Prayer

Prayer
"When you pray, go to your room, close your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you" (Matthew 26:40-41).

"Come to me, all you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

Prayer is the most neglected resource of Christians, and yet we so often blame our very busyness 'about the Lord's work' for not having the time to be still in his presence.  We live and talk about justification by grace, and live as though we were justified by work(s).  We run our lives under the supposed imperatives of the 'work ethic', and fail to realize that even  moon rockets require refueling if they are to avoid burnout.  We can be thankful that we are witnessing, in recent years, a recovery of Christian prayer and meditation alongside, but clearly distinguishable from,. the increased interest in Easter meditation.  There are some similarities  in approaches to or preparation for Christian and 'Eastern' prayer, but Christian prayer is fundamentally Christ-mediated and Trinitarian in expression, however helpful we may find preparatory physical relaxation, the quieting of our minds, the centering of our attention, and techniques for blocking out distractions from the external environment.  (Christianity was, of course 'Eastern' in cultural setting, and hence in many of its religious forms and practices; and was only later 'domesticated' by 'Western' civilization.)

The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is, of course, the model prayer for modern as well as first century Christians.  But it is a prayer to be breathed slowly and reflectively, its nuances and depths meditated upon and allowed to 'simmer' at the back of the mind, rather than 'rattled off' like a formula.  Especially as a mode of corporate prayer in the community of faith, we need to recapture something of its 'simple profundity' by surrounding its congregational recitation by times of silence.  As a personal approach to God, it is a rich resource for meditation and contemplation, a means for praying rather than an end in itself.

Prayer
Prayer is supposed to be matter-of-fact for Christian, taken for granted as part of the faith environment.  Yet it remains one of the most difficult resources to use appropriately and effectively in training relationships.  This is true for clergy and laity alike, but especially for lay people.  Many believe that praying with someone is a right limited to clergy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  It  is every Christian's right and responsibility to pray with others as the opportunity arises.

A major reason people are reluctant to pray with others is their uncertainty as to how to go about it.  They are unsure about why they should pray with others,  when to pray, how to pray, what to pray about, and even where to pray.

While the focus of this lesson will be the use of prayer in more-or-less structured training sessions, much of this material will apply to  everyday encounters with others.  I hope this lesson will reaffirm your existing skills and suggest new ways to use prayer in training situations.

Why Pray with Others

God invites his people to draw near and share their concerns with him by means of prayer.  God also specifically invites his people to approach him in prayer together.  James 5:16 urges "Pray for one another."  The context clearly shows that the reference is to two or more people praying together.

Not only do we pray for each other because God urged it; we also pray together because Jesus added his special promises to shared prayer:

"Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:19-20).

What a powerful incentive to pray together!  When you pray with another, God is the third party in a training relationship, actively concerned for you and for the person with whom you are praying.  In prayer God has promised to listen to you attentively, to understand your needs, and to answer your requests.  Thus, your motivation for praying with others extends far beyond the fulfillment of a religious formality.

Another reason for mutual prayer is the beneficial effects on your relationship with the other person.  Consider what an intimate personal experience prayer is.  As you are honest with the God "from whom no secrets are hid,"  you are also honest and open with each other.  As you draw nearer to God, you will naturally draw closer to each other.

Intimacy that grows as a result of joint prayer, is intimacy seldom experienced in contemporary society.

Jesus said:

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:6).

Some people think this means that prayer always needs to be very private and personal, taking place only between God and the person.  The context shows that Jesus is warning against false piety, not against praying together.  He is warning people against parading their religiosity for others to see.  Your purpose in praying with others is very different.  You are sharing their burdens and involving God in the process

The Prayer diary or spiritual journal
You may call to mind spiritual journals such as St. Augustine's Confessions and others.  Such journals, and  our own more meager experiences, make it clear that God's guidance in our lives  is seen mainly in retrospect.  How important it is then, to maintain some kind of record of our more significant questions, prayers, changes of directions, joys and hurts, as we reflect on this God-given life.  Both the actual writing of diary entries, and the scanning back over entries for past months or years, have the effect of clarifying feelings and the meaning of experiences.  More important, they foster a meditative perspective on such every-day questions as:

Is this what God would have me do at this time?

How clear am I about my motives in wanting something?

What has been the outcome of my encouragement to individuals?

Where is God in all this conflict in my life?

Are my 'experiments' with spiritual actions bearing fruit?  What does God seem to be saying to us in the responses to these times?

What are the pressures that have distracted my good intentions?

What was that idea that popped into my mind as I came home today?

Some suggestions

Buy a strong exercise book, memo book or one of the slimmer bound journals - large enough for ease of writing or sketching, but not too bulky to take on your holidays or to retreats.  Some people prefer blank pages, others prefer lined pages.

Pray quite specifically along lines such as the following: 'Lord, I want this time to be profitable in my relationship with you.  Help me to put aside my fears and hesitations; help me to deal with distracting thoughts as they bubble up; help me to attend to the movements of my spiritual program, and to your plan, signposts, redirections and warning along the way.  I come to find out more about your love for me and for those I love and serve  in your name'.

Consider including in your journal:

significant joys and hurts of the day

quotations from people, or readings that have struck you - stimulating thoughts, challenging ideas, sayings that demand further reflections

a list  of those people or situations you pray for and the answers you seek with the eye of faith

experiences  or thoughts that disturb you, as you grapple with their meaning

a list of people you need to reach out to, keep in touch with, or have some special responsibility for

your own 'poetry of the spirit', the ways you seek to verbalize the peaks and valleys, of your journey with God.

What about starting a journal now?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:34

One day, a young, new preacher was walking with an older, seasoned preacher in a garden. Feeling uncertain about God's plan for his life, the younger man asked the older man for some direction.

The veteran preacher picked a rosebud from a nearby bush and asked the younger man to open it without tearing any petals. The young man wondered what a rosebud could possibly have to do with knowing God's will for his life and ministry, but attempted to open the rosebud anyway.

It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this task was. Noticing his difficulty, the older and wiser preacher said:

"It is only a tiny rosebud...a flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly, then in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud, the flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom to unfold this life of mine?

So, I'll trust in Him for leading each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for guidance each step of the Pilgrim's way.

The pathway that lies before me only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments just as He unfolds the rose."

No matter what age you are, it can be frustrating to figure out God's will at times. But we serve a God who knows how many hairs are on our heads...and His plan for your life is perfect! Instead of worrying about what tomorrow or the next day holds, take one day at a time and trust in the Savior for His faithful guidance.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would help you focus on today, not tomorrow. And ask Him to give you wisdom as He reveals His plan for your life one day at a time. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. --Galatians 5:22-23

One evening, an older Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a terrible battle inside every person. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside of us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, pride, and superiority."

His grandson asked, "What is the other wolf?"

The elderly man said, "It is good—peace, joy, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

The man's young grandson thought for a moment and then asked, "Which wolf wins?"

The wise Cherokee man replied, "The one you feed the most."

Whether he knew it or not, this wise man could have been relating the battle between good and evil that Paul talked about in God's Word.

Too often, you and I tend to let some characteristics of the "bad wolf" take over the good—even as believers in Jesus. In order to fully grow in our relationship with the Lord, we must feed the "good wolf" to live out the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

The Bible says, "your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5), thereby affecting your thoughts, words, and actions. Make a conscious effort today to display Christ's attitude to every one with whom you come in contact.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to help you feed the "good wolf" today. Pray that He would make you more like Christ in attitude, actions, and spirit.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. --2 Timothy 3:14-15

There is a story of four ministers who were discussing various Bible versions and which ones they liked best. One liked the King James Version because of its eloquent literary style. Another one preferred the Revised Version of 1881 because it provided the most literal translation of Hebrew and Greek.

The third minister felt that the New King James Version was the most readable and easiest to understand of all. But the fourth minister didn't say a thing. Finally, one of them asked for his opinion on which version of the Bible he liked best.

The man replied, "I like my mother's translation the best."

The others were shocked by his answer, and one of them asked, "Did your mother translate the Bible into her own version?"

"Yes, sort of," the man replied. "She translated it into her life, and it was the most convincing version I've ever seen."

If you are a believer, people are watching your life. And quite frankly, your life is the only Bible some people will ever read!

In order for our lives to serve as godly examples for others, you and I must act out God's Word every single day. You can be certain that your children, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are watching how you live your life as a Christian. Are you a living example of God's Word to those around you?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that your life would be a living example of God's Word so that you can point others to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to direct your words and actions so you can be a godly influence—no matter the circumstance. 

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. --Romans 5:3-4

A man named Parnell Bailey toured an orange grove once where an irrigation pump had broken. The season was dry and some of the trees were dying because they lacked water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly.

He said, "These trees could go without rain for another two weeks. When they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now, my trees have the deepest roots in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at greater depths."

The story above is a good picture of how suffering can produce the "roots" we as believers need to survive and thrive in any season of life.

But to grow these roots, you and I must plant ourselves in God's Word to find comfort and strength when battling difficulties in life.

Being thrown into the "furnace of affliction" is a test of faith, as it forces us to rely solely on the Lord. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."

Whatever trial you may be facing today—be it illness, loneliness, financial difficulty, or family struggles—remember to stay rooted in the Lord. Then you can say as the psalmist did: "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to strengthen your faith when you are faced with affliction. Pray that He would comfort you with His Word in times of suffering.

Recalling a Destiny

Recalling a Destiny

Darkening sky in background.

The prophet spoke to Israel during the age of decline – from the period of the monarchy under Solomon through the Babylonian captivity in 586 B.C.  The prophets spoke of such things as Idolatry, spiritual blindness, and a complete breakdown of moral integrity.  The prophets, sick at heart over the lack of obedience to God, came upon the scene and declared that judgment would come upon his chosen people.

Eyes of Israel centered on the words “I will bless you”

During the age of decline, Israel felt secure in the promises of God.   The prophet’s doom preaching seemed like utter nonsense to a people who had begun to think of themselves  as God’s special nation.  Confident that no evil could befall them, and refused to take the prophets seriously.

Fragments of torn manuscript spread on the ground

Israel spend little attention to its responsibility to be a blessing.   Israel liked the idea of being blessed but gave little evidence of being a blessing.  Marching to the music of pagans, Israel inherited their kind of ethics and became a failure at being a blessing:

·         Lawlessness prevailed in the land.

·         The priest were corrupt

·         Lack of interest in their faith by the people

·         Love of others was missing

·         Many false prophets were misleading the people

Israel clasps mortar bowl and pestles to bosom

Israel’s institutions and traditions had become ends in themselves.  Outwardly, at least, the chosen people displayed all the signs of a religious people.  Israel worshiped things rather than the ONE who had given them that which had been designed to be means to an end had become an end in itself.

The Prophet saw Israel making ends out of things designed to be means to an end

Tent of the tabernacle symbol

Israel made the temple a reason for false security.  .  Thousands who said they were Jews; worshiped not God but the temple itself.  This approach led them to forget their faith when they left.

Law symbol in mortar bowl

Israel made the law a stumbling block to justice.

Separation symbol in mortar bowl

Israel turned separation into a curse.

Circumcision symbol in mortar bowl

Israel made circumcision a fetish.  It is implied that circumcision , too, became an end in itself during the age of decline.

Mirror symbol in mortar bowl

Israel put the Holy Land to unholy use.  Israel had forgotten that the land should be dedicated to God.

Prophet holds fragments of torn manuscript before Israel’s eyes

The prophet recalled Israel to a realization of its destiny, to be a blessing.  The prophet sickened by the failure to be a blessing by the people, encouraged them to go back to what they were called to be.  The worthlessness of their sacrifices and meaningless efforts could bring little of the blessing to the world that was expected to them.  The prophet’s earnest plea was that Israel turn their focus back to God.

Be Happy

"How happy are those who have no doubts about me!"

What kind of "prisons" tend to bring out doubts for you regarding Jesus?

The moving words of Ruth to Naomi as she pledged her commitment, are reflective of the commitment we must make "Whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodgest I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."

When you doubt, don't turn away from him, turn to him.

(Matthew 5:29-30)"So if your right eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away!  It is much better for you to lose a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell.  If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away!  It is much better for you to lose one of your limbs than to have your whole body go off to hell."

What is Jesus' point in using such exaggerated language?

I believe we have here a fairly strong statement of how important it is to obey God.  Obedience is worth more than readiness to perform the outward obligations of religion as indicated in (1 Samuel 15:22-23).  Examine your life for anything that causes you to sin, and take every necessary action to remove it.

(James 1:19-21)"Remember this, my dear brothers!  Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry.  Man's anger does not achieve God's righteous conduct.  Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you."

What from God's Word here will you put into action this week?

Control of our will is vital to our progress.  Turning from evil and to God's control, is what is expected of us.  If you truly wish to be obedient to God, it means turning your life totally over to God.  Just as an athlete must turn control of his life to a coach, we must do the same, plus.

How important is God to me?

In Psalm 119 we find a most eloquent statement about our need to be committed to God, and our Father's Laws of Guidance.  This is must reading for anyone who has any doubts.  Do you want peace?  Keep your thoughts on and trust your God.  With God we can know perfect peace even within the midst of turmoil.

This testimony exalted the Word of God - the complete and perfect standard of truth, values, reality, and behavior.  God's Word is wholly sufficient for godly living.  By grasping its powerful message, God's children can be pure.

We need sound doctrine.  The Spirit of holiness is also the Spirit of truth.  Truth and righteousness go together....

Why?  Why is sound doctrine necessary for sanctification?  For real sanctification to occur in the Christian life at least three absolute changes are necessary.  There must be a change in our consciousness.  There must be a change in our convictions.  There must be a change in our conscience.  Consciousness, conviction, and conscience - these three are all vital to our sanctification.

Consciousness involves knowledge.  Before we can willfully do what God commands and what pleases Him, we must first understand what it is that God requires.  From the law comes a knowledge of sin.  Also from the law comes a knowledge of righteousness.

A person could "accidentally" obey the law without doing so consciously.  But such an action would have no moral virtue to it.  Suppose a man enjoys driving his car at fifty miles an hour in fifty-five-mile-per-hour zones and in fifteen-mile-per-hour zones.  When he drives in the fifty-five-mile-per-hour zone, he is within the speed limit.  He is obeying the law.  But when he goes fifty in a fifteen-mile-per-hour zone, he is a menace to those around him.

Suppose our mythical driver systematically refuses to look at speed limit signs.  He averts his gaze from any sign that even appears to mark a speed limit.  He keeps himself purposely unconscious of speed limits.  At times he "happens" to obey the law, but purely by coincidence.  If the man wants to achieve moral virtue as a driver and always drive within the speed limit, he must first become aware, he must become conscious of the law.

But consciousness is not enough.  We all have seen people who are quite conscious of the speed limits while they are violating them.  We don't have to look beyond ourselves to discover the culprits.  For our behavior to change we must move beyond consciousness to conviction.

Conviction is a matter of depth and intensity.  It is one thing to be aware that a certain action is right.  It is another to have a conviction about it.  It is a lot easier for us to compromise our knowledge than to act against convictions.  A conviction is knowledge that is settled.  It has a firm hold on us.  It goes beyond our brains and penetrates the conscience.

Our conscience acts as a kind of governor upon our behavior.  It is the inner voice that either accuses or excuses us.  It monitors our behavior by way of approval or disapproval.  The problem is that our conscience doesn't always tell us the truth.  We are adept at training it in the direction of self-approval....

For the conscience to function in a godly convictions.  To gain godly consciences, our consciousness of what is right and what is wrong must be sharpened.  This involves the mind.  It is a matter of doctrine.

(From Pleasing God by R. C. Sproul)

How important is God to me?

In Psalm 119 we find a most eloquent statement about our need to be committed to God, and our Father's Laws of Guidance.  This is must reading for anyone who has any doubts.  Do you want peace?  Keep your thoughts on and trust your God.  With God we can know perfect peace even within the midst of turmoil.

This testimony exalted the Word of God - the complete and perfect standard of truth, values, reality, and behavior.  God's Word is wholly sufficient for godly living.  By grasping its powerful message, God's children can be pure.

We need sound doctrine.  The Spirit of holiness is also the Spirit of truth.  Truth and righteousness go together....

Why?  Why is sound doctrine necessary for sanctification?  For real sanctification to occur in the Christian life at least three absolute changes are necessary.  There must be a change in our consciousness.  There must be a change in our convictions.  There must be a change in our conscience.  Consciousness, conviction, and conscience - these three are all vital to our sanctification.

Consciousness involves knowledge.  Before we can willfully do what God commands and what pleases Him, we must first understand what it is that God requires.  From the law comes a knowledge of sin.  Also from the law comes a knowledge of righteousness.

A person could "accidentally" obey the law without doing so consciously.  But such an action would have no moral virtue to it.  Suppose a man enjoys driving his car at fifty miles an hour in fifty-five-mile-per-hour zones and in fifteen-mile-per-hour zones.  When he drives in the fifty-five-mile-per-hour zone, he is within the speed limit.  He is obeying the law.  But when he goes fifty in a fifteen-mile-per-hour zone, he is a menace to those around him.

Suppose our mythical driver systematically refuses to look at speed limit signs.  He averts his gaze from any sign that even appears to mark a speed limit.  He keeps himself purposely unconscious of speed limits.  At times he "happens" to obey the law, but purely by coincidence.  If the man wants to achieve moral virtue as a driver and always drive within the speed limit, he must first become aware, he must become conscious of the law.

But consciousness is not enough.  We all have seen people who are quite conscious of the speed limits while they are violating them.  We don't have to look beyond ourselves to discover the culprits.  For our behavior to change we must move beyond consciousness to conviction.

Conviction is a matter of depth and intensity.  It is one thing to be aware that a certain action is right.  It is another to have a conviction about it.  It is a lot easier for us to compromise our knowledge than to act against convictions.  A conviction is knowledge that is settled.  It has a firm hold on us.  It goes beyond our brains and penetrates the conscience.

Our conscience acts as a kind of governor upon our behavior.  It is the inner voice that either accuses or excuses us.  It monitors our behavior by way of approval or disapproval.  The problem is that our conscience doesn't always tell us the truth.  We are adept at training it in the direction of self-approval....

For the conscience to function in a godly conviction.  To gain godly consciences, our consciousness of what is right and what is wrong must be sharpened.  This involves the mind.  It is a matter of doctrine.

(From Pleasing God by R. C. Sproul)

God's Word teaches us sound doctrine.  When was the last time you memorized a verse?  Memorize Psalm 119:105.  Consider memorizing one verse a week.

(Isaiah 26:3)"You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm."

What makes the Lord worthy of trust?

We see in this statement that we must stay with the program and then we will gain peace.  This also means trusting him to control our lives for us and provide for us;  therefore it means truly becoming his child.  When we are devoted to him, our whole attitude is steady and stable.

"It is the will of God that we surrender our wills.  Even though St. Paul talked much with our Lord and our Lord with him, these conversations remained fruitless until St. Paul surrendered his will and said: 'Lord, what wilt thou have me do?"... The only true and perfect will is the one that has been merged with the will of God, so that the man has no will of his own.  Indeed one step taken in surrender to God is better than a journey across the ocean without it... Perfectly to will what God wills, to want what he wants, is to have joy; but if one's will is not quite in unison with God's there is no joy" (Meister Eckhart - The Talks of Instruction).

What is my plan of commitment?

The twenty-eight chapter of Deuteronomy is a powerful statement of the basic order of the universe.  It does not claim that the individual who observes the laws of God will always receive prosperity, but it does state that there are certain laws according to which the world is run and that these are basic required rules.  Any people group which runs contrary to these rules comes to grief, and conversely the individuals that observes them is assured of a future relationship with God.  Justice, charity/love and integrity - rear their own reward because that is the way the world is meant to be run.  Behind the chances and changes of life there is a pattern which the Creator has laid down for the smooth running of the world he has made.  We have a choice either to share our relationship with others in accordance with these guidelines or we should not expect a rewarding future after we pass over to our permanent home.  The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life.

(Matthew 10:28-31)"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent.  As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted.  So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

In times of challenge, what can you expect from God?

We are very important to God.  How important is God to us?  Just as a young child or infant is totally dependent on his guardians or parents; a Child of God is totally dependent upon Him.  Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life.

(Matthew 10:37-39)"Whoever loves his father or mother more than me is not fit to be my disciple; whoever loves his son or daughter more than me is not fit to be my disciple.  Whoever does not take up his cross and follow in my steps is not fit to be my disciple.  Whoever tries to gain his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will gain it."

What kind of commitment does Jesus call for?

Turning your life over to God; may initially cause a individual to think that he/she is turning their freedom in and exchanging it for slavery.  This cannot be farther from the truth.  By turning "over your life" to God, you are releasing yourself from the slavery of evil (e.g. worries, fear, etc.) to the freedom of God's children (e.g. peace, trust, etc.).

How can I avoid dropping this commitment?

Does not a child "turn over" control of his life to his parents in exchange for, care, protection, etc.  Does not top professionals: sport, movie, music stars turn over control of part of their lives to agents, in order to be freed from work not directed to their goals of being successful.  Do we not, as citizens of a government, turn over control of part of our lives, in order to be freeded from fear and to achieve peace in our lives.  Our whole external earthly life is turning over par of the control of our life to gain something on earth.

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" --Luke 4:4

There's a story about an old man who lived in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandfather would sit at the kitchen table and read from his worn-out Bible. Wanting to be just like his grandfather, the young boy would imitate him by reading his own Bible.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandfather, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don't understand it. When I do understand it, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The grandfather simply replied, "Son, take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, but the water leaked out of the basket before he could get back to the house. The grandfather sent him back three more times and told him to move faster each time. Every time, the frustrated boy returned with an empty basket.

Finally, out of breath, the young boy said to his grandfather, "See...it's useless!"

The old man said, "Look at the basket. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it's now clean. Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand it or remember everything you read, but when you do, it will change you from the inside out."

As believers in Christ in a fallen world, you and I must saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God every day. Just like the young boy above, it may seem that we can't retain or comprehend everything we read. But remember that God uses His Word to change us from the inside out!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Make a commitment to the Lord to study His Word faithfully each day. And pray that He will use the Scripture to cleanse you and make you more like Jesus. 

"I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile." - Job 9:27

We all know the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." This is actually more than just a cliché. Health studies actually show that smiling and laughter really are very good for the body.

When you laugh, you increase your natural defenses against tumors, disease, and viruses. Laughter also lowers the blood pressure, increases oxygen in the blood, and promotes healing. What a gift God has given us that such a simple act can have such a positive effect not only our disposition but on our physical health.

You may have also noticed how smiles and laughter can be infectious. A smile can spread from one person to the next. Think of how you can bless a number of people simply by wearing a smile on your face.

In Luke 6:21, Jesus blesses, "you who weep now, for you will laugh." He's speaking of our time in Heaven when there will be no more tears. If God is planning to replace our tears with laughter, maybe we should get a head start. I encourage you to try to laugh more today. It may help you feel a lot better.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to remove any sorrow from your heart today. Pray for healing laughter in its place. 

Spirituality

Understanding the spiritual needs of the World

Spirituality is a major component of the world. This concept has never been disputed since the very beginnings of the history of the world. 

Spirituality could be described as a way of living that overcomes the human limitations of “ego.”  These human limitations of “ego” are those things that “chain us to the earth,” the practical, everyday tasks such as paying bills, changing the flat tire, folding the laundry, etc.  Spirituality puts these things into the perspective of faith, hope, love and etc.  The world of the physical (ego) is not an enemy of the spiritual, rather, the choices we make in the real world (such as how we dress, what we spend our money on, etc.) reveal something about our spiritual values.

Spirituality has to do with our beliefs and convictions about life and life’s meaning – about why we are here – why we live – issues of purpose for existence.

Spirituality has to do with one’s sense of connectedness to the world in which they live, to other members of the human family, or the sense one has of a power beyond the self.  Most individuals make reference to this power as “God”.

Some chose to refer to a Higher Power, Source of Life, etc., as the source of their concept of the divine … the power beyond themselves.  For some there is no name which adequately describes this sense of “spirit”:

Belief Value Meaning Faith Purpose Trust Hope Relationship God Higher Power Fear Guilt Love Truth Conviction Forgiveness Judgment Born Again Heaven Hell

One job of the human spirit is to seek purpose and meaning on an individual level.  No one can accomplish this task for another.  Each individual’s story will be different, fashioned and shaped by his or her unique experiences in life and their “god.”  Questions arise based on this need to clarify the meaning of one’s existence.  Who am I with all the distractions of life stripped away?  What have I contributed to the life of others?  Is the world really better with me in it?  What do I value?

Each human needs to find meaning within their concept of the “big picture” of existence.  Inner peace comes from seeing oneself as part of a “big picture” that makes sense and that provides purpose and answers for life.  Spiritual work is spiritual care in the very deepest sense the coping with life.  It practices the principles of spiritual growth by providing an atmosphere that places the control of their life in the control of their “god;” and takes it away from their “ego.”  Spirituality is based on values that transcend philosophical or religious differences, the most important of which are faith, hope, and unconditional love.

Spiritual Needs Common to the Human Condition

1.      To believe that our lives have meaning and purpose

2.      To be part of a community – in relationship with other members of the human family.

3.      To be loved and to love.

4.      To be listened to and to be heard.

5.      To be accepted for who we are.

6.      To be respected and appreciated.

7.      To have hope in the midst of all that can and does go wrong in life – even in the midst of facing death.

8.      To feel connected to someone/’something larger than the self (ego).  (God, the sacred)

Religion, by its very definition means, “to bind together”.  Our belief in a divine presence, being or power greater than ourselves moves us toward a worship of that being.  Our religious beliefs tie us to certain aspects, which influence our conduct and influence us toward ritual obedience.  Every belief-system has its own ritual observances.  These are expressed in signs, symbols, an ceremonies.

Try to play God.

It is human's desperate attempt to get control of the world around them and to gain control of others that makes them have confusion over their lives.  We try to play God, and make plans to deal with everything they worry about.

We don't know that God loves us, because we don't believe in God and his power.  The person who lives by his fears, will not find God's peace and love.  We sing about it, pray about it, but do not believe it.

Genuine relationships are marked by submission to others.  Submission is all about relationships of love and respect.  God wants brothers and sisters who will share a loving relationship.

And that's how God wants us to share love with one another: between husband and wife, parents and children.

When you are in love, submission becomes a natural expression of our character and nature.  Most humans have expressed it by turning to the work of their hands to find their identity, valve, and security.

By giving over control of our lives to God; we give up our ways of power and manipulation.  We need to stop demanding that others  meet their needs, provide security, and protect their identity.

Power in the hands of independent humans does corrupt.  Males and females need to be counter-parts, face to face equals, each unique and  different, distinctive in gender but complimentary, and each under control by God, from all true power and authority originate.

When we submit; God comes and lives within us.

 

Signs & Symptoms of Spiritual Stress

May include feelings of:

·        Hopelessness

·        Powerlessness

·        Anger

·        Guilt

·        Fear

·        Dread

·        Resentment

·        Pain

·        Meaninglessness

·        Despair

·        Anxiety

·        Shame

·        Doubt

·        Emptiness

·        Loss

·        Lack of self esteem or confidence

·        Suffering that is prolonged

·        Depression

·        Denial

·        Substance abuse

·        Moral/Ethical conflicts

·        Unresolved feelings about life, death, or dying

·        Estrangement from God or community of faith

·        Withdrawal or isolation

·        An inability to tell their life-story

Everyone can benefit from spiritual care and those things which touch our spiritual lives, and acquiring help from a spiritual care provider.  Spiritual needs are those which enable us to connect with those beyond ourselves.  These needs guide our thought and behavior and make our lives meaningful.  There is more to each of us than what we can touch, see, or measure.

Freedom of Choice

The choice to change is so difficult because it involves: a) admitting failure, b) putting control of one’s life in the power of another, c) a lot of hard work, because the choice can’t just be made once, it has to be made again and again in different contexts, d) risking the unknown; giving up what is familiar and known, even if it is painful, for a “good” that can’t yet be seen.

A sense of the “real”

We can’t hide behind politeness, glossing things over with pleasant but meaningless chatter, and still be genuine.  Our relationships must deal with the real issues of life for us to maintain spiritual health.  The fear of being real with each other can stifle spiritual growth.

A basis of trust, hope, faith, and acceptance.

You must believe in the power of hope and in the healing energy of love.  And you must be willing to accept God’s decisions, even if they are not what you would have chosen for him.  A “positive” choice is only really possible where the opposite is also possible and acceptable. 

The great malady of this century, involved with all of our troubles and affecting us individually and socially, is "spiritual sickness." 

We know, by our natural instinct, that the spirit has to do with all aspects of our life.  When you look closely at the impact of the spirit, you see that it is tied to life in all of its relevance - satisfying peace, genuine friends, and experiences that stay in the memory and touch the heart.  Spirit is revealed in attachment, love, and community, as well as in retreat on behalf of inner communing and person-to-person intimacy.

The Bible, which we will use as the basic manual for this study, is a guide offering a philosophy of spiritual living and techniques for dealing with everyday problems including salvation (freedom from the wrong paths).

Fulfilling work, rewarding relationships, personal peace, and relief from the stress of the world are all gifts of the spirit/soul.  They are particularly elusive in our time because we don't believe in the spirit/soul and therefore give it no place in our values and life.  We have come to know our spirit/soul only in it's complaints; when it stirs, disturbed by the neglect and abuse, and as a result we sustain pain.  It is all about us, that we live in a time of great distress, a condition in which the mind refuses to consider the importance of the spiritual world, because it is at odds with materialism.  We can't just "think" ourselves through it, because thinking that we are in control of our world is at the base of our challenge.  We need a "higher power;" and the spirit/soul is how we relate to the "higher power."


As you can read, the spirit/soul needs to be involved with our present, close to life as it presents itself day by day, and yet at the same time give us a hope for the future.

The emotional complaints of our time, include:
*  emptiness
*  meaninglessness
*  depression
*  disillusionment about marriage, family, and a relationship
*  a loss of values
*  yearning for personal fulfillment
*  a hunger for something better


Care of the spirit speaks to the longings we feel and to the symptoms that drive us crazy.  Life lived spirituality is not without its moments of darkness and challenges.

We have to understand that applying the "higher power" factor to our life; is one of the most important parts we must bring to our life.

Soul is who we are, and yet it is far beyond our capacity to control.  We can cultivate, tend, enjoy, and participate in the things of the soul, but we can't outwit it or manage it or shape it to the designs of a willful ego.

The act of releasing control of the soul to the "higher power" encourages life to blossom forth according to God's plan and with its own beauty.

In these lessons we will look at several common issues in everyday life that the soul needs to provide the control, once we stop thinking we are in control. 

If you work with-in these basics you will be caring for your soul and improving your "quality of life."

 

 

 

Hope

Hope
Hope is God's gift to us.  It is also a distinctively Christian resource for you to use in living.  Hope is one of the many qualities of a relationship put right with God through Christ Jesus.  It is therefore, the birth right of every Christian.

(Hebrews 6:11, 12)
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make you sure.  We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

Hope keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored.  Like an athlete, train hard and run well, remembering the reward that lies ahead.

Hope can be a powerful force in people's lives.  Especially in this age, an age characterized as hopeless" and "full of despair," the hope you have to share with the world is a tragically neglected aspect of Christianity.  Lets use this course to remind ourselves of our distinctive hope, and seek ways we can effectively engender hope in our life and them lives of those we care for and touch.

Share an experience you had in which Hope played or could have played and important part.?

J.  Heightened Consciousness of God's Presence.
God's presence helps us handle change

(Nm 10:21)
:Then the Kohathites set out, carrying  the holy things.  The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived."

Those who travel, move, of face new challenges know what it is to be uprooted.  Life is full of changes, and few things remain stable.  The Israelites were constantly moving through the desert.  They were able to handle change only because God's presence in the tabernacle was always with them.  The portable tabernacles signified God and his people moving together.  For us, stability does not mean lack of change, but moving with God in every circumstance.

God desires fellowship with human beings.  That's a remarkable thought!  Some how he seems so complete and self-sufficient that it's incredible He would desire anything at all.  But God desires an intimate relationship with each of us.

Pride and God's presence are incompatible.

(Ps 10:11)
"He says to himself, "God has forgotten: he covers his face and never sees.".

There is an incompatibility between blind arrogance and the presence of God in our hearts.  The proud person depends on himself rather than on God.  This causes God's guiding influences to leave his life.  When God's presence is welcome, there is no room for pride because he makes us aware of our true selves.

Brother Lawrence a 17th-century monk, worked in the kitchen of a monastery in southern France.  In the midst of the simplest, most routine tasks he learned to "practice the presence of Good.."

Desire to be in God's presence

(Ps 27:4)
"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I May dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

David may have used the word temple to mean "the presence of the Lord." His greatest desire was to live in God's presence each day of his life.  Sadly, this is not the greatest desire of many who claim to be believers.  But those who desire to live in God's presence each day will be able to enjoy that relationship forever.

God is present in your life, whether you take note of him or not, but a heightened consciousness of God's presence can cultivate in you, His child, and attitude of trust in God.

God's presence in problems

(Ps 34:18-19)
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;"

God delivers those who persevere in their faith.

You may have heard it said that a person does not really know who his friends are until the bottom drops out.  I think there is great truth to that.  All of us have experienced the pain of discovering that people we though would be faithful - no matter what - were simply "fair-weather friends."  You know, friends whose loyalty hinges upon the climate or circumstances.  As long as the relationship is enjoyable, they are with you all the way.  But when it begins to demand some sacrifice on their part, they are hard to find.  The ultimate measure of friends is not where they stand in times of comfort and convenience, but where they stand in times of challenge and controversy.  That being the case, apart from adversity of some kind, we would never know who our faithful friends really are.

In the same way, we will never know in a personal way the faithfulness of Christ apart from adversity.  As a result, our faith in Him would never increase.  It would remain static.  One of the primary reasons God allows us to face adversity is so that He can demonstrate His faithfulness and in turn increase our faith.  If you are a believer, you have made a decision to trust Christ with your eternal destiny.  But you will not experience His faithfulness in that particular area until you die.  God wants more from you and for you than simple intellectual acknowledgement of His faithfulness.  It is will that you experience it now.

If our lives are free from pain, turmoil, and sorrow, our knowledge of God will remain purely academic.  Our relationship with Him could be compared with that of a great-great-grandfather about whom we have heard stories, yet never met personally.  We would have great admiration, but no intimacy, no fellowship.  There would always be a sense of distance and mystery.

That is not the kind of relationship God wants with His children.  Through the death of Christ, God has opened the way for us to have direct access to Him.  he went to great lengths to clear the way so that nothing stands between Him and His children.  There is potential now for intimacy between us and our Creator....

God is in the process of engineering circumstances through which He can reveal Himself to each of us.  And both history as well as our personal testimonies bear witness to the fact that it is in times of adversity that we come to a greater realization of God's incredible faithfulness to us.

(From How to Handle Adversity by Charles Stanley)

Can you remember a time when you were in desperate circumstances?  What was the cry of your heart?  When you have the opportunity, do as David did - praise God.  Tell someone else what you learned.  Memorize verses 17-22.

We often wish we could escape troubles-the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure; or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down.  God promises to be "close to the brokenhearted," to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems.  When trouble strikes, don't get frustrated with God.  Instead, admit that you need God's help and thank him for being by your side.

Someone asked Karl Barth to sum up the message of his books on Christian theology.  He unhesitatingly replied; Jesus loves me - this I know, for the Bible tells me so."  Barths reply goes to the heart of the matter : Love of Children by a Father and the Love due to the Father by the children.  But if we love one another and love God, as God loves us, we will know God and become one with; "the Love that moves the sun and the other stars." the infinite self-renewing ultimate source and resource.

God never leaves us

(Ps. 140:12)
"I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."

To whom can the poor turn when they are persecuted?  They lack the money to get professional help; they bay be unable to defend themselves.  But there is always someone on their side-the Lord will stand by them and ultimately bring about justice.  This should be a comfort for us all.  No matter what our situation may be, the Lord is with us.  But this truth should also call us to responsibility.  As God's People, we are required to defend the rights of the powerless.

"The way to the love of God is foolishness to the world, but wisdom to god's children.  When the world sees such love-fire in God's children, it says they are foolish; but to the children of God, this is the greatest treasure, for no life can express, nor can mouth describe, the fire of the inflaming love of God that is whiter than the sun, sweeter than any honey, more powerful than any food or drink, and lovelier than all the joys of this world.  he who reaches this is richer than any king on earth, nobler than any emperor can be, and stronger than all might" (Jacob Boehme, The Way to Christ).

Christian Hope
Christian hope is both in the present and for the future.  The source of Christian hope is the knowledge that Jesus is with each Christian training might display deep-hearted trust in Christ's continuing presence and his return by positive attitudes and expectations.

God-Centered Stability
When you base your life as a Child of God, you have a firmer foundation than any other.  As a favorite hymn declares, "on Christ the solid rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand," God alone is the foundation for holistic stability in your life.

God Centered Self-Image
When the person with whom you are joined in Christian training truly believes that he or she is a child of God and a temple of the Holy Spirit, that person is going to have a much healthier ego and a realistic self-image.  This is not haughtiness or conceit;  it is a good feeling about oneself because Jesus Christ is alive and well within.

Peace
As a result of Christian training, a person might come to experience peace.  Such peace is not merely the absence of hostility or a state of inner contentment; rather, it is the peace connoted by the Hebrew word shalom.  As people experience Christian peace, their relationships become whole and complete - with others, with God, and with themselves.

Perspective on Results
This list certainly does not include every distinctively Christian result.  Nor does it include all those results of training that are important, but are not specifically Christian in character - for example, the ability to express one's feelings, greater honesty with oneself and others, overcoming depression, or reducing one's anxiety level.

Another result of Christian training accrues to you the trainer, and it has to do with the strengthening of your own training, and it has to do with the strengthening of your own personal faith and Christian life.  The more you use the tools of your trade, the better you get, especially when you consider that use implies keeping them in good repair.

Results are great, but they belong to God, who chooses to let you share is the pleasure of them.  Don't stalk them; let God send them to you.  Desire them, but don't lust after them.  Expect results, but don't concentrate on them.  Evaluate them, but don't count on them.  Be glad when they come, but don't spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make them come.  Count on the certainty that the Lord's sense of timing and purpose is better than yours and better than that of the training receiver.  Rely on the promise of the Lord in Rev. 21:5 "I make all things new."  Now that's what I call results!

 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  --1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Despite what our culture tells us, worldly success is temporary...and it will never bring about complete satisfaction. The number of people who have come to ruin after experiencing the world's idea of fame and fortune is astonishing. Here are just a few:

• Multimillionaire George Vanderbilt killed himself by jumping from a hotel window.  
• Lester Hunt, two-time governor of Wyoming and soon-to-be U.S. Senator, ended his own life.  
• Actress Marilyn Monroe, writer Ernest Hemingway, and athlete Tony Lazzeri represent a group of popular people who were dissatisfied and took their own lives.  

Solomon warned those who strived for success without God: "The hopes of the wicked come to nothing" (Proverbs 10:28). According to biblical accounts, God didn't generally use successful and popular people to accomplish His work. Instead, he used everyday people like Paul, Nehemiah, Rahab, Mary, Jonah, Joshua...and the list goes on. 

What's wonderful is God doesn't require us to be "big shots" to make an impact for Him. The fact is He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His Kingdom even today. And the greatest success you'll ever achieve will come one day when you meet Him in heaven!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Submit yourself to the will of the Lord and ask Him to use you for the work of His kingdom

This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." --Zechariah 7:9  

In 1935, Fiorello LaGuardia, the mayor of New York, arrived at night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. Brought before him was a disheveled older woman charged with stealing a loaf of bread.  

She defended herself saying, "My daughter's husband has left her. She is sick, and her children are starving."  

The shopkeeper from which she stole refused to drop the charges saying, "It's a bad neighborhood, your honor, and she's got to be punished to teach other people a lesson."  

LaGuardia pronounced to the woman, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Your sentence is a ten-dollar fine or ten days in jail."  

However, he immediately pulled from his pocket a ten dollar bill, threw it into his hat, and said, "Here's payment for the ten-dollar fine. Furthermore, I'm going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."  

The following day, a newspaper reported that $47.50 had been collected from a red-faced storekeeper, 70 petty criminals, and a few New York policemen!  

As Christians, it should always be our goal to show mercy to those in need. Jesus once said that those who show mercy to the others will receive mercy in return (see Matt. 5:7).  

It may be that you can visit a lonely friend, take baked goods to someone less fortunate, or pick up groceries for a neighbor in need. God was once merciful to you (Eph. 2:4-5), so begin showing the same compassion to others (1 Pet. 2:10).  

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that God would give you a merciful heart, so that you can minister to those who are in need of compassion.

 

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit   

Gives strength for extraordinary tasks

Jgs 3:10: The spirit of the Lord came upon him

This phrase appears frequently in the Bible when an individual is being called upon to do something above and beyond what normal humans can do.  It expresses a temporary and continuous increase of physical, spiritual, or mental strength.  This was an extraordinary and supernatural occurrence to prepare a person for a special task.  The Holy Spirit is available to all believers today, but he will come upon believers in an extraordinary way for special tasks.  We should ask the Holy Spirit’s help as we face our daily problems as well as life’s major challenges.

Helps us speak for Christ

Mt 10:19-20: But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, speaking through you.

Some mistakenly think this means we don’t have to prepare to present God’s message because God will take care of everything.  Scripture teaches, however, that we are to make careful preparation, thoughtful statements (Colossians 4:6).  Jesus is telling us to stop worrying.

Nothing can take God’s Spirit from you.

Mt 10:29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials.  These can’t shake God’s love or dislodge his Spirit from within you.

Only he can give you change of heart

Mt 12:34-36: … The good man brings good things out of the good stored in him, …

You must allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with new attitudes and motives.

He may test us

Lk 4:1:  Jesus,  full of the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for 40 days he was tempted by the devil.

Sometimes we feel that if the Holy Spirit leads us, it will always be “beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).  But that is not necessarily true.  He led Jesus into the dessert for a long and difficult time of testing, and he may also lead us into difficult situations.  When facing trials, first make sure you haven’t brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices.  If you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, then ask God to strengthen you for your test.  Finally, be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads.

Who is He?

Jn 3:6: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the spirit.

God is three persons in one – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among  mankind.  The Holy Spirit first became available to all believers at Pentecost (Acts 2).  Whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them.

Three important tasks of the Holy Spirit.

Jn 16:8-11: When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, were you can see me no longer;  and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stand, condemned.  

Three important tasks of the Holy Spirit are (1) convicting the world of sin and calling it to repentance, (2) revealing the standard of God’s righteousness to anyone who believes, because Christ would no longer be physically present on earth, and (3) demonstrating Christ’s judgment over Satan.

His role & work in believers lives

Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit was made available to all who believed in Jesus.  We receive the Holy Spirit when we commit our lives to God’s control:

(1)    The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience.  We cannot be united to Christ without  his Spirit, we cannot be adopted as his children without His Spirit; we cannot be in the body of Christ except by baptism in the Spirit.

(2)    The Spirit is the power of our new lives.  He begins a lifelong  process of change as we become more like Christ.  When we turnover control of our lives to God, we begin an immediate personal relationship with God.  The Holy Spirit works in us to help us become more like Christ.

(3)    The Spirit unites the Christian community in Christ.  The Holy Spirit can be experienced by all and he works through all.

Gives us power to live the Christian life.

Rom 8:2   … because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death.

He was present at the creation of the world, and he is the power behind the rebirth of every Christian.  He gives us the power we need to live the Christian life.

Fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22-23; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self –control.  Against such things there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us.  The Spirit produces these character traits that are  found in the nature of Christ.  They are the by-products of Christ’s control of our lives – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his control and help.  If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his.  We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him.  As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbors.

The will of the Holy Spirit is in constant opposition to our sinful desires. The two are on opposite sides of the spiritual battle.

Our Wrong desires are:	The fruit of the Spirit is
Evil	Good
Destructive	Productive
Easy to ignite	Difficult to ignite
Difficult to stifle	Easy to stifle
Self-centered	Self-Giving
Oppressive and possessive	Liberating and nurturing
Decadent	Uplifting
Sinful	Holy
Deadly	Abundant life

 

Carries out God’s work in us

Phil 1:6; … being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The God who began a good work in us continues it through our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face.  His work in us began when we turned over control of our lives.  Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day. 

When we are discouraged, we should remember  that God will not give up on us.  When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision.  Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ is in control of your life or keep you from growing closer to him.

How much of you is under his leading?

Eph: 5:18; Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Paul contrasts getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high,” to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy.  In Christ, we have a better joy, higher and longer lasting, to cure our depression, monotony, or tension.  We should not be concerned with how much of the Holy Spirit has.  Submit yourself daily to his leadership and draw constantly on his power.

Transforming power of:

1 Thes 1:5; … because our gospel  came to  you  not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.  You know how we lived among you for your sake.

The Holy Spirit changes people when their lives are under God’s control.  When we tell others about Christ, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and convince them that they need salvation.  God’s power changes people – not our cleverness or persuasion.  Without the work of the Holy Spirit, our words are meaningless.  The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin but also assures them of the truth of the Christian life.

Helps us know God’s thoughts

1 Cor 2:15-16; The Spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment.  For who has  known the mind of the Lord that he instructs him.

No one can comprehend God, but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions – they, in fact, have the “mind of Christ,”  Through the Holy Spirit we can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect his answers to our prayers.  Are you spending enough time with Christ to have his very mind in you?  An intimate relationship with Christ comes only from spending time consistently in his presence and shared love whit his Word confirming it.

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men. --Lamentations 3:31-33

Warren Wiersbe once relayed the story of a grieving woman traveling by train. She recognized fellow passenger F.B. Meyer, a famous preacher and evangelist, and went to share her burden with him.

For many years she had cared for her crippled daughter who brought her great joy in life. However, her daughter had recently died and she was miserable. Each day, she felt more alone with only an empty house to come home to after work.

Meyer listened carefully to her story and then said, "When you get home...say aloud, 'Jesus, I know You are here!' and be ready to greet Him. ...Tell Him what has happened during the day...just as you would have told your daughter. At night stretch out your hand in the darkness and say, 'Jesus, I know You are here!'"

Several months later, Meyer ran into the same woman again, but this time he didn't recognize her. Her face radiated with joy instead of misery. She said, "I did as you told me and it has made all the difference in my life, and now I feel I know Him."

If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to have feelings of loneliness. But you can find comfort and love in the presence of Jesus. Express your sorrow freely before the Lord and He will turn your grief into joy (see John 16:20). Simply draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Call out to Jesus and talk to Him openly in times of grief. Ask Him to comfort you and eventually turn your sorrow to peace and joy.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ...We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. --2 Corinthians 5:6, 8-9

A widely respected man known as "Uncle Johnson" passed away at 120 years of age. He was well known for his cheerful outlook on life during his advanced years.

One day before his death, while working and singing praises in his garden, his pastor, who was walking by, looked over the fence and said, "Hello Uncle Johnson! You seem very happy today."

The old man looked up and replied, "Yes, I was just thinking that if the crumbs of joy that fall from the Master's table in this world are so good, what will the great loaf in glory be like? I tell you...there will be enough for everyone and some to spare up there."

On this earth, believers only get a glimpse of God's glory, power, and blessings. But we have hope in eternity and can look forward to enjoying a feast of blessings some day when we live with Jesus!

In the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 says, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling."

Each passing day on this earth is a new chance to be even more excited about what's to come. As believers, we shouldn't fear death because it is only a passageway into the glory of heaven. Live each day with joy and yearning as you move closer to the day when the Savior will be waiting to welcome you home!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Pray that each day you live would be for His glory. And pray for the salvation of those remaining here on earth who don't know Jesus.

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. --Proverbs 17:17

Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play Major League Baseball. In his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he faced severe ridicule from the crowds, opposing teams, and officials.

During one game in Boston, the jeers and racial slurs reached the ultimate climax. In the middle of this turmoil, fellow teammate Pee Wee Reese, a Southern white man, called a timeout.

Reese walked from his position at shortstop to second base where Robinson stood. He put his arm around Robinson's shoulder and stood next to him for a long while. Finally, the crowd grew quiet.

This gesture spoke louder than words. Robinson later said that Reese's friendship literally saved his career. Reese sacrificed his own reputation and status to save Robinson from prolonged anguish.

Is there someone in your life who needs a faithful, Christian companion like you? Do you have a friend that you could sacrifice for and stand beside during hard times? John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Perhaps you are that person in need. Maybe you are feeling alone at this point in your life. As a believer, you will never be alone because "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

His name is Jesus. And He sacrificed His life for you so that you would not have to experience the anguish and pain of eternity apart from God. Lean on Him when no one else is there.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank Jesus for making the ultimate sacrifice for you. Ask Him to bring to mind a friend in your life that you can support and encourage. Pray that He would be there to comfort you when you are all alone.