Monday - I’m In, You’re In, He’s In!
John 14:20
Jesus has just dropped a bomb-shell into the laps of His followers. The idea of having to function without His presence has them dumbfounded, but He works to assure them that they will never be alone. Verse 20, framed by verses 16 through 30, gives us the statement from Jesus that the Holy Spirit will come as His replacement. The unique thing about His replacement is that He would live "within" the believer, rather than "rest on" the believer. This concept makes things a bit more complicated. Heretofore, one worked to keep the outside clean, but now the individual believer must work to insure the inside is clean. Jesus promised that He would reside in them via the Holy Spirit. This had to cause much concern. Are you clean enough inside for the presence of God’s Spirit? What will it take to clean up? When will you start?
Father, please give my inside a thorough inspection and let me know what areas of my life need cleaning. Then Father, please assist me as I try to meet the standard of cleanliness You have set. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Tuesday - Internal Unity
John 17:23
This chapter of John ought to be called the "Lord’s Prayer." It is in this instance of praying that Jesus focuses on His role as Messiah. This is a peculiar prayer. Jesus says some things in this prayer that should make us take our jobs as "witnesses" more seriously. Jesus intimates that while He is in us, and He is in the Father, we are to be brought to complete unity with Them. This unification with the Trinity gives us the obligation to let the world know who was sent, and the purpose of His coming. Take time to list those individuals that you have shared the Lord with this year! If Christ is in us, we must show His love in all we do, say, and think. The world must see Him in us, but can only do so if He is there! Is He?
Father, the privilege of being One with You and Your Son boggles my mind. Work from within to make me a witness that You will be satisfied with. Grant that Your light shines through me daily. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Wednesday - Internal Renewal
Galatians 2:20
Who is actually the dominate resident of your body? We all know that at one time, the carnal man ruled our bodies and minds, but one day we allowed the New Guy in town to enter and take up residence. What did we do with the old resident person? If we were sincere in accepting Christ as our Lord, and Savior, we crucified the old man in favor of the New Man. This means that the life we live in this body is renewed by the presence of the New Man, and in order to live this new life, we must exercise our faith in Jesus. Internal Renewal requires faith. Not just professed faith, but faith that is activated and active. The new power resident in us energizes us to do those things that are pleasing to God. Check the rental agreement on your body and evict unwanted occupants, in favor of the Messiah.
Father, again I need for You to check me inside and insure I have allowed the right tenant to live within me. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Thursday - Address of Faith
Ephesians 3:17-19
In order for the Lord to dwell within us, we must exercise a mysterious activity called faith. Faith unlocks the door that allows Jesus to enter and reside within us. With Jesus living at our address, we can be rooted and established in love, and we can have power, along with other saints, to grasp the height and depth of His love. The love that can live within the confines of this address cannot be fathomed, for it surpasses knowledge. With Jesus living in us, we are better able to exercise faith. As we exercise this faith we are better able to emulate our Lord. The better we emulate Jesus, the more people are able to see Him and love Him and accept Him. Who is living at your address?
Father, as Jesus takes residence in this flesh, allow me to show the works of a believer who is rooted and grounded in the love of Your Son. The resulting power qwill help me lead others to the Throne of Grace. In his name, Amen
Friday - Mystery Tenant
Colossians 1:27
The fact that God would allow His Son to live in us is indeed a mystery. Consider all the things you have done in this body that is displeasing to God, and yet He sends His Spirit to dwell in us. Notice the fact that this Spirit is allowed to reside in Gentiles. Those of Creation who were not originally selected to be in the family of God, but were grafted because of His grace. Through us, He reveals the mysteries of selection. The revelation of this mystery is glorious indeed. This revealed mystery brings hope, hope of assured salvation. God’s grace brings salvation to us who were beforetime, rebellious. The mystery that both Jews and Gentiles can be saved by the same faith, by the same name is revealed through an understanding of God’s love for mankind. Aren’t you glad the riddle has been solved?
Father, thank You for loving me even when I couldn’t be loved. Thank You for doing the unexplainable for the sinful allowing us to know salvation. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Saturday - Obedience Required
1 John 3:24
Many people quake at the thought of obeying. It isn’t always fun and games, and many times the reward leaves a bit to be desired. Here we see an entirely different approach to the obedience piece. We know that in order to have Jesus as a resident of our being, we must obey His Father’s directives. This directive is most pleasurable. It requires that we love one another—period! If one needs something to prove the Lord resides within, one indicator is the degree to which that individual is able to love others. The nature and quality of this love expresses the type of Spirit within. When we are able to exercise love to its fullness then we know that God has moved into our beings completely, and without reservation. Welcome Him!
Father, as I learn to love as You love, take more of the total space within me as Your own. My desire is to be completely obedient and have a life filled with You, Your Son, and Your Spirit. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Sunday - Possible To All
Revelation 3:20
Careful examination reveals to us that there are some forms of belief that limit who can become a place of residence for God, His Son, and His Spirit. There are some forms of religion which dictate that certain classes will be blessed with eternal life, and the presence of God within them, but the true and living God sent His Son so everyone who opens the door of their existence could have access to the presence of Jesus. Christ speaks, and says, "If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." All we have to do in order to have this power and presence is to open the door and allow Him to enter. He promises to lead you in the proper way. All you have to do is open, eat and follow! Are You Ready?
Father, as Your Son stands at my door, grant me the understanding and desire to let Him in. In His precious name, Amen
If you have questions relating to these Devotions, or questions that just haven’t been answered to your satisfaction, then email us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ruachusa/ and we will gladly address the issue. May God bless and keep you.
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