October 14th 2018
As A Believer You Have The Holy Spirit Directing Your Life, If You Will Allow It!
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
How can we become more Christ-like? The Bible offers everyone the information needed for us to become more Christ-like, but this transformation cannot start until you commit your life to the task of wanting to be transformed by coming to know Jesus. Since we do not have the opportunity of following Jesus around, as the original disciples did, we must learn about Jesus by studying the Bible. Note, here it says study, not just read the Bible. This practice of studying the Bible MUST be a daily commitment not just a when I get extra time I’ll read it plan. What is your plan for getting to know Jesus? In the selected verse Paul exhorts believers to never be ashamed of the Bible, as “it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!” Of course, this power is only available to those who choose to believe it.
Shortly after Jesus arose from the dead, two people were walking on the road to Emmaus, when Jesus joined them, and He told them about the prophesies He had just fulfilled. He then joined them to eat a meal. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:30-32). It certainly is true we will not have Jesus opening the Scriptures to us in this lifetime, but we do have the promise of the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we are reading, when we read the Scriptures. But the Counsellor, 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:26-29)
Jesus told His disciples (us) about this Holy Spirit God will send to us. Jesus said, “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.” Jesus also told us He will return to be with His followers sometime in the future. Jesus said, "You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.” Are you praying for His return to come soon, as I am? Remember this Holy Spirit will also help us to choose the correct words when we pray. Paul wrote about this to us and the church in Rome. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)
Now going back to the idea of becoming more Christ-like in this cursed world, we certainly need the help of this Holy Spirit, which God has sent to His children. Peter wrote for us about how we can attach to this Holy Spirit in our everyday life. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Peter 1:4-8). Peter wrote, “he (our Lord Jesus Christ) has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Note that believers have been given an escape route to be able to avoid the evils of this world that appear so enticing. If we practice what we preach, so to speak, and try to walk the good walk, then we may be able to see the speck in our brother or sisters’ eye. As Peter wrote, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, are you working on becoming more Christ-like by claiming these promises Jesus has made to those who are truly trying to follow Him in this cursed world? It is a heart issue for each of us, as we need to continue to learn more about who Jesus is, and how He lived in this same cursed world. An old adage comes to mind here something like, “History repeats itself, if we did not learn from it.”
We read about Samuel and when he was sent by the Lord to anoint a new king for Israel, he was confused by the good physical appearance of some of the candidates. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1Samuel 16:6-7). The Lord told Samuel, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." While we may not be able to truly view the heart of another member of mankind, we need to try and discern the character of the person and how they are directed by their heart.
We will be voting for the candidates in local elections soon, try your best to avoid the slanderous ad campaigns, which likely turn you against all the candidates. Try to find out some truth about the people who are seeking office, and vote your heart, based on their heart. While it is likely difficult to ascertain the truth from election ads it is still important for you to vote. I believe the Holy Spirit will direct believers to cast the most probable correct ballot. It is very important then that believers vote. Try to get help from the Holy Spirit too on the issues, as again believers have the best chance to make the best choice.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Romans 1:16 (NIV)
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
How can we become more Christ-like? The Bible offers everyone the information needed for us to become more Christ-like, but this transformation cannot start until you commit your life to the task of wanting to be transformed by coming to know Jesus. Since we do not have the opportunity of following Jesus around, as the original disciples did, we must learn about Jesus by studying the Bible. Note, here it says study, not just read the Bible. This practice of studying the Bible MUST be a daily commitment not just a when I get extra time I’ll read it plan. What is your plan for getting to know Jesus? In the selected verse Paul exhorts believers to never be ashamed of the Bible, as “it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!” Of course, this power is only available to those who choose to believe it.
Shortly after Jesus arose from the dead, two people were walking on the road to Emmaus, when Jesus joined them, and He told them about the prophesies He had just fulfilled. He then joined them to eat a meal. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:30-32). It certainly is true we will not have Jesus opening the Scriptures to us in this lifetime, but we do have the promise of the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we are reading, when we read the Scriptures. But the Counsellor, 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. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” (John 14:26-29)
Jesus told His disciples (us) about this Holy Spirit God will send to us. Jesus said, “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.” Jesus also told us He will return to be with His followers sometime in the future. Jesus said, "You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.” Are you praying for His return to come soon, as I am? Remember this Holy Spirit will also help us to choose the correct words when we pray. Paul wrote about this to us and the church in Rome. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)
Now going back to the idea of becoming more Christ-like in this cursed world, we certainly need the help of this Holy Spirit, which God has sent to His children. Peter wrote for us about how we can attach to this Holy Spirit in our everyday life. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Peter 1:4-8). Peter wrote, “he (our Lord Jesus Christ) has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Note that believers have been given an escape route to be able to avoid the evils of this world that appear so enticing. If we practice what we preach, so to speak, and try to walk the good walk, then we may be able to see the speck in our brother or sisters’ eye. As Peter wrote, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, are you working on becoming more Christ-like by claiming these promises Jesus has made to those who are truly trying to follow Him in this cursed world? It is a heart issue for each of us, as we need to continue to learn more about who Jesus is, and how He lived in this same cursed world. An old adage comes to mind here something like, “History repeats itself, if we did not learn from it.”
We read about Samuel and when he was sent by the Lord to anoint a new king for Israel, he was confused by the good physical appearance of some of the candidates. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD." But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1Samuel 16:6-7). The Lord told Samuel, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." While we may not be able to truly view the heart of another member of mankind, we need to try and discern the character of the person and how they are directed by their heart.
We will be voting for the candidates in local elections soon, try your best to avoid the slanderous ad campaigns, which likely turn you against all the candidates. Try to find out some truth about the people who are seeking office, and vote your heart, based on their heart. While it is likely difficult to ascertain the truth from election ads it is still important for you to vote. I believe the Holy Spirit will direct believers to cast the most probable correct ballot. It is very important then that believers vote. Try to get help from the Holy Spirit too on the issues, as again believers have the best chance to make the best choice.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
|
|
|