Partnering with God

Good stewardship is always rewarded with increase in responsibility. Growth comes when we do well with what God has already given us. This applies to ministry, finances, and much more.

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING

Everyone is given something to be used for the glory of God. Everyone has resources, big or small. Everyone has energy - whether a little or a lot. Everyone has time. Everyone has influence, free will, and relationships. Inside every human being, God has deposited gifts, talents, and abilities. Everyone has been entrusted with something, and, therefore, everyone has the responsibility of maximizing their potential and using all they have, to the best of their ability, unto the glory of God. 

DILIGENT PARTNERS

We were made for the glory of God. Since the beginning, God has sought a partnership with man. Man was made to steward what God started, to cultivate what God created, and to call into order what God has called into existence. We are called to be diligent partners of God.

God has provided you with the substance of your life. You must exercise your free will to shape that and then give it back to God as an offering. Our purpose is to love and glorify God through whatever means we have been given.

Good work ethic. Diligence. Focus. These are marks of the Spirit-filled. These are marks of good stewards.

THE PARABLE

Think of the parable of the talents. In that parable, a master went away on a long journey, leaving varying monetary amounts with his three servants. 

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. (Matthew 25:14-15, NLT)

The servants were given resources in proportion to their abilities. Now, in the parable, the master never once gave them specific instructions. They were simply expected to do something with what they had been given. They were expected to take initiative with what they had been entrusted.

When the master returned, he evaluated the performance of each servant. 

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. (Matthew 25:19, NLT)

Notice that the servant who had the least wasn’t excused because He had a different starting point than the other servants. Nobody can say, “I didn’t do anything for God because I don’t have what others have” or “I don’t have anything to offer God.” A different starting point is never an excuse for inaction and poor stewardship. Just because we don’t have what others have doesn’t mean we aren’t responsible for what we do have.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP

When you steward well what God has given to you, that good stewardship unlocks the door to more responsibilities. God wants to entrust you with more, but can He?

Stewardship is about increase and productivity. Stewardship is about walking in divine authority. Stewardship is about recognizing that everything in your possession belongs to God. It’s all His. And when we take care of and when we use well what He has already given to us, He can trust us with more.

So how can you maximize what God has given to you? Even if you feel you have little, what can you do right now to further the Kingdom of God? When you treat what you have like it’s what you want, God will bring the increase.

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Welcome the Holy Spirit

In the modern Church, the Holy Spirit is often treated like He’s a liability rather than the very power to truly grow the Church. In many cases, He’s barely tolerated, when He should be sought after and honored.

The Holy Spirit was present at the founding of the Church, because He is the key to a powerful Church.

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4, NLT)

We need the Holy Spirit. Programs cannot replace power. Strategy cannot replace Spirit. Methods cannot replace miracles. We must do away with clever-sounding excuses that limit the Holy Spirit’s influence in our churches and ministries.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, our preaching is just self-help, our worship is just entertainment, our evangelism is just marketing, and our gathering is just a club.

No more superficial encouragement; the hour calls for supernatural empowerment. The hour calls for a remnant that is unashamed of the Holy Spirit’s work. Stop trying to explain Him and just embrace Him. Be bold. And let it be known that we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe in His power to convict the heart of the sinner and to heal the disease of the afflicted. We believe in miracles, in healing, in casting out demons, in speaking in tongues, in manifestations of power. Yes, we believe in the power of pentecost, the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some are surrendered just enough to be blessed by the Spirit but not enough to be transformed by the Spirit. But it’s time to surrender all. It’s time to acknowledge that we are utterly helpless without Him - that we need the Holy Spirit.

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Don't Hurt the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Personal Being. He has a mind. He has a will. He has feelings.

And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, NLT)

A startling reality - the Holy Spirit can be grieved by our actions. The way we live can hurt Him. With this in mind, those who love the Holy Spirit must ask, “What grieves the Holy Spirit?”

Whatever contradicts the nature or the Word of God grieves the Holy Spirit, especially when such contradictions are lived through God’s own children.

Disobedience to the Word of God grieves the Holy Spirit. Ungodly thoughts grieve the Holy Spirit. When we prioritize entertainment over prayer, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we ignore His gentle voice, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we are more committed to interacting on social media than we are to reading the Bible, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we allow anger to get the best of us, lust to control us, and fear to dominate us, we grieve the Holy Spirit.

When we place our political preferences over God’s truth, when we hold grudges against fellow believers, when we live contrary to what we preach, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we disconnect from the gathering of believers, when we twist the Scriptures to excuse our compromise, when we withhold the gospel from those who need to hear it, we grieve the Holy Spirit.

Sin grieves the Spirit. Compromise grieves the Spirit. Spiritual apathy grieves the Spirit. Let us become people Who know the Word. Let us learn what break His heart, that we might not grieve the Holy Spirit. 

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Overcoming Guilt and Shame

Years ago, while driving my car, I noticed that my check engine light turned on. So I took my car to my mechanic, a trusted friend, and explained to him that I had no idea what was wrong with the car. All I knew was that my check engine light was triggered. 

He ran diagnostics on the car and found the problem. Whatever the problem was, within a couple of hours, my car was fixed. My mechanic assured me that the issue was resolved. 

However, as I drove away from the auto shop, I noticed that my check engine light was still on. “That can’t be,” I thought to myself. I was so bothered by the light that I became a distracted driver. It was difficult to focus on the road ahead while simultaneously worrying about the light. 

I turned around and complained to my mechanic friend. He assured me again that the issue was resolved. He explained, “The problem is fixed. Now, I just need to reset the check engine light.” 

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

The conscience is to the mind what pain is to the body. Guilt can be like a check engine light. It alerts you to an issue. It tells you that something is wrong, that something needs to be fixed, that something could lead to a breakdown. 

The problem comes when, after fixing the problem, we forget to reset the check engine light. After you’ve repented and been forgiven of a sin, it’s time to move on. Once godly sorrow has served its purpose, it’s okay to have joy again. That’s why the psalmist wrote,

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalms 32:1-5)

The conviction of the Holy Spirit is not a burden; it’s a blessing. Repentance is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity. Godly sorrow is your spiritual check engine light. Repent. Fix the issue. And then reset the light. Let godly sorrow serve its purpose and then move on. If you become too focused on your spiritual check engine light, it may become impossible to focus ahead on the road of your divine destiny.

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This is How You Know You Really Have the Holy Spirit

Some people have gifts but don’t walk in glory. Some demonstrate power but don’t carry the presence. The Holy Spirit will mark the life of the believer in many ways: spiritual gifts, anointed ministry, the gift of tongues, authority over demons, and so forth. But the demonstration of power alone isn’t the ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit.

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

The ultimate sign that you’ve received the Holy Spirit is less about what you do and more about who you become. 

Healing, deliverance, miracles, ministry, speaking in tongues - it’s all wonderful. But the greatest sign of having received the Holy Spirit is Christ-like character.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. (Galatians 5:22-24, NLT)

There’s something I’ve learned about the Holy Spirit throughout my many years of friendship with Him: He glorifies Jesus. And one of the many ways that the Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus is by shaping you into the image of Jesus. 

God has commissioned a painting. Jesus is the model. The Holy Spirit is the painter. And your life, when it is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, is the blank canvas upon which He paints the character of Christ.

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3 Kinds of Impartation

Impartation has the power to accelerate your spiritual growth and to help lay a foundation for the future of your ministry. Impartation is the spiritual transfer that takes place through relationship. When I open myself to the teachings of or relationship with an anointed individual, I become a recipient of impartation. A portion of what’s on their life begins to rub off on mine. 

So, here are the three kinds of Biblical impartation and how to experience them in fullness:

#1 Given Impartation 

#2 Shared Impartation

#3  Received Impartation 

Given impartation is when I reach down. Shared impartation is when I reach across. Received impartation is when I reach up. Given impartation takes place when I act as a mentor. Shared impartation takes place when I act as a fellow laborer. Received impartation takes place when I act as a student.

#1 Given Impartation

You may think yourself too spiritually undeveloped to teach anybody anything about the Lord or spiritual truths. But this is simply not the case. For example, let’s take the new convert. The new convert typically knows little to nothing about what the Bible says about various truths and life applications. However, even the new convert can share their testimony. In sharing their testimony with a non-believer, the new convert is sharing the gospel. And in sharing the gospel, the new convert is evangelizing. 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT)

Evangelism, fundamentally, is a form of impartation. So no matter where you are in your spiritual growth, there’s something you can impart to someone who is coming along the path after you. 

#2 Shared Impartation

The Scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17); it also tells us that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). Impartation doesn’t just take place between a mentor and a disciple. It can occur between two spiritual peers. The anointing of your peers rubs off on you, and the anointing on your life rubs off on them too.

#3 Received Impartation 

Now, it’s important to note that all power comes from the Holy Spirit within you, and that power works in proportion to your time spent in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The more time you spend in the presence of the Holy Spirit, the greater the manifestation of power on your life.

But God has given to us gifts in the form of anointed individuals. For example, this is what the Word says in Ephesians chapter four:

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12, NLT)

While receiving from anointed men and women of God, it’s important to keep this in mind: There is a big difference between impartation and imitation. You’re not the next anyone; you’re the first you. 

In fact, impartation makes you a unique expression of God’s power. As you glean from various servants of the Lord, you become a unique and uncommon blend of the anointing.

Impartation doesn’t just help to make you unique. It also accelerates your spiritual growth, as you learn by the Spirit from those with decades of experience. Growth from impartation should be a reality experienced by every single believer.

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7 Signs of Ungodly Ambition

If you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1, NIV)

Yes, the desire to be used of God is good, but you must guard your heart, lest it become contaminated with the mixture of impure motives. 

Here are 7 warning signs of ungodly ambition.

#1 - You lack personal holiness.

To perform in public is easy, but to live righteously in private takes true devotion to and fear of God. Many have gifts but don’t know the glory. Many have charisma but lack character. Living a lifestyle of sinfulness is a sign that your godly motives have been replaced by fleshly ambition.

#2 - You lack a personal devotional life.

If you don’t pray or read the Word consistently, you have no business being behind a pulpit. Spiritual leaders are supposed to help other believers grow spiritually. But how can you truly do that if you yourself haven’t grown? If you lack a prayer life and a devotion to God’s Word, then that’s a sign that your motives are becoming polluted by worldliness. 

#3 - You care more about crowds than you do about people.

If you don’t love God’s people, then why serve them? For financial gain? For status? For popularity? When you look into the faces of those to whom you minister, do you see people with needs, hopes, hurts, and stories? Or do you just see useful tools for your agenda? To have the heart of God is to have compassion for God’s people.

#4 - You have an unhealthy desire to be seen and recognized.

We all appreciate being encouraged and recognized for our work, but if you constantly crave the spotlight, you need to seriously evaluate your motives. People with an unhealthy desire for recognition are operating out of insecurity and rejection that hasn’t yet been healed. They need to be seen, celebrated, and noticed in order to feel fulfilled. These people love to see their faces on flyers, love to be seated in the front row, love to be noticed when they walk into a room, demand VIP treatment, and generally crave attention. 

#5 - You can’t receive correction.

When your motives are impure, everything you do becomes contaminated. Impure motives force you to build the ministry on self, not the Lord. Thus, when correction is brought to you, your first reaction is to be defensive, to protect what you have built upon self. Those who attempt to lovingly correct you are labeled as “haters” or “jealous.” Granted, you can’t give your attention or validation to everyone who brings criticism. Generally speaking, I think you should ignore the internet theologians and keyboard crusaders. But when those who know and love you, those who walk in relationship with you, bring correction, you should take that seriously. Rather than use deflections like, “Well, I’ve been in the ministry for blank amount of years” or “Well, they just don’t understand my anointing,” perhaps you should humbly receive the correction that comes from those who love and know you. If you can’t take legitimate correction, it’s time to check your motives.

#6 You imagine that the purpose of God’s favor is to elevate you.

When God elevates one of His servants, His goal isn’t to elevate a person; His goal is to elevate His Word - His message. God doesn’t raise you for the sake of you. Ministry is not so much a promotion as it is a death to self. Preachers and ministers, please, remember that we are not the main characters in the story. We are simply servants who serve the greater purposes of God. And we can very quickly be replaced. Count it joy that you can be a part of what God is doing, but remember your place. It’s about the lost. It’s about God’s glory. Walk humbly.

#7 You view other ministers and ministries as your competition. 

Ministry is not about competition but cooperation with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you feel pains of jealousy whenever something good happens for another ministry, your motives need to be purified. If you feel like the success of others is somehow taking away from your success, then your motives need to be purified. If you take joy in the failings of other ministries, then your motives need to be purified. Why see the success of others as a threat if we all have the same goal? 

Again, if you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. But watch carefully for these signs of ungodly ambition, lest ungodly ambition destroy your ministry and your soul.

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The Holy Spirit Dominates Demons

Jesus cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit. He said so Himself. 

But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (Luke 11:20, NLT)

Much like healing, deliverance does not come by special procedure, a specific prayer, some superstitious ritual, or any man-made gimmick or technique. Quite simply, it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s no complicated method to apply - that power is found in surrender. The more surrendered you are to the Holy Spirit, the greater will be the flow of God’s mighty power through your life.

It’s no contest. In all the talk of principalities, strong demons, and curses, I think we sometimes forget that no matter how strong a demonic spirit is, there is no spirit on earth more powerful than the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t deal with demons; the Holy Spirit dominates demons. By His mere presence, the forces of darkness are exposed, overcome, and expelled. Just as quickly as light dissolves the shadows, so the Holy Spirit rids one of demonic influence. Like sand castles under a roaring ocean wave, the bondages of the enemy are destroyed.

Can you imagine the Holy Spirit being resisted by a demonic being? Do you imagine that a demon is powerful enough to struggle with or fight with the Holy Spirit? No way.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. (Matthew 8:16, NLT)

So if you’re a believer, rest assured that you carry within you the power to instantaneously overcome or expel any demonic being. Light is no match for darkness. Demons are no match for the Holy Spirit.

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Trembling Before His Glory

I’ve often heard it said, “When I get to Heaven, I’m going to run up to Jesus and give Him a big hug! When I finally stand before God, I’m going to ask Him so many questions.” In all reality, Biblically speaking, when you finally see God face-to-face, you’ll be down on your face, struggling to look up at His brilliance. 

3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! (Genesis 17:3-4, NLT)

5 But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” 6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. (Matthew 17:5-6, NLT)

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. (Revelation 7:11, NLT)

Sure, we will fellowship with God, laugh with God, walk and talk with God, and so forth. Yes, God is your Father, and you are His child. But we mustn’t so casually treat the glory of God that we fail to properly reverence His presence. 

It is a privilege to know His presence. 

In fact, before Christ’s death on the cross, there was a protocol to entering God’s presence. Only a certain few could enter and, even so, only on the right days, at the right time, in the right attire after having undergone the right procedures. Of course, today we enter His presence boldly.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19, NLT)

However, we mustn’t confuse boldness with irreverence. We must reverence, honor, appreciate, and cherish the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His glory is beautiful, and it’s also frightening. May we remember to tremble before His glory. 

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Do you need spiritual leaders? What the Bible says about "Spiritual Covering"

You’ve heard it said, “I love God, but I’m not into organized religion.” This sentiment, though seemingly noble and virtuous, fails to take into account the fact that everything God does is orderly, structured, intentional, and organized.

Consider your body. Your body consists of various systems - nervous system, skeletal system, and so on. Your body lives in an ecosystem on a planet that moves through a solar system. 

In fact, the Church is described as an organized body of believers:

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12, NLT)

People have this idea that the Church shouldn’t be organized or structured, that the Church’s ministry projects shouldn’t be too large, that the Church shouldn’t function on systems. But it’s not only possible to be both led by the Holy Spirit and organized - it’s necessary. For the Holy Spirit Himself always brings order.

But let’s get down to it: one of the reasons that people don’t want to accept the fact that the Church is a system is because they don’t like the idea of God delegating authority to other human beings. This dislike of spiritual authority might stem from hurt or a bad experience. But the Bible makes it clear that God has given us spiritual leaders, not to control us, but to guide us in our spiritual growth.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (Hebrews 13:17, NLT)

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-12, NLT)

Spiritual authority is a protective covering, not a controlling lid. We can benefit from the wisdom, guidance, and love of those who are more mature in the faith. If we want to reach our full spiritual capacity, we must be rid of this unbiblical notion that we don’t need each other. 

Now I understand that some immature or insecure leaders abuse their positions of ministry. (Hint: if anyone ever tells you that you’re cursed or that you’ll never fulfill God’s perfect will if you leave them, that’s manipulation.) 

But we mustn’t allow the abusers of power to keep us from benefitting from leaders who are genuinely loving. All of us have room to grow, and, therefore, all of us can benefit from God’s system of Church authority. 

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Ask. Seek. Knock.

Through persistent prayer, by faith, we pull the wandering, broken pieces of creation into alignment with the will of God. Persistent prayer isn’t about convincing God; it’s about aligning creation. Jesus Himself taught us to persevere when we pray:

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8, NLT)

When you’re praying according to the will of God, you can be sure that what you pray will eventually come to pass. But in the waiting, discouraging thoughts like these may assault your mind: 

“If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now.”

“You’re being unrealistic. There’s no way it will ever happen.”

“Maybe God would do it for someone else, but it can’t happen for you.”

“The odds of it happening are just too difficult to overcome.”

“It just doesn’t look like it’s going to work out.”

When believing big, I myself have had to confront doubtful thoughts. The truth is that I’d rather believe until the end than to risk giving up just before the miracle happened. I wonder how many miracles have been missed simply because someone gave up even just an hour too soon.

Though it may be difficult to believe, though even doubt-filled Christians may tell you to quit, it’s best to side with what Jesus said: Ask, seek, knock.

Ask until you get the answer. Seek until you find. Knock until that door opens. 

You don’t know what tomorrow holds, and any moment can be your miracle moment. By the end of the week, you may be celebrating the miracle. All things are possible. Only believe. He makes a way where there seems to be no way. Persist in praying according to the will of God, for nothing is impossible with God.

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On That Day

One day, everyone will give an account to God for their lives. Even believers will be evaluated by the Lord.

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15, NLT)

The work that we do for the Lord, in our lives and ministries, will be evaluated and judged by the Lord Himself. Through fire, God will reveal what truly matters, what truly counts for eternity. 

On that day, when you look into His eyes of fire, when you hear His thunderous voice, how much money you made won’t matter. No worldly accomplishment will hold any value in itself anymore. On that day, our excuses will fail. Unable to even look up, you won’t be quick to assert the excuses that many hide behind: 

“I didn’t have enough time.”

“I didn’t feel it was the right time.”

“I was so busy. Surely you understand, Lord, why I couldn’t do what you asked me to do, why I couldn’t do as much as you asked me to do.”

On that day, we will give an account for how we invested or wasted our lives - in the very presence of the One Who gave us the precious gift of life. On that day, we will remember every wasted moment, every missed opportunity, every lazy decision. On that day, some will regret giving so much time to so many people and to so many things that were simply distractions from what mattered. On that day, many will regret investing so much into the things that become consumed in the fire of judgment. 

On that day, we will all wish we had done more.

On that day, we will all be both rewarded and convicted.

I want to live for what He will say to me, on that day.

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5 Valleys You Will Face

Biblically speaking, a valley can sometimes be symbolic for a difficult circumstance. But even in the valleys, God is with us.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4, KJV)

Elah

Consider the Valley of Elah. This valley is where David confronted and defeated the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:2). This represents the valley of conflict.

Achor

Think of the Valley of Achor. This is the valley where Achon, who hid plunder in his tent (a symbol of hidden sin), was stoned to death along with his family. Achon paid a price for his disobedience. The valley where he was stoned was named after him (Joshua 7:26). The valley of Achon is the Valley of Consequence

Siddim

Then there’s the Valley of Siddim. Now Bible scholars debate on the exact location of Sodom and Gomorrah. But those wicked cities were either right in or at least near to the valley of Siddim. The valley of Siddim was also known to have slime pits (Genesis 14:1-3; 10). This is the Valley of Corruption.

Eschol

The Valley of Eschol is where some Israelites decided to settle instead of crossing over into the land that God had promised them. Promising to later join those who would continue on to battle, some made the choice to stay behind (Numbers 32:9). All of us will face the Valley of Choice.

Kidron

Finally, there’s the Valley of Kidron. The Valley of Kidron was the location of a cemetery (2 Kings 23:6). Graves can be symbolic for death, despair, and heaviness. Kidron is the Valley of Crushing.

The promise of the gospel isn’t a perfect life of health, wealth, and happiness. Does God prosper His people? Yes. Does God heal? Absolutely. Is the Holy Spirit the source of lasting joy? Of course. But this does not mean that the believer will never travel through the valleys of life.

We will face terrifying conflict, harsh consequences, tempting corruption, difficult choices, and character-building crushing. But even in these valleys, God is with us.

You never have to face conflict without God, Who fights your battles for you.

You never have endure consequence without grace, which can bring you out of trouble - even trouble you caused for yourself.

You never have to stand in the midst of corruption - corrupt systems, corrupt work places, corrupt people - without the power to resist the temptation of that corruption.

You never have to make a choice without the backing of divine wisdom.

You never have to endure crushing tragedies without the comfort of the Holy Spirit Who gives you the breath of strength and joy.

For you, there is no conflict without protection, no consequence without grace, no corruption without strength to resist, no choice without guidance, and no crushing without joy.

Even when you walk through the valley, even there, He is with you.

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The Joy of the Holy Spirit

Contrary to the cliche, the world does, in fact, give joy. If that weren’t the case, sin and selfish living would have no appeal whatsoever. But there is a major difference between the joy that the world gives and the joy that the Holy Spirit gives. The joy that the world gives fades quickly, but the joy that the Holy Spirit gives is everlasting.

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17, NLT)

Some find joy in only their money. Some find joy in only their accomplishments. Some find joy in only the things which are offered by the world. But you and I find joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Because our joy is rooted in the Eternal Spirit, our joy lasts. When you find your joy in that which is temporary, the joy itself is temporary. For nothing can outlast its source. The things of the world fade, change, and become uncertain. But the Holy Spirit never leaves us, never changes, and is never unreliable. 

Chaos can stir all around you. Tragedy can catch you off guard. Difficulties can test your faith. But in every moment, in every circumstance, you and I can be joyful. 

The Spirit-filled believer isn’t dull and lifeless. The Christian doesn’t have to be stoic and cynical. For from the believer bursts a joy that can dissolve the heaviness in any atmosphere. On the believer rests a divine light, a spiritual, life-giving magnetism - it is the everlasting joy of the Holy Spirit. 

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How to Welcome the Holy Spirit: 3 Keys

We know that we should welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministries - but do we know how to welcome Him? Here are three simple keys to welcoming the Holy Spirit.

#1 Holiness

Consider His likes and dislikes.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30, NLT)

If the Holy Spirit loves me enough to be grieved by my disobedience, then it stands to reason that the Holy Spirit loves me enough to be pleased by my obedience. By living a holy life, you welcome His presence. This, of course, does not mean that the Holy Spirit abandons you when you fail. He doesn’t leave you because you made a mistake. This just means that when you live holy, the Holy Spirit feels at home in you.

Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit dwells in you. Are you taking Him places He doesn’t want to go? Are you using His temple to do things that grieve Him? Do the things you watch and listen to remind Him of things that break His heart? To live holy is to live considerate of the Holy Spirit’s likes and dislikes.

#2 Awareness

Consider His presence.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (John 14:16, NLT)

He never leaves us. His presence is always with us. So how often are you aware of His presence? What is the pace of your life? Do ever pause to consider the fact that He is with you? Is the pull of life more effective on you than the pull of the Spirit? The Holy Spirit invites us to know God, to pray, to read the Word - but, all too often, we are too busy to even consider what He is saying. If you want to welcome the Holy Spirit in your life, then don’t live so fast-paced that you can’t remain aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

#3 Obedience

Consider His voice.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14, NLT)

Sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit isn’t just about how clearly you hear Him but also about how quickly you respond when He speaks. Delay is disobedience. What is the Holy Spirit asking of you? What has He instructed you to do? What’s the delay? Radical, unconditional obedience is the mark of a truly Spirit-filled believer.

Holiness is living clean.

Awareness is living at a pace that allows for the consideration and realization of the Spirit’s presence.

Obedience is about taking bold steps of faith when the Holy Spirit speaks.

These are three of the many ways that you can welcome the precious Holy Spirit in your life.

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Could THIS Help You Discover Your Spiritual Gift?

Did you know that the Holy Spirit has given you a spiritual gift? The Bible says…

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT)

The Bible is clear: every believer has something to contribute to the body of Christ. However, many believers are confused or unaware of what their spiritual gifts are. If you are praying about or wondering about what spiritual gift God has given to you, I invite you to take the Spiritual Gifts test available at www.spiritualgifttest.com

It’s absolutely free and will only take a few minutes. While only the Holy Spirit can ultimately confirm your gift to you, you can use our test as a helpful resource. In fact, you can choose from three of the Biblically-based tests we offer.

The Spiritual Gifts test will assess your “power gift” - as written about in 1 Corinthians 12.

The Leadership Gifts test will assess your “leadership gift” - as written about in Ephesians 4.

The Service Gifts test will assess your “service gift” - as written about in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.

Again, it’s absolutely free. You can get started now by going to www.spiritualgifttest.com

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Holy Spirit: A Fire By Night

Just as the people of Israel were guided by a fire by night and a cloud by day, so the believer is guided by the Holy Spirit in uncertain times. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God dwelt in a tent. Today, He dwells in you.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

When you face trouble, He is there. The Holy Spirit faithfully abides with you. He will never leave you.

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. (John 14:16 & 17a, NLT)

Though you may not always sense His nearness, He is there. Though others might abandon you, He is there. Though you feel alone at times, He is there. He is always there. 

At one point or another, all of us will face the night. When you’re living through the night season, He is a fire that goes before you to light the way. In the darkness of confusion, He burns bright. In the cold of tragedy, He comforts you. 

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:18, NLT)

So when you can’t see ahead of you and all seems lost, when your heart aches and your faith is tested, when life casts a shadow, the Holy Spirit is the fire by night. 

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The Rain of Judgment

God is love. And because He is loving, He must righteously punish evil. There is coming a day of judgment, when God will judge the world.

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5, NLT)

Because God is merciful, He is giving us time to turn from our evil ways. Stubbornly, arrogantly, people persist in their sin. They mistake God’s patience for God’s absence; they mistake God’s mercy for God’s permission. 

36“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:36-39, NKJV)

Like in the days of Noah: people were living life as usual. Calamity fell upon them unexpectedly, from seemingly nowhere. So it will be in our day. Many will be busy with their usual living - people will be marrying, graduating, raising families, starting businesses, indulging in pleasures, and carrying on with life as they know it. 

Then the rain of God’s judgment will begin to fall. Thankfully, God has provided a way of escape. By putting your faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross, you, like Noah, can find shelter from the rain. 

May we turn from our evil ways and embrace God’s free gift of salvation.

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Purified for a Purpose

Where would you be had the Lord not rescued you from sin? Think of all the Lord has brought you through, and consider this truth: God delivered you unto a divine destiny.

25“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:25-27, NLT)

Whatever your past, God has a future in mind for you. You are a recipient of God’s cleansing touch, and that touch has removed your guilt. Let go of the shame of yesterday, and, with gratitude toward God, step into newness of life.

You may feel as though you have been disqualified from being used by God, but remember this: Those who have been touched by the glory of God can be used for the glory of God. You have been purified for a purpose. 

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Faith and Fire

If you were told that the promise of the gospel was a perfect life, then you were lied to. Certainly, God blesses and protects His children. But trials and troubles are not just unavoidable - they’re necessary for your spiritual strengthening and growth. Here’s what the Bible says:

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:7, NLT)

Just as fire purifies and tests gold, so trials purify and test your faith. When the pressure is on, when there seems to be good reason to doubt, when troubles come from every side, when you don’t know how you’ll make it - that’s when the nature of Christ is made manifest in you. Fire reveals and eliminates impurities from gold. Trials expose and correct the impurities of heart, mind, and motive. 

When the temperature rises and you feel as though you’ve reached the breaking point, if you’ll trust the Lord, He will make good use of the testing. Not a moment of sorrow, anguish, or pressing will be wasted by the masterful hand of God. 

When gold is under fire, the refiner will watch the process. He will patiently wait. It’s not until he can see his reflection in the gold that he knows it has been purified. Likewise, in every trial, as those flaws in our character and nature are burned and melted away, God sees that the trial has served its purpose when He can see Himself in you. 

So when the testing of your faith comes, and it will, just remember that, in the end, you will be that much more like Jesus in every way. Tried by fire, made like Christ.

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