Today's devotional
None of us are who we used to be. That's true on several levels. Physically, our bodies are constantly in flux - shedding old cells; generating new ones. We're different than we used to be emotionally and socially, because we've had new experiences and insights. The most important changes, however, should be in the realm of Spirit.
"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. It shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires, for God is with you." (1 Samuel 10.6-7)
Appointed and anointed King Saul was destined to be "changed into another man" through the rejuvenating work of God's Holy Spirit. Tragically, in later life, he would resist and reject that Spirit work, but at the start it had its transforming effect. The mighty work of God's Spirit would invoke prophecy - an authentic declaration of God's word. His very character would be changed as well, and Spirit would inspire appropriate actions at the right time.
The parallel for our lives is not difficult to see. Born again believers (Acts 2.38) can confidently lay claim to these same promises. The mighty work of God's Spirit will invoke the speaking of His word and truth (it will first lead us into studying and knowing it - John 14.26). Holy Spirit will cause us to be "changed into another man (woman)", so much as we yield to its transforming effect. And, that same Spirit will direct appropriate activities and action at the right time.
I've met far too many believers who felt a "Spirit deficiency" in their lives. Such feelings are based on false assumptions. The apostle Paul's words to the most immature of believers should richly reassure us: "in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1.5-8) What goes for these believers, also goes for us.
This much seems apparent as to the Spirit's work in our lives: it should invoke some means of propagating His word and message ... it should generate genuine, positive change in attitude and behavior (Romans 12.1-2; Galatians 5.22-23) ... and, it should prompt appropriate, godly action at the right time and place. Like King Saul, we can resist and reject Spirit activity in our lives, but - aside of such willful disobedience - we can confidently live knowing we are under Spirit jurisdiction and transformation.
Live and serve confidently today.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man. It shall be when these signs come to you, do for yourself what the occasion requires, for God is with you." (1 Samuel 10.6-7)
Appointed and anointed King Saul was destined to be "changed into another man" through the rejuvenating work of God's Holy Spirit. Tragically, in later life, he would resist and reject that Spirit work, but at the start it had its transforming effect. The mighty work of God's Spirit would invoke prophecy - an authentic declaration of God's word. His very character would be changed as well, and Spirit would inspire appropriate actions at the right time.
The parallel for our lives is not difficult to see. Born again believers (Acts 2.38) can confidently lay claim to these same promises. The mighty work of God's Spirit will invoke the speaking of His word and truth (it will first lead us into studying and knowing it - John 14.26). Holy Spirit will cause us to be "changed into another man (woman)", so much as we yield to its transforming effect. And, that same Spirit will direct appropriate activities and action at the right time.
I've met far too many believers who felt a "Spirit deficiency" in their lives. Such feelings are based on false assumptions. The apostle Paul's words to the most immature of believers should richly reassure us: "in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1.5-8) What goes for these believers, also goes for us.
This much seems apparent as to the Spirit's work in our lives: it should invoke some means of propagating His word and message ... it should generate genuine, positive change in attitude and behavior (Romans 12.1-2; Galatians 5.22-23) ... and, it should prompt appropriate, godly action at the right time and place. Like King Saul, we can resist and reject Spirit activity in our lives, but - aside of such willful disobedience - we can confidently live knowing we are under Spirit jurisdiction and transformation.
Live and serve confidently today.
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 8:39 AM
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