What a wonderful time at our Church Baptism and picnic. It was so good to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of our church family. Everything was wonderful. The conversations, the testimonies, the food, bringing all of our services together at the same time, and new friendships developing. I am still praising the Lord for such a great time. I want to thank the Morse’s for opening up their home for our whole family to gather.
I was thinking today that we can’t determine when a revival will sweep the nation, touch down at our work place or school we attend, or even penetrate our church. But we can decide what we want our relationship with the Lord to be like. In Paul’s letter to the church of Galatia, he realized that they had become so entangled in the do’s and don’ts of Jewish law that they weren’t being effective Christians. The Christian life can’t be reduced to a set of do’s and don’ts. Those who are spiritually alive and living in the Spirit of God and following His promptings, like Jesus, feel compelled to “break the rules” from time to time. Not in a bad way, but for the sake of freedom. Look what Paul writes… Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit brings an empowerment to live as God has called us to live. It is not being forced to live a certain way. It is a natural byproduct of a life lived for God. There is deep fulfillment that is evident in your spirit. Being the pastor and having many conversations with people, I am seeing many people in our church break out of their old ways and experience life in a fresh new perspective with the help of the Holy Spirit. Let me ask you a question: What new thing have you implemented in this past year that has renewed your spiritual hunger for the Lord? Have you intentionally set out to serve people more? Have you changed up your Bible reading by reading from a new translation? Talked with someone you didn’t know when you were at a store or gas station for the purpose of praying for them? Memorized Scripture verses? Learned your gifts and are applying them in a new ministry? Found victory over a long-standing temptation? If you can’t think of anything then you are probably in a subtle, but unfortunate rut. You are in the process of shutting others out and starting your own pandemic in a sense. The enemy would like to pull you away from others and speak lies into your life. Pray and ask the Lord to show or give you something that will put a spark into your relationship with Him. Seek the Lord to help you right where you are. He is waiting for you to open the door to spirit-filled living. May God give you a fresh new approach to the season you are living in. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
Categories |