The House You're Building

Prayer Prompt: Lord, empower me to live by the Spirit and seek after things that lead to life and freedom. Read: Romans 8 Introduction:   Ever play spiritual tug of war?   There is no end to this game.   Even the most mature among us experience the intense stress of internal angst.   This familiar passage leading up to chapter 8 rings true.     I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best in...

For God, who said Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ    -Corinthians 4:6 I’ve had some full out battles this week with my number one enemy: myself.   I like to deal in sabotage.   It’s my best tactic.   Through the creative arsenal at my disposal I have no chance against myself.   For the   enemy, my sin-nature, has too much “central intelligence.”   It knows my weaknesses and the things to exploit that I perceive as strength.   How can I be so blind to that which prowls without ceasing inside.   I need not go out of self to reap my own destruction. Inside is a civil war. Minutes after time with God we are thrust back into the ripe fray; the targets our own thoughts, actions, and feelings.   But this battle is covert and I fight this desire to keep it hidden because of pride.   The enemy whispers not to call...

Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me obey You right away; give me faith in Your plan for me. Read for Context: Acts 10 Introduction:   What would your first thought be if you heard Osama Bin Laden became a Christian?   Or a serial killer?   Those may seem like extreme examples, but it may help us to see that there are just some people who to our limited vision seem unreachable to God.   If the Spirit were to come to you, and ask you to spend time with people who you had grown up avoiding, were taught to never associate with, how would you act?   Would you go?   When we read this chapter we may miss the radical statement Peter was making and the proof of the strength of his faith because we don’t think like a Jew and weren’t raised with the social boundaries God put around His people to keep them holy.   But through the cross, the divide is gone.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for yo...

And He said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.   And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.   And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the in the fire.   And after the fire the sound of a low whisper…and behold there came a voice… 1 Kings 19:11-13 Lately in my life a theme has overtaken the senses of my soul.   A gentle stirring, a small whisper, for this is God’s voice.   He doesn’t yell to be heard.   He doesn’t have to.   He is unlimited and communicates in a small voice because He wants us to stop and savor His words.   Like a mother longs to talk to her children, not shout to get their attention.   To sing soft lullabies when enamored by a sleeping babe.   The look in a man’s eyes who beholds his beloved.   W...

Prayer Prompt:   Lord, may I experience your power in my life. Read: Acts 2 Introduction: Miracles in the bible can become mundane if we don’t think about what it would really be like if we were there.   We picture bible narratives in felt-board versions and Sunday school coloring pages.   But if you were Moses and you saw a bush on fire, yet not consumed, it would be astounding.   Whenever someone is visited by an angel, the angel says “don’t be afraid” because there was reason to fear.   Proverbs 9:10 says The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom .   Though fearing Him makes us uncomfortable, if we ponder who He really is and the power being His being we come away changed.   Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire Hebrews 12:28-29.   Let us dive into the Holy Spirit’s entrance… Study: Acts...

Prayer Prompt: Lord, guide me into truth and help me to bear fruit in response to Your word. Read: John 16 Introduction:   Like last time, Jesus is talking with his disciples, knowing He is going to shortly be betrayed and crucified.   This chapter is continuing the conversation He is having with them in what we studied last time, chapter 14.   In verse 7 is a shocking statement, that Jesus leaving is better for them because if He leaves the Holy Spirit can come.   Imagine being in that room and hearing Jesus, the one you have left everything for, say that it’s better for you if He’s gone.   He has just come into town on a donkey (more donkeys…God uses donkey’s a lot…random…or not…) and the crowds cheered him with palm tree branches (John 12:13).   They had hoped their promised Messiah would be an earthly ruler who would take back the government so they would not be under occupation any longer (Isaiah 9:7) Soon they will be a frenzied mob calling for His de...

This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life -1 Thess 4:11 I thought I’d mix things up and share something I’ve been learning a lot about lately: balance.   This verse above has been in my head quite a lot as I’ve been feeling different demands start to pull on me.   All of us have so many different responsibilities and interests that take our time; from family life and work, to hobbies and social events.   It seems like the calendar in my house is often running the show.   In this chapter Paul is writing about how Christians should live.   The word ambition means to be fond of honor, strive to bring something to pass and make a certain state your aim.   Then a few words later Paul then describes the tone of our day-to-day life as quiet.   This doesn’t mean you should be shy or a doormat, but to rest, cease from labor, not to be running around, to say nothing and hold one’s peace (this is my constant need!).   A friend once shared that you ...

Prayer Prompt: Lord, give me the faith to ask for Your will in my life and to obey You to show I love You. Read for Context: John 14 Introduction: All of us at some point have felt alone when it comes to our time with God in day-to-day life.   We might feel like we pray or read the Word but don’t sense anything in return.   The answers or His presence may seem to allude us.   In this passage Jesus was with His disciples but He knew He was leaving.   He wanted to give them hope and comfort for the times ahead when they felt alone and abandoned.   Though He wouldn’t be there in body, He would in spirit through the Spirit!   He promises the diciples that they will do greater things, that He will answer their prayers, but most importantly that He will be with them.   If you feel alone in any circumstance remember He said these things for your hope too.   Study: John 14:12-17; 26-28 ·          If you were to give...

Prayer Prompt: Lord, show me the areas of my heart that aren’t completely Yours and enable me to undertake true repentance. Read for Context: Matthew 3:1-4:11 Introduction: When is the last time you have felt unworthy?  Where you got an incredible gift or compliment that humbled you?  I am entering a season in my spiritual walk where I am consciously aware of being undeserving.  A keen awareness of our smallness and God’s bigness is a freeing feeling-something the world can’t understand.  It feels good to know you are kept completely safe in huge and powerful arms.  The Holy Spirit speaks life into our souls when He gently tells us despite our failings it’s the way He has chosen to work.  John experienced this in the desert as Christ came to Him to be baptized.  The Spirit’s conviction always brings us closer to God and His presence confirms we are accepted and loved.  If the voices you sense push you away from the cross, this is not the voice o...

Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me claim my inheritance with confidence in Your will for my life Read for Context: 1 Samuel 10 Introduction: Donkeys.  All of this happened because of donkeys.  Well really all of this happened because of God and He used lost donkeys to connect Saul with His prophet Samuel to anoint him king.  It always baffles me, how God does work everything together for His good purpose (Rom 8:28). Samuel was a judge (as in the days of Sampson as we studied last time) and as he grew older appointed his sons to take over.  They didn’t follow the Lord like Samuel had done, so Israel asked God for a king.  This story is about how God took a reluctant heart and changed it.  Our God has repeated this story in many lives; it’s the business of salvation.  I hope that the eyes of your heart are opened to see when God brings a donkey your way.  Study: 1 Samuel 10: 1-10,16, 20-22, 26 ·          List all...