DEVOTIONS

Monday, June 13 – “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45) Trying to understand Scripture, without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, is like trying to understand physics, without an education.  The word of God is deep and wide.  It requires not only education, but also inspiration.  The Bible is the inspired word of God.  Thus, it takes inspiration, the process of being mentally stimulated, in order to understand Scripture.  There is only one source for this inspiration – the Holy Spirit.  Bible study without the Holy Spirit = frustration. 

Tuesday, June 14 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28) Ponder for a moment the fact that these words were written some 350 years before the birth of Jesus.  Which means that they were written some 383 years before Pentecost.  The very day that these words of prophesy became reality.  (To put this in perspective, America has been a country for 246 years.) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is for all who call on the name of the Lord.  A reality that would have seemed totally foreign to Joel, some 383 years prior to Pentecost. 

Wednesday, June 15 – “When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined their prophesying.” (1 Samuel 10:10) The Holy Spirit has always been around.  He didn’t merely show up on Pentecost.  We see here that the Holy Spirit was working 550 years before the birth of Jesus.  What’s the difference now?  2,572 years ago, the Holy Spirit worked through specific people, at specific times, for a specific purpose.  Today, the Holy Spirits works through anyone who calls on the name of the Lord.  What’s the name of the Lord?  Jesus. 

Thursday, June 16 – “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:42) These are the words of Jesus, as he looked over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives; prior to his triumphant entry into the city on Palm Sunday.  His heart was broken.  Not because of what had been, but because of what would be.  Because of the people’s unwillingness to believe.  Jesus wants to bring you peace.  Is that so bad?  Apparently, if peace comes attached to faith in Jesus, it is that bad.  Your unwillingness to believe in Jesus just might be the only thing that is preventing you from being peace-full.

Friday, June 17 – “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) You don’t get to know the time.  What you do get to know is the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, which will guide your life as you wait.  For waiting is the hardest part.  Please, I beg you, stop wasting your time, talents and treasures trying to figure out when Jesus is returning.  You are in the end times.  So, get up, go out and live.  Live as someone who is saved by grace, through faith in Jesus and indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Saturday, June 18 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) I don’t like the way that Peter says that God is waiting for “everyone to come to repentance”.  I would like it better if Peter had written that God is waiting for “everyone to come to salvation”.  Repentance means that I have to change my ways.  I have to turn around and head in a new direction.  I don’t like being told what I have to do.  I just want salvation.  I don’t need Peter or anyone else, for that matter, telling me what I have to do in order to receive salvation.  That’s none of their business!  Pretty strange right?