The Spirit of God

II Timothy 1:7 says, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

One definition of timid is to be easily frightened, which I can be sometimes, when my mind runs wild with what "could be."

Power is defined as having the ability to change events.

Love is defined by God in us, because he is love.

And self-discipline keeps us thinking what is right and turning from what is wrong, in action as well as thoughts.

If walk by the Spirit, asking God to lead us daily, we have a sound mind that gives thanks for our "daily" bread and we don't fret over what might be tomorrow.  Being easily frightened isn't of God.  Being at peace is.

When we are at peace, this does change our circumstances, because they no longer have the power over us to make us afraid.  And we are then enabled to love others freely, because we know that God loves us.  We also walk uprightly with him, so that at night when we lay our head on our pillow, we take the peace from the day and it becomes the peace for our night.

Sleep well tonight, because the Spirit of God hovers over you and dwells within you.

All We Ask

Ephesians 3:20 says, 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I don't know about you, but I can imagine great things. However, I cannot accomplish the things I imagine, because I don't have the resources, power, ability, or strength to accomplish all that I can imagine.

God does.

The key here is not that God will accomplish all that we imagine, for our own selfish gain.  But when we imagine "according to his power that is at work within us" then he is able to do it.  That's called faith.

If God has placed something in your mind or heart to do, something that glorifies him, and you know it's beyond what you can do, then begin believing. There is no measurability to what God can do when we believe and agree with that which his spirit births in our hearts to accomplish for him.

After all, he DID create the heavens, the earth, and all that is in it.

What are you imagining for Him?  

Ask God to do it.

Then give him glory.

Passion

As Easter approaches in about six weeks, Christians start preparing for the time of remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection…the passion of Christ.

Actually, the passion and love of Jesus for his Father, is what led Jesus to the cross and kept him there, in obedience to his Father’s plan - the plan to rescue us from death.

John 14 says, You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

See the last part of this passage?  Jesus loved the Father and it showed in his actions, by carrying out exactly what he had been commanded to do.

That’s what true passion for God is, that we love him so much we are willing to obey him in all of his commands.

The passion of Christ held him to the cross, and the passion of God for his son raised him for the dead.  That same passion God has for the entire world is ours…just for the asking.

Do you want to be passionately in love, and passionately loved? 

Remember Jesus and his work on the cross and remember the great love shown by that one act that affects your life for all eternity. 

Stir up your passion by remembering…

Empty Life

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

We use money to redeem things, because we have placed value and worth on material things that we can purchase and sell to one another.  But money is fleeting, and there are things money cannot buy.

One of those things is the “empty way of life” where all we do is live for money.  Living from paycheck to paycheck, buying more things and acquiring more stuff, doesn’t satisfy. We see the richest of the rich turn to drugs and alcohol because they live empty lives.

So, what does satisfy?

The “precious” blood of Christ, the lamb “without blemish” and without “defect.”

Only the pure, blood of Jesus that washes away our sins, redeems us from the past, and sets us forward toward a life of nonperishable things like love, joy, and peace, can satisfy our souls.

Don’t go searching for all that life has to offer.  Instead, search for all that is offered to you by the one who lives forever – Jesus.

Just ask him.  He’ll answer. Just seek him.  He’ll be found.

Eager

Titus 2 tells us why we’ve been redeemed… who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

We live in a wicked world, one full of hatred, strife and selfishness.  And while living here, we are subjected to the atmosphere that a fallen world brings.  All of the impurities of life will destroy us if we live in the world, for the world, and of the world.  None of these things were intended for us. 

God had a plan for mankind – to fellowship with Him and enjoy His presence.  Man failed. Sin arrived.  And the world fell with it.

Then the redeemer came!

There’s a purpose for our redemption, and that is to be pure before God, to be called his very own, and to be eager to do what is good.

I love that last phrase “eager to do what is good.”

When we realize the awesomeness of our redemption, the price that was paid on the cross, and the great love that was poured out upon us, we can’t help but respond to our Savior – our Lord.

And when we respond, we desire to please our Savior because he first loved us, and we love him.

Are you eager to do what is good?  Try searching all verses that have the word “good” in them and see what good it is we are supposed to be doing.

He Hears Your Heart

Luke 1 shares Zechariah’s song, Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.

A horn of salvation is a phrase that means a strong king.  This song is giving praise to the Lord because he has come to redeem his people, to bring salvation to them.

It’s a good thing to sing, and when we sing, it’s a great thing for that song to be one of adoration for our King.  Nothing lifts ours spirits like a song that exalts Him. 

When we sing a song of praise, we are voicing into the air our declaration of who God is, of his goodness, of his lovingkindness, and of our thanksgiving for salvation.

When’s the last time you sang a song, on your own, without the prompt of a worship leader, a radio, your phone, or a show on the television?

Try it.  Today, make time to sing an impromptu song to the One who has redeemed you. 

It doesn’t matter if you can’t carry a tune, if you’re throat is sore, or your rhythm is off – He hears your heart.

Midi Rings

These midi rings, worn between your knuckles, are under $5 at Earthbound Trading Company and so fun to wear!  This one I got today spells out l-o-v-e...

Uphold Me

Lamentations 3 says this, You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear. You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life. Lord, you have seen the wrong done to me. Uphold my cause!

Have you ever been wronged?  I’m sure you have.  Sometimes, we are wronged and when we tell our story, no one believes us.  Other times, we share our grief only to be comforted for a moment, but then we are forgotten once again.  And often, we are wronged and too ashamed to share or too afraid to be rejected.

On the off chance that someone really cares about what has been done to us, even if it’s as simple as being charged too much for a product we just bought, it makes us feel great for an advocate to come along and present our case, and make things right. 

I’ve been in on a court case before, and it’s not fun standing before a judge wondering if the case is going to go for…or against…the accused.

However, when we call on the Lord in our despair or grief, he first of all calms us by saying, “Do not fear.”

Next, he takes up our case, redeems our life, and upholds our cause!

God sees the wrong that’s been done to us throughout our lives, and he cares.  He wants to set things right in our hearts, our minds, our bodies, and our lives. 

That’s who he is – our Redeemer.

The Director

This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go. (Isaiah 48)

For several days now, we’ve been writing about the word “redeem,” a word we really don’t hear or use very much.  Yet, it’s so important in ascribing to God the character and truth of who he is – the one who rescued us with his life.

When we remember our redeemer and know that he is our God, we place our trust in him for the rest of our lives.  But as we mentioned, in comparing this to a marriage, we must move in, take up residence with, and daily observe his work in our lives.

As we walk with our redeemer, acknowledging His goodness, we soon realize that we can trust him with our future.

Are you having difficulty making decisions about what is “best” for you and your family?  Perhaps you’re considering a new job, or a move across the country.  Whatever the decision facing you, God “teaches you what is best for you.” 

I love this wording. 

It doesn’t say he writes in the sky what you are to do.  It says he teaches you what is best. And that usually comes about by praying, listening, getting up and walking, in the direction you feel you should go – all the while trusting him for the next step – one day at a time.

Do you feel like you are lost, without direction or purpose?  Remember and consider your redeemer, and trust Him. The word says he will direct you. 

If you are part of an orchestra, you learn the music, you learn the rhythm, you learn the sound.  Then you sit among the others and you watch, as the leader directs, and you play.  

God does the same. He teaches you each piece, then just requires that you look at him when he lifts his hand, and follow along.

Swept Away

Isaiah 44: Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant.

I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me, for I have redeemed you. Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob,

 he displays his glory in Israel.

Remember, recall to mind, tell it to others, and know your God.  These are things we’ve been studying about for the past several days in these devotionals.

And here we are told to remember, once again.  Remember what?

I love the imagery here.  Isn’t it awesome to wake up to a cloudy morning, only to see the sun burn away the clouds by noon?  Or what about the times when we leave for work or head into town, through a dense thick fog, only to literally see it lifted before our eyes, and all is clear. 

God does that for us.  He “sweeps” away our sin so that what darkened our days, and obscured our path, is no longer present.

He has redeemed us!

Once we remember this, our hearts sing for joy, we shout aloud, all of the earth comes alive before us, as we see his glory.

Look at nature today and observe the wonder of the change from night to day, cloudy to sunshine, windy to still, and foggy to clear.  

Then give thanks as you remember the change that took place in your heart, as well, when you were redeemed.

Summoned by Name

Isaiah 43: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Have you ever received a jury summons?  That’s about the only time I ever see or hear the word “summons.”  When we receive this summons, we have to show up and respond, or suffer the consequences.  It’s our legal duty.

Did you know God summoned you by name when you were created?  So at some point during your life, it’s up to you to respond to that summons.  Jesus paid the price for you on the cross; therefore, he bought back your life out of sin – to belong to him once again.

Read the rest of this passage.  When we respond to our redeemer, acknowledging that we belong to him, look what amazing rest is ours:

We are never alone…even in rising waters.

We are never overcome…even when passing through rising waters.

We won’t be burned…even in the fire.

We won’t be consumed…even those flames lick our heels.

God never promised a life without obstacles or hurdles, or rising waters or fire.  In fact, he promised to use those things to work out good in our lives. When we realize we belong to Him, and we respond to his summons, the fear of what life brings is gone.  We know that he is with us at all times, our redeemer, delivering us over and over again, because that’s who he is:

Our God, the Holy One, Our Savior.

Tell the Story

Psalm 107 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe...

Yesterday’s devo reminded us to speak to others of our redemption story, how we were set free, and how God provides for us.

Here we see the imperative again – to tell our story.

My story is that I was raised going to church, and I got “saved” often because I was afraid I would go to hell if I didn’t.  So I’m not sure of an exact date of when I was “redeemed.”  I always believed Jesus, that he died for me, and I accepted him early in life.

But then I grew up and life became hard, and my faith was tested, big time.  My husband’s health declined, we were burglarized three times, experienced three fires in our home, our foundation cracked, a scorpion nest was found in our house, and pretty much every “theology” I knew was tested to the cracking point.

One day I laid everything down and asked myself, “What do I really believe and know?”  It came back to Jesus loved me, died for me, and lives now preparing a place for me.  And that was enough.

From that starting point, I then began to read and know the goodness and character of God in my life, saving me, blessing me, providing for me, guiding me, daily.

All of us will come to a breaking point in our lives, maybe more than once.  And we will have to choose what we believe about God.  We can give thanks because he is good, and share our story.  Or we can mumble and question, and limp through the years.

He has delivered us from our enemies.  God is so good.

Psalm 78

The entire chapter of Psalm 78 is an awesome, poignant read.

Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

They did not remember his power—the day he redeemed them from the oppressor, God did might wonders for his people, delivering them from slavery, setting them free to walk in his provision day and night.  However, they forgot to remember his goodness.

They were supposed to tell of God’s faithfulness in redeeming them to the next generation so that they too would walk with God.  But it says they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

God is faithful to us, time and time again. We should write it down.  We need to share it with others (we overcome by the word of our testimony).  We have relay his goodness to our children.  We must not forget and we must not discount our salvation.

Those who forgot ended their days in futility and terror.

I don’t know about you, but I want to end my days full of purpose and vigor.  I want to end my days realizing the faithfulness and wonder of God.  I hope that I share this with others, and especially with my children.

Have you been redeemed?  Remember the power that set you free and tell it to your children.  Tell them daily of God’s love demonstrated in your life.

Don’t demand of God to grant you all of your cravings.  Instead, thank him for all of his provision. 

Read Psalm 78.

Know Him

Deuteronomy 7 says, But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

We aren’t redeemed because of anything good we have done, and we cannot earn our redemption.  We are redeemed because the Lord loves us and keeps his promises.

In fact, he keeps his promises (covenants) of love to a 1000 generations of those who love him and obey him.

Right in the middle of these verses we are instructed to “know” that the Lord our God is God.

Oftentimes, some people experience the redeeming love of God through belief in his Son and forgiveness of sins.  However, the experience ends there.  It’s like marrying a man, making your covenant vows, then going your separate ways. That’s not a marriage.

God wants us to know that he is God, that there is none like Him, that he is faithful and he is love.  Marrying a man is only the beginning. We move in with him and get to really know him over time, until we know his character and his ways. 

Have you been redeemed?  Do you know that the Lord is God?

Get to know this amazing Creator whose love and promises extend over all eternity…to your offspring and their offspring and their offspring…

Redeemed

To redeem something is to purchase it back in order to regain possession.  And in church “jargon” we used the word when we say we have been redeemed by Christ when he purchased our salvation by dying on the cross.

Exodus 15 says, You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

The best thing I like about these verses is that God doesn’t just redeem us to set us free, and then leave us be. He swallows up our enemies (and our enemies are not our friends and family!).  He leads us in his love that never fails.  And he brings us to a safe place where he is all we need.

.

Being redeemed is so much more than just being saved from sin.

 

Our enemies of fear, abandonment, bitterness, etc. might taunt us, but they cannot overpower us – because we belong to Him.

Our life path is no longer one of wandering around aimlessly, but we have purpose – because He guides us.

Our own strength will fail, but in his strength we will thrive and settle in the best place ever – with Him.

Redeemed – We belong to Him.

Keep in God's Love

Jude 1 says, But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Today is Valentine’s Day.  You probably fall into one of these categories: You love this day and have a romantic date you’re looking forward to, you hate this day because you have no special someone in your life, or you are indifferent to this day because after all, it’s just another Friday…

According to Wikipedia, A popular hagiographical account of Saint Valentine of Rome states that he was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment, he healed the daughter of his jailer...

So the story goes that the one who imprisoned another ended up being blessed by the one held captive.

This verse in Jude encourages us to keep ourselves in God’s love…..

God’s love reaches out to the one next to us, the one who spits on us, the one who betrays, us, and offers a healing touch of forgiveness.  Forgiving others does not mean we’re saying what that person did was okay.  Not at all.  Forgiving is releasing that person from our rage and vengeance into the arms of a loving God who has mercy, healing and restoration for the worst person on earth.

If you’re alone today because of betrayal, build yourself up in faith by praying.

If you’re going out tonight on a date, keep yourself in God’s love.

If you’re indifferent about the whole concept of a “love day” ask for God’s mercy to fall on you like rain, and then dance with Him as he woos you with His perfect love.