That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.
— Ephesians 3:17

From time to time, many of us get caught up in the challenges of life and sometimes fail to notice all that God is accomplishing in our midst. As we go through each day, we can become so fixated on our daily challenges and trials that we lose sight not only of what God has done, but also of what He is doing on our behalf.

Truly life can be overwhelming at times. But we need to remember that although we may experience momentary afflictions, our overwhelming victory in Christ is permanent and eternal. It’s during those times when the shifting tides of life threaten to unnerve us or to displace our footing that we need to recognize the permanent stability of our True Foundation, Jesus Christ. He is our Strong Tower, our Shelter, and our Dwelling Place. We can count on that! But even more important is the fact that He has chosen to make our hearts HIS permanent dwelling place.

The apostle Paul emphatically declares this truth in Ephesians 3:17, saying, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.” That word “dwell” is the Greek word katoikeo, a compound of the words kata and oikos. The word kata means down, and the word oikos is the Greek word for a house. The word oikos could also be used in a larger sense to describe a family clan or a larger social unit, such as the house of David, or it could depict a local community. In the New Testament, the primary meaning of the word oikos is a house or location where an individual, entity, family, or community permanently dwells.

When kata and oikos are compounded, the new word katoikeo (“dwell”) carries the idea of one who permanently resides at a specific location. Thus, Paul’s use of this word implies not only that Christ establishes His physical residence in a faith-filled heart by the Holy Spirit, but also that He is at home and permanently settled there. That location has become His dwelling place, His temple, His property, His place of permanent residence — and He has become a perpetual, never- to-move-out Occupant!

Isn’t that good to know? Christ’s dwelling is permanently fixed within our hearts, and He has no intention of ever leaving us or abandoning us for another place of residence! That means He knows what we face every day, and He faces it with us. It is impossible for us to live without Jesus’ attention to every detail in our lives, because He perpetually dwells inside us in the Person of the Holy Spirit. This also means there is no place to run or hide from Christ, because He literally goes where we go and is always present wherever we are. We are His permanent earthly residence, not merely a stop on His way to somewhere else!

Christ Himself is in every challenge we face, so we can rest assured that God is always with and in us. He is always present to sustain us, strengthen us, and guide us through this life. He never leaves or forsakes us. We are His permanent dwelling place.

It’s no wonder that First John 4:4 declares, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!” Jesus Christ lives inside you! Think of that as you get started today!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that by Your great love and kindness, in Christ I am Your temple, Your sanctuary. Your Spirit has His permanent dwelling in me individually and in Your Church collectively. From this day forward, I will make it a practice to remind myself that Christ in me is my Hope of Glory. As Your permanent dwelling place, I know I carry You into every situation I face, so I thank You that You empower me to walk honorably in all I do to the glory of Jesus Christ.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that when the shifting tides of life threaten to unnerve me, I remain stable and unmoved because I am anchored in the solid Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my permanent stability and my true foundation; therefore, my steps do not slide. The name of the Lord is my strong tower and my shelter. My life is hidden in Christ in God. And not only do I abide in Him, but He also dwells in me! I am the living temple of the Most High God. He has chosen to make my heart HIS permanent dwelling place. Knowing that He will never leave me or forsake me, I boldly proclaim: Victory is mine because greater is He that is in me than he that is in this world!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Have you ever thought about the fact that your heart is Christ’s home in your life and that you are His permanent place of residency? Since that is the case, how should it affect the way you live?
  2. Just think of the fact that you cannot run or hide from Christ, because everywhere you go, He goes with you. That means you never face anything alone or without Him facing it with you. Knowing that Christ is in you, what kind of affect does that have on you as you face different circumstances in life?
  3. If you really believe that Jesus is greater in you than anything you’ll ever face, then ponder what a victorious position this puts you in your life. Why don’t you take a few minutes to meditate on Christ being in you and do it before you let any time lapse after reading this Sparkling Gem today.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
— 1 Corinthians 12:21

Have you ever wondered why people are the way they are?

We all come from different backgrounds, and to a certain degree, these backgrounds determine who we are, what we believe, how we think, and how we respond to any given situation. For example, a farmer from rural Arkansas will have a different outlook on life than a man who grew up in New York City. A boy who grew up on the inner-city streets of Baltimore is going to see life differently than a boy who grew up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Or a girl who grew up with her poor grandmother and whose mother had five husbands is going to view some things differently than a girl who grew up in a white-collar home and never knew anything but financial security and a solid home life.

Likewise, a believer’s background in church will often have a strong influence on how he or she views different church issues, such as doctrinal debates, how worship should be conducted, or the proper roles of church government. For instance, if you grew up a Baptist like I did, you might see the Catholic Church as very formal. If you grew up as a Methodist, the Assemblies of God might seem radical to you. Or if you were raised in a Charismatic church, the Assemblies of God may seem too “denominational” to you. How we respond to these different spiritual environments largely depends on the spiritual environment we are most familiar with.

A person’s background is not an excuse for his or her behavior, but sometimes it is an explanation. Take your family background, for example. If you grew up in a home filled with love — where you were freely hugged, given kisses, and told, “I love you” — it undoubtedly affected the way you conduct your own household now that you’re an adult with a family.

Personally, I was raised in such a home. My parents loved me, and I knew it. Even when they disciplined me, I was aware of their love. When I was in college and came home to see my parents on the weekends, I kissed my mom and dad when I arrived and before I returned to school. I even kissed them each night on the cheek before I went to bed. And today, decades later, I still kiss my mom before I leave her to return home. The way I was raised has impacted the way I raised my own children and the way I treat my wife. My family represents the most precious relationships I have in this world — and I believe they should be treated as such.

However, if a person grew up in a home where no one was touched, no one was kissed, and the words “I love you” were never heard, he may have a difficult time later on in life expressing affection toward his loved ones. Or if a person grew up with an abusive, alcoholic parent in a home riddled with strife and neglect, he might struggle with significant emotional obstacles, such as residual anger issues and a fear of rejection. Furthermore, a person’s background colors his or her perception of the world. For example, a Christian who has been through divorce will have a different view of marital failure than a believer who is happily married, and a believer who was involved in drugs or crime before he or she received Christ might have a more tolerant view of people involved in those sins than a Christian who was raised in the Church and never dabbled in such destructive behaviors.

When we consider the fact that these factors are multiplied by millions of people and then mixed together in the Church, it is easy to see why conflict occurs. We get frustrated and lose our patience with others because we tend to think they should feel, see, and do things exactly like we do — but the truth is, they do not.

However, we must always remember that this diversity is not bad. On the contrary, it adds variety and spice to the Church! As members of the Body of Christ, we each have unique and important roles to play, and we must learn to appreciate and respect the views and opinions of others in the Church. Learning to deal successfully with other believers — to cope with their differences and learn to appreciate them — is one of the greatest achievements we can reach in life. We don’t have to agree with every believer on every issue in order to be good Christians. A difference of opinion isn’t always bad; in fact, sometimes it’s healthy. A disagreement only becomes bad if we take it personally and become offended or hurt by it. Unity doesn’t mean we blindly agree with each other like mindless robots, and silence and compliance don’t necessarily spell unity.

In my own ministry, I sense great unity when our staff meets together to strongly discuss issues about which we all have different opinions. The energy and teamwork put forth as we each discuss a different point of view brings a tremendous sense of unity to our team. Even though we may not agree on every detail, we are unified in our attempts to find the right answer or solution.

As long as we live in imperfect human bodies, we can be sure that we will occasionally hit bumps in our relationships at home, at work, and at church. Those bumps are not disastrous unless we take them too close to our hearts and get hurt or bruised by them.

Many times relationships are difficult simply because of a difference in personality. Your personality is unique to you. Since there are so many different kinds of personalities, you will find that you may mix well with some but not as easily with others.

Until we learn to understand each other better, these differences become hindrances — points of conflict. What a pity to let our differences go on separating us when the things that distinguish us from each other could be helping us! The apostle Paul used the parts of a human body to demonstrate how each part is vital in order for a person to perform at his fullest potential. A body without all of its parts would be deformed. Imagine a body without a nose or a body without feet.

Speaking to the church in Corinth, Paul wrote in First Corinthians 12:21, “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” That phrase “no need of you” is the Greek phrase chreian sou ouk, which implies the thought, I have no occasion to employ your services. You have nothing that is of any use to me. Paul was stressing, “You cannot say you have no use for others in the Body of Christ. Paul’s illustration is very plain to understand: A body must have all of the parts in order to be complete. A body without hands can think, but it can’t touch. A body without eyes can smell, but it can’t see where to walk. A body without feet may see where it needs to go, but it cannot walk because it has no feet to carry it. Every part is necessary for the human body to function normally.

It is the same concerning our relationships in the Church. We need a whole spectrum of personalities in order for us to be complete and to successfully perform in life.

What would life be like if everyone was exactly like you? There would be gaping holes and terrible deficiencies all around us. Rather than allow differences in personalities to rub us the wrong way, we need to let the Holy Spirit teach us to see the benefit that each person we meet has to offer!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Dear Heavenly Father, You are so wise. You have placed every member in the body as it pleases You. According to Your divine plan, our differences are designed to complement and complete each other. Thank You for the relationships you have given me that are like iron sharpening iron. Holy Spirit, I receive Your wisdom and counsel on how to interact with others who are completely unlike me — and how not to allow differences in people to divide and separate me from them. Instead, I choose to yield to Your work by the Holy Spirit to allow our differences to produce a sanctifying experience in my life to conform me into the image of Christ for Your glory.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am positioned in the Body of Christ according to divine design. God is working through my unique gifts, talents, experiences, and personality to make me a blessing to people and to His Kingdom. I will not judge others for not thinking or acting in a way that I would prefer. The only standard of measure is the Word of God. Upon that common foundation, God Himself is building His Body with great diversity and distinction. Instead of comparing myself with others, which is not wise, I will develop the fruit of godly character and diligently apply my efforts to increasing in understanding and skillfulness in all I do so that I can be a valuable member in the Body of Christ.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Do you find that you are impatient with others who are different from you? Have you ever considered what life would be like if everyone was like you? Imagine how boring everything would be!
  2. Is it possible that you need to loosen up a bit and quit being judgmental of others for doing things differently than you would do them? Is it possible that they have a piece of the puzzle that is different from yours and that without them, you would have a gaping hole in your life? Who is that person you’re thinking about while you’re reading this question?
  3. What about your own background has made you see life a little differently than how others around you see it? Is it possible that some of your struggles originate because of how YOU view life differently than others?

It’s Time for You To Become Responsible!

For every man shall bear his own burden.
— Galatians 6:5

When Denise and I were first married and were just getting started in the ministry, our heart desire was to help people who were in need. Word of our efforts to help people soon spread throughout our city, and it seemed like there was always a long line of people approaching us to request help for all kinds of needs. Some of the needs were serious and legitimate, but soon we recognized that some people just wanted to take advantage of our goodwill.

That latter category included those who didn’t want to get a job. These people had myriads of excuses for why they couldn’t go to work, and they came up with fantastic reasons to explain why everyone else should be paying their bills. At first, Denise and I didn’t realize that we were the newest gullible victims they had discovered to help them freeload. But after a while we looked at each other and said, “Wait a minute! These people aren’t serious. They’re just looking for someone to pay their bills so they can get a free ride in life.”

Most needs you become aware of will be legitimate needs. However, there is a category of people who live like leeches on the goodwill of others. Helping people like this with financial assistance really doesn’t help them at all. You are simply helping to prolong the way they are living and empowering them to keep being irresponsible. Why should they get a job if they can keep getting someone to pay their bills and relieve them of their responsibilities?

In Galatians 6:5, Paul makes a statement which at first sounds like a contradiction to Galatians 6:2 (see May 23). It says, “For every man shall bear his own burden.” What about this verse? Is it in conflict with Galatians 6:2? Are we supposed to help bear each other’s burdens, or is each person supposed to bear his or her own burdens? Do these verses contradict each other?

The word “burden” in Galatians 6:5 is completely different from the one in Galatians 6:2. In Galatians 6:2, the word is baros, but in Galatians 6:5 it is the Greek word phortion. These words are completely unrelated to each other and don’t even look the same! The second word, phortion, is a military term that was used to indicate the expected amount of weight that every soldier was expected to carry in his bag, kit, or backpack. In the secular world, it was used to denote the normal responsibility that every man must carry for himself. Because it is a load we are expected to carry, it really is the idea of a person’s individual responsibility in life.

You see, there is a certain amount of responsibility we are required to carry by ourselves. For instance, no one can do our work for us, and no one can make our decisions for us. Our bills are our responsibility to pay; our children are ours to raise; our dog is ours to feed; our yard is ours to mow; and our kitchen is ours to clean.

If you haven’t discovered it yet, let me inform you that there are many freeloaders in the Body of Christ who would love to shirk these responsibilities and find someone else to do everything for them. These are the people Paul was referring to when he said, “For every man shall bear his own burden.”

In Galatians 6:5, the Greek expresses the following idea:

“For every man is accountable for a certain level of personal responsibility in life, and he cannot look to anyone else to free him of these obligations that are his to take care of himself.”

So when Paul addresses these two kind of burdens in Galatians 6:2 and Galatians 6:5, he is describing: 1) a crushing burden that is too much for you to bear by yourself and that necessitates the help of someone else; and 2) the daily duties and obligations you must bear by yourself as a responsible adult.

If you know someone who shirks responsibilities, it’s time for you to start helping that person accept responsibility for his own life! If you know someone who is freeloading on the goodwill of others, God may want to use you to tell him to stop it!

People like that need to grow up and act like adults! So make sure that you don’t empower and prolong their irresponsible existence by giving them everything they ask for. Saying no may be hard for you to do, but doing it a couple of times will help them realize they have lost their free ride, awaken them to reality, and thus put them on a right track!

It is very important that you think soberly about these things. Your actions are so important because your response will either help or hurt people. If they have sincere needs that they cannot overcome alone, you need to pray about what God wants you to do to help them. But if your analysis of the situation reveals that they are needy because they won’t do what is necessary to fix the problem, it may be God’s will that you tell them no.

If you seek the help of the Lord, He will show you what to do in every situation. So ask the Holy Spirit today to give you the mind of Christ for every situation that is presented to you. If you will listen carefully, God’s Spirit will advise you about what you should do.

sparking gems from the greek

My Prayer for Today

Lord, what I have read today is very hard for me personally. I know some people who need to grow up and start taking on more of the responsibilities of life. I must admit that I’ve gone to their rescue too many times and that I’ve probably enabled them to continue their wrong behavior and inappropriate lifestyle. Saying no is so hard for me to do, but I am asking You to help me stop empowering them to keep living irresponsibly as they have been doing. Holy Spirit, please give me Your mind and Your power, and help me to do what is right on this issue.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

sparking gems from the greek

My Confession for Today

I confess that I have the mind of Christ to help me know when I am to help and when I am to say no. The Holy Spirit speaks to my heart and shows me what to do in every situation. God’s Spirit advises me about what I should do. I am obedient to Him and am NOT led by my emotions.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

sparking gems from the greek

Questions to Answer

1. Is there anyone you’ve been harming by giving him so much help that he hasn’t had to assume responsibility for himself?

2. What change is required in your own heart and character to cause you to respond correctly to that person who has been living irresponsibly?

3. Is it hard for you to say no? Can you identify the reason it is so hard for you?

When To Help Bear Someone Else’s Burden

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
— Galatians 6:2

Not so long ago, a precious woman in our congregation came to church looking sad and depressed. It was unusual to see her this way, because she was normally cheerful and full of faith. She sat in her chair, dropped her head, and began to weep. I wanted to go to her right then, but she had come into the service late, and I was on stage getting ready to step up to the pulpit to preach.

As I delivered my message, I kept glancing in her direction to see if she was still crying. Her head remained clutched in her hands, and I could see that she was sobbing about something that was greatly burdening her heart. When the service concluded, I went with my pastoral staff into the foyer to shake hands with people who were leaving the service. Soon she appeared in the line with heavy red eyes and a countenance that told me she was heartbroken over something.

I pulled her out of the line and called for my precious wife. Soon the two of them were sitting alone at the far end of the foyer where they could talk without anyone overhearing the conversation. The woman told Denise that her husband, who had been delivered from alcoholism, had started to drink again. That weekend he had been violent toward her and verbally abusive toward the children, acting like the old man he used to be. The woman’s heart was simply crushed, but by the time she and Denise were finished talking and praying together, her face had lightened up, her countenance had changed, and it was evident that God had stirred hope in her heart for her family.

I often think of how many church members come to church burdened by the cares of life. Perhaps the burdens they carry are due to finances, marriage, friendships, a problem at work, a child who is rebellious or who is running from God, a death in the family — the list of potential problems people face goes on and on.

It saddens me to think of the vast number of churchgoers who come into their church services feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. These people wish that someone would help them or pray with them, but no one ever asks how they are doing. Never having an opportunity to tell anyone what is happening in their lives, they frequently leave a service just as burdened as they were when they first walked through the church doors.

Have you ever been so burdened by the cares of life that you thought you might be crushed by the weight of it all? Did you wish someone would crawl under that load and help you carry it? Perhaps you can remember times when you cried out to God, Please send someone to help me with these things that I’m dealing with in my life right now!

In Galatians 6:2, the apostle Paul tells us, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Answer this question: When are we supposed to help bear someone else’s burden?

The word “burden” in this verse comes from the Greek word baros. It refers to a weight that is heavy or crushing. In fact, the word baros describes such a crushing weight that Paul used this same word in Second Corinthians 1:8 when he wrote about the terrible problems he and his traveling companions underwent in Asia. Paul wrote that these difficulties were of such a stressful nature that the men literally felt as if they were “pressed out of measure.” In Second Corinthians 5:4, he used the word baros once more when he said, “…[We] do groan, being burdened….” Again, this word refers to a load so heavy that it causes a person to feel that he is burdened or weighed down.

The word baros could refer to either a physical or a spiritual problem. For instance, this type of pressing burden could be a habitual sin that has plagued you and weighed you down year after year. Satan may try to use these kinds of weaknesses and faults to hinder or completely abort God’s plan for your life. That’s why it’s so important that these “burdens” be dealt with and defeated. If you are unable to do it alone, you need to seek the help of others to pull you through to a place of victory.

The point Paul is making here is that when a fellow believer is under a crushing weight — when he is under so much pressure that he feels like he’ll break if someone doesn’t get under that load and help him carry it — it is our Christian responsibility to help bear his burden, “…and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

In Galatians 6:2, the Greek expresses the following:

“When someone is burdened by crushing cares and difficult events in life that are too much for one person to carry all by himself, crawl up under that burden and help that person carry it, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

I want to encourage you today to be sensitive to the needs of others who are around you. When you go to church, go to work, or even spend time with your family and friends, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see when people are carrying too much by themselves. If you discern that they are burdened, go to them and ask, How can I pray for you today? What is happening in your life?

God may use you to bring real relief and freedom into someone’s situation. Perhaps just providing a listening ear is all that is needed to help that person get through his or her dilemma.

On the other hand, if an overwhelming problem, weakness, habit, or sin is pressing down on your life, you need to be humble enough to say, Hey, I need someone to pray with me! This is too much for me to do completely by myself! It may be difficult for you to open your heart and reveal your need, but it will be far more difficult for you to carry it alone until you eventually become emotionally devastated by that burden.

As brothers and sisters in the Lord, we need to do everything we can to step deeply into people’s lives in order to encourage and refresh them spiritually and to help them get through their problems. When we see someone struggling, we must be bold enough to ask that person how we can help! When we work together as a Body in this way, every need will be addressed and met!

sparking gems from the greek

My Prayer for Today

Lord, I am asking You to help me be sensitive to the needs of other people. Help me to stop being so self-consumed with my own concerns that I am negligent in recognizing the needs of people around me who need help and prayer. Holy Spirit, help me see through the masks people tend to wear to cover up what is really happening in their lives. Give me the wisdom to know how to approach people who need strength and encouragement.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

sparking gems from the greek

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am sensitive to the needs of people who are around me. I see when they hurt; I recognize the times when they’re struggling; and I am a blessing to them in their time of need. God’s Spirit is helping me to become a better minister and servant to help meet the needs in other people’s lives. I am attentive, caring, and Christ-like in the way I deal with others. What Jesus does for me is what I am becoming to other people.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

sparking gems from the greek

Questions to Answer

1. Have there been situations in your life when you thought you might break under the weight you were trying to carry by yourself? When that happened, did anyone come to you and ask how he or she might help or pray for your needs?

2. Have you ever gone to others to see how you could help them through the situations they were enduring? Or have you been too self-consumed to remember that other people have needs too?

3. Do you know of individuals you should check on today to see what you can do to help them through a situation they are facing? In what ways can you be a strength or an encouragement to them?

…put on the new man….
— Ephesians 4:24

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, I taught about “purging the closet” — essentially, ridding your life of anything that is incompatible with whom you have become in Christ Jesus. Today I want to switch gears and teach you how to put on new things that are compatible with living a holy, consecrated life! But before I delve into the Word, I want to relate an experience from my life that happened soon after I had finished writing yesterday’s Gem.

After crafting the finishing lines of that Gem, my wife Denise and I embarked on a trip to Rome that we had been planning for quite some time. When we arrived, Denise asked if she could go shopping “just to look” and see what was in the clothing stores. Of course, I know that looking leads to buying, so I was mystified that she wanted to purchase more clothes since she had just purged her closet the prior week. In fact, when we left for Rome, a huge pile of her clothes was still stacked on top of our guestroom bed, waiting to be zipped up in suitcases and sent to our church where they would be donated for other women to enjoy.

But now Denise wanted to go window-shopping — which I knew would result in buying more clothes. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. After that multi-day closet purge, her closet was finally free of those old clothes, and now Denise was going to start filling it up again!

As Denise browsed through one particular shop for two hours, I sat at a coffee shop down the street and waited. The longer I sat there, the more frustrated I became. I wondered, Why is she trying to find new clothes when she just got rid of so many clothes? So finally I got up from my table and went to the store to confront her with my question. I asked, “Denise, you just spent days cleaning out the closet and getting rid of your old clothes. Can you explain to me why you are now trying to refill the closet with new clothes?”

She looked at me and responded, “It’s about having clothes that fit who I am now. Those old clothes don’t reflect who I am anymore. I need clothes that reflect what’s going on inside my life right now!”

I walked out of the store, returned to the very same coffee shop, and continued waiting. As I sat there over a fresh cup of coffee, I really pondered what my wife had said. Finally, I called her on her mobile phone and asked, “Are we close to finishing at this shop?” She answered, “Please come here. I want to show you what I’ve found.” Over the next 40 minutes, we had a fashion show as she tried on every piece of clothing for me that she had picked out — and I have to be honest, those clothes were totally different from anything she had in her “giveaway” pile at home. This deliberate stylistic shift attested to a deeper change in Denise. She is a unique, evolving individual, and the clothes she chose beautifully reflected the changes taking place in her. I finally got it!

This experience brought my mind right back to yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, where we saw that the apostle Paul exhorted us to rid ourselves of attitudes that are incompatible with a godly lifestyle. However, this was not the totality of Paul’s message. After he exhorted us to “put off the old man” in verse 22, Paul continued in Ephesians 4:24 by saying, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” After telling us what to take off, Paul proceeded to tell us what to put on — that we need to acquire new spiritual clothes!

What exactly do these new spiritual clothes look like? Paul provided more detail in Colossians 3:12,13 when he said, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another….”

The phrase “put on” is a translation of the Greek word enduo, which was often used in ancient literature to denote a person putting on a new set of clothes. Thus, when it comes to spiritual matters, Paul was telling us it is not enough to simply remove residual hang-ups, bad habits, and fleshly tendencies that block the true expression of your identity in Christ. We must make a conscious effort to “put on” new attitudes and characteristics that are compatible with our new life in Jesus Christ.

And do you know what I’ve discovered from my own personal spiritual journey? The longer I walk with the Lord and the closer I become to Him, the higher He calls me and the more He encourages me to change my lifestyle in order to more closely reflect His character.

As I watched Denise try on all those new clothes in that shop in Rome, I thought of these verses. Inwardly I surmised, Well, Denise “put off” a bunch of clothes that no longer matched her style, and now she is going to “put on” a whole new set of clothes that better fits her evolving style. When I went to pay her bill, I looked at her and jokingly told her she was being scriptural. She liked that response!

Take a moment today to meditate on Ephesians 4:24 and Colossians 3:12,13 and see what God wants you personally to put on. The Holy Spirit wants to dress you in a new and better style, and He is the best Designer on planet Earth! He knows you; He knows Jesus; and He knows how to make you reflect the work Jesus has done inside your heart and life!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, You are an amazing Designer! You have decorated and adorned all Your creation in stunning array! But nothing compares with the way You adorned Your children when You clothed us with Your own righteousness to showcase the beauty of Your holiness in a glorious display. I honor You, Father, by putting on the garments that Jesus died to provide for me. And I thank You that because of what Jesus has done, when I put on Christ, people will see and recognize Your goodness each time they look at me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I have laid aside the old clothes of my former way of thinking and acting, and I have put on the new wardrobe prepared for me as a partaker of God’s own nature. For my permanent new set of clothing, I put on mercy, kindness, humility of mind, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. This new wardrobe will never wear out, and it will always be in style with God’s best. Thank You, Lord, for clothing me with dignity and strength, and for making my way perfect as I put on your character like a garment of glory.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. What kinds of changes do you sense the Holy Spirit is seeking to work outwardly in your life so that you become a greater reflection of His work inside your heart?
  2. When you came to Jesus, He called you to repent and lay aside dead works, but He also called you to take on the character of Christ. Can you say that you demonstrate the character of Christ in your lifestyle? In what ways do you need to conform to Christ more?
  3. When you look at the list of Christ-like garments that we are supposed to wear listed in Colossians 3:12 and 13, which ones do you think need the most attention in your life specifically?

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man….
— Ephesians 4:22

From time to time, Denise will go through a “clean out the closet” phase — a very involved process in which she tries on everything she owns and then decides which articles of clothing she’ll keep and which ones she’ll give to someone else. It’s a long process that finally ends with clothes stacked on our bed and all over our bedroom in piles, often with name tags of the women to whom she wishes to give each article of clothing. It is such a huge process that she usually invites a friend to help her do it, and it becomes a kind of “give away clothes” party.

I usually find out how deep the process is when it’s time to go to bed and I can’t get into bed because its covered with the clothes Denise is planning to give away — or I discover it when I get to church on Sunday and see a number of women in our church walking through our church auditorium wearing her clothes. I’m always so proud of Denise when she goes through such a phase because her process is very involved, very deliberate, and very sacrificial.

Sometimes it makes me think about all the personal “stuff” people have in their hearts and attitudes that no longer fit who they are. Maybe these attitudes and mindsets fit who they were at one time, but now after the grace of God has done such a work in them, some of these don’t fit who they are anymore. Some attitudes are simply out of date with what God is now doing in their lives. Some are just no longer desired. And to be truthful, some attitudes should have never been in their lives in the first place.

There are a multitude of sources from which attitudes end up in our personal lives as Christians. But eventually God calls on us to unload those old ways of thinking that are no longer fitting to who we are in Christ so that we can be fully free.

To be honest, many believers come right to the edge of real change, only to turn away at the last minute in defeat. They think they’re ready to tackle their wrong thought patterns, wrong believing, and wrong attitudes. But just when they are on the verge of victory, they draw back in fear at the thought of what it will cost them to experience true transformation. The devil strikes them with an attack that sends them reeling emotionally and, as a result, they lose their grip on the Word and slip back into those old attitudes — putting them back into the closet to keep just a little longer. You see, these satanic attacks are purposefully designed to prevent believers from achieving victory in their lives. The devil wants to shake them up so badly that they’ll never regain the momentum to start back on the path to permanent freedom.

The first step to instituting permanent change and getting free is by identifying what needs to go! I advise you to allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to your heart about the areas inside you that need to change. I’m talking about attitudes that are deadly to your victory, such as selfishness, bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, gossip, fear, insecurity, and remorse over the past. As you start this process of identification, it is also very important for you to make a faith declaration that you are going to walk free of these things and that you will not turn back!

Once you have identified the areas in your life that need to go and have declared by faith that you’re going for total freedom, the next step is to make a decision to change regardless of the cost or pain involved. You must decide to lay aside your residual hang-ups, bad habits, and fleshly tendencies that block the true expression of your identity in Christ. In Paul’s epistles, he admonished us, “But now put off put off all these…” (see Colossians 3:8).

This phrase “put off” is the Greek word apotithemi, a compound of the words apo and tithemi. The word apo means away, and the word tithemi means to place or to lay something down. When the two words are compounded, the new word gives the picture of someone who is laying something down while at the same time pushing it far away from himself. It means to lay something down and to push it far away and beyond reach. Thus, the word describes removal of something and putting so much distance between you and that old thing that you cannot easily reach out to pick it up again.

In Denise’s case, that physical act of apotithemi entails putting those extra clothes she no longer needs into a suitcase, placing the suitcase in the car, and sending it to church to be given away to other women. Once those steps have been put into process, retrieval would be too painful so her process can’t be undone. That’s what we need to do with the old attitudes that are no longer fitting for the new creations we have become in Jesus Christ.

Paul specifically said, “But now put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth, lie not one to another, see that ye have put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:8,9). These are things that are simply not compatible with the new creature you have become in Jesus Christ.

We must deliberately decide to change — to remove, to lay aside, and to put away attitudes and actions that don’t please God and adversely affect our walk of faith or that have become out of line with what God is presently doing in our lives. We must choose to put so much space between us and those old things that retrieval is too painful — we’ll never reach back to put them back into our “closet” or to wear them again.

I don’t know about you, but this discussion makes me want to follow Denise’s example regarding my spiritual closet!

Let’s decide to do a serious inventory of what’s going on in our spiritual lives to see what needs to stay and what needs to go. If there’s anything in our lives that no longer fits who we’ve become in Jesus, it’s time to determine whether it should be a part of our lives any longer.

It’s the season to “declutter”! So why don’t you start evaluating your life today, item by item if necessary, for the purpose of eliminating all those attitudes that are out of character with who you are in Jesus Christ? The Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, and as you allow Him to work in you, He will help you get rid of residual hang-ups, bad habits, and fleshly tendencies that block the true expression of your identity in Christ!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, as I conduct an inventory of my spiritual wardrobe, I realize that I’ve not always walked about clothed in Christ. I’ve worn mismatched attitudes that are too small because they have nothing to do with my identity in Christ and do not reflect Your greatness in any way. Lord, I repent for the times I’ve displayed myself haughtily in garments of self-righteousness, which are equal to filthy rags before You. Your work in my life has also exposed attitudes and beliefs that are out-of-date because You’ve opened my understanding. Reveal to me trait by trait what needs to stay and what needs to go. I open wide the door of my heart, and I ask You, Holy Spirit, to direct my attention to remove the attitudes or actions I’ve held on to that no longer fit who I have become in Jesus. I submit to Your work in my life, and I put on Christ so that every part of me is practically and effectively hidden in Christ in God.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I am a new creation in Christ Jesus. I have put off the old attributes of the flesh — anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication — and I put on the new attributes that are compatible with who I have become in Jesus Christ. Clothed in Christ, I wear peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control as my garments. I regularly inspect my spiritual wardrobe to verify that I am no longer holding on to attitudes and actions that do not serve God’s purposes in my life. I will not fall short of the grace of God by clinging to old patterns and mindsets that keep me dangling on the verge of victory but not moving into lasting change. I will strip off, lay aside, and discard anything that is a hindrance to my walking in all God has planned for me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. What is an area of your life that doesn’t reflect who you have become in Jesus Christ? Maybe it’s inappropriate language, a wrong attitude, or an area of unforgiveness. What are those areas that need to go? What are you going to do about it, starting today?
  2. Do you have any old habits or attitudes that you walked away from in the past but didn’t put enough distance between you and that old way of doing or thinking? Did you find yourself retrieving it and putting it back into your life again? What is that area of your life that needs to be dealt with all over again?
  3. Do you have physical clothes in your closet that you never wear that would be a blessing to someone else? How long has it been since you’ve done a purge on your closet and ended up blessing others who have been praying for new clothes?

Learn To Be Quiet When Others Are Speaking

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
— James 1:19

One of the biggest lessons to learn in life is to know when you need to be quiet and when you need to speak up. For instance, if someone over you in authority is trying to tell you something, that’s a time for you to be quiet and listen to what the authority is attempting to tell you. In order to really hear what he or she is trying to communicate, you have to stop talking! Listening and talking at the same time almost always guarantees that you are going to miss important facts and details.

In James 1:19, the Bible says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” The word “swift” in this verse is the Greek word tachus. It can be used to depict a runner who runs as fast as he can so he can reach the finish line before his competitors. Because this runner fiercely wants to win the race, he puts everything else out of his mind, focuses on the finish line, and then presses forward to obtain the first-place prize.

Because of the word tachus, the first part of James 1:19 could be rendered:

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, set your focus on becoming a good listener — and do it with all your might, as if you are in a competition to win the race of being the best listener.…”

James is telling us that we should desire to win “first place” when it comes to listening! Because the word tachus depicts a runner that is totally focused on reaching the finish line, James lets us know that it takes effort to slow our minds down so we can hear what other people are trying to communicate to us. I am referring to that moment when we deliberately quiet our minds and shut our mouths in order to intentionally listen to and digest what someone else is endeavoring to tell us. This is a challenge for any of us who have busy minds and a lot of details in our lives to think about.

Take me, for example. If I don’t make the choice to slow down and really focus on what someone is telling me, I know I will miss much of what he or she is trying to communicate. My mind is busy all the time. I have a church to pastor, a ministry to oversee, and television programs to film. I go on ministry trips that take me all over the world. I am constantly writing books. Besides all that, I am a husband and father. I rarely have a moment when I don’t have some important matter pressing heavily on my mind.

I’ve learned that I must discipline myself to listen to what people are saying to me. Otherwise, they’ll think I’m listening when, in reality, I’m about a million miles away in my thoughts. Just because I’m looking into their eyes doesn’t mean I’m really listening. If I’m going to hear what they’re communicating, I have to push everything else out of my mind and deliberately focus on what they’re saying. This is a matter of discipline that I’ve had to work at developing in my life.

I made a decision years ago that if a person believes he has something important enough to say to me, the least I can do is give him the courtesy of listening. Even if I don’t agree with what he’s saying or want to do what he’s asking, I should respect him enough to hear him out. To pretend I’m listening when I’m not is simply rude.

Through the years I’ve had to train myself to be a listener. To make sure I’ve really heard the point being made to me, I often stop and repeat the conversation to the person speaking to me. I ask the person:

If I’ve missed anything important in the conversation or misunderstood what that person was attempting to tell me, I discover it by asking these kinds of questions. At the same time, the person speaking to me is assured that he has had my complete and total attention. When my conversation with that person is finished, I should understand exactly what he was communicating because I focused on him and listened to what he was telling me.

Those who cultivate and develop the skill of listening make good team players because they’re better able to understand other people’s opinions and positions. These people have a good foundation for success because listening is the first step of communication.

If you realize that you need to become a better listener, I urge you to make the decision to cultivate and develop this discipline in your life. You can be a first-place runner when it comes to listening to others. Remember, listening is the first step of communication, and communication is a prerequisite for success in your dealings with both God and man!

So make it a top priority to become a superb listener. Learn how to digest the information other people are trying so desperately to communicate to you!

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My Prayer for Today

Lord, it is true that I need to learn how to be a better listener. Forgive me for the times I’ve inconvenienced others and messed up their plans because I didn’t carefully listen to the instructions that everyone else obviously understood. I recognize that this is a flaw in my life. Starting today, I want to discipline myself to become a top-notch listener. For me to do this, I know I’ll have to break the habit of thinking about other things when people are trying to talk to me. So I’m turning to You to help me silence my mind, listen to others, digest what they are saying, and become a better team player!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

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My Confession for Today

I confess that I am quick to hear what others are trying to tell me, and I don’t interrupt them when they are speaking. I am a first-place runner when it comes to listening to others. Because God’s Spirit is helping me, I am getting better and better in this area of my life. As a result, I am an effective team player, and others enjoy working with me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

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Questions to Answer

1. Have you ever tried to talk to someone who you knew wasn’t really listening to you? How did it make you feel? Did you think that person really cared about what you were saying to him or her?

2. Are you a good listener? Are you able to remember what others have told you? If your answer is no, what are you going to do to develop better listening skills?

3. Can you think of someone at work, at church, or in your family who constantly makes mistakes because he doesn’t clearly listen to the instructions that are given to him? What kind of inconvenience does this create for everyone?

The ‘Ischuos’ Power of God!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
— Ephesians 6:10

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, we began looking at the kinds of power that God has made available to every believer. As noted yesterday, He has provided two kinds of power for every Christian. The first is kratos power, which is a demonstrative, eruptive, manifested power. But today we will look at a second word in Ephesians 6:10 that describes a second kind of power made available to the believer.

In Ephesians 6:10, Paul says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” The word “might” is taken from the word ischuos, and it conveys the picture of a very, very strong man, such as a bodybuilder or a mighty man with great muscular capabilities. Now Paul applies this picture of a strong, muscular man, not to himself, but to God. Paul pictures God as One who is able, mighty, and muscular.

Let me ask you — is there anyone more powerful than God? Is there any force in the universe equal to the muscular ability of God? Consider this:

Where is this powerful, mighty ability of God working today? In you and me! Paul says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Remember, the word kratos is the demonstrated, outwardly manifested, eruptive power of God, which now operates in every believer. But the ischuos we have looked at today is the force that works behind the kratos power! Why is kratos power so strong and demonstrative (as in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead)? Because God’s muscles (ischuos) are backing it up!

These words in Ephesians 6:10 are so powerful that they convey this idea:

“Be strong in the Lord and in the powerful, outwardly demonstrated ability that works in you as a result of God’s great muscular ability that is working behind the scenes.”

All that God is, all the power He possesses, and all the energy of His muscular, mighty ability now energizes the kratos power that is at work within you. With this power at your disposal today, you can confront the unseen demonic spirits that come to wage war against your flesh and your soul — and you can win every time! Since this power is available to you today, you are ready to lay hands on the sick, pray with power and authority, speak the word of faith in every situation, and see mountains move on your behalf!

So the next time you run into a problem that seems a little overwhelming, remind yourself that “…greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). You have no need to be afraid and no need to shrink back in timidity, for there’s enough power at work in you to resist any force that comes against you and to supernaturally remedy anything that needs to be changed!

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My Prayer for Today

Lord, I am so thankful that Your muscles are the backup for the power that operates in my life! Just as Your mighty arm created the universe, divided the Red Sea, destroyed the Egyptians, ripped Jesus from the throes of hell, and raised Him from the dead, I know that now this mighty power also works in me. Help me learn how to flow with this power and allow it to be released through my life so I can be a bigger blessing to people who are around me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

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My Confession for Today

I boldly confess that all that God is, all the power He possesses, and all the energy of His muscular, mighty ability now energizes me! With this power at my disposal, I confront every spirit that comes to wage war against me. I lay hands on the sick and see them recover; I pray with power and authority; I speak the word of faith to every situation I face. Therefore, mountains move on my behalf! Greater is He who is in me than he that is in the world. I have no need to be afraid, and I don’t shrink back in timidity, because there’s enough power at work in me to resist any force that comes against me and to supernaturally remedy anything that is out of God’s order in my life!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

sparking gems from the greek

Questions to Answer

1. Can you name a time in your life when you suddenly felt so energized and quickened by the Spirit of God that it was as if a river of power flowed through you to help you get something important accomplished? When did that happen, and what triggered the release of that power?

2. Do you deliberately pray for God’s power to operate in your life? If so, do you expect your prayer to be answered? If you don’t pray for God’s power to be operative in your life, why not?

3. Why don’t you take a few minutes to remember the miracles you have personally witnessed in your life?

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
— Philippians 1:6

When God calls you, He will equip and prepare you to effectively complete your assignment on time. He will use every aspect of who you are and where you came from to bring about His will in your life. He factors in your background, your level of education, your past occupations, and everything else you’ve accumulated from your life experiences. Many times He will also lead you into new territory where you are surrounded by unfamiliar faces in order to teach you lessons that you couldn’t learn any other way. Perhaps no example of this is clearer than the life of the apostle Paul.

Paul played a major role in the founding of the Early Church. God used him to write almost two-thirds of the New Testament, and his inspired epistles have guided the Body of Christ for nearly 2,000 years. However, when Paul first came to the Lord, he was very inexperienced in the arena of ministry. In order for him to accurately understand God’s vision of the Church, he had to be adequately equipped and prepared. This period of training would not happen in the way Paul planned. He would have to go somewhere entirely unexpected.

Soon after his life-changing conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul traveled to Jerusalem, eager to connect with the disciples who resided there and begin his ministry. Given his background as a former rabbi who spoke fluent Hebrew, Jerusalem seemed to him like the natural choice to focus his efforts, since he was so intimately acquainted with the Jewish culture, tradition, and religious thought that permeated that city. However, God had called him to bring the Gospel to the Gentile world first and foremost, and Jerusalem’s predominately Jewish environment could not adequately prepare him for this ministry.

Paul’s stay in Jerusalem didn’t last long. The Gospel message he had boldly proclaimed in the synagogues soon after his arrival enraged the local Jewish leadership, and they conspired to kill him. When the local believers learned of this plot against Paul’s life, they helped him covertly leave the city and then sent him off to his hometown of Tarsus. There Paul remained until God was ready to usher him into the next phase of his calling, where the sure foundations of his ministry would be laid and his Christian walk would be strengthened by leaps and bounds.

The proving ground for Paul would be the city of Antioch, a major city located approximately 300 miles north of Jerusalem in modern-day Syria. Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire during early New Testament times, with only Rome and Alexandria exceeding it in size. Situated on a crossroads between East and West, it was a thriving commercial center and a true melting pot of cultures and peoples. The city’s population was also composed primarily of Gentiles — a very important factor for Paul, given the nature of his calling.

The multiplicity of cultures found within the thriving urban environment of Antioch naturally resulted in a colorful and diverse Christian community. When the Gospel was first brought to Antioch in the wake of Stephen’s martyrdom, it was warmly received and the city experienced a revival as pagans and Jews alike left their old lives behind and accepted Jesus into their hearts. Before long, a thriving church was established as believers in Antioch began to actively evangelize their city and the surrounding region. During Paul’s time with this congregation, he regularly ministered alongside Gentiles and learned to communicate effectively with them. These experiences would do much to equip him for the epic apostolic journeys that he would later embark upon across the Roman Empire.

From its onset, the church of Antioch had grown rapidly until it was second in size only to the church of Jerusalem. However, despite the distinction of these churches having the two largest congregations in the mid-First Century, the two works were very different. Many of the believers in Antioch were Gentiles who came from pagan backgrounds, whereas the believers in Jerusalem were nearly all of Jewish ancestry.

Antioch’s rich, diverse environment was the “right place” God chose to equip and prepare the apostle Paul for ministry. A brand-new move of the Spirit was taking place in that city, and by following God’s calling to move there, Paul put himself in a position to receive an entirely fresh perspective of the Body of Christ. During his time in Antioch, he learned important lessons from what he saw and experienced that he could have never learned if he had stayed in Jerusalem. Following God’s call led Paul to a place he would have never anticipated, but it was an essential step to equip him for the rest of his ministry.

Never forget the promise that Paul himself wrote to us in Philippians 1:6. It says, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul was certainly speaking from personal experience when he wrote this verse. According to Paul, God will begin a good work in us and will “perform” it until the day of Jesus’ return for the Church. The word “perform” is the Greek word epiteleo, a compound of epi and teleo. The word epi adds force to the word. The word teleo means to finish, complete, or conclude. When the two words are compounded, the new word epiteleo shows that God is forcefully moving His plans for us in the right direction until we are finally complete! Paul started that verse with the word “confident” — the Greek word peitho. It means you can be sure, convinced, and ever certain of these things!

Likewise, God knows exactly where you need to be and who you need to be with in order to equip you for your life assignment — and He is working to get you exactly where you need to be! As He did in the life of Paul, God will use every aspect of who you are and where you came from to bring about His will in your life. He will use your background, your level of education, your past occupations, and everything else you’ve accumulated from your life experiences. And He may also lead you into places where you are surrounded by unfamiliar faces to teach you lessons that you couldn’t learn any other way. One thing is certain: If God has called you, He will equip you for the task! You can be sure of it!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I am so thankful that since You have called me, You will also equip me for the task in front of me. You never call anyone that You do not also equip to do the job. Help me have an open heart so I’ll know where and with whom I need to be in order to be in the environment that will prepare me for the next phase of my life. Help me see where I am right now with spiritual eyes and to hear with spiritual ears so I can receive the maximum preparation You want to provide for me. I know that Your hand is guiding me. And even if You lead me to places with unfamiliar faces, I know You are doing what is necessary to get me ready for the next God-ordained phase of my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I respond to God’s call on my life and I cooperate with how He is equipping me for the task ahead of me. I know that God never calls anyone whom He does not also equip to do the job. My heart is open to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. God’s hand is guiding me, and He is doing what is necessary to get me ready for the path that lies ahead! Therefore, I will be at the right place, at the right time, with the right people, in an environment that will prepare me for the next phase of my life. My spiritual eyes and spiritual ears are attuned to the Spirit so I can receive the maximum preparation that God wants to provide for me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. As you look at your life, can you see how God has used your life experiences to prepare you for what you are doing right now?
  2. What has God used from your life experiences to prepare you for what you are doing? Consider your background, your education, and your past occupations. What else has He used to equip you for what He has called you to do in the future?
  3. Has God led you to places where you were surrounded by unfamiliar faces to teach you lessons that you couldn’t learn any other way? When was that experience and what did you gain from it?

For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift….
— Romans 1:11

Have you ever been with someone whose mere presence positively affected you, changed you, or took you to a higher level in the Lord? Do you know if your presence has ever affected anyone in that way?

When I think about this question, one particular minister immediately comes to mind. He is a precious and dear friend who has walked with God for decades, and I have known him closely for many years. When I am honored with the opportunity to spend time with him, I always walk away feeling spiritually richer and touched by Jesus. Being in his presence leaves me with the feeling that something spiritual has rubbed off on me and has been imparted to my life.

Similarly, Paul felt this way about the First Century believers in Rome. Even though he had never met the Roman congregation face-to-face, he was sure that if he could spend time with them, he would rub off on them too. In Romans 1:10, he wrote, “Making request, if by any means now at length, I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” Then in Romans 1:11, he told them, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto some spiritual gift….”

Notice that Paul said, “For I long to see you….” This word “long” tells us how deeply Paul wanted to meet these believers. In Greek, it is the word epipotheo, which has the root potheo, meaning desire. However, it also has the prefix epi attached to it, which gives an extra force to the word, portraying a person who wanted something so much that he intensely longed for it. Very often this word depicts an insatiable appetite or a craving — and in the New Testament it is often translated as the word lust. The fact that Paul used this word to depict his longing to come see the believers in Rome tells us that he was intensely yearning to see them.

In verse 11, Paul provided at least one reason why he wanted to see them. He wrote, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you….” Paul believed he had something spiritual to impart to his brothers and sisters in Rome. The word “impart” comes from the word metadidomi, which means to impart or to transfer something from one to another. Paul believed that if he could see the Romans, spend time with them, or perhaps lay hands on them, there would be an impartation of something spiritual to them. In the same way that I walk away spiritually richer after being in the presence of the man I told you about earlier, Paul was convinced that if he could spend time with the Roman believers, something powerful would be imparted to them. As a result, they would come away from that encounter feeling richer, fuller, and touched by Jesus.

These words of Paul in Romans 1:11 tell me that he was convinced God would use him as a channel to touch these believers in a way they had never been touched before. Paul was so confident about it, he actually wrote that he longed to see them, specifically stating that he wanted to impart something spiritual to them. What did he want to impart? That’s a topic we will look at tomorrow.

But for today, I want to ask you: Who has had this kind of profound influence in your life? Has being in anyone’s mere presence made you feel touched by Jesus? Who was that person? Perhaps the more important question is this: Have you ever made anyone else feel that way? How do you affect people when you are with them? In what condition do you leave them when it’s time for you to say farewell?

There’s no doubt that God wants to use us to positively impact people. Just as the apostle Paul was confident that God would use him to impart something rich and spiritual to the Romans, we need to spend time with the Father and allow Him to pour His presence into our personal lives so that when we are with others, there will be an overflow that rubs off on them and takes them to a higher place in the Lord!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


Father, I ask You to flood me to overflowing with Your Spirit. When people are in my presence, I pray that they will become more deeply aware of You and Your nearness. Let Your life and kindness be expressed through me in such a way that people receive a supernatural impartation and spiritual blessing that will cover and penetrate their hearts and lives with Your wisdom, goodness, and love.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I walk in communion with the Holy Spirit daily. When people are in my presence, they are enveloped by the life of God that flows through me by His Spirit within me. The fragrance of Heaven overflows through my life so that when I am with others, the peace and love of God rests upon them and takes them to a higher place in Him.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. What plan do you have to personally enhance the lives of those around you?
  2. Recall a time when you knew something was spiritually imparted to you by being with someone. Was it a conversation that person had with you that deeply impacted you, or was it transferred by prayer and the laying on of hands?
  3. Has anyone ever told you that you affected him or her that way? If so, when was it, and what was the event that caused that other person to feel so positively and spiritually impacted?