In Christ - I am sealed with the Holy Spirit

I am sealed with the Holy Spirit...

Ephesians 1:13,14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory..

UpWords with Max Lucado - Week of October 7, 2011

Power Moves In

“What got into Peter? Seven weeks ago he was hiding because of Jesus; today he is proclaiming the death of Jesus. Before the crucifixion, he denied Christ; now he announces Christ. From wimp to warrior in fifty days. What happened?

“What got into Peter?

“God’s Spirit did. Ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, “all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). The followers experienced a gushing forth, a tremendous profusion. They were drenched in power. They all were: “sons and daughters…young men…old men…servants, both men and women” (vv. 17–18). The Holy Spirit, in His own time and according to His own way, filled the followers with supernatural strength.

“The Holy Spirit is not enthusiasm, compassion, or bravado. He might stimulate such emotions, but He Himself is a person. He determines itineraries (Acts 16:6), distributes spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:7–11), and selects church leaders (Acts 13:2). He teaches (John 14:26), guides (John 16:13), and comforts (John 16:7 KJV).

“’He dwells with you and will be in you’ (John 14:17 NKJV). Occasional guest? No sir. The Holy Spirit is a year-round resident in the hearts of His children. As God’s story becomes our story, His power becomes our power.

“When God’s Spirit directs us, we actually ‘keep in step with the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:25). He is the drum major; we are the marching band. He is the sergeant; we are the platoon. He directs and leads; we obey and follow. Not always that easy, is it? We tend to go our own way.

“To walk in the Spirit, respond to the promptings God gives you.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ (Isa. 30:21)

“If Peter and the apostles needed His help, don’t we? They walked with Jesus for three years, heard His preaching, and saw His miracles. They saw the body of Christ buried in the grave and raised from the dead. They witnessed His upper room appearance and heard His instruction. Had they not received the best possible training? Weren’t they ready?

“Yet Jesus told them to wait on the Spirit. ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised…the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 1:4–5).

“Learn to wait, to be silent, to listen for His voice. Cherish stillness; sensitize yourself to His touch. “Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene” (1 Cor. 1:7–8 MSG, emphasis mine). You needn’t hurry or scurry. The Spirit-led life does not panic; it trusts.

“The same hand that pushed the rock from the tomb can shove away your doubt. The same power that stirred the still heart of Christ can stir your flagging faith. The same strength that put Satan on his heels can, and will, defeat Satan in your life. Just keep the power supply open. Who knows, you may soon hear people asking, ‘What’s gotten into you? ‘”

I’m on my way through the Bible again – and recently read about the temple dedication in 1 Kings 8:11 - “And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud:  for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.”  It’s that same Spirit that comes to live in the heart of every believer!  We have the power of God residing in our own heart!   That same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) has raised us from spiritual death into an eternal relationship with God!  Whether we acknowledge Him or not, the Spirit is always with us – and if we’re smart, we’ll make the effort to listen for His divine direction.  That requires discipline – and a purposing in our heart to learn to hear Him when He speaks.  When we do that – consistently – we can live in that same power that overwhelmed the priests on the day of dedication.  What an awesome truth!  Sharon

In Christ - I am more than a conqueror

I am more than a conqueror...

Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written:  “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. 

Day 98 – 365 Daily Devotions for Women by Jewell Johnson

Mary C Crowley

Christian Entrepreneur 1915-1986

“Mary Crowley, founder of Home Interiors and Gifts, said:  ‘When I realized what it cost Him to redeem me, then I fully realized my worth.’  And there were reasons why she needed her self-worth restored.

“Mary’s mother died when she was eighteen months old.  She was shuffled from her father’s care to her grandparent’s home.  At age fifteen Mary leaned about a personal God and committed her life to Him.  Yet the road ahead was rocky.  She married in her teens, then divorced and later weathered a bout with cancer.  As a single parent with two children, she lost her job.

“A discouraged adult with low self-esteem, Mary knew what to do; she consulted a pastor, took night classes, and eventually turned her life around.

“’Out of disappointment came victory,’ Mary said.  ‘You never gain by sitting around feeling sorry for yourself.  Attitudes are more important than facts.’  She began Home Interiors and Gifts, Inc., a business to help women use their talents to succeed and develop self-esteem.

“Perhaps you, like Mary Crowley, suffer from outward struggles and inner battles.  Believers are not only promised victory in the future; we are more than conquerors now.  In spite of various hardships, by faith, declare your victory in Christ today.”

If you read the list of things that Paul mentions in Romans 8:35-37 it’s clear that most of us will never face those kinds of issues in our own lives.  We’re not being killed for our faith – we’re not suffering or being persecuted for what we believe.  Most of us aren’t naked or hungry – really hungry.  There are places in the world where this is still very true for a Believer – our brothers and sisters are losing their lives to famine, persecution, and distress – and many live in countries where to be a Christian means certain death.  That’s not true for those of us in the US.  We may feel misunderstood – but we’re not hunted down and executed because we dared to name the name of Christ.  That doesn’t mean that we don’t have our own set of modern day issues – and we can still lay claim to the promise that we are MORE than conquerors in Christ!  We CAN conquer the sins that so easily beset us!  We CAN conquer the battle for our heart and mind.  We CAN conquer our fears and insecurities. We CAN conquer our poor self-image – and replace it with the truth of who we are “in Christ.”  The question isn’t whether or not we CAN – it’s whether or not we WILL.  I hope you WILL choose to live as more than a conqueror today!  Sharon

In Christ - I am set free!

I am set free...

John 8:31,32  To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, "If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Psalms 119:32 I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free. 

Galatians 5:13  You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

February 8, 2010

Think It Over

by Charles R. Swindoll

“A bazaar was held in a village in northern India. Everyone brought his wares to trade and sell. One old farmer brought in a whole covey of quail. He had tied a string around one leg of each bird. The other ends of all the strings were tied to a ring which fit loosely over a central stick. He had taught the quail to walk dolefully in a circle, around and around, like mules at a sugarcane mill. Nobody seemed interested in buying the birds until a devout Brahman came along. He believed in the Hindu idea of respect for all life, so his heart of compassion went out to those poor little creatures walking in their monotonous circles.

“’I want to buy them all,’ he told the merchant, who was elated. After receiving the money, he was surprised to hear the buyer say, ‘Now, I want you to set them all free.’

“’What’s that, sir?’

“’You heard me. Cut the strings from their legs and turn them loose. Set them all free!’

“With a shrug, the old farmer bent down and snipped the strings off the quail. They were freed at last. What happened? The birds simply continued marching around and around in a circle. Finally, the man had to shoo them off. But even when they landed some distance away, they resumed their predictable march. Free, unfettered, released . . . yet they kept going around in circles as if still tied.

“Until you give yourself permission to be the unique person God made you to be . . . and to do the unpredictable things grace allows you to do . . . you will be like that covey of quail, marching around in vicious circles of fear, timidity, and boredom.”

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

WOW!  I totally relate to those birds!  There have been many times in my life when I’ve wandered in the same circles – making the rut deeper and deeper – and God was there all along telling me I was (and AM!) free!  It wasn’t until I got a huge “wake up call” from God that I understood that I had a CHOICE.  I could CHOOSE to keep walking in circles – going nowhere – or I could CHOOSE to take a step away and start walking like I was as free as He said I was (AM!).  It was scary at first – but eventually I found that walking straight ahead – following God’s path for my life – was MUCH more interesting than the rut I’d been in – and a lot more FUN!  Not that it was easy – there were times when I got tired and the rut seemed SO much easier – but I’d tasted freedom too much to want to go back to that bondage. How about you?  Are you ready to get out of your rut and get on the path God has laid out before you?  I hope so!

I Christ - I am near to Jesus

I am near to Jesus...

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 

Psalms 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 

James 4:8a Come near to God and He will come near to you.

KPRZ – Encouragement for Today – April 21, 2011

I Was Her

Lysa TerKeurst

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" John 8:12 (NIV)

“I saw her coming across the arena. Deliberately. Intentionally. Her eyes fixed on the stage... on me... on what I must have represented in that moment — a woman who might understand.

“Through the crowd. Up the stairs. Across the stage. She stood next to me pressing her shoulder against mine as I was speaking to 6500 women.

“And there she was staring out at thousands, but pressing into one. Needing more than words.

“Later she explained she needed God and thought if she stood close enough to me, she just might be able to feel Him.

“I didn't have time to carefully plan what to do. I've never had this happen before. I've never seen this happen. It wasn't even on my scope of possibility. But there she was. And there I was. Two women who simply, desperately need Jesus.

“And because I am so hyper aware of my own desperation for Jesus every moment of every day, I simply wrapped my arm around her and kept on speaking.

“It was a wrinkle in time. Something that wasn't supposed to be and yet was. And I think I now know why.

“I needed to remember that ravenous longing I once had to press against somebody who knew Jesus. I was her. Looking at other people's faith wondering how to get that. That depth. That closeness. That unswerving conviction.

“I truly thought if only a person with that faith would let me close enough, I'd discover their secret. I'd learn their routines. I'd mimic their obedience. I'd follow them to the ends of the earth until I got it right. Then, then, then, I'd feel close to Jesus. I'd understand the Bible. I'd pray powerful prayers. And all would finally make sense.

“However, there is a big difference between being close to people who love Jesus and being close to Jesus Himself.

“I can certainly learn from people. ‘He who walks with the wise, grows wise.’ (Proverbs 13:20a, NIV)

“But if I want closeness with Jesus, I won't find that in following anyone but Jesus Himself. He is the One who must be pursued. There have been a thousand whispers from my heart, ‘Show me, Jesus. Show me how to follow You, be close to You, press into You, be more like You...show me. Show me today. Show me in this minute. Show me, please Jesus, show me.’

“A thousand whispers. And there will surely be thousands more that pour from my lips. For Jesus wants us to walk with Him. He says, ‘Follow me.’ Over 20 times in the Gospels, ‘Follow me. Follow me.’

“And those who dare to whisper yes and then walk in His ways, find the One for whom they are longing. ‘Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’ (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

“Yes, there she was. And there I was. Two women who simply, desperately need Jesus.

“Dear Lord, I desperately need You. I want to know You for myself. Show me. Help me to follow You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

I understand what that woman was feeling – there was a time in my life when Jesus felt as far away as the moon – and I was desperate for His touch – for His love – for His forgiveness – for His mercy – for His help – for HIM.  Leaning into Him was my only option – there wasn’t anyone I trusted with my hurt and shame.  Sure – I went to church and Bible study – and I shared the surface details of my life and struggles – but when it came to the muck and mire I was stuck in I wouldn’t have shared that any more than I would have walked over hot coals.  So there was nothing else to do but lean into Jesus – to search His word for meaning  - to pray – and pray some more – to read – and read some more.  Over time – YEARS – leaning into Jesus became easier – more “natural” – but let me assure you that I still have moments where I am most definitely NOT leaning into Him.  The enemy has climbed up my leg and pushed me as far as he can to get my eyes off the Lover of my soul – and before I know it I’ve slipped back into old habits – old ways of thinking – out of the Spirit and into the flesh – and then I’m miserable.  How I HATE giving into a bad attitude – mouthing off to someone or stomping around when things are hard and I’m in pain.  My Savior waits – patiently – and taps me on the shoulder – reminds me that He’s closer than the enemy can EVER be – and I “come to my senses” once again. And I lean into Jesus – again.

If you’re that woman, lean into Jesus.  It might feel awkward at first – and “unnatural” – but He LONGS for you to rest in Him – to nestle in to that sweet spot where He can whisper into your ear how very much you are loved.  Give yourself over to Him – let Him love you – let Him be all you need.  Sharon

In Christ - I am strong to the end

I am strong to the end...

I Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jude 1:24,25  To Him Who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. 

Loving God – Daily Reflections for Intimacy with God – Mike Bickle, pg. 242 –

“Can you believe this?  Jesus has the ability and intention to present you with exceeding joy before the Father.  On that final day I can imagine an angel greeting me and saying, ‘So, what do you think?  It’s Judgment Day.  Any nerves?’  I’ll answer, ‘Nerves?  Nah, I love being here!’  How about you?  Do you  cringe when you think of that day?  Do you fear that God will rebuke you publicly, before all the saints?  What is your dominant emotion when you envision that day?  If it is fear or dread, what does that say about your image of God?  Have you fallen for the lies of the devil and accepted a false view of a vindictive, unsmiling Savior?  Or do you picture yourself running and embracing the Lord?  Does your heart skp a beat with anticipation?  Do you picture His goodness outweighing and outlasting His anger?  Do you see the judgment as revealing the good motives of your heart, too?

“Prayer Starter – My heart is filled with unspeakable joy as I think about the moment I will stand before You in heaven.  I long to see Your smile of approval and see Your arms outstretched in welcome.  Because of Your gift of righteousness I am ready, and I cannot wait!”

I believe it!  But – there was a time when I didn’t – I just couldn’t believe that God would look past all those things I’d done while wallowing in the gutter, and I was sure I’d carry the guilt of those sins with me to the grave.  Praise God that He delivered me from that way of thinking!  I truly believe that as Mike says, He INTENDS to present me to His Father without fault and with GREAT JOY!  I no longer worry about what that moment will be like!  I BELIEVE that He has forgiven me – and that from His perspective all those things are as though they’d never happened.  If He has promised to forgive us AND forget, then why should we worry about having them thrown back in our face when we are finally before Him – our loving and compassionate Abba Father?  The enemy would love to keep me wallowing in my guilt – he wants to rob us of our joy – and I’m just not willing to let him do that any more!  What about you?  Sharon

In Christ - I am redeemed from the curse of the law

I am redeemed from the curse of the law...

I Peter 1:18,19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 

Galatians 3:10-14 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) ,that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional

October 13, 2010
The Written Code

"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:5-6

“Put off falsehood. Avoid all appearances of evil. Forgive seventy times seven. Flee from sexual immorality. Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth. Get rid of bitterness.

“The longer the written code, the more oppressive the pressure to obey. A list like that seems tiring. Obtrusive. Burdensome. And the more you concentrate on the dos and don'ts, the more tempted you are to break the law. Like the mother who tells her child, "Don't go in that room," you can then be sure her child will, sooner or later, head for that room. As the verse says, sinful passions are aroused by the law.

“Thank God, we have been released to serve the Lord in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. We serve Jesus; we don't serve a list of rules. This is exactly why we should stop using words like "victory" and "defeat" to describe our obedience. We are never defeated by this or that sin. Rather, we are obedient or disobedient to the Lord.

“If you see obedience as merely a duty, it will quickly become a burden. The letter of the Word has no saving or sanctifying power - and human will, no matter how strenuous, cannot give that power. SO look to Jesus and obey Him with glad, reckless joy.

“Lord, although You don't give me rules, You give me Your love - may I return that love and obey You out of sheer joy.”

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. Copyright © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

I don’t know about you, but I’m SO glad I don’t have to live my life based on a list of do’s or don’ts!  Don’t take this wrong – I KNOW I’m a sinner saved by grace – but if I had to “follow the rules” to be “good” I’d be the best rule follower on the planet!  That’s how I USED to live – even as a young child I felt that my worth was based on how well I followed all the rules – and I ended up with a bleeding ulcer at 13 because it was just TOO HARD.  Not that I stopped trying at that tender age – my rule following continued into my very early twenties when I jumped off the rails and went my own way for about 2 years – leaving all those rules in the dust.  When I came back to my faith I realized that I was saved by grace – but it took time for me to really believe that I was loved by God just because He loved me – not because I’d been “extra-special-good” that day.  Now I choose to obey God because I love Him, too, and I know that the proof of my love for Him is my obedience.  AND – I know, now, that His rules aren’t arbitrary – they’re not to keep us from having fun – they’re for our own good, and to protect us from all sorts of things!  SO – I live by grace – IN grace – knowing that I’m accepted in the Beloved even when I stray - but I’m not overwhelmed with guilt when I blow it.  I repent – and move on.  The freedom of that kind of life is AMAZING!
Sharon

In Christ - I am saved

I am saved...

I Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Titus 3:4,5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but because of His mercy He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... 

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.

A Lamp for my Feet – Elisabeth Elliot – pg 38.

“Today I was tempted in a new way (the Tempter has a bag of many tricks) to ‘save’ myself.  This time it involved a matter of ‘face’ The Lord reminded me that I should let it go.

“We are always trying to save ourselves in one way or another.  It is impossible, except on the terms Jesus gave the disciples:  let yourself be lost (Mt 16:25 NEB). It was the only way Jesus could save the world, though the people challenged Him to save Himself.  ‘Himself He cannot save’ (Mk 15:31 AV) was what they said, uttering an eternal principle far deeper than they had any idea of.  It is true for us as well.  If we are going to obey the will of the Father, we cannot save ourselves.  We must give ourselves up, be lost – then, and only then, will we ‘find’ ourselves.”

I think it’s human pride to believe that we can do anything to make our situation “right” with God - on our own terms - and in our own strength.  There’s something in us that rebels at the notion of our salvation being out of our hands and totally and completely in His.  Many of us wouldn’t say that out loud – or even recognize it in ourselves – but it’s there.  I know it was there in me when I “accepted Christ.”  I thought I knew what that meant – that I was His now and a true Christian.  BUT – I still believed – deep in a place in my heart that I didn’t want to acknowledge – that my salvation was somehow linked to how good I was – or what I did – or didn’t – do.  It was only when I walked in the gutter that I realized my NEED for a Savior.  The truth had knocked me to the ground and it was only from that position – in my fallen misery – that I could truly receive the gift of salvation.  I know, now, that there’s NOTHING I can do to earn God’s favor – His gift of salvation – and there’s nothing I can do to lose it, either.  What release there has been in my life since I accepted that gift on His terms – I no longer have to struggle with whether or not I’m “good enough.”  I’m saved – 100% saved from the wrath of God – and I KNOW that heaven is my destiny!  Hallelujah!

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