Praise God some more good news from His Word this morning! I want to ask you something this morning. Have you even been insercure in your faith? To be honest I have been from time to time. I tend to think the devil is good at placing things in our life to make us question our security in the Lord. Satan wants us to question if God is really with us in hard times. Satan wants us to question if Jesus really died for us. Satan wants us to question is God really does love humanity and the list can go on and on. BUT! God's word deals with that! Read the verses below:
Galatians 4:6-9
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
God shows us in His Word we have no reason for insecurities! The Spirit cries out from our hearts "Father" showing us our close as you can get relationship with God. Stop and think about that for a moment. Then thank God for providing that fatherly love! Then verse 7 tells us we are no longer slaves but a son and an heir to God through Christ! Now if that don't take care of your insecurities I don't know what will!!!! An heir of God! That is beyond my comprehension to fully grasp the magnitude of that. Verse 8-9 basically say why in the world would we ever want to turn back to the weak elements of the world and be in bondage as slaves. That is a very good question!
So this morning I want us to realize and not forget we are secure in the mighty arms of God our Father! Doesn't that feel so good! Close oyur eyes and picture that! Now don't let Satan turn you back to being a slave!
Thank you Father for security. Help me to keep my eyes on you, for then I will not be turned!
Tom
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Spirit leads to love! #28
Can you imagine what this world would be like if the church would love like the Bible teaches? It would change the world! This morning though I want us to think about ourselves. We are a part of the church if we are saved. If each one of us would take care of me in the love compartment than the church and the whole world would be a better place. Look at these verses of how the leading of the Spirit and love are tied together.
Ephesians 3:16-19
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
We know that as soon as we are saved God grants us with the strength of the Spirit as shown in verse 16 and I want you to catch this part in verse 17 "that you, being rooted and grounded in love." Now I don't know about you but I had to stop and ask myself...Have I allowed the Spirit to root and ground love into my life so I can bloom or share it into others lives? My answer was yes in some I have and no in others I haven't. By the way that is not the right answer....I should be loving all no excuses are accepted by God! Matter of fact He tells us to love our enemies! Now that brings me to the verses in Corinthians that pretty well sums up being led to love by the Spirit...check these out:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Paul tells us point blank in these verses....we may have power in the Spirit....tounges of men and angles, prophetic powers, understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, so much faith one can move mountains, but if we don not have love, it is of no use!!! WOW!!! Stop and think about that! So many Christians wish they had this gift or that gift but God is telling us here if we don't have the one gift (love) all can have through the Spirit we have nothing!!!
So this morning remember the Spirit leads us to love. How are you doing in the love department? My friends let us make sure we desire the most important gift of the Spirit...love!
Tom
p.s. I just had a thought pop in my mind...I know that could be dangerous! haha I should have saved this devotion for Valentines Day!!!
Ephesians 3:16-19
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
We know that as soon as we are saved God grants us with the strength of the Spirit as shown in verse 16 and I want you to catch this part in verse 17 "that you, being rooted and grounded in love." Now I don't know about you but I had to stop and ask myself...Have I allowed the Spirit to root and ground love into my life so I can bloom or share it into others lives? My answer was yes in some I have and no in others I haven't. By the way that is not the right answer....I should be loving all no excuses are accepted by God! Matter of fact He tells us to love our enemies! Now that brings me to the verses in Corinthians that pretty well sums up being led to love by the Spirit...check these out:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Paul tells us point blank in these verses....we may have power in the Spirit....tounges of men and angles, prophetic powers, understanding all mysteries and all knowledge, so much faith one can move mountains, but if we don not have love, it is of no use!!! WOW!!! Stop and think about that! So many Christians wish they had this gift or that gift but God is telling us here if we don't have the one gift (love) all can have through the Spirit we have nothing!!!
So this morning remember the Spirit leads us to love. How are you doing in the love department? My friends let us make sure we desire the most important gift of the Spirit...love!
Tom
p.s. I just had a thought pop in my mind...I know that could be dangerous! haha I should have saved this devotion for Valentines Day!!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
A Battle! #27
Our life with the Holy Spirit guiding us is a battle. You see when we have the Spirit dwelling in us we still have the old flesh wanting us to fullfill it's desire at the same time. We must be on guard at all times. Look at this verse:
Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
You see how Paul explains to us that weare in a battle? The works of the flesh are things like fighting, uncontrolled anger, back bitting, and idolatry. The works of the Spirit are love, self control, joy, faithfullness. You see how they are exact opposites?? Paul goes on to say in Galatians that those who belong to Christ overcome the flesh. Look at this verse:
Galatians 5:24
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
You see the Spirit leads us to holiness and it is not easy but it is possible. Growing in holiness is a lifelong process and we must continually work twards holiness with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So if we are in Christ we should be denying our fleshly deises and following the Spirt's fruits!
So how are you doing in this? Are you in the battle? Are you winning or losing? You can win! Let the Spirit lead and you will win!!! And when you win we are pleasing God with a life of holiness!
Have a great weekend!
Tom
Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
You see how Paul explains to us that weare in a battle? The works of the flesh are things like fighting, uncontrolled anger, back bitting, and idolatry. The works of the Spirit are love, self control, joy, faithfullness. You see how they are exact opposites?? Paul goes on to say in Galatians that those who belong to Christ overcome the flesh. Look at this verse:
Galatians 5:24
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
You see the Spirit leads us to holiness and it is not easy but it is possible. Growing in holiness is a lifelong process and we must continually work twards holiness with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So if we are in Christ we should be denying our fleshly deises and following the Spirt's fruits!
So how are you doing in this? Are you in the battle? Are you winning or losing? You can win! Let the Spirit lead and you will win!!! And when you win we are pleasing God with a life of holiness!
Have a great weekend!
Tom
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Attention...I don't want it. #27
When the Holy Spirit is working in one's life there is something in his life that is clear to see .....humility! If anyone is claiming to be working in the Spirit but wants to be praised by man the Spirit is not working in him the devil is! Look at this verse:
Matthew 5:16 (New King James Version)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So as this verse teaches...who is to receive the glory of your good works? God!!! Not us! It really irritates me to see some of the T.V. preachers put on a show like they do and draw attention to themselves. It is a very dangerous thing to do as we serve a jealous God. Those who do such a thing will answer for it one day.
After I preach I usually will greet the people as they leave the church and they will tell me things like "you did a great job" and my response is "give God the glory". It really bothers me for people to tell me that. I know they do it out of kindness and to encourage me but I don't deserve any credit what so ever...for I am nothing and God is everything! Attention is something none of us should be after, and to use the Holy Spirit to try and get it makes it even worse!
So may all of us give God the glory in everything....for He alone is worthy. Proper use of the Spirit brings attention to God not us!
Praise the Lord today.....Tom
Matthew 5:16 (New King James Version)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
So as this verse teaches...who is to receive the glory of your good works? God!!! Not us! It really irritates me to see some of the T.V. preachers put on a show like they do and draw attention to themselves. It is a very dangerous thing to do as we serve a jealous God. Those who do such a thing will answer for it one day.
After I preach I usually will greet the people as they leave the church and they will tell me things like "you did a great job" and my response is "give God the glory". It really bothers me for people to tell me that. I know they do it out of kindness and to encourage me but I don't deserve any credit what so ever...for I am nothing and God is everything! Attention is something none of us should be after, and to use the Holy Spirit to try and get it makes it even worse!
So may all of us give God the glory in everything....for He alone is worthy. Proper use of the Spirit brings attention to God not us!
Praise the Lord today.....Tom
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
How much do you love the church? #26
I want to ask you a question this morning. How much do you love the church. Grade your self on a scale of 1-10. Be honest. Do you ever say to yourself "I love these people so much and I want to serve them with all I have and help them draw closer to God?" Do you even care about the church? The Holy Spirit has given us the power to serve the people around us. We should use those gifts to serve the church. If you don't know what those gifts are look them up in your Bible or go back to one of the first devotions of the Holy Spirit series where we talked about them. For an example of how our love for the church should be read these verses:
Philippians 1:23-25
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
Paul had a deep desire to go to heaven but his love for the church and for them to progress in the joy of the faith was more important than for him to go to heaven. The Spirit energized him in this way! Now ask yourself again. How much do I love the church?
You see the Spirit is in us to gloify God and one of the main ways we do that is by loving the church through our service and the using of our gifts! I will be honest with you this morning. I have been slapped around a little this morning, knowing I need to do better! I get lazy sometimes. Thank you Jesus for your Word to get us back on track.
I am praying for you....Tom
Philippians 1:23-25
23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
Paul had a deep desire to go to heaven but his love for the church and for them to progress in the joy of the faith was more important than for him to go to heaven. The Spirit energized him in this way! Now ask yourself again. How much do I love the church?
You see the Spirit is in us to gloify God and one of the main ways we do that is by loving the church through our service and the using of our gifts! I will be honest with you this morning. I have been slapped around a little this morning, knowing I need to do better! I get lazy sometimes. Thank you Jesus for your Word to get us back on track.
I am praying for you....Tom
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Why do you want the Spirit? #25
I think it is safe to say all of us Christians want the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But here is the question for this morning. Why do we want the Spirit? Could it be that we just want the supernatural powers that come along with the spirit for our own uses??? I know that sounds crazy but think about it and then read these vereses:
Acts 8:9-25
9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
25When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
We can see here Simon wanted the Holy Spirit for the wrong reason. You see the Holy Spirit is not for our personal benefit if you really sit down and think about it. The whole purpose of the Spirit is to help us bring glory and honor to God. So this morning I want you to ask yourself " Why do I want the Spirit?" Is it for power? Is it for your own benefit or purposes? Or is because you want to be all God wants you to be? Let's make sure we are not being like Simon...that could lead to big problems...amen?
God bless you all.....Tom
Acts 8:9-25
9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
25When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
We can see here Simon wanted the Holy Spirit for the wrong reason. You see the Holy Spirit is not for our personal benefit if you really sit down and think about it. The whole purpose of the Spirit is to help us bring glory and honor to God. So this morning I want you to ask yourself " Why do I want the Spirit?" Is it for power? Is it for your own benefit or purposes? Or is because you want to be all God wants you to be? Let's make sure we are not being like Simon...that could lead to big problems...amen?
God bless you all.....Tom
Monday, February 1, 2010
Set me free!! #24
This devotion is a great way to start off the week. Check it out!
Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
One of the most awesome deeds of the Holy Spirit is here in this verse. Let me explain. Before Christ I was a sinner. I liked to get drunk, smoke, and use language that is not appropriate. I had an attitude and I didn't care what others thought. I really thought I was something. Then one day I met Jesus Christ and asked Him to be Lord of my life and the Holy Spirit came and dwelled in my body. A miracle happened when the Spirit came into my life. Over night a great change happened in my life. I quit drinking, over time I quit smoking, my language changed immediately, and I had a brand new attitude. I cared about people! So what happened? The Spirit set me free! It was a miracle to me but to the Spirit it is everyday work. To let you know how much I changed I went back to my high school reunion and was nominated for most changed...not because of my looks but because of the way I now live my life!
This verse goes onto say the Spirit also sets us free from death....once you accept Christ, death no longer has a hold on you! You are going to live for eternity in heaven! Wow! Thank you, thank you Jesus!
So this morning let me ask you something. Are you set free from sin and death? You can be. It is as simple as asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life. Don't delay do it today!!
Have a great week!
Tom
Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
One of the most awesome deeds of the Holy Spirit is here in this verse. Let me explain. Before Christ I was a sinner. I liked to get drunk, smoke, and use language that is not appropriate. I had an attitude and I didn't care what others thought. I really thought I was something. Then one day I met Jesus Christ and asked Him to be Lord of my life and the Holy Spirit came and dwelled in my body. A miracle happened when the Spirit came into my life. Over night a great change happened in my life. I quit drinking, over time I quit smoking, my language changed immediately, and I had a brand new attitude. I cared about people! So what happened? The Spirit set me free! It was a miracle to me but to the Spirit it is everyday work. To let you know how much I changed I went back to my high school reunion and was nominated for most changed...not because of my looks but because of the way I now live my life!
This verse goes onto say the Spirit also sets us free from death....once you accept Christ, death no longer has a hold on you! You are going to live for eternity in heaven! Wow! Thank you, thank you Jesus!
So this morning let me ask you something. Are you set free from sin and death? You can be. It is as simple as asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life. Don't delay do it today!!
Have a great week!
Tom
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