The More

In John 20:21-22 Jesus speaking to his disciples said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Does that mean that they have experienced all that God would impart to them as followers of Christ? Is there no room for greater intimacy and new experiences of His divine presence in their lives? Obviously, there was more. Jesus speaking to his disciples again said, “and now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my father promised but stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (Luke 24:49) He speaks again, in Acts 1:4-5 “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” In 1969, as a new believer in Christ I saw in others a greater joy, a greater depth of relationship, and power that I simply did not have at that time in my life. It caused me to hunger and thirst for more, though I did not know what the more was! That is when I heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I did not understand the term theologically, but I did believe that all good gifts came from God. I will never forget that day, that very moment when kneeling before the Lord I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I now knew experientially what I had hungered for, more of his control of my life, more of what I needed to live my life in a way that would honor him and bless others. In my love for the body of Christ I have asked the same question the apostles did, “Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit since you believed?”

Romans 12:9

“Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous.” (Romans 12:9 TPT) Truth is vital if we are to enjoy loving relationships with God and others. So much of what we call love is clouded by self-protection, avoidance, fear of loss and the negative judgments from others. How can we hope to love others and honor God if our behavior is masked with falsehood? We must despise evil and wholeheartedly embrace what is good and virtuous! Only as we abandon ourselves to the love of God and the truth of scripture can we hope to find the strength to cling to that which is good, virtuous, genuine, and to resist the temptations and evils of this world. Heavenly Father, help me to walk in genuine love with you, enabling me to rise above the fear of man. Help me to despise what the evil and all that would compromise my testimony with others and my walk with you. Help me Holy Spirit to hold fast to that which is good, that I may draw closer to you, nurture my soul, and strengthen my relationships with those that I love. --George Stahnke, Devotional 02.01.2023

Embrace the pain

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT) The circle of suffering, endurance, character, and hope are all bound together in God's love for us. Each aspect is being used to form us into the image of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is true, that all things work together for our good, our betterment, as God's love, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit continue to refine within us the very character of God, the fruit of the Spirit in which there is no disappointment. Oh, that we would embrace this hope and allow the sweetness of his presence to overshadow us through the Holy Spirit. Freedom from shame, strength of spirit, greater endurance, and character will be ours! Praise God! What a great promise and process this is. Help me Father God not to resist the very work that you are doing to strengthen me for the greater good that lies ahead. Help me Lord with open arms to eagerly embrace your sovereign work on my behalf to come more into the image of your dear Son. Help me to see past the pain of the moment to the eternal working that is taking place and to worship you with even greater joy! --George Stahnke 01.25.2023

 

Empowered by Faith

11/26/2019 PBJ

Romans 4:20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God (AMPC)

We speak from that which is stored up in the heart. Thus, we need to guard the heart. One way that we can do this is to emulate Abraham in giving to God our continual praise and worship. He alone is worthy, the savior of our soul, the giver of life eternal, forgiving our many sins and transgressions. How else can we look Beyond our present circumstance to see that which will come according to the Lord’s promise?

We must, I must, praise and glorify our Lord. In this act of worship, righteousness and faith are attributed to the soul.

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:10 EV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21 EV)

Father God help my weak faith to grow into great faith. I will open my heart more readily to your word and to the working of the Holy Spirit. I will open my mouth and in faith boldly proclaim your promises.

Holy, holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty! Where is he of our praise and adoration is the lamb of god Celine before the world, risen from the dead, seated at the right hand of the father. Glory to God in the highest forever and ever, Amen.

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." And he said to me, "These are the true words of God." (Revelation 19:9 ESV)

“On that day, everyone will see the church for what she really is: the precious bride of Jesus. “The Bride of Christ is a sort of Cinderella now, sitting among the ashes. She is like her Lord, ‘despised and rejected of men’; the watchmen smite her, and take away her veil from her; for they know her not, even as they knew not her Lord. But when he shall appear, then shall she appear also, and in his glorious manifestation she also shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of the Father.” (Spurgeon)

Greater Compassion

04/03/2019

And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" And stopping, Jesus called them and said, "What do you want me to do for you?" They said to him, "Lord, let our eyes be opened." 34 And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him. -- Matthew 20:29-34 (ESV)

“Many speak of faith and the desire to be used of God to do the miraculous. I say, seek not the miraculous, rather allow me to place within you a heart of pity for others. If you cannot be moved in your deepest parts with compassion, then what lasting good can you do for them? The ability to be moved in regard to the needs of others is what should motivate you to a Kingdom response. It Is not great faith, but greater love for the blind, deaf, lame, and hurting that in the end it advances the kingdom of God!”

(The Holy Spirit)

Father God, I have prayed to be used by you, and to some degree you have honored that prayer, for which I am thankful. Today you have shown me that my greater need is not more faith or power. It is to be moved with greater pity, caring for the lost, the weak, the fearful, the despondent, the downcast, and the outcast.

Humble me to a greater degree so that Your compassion has room for increase. My desire is to serve you, and those you love with a pure heart.  Father God allow me simply to be a more compassionate servant! Amen.