August 29, 2017

Day 2: Adult Department

Beyond good intentions

“I would like to learn just one thing from you:  Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish?  After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:2-3 NIV).

I have been on a journey of sorts.  A journey of learning more about the Holy Spirit.  As it turns out, I have been simply unaware of the importance of this gift and the extent to which God knew we could not live without this indwelling.  I know of His gift of salvation and eternal life and accepted that as a young person.  I also have grown to love and fully rely on the written and inspired Word of God that He has given to be our guiding light.  It is full of stories, promises, wisdom, and true examples of His undying love for us passed down through the ages.  A living and tangible treasure chest full of His heart and character to which we can refer at any time.  Priceless.

However, I believe I have mistakenly stopped here.  And as wonderful as these gifts are, He has given more.  Much more!  It is the key, I believe, to any believer’s life.  The purity and power behind which {the previous 2 gifts mentioned} are daily lived out and shared.

I have learned that we can have great intentions to learn, believe, share, and grow His church but these alone are simply not enough.  We perhaps begin with the promptings of the Spirit, but almost always {unintentionally} try to finish in our own strength.

Intentionally walking in and surrendering to God’s Holy Spirit is a daily must.  It is the only protection against our pride, selfish ambition, division, offense, etc. that hinder the work of the Spirit.  The body of Christ is only as healthy and strong as its individual members.  May we stope to ponder and ask God to help us fully surrender ourselves to His Holy Spirit.  Can you even imagine what our personal lives, church, and community would look like?

Prayer:

“I can hardly fathom all you have done for us and given us.  You have equipped us with every perfect gift needed to live an abundantly full life in You.  Forgive us for trying to do it on our own.  Forgive us for always trying to make sense of things that are simply beyond us.  Instead, help us to live each day being filled and led by the Holy Spirit.  In the very same power that resurrected Jesus…may He also resurrect us!  In Jesus’ name,” Amen.