Looking with the Eyes of the Spirit

The Samaritan woman at the well was just trying to get some water. Yet, her conversation with Jesus caused her spiritual thirst to be quenched with the eternal living water of the gospel. (John 4)

The lame beggar at the temple was just trying to get some money to live. But one encounter with Peter and John got him healed of his illness altogether. (Acts 3)

The Ethiopian eunuch was just riding along the road reading the Scriptures. But a talk with Philip opened his eyes to the revelation of Jesus' saving power that those Scriptures pointed to. (Acts 8)

Jesus, Peter, John, and Philip were able to recognize opportunities to minister the gospel. Jesus was able to look into the heart of the Samaritan woman and see all the troubles that she wrestled with. Peter and John knew that a few coins would not help the lame man in the long run. Philip heard the discerned that the Ethiopian eunuch was trying to find his way to God's Truth.

All of these men looked with eyes of the Spirit and was able to see each person where they were and allow the power of God to meet their every need.

How often do you look at those around you with the eyes of the Spirit? Do you just see people passing by, or do you look closer and allow the Lord to show you their needs? Once you see what is wrong, do you step out on faith and allow God to use you to meet that need?

We have been given a command to go into the world and share the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). Sharing that gospel can start with just an awareness to our surroundings.

That person looking for a handout has a greater need than some money. Your friend who is agonizing over their marriage needs more than your words. The neighbor's child needs more than just an interested mentor.

They need the power of Jesus Christ.

You hold that power.

Don't let it go to waste.

Verse of the Day: And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Afternoon Ti: Holy Help

 

And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

We were given this hope when we were saved.

(If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it.

But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Romans 8:23-26a (NLT)

 

At times it can be tough to hold on to our faith in the Lord here on this earth. There is so much injustice, sin, and temptation blatantly running rampant in our world today. It can be hard at times to hold on to our faith in the face of so much.

 

In these verses, Paul shares that the Holy Spirit is our help for these times. He is to be our strength when we are weak. He is our present example of our future heavenly joy.

 

How often do you take advantage of having the Holy Spirit? Do you listen to His voice? Do you follow His promptings? When He reminds you of God's Word, do you obey?

 

The Holy Spirit is there for you. He is there to help you patiently and confidently wait on the Lord's promises for your life. Don't leave Him out of the equation. Don't allow yourself to suffer without His help. When you are weak, He is strong. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you.

Wednesday's Word: Do You Love Him?

Today's Word looks at some of the last teachings of Jesus before He went to the cross.

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me,

so that the world will know that I love the Father.

John 14:23-30a (NLT)

 

A couple of questions after reading this:

 

- From Jesus' words, do you really love Him?

- Are you following the teaching of the Holy Spirit?

- Have you embraced your gift of true peace?

 

Let these words ring in your spirit as you go about your day today. Think about your walk with Christ and whether it reflects what He has spoken in this passage.

The Wind of the Spirit

I love feeling a warm breeze on my face. The wind buffeting me and whistling through my ears is pleasant for me. I especially love the wind blowing when the seasons are in transition. The air is full of the scents of the coming changes. The wind fascinates me because you can't see it. You can see what it carries, you can see it's effects, but you can't literally see the wind.

When the Holy Spirit first appeared on earth after Jesus' resurrection, He filled the air with the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. (Acts 2:2) The Lord was signalling the changes that were afoot. He was sending His people a Comforter and Guide. After the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they went out and turned the world upside down!

The Holy Spirit serves in opening men up to the truth of Jesus Christ. He helps to lead believers in the right direction. He gives them gifts to live lives that honor the distinction of being the children of God.

In the same way you can't see the wind, you can't see the Holy Spirit. However, you can see the effects of the Holy Spirit. You can hear His voice, you can follow His directions, you can find comfort in His presence.

Have you received the Holy Spirit? Has He filled your being with His presence? God sent the Holy Spirit to help you in your Christian walk after Jesus finished His work. Are you enjoying the benefits of this gift?

You can find direction, comfort, and much more with the help of the Holy Spirit. Today, allow Him to fulfill His purpose in your life. Listen for His voice, follow His directions, turn to Him for comfort, utilize His gifts... You may not be able to see Him, but His work produces miracles!

Verse of the Day: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:2-4

Following the Holy Spirit

Observing Jesus ' ministry, you can truly tell that He listened to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was obedient without question, and, as a result, He was able to do things that had never been seen before.

Jesus' followed the Holy Spirit when He fasted and prayed for 40 days in the wilderness. At the end of that powerful fast, the devil Himself could not tempt Jesus away from His purpose on the earth!

When Jesus came out of the wilderness, He was able to identify the 12 men who would be His faithful disciples for the next three years. He was able to see into the heart of the foul mouthed Peter, Jesus was able to see the potential of the tax collector Matthew, He was able to see the untapped greatness of the "sons of thunder" James and John.

Jesus went on to have the most prolific ministry in the history of this planet. He worked miracles like raising people from the dead. He preached sermons that still inspire people to this day. He formed relationships with people who needed God's love. He debated the religious scholars of His day and established God's new covenant on the earth.

When the time came for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, He remained obedient still. Knowing that the Father was leading Him to give up His own life for the world, Jesus stayed obedient to the will of the Lord. He never wavered in what God was showing Him.

What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do? Are you remaining obedient in everything being asked of you? Consider your own ministry. Is it flowing in it's full potential? Or is your disobedience holding it back?

The Lord will never steer you wrong. All His plans are to bring you to a prosperous, successful position. Don't let your own doubts, insecurities, and unbelief cause you to miss out on God's awesome plans for your life!

Verse of the Day: ...nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42b

Let the Holy Spirit Minister To You Today

The Bible says that the Lord will be our comforter when we need it. After Jesus left the earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to us who is our Comforter.

So, why do we allow ourselves to become worried or distressed?

Perhaps you need to take some time today to allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you. In your prayer time, just sit in God's presence and allow Him to minister His Comfort to you. Rest in the Lord and allow Him to take your troubles and cares on His capable shoulders. Let your Heavenly Father minister healing to your heart and solace to your soul.

The Holy Spirit also helps us to remember the promises of the Lord to encourage us to keep going. When we allow the Holy Spirit to minister to us, He will remind us of God's Word and the victory that we have in Him. He will speak directly to our situations and show us how to move forward.

You have the Holy Spirit inside of you. Don't allow the cares of this world to distract you from the fact that
you have immediate comfort for your every trial. Don't be so consumed with your problem that you don't pay attention to the Holy Spirit. He is there to remind you of your victory in Christ.

Let today be a day that you cherish the gift of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life. Allow Him to minister and talk with you as you go about your day.

Verse of the Day: But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26