:47)

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January 16th – 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 iniquity to be taken away and our sin 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 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!”

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January 12th – psalm 51:10

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Psalm 51:10

When someone is about to tell me a story and they start with, “Don’t judge me, but,” I know they already have a conviction on their heart. For believers that conviction is coming from the Holy Spirit. It’s His way of letting us know that we’ve sinned against God. And the only way to lift the weight laid on our souls is through confession and repentance. David committed horrendous sins against God. Sins others might find unforgivable. But not God. Because of His never ending forgiveness, love, and mercy, and David’s repentance, God did just that. Not only granting David the forgiveness he sought, but reconciling him with open arms back to Himself. And God promises to do the same for us. No matter how big or small the sin, when we come before Him with a “broken spirit and a contrite heart”, confessing all our transgressions, we too will receive God’s forgiveness.

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January 3rd – Psalm 21:13

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Psalm 21:13

When someone hurts us, it’s in our nature to want to retaliate. To make them feel, not only the same, but worse pain than they caused us. But instead of encouraging revenge or getting even, God demands something unfair, undoable, and unjust. Not only does He want us to leave the punishing to Him, but He expects us to forgive our enemies. And most infuriating of all, to pray blessings into their lives. But how do we do that when what we want is vengeance? Through the power of the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.” The power of God allowed David to rule as king, defeat his enemies, and experience victory over trials. And that same power allows us to forgive others, restore broken relationships, and have hearts overflowing with grace and mercy instead of dried and hardened from bitterness and revenge.

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December 24th – Luke 1:45

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Luke 1:45

We all want to be chosen by God to do great things. But if He did appoint a task for us alone to fulfill, how would we feel? I often imagine how Mary must have felt hearing the glorious news she was to carry the Savior of the world. Was she scared, excited, overwhelmed? Did she laugh, cry, or stand frozen in shock? Of the many emotions Mary must have felt, the one she didn’t feel was disbelief. For after asking how this miracle would come to be and hearing, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35), Mary simply replied, “may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) The example of strength and obedience shown by Mary is something to behold. Her unshakable faith led to God to bless her greatly. And just as He did for Mary, God will bless our faith as well!

 

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November 30 – 1 John 5:11

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1 John 5:11

I am thankful that the evidence of the gospel is all around me

Evangelist Ray Comfort wrote, “Atheists who keep asking for evidence of God’s existence are like a fish in the ocean wanting evidence of water.” When witnesses testify in court they swear to to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. But unfortunately we know that people and their promises can’t always be trusted. That’s not the case with God. We can trust that He is always true, honest, and faithful to keep His word. Throughout the Old Testament we read the glorious testimony of God promising a Messiah who would come to save the world. And that promise came true with the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And the evidence to back it up? God Himself, Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit. All testify that Christ is the One and only Son of God. And those who reject this testimony are in fact calling God a liar.

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