Entries for June 2014

VICTM OR VICTOR

"Yet for your sake we are killed all day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Ps.44:22

In this verse the Psalmist describes how God's people felt about themselves, after they chose to worship store-bought gods, made by their hands. In the time of calamity, materialistic idolatry could not save them. They fell victim to their own foolishness.

When God's people forgot to pray, they made fools of themselves. David learned he could not hide things from God. Their memory of former favors from God caused them to complain about their present evils rather than to confess their foolishness.

When we feel like lambs assigned for sacrifice each day, we need to ask ourselves if our difficulties are for the sake of God's will, or for the sake of our own self-will. Once we get them sorted out, we'll have a healthier attitude and will see a victorious end.

HONEST CONFESSION; before God is the proper attitude about our difficulties. Often it is only in times of persecution and dishonor redemption is remembered. There is redemption through the cross for all those who transgress.

PRAYER: I confess many of my present problems are due to my own transgressions. I wandered into my own way and I now pay for it. Lord, I will not allow this to kill my faith or sever my relationship with you. I will trust you more. For your Name's sake. Amen

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PENTECOST HAS COME!

"And when the Day of Pentecost had fully come....." Acts 2:1

Fifty days after the crucifixion of His Son, on a Jewish holy day called Pentecost, the Spirit came noisy, awesome, and not at all as the first century Christians expected. But expectation prevailed over ignorance and was rewarded.

Those original 'Pentecostals' were not totally ignorant. They knew Jesus had assigned them to take the gospel to the world.. They knew it would be utterly impossible for them to accomplish anything without divine help. They knew they must not rush directly into any plan Jesus had commanded. "Go," He said, but first, wait in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Lu .24:49)

We can not expect to experience the historic Day of Pentecost again, but we can expect to receive the power from on high again. The power is personified in the Holy Spirit. He has come. The Spirit's power is our reward if we will wait upon God.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST HAS FULLY COME. The question is, do we fully realize how much we need the power from on high? The answer to our need is found in waiting.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, endue me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I have nothing to offer without Your powerful Presence in my life. Before I go anywhere, or attempt to do anything in Your name, I will wait until I am filled afresh. Glory to God! Amen

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