2022-07-30
John 14:16 KJV
In the New Testament account, Jesus told his disciples, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” The Greek source for the word “Comforter” is Parakletos, which means “one who comes alongside” to strengthen, encourage, and advise you. How good is that?
When you feel discouraged, confused, and powerless, you have access to a wise, compassionate, competent helper who will show up to support you and supply you with what you need. So instead of struggling to go it alone, learn to lean on Him, draw on His power, and trust Him to do His mighty work in you. Paul also tells us, “He [the Holy Spirit] will tell you where to go and what to do… then you won’t always be doing the… things your evil nature wants you to” (Galatians 5:16 TLB).
The battle of the Spirit versus the flesh is unrelenting. And our fleshly nature can never be subdued by human thinking; that just produces defeat and discouragement. What’s the answer? The Holy Spirit “will tell you where to go and what to do.” And here is another wonderful benefit the indwelling Holy Spirit will bring you: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God… are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14 KJV). Praying and taking your best guess isn’t God’s way. The Holy Spirit’s guidance – not our guesswork – should direct our lifestyle. So, the word for you today is – remember “it’s an inside job.”
Soul food: Acts 24-26; Mark 1:1-8; Ps 78:1-8; Prov 16:23-24
2022-05-10
Philippians 3:14 NIVUK
Paul wrote: ‘I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you’ (v.14-15 NIVUK). Paul’s description paints a picture of a Christian aiming for a goal or a target. In Paul’s day, a target would have been hit by an arrow.
If you’ve ever tried hitting a target with an arrow, you’ll know this: 1) Your aim must be unbroken by distractions. When you have the bullseye in your sight, something as insignificant as taking a breath at the wrong moment can make you miss the mark you’re aiming for. So Paul’s saying: ‘Forget what’s behind you and around you and stay focused on winning the prize.’ He isn’t referring to your salvation. Jesus already purchased that and gives it to you freely by His grace. Paul’s talking about fulfilling your God-given destiny and getting the reward that waits beyond it.
2) Your arrow has to have the right amount of power behind it. Otherwise, it’ll start to drop off before it even reaches the target. In life, your power comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: ‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’ (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
So today, aim for the target that God’s set out for you!
Num 14-15; Matt 7:15-29; Ps 37:32-40; Pro 11:7-8
Philippians 3:14 KJV
Paul writes: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [mature], be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you” (vv. 14-15). Paul describes the Christian as a marksman. In Paul’s day, the mark would have been hit by an arrow, but in our day, the mark could also be hit at a firing range.
If you have ever fired at a target, you know this: (1) Your aim must be unbroken by distractions. When you have the bull’s-eye in your crosshairs, something as insignificant as taking a breath at the wrong moment can make you miss the mark. So what is Paul saying? Simply this: “Forget what’s behind you and around you and stay focused on winning the prize.” He is not referring to your salvation. Jesus already purchased that and gives it to you freely by grace. No, he is talking about fulfilling your God-given destiny and obtaining the reward that waits beyond it.
(2) Your bullet has to have the right amount of powder. Otherwise, it will start dropping off before it hits the mark. Are you getting the idea? Your powder is your power! And where does your power come from? The Holy Spirit! Jesus said: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem [at home], and in all Judea and Samaria [on the job and in your relationships], and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
So the word for you today is – aim for the mark.
Soul food: Num 14-15; Matt 7:15-29; Ps 37:32-40; Pro 11:7-8
2022-04-02
Galatians 5:22 TLV
Panic and anxiety are often our first reactions to conflict and problems. In those initial moments, choosing peace seems impossible. Our subconscious whispers, ‘If you really care, you will worry.’ But an experienced counsellor writes: ‘Don’t panic! No matter what the situation or circumstance, we usually have… a moment to breathe deeply and… let peace flow through our body and mind… Panic, not the task, is the enemy.’
Anxiety just empowers and enlarges the problem. Our best resource for problem-solving is always peace. Fear and anxiety block solutions; answers flow more easily and naturally from a peaceful state of mind. And God’s peace is always available to us. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit. Paul wrote, ‘When the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce… in us… peace’ (among other things).
Jesus said, ‘Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]’ (John 14:27 AMP). That means we can choose peace over inner conflict. In the same verse, Jesus also said, ‘Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you’ (v.27 AMP).
But just because Jesus left us His peace doesn’t mean it’ll automatically function in us. We first need to accept that peace. When we lose our peace, it’s harder to hear from God. Paul said, ‘Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts’ (Colossians 3:15 AMP). So instead of getting anxious and panicky when we face challenges today, let’s try to choose the peace God promises.
Phil 3-4; Luke 21:12-24; Ps 18:1-29; Pro 9:4-6
2022-03-01
Philippians 2:13 CEV
The engine in your car is its power source, and it’s activated when you put the car in gear. Only then do you have the momentum you need to get where you need to go. One of the dangers in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit is that you can reduce it to an “experience,” rather than “putting it in gear” to accomplish great things for God.
In the New Testament when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit – things happened. People turned to Christ. Healings took place. On one occasion, they had a book burning in the town square (See Acts 19:19). They didn’t just celebrate in church – they took it to the streets!
In Scripture, the first picture we have of God is of Him in His creative role. He creates us in His image, breathes life into us, then tells us, “Go out and become productive” (See Genesis 1:28).
If you’re praying for someone with all the answers to come along and change your circumstances, it won’t happen. You’re not a helpless bystander. What God has placed inside you will change what’s outside you – provided you put it to work! What’s within you is greater than the trouble you have been through, the situation you’re in, or the obstacles that lie in your path.
When everything around you is saying no and something within you is saying yes, that’s “God… working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” The “willing” is your part; the “able” is His part. When you get those two things working in sync, your life will change.
Soul food: Exo 10-12; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12; Pro 6:20-22
