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Next Step #30

One of the most important roles of the Holy Spirit in all of history is as the “Father” of Jesus. As we read in both Matthew and Luke, and angel visited Joseph and Mary to let them know that Mary would become pregnant, and that the child conceived in her would be born of the Holy Spirit, and thus would be the “Son of God.” I don’t pretend to understand HOW this took place, what I do understand is THAT it took place, and that makes all the difference! Never before or since has the Holy Spirit intervened in such a way with humanity. Only Mary, the virgin from Nazareth has ever conceived a child through the agency of the Holy Spirit, and because of that miraculous moment, each of us has the opportunity to know God personally—in and through Jesus Christ! We must all remember as those who live not only on this side of Jesus’ birth, but also on this side of His life, death on the cross, resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven that Jesus made certain that we would know Him and His power. How?  He sent the Holy Spirit!  As we live each day, we may be empowered by the same One, who caused Jesus to be conceived in the womb of Mary. The Holy Spirit lived (and lives) uniquely in Jesus since, they and God, the Father, are ever three and ever one, but He also lives in each of us who call on the name of Jesus. May we remember in this Christmas season that we prepare the way for Jesus most fully, when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and control us moment by moment!

Next Step #29

Next Step #29  --  The Holy Spirit and Advent

   

Hi Everyone!

As we enter the “Advent” or Christmas season, let’s consider the role of the Holy Spirit in preparing the way for Jesus. While the word, “Advent” is not biblical, the season of the year has been celebrated for hundreds of years by Christians around the world. Advent consists of the four Sundays prior to Christmas.  Advent literally means “Coming.” It is celebrated because Jesus CAME into the world, AND because He is coming again. So what is the Holy Spirit’s role in Advent?  His role is the same as in EVERY season of the year—to give us the power and guidance we need to be ready for Jesus’ return. Just as it takes the Holy Spirit in us to be able to give thanks “no matter what,” it takes the Holy Spirit to ensure that we are READY for Jesus’ return at any moment. Without a doubt my favorite Scripture regarding the Holy Spirit is Ephesians 5:18, and once again I turn to it this week as we consider the Spirit’s role in our preparing the way for Jesus. The Apostle Paul reminded us, “Don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” By now you know that the command is ON-GOING, literally BE BEING FILLED with the Holy Spirit. That means that as we go through these next twenty-three days until Christmas, each and every moment is to be lived with the Holy Spirit leading and controlling us. If we do that, we will be prepared for Jesus’ coming. We will exercise the joy that is supposed to fill us in this season, AND we will empower others to see Jesus, as we show Him to them in our lives. Let make this ADVENT season, be a season when the Holy Spirit COMES moment by moment into our lives, so that all will experience the power of God’s greatest gift-Jesus through us!

Next Step #28--Thanksgiving!

Hi Everyone!

Thanksgiving is over, right? Wrong! As followers of Jesus who are filled with the Holy Spirit, every day is Thanksgiving. During our 40 Days of Gratitude Series at New Life, I made a point about the Holy Spirit and thanksgiving twice: If our "gratitude meter" is on "zero" then our "Holy Spirit meter" is on "zero," too. What I mean by that is that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and living in His power, one of the natural results is THANKSGIVING. The best scriptural illustration of that is found in Ephesians 5:18-20: Don't be drunk with win, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will ALWAYS GIVE THANKS for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Do you see the connection? When the Spirit controls our lives, we will ALWAYS GIVE THANKS for everything to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you want to know whether the Spirit is in control right now? How is your "gratitude meter"? Are you grateful for EVERYTHING? Last night the Thanksgiving "feasting" caught up with me. Let's just say I was experiencing some nausea. In the midst of that how do you be grateful? It's actually easy if the Spirit is in control. I was grateful for HOW I was feeling, but I was grateful that God was still in charge, that I had a comfortable bed where I could lie down and rest. I was grateful for indoor plumbing! You say, "Chris, that's gross." No, it's gratitude for the common blessings that you and I take for granted, but that most of the world has no opportunity to know. As you and I go about the day, living in the Spirit, Thanksgiving will be the order of the day, regardless of what comes our way!

Next Step #27 -- Half Time!

Next Step #27—“Half Time”

Aristotle is credited with the statement, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  His words remind us of the importance of taking the time to assess our lives, to see where we are growing and to consider what changes are necessary for us to become everything God intends us to be. (Actually, it’s doubtful that Aristotle would have concerned himself with becoming all that God intends us to be, but you get the point!)  It’s been six months since the “Living in the Spirit” series at New Life, and six months since many of you prayed for the Holy Spirit to baptize and fill you.

How is it going with living in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit each day? Are you taking time every morning when you get up to ask the Holy Spirit to fill and empower you? Remember, Ephesians 5:18 reminds us that we need to “be being filled with the Holy Spirit.” It’s an ongoing reality, not a once in a life time experience. Back in May, the Holy Spirit moved in many of our lives through the Living in the Spirit series, but that was not so that we could look back and say, “Wasn’t that an amazing experience BACK THEN?” He did it so that we can know His presence and power moment by moment--NOW. While it IS important to take time to examine where we were six months ago, it’s equally as important to consider what is happening at this moment, because only then can we know whether we have grown. So, have you grown in your walk with Jesus in the last six months through the Holy Spirit’s presence and power? Take five minutes right now to reflect on that question. One good way to know whether the Holy Spirit IS deepening you in your walk with Jesus is your “gratitude meter.” As the Apostle Paul reminded us: when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, we will GIVE THANKS TO GOD!

As we move into the next six months, let’s make certain that living in the Spirit is more and more the reality, because then, and only then, will we be sure that God’s kingdom will advance in our lives and in the lives of those around us!

Next Step #26

Hi Everyone!

Today we come to the final installment of our “FRUIT” of the Spirit next steps.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23: ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against these things! 

The ninth and final element of the fruit of the Spirit is “self-control.” The interesting thing about the phrase “self-control” is that as it is used in Galatians 5:23 it actually means that the “self” is controlled by the Holy Spirit! Think about it: the worst possible situation for any of us to be in is one of SELF-control. By that I mean that our fallen, sinful selves are in control. It is in the condition of being SELF-controlled that we seek our own will and our own advantage. Yet, the ninth and final characteristic of the Holy Spirit is “self-control.” When we are exhibiting “self-control,” as the Apostle Paul used the word here, we are exhibiting a self-CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit. That difference makes all the difference.  Let me illustrate:  when I wake up in the morning when my alarm goes off, if I am SELF-controlled, I will say, “I don’t feel like getting up. I’m going to sleep some more. In fact, I don’t think I’ll get up until noon. Then I’m going to do whatever I please for the rest of the day! On the other hand if I am self-controlled, meaning that the Holy Spirit is in control of myself, then, I will get up and focus on the Lord and His will for the day. I will seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit, because when I’m living in it, I give up my SELF to be controlled by the Spirit. So, let’s make sure that when we wake up tomorrow, and each day of our lives that we let the Holy Spirit reign in our lives, so that self-control will be a blessing for us and all we meet!

Next Step #25

Next Step #25 – November 3, 2007

Hi Everyone!

If you’ve been following the next steps each week, you know that we’re coming into the “home stretch” in our investigation of the “FRUIT” of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23:  ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³GENTLENESS, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

The eighth trait in the fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. The Greek word used by Paul may be translated either as gentleness or humility. In either case, the idea is that when the Holy Spirit is in control of our lives the result will be our dependence on God. To be gentle or humble is to recognize that we are not in control, that we depend on someone or something else. In the ancient world of Paul’s time, as in our own, gentleness was not looked on with favor. In fact, the Christian attitude of gentleness was often mistaken for weakness, as it can be today. The reality is when we demonstrate the fruit of humility or gentleness in our lives, our strength comes from God, which means that we are truly powerful! The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians that when we are weak, then God is strong within us (See 2 Corinthians 12:5-10)  As our dependence on God grows, as we live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more and more gentle or humble. Review this past week in your mind, right now.  Did your life show evidence of God’s control, of gentleness, or did pride take center stage more often than not? The key is to continue to call on God to fill and empower us with the Holy Spirit, so that in ALL things and at ALL times we may demonstrate a gentle spirit. Our greatest example of gentleness is, of course, Jesus, who though He was (and is!) equal with God, did not consider that equality as a reason for pride. Rather, He emptied Himself and became one of us, that we might receive eternal life through His death on the cross in our place! (See Philippians 2:5-11)  Take some time right now to ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and empower you that your life may be gentle, humble, and that it may bring glory to God!

Next Step #24

Next Step #24 – October 27, 2007

Hi Everyone!

     As you may recall from the last several next steps, we’re investing some time in investigating the “FRUIT” of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23: ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

     The seventh trait in the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness.  I don’t know whether the Apostle Paul consciously placed FAITHFULNESS as the seventh of the nine characteristics of the “fruit” of the Spirit, but in biblical numerology, the number seven is the number of perfection or completion. Faithfulness stands in that number seven position for good reason. Faithfulness is a primary characteristic of God.  God is 100% faithful, 100% of the time. In the Old Testament two traits of God are often paired:  steadfast love and faithfulness. In our lives, if we want to be like God, then we must also demonstrate LOVE, which is the first characteristic of the “fruit” of the Spirit and FAITHFULNESS, which is the seventh. Faithfulness by God means always being and doing what He says He will be and do. For us faithfulness means OBEDIENCE.  When we know God’s will and obey it, we are being faithful. Our faithfulness shows others that we truly love God.  Dr. Dale Milligan used to define loving God in this way:  to love God is to trust Him enough to obey Him.  God always knows what’s best for us. Therefore, when we trust Him enough to obey Him, our lives will be both blessed by God and a blessing to others. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be easy.  When I take the time daily to ask God to fill me with the Holy Spirit, and to let my life demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, I always pause on this seventh characteristic and ask God to let me love Him enough that I will trust Him and obey Him. Take some time right now to ask God to fill you anew with the Holy Spirit, so that you may be faithful—that you may obey Him regardless of what He asks of you today! As you do that, and as you live that, know that you will truly be loving God!

Next Step #23

As you may recall from the last several next steps, we’re investing some time in investigating the “FRUIT” of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23:

         ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

The sixth trait in the fruit of the Spirit is goodness.  What is goodness?  I learned a long time ago that goodness is related to TRUTH. In fact, one of the historic principles of church order that I learned is “Truth is in order to goodness.” That means that when we know the truth and live it out the result will be goodness in our lives. The Apostle Paul told the Ephesian Christians that we are to speak the truth in love. That is another good definition of goodness.  As I’ve often said, “It’s easy to speak the truth—if we don’t care about being loving. Such speech is often hurtful.  It’s also easy to speak with love—if we don’t care about the truth. Such speech never offends.  But when we speak the truth in love—then and only then can we truly help others.” Speaking and acting the truth in love is what goodness is all about, and that’s why it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Such speaking and acting do not flow from the “flesh.” In our natural state, apart from the Holy Spirit we may speak and act with truth or even with love, but holding the two together requires the Holy Spirit’s action in us. So, as we go about this day and this week, let’s call on the Lord to fill us with the Spirit that our words and our actions may reflect His truth and love, and thus His goodness!

Next Step #22

Next Step #22 – October 13, 2007

Hi Everyone!

As you may recall from the last several next steps, we’re investing some time in investigating the “FRUIT” of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in Galatians 5:22-23:

         ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

     The fifth trait in the fruit of the Spirit is KINDNESS.  Kindness may not seem like a spiritual “fruit.”  After all, isn’t kindness a common, everyday “nicety” that we expect from others?  Actually, kindness is a “sleeper,” when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit.  Everyone is so busy and stressed these days, that when one is NOT operating under the control of the Holy Spirit, kindness goes out the window.  In fact, in my own life, I can tell when the Holy Spirit isn’t leading, because I go into my “kick the dog” mode.  I don’t actually kick the dog—at least hardly ever anymore!—but you probably know what I mean.  I just go around in a general mean-spirited manner.  I don’t offer the common, everyday, nicety known as kindness.  The Apostle Paul’s discernment regarding how the Holy Spirit transforms us was so astute, wasn’t it?  The nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit cover the gamut when it comes to attitudes and actions that are produced when the Holy Spirit is leading. 

     I’ve always said that what I want on my tombstone (not the pizza!) is “He served Jesus, and even his wife and daughters loved him.”  I say that because sometimes in the name of serving Jesus, we can forget the necessity of letting the Spirit fill and indwell us, so that it isn’t our effort, but His that shapes us.  When we “serve” Jesus in our own power the result can be ugly.  That’s why we MUST be filled and re-filled with the Holy Spirit. When we are the common nicety known as kindness will be one of the realities we share with others!  Take the time right now, to pause and ask God to fill you anew with the Spirit that you may exhibit ALL of the aspects of the fruit that comes with His presence.

Next Step #21

Next Step #21 – October 6, 2007

Hi Everyone!

As you may recall from the last several next steps, we’re investing some time in investigating the “FRUIT” of the Spirit.  The Apostle Paul writes the following in   ²²But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!Galatians 5:22-23:

The fourth trait in the fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE! Let me say that over the years, patience has often been the most challenging aspect of the fruit of the Spirit for me.  I’m right there with the folks who pray, “Lord, give me patience—and give it to me NOW!”  Patience is referred to as “long-suffering” in the King James translation of the Bible, and I’ve often thought that they got it right.  Patience is so much more than just enduring suffering, though, or waiting out a situation.  Patience is really living in God’s timing.  After all, when we wait for any good thing in life, it must be because God knows that waiting will be a blessing to us in the long run, right?  Since God knows everything, and since His desire is to do good to us ALWAYS, then waiting for anything means that the blessing will be all the greater for the delay. It’s in those times of waiting that we exercise the fruit of patience.  As with every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, patience can only ultimately be experienced in our lives when we give up control to the Holy Spirit.  As long as we are holding onto control, impatience will be the order of most days.  We want everything NOW, and our culture certainly promotes instant gratification.  The challenge, then, is to wait on the Lord, to give up control so the Holy Spirit can fill us anew, and then to trust that God’s timing is ALWAYS right.  As we do that we’ll find that patience is the natural by-product.  When we demonstrate patience, everyone around us is blessed, not just us.  Patience is one of those qualities in our lives that shows others God IS in control, and may open doors for conversation about His leading in our lives.  So take some time right now, to give up control, and to ask God to work in you in EVERY situation in His timing today!