Fully Devoted

*from g-force devotional guide

 

“If someone came up to you and asked, ‘What does it mean to have a spiritual life?’ what would you say?”

“What we mean by having a ’spiritual life’ determines what path we will take in our journey with God.  If we have the same perspective God does, then we will follow the right path and become a fully devoted follower of Jesus.  If we have a different perspective than God’s, then we will choose the wrong path and possibly waste time pursuing activities that don’t help us pursue spiritual transformation or that could possibly even harm us.  So what is your spiritual life?”

“Becoming a fully devoted follower does not happen quickly.  It takes time – in fact, it’s a lifelong journey.  What’s important is that we stay in the race, knowing that God will get us to the finish line.” 

1 Cor. 9:24-26;  2 Tim. 4:7;  Heb. 12:1-2

The Wages of Deceit – from Grace for the Moment

Well this morning I went to read the daily thought for today from Grace for the Moment and thought, “oh man, not another lecture one.”  As the previous day seemed along that line – didn’t seem relative for the day.  But as I began to read todays, it turned out to be a great message.  Sometimes it takes hearing something in a different way to really click in your mind.  Here’s what it said.

 

Psalm 101:7  No one who is dishonest will live in my house; no liars will stay around me.

More than once I’ve heard people refer to the story [of Anaias and Sapphira] with a nervous chuckle and say, “I’m glad God doesn’t still strike people dead for lying.”  I’m not sure he doesn’t.  It seems to me that the wages of deceit is still death.  Not death of the body, perhaps, but the death of:

a marriage – falsehoods are termites in the trunk of the family tree.

a conscience – The tragedy of the second lie is that it is always easier than the first.

a career – Just ask the student who got booted out for cheating or the employee who got fired for embezzlement if the lie wasn’t fatal…

We could also list the deaths of intimacy, trust, peace, credibility, and self-respect.  But perhaps the most tragic death that occurs from deceit is our [Christian] witness.  The court won’t listen to the testimony of a perjured witness.  Neither will the world.

Never Look Back

Here are some clips from our morning study today by Smith Wigglesworth.

Thought for today:  Life in the Spirit requires that we not look back to our old life.

Scriptures:  1 Cor. 2:1-11

 

“Never look back if you want the power of God in your life.”

“The only thing to do is repent.  Don’t try to cover up anything.  If you have been tripped up in any way, confess it, and then look to God to bring you to a place of stability of faith where your whole walk will be in the Spirit.

We all ought to have a clear conviction that salvation is of the Lord.  It is more than a human order of things.  If the enemy can move you from a place of faith, he can get you outside the plan of God.  The moment a man falls into sin, divine life ceases to flow, and his life becomes one of helplessness.  But this is not God’s will for any of His children.  Stand on the knowledge that you are a child of God; remember that as your hope is set in Christ, it should have a purifying effect on your life.

There is life and power in the seed of the Word that is implanted within.”

 

I encourage you to live a life worthy of the calling for which you have received from God through Christ Jesus with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Against the Flow

Romans 12:1-8 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

“Don’t let the world have a voice in your values. If you let that happen, non-Christians will determine how you think, how you spend your money, and how you spend your time. The world will tell you what’s important in life and what your priorities should be.

Don’t think so? Turn on your TV. Flip through a magazine. Read the newspaper. But the media isn’t the only way the world wants to squeeze you into its mold. Think about what the non-Christians you know best are most interested in. Then think about your own values. Do they reflect God’s priorities?

Paul said there’s a way to prevent the world’s thinking patterns from taking over your own: offer yourself every day to God. Just as the Old Testament believers gave animals on the altar as gifts to God, make your life a living sacrifice every day. As you get up in the morning, say to God, “Here is my body, my mind, my heart, my time, and my money. Everything belongs to you.”

When you turn your life over to God, the Holy Spirit will clean out the garbage in your mind and replace it with God’s Word. He will transform you by renewing your mind. The world will no longer determine the way you live. Instead, your life will be an act of worship.”

“Pray that God will set you apart for service to Him.”

*from day 3- Firewheel Church Beyond Measure Devotional Guide

Recommendations

I wanted to recommend some good podcasts or downloads to listen to.  There are two good sites – one of which is www.firewheelchurch.com and the other can be found at www.loveandtruthchurch.com under the Jackson, TN section.  I encourage you to listen to the downloads or podcasts found on each site.  Both pastors I have had the privilege to listen too and enjoy their teachings.  Please take some time to hear the messages.

Time to Pray

Luke 5:12-16    Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.

“People were always trying to figure out where Jesus’ power came from.  Some attributed it to the work of Satan.  Others explained his miracles away as illusions.  Jesus, however, made no secret about the fact that his power came from the Father.  That’s why it was so vital for Jesus to spend lots of time in prayer, seeking his Father’s will.”

“Many of us have difficulty spending time alone with God.  I mean, how do we cram one more thing into our already packed days?  We lead such busy lives.  We have so many demands on our time.  It’s not always easy to find a private time or place, even at home.  There are just so many other things to do…in between phone rings.”

“But take a closer look at Jesus.  It wasn’t as though he had lots of extra time on his hands.  Jesus was an extremely busy man!  And when the news began to spread that he could heal the sick and feed the hungry, the less privacy he had.  Everywhere he went, the crowds followed.”

“That’s why in order to spend time with his Father, he had to get up unusually early and sneak away from the crowds to find a quiet place.”

“If Jesus, the Son of God, needed time with his Father in order to live the victorious Christian life, why would we ever think we could do it alone?”

Prayer:  Pray that God will show you the way to steal away and be with Him.

 

Time to Pray from day 1 Devotional Guide from Beyond Measure – Firewheel Church

The Potter’s Hand

Treasures in Jars of Clay  (Reference 2 Corinthians 4)

We are all created by the Potter’s Hand.  Shaped differently for unique purposes.  How great is it when each jar is filled with its complimenting component.  How often we get it wrong; how often we try to fill our vessels with the treasures of the world.  How much more useful would we be if filled with the treasures of God to fulfill the purpose for which God created us for.  How much stronger is a water jar filled with water than with coins.  When filled with their rightful components, the jars of clay are able to withstand more.  

Think of ourselves as jars of clay formed from the dust of the earth (Gen. 2:7) by God’s Hand.  Hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.  Created uniquely for a different purpose (reference 1 Cor. 12-one body many parts; different kinds of service; different spiritual gifts).  Clay is often glazed after molding it to help protect and strengthen it; (Ephesians 6:10-20) for here we are commanded to put on the full armor of God to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  With His mighty power we are able to withstand the elements of evil within the world.  How often clay pottery is one of the most common found items by archaeologists from previous civilizations; one of the strongest items to withstand time and all the elements.  How much stronger are we if we give our lives to God.  Once the clay is glazed and the glaze is allowed time to set, it then refined by fire; (Isa. 43:2 ..When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze. Psalm 66:10,12 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver…You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.)  When refined by fire, the armor/glaze is set, you/the jar is stronger now, more able and equipped to perform your original design.

As we, the jars, are used, we often feel the weight of the elements attacking us from the outside but we must remember we have God as our strength.  Our experiences may be the same as with non-Christians, but our outlook and the results are very different when we are living for God.  We may feel perplexed, but will not be in despair.  Isaiah 57:15 for God says “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the spirit of the contrite.”  For do not be in despair, in Hebrews 10:35 it says to not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded.  We are not those who shrink back and are destroyed but rather those who believe and are saved -as in Hebrews 10:39.  We may be persecuted but are not abandoned.  Deut. 1:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.  For God commands us to be strong and courageous, to not be terrified or discouraged, for He will be with us wherever we go -in Joshua 1:9.  We may be struck down, but never destroyed.  For God is eternal and everlasting, the victory is already won!  Rejoice!

Therefore never lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  How much more precious is that which is inside us.  I chose to accept the yolk of Jesus and be filled with the treasures and purposes of God.  What will you do with your vessel?

Black and White

Here is a previous writing from a time ago:

This morning I thought I was too busy to have a quiet time, but God had a different plan for me.  How much more we can be rewarded by obeying Him!  He wanted me to read 1 John 5.  So I flipped there and began to read verses 1-12.  The title is Faith in the Son of God.  I don’t know if you are like me, but I know that there are some areas of faith in God I need to work on.  And sometimes I think why do I not trust more…. He has never let me down and has even gone above and beyond to show me my answered prayers to give even a stronger accord.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His child as well.”  Once born of God, we no longer belong to the world but are now of God.  Our minds must be transformed to Kingdom thinking, which can be a long process.  Retraining the way we think often takes many repetitions.  

“This is how we know we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands.  This is love for God: to obey His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.  Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”  Wow..not that we are waiting to overcome the world, but that accepting Jesus we nowhave overcome the world.  Why are we still trying to live in the world.  Jesus has had the victory, it states that victory has even gone above that of faith.  What do you think that means?

It continues on to describe the testimony God gives of His Son and that His testimony is stronger than any testimony of man.  At the end of this section it is as clear as black and white.  “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Insights from Smith Wigglesworth

From Dare to Believe:

(Ref. to Luke 4:1-12)

“The Holy Spirit took Jesus away into the wilderness, with its darkness and deprivation.  For forty days He was without food, but because of the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit within and on Him, Jesus was certain of victory.  With this power He faced the wild beasts of the wilderness and the deprivation of every human sustenance.

And then at the end of the forty days, in that holy attainment, Jesus was forced into such persecution and trial that probably has never attacked a person before.  And in that place God sustained Him mightily.

With what?  With this holy, blessed anointing which was upon Him.  This power from on high brings prophecy to bear upon Satan so that Jesus has a sword with which He can defeat and almost slay Satan every time by reminding him, ‘It is written’ (Luke 4:4).”

“God in like manner wants to give us victory.  What does the Word say?  ’Be still and know that I am God’ (Ps.46:10).  Be in a place of tranquility where we know He is controlling and moving us by the mighty power of His Spirit.”

“And so God wants us to cheer up.  But if we are to do the will of God at the right time and place, we must yield to the Spirit and obey Him…”

Never tire

2 Thes. 3:13  And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

 

Great verse!  Do you ever feel that there is criticism in doing what is good and right?  You should always stand your ground for the Lord.  Never tire from doing what is right and what He commands.  Don’t question yourself when it is thrown back at you.  Remember that what you do is for the Lord and He wants us to give up the old ways and become more and more like Him.  Stand firm in your faith and know that He is the one that provides all hope for you.