Devotionals

May 24, 2018

Romans 8:1-18 New Living Translation

To be able to choose every day how we will think or emotionally respond to life’s situations is a very liberating thought. If sin is the rejection of the God-life, righteousness is putting God in the center of our lives and learning not to be controlled by everything we see or experience with our thoughts or natural senses.  As believers, we are human beings on a faith journey with a God who is Spirit.  Our natural inclinations, senses, or mindsets have to be monitored, because our flesh is infected with sin. That monitoring is the work of the Spirit who guides us into all Truth.   I am so grateful Jesus cleared the eternal slate recording my sin and every day is a prayerful new beginning for the Spirit to help me make better decisions.

The decision for how we mentally process things is done at an individual level.  If I am going to focus on the positive things of God vs. negative sinful things the decision begins with me.  Changing certain situations may be impossible, but how you and I approach those things with our thoughts and responses is a free choice of our will.  We must make a decision to be led by the Spirit for the glory of God.  When we find ourselves experiencing more negative consequences in our lives than positive ones, we need to evaluate our choices by getting in the Word to see what the Spirit has to say to our hearts.  A positive life change might be one Spirit-led decision away.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

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May 23, 2018

John 20:19-23 The Voice (VOICE)

On Sunday, we celebrated the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit; the work of righteousness to convict and forgive sin, as well as call us into holy living.  Christ has made his life and power available to every believer.  By the work of the Spirit, we can reveal to others the power of God living in us through our love, testimony, spiritual gifts, and active faith.  

In our passage today from the Gospel of John, Jesus tells the disciples to welcome the Holy Spirit and he breathes life-giving power into them.  They could “feel” the breath of God and the unction of the Holy Spirit to share about the forgiving love and salvation of Almighty God for the sins of the world. 

Messiah sends believers into the world to share about this forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit to groom us in righteousness.  We must tell the world that Jesus lives and the Spirit compels us to share this Good News of God’s love everywhere we go.  If we do not tell others, they may never know they could receive forgiveness too.  May God make us bold in our witness and powerful in our love!

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May 22, 2018

1 Corinthians 12:12-20

In our spiritual lives as Christians, we are baptized into one Spirit, one faith, for one Lord.  Through salvation, Jesus Christ has become the Head of our lives; he must be Lord.  Therefore, everything that comes into our lives must bow to the will of Christ; otherwise, we may find ourselves fighting against the Lord. 

God decides every person’s gifts and graces; He imparts gifts and we are given opportunities to use them. Agreement is essential for the Anointed One to shine.  These gifts are not about talent per se; although they may be perceived as such.  The gifts of the Spirit serve to build up the Body of Christ to spiritual maturity.  In some form or fashion every person should be serving the Lord in their local spiritual family.  Every gift is necessary; to withhold it or minimize it would be an act of fear or selfishness.  

If you are reading this devotion today, I may not be aware of the gifts inside of you, but if you know Jesus then you most certainly have them.  Identify them.  Sometimes the best way to identify your gifts is by trying different things in ministry.  The Body tends to affirm our gifts.  When we release our spiritual gifts to help the Body, it is never about how it makes us feel it’s for the benefit of the whole.  The purpose of using every person’s gift(s) is for the growth it brings the Body when we use it. 

In our lesson today, the Apostle Paul continues to teach us about the unique work of the Holy Spirit and how the Body of Christ is set up for success if we allow the work of the Spirit to direct our lives and purpose.  

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May 21, 2018

Joel 2:28-29 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 New Life Version

Through God’s Old Testament prophet, Joel, the Lord sends a prophetic word that He will pour out His Spirit on his sons and daughters and they will speak God’s Word.  The Spirit brings all kinds of gifts as we welcome Him into our lives; different ways to powerfully share God’s love.  Same Spirit but different gifts because we are different people.  The Spirit is about exalting the Anointed One—Christ the Messiah.  

If we have accepted Christ into our lives and have welcome the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us into righteousness, we are set up for sharing God’s love in Word and deeds.  As we step into God’s righteous plan for our lives and begin using His gifts, the Anointed One is exalted and the lives of others are touched.  The Holy Spirit is a person and it is the work of the Spirit to convict the world of sin, the need for righteousness, and the coming time of judgement.  This judgment has to do with justice and the just shall live by faith.  Place your faith in the work of Christ, connect with the Spirit, and live for the Lord of Righteousness!

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May 16, 2018

1 Corinthians 15:42-49 New Living Translation (NLT)

Scripture teaches us in a variety of ways how valuable sowing and reaping is to God. Even our human bodies are sown into the earth for a season until harvest time.  The Father sowed or planted his Son into the earth, but he was raised in glory at the resurrection. Our natural bodies are perishable, but our spiritual bodies will be eternal.  No more decay, sickness, or weakness.  Christ is the first fruit of the resurrection of the spiritual body; a body not limited by the laws of nature. 

The Apostle Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the resurrection and the believer’s future to be raised as heavenly people.  We have such an exciting future awaiting us! 

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May 16, 2018

John 16:16-24 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

In our passage today, the Apostle John writes about the time just before Jesus is arrested.  Jesus tells the disciples he is going away and lets them know he is aware they will be sad when he leaves. Then, Jesus teaches the disciples about the Holy Spirit. He tells them the Spirit will convict the world of sin, call people to repentance, and guide them toward righteousness. It will be a new relationship between the believer and God.  The Holy Spirit will be a Helper who guides believers into the Truth of the Savior: the Living Word or utterance of God. Upon receiving the Spirit, the disciples will be filled with great happiness and joy.   

It is the work of the Spirit to exalt Christ and teach believers the ways of God; to help us through Grace apply the principles of love to our lives.  Our part is to pray and ask for the Spirit to indwell our lives and be our Helper.  In this new relationship, God will be pleased and believers will be happy and whole.

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May 15, 2018

Psalm 115: 1, 9-18 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

In Christ Jesus, we are protected from the unholiness of this world.  Our protection comes when we are united (abiding) in love and affection with the sovereign Lord of the heavens and earth.  We return love and honor to God, because he loves and honors us as his creation. Honor is about value; giving weight to something important. For God, his character is pure and honorable, so the honor he bestows on us is perfect.  For us as his people, we must learn and grow in honor as it is a connective bridge in our future with the sovereign God. Our lives honor God when we live to please him.  As his people, we learn to honor and love the Lord with every aspect of our lives.  We walk with him by faith knowing he is worthy to be praised in all things and he will surely protect us.

Scripture teaches God will protect us as a Shield, so do not give fear any place in your life.  When you start feeling afraid, use your faith and speak words of praise lifting up Christ.  If you are truly abiding or dwelling in him and honoring his utterance/Word, as he is lifted up you will be lifted up. 

In today’s passage, the psalmist encourages Israel or the people of God to love, trust, honor, and praise the Lord.  In Christ, the people of God are those who call on the name of the Lord to be saved. Praise the Lord!

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May 14, 2018

Philippians 1:3-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

If you were allowed to give one message to people you truly cared about, what would that message be? What would you want to place in their thoughts that would last?  In our lesson today, the Apostle Paul wants to get a message to his spiritual family of what really matters in life: to overflow with the love and righteous character of Jesus Christ.  

Jesus is the Answer and Good News for every issue, because he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Way, because he brings new perspective to human thinking.  He is the Truth, because he is Wisdom incarnate.  He is the Life, because he is the Savior who leads us into eternal life in connection to the Father through the Spirit.  Take time today to truly give thanks to the Lord and pray for opportunities to share a message of hope to those in your sphere of influence.  God knows when someone needs to hear the Good News.

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May 11, 2018

Revelation 1:9-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Christ has set us free from the death penalty of sin by his death on the cross; his blood has atoned for our sin and set us free to live eternally.  We can now share the good news of God’s love with others.  Every person who believes in Christ’s work on the cross is called to administer the Father’s love; in Christ we have the anointing and the power to endure every trial that may come when we by faith choose to share the Word with others.

Our passage today is written by the Apostle John.  He is exiled to Patmos for preaching the Gospel, but God uses that time to bring great revelation to John.  As you read, enjoy his description of the Son of Man; the First and the Last…the Beginning and the End.  Glory to the Living Lord!

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May 10, 2018

Luke 24:44-53 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Yesterday, we went to the Gospel of Mark to read about Jesus’ last day on earth before his ascension to heaven.  He commissioned his disciples to teach repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sin, and new life in Christ by their witness.  Their experience with Christ was of great importance and they were to remember it.  In his Spirit-led humanity, he fulfilled everything mentioned in the Scriptures or Word of God: Torah, Prophets, Psalms.  But, the disciples needed one more thing before they began the work of Christ…the person and power of the Holy Spirit.

In our passage today, from the Gospel of Luke, after Jesus had commissioned his disciples, he told them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received power from on high. Fulfilling Christ’s mission to redeem the world was never anything to be done in human strength or power.  God’s redemption of humanity and the world would be accomplished by the fulfillment of another prophetic Old Testament Scripture, “I am the LORD all-Powerful.  So don’t depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6 CEV). 

According to Scripture, Christ is coming back for his Body of believers.  Something God has impressed upon my heart has to do with the “building” or “grooming” of the Temple or the Body of Christ. Before the ascension or rapture of believers, the Spirit will be poured out over all flesh and true power from on high will be experienced in those who have made themselves ready. You can be made ready by repentance (turning to Christ), forgiveness of sin (asking to be covered by the blood of Christ), and allowing the work of the Spirit (cleansing us or reshaping our lives) to bring us into agreement with the Word—Jesus Christ—the Head of the Body.  Walking by faith and allowing the renewing of our thoughts is the grooming process. Allow the Spirit to use the Word to renew your mind or thinking.  Deception is the work of Satan and the way to protect ourselves against it is the renewing of our minds.  Christ the Head is returning and he will be looking for the Body of believers made in his image.

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