GOD’S WORD FOR JANUARY 5

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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STRENGTHENED BY THE MASTER’S GRIP

(Read Acts 2:14-36; 3:11-26; and 4:18-22)

FROM DISCOURAGEMENT TO DETERMINATION (Cont’d)

Yes, the Holy Spirit is a gift, but He is also a COMPASSIONATE GIFT.  In contrast to demons, who drive people compulsively, bringing despair and tyranny, the Holy Spirit is gentle and His ministry is often neglected.  He is represented as a dove, a bird so sensitive that if insulted or ignored it folds its wings.   Thankfully, the Spirit does not leave us when we disobey, but eventually, if we continue to disobey, we will no longer hear His voice.  This explains why there are Christians who live in overt sin; they no longer hear the voice of the Spirit.  God is quite unreal to them because their depression, guilt, and despair overrides the Spirit’s ministry.  That’s why Paul said, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  (Ephesians 4:30).

When we walk with the Spirit in sensitivity, He will enable us to hold our tongue;  we will be prevented from sinning; we will be able to turn away from evil;’ and we will be ridded of the addictions that might plague us.  We will have the courage to share our faith, even if people consider us part of the “lunatic fringe.”

The power of the Spirit increases as self-will decreases.  We do not need psychological mechanisms to cope with the pressures of life.  We need more faith, more surrender, more of the cross. 

Our Lord said, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24).  This death to self means coming to the end of our own self-determination.

Wheat buried in pyramids for 4,000 years grew when planted.  Though the life was dormant throughout these many centuries, the right conditions caused the kernel to spring up with new life.  Just so the sunshine of God’s love and the soil of His Word can give us life, if we are willing to die to our own plans and ambitions.  Submission can be half-hearted and conditional; it can also be complete and final  Only such submission brings the full blessing of the Spirit.

The Spirit does not push us but leads us;  He does not prod us with compulsion but with tenderness.  But only those who have died to self-will can enjoy the gift of His presence.  Peter was ordinary, but he depended upon the Spirit with extraordinary faith. 
It’s not what we have that is important, it is whether it has been placed in Christ’s hands that makes the difference.  The Spirit is RESIDENT but only we can make Him PRESIDENT.

The chisel of circumstances combines with the sovereignty of the Spirit to make us live for Christ.  Mind, emotion, and will obey the divine initiative.  The work the Sculptor begins He delights to finish.

Peter felt that touch and so can we.

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Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

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Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

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2 Corinthians 1:9

Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

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Romans 16:25-30

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

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Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

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1Peter 5:6

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

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Ps 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord,  trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

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Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

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