Three P’s
Read: Numbers 29- 30 & 3 John
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2
Examine:
Much is made in the New Testament about holding on to faith in the midst of suffering and persecution. In this verse John reminds his readers that it is ok to seek provision, protection, and peace. These three P’s are basic human needs. Without them, life on earth is not tolerable.
Apply:
Before I can look to God for my provision, protection, and peace I need to be walking in truth. If my lifestyle is not in submission to God, then it is not reasonable to expect Him to bless my life with provision, protection or peace. My heart and my intentions must be centered on the will of God.
Prayer:
Father, I am empty this morning. I turn to You today and ask for Your help. I need the basic provisions of wisdom, resources, and opportunity. There is a lot of confusion and frustration surrounding me right now, and I desperately need Your sovereign hand to set things straight before me.
I need Your protection today over our physical and emotional well-being. You know where we are and the struggles that we are facing today. I pray that You make my home and my family a safe place today. In the face of great strain and stress it is difficult to stay healthy. I turn towards You today and beg Your protection over our home.
Things are not well with my soul today. I am frustrated and honestly I am disappointed. I fully expected hardships as we followed You on this new journey, but I never expected the weight that I feel today. It is tempting to fall away. As the heat of this struggle intensifies, I pray that the glory of Your name would become more real, more tangible, and more comforting. Restore my hope today. Strengthen Your name today. Make things well with my soul today.
In all of this I continue to give You my yes. As You lead, I will follow. Let my life be honoring to Your name and a source of strength for those who are walking in the truth. I pray that You do something today that will strengthen my awe of You. Let Your great name be fully reflected in my provision, my protection and my peace.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Testing Spirits
Read: Numbers 23-24 & 1 John 4
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” 1 John 4:1
Examine:
There are two strong pillars that guide the testing of the spirit. The first is the command from Jesus in Matthew 7 to not judge. The second is found in John 7 when Jesus tells us to judge with right judgment. These two passages are not in conflict with one another. They form the boundaries for how we are to process the things that we hear. Do not accept everything but also do not be judgmental. We should test the things we hear with good judgment.
Apply
The testing of spirit is not about passing judgment on a person but is about using right judgment to determine the direction to follow. There are two tests found in this passage from John. First, a spirit from God will always have its core built around following after Jesus’ example. Jesus’ example was to always be about doing the Father’s work, modeling the Father’s heart, and waiting on the Father’s timing. The Spirit of God will never lead me to do anything else.
The second test is found in the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit from God will always be love. This fruit of love is not just affection for people I like, joy and passion for the life I live, or being a good friend to those close to me. First, it must be about deeply experiencing the perfect love of God and then allowing that love to secure me to the Father. Once I am secured by the perfect love of my Father, I am then able to extend that same perfect love to the world around me. The Spirit that is from God will always cast out fear, bring security, and press me to pursue others in love.
Pray:
“Though the vision tarries, wait for it.” That is what I keep hearing from You right now. That is the only thing I hear that seems to reflect Jesus and produce peace in me. Every other spirit I hear seems to create a burden and produce panic. So, I wait.
Father, it is hard to discern Your leading right now. I am susceptible to deception. My emotions are running high and the circumstances in which I am living continue to be exasperated by the crunching of time around me. I have always said I trust You with my provision, but this is the first time I have ever had to really mean it.
I pray that I continue to reflect Jesus in all that I say and do. Please do not allow me to act on a false spirit, but above that, I beg that You keep me far from speaking anything that does not lead others to You. The thought of leading people away from You is more than I can bear. I also ask that You anchor my soul to Your Spirit in perfect love. Your love is the only thing that can cast out my fear and keep me locked onto Your mission. I believe in You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. I do not want to give my life to another.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” 1 John 4:1
Examine:
There are two strong pillars that guide the testing of the spirit. The first is the command from Jesus in Matthew 7 to not judge. The second is found in John 7 when Jesus tells us to judge with right judgment. These two passages are not in conflict with one another. They form the boundaries for how we are to process the things that we hear. Do not accept everything but also do not be judgmental. We should test the things we hear with good judgment.
Apply
The testing of spirit is not about passing judgment on a person but is about using right judgment to determine the direction to follow. There are two tests found in this passage from John. First, a spirit from God will always have its core built around following after Jesus’ example. Jesus’ example was to always be about doing the Father’s work, modeling the Father’s heart, and waiting on the Father’s timing. The Spirit of God will never lead me to do anything else.
The second test is found in the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit from God will always be love. This fruit of love is not just affection for people I like, joy and passion for the life I live, or being a good friend to those close to me. First, it must be about deeply experiencing the perfect love of God and then allowing that love to secure me to the Father. Once I am secured by the perfect love of my Father, I am then able to extend that same perfect love to the world around me. The Spirit that is from God will always cast out fear, bring security, and press me to pursue others in love.
Pray:
“Though the vision tarries, wait for it.” That is what I keep hearing from You right now. That is the only thing I hear that seems to reflect Jesus and produce peace in me. Every other spirit I hear seems to create a burden and produce panic. So, I wait.
Father, it is hard to discern Your leading right now. I am susceptible to deception. My emotions are running high and the circumstances in which I am living continue to be exasperated by the crunching of time around me. I have always said I trust You with my provision, but this is the first time I have ever had to really mean it.
I pray that I continue to reflect Jesus in all that I say and do. Please do not allow me to act on a false spirit, but above that, I beg that You keep me far from speaking anything that does not lead others to You. The thought of leading people away from You is more than I can bear. I also ask that You anchor my soul to Your Spirit in perfect love. Your love is the only thing that can cast out my fear and keep me locked onto Your mission. I believe in You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. I do not want to give my life to another.
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