Trust God's plan…

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 
And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 
It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 
And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. (1 Kings 3:5–15)

My dreams are usually stories that make little sense. However, several times I’ve gone to bed with something on my mind and had a dream that made sense of it. Lately I’m trying to get more order in my life and have had amazing ideas pop up in dreams to show me how.
Solomon’s dream was awesome. He was given far more than his humble request and became famous as well as wise and wealthy. His prayer is instruction for my prayers.

First, acknowledge what God has already done — and that I do not deserve any of it. Then ask for wisdom for the day. Simple. Why this request? Because I don’t know what the day will bring.

Yesterday could not have been predicted. A server in an eating place tell me her struggles and ask me to pray for her. Another person told me she was losing her sight and God gave me words to encourage her. After that, a new friend came to chat and it felt like she was someone I have known forever. Then a stranger approached and told me of losing her Christian son a few months ago and how she had not accepted it and was not grieving. I affirmed that he was not dead, that he just moved to a different address. She joyfully agreed. God put a sparkle in her eyes and amazement in my heart.

When I came home, I knew all that was God's doing, and beyond anything I could have asked for or imagined. Nothing was planned. It just happened and I was watching it happen and being blessed as I watched Him bless those ladies.

Jesus, we talk about being used, or pray for this or that, but I like Solomon’s prayer. I just need Your wisdom and trust You to make Your plan happen without making any plans of my own.

Be careful what you pray for. . . .

And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?” ’ ” But Moses said, “The people among whom I am number six hundred thousand on foot, and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month!’ Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, and be enough for them? Or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, and be enough for them?” And the Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” (Numbers 11:18–23)

Just after Christmas I prayed asking the Lord to help me lose some weight. Shortly after that, I became ill and didn’t feel like eating for days on end. This affected my sweet tooth also, and I didn’t even want the 59 chocolates that had been gifted to me. Of course I lost weight. Also, a month off sweets seemed to kill that addiction. I’ve laughed and told my friends to be careful what they pray for…

The people of Israel liked the food they had in Egypt, even though they were in bondage there. When they whined about missing that food and were sick of eating simple manna, God gave them the meat they craved to the point of being sick of it.

I’m thinking of the parallel to Christian life. Those who follow Jesus sometimes get caught up in wanting stuff that does not fit with our profession of faith or the principles of living as God’s family. It might be an obsession to collect stuff, from salt shakers to luxury cars. It might be having the best and latest stereo or computer equipment. It could be a hobby or a sport. Not that these things are sinful (certainly eating meat is not necessarily a sin) but if they draw me or any of God’s people away from faith or away what God wants for us, it is a problem. He may correct it in a surprising manner!

Over-eating, whether it is sweets or just too much food,  is not good for my health. God desires to bless me with good health and has done so for many years. Bad habits in that or any other issue is not from Him.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24)

If I am filled with the Spirit, not filled with a pile of “I-wants” then God is at work in me and His life shows up. No self-control reveals that I have put Him aside and living as if my desires are more important that His will. Not only that, the other ‘fruit’ is missing, including love, joy, and peace.

Jesus, it bothers me when I see a brother or sister in Christ moping or suffering or complaining, as if God has forgotten them even though the opposite is usually the explanation. Selfishness can rob me from Your goodness. You can overcome that and sometimes do it by letting me have my way only to find out that it is not at all going to be a blessing. I thank You that You know exactly how to deal with my fleshy ways so that I don’t crave anything but being in a right relationship with You.

Motivation is important

One of our friends seemed driven to helping people. He admitted that he always felt like he needed to “do something” yet this attitude was affecting his health. I prayed that if something was awry, the Lord would intervene.

He did. I don’t know what, but the change is obvious. This man is settled, happier, listening to what the Lord wants done instead of being driven to help even those who don’t need help. When I read this verse today, I realized how the people of God can slide into thinking other than God wants us to think. 

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:15–16)

While these words are for those in extreme denial, I can see that to the needy, all people are needy. If I am not trusting God, I cannot see spiritual truth well. If I am overcome by a sense of uselessness, I cannot imagine feeling adequate. If I slump into feeling too unworthy to be loved by God, I can be driven to prove my value. A good dose of the gospel changes that.

For some time, I had a sense of worthlessness and my ambition to ‘be valuable’ began to drive me to say YES at times when I should have said NO — not that the task didn’t need someone to do it, but my motive to ‘do something’ was selfish. This brings no glory to Christ.

One area where this came out was a deep desire to obey the following passage. At first, I didn’t notice that it was written to a pastor, but I did notice that few older women were doing it. My ambition was to change that.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3–5)

But personal ambition is useless as well as dangerous. No one that I know of was changed by my efforts to change them. Eventually God showed me that His power is perfected in weakness, that my efforts were weak and useless, and I needed to seek Him for everything: writing this, doing daily chores, even stitching quilts, as well as talking to people, everything. Finally He gave me time with another older woman, a quiet and shy person, and behold, she is fulfilling this Titus 2 passage. 

I’m to live the gospel each day. It isn’t about personal ambition. Jesus isn’t using ‘driven’ people, only those filled with His Spirit and obedient to His voice.

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:3–8)

Most of the time obedience is nothing lavish or even things I notice, but being Spirit-filled is not a self-aware condition. It is listening and being God-aware and devoted to glorifying Jesus Christ. For some, this happens sooner rather than taking years to learn how stubborn we humans can be.

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

PRAY: Lord, I had no idea this would be Your focus for me today. My to-do list is long, and You know how often I need reminding of the importance of abiding in You. Without You, I am nothing and the effort I put out must be at Your direction — not my self-focused ambitions.

The key to His goodness

 

Yesterday I asked my husband how marriages would be different if both husband and wife were always filled with the Spirit? We agreed — no conflicts ever.

At the request of a friend, I read a book in which the author didn’t understand that concept and gave a long history of the results of men and women in conflict over who is the boss. Without the Holy Spirit, this battle will continue; with Him there is no battle.

Piper gives testimony to the unity in his church between him, his wife, and the church leaders. He says that they all have the same “husband” who is Jesus Christ. As their first commitment and common allegiance, there is no competition. All three hear the same voice and the Holy Spirit is the secret of their unity. He is their peacemaker and the power behind their desires and ideas.

In another reading, another pastor said the same things, then added the way it happens and how God works to bring that understanding. He quoted:

Then (Jesus) said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44–47)

This man’s prayer was that God would open his eyes and the eyes of all Christians to see Jesus everywhere in the Bible, to read the law of Moses, the Prophets, and the psalms with Jesus clearly in view.

He also confessed that for years he thought the law was only as a bunch of rules and principles for earning God’s favor and blessings and managing his life. Finally he understood they were given to drive him to Jesus. The law has never been a way to earn God's acceptance. Any efforts without the Holy Spirit are futile and frustrating.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Jesus fulfilled the law for us by His perfect obedience, and exhausted its judgment by His death. I have life because of His life. I cannot boast, just as I cannot do well without Him.
I’m reading the prophets but without fear of judgment for I see them the same way: those who listen and obey are able to walk in harmony with God. Those who do not will experience the consequences. He gave the “rules” to us for the same reason He gives us the “rules” in the NT — to show how badly we need to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Otherwise, we cannot obey Him, nor be like Him. Life in the flesh is doing our own thing — and that is sin.

Jesus is the “Yes” and “Amen” to every promise God has made. With Him, we can do it. In ourselves, we fall short. Reading the Bible is the way God reveals this. Of course I often learn through experience and its failures, but unless God opens my mind to understand the Scriptures, I will not ‘get it’ and be in the dark about why my life gets messed up. Too often I’ve lived my own way and made so many mistakes. Selfishness is a perfect way to be miserable.

PRAY: Jesus, continue to open my mind to understand how the entire Bible is a revelation of the gospel, of You and Your commitment to redeem Your people and restore the world. Show me more of you and my place in Your story. I’ve learned that all things are intended to transform me into Your image. That is entirely awesome. Even being able to listen to Your voice and do what You say is a great wonder. I’m deeply humbled that You transform sinners such as I to do Your will. I am overjoyed too, at such love and grace. You are incredible — and that also comes from You being willing to reveal Yourself to me. Amen.

Thinking right in a messed up world…

Is positive thinking a choice? I can remember my dad reading a book about it and how a person could do whatever they were certain they could do, thinking positively about it. We argued. I said, “No matter how much I think I could become an opera singer, that would never happen.” I won. He had heard me singing.

When it comes to listening to sermons, I have to remember that any admonishments from the pulpit are not possible in my own strength. Sure, God could change my vocal chords and make diva out of me if He wanted to, but that is not my choice or ability to assume He will. Thinking positively is good but I’m not God. 

This is something like those who say things like, “So and so would be healed if she just had more faith.” This suggests that it isn’t God who works the answers and changes our lives. Instead, it is up to me to choose it, as if I run my own life.

However, a negative attitude can move toward a positive by allowing Jesus Christ in the equation. It may not change my circumstances, but the Holy Spirit can change how I think about things.

For instance, I woke up this morning after a dream about a relative who has dementia. His spouse is trying to fix it by correcting his memory if he says something contrary to her memory. The result is tension and conflict. I thought about this for a few minutes and started to weep. What can I do to make that better? The same thing that the wife can do — nothing. Self-effort for Christians is a frustrating waste of energy.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

Yet abiding in Christ means relying on Him as my source, definitely related to living the gospel. This means knowing I cannot do anything in my own strength or according to my wants or desires or even needs is important. Being helpless actually helps me turn to Him and rely on Him to fill me with His Spirit and do His will with His power. It is like this:

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. (Colossians 2:6)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

I receive Christ by faith, knowing I could not redeem myself. He works in me so I will live the way He wants. He is my power and whatever I do apart from that is sin. The Bible says so.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

The symptoms of not abiding can be obvious. Most of them scream “I am right” or “I know what I am doing” whereas the abiding person behaves far differently. The fruit born by one who is relying on Jesus is listed above and also here:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

If any of it is missing, then I’m not abiding and have some confessing to do, mostly lack of faith in Christ and foolish faith in myself.

PRAY: Jesus, when I choose me over You, the consequences are as certain as the opposite are true when I abide. You put my heart at peace and fill me with joy. These days, the world seems filled with joy-robbers, yet You say, “I have overcome the world.” I need to cling to that truth, both for family conflicts and far larger events in this sin-sick world. Fill me. I cannot even think right without You and without knowing how You think.

Hope in this battle. . . .

Chinese martyr Watchman Nee described how being a Christian was like having two dogs fighting inside him. When asked which dog wins, he said, “The one I feed the most.” I wish it were that simple.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17)

It seems to me that feeding the right one with God's Word and obedience often increases the appetite of the other, even provokes the enemy to pollute the good food or snatch it from memory. These fighting dogs seldom take a nap.

Today’s reading spells it out. I am like all believers in God’s kingdom. I have two natures, two principles warring against one another continually. The flesh is dead in that it is separated from God and seeks ‘my way’ which is the Bible’s definition of sin.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

The living entity, far from being a dog, is the new nature given to me at salvation. It is still me, yet like a hand in a glove, it only functions when I am filled with the Holy Spirit. This is God’s work. He makes me righteous, and this nature always seeks righteousness.

This constant warfare between the flesh and the Spirit sometimes is marked by the flesh having its way resulting in sin. This sin must be confessed and turned from in repentance and true sorrow.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

This is the power of God to deliver me from the power of sin, even from its presence. Yet I cannot underestimate that old nature’s determination to have its way. The battle is constant unless I am trusting Christ alone for all my righteousness before God and am filled with the Spirit. For this, recognizing the flesh is vital.

This day’s devotional points to the psalm where the author describes what happened when he stumbled in envy of the prosperity of sinful people. Reading it helped me see some ways my flesh tries to rule my life...

Truly God is good. . . . to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled. . . . For I was envious of the prosperity of the wicked . . . .  They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. . . .   always at ease. . . . they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task. . . .  

However this changed when the psalmist took a good look at the will of God. . . .  

I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms. When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. (Psalm 73:1–28)

PRAY: Lord, how true. Even if the brutish side of me seems to be winning, You are always with me, always lifting me up, always the strength of my heart. You promise to finish the work that You started in me, and that one day, when I see You face to face, I will be like You. No more growling dog or flesh determination, only peace and joy always and forever. Let not my heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and my hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:17–18)

Ignore the old — go with the new

 
I keep preaching it — mostly to myself. Always and everywhere, put off the old nature which my daily devotional reading calls the “I” religion, and put on the new nature that is marked by the life of Christ, not that it hangs in a closet and I must go get it, but that I already have it and foolishly live at times as if I didn’t.

Because I have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set my mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For I have died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is my life appears, then I also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these I too once walked, when I was living in them. But now I must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk…. seeing that I have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:1–10, personalized)

That new nature is already mine and it is now possible to walk in its fullness:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12–15)

This passage goes on to tell me to “let the Word of Christ dwell in me richly” and is parallel to Ephesians 5 which says, “Be filled with the Spirit” who brings the same results. If I’m to be what God wants me to be, these two things are necessary: filled with the Word and filled with the Spirit, and both require me to kick out all “I” stuff, including any efforts to appear pious.

I remember thoughts during worship service where I wondered if it would look better if I raised my hands. Or did people notice that I knew the words without looking at them on the screen. Or notice that I was the only one smiling. All “I” religion stuff. Put it off.

The odd thing is that Holy Spirit stuff cannot be cataloged in the same way. If I do it, it drops into that old “I” religion because any Holy Spirit stuff is not about me. It is about others and about Jesus. Yes, focusing on Jesus brings peace and joy, love for others, and the other fruit of the Spirit, but it is not given the same attention. I might notice it, but it will not let me say anything about it except “Thank You” or think more than simply marveling at the wonder of who God is and His amazing grace.

We are experiencing answers to prayers, even experiencing prayers that fill me with wonder that such thoughts are in my heart because I’m so often focused on me and my needs. God is incredible.

PRAY: Jesus, I could think today about fatigue, the to-do list that looms like a giant mountain to climb, our varied needs, but You keep filling my mind with the way You have changed the life of a young woman who was so far from You and now praising You and wanting to serve on the worship team at our church. And You have prompted me to pray for her and for another person who badly needs physical healing and salvation. Today, spiritual armor is needed because it is part of what I’m to put on instead of wearing those sinful and dead robes that are only about me.

God is in Everything

A couple of days ago, I found the above quote and it comes to mind often. Yesterday involved a lot of driving and time with someone who does not speak much English. However, meeting another friend who is fluent in her language was a delight for the three of us. I had no idea what they talked about, but the joy on their faces was a God-thing.

Arriving home and finding God in decisions we were making and giving us ideas through others who ‘happened’ to know this or that was more of that God-thing. Seeing Him in little things makes a difference in personal choices, and the way we think about life.

Today’s reading says, “Nothing but seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes toward us, and we will even find ourselves inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring.”

While the reading goes on to link this idea as a deterrent to sin and complaining, I’m not sure that happens for everyone. Some may think that His presence means He is sternly watching all actions so they better behave rather than make Him scowl. Instead, seeing Him in all things ought to help us  realize His goodness and care. For me, it makes a difference in how I view life's extremes.

All things includes good and not so good. The flesh loves to take some credit for the good as if we made it happen or made right choices. The flesh also complains when things are not so comfortable and can even rail against it, totally forgetting that God is sovereign and has a loving and good reason for allowing any trials. Seeing Him in both extremes and everything in between produces praise and thanksgiving. It helps me to look for that good in trials and makes life a delightful adventure rather than a series of ups and downs.

Today’s reading also says I can believe God is faithful and wants good for me, not because I feel it or see it but because He says He is. This means faith enables the ability to see Him because faith is rewarded that way as my relationship with Him is deepened. He enables me to ‘just know’ that good things are happening, even before seeing or experiencing the results from trials. The Bible says that my faith forms the direction of my life. I know that doubt can prevent me from seeing His goodness, and doubt can be an inlet for all sorts of negativity, but faith enables the Holy Spirit to flood life with His fruit and when I’m filled with the Spirit, it is easy to see God in everything.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22–26)

The flesh is the source of pride, conceit, being annoyed with others or jealous of them. The Spirit is the source of what I really want: love, joy and all of the above. And the Spirit makes God visible to my heart.

PRAY: Jesus, I’m seeing so many of Your children who haven’t realized their battle with sin requires faith but also confession of doubt and fleshy living as being a huge part of redemption. Forgive the pride and send light into those who so badly need to see, not only this reality but the reality of You in all things. Keep me here. I love to see You in all things — and You making sense of the ups and downs of life.

What about the Holy Spirit?

 Various denominations have varying ideas of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Some think that when the Holy Spirit came the first time on the day of Pentecost, what happened then needs to be repeated in the life of Christians, meaning all will speak in tongues. I’m not sure if this includes the wind and fire and wondered why we need to do language study if going to a foreign mission field.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1–4)

After this, they shared the good news with all visitors who spoke different languages and they understood what was being said.

Others use a term “slain in the Spirit” and fall to the ground unable to move, yet this is not highlighted in the Bible.

The most characteristic activity of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture is to reveal God and speak for him. The prophets received messages from the Spirit of God and were empowered by him to deliver those messages to God’s people. All of Scripture was written by human authors carried along by the Spirit. The words, styles and genres are the authors’ but they’re also the words of God, inspired (breathed into them) by the Spirit of God.

At that initial filling of the Spirit, the preaching of the apostles was effective and underscored with signs and wonders. The Spirit also directed their activities by telling them whom to send where and forbidding them from entering certain territories while leading them into others.

The Spirit still teaches and sanctifies God’s people through the Word of God, giving us power over sin and conforming us to the image of Jesus, helping us live and pray as He produces ‘fruit’ in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He also gives each believer specific gifts so we edify one another. These gifts motivate us to share His teaching, encouragement, compassion, and other blessings that edify and strengthen the Body of Christ. To limit His fullness to speaking in other languages or falling on the floor seems short-sighted.

Perhaps this happens when the Bible is interpreted by experiences only. It could also happen with false associations. When my husband and I attended a church slo-pitch game for the first time, our team won for the first time. When we went to a second game, someone said, “So glad that you came, you are our good luck charms.”

I need to say these things to warn people about experiences. For instance, speaking in tongues can be valid, but at least one of the cults does it — and they deny Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I need a close relationship with God to be able to discern what is true and from Him, and what will lead me off on a tangent. For that, reading and studying the Bible is important, but so also is keeping short accounts regarding sin and being obedient to what I know is true. The Liar is continually trying to trip me up. The world’s ideas are also contrary to God’s ways.

PRAY: This day started with unexpected news that seems false. Jesus, I need You and Your Spirit to guide me, even in the little things, and to fill me so my attitudes and behavior honors You. I am rejoicing that You love me and want the best for me — and that blessings from You are always true, biblical, and bring You glory.

Joy from Jesus

 

A man in our church is always joyful. BT has several medical issues that are painful, but he is always smiling and saying ‘just fine’ with contagious joy. He shares that his joy isn’t about physical comfort.

The Bible is clear; the source of joy is the Holy Spirit, a joy beyond the usual feel-good emotion that comes with successes or good health or any other external source. It is a deep sense of well-being that God is in control. It is like the “peace of God which surpasses all understanding” in Philippians 4:7. It even comes as a surprise and can be ours when life is filled with problems. It delivers a sense of God, of stability, and is sometimes so strong that it can make us feel giddy.

The Bible tells us to be filled with the Spirit (see Ephesians 5:18) because He wants us to share in His joy and only the Holy Spirit can give it to us:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. (1 Peter 1:8)

The Spirit gives this joy and peace to the point that if we are not filled, we do not experience or share in this ‘fruit’ and instead feel something else. The OT speaks of that inner turmoil this way: “But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore, he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.” (Isaiah 63:10)

In the NT, God says we must not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30) nor “quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). From personal experience, I know that when He is grieved, so am I, and when He is quenched, the fruit He produces is gone, particularly the joy, but also the other manifestations of His fullness. This was the experience of David when he sinned with Bathsheba and later prayed that God would not put him out of His presence or take the Holy Spirit from him, but would “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12)

Joy’s sustaining power is described in Acts 13 when the disciples were persecuted and driven out of Antioch. “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:51–52)

Later Paul was put in prison and wrote to those concerned about him: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17–18) Like our friend BT, he understood that God’s joy is not about circumstances.

But joy is about obedience, as the ‘do not grieve’ and ‘do not quench’ verses suggest. What makes the Spirit grieve or stifle His activity? Disobedience, selfishness, sin — all those attitudes and actions that are opposed to His fruit of love, joy, peace, etc. I know that if my joy is gone, I’ve something to confess, a sin that has blocked the Spirit from producing the fruit of joy in me. Instead, I feel His grief and sorrow.

Much of Christendom and all of those outside of Christ depend on externals for joy, not realizing that the joy of the Lord is not the same as the glee of success. This joy is a deep sense that God is in control, no matter what is happening. That is why James could write this outrageous statement:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2–3)

All joy in trials? Our friend BT knows it. It can happen, not because of any other reason than learning to drop self-effort and disobedience and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Lord, sometimes I don’t even notice Your joy has left. I can get so wrapped up in whatever is going on that I miss realizing that I’m no longer trusting You or that I have an ungodly attitude, or have said, done, or even thought things contrary to Your will. May Your Spirit strengthen my discernment of personal sin, encourage me to keep short accounts with You, and increase my godliness. This isn’t just about joy, but about loving others and being at peace — with all those attitudes and behavior that glorifies You.

READ: Philippians noting what it says about joy. Also consider what I rely on for joy and what robs me of it the most. Get on my knees!