Proper Balance

 Referring to Ezek. 11:2-4, Phil Ware once admonished Christians. "Our lives and the word of the Lord are needed to counterbalance the leaning of this culture which tends to put its own selfish slant on things.  Let's ask the Spirit to convict us of the lies we are told in our culture. Let's ask the Spirit to empower us to both live and speak God's truth with grace, truth, and power. Our lives and voices are needed to speak to people who are being sucked down the drain of sin and destruction by the many voices around them that do not speak the will of God."

Holy Spirit, help us set our minds on God

As children of God we need to think often about how to honor our Father. As the Christian walks their unique independent spiritual journey, the indwelling Helper can guide this desire. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col. 3:1-4 (ESV)

The Father was pleased with His Son

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matt. 3:16-17 (NASV)

Peace with God equals cleanliness

The word “peace” can communicate different ideas to us.  Sometimes the word indicates a broad meaning of general health and well being. Other times, it can indicate lack of disagreement between two parties. When our sins are cleansed, there is no longer something about which to foster any opposition; sin that separated us from God disappears. Acceptance of Jesus’ gift cleanses our sins and allows us to exist very close to God, even a part of Him within us. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psa. 103:12 (NLT)

God, speak to me through the Holy Spirit

Many Christians crave for the resident Holy Spirit to relay the messages they want to hear, directly from God; personal responsibility is thwarted. This person may become disappointed when they cannot realize what they desire. Since God molds His children, sometimes the message we want to hear is not the message we need to hear. However, when we put aside the stressful thoughts of the moment, read or remember what God has already said in Bible passages, then ponder what the  reflection might mean, we may recognize an encouraging idea or message that provides us the direction or comfort for which we thirst. Perhaps the message realized is different than we expect. Consider, "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit" - (Lk. 1:41). When such events happen, God just spoke (revealed understanding) directly to the individual through the Holy Spirit, and personal responsibility remains intact. Christians need to reflect on the Holy spirit actions as we travel our unique individual spiritual journey. Paul and Silas turned to spiritual reflection while they were in jail by clearing their minds of the struggles they were encountering and remembered the reason for their situation. “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. “ Acts 16:25 {NLT}

Hidden

 Many people become uncomfortable when information or actions are hidden from them; they want to know more information about many things. When information is uncertain, humans create explanations. Jesus was careful to instruct His disciples about His coming death, but they did not understand without the help of the Holy Spirit. Now, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand at a rate we can comprehend, the only pathway to an eternity with the Father. “But God has revealed those things to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. Is there anyone who can understand his own thoughts except his own inner spirit? In the same way, no one can know the thoughts of God except God's Spirit. Now, we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we can understand the things that were freely given to us by God.” 1 Cor. 2:10-13. (ISV)

What does Israel mean?

 Israel was not only a man’s name, but also a descriptor or label given to Israel's decedents, the people chosen by Jehovah God to do His will. Initially, and for hundreds of years before Jesus lived, God's chosen people were descendants of Israel, so God's covenant people were labeled, "Israel. After Jesus' resurrection, God’s chosen people became anyone who accepted Jesus as savior. At this time, these people were added to God's chosen people because of Jesus' sacrifice. After Pentecost, a group of people including Jews and Gentiles who accepted Jesus as the Messiah started a church in Rome. Because of social agitation, Emporer Claudius exiled all Jews from Rome for about 15 years not long after the combined church had started to meet in Rome. When the Jews returned to Rome after this exile they wanted the religious atmosphere to be reestablished as it was when they had left, however, the Gentile Church had moved on without their Jewish members. When Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, he tried to quell the controversy that had developed by describing the expansion of God's covenant as the Gentiles being a grafted olive branch (Rom. 11:11-31). When Jesus died, the group of people who were within God's covenant people expanded to include all those who accepted Jesus as the Messiah and Savior - both Jew and Gentile. This also led Paul to state that "All Israel will be saved" (Rom. 11:26). This would probably be better translated as,  "all God's covenant people will be saved"; this was intended to mean both Jews and Gentile. Only later was the word Israel applied to a land mass.  (cf. also Isa. 45:17; Rom. 11:26; Rom. 8:11)

What is a Jew?

"But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." - Rom. 2:29 (ESV). A Jew is not a statement of ethnicity, it is a statement of commitment to follow Jehovah God. After Jesus' resurrection, the Holy Spirit is the seal indicating who is a child of God. As Christians travel their unique independent spiritual journey, they need to remember they are part of a special and unique group of people, children of God with an inheritance of eternal life.

Accursed/Lord?

The descriptions “accursed,” and “Lord,” are polar opposites. Something accursed is pledged for destruction; Lord, on the other hand, means absolute ownership, pledged for usefulness. By His resurrection, Jesus proved that those He owns will not suffer destruction; the seal of the indwelling Holy Spirit will help the latter be realized. “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed’; and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit." - 1 Cor. 12:3 (NASV). As Christians travel their unique independent spiritual journey, they declare Jesus is Lord.

What is in a name

A name represents a designation for, a description of, and perhaps the essence of the person. When Moses asked the name of the power from the burning bush, the answer was a holy name, a name beyond comprehension, “I am that I am.” When we consider the name Jesus, we should realize that it attempts to describe all He stands for, all He did for creation; all He did for those who accept Him.  “Some of you were once like that [living sinful lives]. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Cor. 6:11 (NLT). The same Holy Spirit who lived in Jesus, empowered Him, and guided Him lives within Christians, today. The Holy Spirit had many predicted things for Jesus to do. The things Jesus allowed God to use him to accomplish are complete. As the Christian travels their unique individual spiritual journey, the Holy Spirit will use them to accomplish the tasks He needs done. If we will allow Him, the Holy Spirit may use each person a bit differently to minister to others. 

Permanent Assurance

Results of many goals and experiences in life can be altered. The work Jesus did on the cross was a one-time event in the spiritual realm, visible in the physical realm, which resulted in a gift that can never be changed. When one learns of this gift, he has the opportunity to ignore it or later walk away from the promise. But, the obedient believer has a permanent seal, guaranteeing union with Jehovah God one day, forever. “But don't be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval." Jn. 6:27 (NLT)

Safety

 Most people, men, women, and children want to feel “safe.” The challenge for self or others can be understanding from what exactly we want safety. The answer may be a combination of physical, verbal, emotional, or spiritual dangers. When one feels safe, they usually describe this as security or comfort. Comfort can be described as having someone to walk with you through whatever struggles you encounter; the Holy Spirit does this for those who accept Jesus as Savior. “I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.” - Jn. 17:15 (NLT)

Father!

 A cry out to a parent may indicate a need for help or an endearing comment. For those who have been adopted, hopefully they develop a sense of acceptance by and fondness for the new parent. We should fondly and respectfully reach out to the Father who adopted us, knowing He invested greatly when he purchased our redemption from our old way of life. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’" Rom. 8:15 (NIV)

Start Every Day

This is a new year on many calendars. For this year we should adopt this goal: when we awake each morning, we should invite the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us offer praise to God in some way during the coming day.