EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Scripture:

Acts 1:4–5, “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.””

Acts 1:8, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 6:7, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

Thought: Empowered for Purpose

Before Jesus departed for Heaven, he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from Heaven. On the day of Pentecost, that is exactly what happened: they received power which resulted in a large number of people being saved. Isn’t it interesting that the people closest to Jesus were not yet equipped to do the work of Jesus until they received the power of the Holy Spirit? What was true then is true today. 

I often define a Pentecostal church as a Christ centered, Bible believing Body of Christ that believes the Holy Spirit is actively working today. All of the gifts of the Spirit found in the New Testament are still available for the purpose of proclaiming the Good News to the world.

The power of pentecost is purposeful

The word “power” in the original language is the Greek word dunamei. From dunamei we derive our words dynamic and dynamite; however, dynamite was not invented at the time of the early church. Jesus is talking about a force that is so powerful it cannot be stopped. This is a divine power imparted to us through His Spirit.

In the past, the Pentecostal Church was often thought of as strange. Many people did not believe that the gifts of the Spirit were still in operation today, but the results are now in: millions of people around the world are coming to Christ because the power of the Holy Spirit is breaking through difficult places. Today, the Pentecostal Church is the fastest growing Christian church in the world. 

EXPERIENCE THE WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Thought:

Life is full of challenges. We can count on that. The good news is that we can rely on someone who can help us, and sometimes carry us through life’s ups and downs: the Holy Spirit, which resides in every follower of Jesus. It is empowering to occasionally review just precisely what the Holy Spirit does so we can boldly face life. Scripture gives us clear job descriptions of The Holy Spirit. Below is a list with scriptural references.

As you read through this list, reflect on the times in which the Holy Spirit worked in each area. For example, as a pastor, one of my daily prayers is for wisdom. Many things come up that I am ill-equipped to handle on my own. Some decisions impact people’s lives, and I want to make sure I am not operating in my strength and understanding. I know that many times, the Holy Spirit gave me insight into a situation when I was stuck.

Writing this devotional is another example. I thought I would be able to whip these out without a problem. I had collected my notes all year, but when I started writing, I found myself overwhelmed with the task. I had no idea of the time it took to write three paragraphs for each day.  If it had not been for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you would not be reading this today. 

The Works of the Holy Spirit with Scripture Reference:

1.           The Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. 1 Peter 3:18

2.          The Spirit calls us to God. Revelation 22:17

3.          The Spirit convicts us of sin. John 16:8-11

4.          The Spirit sanctifies us. 1 Corinthians 6:11

5.          The Spirit testifies to Jesus. 1 John 4:13; Hebrews 10:15

6.          The Spirit gives us new life. Ephesians 2:1-5

7.           The Spirit leads us into a deeper relationship with God. Titus 3:5

8.          The Spirit leads us away from worldly desires. Romans 8:5

9.          The Spirit resides within us. 1 Corinthians 6:19

10.      The Spirit seals our salvation.  Ephesians 1:13,14; 4:30

11.       The Spirit guides us. Acts 13:2; 16:6

12.      The Spirit prompts us in worship. Luke 10:21

13.      The Spirit empowers us to witness. Acts 1:8

14.      The Spirit helps us pray. Romans 8:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; Ephesians 6:17,18

15.      The Spirit teaches us. John 14:26.

16.      The Spirit leads us into truth. John 15:26; 1 John 4:6

17.       The Spirit comforts us. John 16:7

18.      The Spirit transforms us. 1 Corinthians 6:11

19.      The Spirit helps us remember God’s word. John 14:26

20.     The Spirit helps us lead a godly life. Galatians 5:22-23

21.      The Spirit gives us spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

22.     The Spirit speaks to The Church. Revelation 2

23.     The Spirit works to unite believers. Philippians 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:3

24.     The Spirit gives us strength. Ephesians 3:16

25.     The Spirit gives wisdom and revelation. Ephesians 1:17

26.     The Spirit gives us a new prayer language. 1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-16

27.      The Spirit gives us spiritual gifts for the Church. 1 Corinthians 12

28.     The Spirit produces fruit in us. Galatians 5:22

Experience the Presence of The Holy Spirit

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:16, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?”

Romans 8:15, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Thought:

Some quasi-Christian groups describe the Holy Spirit as a force, like in a Star Wars movie: impersonal, external, and able to be harnessed. However, the Holy Spirit is not an external force to be called up by some experience; He is a person that resides within us, confirming our relationship with Jesus and the Father. If we only think of Him as a force, we will be tempted to try and use him for our purposes, when the opposite should be true: he wants to use us for His purposes, as we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Daniel Henderson writes in his book, Transforming Presence:

If we think of the Holy Spirit, as so many do, as merely a power or influence, our constant thought will be, ‘How can I get more of the Holy Spirit,’ but if we think of him in a biblical way as a Divine Person, our thought will rather be, “How can the Holy Spirit have more of me?’ The conception of the Holy Spirit as a divine influence or power that we are somehow to get a hold of and use leads to self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. One who so thinks of the Holy Spirit and who at the same time imagines that he has received the Holy Spirit will almost inevitably be full of spiritual pride and strut about as if he belonged to some superior order of Christians. —R.A. TORREY  (pg 85)

The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, where he has permanent residence and is the constant reminder that we belong to God.

A helpful illustration for me, when thinking about the Holy Spirit, is one of water and a glass. Before we come to Christ, the Spirit is around us, drawing us to Jesus and convicting us of sin. When we accept Jesus as Savior, He fills us the Holy Spirit, and no one gets less of the Holy Spirit than another person. He dwells within us and works in many ways, including the supernatural.

What does it mean to you to know the Holy Spirit is not an outside force, but one that resides within you?

Take a moment to celebrate and thank God for the Holy Spirit that resides in our hearts.

How do you maintain an awareness of the Holy Spirit within you?

Experience the Person of The Holy Spirit

Introduction:

Over the next six days we will take a journey down a familiar path for some readers and an anxious one for others; however, it just might have the most profound impact on your Christian development. When we take this path, we will meet the one Jesus left to reside in us. Although it is likely you have heard of Him; you may not have been exposed to His personhood, purpose, or His transformational presence. He is the third person of the Trinity: The Holy Spirit.

Scripture:

John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Acts 10:37–38, “You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

Thought:

People love mysteries. Writers and filmmakers depend on this fact. How many CSI television shows can there be? One for every city I guess. We watch and our minds work to solve the mystery with every clue given to us along the way. We don’t like mysteries we can solve right away, but we also can’t tolerate mysteries that can’t be solved in the end. We want to be in suspense, but we are not built to live there. We simply can’t put up with things we don’t understand, and the spiritual life is no exception.

Trying to understand the Trinity is like trying to solve an unsolvable mystery. The Father is fully God, Jesus is fully God, and The Holy Spirit is fully God. It doesn’t make sense.  It’s not reasonable or logical that God could be both three and one, yet the Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. John 14:26 show us Jesus speaking about The Holy Spirit, which the Father would send to believers. Our Acts 10:37-38 passage demonstrates three distinct persons were working together for one common purpose: “doing good.” Jesus’ baptism gives us another example. The Spirit descended on Jesus and God, the Father, declared from heaven, “This is My beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).

The Bible makes it clear that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. John 14:26 show us Jesus speaking about The Holy Spirit, which the Father would send to believers. Our Acts 10:37-38 passage demonstrates three distinct persons were working together for one common purpose: “doing good.” Jesus’ baptism gives us another example. The Spirit descended on Jesus and God, the Father, declared from heaven, “This is My beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17).

John Bevere explains it this way:

“Water (H2O) can manifest as three different forms. Temperature determines whether H2O will appear as a solid, liquid, or gas. Water’s substance – its molecular structure – never changes one iota, but its expression will change based on its environment (the temperature). In the same way, God’s central makeup doesn’t change. When you see the Son, you see the Father; and the Spirit was sent to reveal the Son to us (see John 17:21; Ephesians 1:17-18). God is one in purpose, and yet He has three expressions (Persons) who perform unique functions. Though there are three Persons, there is only one God.”

John Bevere uses H2O to illustrate the Holy Spirit. What other ways have you heard that help you understand the idea of Three in One?

Experience Jesus' Commission

Day 26: Experience Jesus' Commission

Matthew 28:16–20, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Thought:
The Great Commission is the end of Matthew’s gospel but it is the beginning of faith in action for all Christians. Jesus did not tell us to build extravagant buildings, gather large crowds, or sing contemporary songs. Jesus gave us one goal: make disciples. Furthermore, he did not say that it is only the job for pastors and missionaries; it is for all who are followers of Jesus.

Just like the commandments were not the “ten suggestions,” the great commission is not just a good idea. J. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) was an English missionary to China who founded the China Inland Mission, which at his death included 205 mission stations with over 800 missionaries and 125,000 Chinese Christians. He said, "The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed."

Our assignment is to carry out God’s mission, which includes two primary objectives: 1) to spread the gospel to all nations, and 2) to nurture those who receive the gospel so that they grow into spiritual maturity. It is about evangelism and discipleship.

I love being part of a great fellowship called the Assemblies of God. We are committed to the work of missions. In 2000, a vision statement was written that included this passage:

We commit ourselves with an unrelenting passion to the great cause of worldwide missions. The Lord of the harvest clearly spoke to the hearts of our founding fathers that our church shall, without reservation, be of one mind in the task of world missions. We pledge the greatest of all investments—men and women who will take their places in the vast, unreached fields of end-time harvest.

Jesus said that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to him. It is this authority that sends us and empowers us to carry out God’s mission to the nations, both at home and abroad.

Reflection:
When you leave our times of corporate worship and teaching, how are you investing in others?

Is the Great Commission a part of how you conduct your life?  If not, how can you incorporate the commissioning of Jesus into your lifestyle?

Experience Jesus' Mission

Day 25: Experience Jesus' Mission

Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Luke 15:1-24

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Thought:
In Luke 15, Jesus uses three illustrations to demonstrate His love for lost people. The shepherd searches for the one lost sheep that goes astray. The woman went into an all-out search for a lost coin. The Father waited patiently and lovingly for his son to return home. The sheep, the coin, and the son all had value. All were loved and needed.

Scripture refers to people who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus as “lost.” Luke points out that lost people matter to God, so they should matter to us. I heard it once said, “We never lock eyes with someone who doesn’t matter to God.”

The first priority of the Church must be the same as the priority of Jesus – the lost. By the end of this week, a million souls will slip into eternity. They will either spend it in the presence of Jesus or in separation from Him forever.

Lost people are not just in far remote corners of the world; they are all around us. Some may live in the same household as we do. Some may work with us or live next to us. Some may even go to church with us. Jesus is the only hope for lost people, and we are the messengers of his love and care for them.  If the salvation of the lost was Jesus’ top priority, it must be ours as well.

The Great Commission is not an option for us; it is a command. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”  Jesus calls us to partner with Him to complete His heart’s goal – reaching the lost.

Reflection:
Name some people in your circle of influence who have not yet invited Jesus into their lives and hearts.

What are some creative ways that you can share your faith with these people?

Experience Jesus' Prayer

Day 24: Experience Jesus' Prayer

John 17:20–23, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Thought: (Adapted from Max Lucado, https://maxlucado.com/pray-for-unity)
On the last night of his life, Jesus prayed a prayer that stands as a citadel for all Christians. Knowing the end was near, he prayed one final time for his followers. He did not pray for success, prosperity, safety, or even happiness. He prayed that His followers would be unified in love.

Of all the lessons we can draw from this verse, don’t miss the most essential: unity matters to God. Why? Because “all people will know that you are my followers if you love each other” (John 13:35 NCV). Unity creates belief.

How will the world believe that God sent Jesus? The world won’t believe because we agree with each other, solve every controversy, are unanimous on each decision, and correct on every doctrine. Instead, they will know we are believers by our love for each other.

Could it be that unity is the key to reaching the world for Christ? The world will be won for Christ when the Church is one in Christ. If unity is the key to evangelism, shouldn’t it have precedence in our prayers? Shouldn’t we, as Paul said, “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NIV)?

God’s ship is a grand vessel. Just as a ship has many rooms, so God’s Kingdom has room for many opinions. But just as a ship has one deck, God’s Kingdom has a common ground: the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Reflection:
Do you see yourself as a part of the unified Body of Christ?

How do you think we can encourage unity within the local church so that Jesus is glorified?

Pray that Jesus prayer in John 17:20-23 would be answered for the sake of the Kingdom of God.

Experience Jesus' Kingdom

Day 23: Experience Jesus' Kingdom

Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Thought:
Jesus made the kingdom of God a central theme in His preaching (Mark 1:14-15). What did Jesus mean?

The Kingdom Jesus spoke about was not a geographical area such as the Holy Land or the temple. In fact, it is independent of geography and political entities. The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God in our lives. to “seek first” the Kingdom is to make His rule our priority ahead of everything else.

One significant meaning of “seeking” is: "to beat the covers for birds." It is a description of a sportsmen’s method. On Saturdays during the fall, my uncles would take my cousins and me hunting. We would take the dogs to a cornfield and walk near the hedges looking to scare out a few rabbits. There were many occasions when my uncles would send us boys into the thickets. We experienced such joy when we saw the bushes rustle. A fluffy cottontail would dart out, throwing the dogs barking and my uncles shooting. We had a priority for our day, and we were prepared to wade swamps, climb stumps, push through brier, watch, wait, wriggle, and do everything but fail. We were focused and persistent.

To "seek first" indicates not good and bad, or right and wrong, but rather a first and second. God does not forbid us from things we enjoy, but they do need to be in their proper place. The Kingdom of God is not set in opposition to the possessions of this world; it is placed above them. It is higher than the physical and the material. It has to do with the essential purpose of man - a life that is more than simple existence.

We make a choice to put the Kingdom of God first at the moment of our conversion to a Christian life, and it is also a choice that we need to make on a daily basis.  As Paul writes, the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Seeking first the kingdom of God, full of righteousness, peace, and joy is my life’s top priority.

Reflection:

What does it look like for you to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Review the last seven days. Can you honestly say the Kingdom of God was your highest priority?

Experience Jesus' Abundant Life

Day 22: Experience Jesus' Abundant Life

John 1:4, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (KJV)

John 11:25-26, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’”

John 20:31, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Thought:
Followers of Jesus live their lives from a different point of view. They live with eternity in mind. When there is confidence in tomorrow, today becomes more meaningful.

From the passages above, it is clear that the Apostle John wanted to make sure we understand that the fullness of life on earth, as well as eternal life, is found only in a relationship with Jesus.

The moment we decide to follow Jesus, the full life of God comes in. Oswald Chambers calls this the “Co-Eternal Life.” He writes:

Jesus came to give us endless supplies of life: ‘that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ Eternal Life has nothing to do with Time, it is the life which Jesus lived when He was down here. The only source of Life is the Lord Jesus Christ. The weakest saint can experience the power of the Deity of the Son of God if once he is willing to ‘let go.’ Any stand of our own energy will blur the life of Jesus. We have to keep letting go, and slowly and surely the great full life of God will invade us in every part, and men will take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus.
*Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, pg 103

Reflection:
How does the thought of eternity impact your life today?

When Jesus said he came to give us “abundant life,” what does that mean to you? Would you say you are living an abundant life? Why or why not?

Experience Jesus' Sacrifice

Day 21: Experience Jesus' Sacrifice

Matthew 26:28, “Then he (Jesus) took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”

Hebrews 9:22, “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Thought:
Receiving communion in church is one of the most unifying and unique acts we do when we come together. It is more than just another religious obligation. When I introduce communion in a service, I often liken it to a family reunion where people sit around the table telling the same familiar stories and enjoying them as if they heard them for the first time.

In communion, the church family symbolically gathers around the table of grace. We tell the same story about Jesus’ sacrifice, and it is meaningful every time. As we eat the bread, we remember the body of Jesus that was broken for us. As we drink the juice, we are reminded of the new covenant, sealed with His blood.

When I was a child, I thought he reason Jesus came was to literally save sheep from being slaughtered. I knew the story quite well: Jesus became the sacrificial lamb, and when Jesus died on the cross, we no longer needed to kill a lamb. It wasn’t until I was older that I began to realize that the one who Jesus came to save was me, not the sheep.

When a sacrifice was offered to God for sin, with the purpose of restoring a relationship with Him, it was called atonement. The root idea of atonement is “to cover” or “to conceal.” Atonement suggests a covering that conceals a person’s sin and makes it possible for him or her to approach God. The covenant relationship between God and man depended on the shedding of blood. The weakness of the sacrificial system was its constant need for sin offerings. Although sacrifices continued to be offered, there was no change in people’s behavior. The sacrifices of the Old Testament only covered and concealed sin.

Jesus ushers in a new covenant. He came to take away sins through the sacrifice of Himself, not just cover it. What ancient sacrifices foreshadowed, Christ accomplished! “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14).

Find a quiet space and listen to: “Oh the Blood” by Gateway Worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC59rgmcu34

O the blood. Crimson love. Price of life's demand
Shameful sin placed on Him, the hope of every man

O the blood of Jesus washes me
O the blood of Jesus shed for me
What a sacrifice that saved my life!
Yes, the blood, it is my victory

Savior Son, Holy One
Slain so I can live
See the Lamb: The great I Am
Who takes away my sin

O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
O the blood of the Lamb
The precious blood of the Lamb

What a sacrifice, that saved my life
Yes, the blood, it is my victory

O what love, No greater love
Grace, how can it be
That in my sin Yes, even then
He shed His blood for me

For further study read:
Leviticus 4:26; Hebrews 10:1-10; Romans 3:25-26

Experience God's Voice, pt 2

Experience God's Voice pt 2

Scripture: 

1 Kings 19:11–12, “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. The voice was not in the fire or thunder, but in the still, gentle wind.”

Thought:

Every once in a while it would be nice for us to hear God in a burning bush or some other dramatic fashion. It happened in the Old Testament; God spoke through earthquakes, fire, angels, prophets, and visible writing on the wall. Why can’t he talk to us in dramatic ways today?

Today, God speaks to us in much more subtle but no less important ways. In the New Testament, God spoke in a dramatic fashion only a few times, and most of those times, the purpose was to affirm that Jesus’ divinity. We hear reports of that still happening, especially to Muslim Background Believers who have seen Jesus in a vision or dream. Although these accounts are incredible, we are still left with the question: how we can hear God’s voice in our life on a regular basis? We know He is not silent. 

In 2013, on a mission’s trip to Argentina, I felt God speaking to me about giving part of our church’s building fund money away to the local Bible school. At first, I thought it was just my own internal voice, so I waited and prayed. When I got home, I ran it by Esther, and we prayed together. I processed the idea with our board, and we also prayed together. Because this money was designated for another purpose, I needed to ask the Centerpointe membership. In that meeting, we could sense that God was in this. We voted together to send the money. In this example, we can see a filter for us to discern if we are hearing from God:

1. Do we have a sense that the Spirit put this decision on our hearts? We ask God for wisdom and discernment.
2. Is it in line with Scripture? God will never go against His Word.
3. Does it lead others and us into a closer walk with Jesus?  
4. Is there confirmation from trusted Godly people?
5. Is there a sense of peace? God also speaks to us in the negative, by withholding a sense of peace.

Reflection:

Name a time when you clearly heard God asking you to do something but you questioned whether or not it was God speaking. How did you come to the conclusion that it was God?

Besides the filters listed, what are other ways we can know if God speaking to us?

The Holy Spirit doesn’t always ask us to do the dramatic; He even speaks to us in our daily routines. How does he do this?

Decision:

Based on your reading and reflection, what decisions do you need to make?  

Prayer:

Lord, may your people slow down enough to listen to your voice and live in obedience to it.

Experience God's Voice, part 1

Day 18: Experience God's Voice, Pt 1

Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:1–10, “The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel.  Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”  Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.””

Thought:
Emphasizing each word in the last sentence of our text helps us understand Eli’s instruction and apply it to our lives.

Speak – Samuel invited God to speak to him. 
Lord – Samuel recognized God’s authority over his life
Your Servant – Samuel positioned himself as a servant
Is listening – This word suggests more than hearing, it includes obeying.

As one continues to read, what God asked Samuel to do was difficult. God asked him to speak a word of condemnation over Eli’s disobedient sons. Reluctantly, Samuel obeyed. God eventually elevated Samuel as Israel’s primary prophet and leader.

The prayer of Samuel served him well his whole life and is the same prayer we pray as we follow Jesus. What God asks us to do may be difficult, but God’s ways rarely are easy.

Reflection:
Take a moment and repeat the prayer of Samuel several times, emphasizing each word. Let this prayer be a commitment to serve and obey God’s voice.

What difficult things is God asking you to do?

Decision:
Based on what you read, what decisions do you need to make?


 

Experience God's Favor

Day 17: Experience God's Favor

Scripture:
Psalms 90:17, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us, and may He establish the work of our hands, yes establish the work of our hands.”

Thought:
In July of 2014, Esther and I drove our daughter, Kristi, to Cleveland, Tennessee to visit Lee University. Walking around campus, I noticed that every building had an engraved stone with the scripture reference, Psalms 90:17. We later discovered a bronze statue (pictured here) of a man sitting on a bench with his Bible opened to the same verse. In this verse, the writer is portrayed as a desperate soul who recognized his temporary presence in this world and wanted to leave a meaningful legacy. This became my theme verse for July and also the messages I would preach in August and September of that year. I have since quoted this verse in prayer more than any other. 

It is often said, “Favor is when people like you and you don’t know why,” and this is true to some extent. Favor unlocks doors you thought were closed and brings opportunities you would not have expected. 

Favor is not something we earn; it is freely placed upon us by the grace of God. It is a gift. However, like a blessing, we can put ourselves in a position of favor. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

The second part of Psalms 90:17 speaks to our desire for lasting impact. The Life Application Bible notes, “Because our days are numbered, we want our work to count, to be effective and productive. We desire to see God’s eternal plan revealed now and for our work to reflect his permanence.”

Significant changes are happening at Centerpointe Church as we dream of our future. Our prayer is similar to the psalmist: Lord, whatever we do, let it be for your honor and glory because this is the only way it will mean anything for the future generations. 

Reflection:

In what ways have you experienced God’s favor?

How do you know what God’s favor looks like?

In what areas do you need God’s favor?

Decision:  
Based on what you have read and what God is saying to you, what decisions do you need to make?

Prayer:

Experience God's Blessing

Day 16: Experience God's Blessing

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 28:1–8, “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.”

Thought:
Wow! I want to live in this kind of blessing. I want my children and grandchildren to experience the same. Furthermore, I desire our church to experience this kind of blessing. The good news for us is that God is a God waiting to pour out His benefits upon His people.

Almost all religions work to gain their gods’ favor and blessing through rules, idols, and beautiful architectural structures. Throughout the Buddhist and Hindu dominated world, people offer sacrifices to please their gods and obtain favor. While in India, I noticed that almost every home had some kind of altar on the lawn. When I enquired about them, I was told that fruit, vegetables, and gifts were left on the altar to please whatever god might be passing by, hoping that the god would leave behind a blessing. The foundation of their faith is based on their ability to satisfy.

God’s requirements are different and found in the first verse: “fully obey,” and “carefully follow.” At first glance, it sounds similar to other religions, but there is a distinct difference, just like healthy parents who want to bless their children. Children don’t try and make the parents want them; they know they are loved. However, the children’s obedience makes it a joy for the parents to be generous.

If we want to experience the blessings of God, we must follow Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is not a case for works-based theology; it is merely a statement of relational surrender.

People who understand blessing have a different outlook on life than those who do not. They are more grateful because they believe God is viewing them with pleasure. Their view of God’s view is a joyful thought. A.W. Tozer once noted, “the most important thing about a person is what comes to mind when they think about God.“ (The Knowledge of the Holy (New York: HarperCollins, 1961).

The God of the Bible does not wish to withhold from us; in fact, he takes joy in blessing us. When we look into his nature and character, we see someone who loves us and is passionate for us.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Reflection:
In what ways have you experienced God’s blessing?
What is meant by "relational surrender?"
Why is it so difficult to believe that your Heavenly Father has wonderful things in store for your life?
In your opinion, how is obedience linked to blessing?

Decision:
Based on what you read, and what God is saying to you, what decisions do you need to make?

Prayer:
Lord, give us a different perspective when it comes to blessing. Help us to grasp how much you love to bless us, and help us recognize your blessings in the smallest of ways as well as the more obvious ones. 


For further study, read the rest of Deuteronomy 28. What insight can we gain concerning obedience and blessing?


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