He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37 [HCSB]
What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. 1 Corinthians 14:15 [HCSB]
That the mind must love, that the intellectual nature also has its affections which it must give to God; this, perhaps, seems to us… strange; certainly it is less familiar.…
The glory of this part of His commandment… seems to me to be in this assurance which it gives us that God, the Father of men, is not satisfied if His children give Him simply gratitude for His mercies or the most loyal obedience to His will; but that He wants also, as the fulfillment of their love to Him, the enthusiastic use of their intellects, intent to know everything that it is possible for men to know about their Father and His ways. That is what… is meant by loving God with the mind.… “Understand me! understand me!” He seems to cry; “I am not wholly loved by you unless your understanding is reaching out after my truth.”…
They always have loved God best, they are loving God best today, who gaze upon Him with wide-open eyes; who, conscious of their ignorance and weakness, more conscious of it the more they try to know, yet do try with all the powers He has given them, to understand all that they possibly can of Him and His ways. - Phillips Brooks, Sermons Preached in English Churches
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Reaching to Others
You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:34 (HCSB)
The young girl, with her family, moved from church to church with some regularity. It was always with pain that she moved into a new Sunday School. Feeling like an outsider was embarrassing. She didn’t know the ropes, and it made her feel rejected before anybody even had the chance to reject her.
It’s not just pre-adolescent self-consciousness that makes us feel that way. Every day in our churches, at our jobs, at the PTA, in our neighborhood, there are people feeling like outsiders. Further, the brokenness of our society causes even those of us who seem “connected” to feel alienated from one another.
Our Lord commands us to be His representatives to integrate those who feel ostracized into the protecting greenhouse of His love and care. It’s our arms that reach out for Him. It’s our words that draw them in.
Are you reaching? To whom?
The young girl, with her family, moved from church to church with some regularity. It was always with pain that she moved into a new Sunday School. Feeling like an outsider was embarrassing. She didn’t know the ropes, and it made her feel rejected before anybody even had the chance to reject her.
It’s not just pre-adolescent self-consciousness that makes us feel that way. Every day in our churches, at our jobs, at the PTA, in our neighborhood, there are people feeling like outsiders. Further, the brokenness of our society causes even those of us who seem “connected” to feel alienated from one another.
Our Lord commands us to be His representatives to integrate those who feel ostracized into the protecting greenhouse of His love and care. It’s our arms that reach out for Him. It’s our words that draw them in.
Are you reaching? To whom?
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Becoming the "Filth of the World"
We have been made as the filth of the world...
1 Corinthians 4:13
1 Corinthians 4:13
These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or "filth of the world." "Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ..." (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration - being "separated to the gospel of God..." (Romans 1:1).
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you..." (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, "I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend." And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the "skin of your teeth" if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is "separated to the gospel..." Or you can say, "I don’t care if I am treated like ’the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed." A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but "to reveal His Son in me..." (Galatians 1:16). - Oswald Chamber, My Utmost For His Highest
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Peace
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble. Psalm 119:165 [Holman Christian Standard Bible]
Peace—it is the ever-elusive, all-consuming desire of every person. It always seems just beyond our reach and an impossible goal in a world gone mad. But this Scripture gives a promise for peace that can easily be realized by anyone. It says that if we love God’s Word, we will have peace.
The word for “peace” used here is the well-known Hebrew word shalom. We tend to think of shalom merely as a simple greeting. It does, of course, mean peace, safety, and tranquility. Yet inherent in the meaning of the word is completeness, wholeness, health, prosperity, fullness, rest, and harmony. Thus peace is much more than the absence of war and conflict; it is the wholeness that the entire human race seeks.
Where do we need the wholeness of God’s peace in our lives? As we fall in love with His Word, peace will naturally be the by-product.
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.
Peace—it is the ever-elusive, all-consuming desire of every person. It always seems just beyond our reach and an impossible goal in a world gone mad. But this Scripture gives a promise for peace that can easily be realized by anyone. It says that if we love God’s Word, we will have peace.
The word for “peace” used here is the well-known Hebrew word shalom. We tend to think of shalom merely as a simple greeting. It does, of course, mean peace, safety, and tranquility. Yet inherent in the meaning of the word is completeness, wholeness, health, prosperity, fullness, rest, and harmony. Thus peace is much more than the absence of war and conflict; it is the wholeness that the entire human race seeks.
Where do we need the wholeness of God’s peace in our lives? As we fall in love with His Word, peace will naturally be the by-product.
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.
Monday, January 11, 2010
God's Direction
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 [HCSB]
I love the personality suggested by the pronoun in the text: He will guide you on the right paths. Behind the “He” of the ancient preacher is the God of the Bible. Because that is so, the “He” trembles with the tenderness of the Father’s love. No evil can baffle if He directs the path.… No opposition can overcome if He direct.…
He has many ways of directing. He directs by obstacles placed across the way which I cannot overcome, and which drive me into a new way. He directs by clearing the obstacles away, which I thought could not be moved. He directs by delay, keeping me waiting long after I have heard His call to service. He directs by immediateness, flinging me out into a new position, wherein I must seek His guidance.… I state these contradictory things in order to throw you back upon this profound conviction; not from me nor from any man, must you take your rule of His direction. You must discover the rule for yourself in immediate relationship with Him. - G. Campbell Morgan, The Westminster Pulpit
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.
I love the personality suggested by the pronoun in the text: He will guide you on the right paths. Behind the “He” of the ancient preacher is the God of the Bible. Because that is so, the “He” trembles with the tenderness of the Father’s love. No evil can baffle if He directs the path.… No opposition can overcome if He direct.…
He has many ways of directing. He directs by obstacles placed across the way which I cannot overcome, and which drive me into a new way. He directs by clearing the obstacles away, which I thought could not be moved. He directs by delay, keeping me waiting long after I have heard His call to service. He directs by immediateness, flinging me out into a new position, wherein I must seek His guidance.… I state these contradictory things in order to throw you back upon this profound conviction; not from me nor from any man, must you take your rule of His direction. You must discover the rule for yourself in immediate relationship with Him. - G. Campbell Morgan, The Westminster Pulpit
Spirit Filled Life Daily Devotional Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1993.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Object of a New Year
The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. - G.K. Chesterton
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective. Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. - G.K. Chesterton
New Year's Countdown 3
Receive with meekness the implanted word. James 1:21
God’s Word is the source of wisdom for living, the standard of holiness for character, and the strength of the human spirit as truth. This Book, breathed by the Holy Spirit, is the foundation for our building, the fortress for our defense, and the food for our sustenance. Too much cannot be said about God’s Word.
But too little can be done.
Only as I feed daily, and only as I receive in humility what the Word says about me, does this divine masterpiece take effect. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were experts in knowing the Word but failures in receiving it. So, on the brink of a New Year, lay plans for reading through the Word. But also plan to let it read through you too. Its saving power, which saves us from confusion, error, and failure just as surely as its truth saves our eternal souls, depends on such reception.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
God’s Word is the source of wisdom for living, the standard of holiness for character, and the strength of the human spirit as truth. This Book, breathed by the Holy Spirit, is the foundation for our building, the fortress for our defense, and the food for our sustenance. Too much cannot be said about God’s Word.
But too little can be done.
Only as I feed daily, and only as I receive in humility what the Word says about me, does this divine masterpiece take effect. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were experts in knowing the Word but failures in receiving it. So, on the brink of a New Year, lay plans for reading through the Word. But also plan to let it read through you too. Its saving power, which saves us from confusion, error, and failure just as surely as its truth saves our eternal souls, depends on such reception.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
New Year's Countdown 2
But we all… are being transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18
The Bible gives a context to the liberated life: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!” But it quickly describes exactly how the Holy Spirit works to create and sustain the freedom of His Kingdom. Study this amplification of our text.
“But we all (everyone of us deciding for ourselves), with unveiled face (not hiding behind pretense or cowering from God’s dealings with us), beholding as in a mirror (which is the Word of God) the glory of the Lord (which is the Son of God), are being transformed (that is, progressing from stage to stage as a creature undergoes metamorphosis—a caterpillar to a cocoon to a butterfly) into the same image (of Jesus, our Master, Model, and Savior) from glory to glow (or from one stage of His grace and character to ever-expanding dimensions of the same) just as by the Spirit of the Lord (for it is only by His presence, power, and perfecting work that such a change can happen!).”
Anyone willing to be freed and changed that way is destined to a great new year!
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
The Bible gives a context to the liberated life: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!” But it quickly describes exactly how the Holy Spirit works to create and sustain the freedom of His Kingdom. Study this amplification of our text.
“But we all (everyone of us deciding for ourselves), with unveiled face (not hiding behind pretense or cowering from God’s dealings with us), beholding as in a mirror (which is the Word of God) the glory of the Lord (which is the Son of God), are being transformed (that is, progressing from stage to stage as a creature undergoes metamorphosis—a caterpillar to a cocoon to a butterfly) into the same image (of Jesus, our Master, Model, and Savior) from glory to glow (or from one stage of His grace and character to ever-expanding dimensions of the same) just as by the Spirit of the Lord (for it is only by His presence, power, and perfecting work that such a change can happen!).”
Anyone willing to be freed and changed that way is destined to a great new year!
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Year's Countdown 1
Love… hopes all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 [NKJV]
Today, begin a “countdown” to the beginning of the New Year. Let each point—each day—become a milestone as you “depart another way,” leaving the past behind and welcoming the Holy Spirit’s ministry to bring a glorious newness to your soul. These days, let us look at the themes of love, power, transformation, the Word, and faith: milestone markers.
Open this day and these days with a full-hearted, special welcome to the Holy Spirit to flush, to fill and to flow through your heart with love. He can and will send a surge of love, according to God’s Word (Rom. 5:5). It will come in gushing, rushing rivers (John 7:37–39) and remove every obstruction to our being perfected in a love for Christ, a love for God’s Word, a love for the lost, a love for the unlovely, and a love for those who have wounded us. He changes our attitude and outlook—hope for tomorrow becomes more than a wish. Love begets a hope that is confident.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Today, begin a “countdown” to the beginning of the New Year. Let each point—each day—become a milestone as you “depart another way,” leaving the past behind and welcoming the Holy Spirit’s ministry to bring a glorious newness to your soul. These days, let us look at the themes of love, power, transformation, the Word, and faith: milestone markers.
Open this day and these days with a full-hearted, special welcome to the Holy Spirit to flush, to fill and to flow through your heart with love. He can and will send a surge of love, according to God’s Word (Rom. 5:5). It will come in gushing, rushing rivers (John 7:37–39) and remove every obstruction to our being perfected in a love for Christ, a love for God’s Word, a love for the lost, a love for the unlovely, and a love for those who have wounded us. He changes our attitude and outlook—hope for tomorrow becomes more than a wish. Love begets a hope that is confident.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Visitation 1
The Dayspring from on high has visited us. Luke 1:78 [NKJV]
Has it occurred to you that God foresaw the eventual worldwide celebration His Son’s birth would bring about? He did! Contrary to the debunker’s refusal to enjoy a holy spirit of celebration, God seems to delight in creating festive times for His people. An entire “string of lights,” so to speak, was assembled by Him in the Old Testament where He ordered feast-times on an average of every two or three months!
Of course, carnal and commercial celebrations miss the point of Christmas—we all know and acknowledge that. But do not let the Scrooge spirit overthrow the Holy Spirit’s desire to awaken fresh expectancy and joy in your heart at this precious season.
God has visited us! That “the Word became flesh” brought about a new day. “Dayspring” means “dawn,” and as we approach Christmas this year, do so by welcoming the Holy Spirit’s rise with fresh joy, hope, and love.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
Has it occurred to you that God foresaw the eventual worldwide celebration His Son’s birth would bring about? He did! Contrary to the debunker’s refusal to enjoy a holy spirit of celebration, God seems to delight in creating festive times for His people. An entire “string of lights,” so to speak, was assembled by Him in the Old Testament where He ordered feast-times on an average of every two or three months!
Of course, carnal and commercial celebrations miss the point of Christmas—we all know and acknowledge that. But do not let the Scrooge spirit overthrow the Holy Spirit’s desire to awaken fresh expectancy and joy in your heart at this precious season.
God has visited us! That “the Word became flesh” brought about a new day. “Dayspring” means “dawn,” and as we approach Christmas this year, do so by welcoming the Holy Spirit’s rise with fresh joy, hope, and love.
Hayford, Jack; and Middlebrook, Sam, Living the Spirit Filled Life, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1992.
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