Breath of Life

Breath of Life

Genesis 2: ⁷ And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

 

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GOD, in HIS recap of the beginning of humanity, describes how he made the first man to Moses. GOD took the complex minerals and formed the first human. It was lifeless until HE breathed into the sculpture.

 

My Observations:

• GOD made humans special.
• GOD took time to fashion the first human.
• GOD spoke other things into existence, but humans received HIS breath of life.

 

No other creature received the breath of life. GOD wanted humans to be a special creation and gave a soul to us. All the autonomous systems inside humans were functioning. The brain was able to produce and receive thoughts.

 

When GOD breathed the breath of life into man, he made him pure. There was no sin in the breath.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD gave Moses this recap of what HE made the first man out of?
• Why do you think GOD did not breathe into any other living thing?
• Have you considered that GOD created you special to HIM and wants the best for you?

Live In

 

Live In

2 John 1: ⁴ How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. ⁵ And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning. ⁶ This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.

 

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“Once you join the group, you have to follow the rules” a group leader said. I wanted to be part of the prestigious group so I did everything the group said. Once inside I became an ambassador for the group, taunting people to join and to be like “us.”

 

• I was totally invested in the group.
• I believed in the group so much, that I talked about the group’s decisions all the time.
• I even thought the group was the answer to some problems people were having in life.

 

John expressed the excitement of seeing “some” people living in the truth of GOD. He could see their lives were different than others because they took GOD’s words to heart and were loving one another. They were no longer living outside of GOD’s love.

 

My Observations:

• I may try to leave GOD, BUT HE will never leave me.
• GOD loves when I live in HIS truth and obey what HE says in HIS word, which is the Bible.
• Obedience to GOD requires that I surrender my life to HIM which gives me more freedom than I thought.

 

At one time I thought GOD was a restrainer who couldn’t wait to punish me. I mean, isn’t the Bible a list of rules that hypocrites use to control people? No! GOD revealed HIS love and spoke to many writers to reveal HIS SON, JESUS as the Savior from blindness of HIM.

 

Sin caused all humans to be blind to GOD’s love and we needed help. JESUS took our punishment and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to open the wyes of believers. This causes you and me to be able to “live in” the truth, obedience and love. I am glad GOD made a way.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer used the words “some of your children?”
• Have you ever wanted to be part of an organization, so you learned the rules and stuck to them?
• Will you take whatever battles you are creating and surrender them to GOD so you can live in HIS truth, by obeying HIS commands so you can live in HIS love today?

Living Stone

Living Stone

1 Peter 2: ⁴ Come to the Lord, the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. ⁵ Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For the scripture says,

“I chose a valuable stone,
    which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion;
    and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed.”
⁷ This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe:
“The stone which the builders rejected as worthless
    turned out to be the most important of all.”
⁸ And another scripture says,
“This is the stone that will make people stumble,
    the rock that will make them fall.” 

They stumbled because they did not believe in the word; such was God's will for them.

 

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Knowing there was something wrong with the decision, I felt kind of nervous. A friend of mine found a way to get some groceries without using his money. I thought it was not right, but volunteered to drive him to the store and threw in my list of items. On the way home, my car broke down. Coincidentally, the cost of the repair was almost half the amount we spent on groceries.

 

• I rejected the warning thought and went with the bad decision.
• I thought that I could participate in something partially and not be guilty.
• I could have said “No” and walked away from the bad decision.

 

Peter invites everyone to give their lives to JESUS. He mentions that JESUS was overlooked as the one and only solution to all problems. The world has a better way than JESUS so therefore they reject HIM as valuable. BUT GOD has chosen HIM as the most valuable.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is more pleased when I ask HIM, “What would YOU like me to do?”
• When I make decisions that do not include GOD, I tend to stumble and fall.
• JESUS is the cornerstone of my faith and I can build HIS kingdom without ever being disappointed.

 

Disappointment, blame and fear develop when I leave GOD out of my decisions. I mean, there is a way that seems right to me, but I end up falling down and hurting myself. GOD gives me a decision, I can be a stone for HIM or fall on the stone, which is JESUS.

 

Being a stone means, life’s challenges will not move me from believing in HIS power. It also means I totally rely on HIM to resolve my problems HIS way and in HIS time. HE then makes me a holy servant simply because of my belief in HIM. I am glad JESUS stands firm for me.

 

Challenge

• What rejection does the writer mention?
• Have you ever thought that some things that GOD wants are worthless?
• Will you become a living stone for JESUS today and live by HIS example today?

More Than Just Living

More Than Just Living

1 Thessalonians 4:¹ Finally, our friends, you learned from us how you should live in order to please God. This is, of course, the way you have been living. And now we beg and urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to do even more.

 

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After a hard week’s work, I sat down to get some rest. Suddenly the weekend was over and I had to get up and work hard again. I was doing what was expected of me, but felt there had to be more than “this” to life.

 

• I was simply making a living.
• I was not causing anyone any harm or trying to do wrong.
• I went to church, work and tended to my family, but felt something missing.

 

Paul Silas and Timothy modeled behaviors that were pleasing to GOD. Believers in JESUS saw their dedication and did the same. Their lives were focused on CHRIST. Then the writers gave a strange challenge to “do even more.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to model a life that is pleasing to HIM.
• Making disciples to follow JESUS should be my goal.
• Having others do more than I ever could Is GOD’s goal for me.

 

Leaders who want other people to act like him or her is not the best thing. I mean, leaders make mistakes and could cause others to do the same. Pointing our lives to JESUS is the goal. I may meet someone who just became aware of their belief in JESUS and may have some ideas on how to live. But this advice should be short lived.

 

GOD has gifted others to surpass any advice I could give. Who knows the great and wonderful things GOD has in store for you. I am glad HE wants me to have abundant life. I am also grateful you can do even more.

 

Challenge

• What do you think the writers were doing to live a life pleasing to GOD?
• Have you gotten stuck in the rut of just living?
• Will you step out on faith and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you to “do even more” than just living by seeking HIS Kingdom today?

Compelled and Warned

Compelled and Warned

Acts 20: ²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

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Tired of living a lie, I took a deep breath and started telling people about my relationship with JESUS at work. I noticed a freedom I had not felt in years. I started telling “the” truth versus “a” truth. No longer could I settle for spinning bad news into some kind of positive myth.

Many people noticed and like hearing the truth. BUT the SPIRIT warned me there would be wealthy, powerful people who did not like the truth being told. HE prepared me to lose the job.

• There was a time when I had to say “no more of this.”
• There was a time when I had to stop cowering and pretending to live for GOD.
• There was a time when I had to choose who I really served.

Paul spoke to the elders of Ephesus after bypassing their city. He told them of the hardships he faced, speaking about JESUS. He said he was “compelled by the SPRIT” to go to Jerusalem where he would surely face imprisonment. Why would he do that? Because he had purpose.

• GOD wants me to give my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to accept the task of testifying the good news of GOD’s grace.
• GOD wants me to complete the task the LORD JESUS has given me, namely to tell everyone about HIS death and resurrection to eternal life, saving anyone who believes in HIM.

When my life matters to me more than GOD, then I make fear filled decisions. I say “What if I get hurt?” or “What if I lose my job?” or “What if I am not liked?” GOD is not harsh, HE simply wants dedication to HIS SON who did so much for me that I cannot ever repay HIM.

My life is not “mine” it’s HIS. My family, business, home, friends, neighbors, job and stuff are all HIS. As much as I’d like to hold onto those things, they are HIS to take or expand. True freedom is being able to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT in spreading the news about JESUS. I am grateful GOD thinks enough of me to give me this task.

• Are you trying to hold onto something?
• Are your decisions based on fear?
• Will you allow GOD to guide you into letting go of what you are trying to hold onto; so HE can lead you to the true plan HE has for you, giving you abundant and eternal life today?

Closed and Open Gates

Closed and Open Gates

Acts 16: ⁶ Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

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“Keep the gate closed” were the words directed to me. “Yeah” was my response. Our house was not in the middle of the block, but if someone wanted a short cut, this yard was a good choice.

After riding my bike I ran into the house, leaving it on the side of the house. The next morning I wanted to ride. I noticed the bike missing and the gate wide open. I had forgotten to put the bike away and close the gate.

• There have been times when I left something open and allowed the wrong element to come in.
• There have been times when I went to a gate and it was closed, so I could not get in.
• There have been times when I went to another gate and it was opened to me by the owner.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout one region, preaching about JESUS with much success. But when they reached one area, the HOLY SPIRIT prevented them from entering. JESUS did not want them to enter a specific area. They passed by the area. Paul then received a vision to help a specific city. He went, ready to preach the gospel.

• GOD wants me to listen to the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to be ready to stay where HE sent me or to leave when HE tells me to.
• GOD wants me to be ready with the gospel of JESUS.

Being led by the HOLY SPIRIT is a wonderful opportunity. Getting direction from GOD to tell people about HIS SON is an amazing thing to be part of. JESUS gives me this opportunity time and time again.

HE sends me to people and wants me ready to speak about HIM. Unfortunately, there will be places GOD has closed off to hearing about HIM. HE sends me to hearts that can hear. I am grateful GOD has included me in HIS purpose.

• Are you being sent but are facing opposition?
• Are you ready and prepared to speak about JESUS at a moment’s notice?
• Will you listen to the HOLY SPIRIT and go where HE leads you and stay away from the places HE does not want you?

SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us,

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.