Tag Archives: The Holy Spirit

Seeing with Spiritual Eyes, Part 1

November 16, 2021 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

An invitation

When I begin my daily devotions, I open with Psalm 119:18: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. My favorite teacher, Alistar Begg, often begins his bible study sessions with this prayer, “Make the book come alive to me.”

Our intent is the same though our approach may differ. We invite the Holy Spirit to join us as our Teacher, as we seek God’s instruction for our life. Doing this, we are better able to navigate in this post-modern world where there are no absolutes nor acceptable standards of rightness.

As we examine our current society, it appears what is right or wrong is left to the judgment of the individual. In the absence of a common standard of right and wrong, anything goes.

The Heart wants what the Heart wants

People reject a standard for truth because of their greater desire to do “that which seems right in their own eyes”. But what is right?

A recent Barna Research study, The End of Absolutes: America’s New Moral Code, found no agreement on the definition of morality today.

What is it based on? Where does it come from? How can someone know what to do when making moral decisions? According to a majority of American adults (57%), knowing what is right or wrong is a matter of personal experience. This view is much more prevalent among younger generations than among older adults. Three-quarters of Millennials (74%) agree strongly or somewhat with the statement, “Whatever is right for your life or works best for you is the only truth you can know,” compared to only 38 percent of Elders. And Millennials (31%) are three times more likely than Elders (10%) and twice as likely as Boomers (16%) and Gen-Xers (16%) to strongly agree with the statement.

People want “what they want” including freedom to choose what fits their preference and lifestyle, even if it means disobedience to God. [1]

The need to see spiritually

What then are we to do? It is critical that we as followers of Jesus Christ, develop an “eye” for what is truth versus what is error (1 John 4:1). We began this discussion in 2020 in our series on spiritual discernment. However, during these end times, we must be even more intentional, vigil, and alert by “seeing” our world through “spiritual eyes” (1 Pet. 1:13).

This 21^st century challenge is similar to what the Disciples and the early Church faced. They encountered a society that was “hostile” to the things of God and where men “leaned to their own understanding” (Prov. 3:5).

The Disciples had to develop a “new view” of the world. Jesus taught them that view in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). It was the “Kingdom view”. Believers would have to “see” things differently than the rest of the world. They would learn to see with spiritual eyes.

Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the Disciples ultimately proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. They participated in ushering in the Kingdom of God. We have that same opportunity today.

Next week, we’ll talk more about gaining spiritual eyes.

Time to Practice

I invite you to begin “practicing” seeing with spiritual eyes. Following are (3) scriptures to read and meditate on this week. Feel free to use different translations and paraphrases. Get your journal out as you read and invite the Holy Spirit to join you.

Jeremiah 5:21-29

Matthew 6:22-23

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Answer these questions for each scripture you read:

How does this scripture relate to my personal walk with God?
How does it influence my view of 21^st century society?
What “new” insight did the Holy Spirit reveal to me in this scripture?

[1] Spiritual Discernment: Light for Darkened Eyes

Our Faith Walk

Recognizing Our Sin

March 16, 2021 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

It wasn’t me!

Chuck Berry, guitarist, singer and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music, recorded a song in the 60’s that has become the automatic response when Ron and I accuse each other of some “mishap in the house.” These lyrics have been modernized in a television commercial showing a child (hiding under the dining table) joyfully eating a cake obviously confiscated from the dessert buffet. The lyrics are these: “It wasn’t me, baby! No, it wasn’t me, baby! Must have been some other body, uh, uh, baby, it wasn’t me.”

This is often the response we hear when people are confronted with their sin. Listen to the news this week, this month, this year! Rather than take responsibility and quickly confessing, we begin to distance ourselves from the sin. Denial doesn’t remove the sin. Instead, it allows sin to strengthen in our life. Our willingness to accept responsibility for our sins is further complicated by living in a postmodern world where truth is relative. This further numbs us to the presence of sin in our lives.

Because of these factors, it is critical that we take personal responsibility for our sinful actions. This process begins with our being intentional in identifying sin in our lives (1 John 1:6-8, 10).

Living the Way of Jesus

This year as part of my spiritual development, I am reading Michaele Lavigne’s notable book, Living the Way of Jesus: Practicing the Christian Calendar One Week at a Time. The book is organized around the Christian calendar, using scriptural texts that follow the seasons of the Christian Calendar. While Jewish celebration revolves around the Exodus from Egypt, the Christian Church year focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus.

Lavigne includes weekly practices that invite readers to the rhythms of the Christian calendar and to orient us to God’s reality.

We do not merely ask God to join our lives: instead, we are invited to participate in God’s life. Subtly and explicitly, this way of making time reminds us that we [Believers] are part of a story that is different from the stories we hear all around us.[1]

This Season of Lent provides us an opportunity to walk with Jesus as He makes His way to the Cross and to gain a whole new understanding of what it means to be Christ’s disciple. This includes how we address sin in our lives—both subtle and obvious.

For Lent, Lavigne has suggested weekly practices that invite us to observe “who we really are and what the world is really like”. Practices to date have included Silence, Honoring Others’ Requests, and Recognizing our Sin. It is this last one that I share my personal reflections. Perhaps you will find it helpful in your journey to becoming more conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29).

Where do I start?

I was invited to begin with prayer and to consider what Jesus may need to “clean out of me”. Are there desires, activities, or decisions that are cluttering my life and preventing full worship of Jesus? I was to write them down and then take them to the One Person who could help me with my “sin problem”. I was to take them to Jesus.

Jesus alone could clear out and burn away the things that harmed me (John 2:13-22). Jesus would shine His light of truth on those things that kept me from being in right relationship with God and with others. I was to listen to anything Jesus might share with me during our time together. That was the most illuminating part of this practice. Once I confessed my sins, Jesus faithfully forgave me and cleansed me from my sins (1 John 1:9).

At the end of the week, I was to process what I learned from this practice of recognizing my sin.

What did I learn about myself? About God?

I learned that there were things that cluttered my life and prevented me from spending quality time with the Lord. I had allowed busyness to dominate my time. My schedule was interfering with my time with my First Love (Rev. 2:4).

For me, even ministry work (externally focused) sometimes takes time away from prayer, reading God’s Word, meditation, journaling, and more. Dedicated time with Jesus provides “sacred space” where He can direct, reproof, instruct, nurture, and correct me. It is time when I can “d-r-i-n-k” from the fountain of life (Ps. 36:9). And as I drink, I am being transformed (Rom. 12:2).

What did I Learned about God? He never changes! Hallelujah! God is loving and patient. Even in my foolishness and sin, He never gives up on me. “The Lord will wait that He may be gracious unto me.” (Is. 30:18)

Recognizing My Sin: The Conclusion

I close with this quote from F.B. Meyers concerning sin. “We often expose ourselves to more anguish in our effort to retain and to restrain [our sins], than to remove them absolutely and forever.” Where are you spending your efforts?

It is our responsibility to keep sin at bay in our lives. While we live in this flesh, we must deal with the presence of sin. However, we have been delivered from its power in our lives (Rom. 6:6-14). The intentional practice of recognizing sin can draw us nearer to Jesus and becoming the people our Heavenly Father created us to be.

[1] Living the Way of Jesus: Practicing the Christian Calendar One Week at a Time

Our Faith Walk

Sin: What do we do with it?

March 9, 2021 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

What do we do with sin?

What do we do with sin? John wrote in his epistle that “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us 1 John 1:8). For too long this question has been asked only by theologians and scholars as they “pontificate” over spiritual things.

But the people who should be asking this question are those who are currently stewards of God’s grace, desiring that God’s “kingdom will come”—to our nation, to our churches, and more importantly, to our homes.

Unfortunately, the people of God have allowed the “elephant in the room” (sin in disguise) to go unchallenged. Did we really expect “the lost” (2 Cor. 4:4) to lodge complaints about sin? It is time to speak up!

We express concern over the difficulties created by the COVID pandemic and the financial uncertainties we now face. But what do we do with the sin that is at its root? Hate, greed, and selfishness?

As we struggle with the racial and political division in our nation, we demand respect, equality, and justice. In response to the rise in homelessness and poverty, we advocate for humane responses for those forced to live marginalized on the fringes of our society. But what do we do with the sin that is at its core–strife and indifference?

Sin is a subject that is glaringly absent in our discussions concerning the plight of our world especially in our church pulpits.

Many of the issues we face in society are as a result of sin.

Sin originates from thoughts and feeling that focus on activities that satisfy personal (and usually) selfish desires (James 1:14-15). These desires are then acted upon by the will (spirit and heart) which has the power to do what is good—or evil.

Social reform and political posturing cannot affect these human dimensions. What then is the remedy for the heart that is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9)?

God has devised His plan of redemption to deal with the issue of sin.

Redemption is “grace-based”, no longer requiring God’s forbearance (Rom. 3:25), nor demanding redundant, ineffective sacrifices for the sins of men (Heb. 10:11). God became, through His Son, the just and the Justifier of him which believed in Jesus (Rom. 3:24).

Faith in the Son is the starting point of redemption and the end is a righteous soul (Rom. 5:21)—a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Jesus replaces the stony heart of man with a new heart of flesh. He places His Spirit within man that will cause him to “do right” (Ezek. 36:26-27).

So what do we do with sin?

We must first recognize sin in our own life. We begin by aligning our will with the will and counsel of God (Col. 3:1-3). This requires that we read His Word, become fervent in prayer, and seek his guidance.

Secondarily, we must boldly speak out against sin in our society. It includes our witness to God’s expectation that we love one another (1 John 4:7-8) and seek to be “reconciled” (in right relationship) to each other (Eph. 2:14-15).

Finally, we are to advocate for all things (not just what fits our political preference) that glorify and honor God (Gal. 5:22-24). Sound simple? It is when we place God over our personal needs and agendas (Matt.6:33).

If you personally, are in the midst of sin, first confess and repent quickly. God is faithful to forgive and cleanse you (1 John 1: 19). Then reckon yourself dead to sin (Rom. 6:11) and no longer let sin have dominion over you (Rom. 6:14). That’s what we do with sin!

Spiritual Maturity

Truth: The Divine Perspective

February 2, 2021 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Truth is an incredibly significant concept. Our view of truth shapes not only our personal lives but also our society. It especially impacts our relationship with God including our view of Scripture.

Our definition of truth is affected by what we watch, what we read, and even the opinions of our friends. Add to that the sway of social media, your “truth” is being adjusted with every post and tweet you receive. Imagine there are 500 million tweets sent every day[1]. Scary isn’t it.

Let’s face reality! We live in an age where we are being bombarded by varying opinions as to what is or isn’t truth. Because of these deceptive trends, it is important that we have a reliable and trustworthy compass by which to navigate in this world. We need guidance from God. We need God’s divine perspective.

God’s perspective of truth

In the Old Testament, truth is rendered as true or faithful. In either case, the Hebrew concept communicates reliability and trustworthiness. This trustworthiness is frequently used to describe God’s divine faithfulness (Ps. 31:5; Jer. 42:5).

In the New Testament, truth emphasizes reality as God has revealed it in creation (Rom. 1:18) and in the gospel (Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:4). God’s perspective of truth is given to us through His Word and through the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit. Armed with these divine gifts we are provided a continual source of truth.

Truth in action

Adherence to the truth was critical during the formation of the early Church. Pressured by the Judaizers to continue with the practice of circumcision, the church at Galatia was in danger of spiritual error. They were rejecting the truth (salvation through Jesus Christ alone) to avoid persecution. We at one time or another have been guilty of quietly accepting error versus being truth tellers. That is to our shame.

In Galatians 5:7, Paul poses a question to this young church: “You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth?”

Paul continues by stating emphatically, “This persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.” When we drift from the truth that God has revealed, we can be assured of its origin—the puppeteer of deception and lies, Satan.

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translated “in the presence of God”. It has its origin is Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, to the honor and glory of God. Truth is to be lived coram Deo.

Practicing God’s divine perspective

Truth is to be practiced not only within the church but also outside its four walls. Imagine the impact that error has on every aspect of our society—in our homes, in the workplace, and in our institutions. Practicing God’s divine perspective acknowledges the importance of sharing truth in every sphere of our life.

Using God’s revelation, we have access to reliable knowledge—divine truth—about God, about ourselves, and how we are to live in relationship with our fellow man. Unfortunately, we often separate our “faith walk” from our “lifestyle”. God’s truth should permeate every area of our life. Practicing God’s divine perspective requires that we walk in God’s truth continuously.

Our dependence on God’s truth is not based on emotional sentimentalities but firmly grounded in the nature of God (Deut. 7:9). We walk in accordance with His moral realities and act in harmony with His divine revelations (Ps. 26:3). Practicing God’s divine perspective recognizes God’s trustworthiness.

Knowing the reliability of God and accepting the reality of God, we can begin to operate from God’s divine perspective. God’s divine truth becomes the vehicle by which we can successfully navigate in this 21^st century postmodern society.

[1] Brandwatch.com

Faith

Tools for Encouragement

September 10, 2019 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. Romans 15:2 (KJV)

As In The Word Ministries moves into its second decade of service, we will be launching a new program entitled Contending for Children (CFC). While we declare that “children are our future”, unfortunately there are still gaps in services leaving our children victims of violence, neglect, and abuse. It is our opinion that in order to live victoriously as individuals, both women and their children need to be included in our ministry efforts.

That being the case, my radar is continually in search of trends and new thinking concerning children.

In researching the topic of encouragement, I was introduced to an article by Dr. Timothy Evans entitled, “The Tools of Encouragement”. While its focus is children, I found “spiritual fodder” for our series on encouragement for 21^st century living.

Encouragement versus Discouragement

In his article, Dr. Evans cites attitudes and behaviors that compare encouragement to discouragement. For space sake, I have listed below at few which, I feel, may fit with our discussion of encouragement. I challenge you to review the total list as an “informal assessment” of your personal “encouragement style” with others God has placed in your life.

ENCOURAGEMENT	DISCOURAGEMENT
Hopeful view of people’s nature	Hopeless view of people’s nature
Individual’s behavior is purposeful	Individual’s behavior is caused by outside forces and victimization in the past
Influence without strings	Control, force, and fear
Equality as human beings	Superiority-sitting in judgment
Chatting-talking with	Advising-telling to
Being ourselves, fine as we are	Pleasing and proving
Recognizes effort and improvement	Recognizes only tasks well done
Courage to be imperfect	Fear of mistakes

After a review of the behaviors, I found that many of the actions I had believed to be “helpful” could have instead been discouraging to those whom I had hoped to assist.

I now better understand that encouragement needs to flow from a heart that “stands with” the person in need of support. Its end result should reflect renewed hope and confidence. Jesus understood this dynamic and demonstrates for us the best model for encouragement.

The Master Encourager: Inspiration to hope and service

By His very nature, Jesus was the greatest of all encouragers. Whether with His disciples or with the crowds, Jesus’ words spoke life and possibilities to those in need of support and confidence.

Jesus encouraged others to an expectant hope. Jesus comforted His disciples with living hope—hope found in the promise of His resurrection (1 Pet. 1:3). Jesus told them not to have their hearts troubled because “if they believed and trusted in the true and living God, they could also believe and trust in Him” (John 14:1). Hope was fostered by the fact that God had a purposeful future planned for them including a place in heaven.

Jesus encouraged others in preparation for service. Jesus spent His closing days with His disciples ensuring them that He would not leave them as orphans but instead promised the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, would come alongside them to help fulfill their purpose and their service to mankind (John 14:16-18). The Holy Spirit now indwells each of us in the 21^st century to do the very same thing.

Encouragement—RECAST

Although we as Christians may not experience overt persecution or hatred, we do feel the pressures and disappointment that comes from living in this fallen world. Discouragement is not an uncommon human experience. Therefore encouragement is needed.

For the recipient, encouragement helps individuals manage through times of trials and spiritual discipline. It undergirds them when they may feel like giving up (Heb. 12:5). Encouragement gives hope and helps believers to continue their walk of faith (Rom. 15:4).

For the donor, encouragement nurtures patience and kindness (1 Cor. 13:4-7). It takes attention away from self and refocuses on the needs of others (1 Thess. 5:11). Encouragement of believers ultimately supports the Great Commission—the advancement of God’s kingdom.

I’d like to close this series with as acrostic that will help to remind us of the importance and purpose of encourage. The word is HOPE: Helping Others’ Purpose Evolve. As believers we are to follow the example of Christ in encouraging other to pursue their purpose outlined before the foundations of the world (Eph. 2:10); to accomplish the days fashioned for them before they existed (Ps. 139:16).

Spiritual Maturity

The Whole Counsel of God: What is it?

July 16, 2019 ITWMinistries 2 Comments

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:27 (NKJ)

One of the things this nation is not short on is advice. If you turn on the television, every station has its personal brand of advice—The Real, The Talk, The View. And let’s not forget social media.

Life and spiritual coaches have been added to the deluge of resources ready to “create a better life for you”. Online counseling by Chat, Video or Phone. Get Help and Get Happy. Therapy Anytime, Anywhere. Each of these resources and programs are targeting different groups of viewers—boomers, millennials, Xers to influence their thoughts and actions. And the real question is influence for what?

If ever there was a need for reliable counsel, it is now!

Definition of Counsel

The noun “counsel” means advice, especially that given formally. Counsel is synonymous with guidance, direction and instruction. The Hebrew word that best communicates the concept of counsel is ‘esah, which adds purpose or plan to the definition. It is both used of God’s counsel and of human counsel.

Counsel Given—Counsel Received

The Old Testament portrays counsel as that which is usually given to kings (1 Chron. 13:1). Counsel may have come from trusted advisors but more frequently through God’s prophets (Deut. 18:14-21).

Proverbs suggests that one should seek counsel from many with the thought that human beings are limited and need contributors to be sure all alternatives are considered (Prov. 11:14; Prov. 20:18).

In the New Testament, especially in the church, though they were a close-knit fellowship, involved in one another’s lives, there is almost nothing about counsel or acting on the advice of others. The closest thing to “counsel” would have been that given to the early churches via apostolic letters.

Regardless of the counsel received, no advice or counsel frees the person’s responsibility for making his or her own choice. Such was the case in our text as Paul gives instructions to the Ephesian elders.

What constitutes “the whole” ?

What is the “whole counsel of God”? If you search different Bible versions for clarity, you may still be left asking, “What is it?” In our text, the different Bible versions read, “the whole counsel of God” (ESV) or “the whole will of God” (NIV) or “the whole purpose of God” (NASB).

The phrase the whole counsel of God was introduced by Paul in Acts 20:27 in his farewell speech to the elders of the Ephesian church. In this context, the whole counsel of God refers to the “gospel message”.

Paul spoke the complete gospel—the whole truth about God’s salvation including the “mystery” of God extending His plan of salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews (Ep. 3:9). Paul’s declaration of the “whole counsel of God” made him “innocent” of anyone’s decision to reject God’s truth as revealed, at that time.

The whole counsel of God, in summary, is God’s truth revealed in His purpose and His will. God communicates His whole counsel in two key ways—the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

Paul witnessed to the fact that, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16, NRS). The Bible is the “play book” which helps believers live in alignment with God’s will and in right relationship with one another.

Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit believers relate God’s truth to present situations—guiding them in actions they are to take. Although the Spirit may use any number of avenues to help believers sense His direction, He ultimately guides us to decisions that are in harmony with what God purposes for us (Jer. 10:23).

Living in 21^st century, postmodern America, it is critical that we have access to good counsel. We need counsel that is sure and dependable; trustworthy and timeless. We need counsel to help us live out of the heart God created for us. We need the whole counsel of God.

We will continue next week with this series, “The Whole Counsel of God.”