LIVING IN THE SPIRIT

Romans 8:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. ⁶  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Sin's great origin is the nonspiritual mindset and the carnally minded heart. 

I find myself to be carnally minded, with my mind set on things of the flesh all too often.  Frustrations come when my fleshly mind is thwarted by events and circumstances.  My will is not done because the world stands between me and my desires too often. 

But when I set my mind on spiritual things, what happens to me here on earth is of little consequence.  Greater things are happening, a Greater God is in control, and my will is wrapped up in serving my Savior - come what may!  It is then that peace floods my soul, and fear, bitterness, judgment, etc. flee.  What a wonderful place to live. 

And this spiritual life is not what the world calls "spiritual."  It is what the Bible calls "spiritual."  The context of today's devotional passage reveals what the writer means by "spiritual."  He says this:  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1 (NKJV)  The contrast of the spirit "in Christ" is clearly made over against walking by the "flesh."  There is no true "spiritual" mindedness outside of Jesus Christ.  All spiritists should be put on notice by this at this point.

In truth, there is a bit of a problem with the way our lives work.  Our mindset affects our heart, and our hearts affect our mindset.  When we set our minds on the things of the flesh - the ways of this world - our heart begins to value and follow the world.  When our hearts value and follow the world, our thoughts are directed toward what we value and follow.  Likewise, if we set our minds on things above - Jesus Christ - our hearts are transformed from valuing earthly things to become delighted with heavenly things.  And our minds will follow.  We are also told to take every thought captive to Christ (2Corinthians 10:5).  For then, our hearts will also be captive to Him! 

And that's Just A Thought for today!  May the Lord bless you as you keep your mind stayed on Him today.

Set Your Sail

"When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself." -

2Sa_5:24

It is through continual and faithful prayer that one keeps his sail up for the Spiritual wind that moves both the Christian and the "tops of the mulberry trees." By continual and faithful prayer, the sail is open, and the wind merely need to catch it. There is little preparation, but to turn the sail to catch the wind as it stirs. At such times, there is a special power to prayer, special strength to life, and a special understanding of the Scriptures that delights the believer, empowering him for a unique and wonderful service in the Lord. It is walking in the light as He is in the light. It is the hope of all who serve Him.

But it is also that continual prayer that is so necessary. We must pull hard at times until the wind blow. It is through the tough times of prayer that evil habits are destroyed, the hard work of striving with God is accomplished, and great faith is developed. Let us not grow weary, but pull all the harder, lest we be found unprepared when the wind blows "in the tops of the mulberry trees."

You ask for a movement of the Holy Spirit? Then prepare yourself by setting your sail and freeing yourself from the moorings of sin, that when He answers your prayer, you are ready to go where He sends and do as He bids.

A Visit From God

Bible Reading: (Psalms 33:13)

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

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How very marvelous and loving it is of the Lord to visit us from His glorious throne on High! Our hearts should throb at the thought that He loves us so much that He would not destroy us without first a visit with us personally. He came to Sodom and Gomorrah because He cared. He came to Moses and the Hebrews (including the Egyptians). He visited with love and patience in person all of the Jews and Gentiles in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. He not only hears our hearts cry for union with Him, but He has responded with a personal visit.

Don't think He has stopped His visits. He still comes personally to all who believe - in the form of the Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus Christ personally. This comforter is also a counselor, friend, and prayer warrior. He leads us and corrects us, teaches us and loves us.

Our hearts must respond with love and affection for the Lord who cares for us when we are dying and crying out to Him - because He hears and visits us with His reconciliation. He knows the numbers of hairs on our heads, orders our way, and leads us to Himself. He not only cares about our temporary needs, but our eternal ones - spanning the great gulf between the mortal and immortal, the finite and the infinite - to address our spiritual concerns as well. He sees and cries with those who weep; responding with pity and grace. He answers our prayers, and our faith moves Him on our behalf.

May our faith in Him grow and our love for Him increase because we have been visited by Him this morning in prayer.

Bro. Greg

The "Experimental Theologian"

Bible Reading: (Galatians 5:25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

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Have you ever seen a many walk in private but not in public? Of course not - or you wouldn't have seen him walk at all. So it is with one's faith in Christ: it cannot be merely private as so many these days require. The expectation of the world upon the Believer is to walk worthy of his profession of faith lest he be labeled "hypocrite." Putting these two expectations together is to expect the impossible - an invisible faith that cannot be seen in the public square, but so genuine that everything in life is affected by it.

C.H. Spurgeon says that we can become a master of "experimental theology" - experiencing our faith in our lives. This is the opposite of "hypothetical theology" where one's faith is not lived, but merely discussed or thought about. One person (I don't remember who) said that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." That means that the experience of a walk of obedience to the Spirit is essential.

To live in the Spirit is to walk in the Spirit. There is an essential connection between our faith and our behavior. If the Spirit is our guide, then where He leads, we must follow; what He commands, we must do. Nothing less will suffice. No amount of ritual can replace obedience. No amount of self-directed work will take us where only the Spirit of God can lead. Following our own road is not the same as following the Road of God. His righteousness is not duplicated by human effort, but by Holy faith.

Saying we believe and living our faith are as connected as a foundation and the building raised over it. The foundation of profession offers no shelter. The building of a life lived by faith proves the suitability of the foundation of profession. Since you are a Believer, live like a Believer. Since you have the Spirit of God within you, changing you, and cleansing you - then live as though this were happening to you.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading:

(Psalms 84:6) Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

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C. H. Spurgeon notes an interesting observation: The pilgrims passed through the area digging wells for others to benefit from - but the wells are not filled by the pilgrims; they are filled from above, an act of divine grace! Today, may we take note of some of the wells that have been dug for us by Christians who have preceded us in this life - and see the hand of God in filling those wells for us for our use today by His Grace.

• The Church. This "well" we call the church is for our benefit of learning of our Savior, practicing our faith, worshiping in a more glorious way, and reaching our world for Christ. But how is this well filled? Not from the "bottom up" - which would be by worldly recruiting methods, moving to an entertainment focus. Rather, the church is filled from above, with divinely transformed lives and spirit-led believers. Are you transformed and spirit-led?
• Hospitals. Many hospitals are founded by believers for the purpose of compassionately caring for the sick and wounded in our society. The believers may dig this well, but true healing - the blessing within the well - comes from above. Praise the Lord and trust the Lord for this wonderful well full of His power.
• Schools. Like the well of the hospital, many schools and universities are begun by Christians. Learning is the result of discipleship, but truth and wisdom come from above. Schools that are filled with the Lord's blessing are schools that are filled with His truth and wisdom. They are not dry wells of worldly thought. But those who consume the Divine blessing of Truth and Wisdom are those who are regenerated and counseled by the Holy Spirit.
• Relief Work and Social Organizations. By this, I mean disaster relief and orphanages, food banks, clothes closets, etc. These "wells" are filled with an attempt to meet a physical need in hopes of a chance to meet the deeper spiritual need - salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. These wells can run dry of the gospel presentation without the help of the Lord. Such a "dry" well finds its ministry limited at best - for the converted soul is an eternal soul.

These are just a few of the wells that Believers have dug - but the Lord fills. Will you prayerfully consider how God may use you to either dig or fill a well through your service to the Lord? What will He have you to do? Do you have need of the blessing of the Lord in your life? Will you return to the well of blessing that the Lord has filled and believers have prepared for you?

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Bro. Greg

Morning Devotions

Bible Reading: Exo 25:6

In a day of electricity, oil for our lamps seems a bit removed. However, there is something to be said by the biblical picture of using oil for the light. Better than candles, the pure olive oil that was used gave a clearer flame, brighter and more effective - or so I am told. It is what God would allow in the temple for the lamp of worship. Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. It reveals much about our relationship to the Lord. May we will allow the symbolism of the illustration to teach us?

Oil is the force that gives the lamp its purpose. So the believer derives his purpose from the presence of the Holy Spirit. Oil must be pure for the best light. So the believer must not allow any impurities into his heart to dim the light of the Holy Spirit shining through and in him. Oil can be found in many places, but only one will do. Oil may be bought, borrowed, or taken from petroleum, nuts, fish; what have you. But only the extra pure, extra virgin olive oil is acceptable to God. So it is that our pretenses, our attempts to earn God's approval through ritual, special deeds of kindness, or service to the church will not do. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." - Rom 14:23 Only the pure force of the Holy Spirit will suffice to make our spiritual light shine acceptably to our Lord who made us to be the light of the world.

Oil resides within. The Holy Spirit must dwell within or the light will burn out. He is a never-ending supply. We cannot dip our wicks into the church and burn for long. We need the presence of the Holy Spirit each and every moment during the week. It is He who teaches us how to burn. It is He who opens the hearts of those around us to let in the Holy Light of Divine truth. It is He who empowers us to accomplish what He will, and He who leads us through the trials and temptations of life. We must not let anything else in but Him, and we must be sure to live by His power alone.

May your day be one that shines bright with the flame of the Holy Spirit, boldly declaring the good news of Jesus Christ to all who are around you this day.

Bro. Greg