Monday
Finding God’s Presence
Read John 14:15-30
Have you ever had people tell you that they loved you but you where not sure because they didn’t even know you? Has someone said they loved you but never asked what they could do for you or demonstrated that love? These people had no part in your heart, hurts, dreams, desires or life. They said it but they did not demonstrate it with their lives. Jesus said that there would be many who would call Him Lord, Lord but they did not know Him. Why because they did not know Him in an intimate way. They were trying to work for Him without working with Him. God does not want employees but intimate partners. Jesus tells his disciples in these verses that those who really love Him would obey him. He talks about love that is demonstrated through three ways of obedience. Obeying His command, has His commands, and His teachings.
His command is to love and believe in Him. His commands are the obedience to the daily promptings of the Holy Spirit. His teachings are the things he taught and are brought to our remembrance by the Holy Spirit. Jesus closes by saying that the world must learn that I love the Father and obey what He commands. If you love him show it. We can only know His Presence and see him working when we obey what He says to us.
Scripture For Thought: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT)
Action Plan: When you are alone, in the car, in your room or where ever you are; be quiet and listen to what God is saying to you and then obey.
Declaration: The Helper helps me obey what God commands.
Tuesday
Jesus The Baptizer
Read John 7:34-39
Seed Thought: Being born again is the first step to committing to Jesus. This must be done before we can completely receive His Spirit fully. Scripture makes it clear that Jesus Himself is the only one who can baptize us in the Spirit. We cannot receive the Spirit in any other way, except by Jesus the Baptizer….
Scripture For Thought: Even I didn’t recognize him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit coming down and resting is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John 1:33. (Common English Bible)
Action Plan: Spend time reflecting on your life. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Do you believe what you say you do? Ask God to show you anything in your life that may keep you from fully receiving His Spirit and Life. Ask God to cleanse your heart and prepare it to be a dwelling place for Him.
Declaration: With joyous anticipation I receive all that God has for my life.
Wednesday
Reaching For The Towel And Basin Of Water
Read John 13:3-17
Seed Thought: People line up to do the tasks that are considered important, glamorous, or respected. But Jesus showed humility by doing the task that no one wanted to do. He washed the disciples' feet -- a dirty job usually performed by the lowest ranking person in the room. Was Jesus the lowest ranking person? No. He was Lord and Teacher. He knew he would soon be at the Father's side in heaven. Did he think it was too lowly a task for him to do? No. Are there tasks that we won't do because they are lowly? Because they are dirty? Because they are unpleasant or hard? But aren't those the jobs that most need to be done? And won't God reward those who do His work? We need to be willing to do whatever is needed. Jesus was not only willing, he prepared himself to do this service. Have we made plans to serve others?
“The Holy Spirit will not come to us in His fullness until we see and agree to His priority……His passion for ministry. He will accept no excuses about our inadequacy in anyway. Giving adequacy is His business.”(The Helper)
Scripture For Thought: Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands, and support the unsteady knees. Say to those who are panicking: “Be strong! Don’t fear! Here’s your God, coming with vengeance; with divine retribution God will come to save you.” (Common English Bible)
Action Plan: As He plunges us in over our heads ask: Are we ready to give ourselves to others? What can I do to prepare to serve others? What talents, resources, and services can I provide? What role does love play in my service to others?
Declaration: Holy Spirit plunge me over my head, I know you will give me more than enough!
Thursday
Rising To New Life
Read Acts 8:25-40
Seed Thought: Everywhere you look these days someone is writing and publishing a self help book “How to Beat Anger” “Kick Your Smoking Habit” “Lose Ten Pounds In 10 Days” the list just goes on. Many of us have even been so arrogant to think that we can work ourselves out the sin we have in our lives, many times we have bargained, set up impossible standards for ourselves, It is useless for us to try and rid ourselves of our bad habits.
We must come to the realization that we must embrace the Cross. With the Cross, God wiped out the old creation that was flawed in Eden. The Good News is that not only Jesus died on that Cross, but we and our imperfect despicable nature also died with Him.
Scripture For Thought: With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. Romans 8:1(The Message)
Action Plan: The Helper has revealed what it means to baptized into Jesus’ death. Now it is time to let go of our old tired efforts at self improvement. It is now time to experience leaving old self and bask in the joy of rising to a new life in the Spirit.
Declaration: Today I claim a new life in You Lord!
Friday
Accept God’s Grace
Read John 3:1-21
Seed Thought: Ask and receive by accepting the grace of God, we accept God's plan for us in our lives. We now can wake up every morning in gracious uncertainty knowing that we are in God's plan and looking forward to His plan unfolding in our lives each day. 1 John 3:2 advises us on how we are sons of God living in God's grace. Our acceptance of God's grace is not a one-time event for us. God's plan for His grace and our acceptance of His grace is for us to dwell in love continually.
Scripture For Thought: “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Luke 11: 11,13(Common English Bible)
Action Plan: Have you accepted God’s great promise? Have you allowed God to do His work through you? Ask Father God what changes you need to make to be His vessel.
Declaration: Lord I accept your Grace, I welcome the Helper fully and completely in my life. I am at Your service.
The Weekender
Looking Back
Today is the day that we take time to look back on what we have learned this past week. To reflect on what the Holy Spirit has highlighted in our lives and how we can implement the changes needed in our lives to be fully all we can be.
Father, we ask that you bring back remembrance of changes and what we need to do to change in our life to be fully who and what you have purposed us to be in your kingdom, Father thank you for being at work in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen
Take a few moments and Journal what the Father is speaking to you:
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