Do Not Put Out The Spirit's Fire

Bottom Line
September 2010

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;” – I Thessalonians 5:19

Several things speak to me concerning these seven words:

1. Spirit denotes God’s Presence as we read in Acts 2:1-4 concerning Pentecost and the outpouring of His Spirit just as He promised (Acts 1:4-5).

2. The Spirit represents God’s Presence in the life of the believer.

3. If God’s Presence is with us then others around us should want to be around us.

4. Do my actions, my words, my deeds, my attitude, etc. (as a Spirit filled believer) draw people to Christ?

5. Or, because I have “put out the Spirit’s fire” do my actions, my words, my deeds, my attitude, etc. repel people so that they say, “Well! If that is what being a ‘Christian’ is about, I want no part of it.”?

6. When we do not represent God’s Presence – “the Spirit’s fire” – we repel not attract people to the life of Christ.

Bottom Line: Let us not quench God’s Presence in our lives. Let “the Spirit’s fire” be evident in our lives so others may want to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8)

Love in Christ,

MG

A Now Word -- Be Transformed

A Now Word for CCC

Given on August 8, 2010

Be willing to be transformed.

Transformed by His Spirit.

Transformed into His likeness and all that involves.

Transformed to produce the fruit of His Kingdom.

(His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His kindness,

His goodness, His faithfulness, His gentleness, His self-control)

Transformed to have eyes to see as He sees.

Transformed to have ears to hear as He hears.

Transformed to speak the Father's words.

Transformed to know the mind of Christ.

Transformed to go and do as He directs.

Be willing to be transformed.

Transformed by His Spirit.

MG

Set Your Hearts and Minds on Things Above

August 1, 2010

Since, then, you have been raise with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -- Colossians 3:1-2

I do not claim to understand all there is to this scripture, but some time last summer God began to reveal some things to me. Some of the key phrases here are: "set your hearts on things above", "set your minds on things above", "where Christ is seated at the right hand of God".

That tells me that my heart and my mind need to be pondering, thinking about and praying about things from a heavenly perspective. There is so much happening around us in this world that can be absolutely distracting to our daily walk. We become burdened by events, news articles, news reports, disasters, wars, lack of peace and the list could go on and on. I am not saying we are to stick our head in the sand and ignore national and world events but our perspective on those national and world events should be viewed "against the background of eternity".* We so often (and this is a natural thing to do) view our life and this world through only our natural eyes. I believe that Paul is encouraging us that there is more than meets our natural eyes. Our hearts and our minds need to view things from a heavenly perspective. That's not easy but we need to try and do it daily.

Jesus himself states in John 14:33 -- In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

BOTTOM LINE: Ask for a spiritual heart and a spiritual mind so that you may view events, circumstances, situations (national and worldly) from a heavenly perspective and not just your natural eyes.

MG

* William Barclay, The Daily Bible Study Series, Colossians, p. 147

"Reflect On What I Am Saying"

“Reflect On What I Am Saying”
July 2010

“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.” – 2 Timothy 2:7

The month of July usually brings about a time of reflecting and remembering the foundation of our great country, reflecting and remembering the founding Fathers (Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Franklin, even Abraham Baldwin (Georgia), etc.). It is a time to reflect not only on the resources sacrificed for this country’s independence but also the lives sacrificed for our independence. I hope you all will take time to not just look at The Fourth of July as a holiday and a time off of work but as a truly tremendous moment in the history of the United States of America. And, I hope you will gain insight into the making of our great nation as you reflect.

Paul, too, calls on us to reflect as we just read in 2 Timothy 2:7. So, what is it that we are reflecting on? Let’s look very briefly at the verses leading up to this statement by Paul.

-- Fan into flame the gift of God – I Tim. 1:6
-- Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord – 2 Tim. 1:8
-- Keep to the pattern of sound teaching – 2 Tim. 1:13
-- Guard the good deposit – 2 Tim. 1:14
-- Be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus – 2 Tim. 2:1
-- Teach others – 2 Tim. 2:2
-- Endure hardships – 2 Tim. 2:3
-- Compete according to the rules – 2 Tim. 2:5

A lot to reflect on and that is just looking through about 22 verses in the Bible.

Bottom Line: May we come to realize that reflecting on God’s Word is a good thing and ask Him to give us insight as we do reflect.



MG

A Now Word -- I AM

A Now Word for CCC
Given on May 2, 2010


I AM


Do not forget My Love for you
Do not forget My Faithfulness to you
Do not forget My Word deposited in you
Do not forget My Name established
within you and before you.

No one will ever love you more than, I AM
No one will be more faithful to you than, I AM
No one will ever deposit more in you than, I AM
No one will ever establish a name more worthy
within and before you than, I AM

I AM – your Friend
I AM – your Advocate
I AM – your Sword
I AM – your Refuge
I AM – your Security
I AM – your Hope
I AM – your Promise
I AM – your Purpose
I AM – your Source of everything
I AM – your All in All
I AM – your connection to a Glorious Eternity

A Now Word -- Prepare Your Hearts for Plowing

A Now Word for CCC
Given March 7, 2010

Prepare Your Hearts for Plowing

"Prepare your hearts for plowing! Prepare your hearts for plowing! Prepare your hearts to receive My Word that it may take root. That it may multiply and bring forth My desired fruit in your life. Prepare your hearts for plowing. See those rocks and stones -- those hard places? Remove the rocks and stones. Allow My Holy Spirit within you (My Indwelling Presence) to soften any hardness and plow up the fallow ground of your heart that My Word may be planted, that My Word may be watered, that My Word may break forth, that My Word may establish strong roots and good fruit in your heart. Prepare your hearts for plowing!"

A Now Word - I Have Given You Gifts

A Now Word for CCC
Given November 12, 2009

I Have Given You Gifts

"I have provided you -- given you gifts freely. It is time to open your gifts, to embrace them. For each one has a purpose and a use. Each one has a place among you. Do not keep staring at the wrapping and wonder and admire the wrapping. Do not stare at the gifts and wonder what they are. It is time to open the gifts I have given you and begin to see how they will add to you. It is time to open your gifts and put them to proper use in My kingdom and for My kingdom purposes. It is time to let your gifts properly and orderly edify My body -- the Body of Christ. Unwrap your gifts. Unwrap your gifts. Unwrap your gifts."