Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- October 12, 2010
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse: from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-3a
God provides spiritual resources for His children—all we need is in Christ. The same Spirit of the Lord that indwelled and empowered Jesus is the One who does the same for His followers. The Son of God indwells us by faith—the spirit of God rests on us and in us. The Holy Spirit provides all the spiritual resources needed to carry out His will.
You need wisdom; He provides good judgment. You need understanding; He provides discernment. You need counsel; He provides advice. You need power; He provides strength. You need knowledge; He provides information. You need the fear of God; He provides holy awe. However, resources without reception are without results.
I can offer to take my daughter shopping, but if she chooses to attend a movie with her friend instead, she will miss her daddy buying her some cute clothes. It is in a moment in time that God offers you His resources. Don’t be so wrapped up in your plan that you miss His provision. Everyday the resources you need are a prayer away.
Wisdom, understanding and His godly counsel are all there for the asking. The same Spirit of God that indwelled and empowered Jesus does the same for you. The Holy Spirit is at your side to convict, comfort and guide. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Thus, solicit the Spirit to lead you.
Jesus is our friend and Savior. God is our father and Lord. The Spirit is our guide and counselor. The Holy Spirit will guide you in truth and righteousness. You cannot see the Spirit of God, but you can experience His affects. The Spirit is what puts a check in your spirit to protect you from an unwise choice. The Spirit is what empowers your spirit to faith and courage. Allow the Holy Spirit to congeal with your spirit. Do not relegate Him to some obscure corner of your life, just because you do not totally understand Him.
Furthermore, the fruit of the Spirit will flow from your life as He is unleashed by faith. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the fruit bearing consequences of the Holy Spirit’s control. What He does is ripe, wonderful and appealing to the eyes and tasteful to the tongue. Your relationship with your Heavenly Father is not complete without your empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
This is where unremarkable religion can become a rejuvenated relationship. If your relationship with God is in a rut then let the Holy Spirit fall fresh on your life. Start by allowing the fruit of the Spirit to mold your character. Be accountable to fruit inspectors in your life. Let these honest more mature friends help you purge back fruitless attitudes and actions. Prune the bad to make room for the good. Unpack and use the Spirit’s gifts.
God has gifted you uniquely. Allow His gifts to develop and come to full fruition. This is good stewardship, for an undeveloped gift may go away. If you are gifted to teach, teach. If you are gifted to write, write. If you are gifted to lead, lead. If you are gifted to mentor, mentor. If you are gifted to give, give. The Spirit of God rests on you and dwells in you. By faith, allow the Spirit to develop your character and competence into bushels of fruit.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:16-17).
Do I daily invite the fullness of the Spirit to fill me with faith, hope and love?
Related Readings: Genesis 41:38; Exodus 35:31; Galatians 5:16-26; 1 John 4:2-3
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
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Wow!!!
God is soo amazing in how He will send the right word at the right time. This is one of those times.
I can honestly say that I would not have made it this far in my life had it not been for Holy Spirit. When Jesus said He would go and send a Comfortor, He did just that. Holy Spirit has helped me in some tight times.
I was diagnosed with MS sixteen years ago. What a battle. And in those sixteen years, it has been the indwelling of Holy Spirit that has kept me.
Thank you, Lord, that your purpose doesn’t change your promise.
Barbara
Yes thru intercessory prayer the presence of the most High have over-shadowed my wife and I so many times since December 17-2009 can’t count. Spiritual resources from the HGhost is knowing that Jehovah-Kabod is in the room with you! Can somebody say, Hallelujah!!! Praise the name of our God!!!