Spirit Walking

We don't seem to talk about the powerful work the Spirit does in our lives. We haven't given Him the attention that is deserving of one who spends a lot of time empowering us to do right. Convicting us of sin. Motivating us to be on top of our spiritual game. I like what Rubel Shelly says about the Spirit: "If the Spirit is in you and lives within you, a yielded, surrendered vessel, the things your life displays will allow everyone to know you are God's own."

Galatians 5 is a section of Scripture that reveals the powerful importance of the Spirit in our daily walk. Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” The Spirit is God’s agent to keep us from spiritually destroying ourselves whenever the sinful nature gets out of control.

Sandwiched in between Galatians 5:16 and 5:25 is a description of what a non-Spirit controlled person lives like and one who is walking in the Spirit. Both walks get gratification and rewards. However, the sinful, non-Spirit led walk gets only temporary satisfaction and the reward is death and separation from God for allowing self to be controlled by fleshly desires. But, the one whose walk is in step with the Spirit gets eternal gratification and eternal blessings in heaven forever with God, Jesus, and Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23 gives a description of the things the Spirit does in our life. It is the testimony of a controlled life, not by us, but by the Spirit. "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law." (NLT)

The Spirit does an extreme makeover within us. He transforms us. Remember the old you? You know, the one who lacks patience when the person in the checkout line needs to go back and get a price check. Remember how impatient you were? Or, how about the time when you lost all control and you blasted away at your spouse, kids, co-worker, parent, or friend because you were controlled by you, not the Spirit?

The spiritual walk gets tiresome and at times, we are totally depleted of energy. This is why I say all the time, “the best time to get dressed is before we ever get out of the bed.” If we leave the bed spiritually undressed, we leave vulnerable and an easy target for the flesh to take over. However, if we leave the bed spiritually dressed, then the Spirit is fully engaged and prepared to get us through that days walk.

Remember, Be God, Jesus, and Spirit Controlled!

Brian

The Christmas Story: Baby Chosen

The lyrics to the song, What Child is This, asked the question, “What child is this, who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping?”  Who is this baby?  What is so significant about this sleeping child? 

According to Luke 2:11, this child sleeping on the lap of his mother is, “Christ the Lord.”  The Scripture also says that a “company of heavenly host appeared with an angel and began praising God saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest.’” 

It appears that this baby isn’t any ordinary child.  The Prophet Micah 5:2 said of this baby, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among many clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  The gospel of Matthew 1:21 says that this baby will be called Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.  The cousin of Jesus, John the Baptist says that Jesus is the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”  John 1:29

What child is this?  He is the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 who said, “The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.”  [Which means ‘God is with us]  Isaiah 9:6 says he is the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

I love Christmas.  It is a time we celebrate Jesus in a way we may not any other time of the year.  Going from one department store to another are songs proclaiming Christ birth.  Nativity scenes are scattered all throughout the town as a reminder that Jesus was born.  Joy is in the air.  Giving becomes a norm for most people.  Love and laughter seem to be felt and heard during this season.  They are feelings and experiences that is hard to let go. 

God is the greatest gift giver of us all.  Scripture says that God loved the world so much that he gave us his only son.  God’s love is indescribable.  It’s hard to wrap our heads around a father giving the world his only son.  It is even more amazing that when he gave us his son, he gave him while we were sinning.  Romans 5:8 declares that “God demonstrated his love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Crazy sounding, isn’t it?  God didn’t just give us a baby boy; rather, he gave us opportunity.  Without the birth of Jesus, there is no hope or forgiveness or grace or mercy or redemption.  Without the birth of Jesus the prophecies would have been written in vain and made God out to be a liar. 

Jesus isn’t just the reason for this season; rather, he is the reason for every season.  We have much to be thankful for and much to tell about.  I love the lyrics to, Go Tell It on the Mountain.  “Go, tell it on the mountain, Over the hills and every where; Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.  It is true.  Jesus Christ was born.  His birth not only captivated the heavenly host, but wise men and kings, too.  Today, his birth still captivates an audience.  Jesus’ birth is significant for all people in all generations. 

Jesus’s birth gives us an opportunity to make something out of our lives.  I’m not talking about a career; I’m talking about a relationship with him spiritually and personally.  Jesus’ desire for each of us is to be saved. 

Throughout Scripture are promises from God to us when we turn our hearts and lives toward Him.  The spiritual life is a journey.  It isn’t a quick fix, rather a lifetime commitment.  The spiritual life does get hard to live at times and there are no promises from God that it will be an easy road to travel.  However, He does promise a lifetime with him when it is all over. 

This baby Jesus grew up to become the triumphal Passover lamb.  Revelation 5:12 says, “ Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain….” Jesus was slain in order to passover our sins.  He desires to have a relationship with each of us.  That is why God “gave his only son” to each of us.  If you’re willing to know more about having a relationship with this Jesus, I would be excited to sit down and tell you more about this Jesus.  You can email me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com or call my office at 836-2874. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

The Christmas Story: The Purpose of Jesus

Christmas time is an opportunity to give to others, share our faith, and remember our Saviors birth.  Jesus is at the centerpiece of this season for billions of believers.  People are captivated by His birth and the fact that He was chosen to fulfill purposes for His Father. 

Jesus’ Purpose:

Matthew 1:21, To save people from their sins 

John 1:29,  To take away the sin of the world.” 

Matthew 1:23  God will be with all people through Jesus

Luke 19:10  To seek and save the lost

Romans 5:8  To died for us.

There are so many reasons to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  Without the birth, there is no joy!  No saving us from our sins. No hope.  No forgiveness.  No mercy.  No future. 

Jesus’ birth became the turning point for seekers of a better way and brought new meaning to life.

Read throughout the Gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and discover the way Jesus lived out His purposes.  It wasn’t about himself; rather it was about drawing attention to His Father!  Jesus said, in John 6:38 “I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.” (MSG)

Epic isn’t it?  Jesus’ purpose was to accomplish what God needed him to do.  Life on earth for Jesus wasn’t to make it big, rich, or famous, rather to become the essence of a purpose-driven man who sought out the good in others, break down the barriers of the “religious” elites, and to demonstrate the values of living a surrendered life. 

The baby boy given to Mary was the beginning of something greater to come.  It is wonderful to celebrate a birthday that is significant to all who call themselves Christians.  Without the birth, there is no hope.

Jesus was and is an Extraordinary Savior!  He not only gave us life, but he lived out His life for us to follow.  He demonstrated selflessness. Sacrifice.  Obedience.  And, humility. Jesus fulfilled every purpose that was given to him.  He did not waiver or complain.  However, It came with a great price in the end.  DEATH!

Celebrate a Savior’s birth that loved you so much.  If ever there is a birthday worth celebrating, it is Jesus’!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian