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Because of an error there will be no online Journal this week. Check back Sunday November 2nd to see more.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Reflection
Our scripture today reminds us that the Holy Spirit
bears fruit in our lives. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives ,we will bear fruit that bears witness to the love of God in Jesus Christ. In what ways is the Holy Spirit producing fruit in your life?
Friday, October 24, 2014
2 Thessalonians 2:13
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Reflection
Our scripture today shows us that the Holy Spirit sanctifies us. Sanctification is a fancy word meaning that the Holy Spirit makes us more and more like Christ. How do you feel the Holy Spirit has made you more like Christ, and what is an area of your life that the Holy Spirit needs to transform?
Thursday, October 23, 2014
1 Corinthians 12:7-11
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to
another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he
determines.
Reflection
Our scripture today speaks to how the Holy Spirit has given each of us gifts. Too many times we assume that these gifts are just for a select few and do not apply to us, but the truth is that God through the Holy Spirit has given each of us gifts. What gifts do you think God has given you so that you might share the good news of Jesus Christ?
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Romans 5:5
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Reflection
The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts. How have you experienced the pouring of God’s love in your life?
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
1 Corinthians 2:9-12
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”
the things God has prepared for those who love him 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Reflection
Our scripture today reveals that the Holy Spirit can show us the truth. Has there ever been something you did not understand in faith and then one day it became clear to you? This is the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth in our lives. How do you think that the power to see God’s truth can help you on your journey of faith?
Monday, October 20, 2014
Romans 8:14-17
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Reflection
This week we will continue to look at how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. In our scripture today we see that the Holy Spirit reminds us who we are as sons and daughters of God. What does it mean in your life that you are a son or daughter of God?
Weekly Theme October 19 through 25
Holy Spirit Shows Us Love
-Romans 5:3-5
I believe that a major function of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to open our hearts to the possibility of loving others with the love of Jesus. I do not believe that we can truly love without the power of the Spirit in our lives. Oh, we think we have love that comes from our own hearts for others. However, so many times our human expression of love has so many strings attached. We say we love others but the way we live out our love really sends this message: “I’ll love you if you do this for me.” Our human love always wants something in return for the love that we give.
The love that the Holy Spirit sows in our hearts is a love that comes from Jesus so it is free, grace-filled, and present in abundance. The love of Jesus that the Holy Spirit places in our hearts says, “I’ll love you even if you decide not to love me in return.” This love of the Holy Spirit is referred to in the New Testament as “agape.” Agape love is a love that is so deep and wide that it is only possible to live and experience through the action of the Holy Spirit working in our lives
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Acts 1:7-8
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Reflection
Our scripture today reminds us that the Holy Spirit
empowers us. What we are empowered to do is clear. We are empowered to be witnesses of Christ’s love in the world. How are you being a witness of Christ?
Friday, October 17, 2014
Romans 8:14-15
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Reflection
Our scripture today shows us that the Holy Spirit leads us. How do you feel the Holy Spirit leads us? How have you seen this in our life?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
John 14:25-26
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Reflection
Our scripture today speaks to how the Holy Spirit teaches us. As we continue on this journey of faith, the Holy Spirit continues to teach us what Jesus has told us. What have you learned on this journey of faith?
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,
are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Reflection
This is one of the hardest ways that we encounter the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ. The hard part of this is that the Holy Spirit reveals the image of Christ to us and this shows us the ways that we need to be changed. Change is the hardest part of any journey that we take and change in our own lives is hard. Have you had a hard time trying to change something in your life?
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Reflection
This is a fairly common scripture. The funny thing is that so often it is used to talk about tattoos and piercings, but the truth is that this verse is speaking to how the Holy Spirit
resides in all of our lives as a living temple. As we continue to grow in Christ, we allow more and more room in our hearts for the Holy Spirit. What junk clutters your heart that needs cleared out to give more room for the Holy Spirit in your life?
Monday, October 13, 2014
John 3:1-8
1Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The new life we have in the work of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worked in individual lives by the Holy Spirit. This process of being “born again” is the movement of dying in Christ and being resurrected by the Holy Spirit. In what ways were you dead that God through the Holy Spirit brought you back to life?
Weekly Theme October 12 through October 18
The Mind of the Holy Spirit
-Romans 8:28
As Christians, we must seek to have Christ dwell deep within us. We must harbor Christ in the very heart of who we are. The mind of the Holy Spirit is to accomplish that within each of us. The mind of the Spirit wants Jesus not to just be some entity that we run to whenever we need some help or timely advice or direction. The mind of the Holy Spirit wants Jesus to be formed deep within us so that Jesus lives in us and through us.
Having Christ dwell or live within us can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not something that we can accomplish out of our own will. In order to have Jesus dwell and live within us, we must surrender to the will of the Holy Spirit to accomplish that in us. The mind and desire of the Holy Spirit is that Christ be formed in you.
Starting this week, we will look at how the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer. This is just a biblical overview of the ways that our lives are changed by the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Psalm 139:13-24
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of
the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in
your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand —
then I awake, I am still with you.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand —
then I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against
you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting..
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting..
Describe what it means to you to be fearfully and
wonderfully made?
What are some of the blessings God has given you that
are greater than “the grains of sand?”
Friday, October 10, 2014
Psalm 139:1-12
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Is it comforting or alarming that there is nowhere you can go to hide from God? Write out your feelings, knowing there is no right or wrong answer.
Share your thoughts with God in prayer.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Psalm 27:7-14
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
How do you seek the Lord?
For you, what does it mean to wait for the Lord?
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Psalm 27:1-6
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.
4 One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred
tent and set me high upon a rock.
6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of
joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Reflection
What does it mean to you to dwell in the house of the Lord?
Read verse 5 twice. What word or phrase stands out to you?
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes,
Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Revelation 21:2-4
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Reflection
What does it mean for you to find rest in God?
What do you do to recharge your soul?
Monday, October 6, 2014
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Reflection
This Psalm is full of imagery that reflects our relationship with God. What word or phrase speaks to your heart?
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