Thursday, September 24, 2015

Reborn in the Spirit

S - John 3: 4-6 (NASB)
 "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" 5Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

O -  Jesus is teaching Nicodemous,  an educated and aged Pharisee,  that there is a new understanding and truth that He is bringing.  That as man we are born of flesh and we work in our flesh to strive after righteousness.  But the new truth is that which is born  of flesh is temporary and will pass away.  That which is born of the spirit of God endures.   Jesus came to deliver the spirit of God into those who will receive and be reborn in the Spirit.   "the grass will whither, the flowers will fade, but your word will last for ever".


A - Today's message for me comes from a God who loves and is pursuing me.  I reflect on the things born of my flesh,  that these things are and will fade away.   What endures is what truth He has spoke into my life, and what peace he has given me.  My mother in laws witness to me of what man cannot do in flesh, but God can do all things when we give His spirit to the situations we find ourselves in.   
P - Dear heavenly Father, I give you my life,  I desire to be reborn in spirit and truth.   I desire to once again die to my flesh and be reborn, so that I can live a life that is honoring to you,  so that your name would be glorified, and many more would know you.  I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Trusting in Jesus

S - John 2:24 (NASB)
But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

O -  As Jesus began his ministry, his teaching, passion for God, and miracles caused many to believe and begin to follow Him.    What is interesting as his popularity gained and his following strengthened he did not entrust himself to praise and desires of these followers.   He was there from the beginning and new the sinful nature of man, even while giving him praises.   This isn't saying he didn't love them, or didn't desire to lead them to salvation, but rather He knew that God had a personal relationship with His people from Adam and Eve to present, and they are capable of  turning away.

A -   The application for me is to recognize that Jesus loves me, and he knows me and my nature deeply.    He is pursuing me, despite my sin and failures.   He desires to have me be restored with the Father at all times.   So when I sin, and fall away, he is faithful to be standing there with open arms to receive me in my flawed weaknesses.    He knows me better than any other, including myself.   I must continue to not condemn myself,  because Jesus doesn't.  I must run to him.

P - Dear heavenly father, I run to you this morning prayerful that you receive me in my weakness, and that you see me in my circumstance, and guide me to you.   I am praying for restoration of your spirit in me.  A spirit that drives me to love you unabandonedly and seeks you constantly.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Jesus, the light that drives out darkness in my soul

S - John 1:4-5 (NASB)
4In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
O -   John starts off in His book on the Gospel story of Christ helping all of us understand that Christ was there from the beginning, one with the Father.  He was part of the Holy Trinity and from the beginning in him was life,  the life that would light and fill men,   would uncover and cause darkness to retreat.   In essence He was the source of the spirit in us.  Once sin entered our lives, and darkness began to fill our spirits.  It would be and is Christ who would come and chase out the darkness in us, with his spirit, that would dwell in us. 

A -  The application for me is recognize it is Christ in me that pushes the darkness out.  I am a child of God, but first I was a child of Adam.  Darkness entered my life and had been pressing out the light until I came to know Christ.  I have for a long season embraced the light, and Jesus in me has pressed out every darkness.  Recently I have allowed the darkness to creep back in through passivity and withdrawal.  I must draw near to God,  remember my first love, and invite Christ back to shine light on my darkness.

P - Lord this is my  prayer, that I confess I have allowed the darkness to creep back into my life, and I can not rid myself of this darkness without you.  No amount of rest, or recreation can replace you love, and I am petitioning you to come spirit into me, and light the darkness and restore my soul.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Cleansing and restoring of our spirit

S -  Ezekial 39: 25-27   (NASB)
5Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.


O - The prophet Ezekial speaks words of hope and mercy from God, who was correcting the people of Israel.   The Lords promise is to give the people a fresh start,  Sprinkling clean water on them to purify them from their past baggage that is keeping them separated from God.  He restores and renews to include a new heart and spirit.  These words are likely the prophesy of what was to come through sacrifice in Jesus, where we are purified by the  lamb of God, and the Holy spirit is given to each of us, and Christ lives in us, helping us stay close to God.

A  -  This story of salvation is refreshed in me.   I am encouraged that salvation is not a one time experience with God, but rather a on going process of Christ in me.  In this season I feel encouraged by this scripture that God is still sprinkling me with his righteous water to clease me , and restore my heart of stone to a heart after God.


P -  My prayer Lord is that you wash me clean once again, because I have strayed from my first love.   I need a renewing and restoring of my heart, mind, and spirit.   I ask that this scripture be hidden deep in my heart.  I pray Lord that you would guard my heart and mind in Christ name,  Amen.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Posture yourself correctly

S Rev.14.7 (nasb) and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters."

O -  The testimony of the angels from the throne of God to the lost and saved during the end times is clear and consistent with all that has ever been spoken by God to His people from the beginning.   Our posture is to be one of reverence of who God is, our creator, our father, and our king;  and recognition that He above all others deserves the credit for His wonderful creation.  At this point in revelations the 144,000 have been marked, and the remaining have been afflicted, all that remains is the final judgement.   

A -  The application for me is to find God's truth for me is this season.  I know God is worthy of my reverence and deserving of my praise.   I can imagine this vision of the end times God portrays to us through John, that times are not easy , even for those who have been marked as a child of God.  But when I made Jesus my Lord and savior I invited him into my heart and soul and His spirit lives in me.  I therefore don't have to go anywhere but within me to understand His great power in me, and His great love for all.   I only have to turn toured that spirit within me, and reject the spirit of this world in order to maintain my posture correct in trying times.
P -  Dear heavenly Father thank  you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray that you would continue to find ways of reminding me of who I am as a child of God.  I pray that you remove this afflection I have and restore my right thoughts toward and through you.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Seek the Lord in seasons of correction, their is grace

S - Jeremiah 42:9-12 (NASB)
 "Thus says the Lord the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10'If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. 11Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,' declares the Lord, 'for I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand.12I will also show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own soil.

O -  Here Jeremiah is praying for a remnant that is left behind in Israel after the Babylonian exile.   They are ready to flee to Egypt and get away, but they chose to come to Jeremiah and ask him to intercede for them.   They agree to do whatever it is God speaks to them through Jeremiah.   What a sweet response they get from the Lord.   God has a plan for  good future for them even in the midst of His correction, and grace work together to keep the  people of Israel close.

A -  The application for me is to recognize that the Lord has the same desire and heart for me during this desert season I walk.  His grace has been shown to me by allowing me to stay in the land He has brought me to.   I sense a empathy and understanding for the Israelite's in their season of correction.  They doubt they should still stay and want to flee from their current situation.  But the Lord says stay,  fear not the authorities over you because I, the Lord, your God have you in my hand, I have sufficient love and grace to both correct and bless you.   I need to trust in the Lord in this season of correction, that He has a plan for my future and my hope.

P - Dear heavenly Father, than you for your word to me today.  I pray it washes over me, and relieves me of thoughts that are not of you, and focus' me on the future that you are preparing for me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.