I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
— 1 Corinthians 3:6

I had worked laboriously for an “open door” to Channel One in the nation of Ukraine — the premier TV channel that broadcast into every home in the country. However, regardless of how hard I tried, it seemed that access to this massive station eluded me. But one day, I received a phone call from a man who said he had an “inside” contact at Channel One and that if I would meet him at a certain location in Kiev, he would accompany me to the station and introduce me to the top leadership of that channel. So at the appointed time, I met him — it was almost like a clandestine operation — and he did exactly as he promised. He walked me through the open door that I had been seeking for years.

I found myself standing in an executive TV office with the two men who had the final say-so about which programs would or would not be broadcast on Channel One. After a few minutes of talking, they said, “We’ve reviewed your programs, and we’re ready to accept them as part of our daily broadcast schedule.”

I almost lost my breath. Did they really say what I just heard? Were these men actually offering me the possibility of broadcasting our programs to the entire nation every day of the week? As far as I knew, this opportunity had never been given to anyone else. But now the door had flung wide open and was standing right in front of me as open and passable as it could be! This was a God-ordained moment. I knew that God was beckoning me to trust Him and to walk through this door.

When they told me the cost per broadcast, I didn’t have that kind of money or anything even close to it. But the door was open, and God was urging me to put my name on the “dotted line” of the contract. So I asked for a few minutes to be alone with my associate who was with me. Once we were alone, we bowed our heads, clasped hands, and prayed for the courage to accept this step of faith. I told my associate, “I don’t have the money to pay for this, but I know God has opened this door, and I am supposed to sign this contract. I don’t know where the money will come from, but I must sign this contract and trust that God will speak to someone somewhere to help pay for this huge opportunity.”

When we finishing praying, I had deep peace that despite the fact that I didn’t have the money to take this step, God wanted me to sign the contract. So when the men reentered the room and asked what we had decided, I boldly told them, “Of course, we are going to broadcast! So give me that contract, and I’ll sign it.”

After reviewing the contract, I took a pen in hand, gulped a deep breath, and signed that piece of paper. It was a huge leap of faith for me, but I had the awesome inward witness that we were about to experience the supernatural provision of God in a measure we had never seen before. God was going to show Himself strong to us and provide every cent that was needed to broadcast on this massive TV channel. As a result, every person in every home in that nation where there was a television would be able to hear rock-solid Bible teaching every day of the week!

But that’s just half the story. At the exact time I was signing that contract, a ministry partner — a widow who had faithfully given smaller offerings for many years — received surprise information that she had received a large inheritance. She had always told the Lord, “If You’ll trust me with money, I’ll use it to finance the preaching of the Gospel.” God heard her, knew she was serious, and did exactly what she prayed. He supernaturally put a large sum of money into her hands. When she received that inheritance, she said, “Lord, I’m going to help Rick Renner preach the Gospel to the former Soviet Union!”

When we later looked at the calendar and compared the times on both sides of the world — we discovered that at the exact moment I was signing that contract, this woman was receiving the news about her inheritance! I signed the contract, and literally simultaneously, God put the money into the hands of a widow who had made Him a promise.

Before the first payment was due for that massive TV outreach, we had all the finances we needed to pay the bill. God had entrusted that widow with the money necessary to cover the cost of those first broadcasts — and she kept her promise to steward her finances for the preaching of the Gospel.

Actually, this woman supported our TV outreach for many years. As a result, our Bible teaching programs went into every home in that nation every day. Over time, we received millions of letters from people who watched the programs, who gave their lives to Christ, and who began to regularly correspond with our ministry for help to further develop their lives in Christ.

As I think back on this experience, I see how every person played such a vital role for this miracle to be brought to pass. I signed the contract — but I didn’t have the money to pay for it. God gave finances to a faithful widow — and she supplied the money to pay. Each time I ponder this experience, I’m always reminded of what the apostle Paul wrote in First Corinthians 3:6: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

Paul knew his role was that of a “planter,” which is the Greek word phuteuo and means to plant. Paul’s statement was a clear reference to his founding of the Corinthian church. He was anointed to forge into new territory and challenge the powers of darkness in order to plant. Paul was endowed with the anointing to push open doors and find opportunities — and to plant seeds for the Gospel that would grow into churches.

Apollos, on the other hand, was anointed differently for ministry. He was specially called to come behind Paul and to “water” and “nourish” what Paul had planted. The word “watered” is the Greek word potidzo, which means to give drink, to water, or even to imbibe. It portrays one who nourishes what has been planted, thus providing the sustenance it needs to grow.

Of course, we know that God ultimately gave the increase, bringing forth what Paul planted and Apollos watered — and causing growth to come in the Corinthian church.

As I look at First Corinthians 3:6, I see these three elements in the Channel One miracle: First, I was the planter who was anointed by God to sign the contract. That was an essential first step. Second, our blessed partner, a widow, was called and anointed to “water” the seed I’d planted (the signing of the contract) with her finances. She was assigned a very important portion of the process, and she willingly did her part.

Third — and most important — was God, the Partner who was ultimately responsible for all of it. Paul said, “…But God gave the increase.”

The word “increase” in First Corinthians 3:6 is a form of the Greek word auxano, which simply means to increase or to grow. The form of this word used in this instance indicates the continuous blessing of God upon the work of Paul and Apollos, with God as their chief Partner in the process.

One theologian has said, in effect, “We can till the ground, plant the seeds, pull the weeds, and lavishly water what has been planted, but only God can provide the blessing, sunshine, and environment to make it all grow.”

It simply takes every one of us doing his or her different job — with God’s blessing on it — for doors to open and harvests to be reaped. Divine connections are essential for completing a divine assignment. And respect for every person for the role he or she plays — including God and His role — is so important. Most of us realize that even if we all did our respective parts to make supernatural things come to pass, nothing of value would ever grow if God didn’t provide His continuous blessing. So all the glory goes to God for what is produced in our lives.

In the case of the contract with Channel One, after that man helped me make contact with the leaders of that TV station, God used my associate and me to negotiate the deal, my hands to sign the contract, and a widow to sow finances into the project. And, most importantly, God’s hand of blessing was on it throughout the entire journey. Those elements all working together produced a harvest of salvations from our TV programming that will last for all of eternity.

If you’re trying to complete a God-given project alone, I pray that today’s Sparkling Gem has spoken to your heart about the need for divine connections with other people — and the absolutely essential need for God to be your chief Partner in making everything you do grow and become prosperous. If you do not have those connections right now, I pray that God will divinely connect you to others who will join to help you complete the assignment He has called you to fulfill — in Jesus’ name!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I see that it takes divine connections to make a project of faith come to pass and bear fruit. Many times I have felt discouraged because it seemed I had to complete a God-project alone. Father, I ask You to connect me with others who will respond to Your voice and help cause Your supernatural plan to come to pass. I receive God-ordained help to complete the assignment You have given me. I ask You to strengthen me and those with whom You will connect me so that together we can do our respective parts under Your direction to fulfill what You want each one of us to do!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am obedient and faithful to the direction of the Lord when He gives me an assignment. And I declare that with each divine assignment He gives me, God also ordains obedient and faithful people who are positioned with me to see that assignment through to completion. Just as Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase, we each do our part by the direction of God as we give all glory to His name!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a moment when you obeyed the Lord, but you didn’t know how God was going to do what He was instructing you to do? When was that and what happened?
2. Have you ever had an experience when you took a step of faith, and God used an unexpected person to supply the provision you needed to make your step of faith come to pass?
3. Were you filled with enthusiastic excitement at the moment you committed yourself to a huge project in faith — or did you feel a sense of hesitancy? What did you experience as you “signed your name on the dotted line” and made a commitment that would require the supernatural provision of God?

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour….
— 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Even if we don’t like the way things are going in our government, we must obey the apostle Paul’s exhortation in First Timothy 2:1-3 to pray for our governmental leaders. Before you dismiss Paul’s instructions to pray for those in authority as too simplistic, remember that he lived at a time of grossly immoral governmental leadership and that he ultimately was martyred by Nero — the very “king” he asked people to pray for! In First Timothy 2:1-3, Paul declared, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour….”

Paul gave us six prayer commands in these verses that God expects us to obey — regardless of who is calling the shots politically. In this passage of Scripture, he clearly defined guidelines for us to follow when we pray. Rather than rush to God with accusations, complaints, grumbling, protestations, and whining, we are to follow the positive approach in prayer Paul provided. He began by saying, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications….”

 1.  A Right Attitude

The word “supplications” is a translation of the Greek word deisis, which describes the attitude of one who beseeched a king. Access to a throne was a great privilege in the ancient world, so when an individual approached a king, he showed respect and gratitude for the privilege.

As Paul began to outline his instructions regarding how we should pray, he reminded us of the kind of attitude we ought to have when we draw near to God. Before we utter a single word in prayer, we must clearly understand in our hearts that we have been afforded a great privilege to access the throne room of God. Regardless of the thoughts swirling around in our minds or the complaints we may be harboring in our souls, we need to come into God’s presence with hearts of respect and gratitude. We certainly are not to enter His presence ready to unabashedly spew ugly, disrespectful, or slanderous words at Him as though it’s His fault that things aren’t going the way we wished they were going!

Therefore, the first thing we need to do when we prepare to pray for our government is get our attitudes right.

2.  A Prayer of Personal Consecration

As Paul continued, he wrote, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers.…” The word “prayers” — the Greek word proseuche — literally means an exchange or a surrender and pictures a person who comes into the intimate presence of God to consecrate himself as a first matter of priority.

So Paul affirmed that our first responsibility as believers before we ever utter a request or a complaint regarding others — before we utter anything else at all — is to enter the presence of God and get our own attitudes and thoughts right before Him. Then with clear hearts we can receive His thoughts and know His ways in the place of prayer. When our own attitudes are corrected and realigned, it usually changes the way we pray concerning others, because our words reflect the Father’s heart instead of our own personal preference or opinions.

Everything must be surrendered to God and the power of His Spirit before anything else is spoken to Him in prayer.

3.  A Prayer of Intercession for Others

Once a believer has dealt with his own wrong attitudes and his need of consecration, Paul wrote what to do next. He said, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions….”

The word “intercessions” is the Greek word huperentugchano, which means to appeal to God on behalf of someone else. Once you have dealt with your own attitude and consecrated yourself to the will of God, you are in a position to appeal to God about someone else.

Perhaps you sense the Holy Spirit’s leading to pray for someone who is unable to pray for himself, such as a novice believer who simply doesn’t know how to pray effectively, or for a government leader whose spiritual condition and unwise decisions are negatively affecting masses of people. In other words, you sense the Holy Spirit’s leading to assume an intercessory position and to focus your prayers toward a specific individual or situation. And if you have made sure your own heart is clear of clutter, you can pray for others in this way while remaining free from any selfish agenda or wrong attitude.

4.  A Prayer of Thankfulness

Paul continued in his list of prayer guidelines by saying, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks….” According to this verse, you are also to give “thanks” while you are in God’s presence. This phrase “giving of thanks,” which is a form of the Greek word eucharistos, depicts an overflowing, grateful heart.

Let’s be honest — it’s difficult to be grateful and thankful when you are harboring a complaining attitude at the same time! God knows this. So He instructs you to allow thankfulness to flow from your heart, which will literally shift your “inner atmosphere” during your time of prayer.

So before you start griping about a political leader — or anyone else for that matter! — first take time to think of reasons you can be thankful regarding that person. This will change your tone and make you more effective in prayer. And rest assured — God will appreciate your change of attitude!

5.  A Prayer for Everyone

Paul continued, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men….” The word “all” means we are not to show favoritism or to be picky about the people we pray for. Regardless of their spiritual status or political affiliation, we are to pray for “all men.” This is a good test, because if there is someone you think you can’t pray for, it probably indicates a problematic attitude inside you that needs to be consecrated to God. This is very important to understand, because your inability to pray for someone actually reveals a deep need for change in you.

6.  A Prayer for Governmental Officials

Next, Paul said that we must pray for “for kings.” If anyone needed prayer, it was the unsaved kings who possessed lofty positions of power and authority in the First Century AD! But Paul broadened the scope of this divine command by saying that we are to pray for all who are “in authority.” The word “authority” used here is huperarche and depicts prominent governmental officials. Ponder that for a moment. That means we are to pray for all prominent governmental officials — even those whom we don’t care for at all! Paul told us the reason for all this praying is “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior….”

Most believers in New Testament times had no option to vote, so they did what they could do and followed Paul’s six prayer commands. I’m sure if they had been given the right to vote, they would have rushed to the polling booths to cast their votes. But the only vote they could cast was in prayer — so they prayed! Since their governmental leaders were entrenched in power and there was nothing they could do to change it, these early believers took their role in prayer very seriously. And ultimately the power of those prayers brought about change far greater than any election day could ever produce!

Remember — our democratic system allows us to vote, and we must exercise this cherished right. But once the election is over, we have to face the fact that the men and women who have been placed in positions of power are there because of the democratic system that elected them. They represent the choice of the people who put them there. If we are unsatisfied with the outcome, our opportunity is coming again a few years down the road to change the situation. Yet even so, our greatest effectiveness will be found as we enter God’s presence in the authority of Jesus’ name and fulfill these six prayer commands given by the Holy Spirit to the Church through the apostle Paul!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I cherish the right to vote. It is a freedom that cost the lives of many. At the appointed time, I will exercise that privilege to make my voice heard via my voting ballot. However, I realize that I don’t have to wait for an upcoming election to cast my vote for righteousness. I take my place in prayer, in obedience to Your Word, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, and I pray with all manner of prayer and supplications. Seated together with Christ Jesus and by the authority of His name, I pray with confidence according to Your will, knowing that You hear me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I exercise my rights on earth and in Heaven. I pray for those in offices of governmental authority as I exercise my authority in Christ through prayer. I operate according to the divine law of love, and I refrain from criticism and negative speech. Instead, I speak words in agreement with the will of God and the establishment of righteousness in my land.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Do you have the right to vote? If so, do you appreciate it? Do you actually vote, or are you among the millions of people who no longer go to the polls and just trust that everyone else will do the voting?
2. How often do you pray for those who are in authority? Often people feel free to criticize leaders, but they fail to pray for them. Which category do you fit into? If you are one who criticizes only, how will you change after reading today’s Sparkling Gem? Will you begin to pray for those who are in authority?
3. Without looking back at what you read today, can you recall the six prayer commands that Paul gave to us? Since these are commands, it would be good for you to memorize them so you can make them a regular part of your prayer life.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
— James 1:27

Just to the west of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a city called Sand Springs — a small town that was constructed with the single wealth of a man named Charles Page. Page’s father died when he was young, and he saw the struggle that his widowed mother experienced as she cared for him and his siblings. As a young man, Page got a job working in the oil industry, but soon he went into the drilling business for himself. Page hit his first oil gusher in 1905 when he was 45 years old — one that began to quickly produce up to 2,000 barrels of oil per day. Soon he hit another gusher and then another — and it wasn’t long before he became immensely wealthy at a relatively young age.

Page remembered his mother’s financial struggles after his father died, so he chose to devote the bulk of his wealth to help orphans and widows. In 1908, he purchased land west of Tulsa and in the middle of that enormous territory, he began the construction of Sand Springs, Oklahoma — the town where I grew up. But Page’s purpose was not to build a city just for the sake of building a city. He dreamed that this city would become a hub for his real dream, which was Sand Springs Home — a well-financed orphanage that would care for orphans until adulthood. To assure that the orphans raised at Sand Springs Home would have jobs after they set off on their own, Page constructed the city of Sand Springs. He began to negotiate with steel, glass, and porcelain industries to move to his new city so that kids from his orphanage would have good employment opportunities when they became adults.

In addition to Sand Springs Home, Page also dreamed of constructing a widow’s colony to care for widowed women. So in 1912, Page began construction of Sand Springs Widows’ Colony, a large area that had 40 houses for widowed women with children who could live there freely at his expense. All of this was provided as benevolence because Charles Page remembered the burden of poverty that his own family experienced when his father died unexpectedly.

I am familiar with this story because I grew up in Sand Springs and also because my Grandfather Miller was personally hired by Charles Page to lead the orchestra and band for Sand Springs Home. Through my grandfather’s connection to Page, my mother as a small girl spent many days and weekends at Sand Springs Home, where she personally witnessed how generously this man treated these orphans and widows.

When I entered high school myself, I became keenly aware of how well the children from Sand Springs Home were treated. They were well-dressed and well-groomed, and at Christmas time they received what seemed like mountains of gifts that were provided by funds left after the death of Charles Page. If they did well in school, there were funds available to help them go to college or university. What Page did for these orphans and widows — the long-term planning that he prepared for them — was simply remarkable and has impacted thousands of people’s lives for the better since he first began to put his dream into action in 1908.

Today I want to talk to you about assisting needy widows. But first, let’s talk about what the Bible means when it refers to widows. The word “widows,” which James used in James 1:27, is chera, a word that uniquely describes widows in the traditional sense of the word. It is the same word used by Jesus in Matthew 23:14 and Luke 4:26, which both clearly describe women who were bereft of their spouses due to death. James used the word “affliction” to describe the condition of this category of widows.

As we saw yesterday, the word “affliction” is a translation of the Greek word thlipsis, which depicts pressures that make it difficult to cope with life. This hardship may include housing, food, medical needs, or other physical needs that leave a person struggling to get up and face each day. According to James 1:27, we as believers have a God-given responsibility to reach out and help widowed women who are struggling due to the loss of a spouse. It is good, clean, and acceptable before God for us to visit and assist widows in these circumstances.

I realize we live in a day and age when insurance pays death benefits, the government often assists women who have lost their spouses, and many widows today are not suffering financially. However, there are still many widowed women who suffer great financial and social need when their spouses die, and God commands us to do whatever we can to be a blessing to them in their times of suffering. Since this is the command of God, I want to ask you: What are you doing to help widows in need?

You don’t have to be rich and wealthy like Charles Page was in 1908. The truth is, there are many wealthy people who never help anyone. Page helped because he remembered his mother’s own difficulty and chose to make a difference with his resources. What he did took great passion and long-term planning — which tells us that his giving was not based on emotion or just a “fancy of the moment.” It was deeply felt compassion that was expressed in action that has continued to impact people’s lives ever since his charitable work first started. I don’t know the spiritual status of Charles Page’s soul, but I know that his works continue to speak long after his death. What Page did was “clean religion” — something that God both encourages and endorses!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I am deeply stirred to begin formulating my long-term plan to bring real, measurable help to people in need through sincere acts of charity. You specified needy widows and orphans as people for whom I should take compassionate responsibility when their needs are brought to my attention. I ask You, Lord, to show me who and how to help. I commit to prove my faith by my works, as I live out the “clean religion” that honors You the most.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I actively pursue a life marked by the “clean religion” that God both encourages and endorses. I do not ignore the plight of orphans and widows in need. I deliberately take action in well-planned ways to provide help and to produce change that will make a positive difference in their lives for the glory of God!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. After reading today’s Sparkling Gem, what actions are you going to take to reach out to widows who are in need? Have you ever done anything special to help a woman who has lost her spouse?
2. Do you personally know a woman who has suffered financial and material loss as the result of her husband’s death? Who is that woman? Do you even know if she has financial need?
3. What would Jesus do if He knew of a widow in dire financial straits? Would He simply wave at her and wish her well, or would He do something to assist her?

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
— James 1:27

In Russia, we have a significant outreach to people who are poor, needy, and forgotten. This includes outreaches to orphans, to the developmentally disabled, to the blind, and to large numbers of people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Regardless of why people are in this condition, we have a God-given responsibility to do whatever we can to help them spiritually, materially, and socially — and to show them the love of Christ.

I could tell many stories of those we have helped, but one remarkable story comes to mind — a small boy whom we’ll call Sasha for the sake of confidentiality.

Sasha was deserted as a small boy and raised by dogs. Although it seems almost too bizarre to believe, those dogs accepted that small child and raised him as a member of their pack. He lived with them and was fed and cared for by them for years before he was discovered by social workers, who placed him into the care of an outreach based out of our Moscow church.

In Russia, when a child is discovered who was raised by animals, social workers say that such a child has a “Mowgli” syndrome. It’s a term taken from “The Jungle Book” regarding the small boy who, as the story goes, was lost in the jungle as a baby and raised by animals. So when little Sasha came into the care of our outreach, he came with that “Mowgli syndrome” designation because he had been raised by dogs and had no memory of ever living with a human being.

When the outreach based in our church decided to take him, it was a huge commitment of time, attention, and love to help him transition from a world of dogs into a human environment. But they accepted the challenge. Today that little Sasha is a young man with a fabulous future. Because someone loved him enough to receive him, he is a shining example of God’s restorative powers!

In James 1:27, we are told, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Denise and I have seen so many lives like little Sasha’s transformed because we have always taken seriously the Lord’s command to live according to God’s definition of “pure religion.” Today I want to talk about a certain aspect of that definition: our responsibility to show God’s kindness to the fatherless.

But let’s begin by looking at that phrase “pure religion.” It is a translation of the Greek words threskeia kathara. The word threskeia depicts religious service and includes religious acts. The second word in this phrase is kathara, which in this case simply means clean. Taken as one phrase, the new word literally means clean religion. By using these Greek words, James was describing religious actions that are “undefiled” before God.

The word “undefiled” is the Greek word amiantos, which refers to actions that are free of contamination and therefore acceptable with God. But what was James about to describe that is approved and accepted by God? What are these acceptable actions?

James continued, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction….” The word “visit” doesn’t mean just to wave hello to them in passing. It is the Greek word episkeptomai, and it means to look upon, to physically visit, or to provide help for those in need, and it was even used to denote the provision of medical care. James then specified the target that we are to care for: “…the fatherless and the widows in their affliction….”

The word “fatherless” is the Greek word orphanos, and it is from this term that we derive the word orphan. However, the English usage of the word “orphan” is more limited today than it was during the First Century AD when James wrote this verse. In New Testament times, the word orphanos described not only children left without a parent, but it also included the idea of abandonment. Perhaps the parents are still living, but the children are abandoned and left to themselves with no parental care or guidance. In Russia, this category is often called social orphans and refers to children with living parents who have abandoned them. For all intents and purposes, they are fatherless and motherless. In fact, this Greek word orphanos could even be used to describe adults who have suffered abandonment.

James used the word “affliction” to describe the living situation of this category of people. This is the Greek word thlipsis, which depicts pressures that make it difficult to cope with life. This hardship may include housing, food, medical needs, or other physical needs that leave a person suffering in life. As you will see in tomorrow’s Sparkling Gem, James included physically needy widows in this category of people.

Of course, every situation isn’t as desperate as little Sasha’s. Yet every need that fits this category is acute, and James wrote that if we are interested in living out a religion that is clean and acceptable before God, we must turn our attention to the fatherless and motherless and to those who have been abandoned in life. God’s commandment to us is not just to wave hello to them and wish them better luck. He actually wants us to focus our attention on them, physically visit them, help them, and provide them with the medical care they need.

If you don’t know how to personally get involved in helping those who have been abandoned, ask your church for advice or look for a ministry that specializes in helping the poor and needy. People often talk about how bad religion is. But according to James, there is a clean, uncontaminated form of religion — and the Lord commands us to do whatever we can to get involved in it!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I want to demonstrate my faith in You with actions that reflect Your character. You are a Father to the fatherless and the Source of hope to the hopeless. You said that those who give to the poor are lending to You. You are watchful over the defenseless, and You take note how they are treated. I thank You for reminding me today that pure, undefiled religion is lived out by loving those who are in need. Through the demonstration of my love, I am directly participating in the expression of Your own heart toward them. And by loving them, I am offering genuine worship to You. Thank You, Father, for allowing me the privilege to be an extension of Your hands so others may know Your goodness practically through experience for themselves.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I live out a religion that is clean and acceptable before God. I give attention to the fatherless and motherless and to those people who have been abandoned in life. When I encounter the fatherless who have been abandoned, neglected, and left bereft of any support, I do not simply wish them well. I inquire of the Lord how I can personally give aid and provide help for them.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. What do you do to help the poor and needy? Have you ever visited people in need?
2. Do you regularly give offerings to help support ministries that reach those who are in dire circumstances? Whom are they helping? What are they doing with the offerings you send to them? Do you know?
3. Whom do you know who has been abandoned in life? How could you reach out to these individuals with an expression of friendship? Maybe you don’t have finances to give, but you could call them, check on them, visit them, and show genuine compassion to them. Who is that person or group of people?

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business….
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11

When I was a young boy, Grandpa and Grandma Renner lived two blocks from our house. Almost every day, I’d go visit them. When I’d arrive at the back gate, I’d yell out, “Grandpa!” — knowing that he was probably somewhere in the backyard or doing something interesting in his garage. When he heard my voice, Grandpa would quickly appear from seemingly nowhere and cheerfully open the back gate so I could follow him to see what he was doing in the yard or garage.

I also always knew, without even asking, where I would most likely find Grandma Renner. I could almost be sure to find her talking on the telephone — a beige rotary telephone that sat right next to a notebook filled with the names and phone numbers of her dearest friends. I can vividly remember hearing her say, “Hello…this is Ethel….” Within minutes, the gossip would begin — something she was committed to as seriously as Grandpa was to his yard and garage! Then as soon as that conversation ended, she’d pick up her pencil, put the eraser end into the circles on the rotary dial, and begin dialing the next girlfriend on her list to start the whole gossipy conversation all over again.

There was Grandpa — working contentedly in the garage and minding his own business, fully satisfied. Meanwhile, Grandma was in hot pursuit of knowing everyone else’s business! As much as I loved Grandma, it was just a fact that she was continually repeating what she had just heard from someone else and expressing her opinions about people’s personal issues that were none of her business.

Unfortunately, talking about other people’s private affairs is a characteristic of the fallen human nature. I shudder to think how many people’s reputations have been scarred or stained because of false information spread from person to person by those who didn’t know what they were talking about or who really had nothing to do with the matter. Even if they had “inside information,” it still wasn’t their business.

This inclination of human nature to stick its nose where it doesn’t belong is not new. Two thousand years ago, the apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business…” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). What does it mean to study to be quiet?

The Greek word for “study” is philotimeomai, a word that means ambition. This means Paul was actually telling readers to be ambitious about being quiet. Before we proceed further, let’s look deeper at this Greek word and learn more about what it means to you and me when used in conjunction with the idea of being quiet.

This word philotimeomai pictures an individual who is totally committed to obtaining or achieving a specific goal. He is determined to reach it, and he is enthusiastic about his pursuit of it. He has a strong, inward yearning to attain it that drives and motivates him — propelling him toward his goal. He is absolutely fixated on obtaining the object of his desire and will not stop until he gets it. He simply won’t let go of his commitment to attain it.

Although we usually think of ambition of this sort in a negative sense, Paul used it here in a positive context to describe a person who is totally committed to do whatever it takes to be “quiet.” The word “quiet” is the Greek word isuchadzo, which refers to keeping to your own business instead of prying into other people’s affairs. By using this word in this verse, Paul was calling on his readers to refuse to be busybodies. Someone whose behavior fits that description might be known for eavesdropping, snooping into other people’s business, intruding into others’ personal matters, prying into the affairs of others, and gossiping about other people. In other words, someone who behaved himself in this manner would definitely fall into the category of a busybody!

We are to follow Paul’s admonition: “Make it your ambition — that is, give it your fullest and most enthusiastic effort — to stay out of other people’s business.…” Then he continued, “…And to do your own business….” In other words, instead of poking around in matters that have nothing to do with us, we are to keep our mouths shut, keep our eyes from wandering, and focus on our own personal affairs. We don’t have a right to delve into the private matters of other people for whom we have no responsibility. In such cases, we need to take a firm stand and refuse to allow gossip or hurtful information to enter our ears. Period.

This must have been a problem for a few believers in the church of Thessalonica, because Paul addressed busybodies several times in his first letter to them. In each case, he reprimanded them, even telling others to disassociate with those who acted in such a manner.

Today I ask you to look at your own life and see if you need to make an adjustment in this area. If people were talking about and delving into your private affairs, wouldn’t you appreciate it if they stopped it — completely refrained from doing it? Of course you would! So I encourage you to decide today to obey these scriptures and give the same courtesy to others that you would want them to give to you.

And if there are people in your life who do this — those who try to use your ears as garbage receptacles to receive trashy information — politely tell them that you’re not going to listen any longer. This may offend them at first, but it will also make them think twice before they open their mouths. And remember, if people gossip about others to you, they won’t think twice about gossiping about you to others. It’s just so much better to obey God and determine to never let yourself get into that kind of conversational trap!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I repent for the times I’ve allowed my tongue to communicate words ignited by the flesh and forgiving place to devilish discussions that were not inspired by the Holy Spirit who indwells me. Words of gossip and slander proceed from a polluted heart. To speak such words destroys reputations and relationships — and taints the hearts of those who hear them. Holy Spirit, I ask You to cleanse me from all defilement and from twisted speech and inappropriate communication. Please set a watch over my lips and create in me a clean and quiet heart.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I declare that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Therefore, I will not use my tongue to insert hell’s suggestions into people’s ears, but rather speak God’s will and promote God’s perspective. Because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, I choose to fill my heart with God’s words, and I cultivate a quiet spirit that is trained to wait upon God. I will heed His direction concerning when to speak, what to say, and when to remain silent. In that blessed quietness, confidence and discernment shall be my strength. I do not speak about or involve my opinion in matters that are none of my business. And I do not allow others to bring gossip to me wrapped in the guise of a prayer request. Like Jesus, I speak only the words I hear my Heavenly Father speak. His words are love-filled and life-producing, releasing health and strength in me and in the hearts of those who hear them.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you been guilty of talking about other people for whom you have no responsibility and therefore no reason to discuss their personal lives? If your answer is yes, what actions are you going to change as a result of reading today’s Sparkling Gem?
2. Often when people talk about others, they dress up their negative words in the guise of a prayer request. Isn’t it possible to address a prayer need without talking about another’s private affairs? How can you request prayer without divulging private information or delving into other people’s personal matters that don’t concern you?
3. What would happen if you told those people who gossip that you aren’t going to participate in that kind of conversation any longer? After all, it’s almost certain that they are also talking about you.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
— Acts 2:2

Having grown up in Oklahoma, my family members were all well aware of the power of the wind. If atmospheric conditions were right, we’d hear the city sirens begin to blare — warning everyone to run for cover because severe winds or a tornado was imminent. At the sound of those sirens, I remember my mother commanding me to get off the porch and into the house to seek shelter. Running for cover was the last thing I wanted to do, because I loved watching how the low-level clouds would suddenly turn eerily dark. The latent power of wind simply mesmerized me. The fact that the wind could not be seen but could be felt — and the added fact that it was so unpredictable — made me want to stay on the porch so I could feel the wind in action.

But at my mother’s urging, I would eventually head for cover with the rest of the family, usually in a small, enclosed area of the house that could potentially withstand a hit, like a bathroom or closet. We’d shut the door and wait. When the sirens stopped blaring, that’s when we knew the storm had passed. Many times we emerged from our hiding place to find large tree limbs strewn across our yard that had been carried there from blocks away. Sometimes we would see huge trees that the wind had ripped up from their roots. Very often after these storms, we’d venture out to discover that roads were impassable because of debris — trees, limbs, and power lines that had been knocked down by the wind and scattered across the roads. Electrical sparks would spit fiercely into the air from where electrical lines had been severed, so we would drive around them or look for alternative routes until electric crews arrived to repair the fallen lines.

We’re all aware of the potentially destructive power of wind. But if properly harnessed, wind can also bring tremendous benefits. Think how much it would impact the world if there were no wind. The earth would be stagnant, stinking from pollution and from the normal decaying process that is occurring on the planet.

Just think how essential wind has been to the very development of civilization. For example, if there were no winds, exploration never would have occurred. Consider the great ships of the past that had no mechanical or nuclear energy to drive them, yet they glided across oceans with ease as their great sails caught the winds. The world was explored and conquered by men who “set sail” and traveled the globe, fueled by the force of the wind.

In fact, if no wind were blowing, there would be no movement. Windmill blades would never turn — and the production of materials would be slowed and diminished. Wind is essential for progress to be made. Without wind, we would be hundreds of years behind where we presently are in history.

Wind cannot be seen, but its effects can be felt and heard — just like the Holy Spirit. We cannot see Him, but we can feel the effects of His presence and His power. On the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:2 says, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Today I want us to look at the comparison of wind to the Holy Spirit in this verse to see what we can learn about why the Spirit came in this manner on the Day of Pentecost and what this means to you and me.

In Acts 2:2, 120 disciples were gathered in the Upper Room, waiting for the promise of the Father as Jesus had commanded them (see Acts 1:4). The Bible says that as they were waiting, “suddenly” there came from Heaven a certain sound. The word “suddenly” was translated from the Greek word aphno, which carries with it the idea that something took them off-guard and by surprise.

Acts 2:2 goes on to say, “…Suddenly there came a sound….” This phrase “there came” is a translation of the word ginomai, which in this case describes something very similar to the Greek word aphno — something that happens unexpectedly or that catches one off-guard.

The word “sound” in this verse is the Greek word echos. This is the very word that is used in Luke 21:25 to describe the deafening roar of the sea.

Verse 2 continues, “…A sound from heaven….” The phrase “from heaven” is from the Greek words ek tou ourano. The word ek means out, and tou ourano means of Heaven. This leaves no doubt that this sound had originated and emanated from Heaven itself.

Then Luke compared this sound from Heaven to a “rushing, mighty wind.” The word “rushing” was translated from the Greek word pheromones, the present-passive participle of phero, which means to be carried, borne, or driven and agrees with the idea of something borne or driven downward very loudly. When this sound from Heaven came, it was loud — so loud that the writer used the word “rushing” to describe what Jesus’ disciples heard that day in the room where they gathered.

Furthermore, the Greek text also uses the word biaias for “mighty,” a word that could be better translated as violent. Hence, this “sound” thundered like the roaring of a sea or a mighty wind that swept downward very loudly and violently.

The word “wind” itself comes from pnoe, which describes wind so loud that one may be tempted to cover his ears from the overpowering noise of it. This means when the Spirit was poured out, it was no quiet affair. It was loud, noisy, and violent — not violent in terms of destructive, but rather it was strongly felt.

Just as wind moves ships, empowers engines, drives windmills, and disperses pollution from the earth — when the Holy Spirit moved on the Day of Pentecost, He released power strong enough to transform 120 disciples into a mighty force for God!

When the wind of the Spirit blows upon a near-dead church, it can blow life back into that congregation again. When all of our organizing is done and is nearly perfect, yet we still lack power, it is the wind of the Holy Spirit that can blow strongly upon us and cause a vision or organization to come alive with the life of God.

If you are someone who desires a “quiet” relationship with God, I must warn you that when the Holy Spirit’s wind blows, it is rarely a quiet affair. It is usually noisy and attention-attracting — or as we’ve seen, it’s a powerful force that sweeps downward from Heaven like the roaring of the sea.

When God formed man, He formed him perfectly. But man had no breath in his lungs until God breathed the breath of life into him (see Genesis 2:7). Likewise, when the Church was assembled on the Day of Pentecost, it had no power until the Holy Spirit breathed into that assembly. When that loud “boom” exploded overhead in the room where they were gathered, the power of God came upon 120 disciples, and they became an empowered, mighty force in the earth as a result.

Wind is a good word to describe the power of the Holy Spirit. Change happens when winds blow — and when the Holy Spirit moves, He brings change like wind. Energy is produced by wind — and when the Holy Spirit moves in this manner, He supplies supernatural energy. He empowers us to do what we could not naturally do on our own. Oh, how we need the supernatural wind of the Holy Spirit!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the movement of the Holy Spirit that comes to empower me and to make me alive to minister and represent You on the earth! So many times I do everything that needs to be done organizationally, but life and power remain missing. Today I personally ask You to blow Your wind upon me, upon my church, and upon the mission organizations I support so they will all be “moved” by the Spirit and supernaturally empowered to do the work of the ministry!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly declare that I will not be satisfied until a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit has blown upon me to give me divine life and divine energy. Without this life, I can only do what human power can do, but when the Spirit blows His divine wind upon me, suddenly I am empowered to do what I could have never done before. Today — right now — I am opening myself to the rushing mighty wind of the Holy Spirit. I confess that I am a ready recipient, and I am receiving a fresh infilling of this divine wind to empower me for God’s service.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of a time when you did everything naturally that could be done, but you still lacked the power to do the work of the ministry? Do you feel that way right now? If yes, what are you going to do about it after reading today’s Sparkling Gem?
2. Have you ever had a moment when the Spirit’s wind moved upon you — and suddenly you were supernaturally empowered like never before in your life?
3. If you know someone who feels spiritually stagnant, how would you encourage him or her after what you have read in today’s Sparkling Gem?

What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
— 1 Corinthians 6:19,20

When teaching on the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, I sometimes say that when the Holy Spirit moved into our hearts, He hung pictures on the wall; He put rugs on the floor; and He settled into a comfortable chair inside our hearts. But He has done much more than that! He has taken our spirits, once dead in trespasses and sin, and raised them to new life, recreating them into a marvelous temple of God.

Obviously, what the Holy Spirit accomplished in our salvation was not just a decorating job. He created a dwelling place on the inside of us that is so wonderful, so marvelous, so fantastic, and so outstanding that the Holy Spirit — the Third Person of the Godhead — was willing to make it His home! Paul referred to this miraculous work in First Corinthians 6:19 and 20, when he wrote, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

The word “temple” is taken from the Greek word naos, which always describes a highly decorated shrine. It paints the picture of a beautiful cathedral with tall, vaulted ceilings, marble columns, granite floors, hand-carved woodwork overlaid with gold and silver, crystal chandeliers, silver candelabras, and burning incense around the front of the altar.

Being raised in a Protestant denomination, I was accustomed to the interior of a simple Protestant church. We had pews, a baptistry, an attractive carpet, and heavy oak pulpit furniture. That was our style of church decoration. It was nice, but moderate and simple.

The first time I ever entered a cathedral, I nearly fell over! I was just a small boy when I participated in my uncle’s wedding at a large Catholic church in our city. I remember walking down the aisle of that church building, awestruck by the high ceilings and the beauty of the statues and paintings.

In my journeys from one end of the former Soviet Union to the other, I often stop to see large Russian Orthodox church buildings. The architecture; the craftsmanship; the gold, the silver, and precious stones; the inlaid marbles; the painting and icons — the talent and gifting required to create all that beauty is so much more than I could ever imagine! Some of these buildings are nearly unbelievable in terms of size and visual grandeur. To say they are spectacular is a great understatement.

This is precisely what Paul meant when he wrote that we were “temples” of the Holy Spirit. It is warm and cozy to think of the Holy Spirit making Himself at home in our hearts, but because Paul used the word naos (“temple”) in First Corinthians 6:19 to describe us, he was painting a very different and much more magnificent picture of our spiritual interiors.

The Holy Spirit performed the ultimate miracle when He came to dwell in our hearts. He came to occupy our spirits, which were dead in trespasses and sins (see Ephesians 2:1) and then He quickened us together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). In that miraculous moment, He created us to be like God in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). The work inside us was so glorious and perfect that when it was all finished, He declared we were His workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). From start to finish, we were apprehended by Him, regenerated by Him, and molded and fashioned to be a magnificent temple, fit for the Spirit of God Himself to make His permanent habitation.

The change in our previously dead spiritual nature is truly miraculous. He resurrected it with glory and power and recreated us to contain the revelation, holiness, splendor, righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the life and character of Christ. He adorned our inner man until, spiritually speaking, we became a shrine unto God!

Inwardly we are so beautiful and magnificently created that Almighty God, through His Spirit, is willing to take up permanent residency within us. What kind of home do you think God would require? Would He desire a shabby shack of dirt and sticks? No! He has built for Himself an unspeakably beautiful temple, fit for His glory, within our hearts!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for the amazing work You have done inside my heart. By Your Spirit, You took my spiritually dead condition, raised me to life, and moved into my heart. My spiritual interior has been recreated and embellished so richly that You were even willing to take up residence within me. I am not a shabby shack made of dirt and sticks, but a magnificent temple that You have built for Yourself. You recreated my spirit, and then You adorned my inner man with Your revelation, holiness, splendor, righteousness, the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, and the life and character of Christ Himself! Holy Spirit, help me gain a deeper revelation of what You have done inside me than I’ve ever had before.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that because of the new birth, my spiritual interior has been miraculously and marvelously recreated to be a suitable residence for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. I am a magnificent temple where the Holy Spirit dwells. Inside me are the power, glory, and splendor of the Holy Spirit. God’s meticulous attention to detail within my inner man was so glorious and perfect that when it was all finished, He declared me to be His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. I may not see this manifested yet in my outward appearance, but inwardly this is exactly who I am. I will therefore stop speaking poorly of myself. Instead, I will honor the Lord by speaking words in agreement with the mighty work He performed in my inner man, and I will begin to speak words that honor my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Have you ever pondered what your spiritual interior must look like in order for the Holy Spirit to be pleased to dwell there? Why don’t you stop and reflect on this question. It could revolutionize the way you see yourself!
2. Are you guilty of judging yourself by your exterior appearance instead of by your interior reality? Is it possible that you’ve been putting your focus on the wrong part of you? Think about that!
3. Why don’t you take time to think of the supernatural work the Holy Spirit has done within you, such as regenerating your spirit, filling you with His power, and so on. How would it affect your confidence and boldness to walk through the situations of life if you continually meditated on what the Holy Spirit has done in you rather than what you’d like to change about your exterior appearance and characteristics?

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
— James 4:5

Imagine the emotions of a young man who discovers someone else has captured the heart of his sweetheart. That’s the same feeling James was describing when he wrote, “The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy.” In the last two Sparkling Gems, we’ve seen how the Holy Spirit dwells in us and passionately yearns for us. But today, let’s look further at the word “envy” to see what it means in this particular verse.

This word “envy” comes from the Greek word phthonos, which was frequently used in literature from the New Testament period, thus enabling us to know precisely what it means. The word phthonos means jealousy — an emotion so strong that it tends toward taking vengeance upon someone. The young man who lost his lover feels jealous and has a deep desire for his former relationship to be restored. He also most likely bears some malice toward the romantic thief. He is envious of the relationship that has replaced the one he used to have with the one whom he loves and desires to have again.

This should make James 4:5 clear to us. The Holy Spirit is a Lover. He is preoccupied with us. He wants to possess us totally, and He passionately desires our affection to also be set on Him. When we walk and talk like unbelievers and give our lives to natural pursuits, the Holy Spirit feels like a lover who has been robbed. He feels jealous for His relationship with us to be restored. He has divine malice for the worldliness that has usurped His role in our lives. And He is filled with a godly envy to see things put back the way they should be.

When you put all three words together — dwelleth, lusteth, and envy — this paints quite a picture. The Holy Spirit is not a passive partner. He aggressively and actively pursues us. When we give a piece of ourselves to something or someone else’s control, He wants to seize it and bring it back under His divine control. He even has godly malice toward our preoccupation with other things.

With all of this in mind, James 4:5 could be read this way:

“The Spirit who has come to settle down, make His home, and permanently dwell in us is moved by an all-consuming, ever-growing, passionate desire to possess us — and He is envious and filled with malice toward anything or anyone who tries to take His place in our lives.”

We live in the world, work in the world, and function as human beings in the world. There is no way to get around that. Jesus didn’t pray that we would be removed from the world, but that we would be kept from the world (see John 17:15). There is nothing wrong with going to work, buying a house, purchasing a new car, or enjoying beautiful clothes. Those things are part of living an abundant life on this earth. They are not wrong unless they consume and preoccupy our thoughts.

Let’s not forget that all kinds of things can preoccupy our thinking. If we’re called to the ministry, even our ministerial responsibilities can so occupy our thoughts that we seldom think of the Holy Spirit or focus on cultivating our relationship with Him. Yes, that seems like a contradiction. However, it’s very possible to be so involved in good works that we hardly ever slow down long enough to spend time with the Lord, read His Word, and listen to what His Spirit wants to say to our hearts. Sometimes it’s just the cares of this life that pull us away from the Holy Spirit. We can get so busy and so committed to doing so many things, even good things, that our continual busyness deteriorates our spiritual life.

Amazing as it is, even good things, if taken to an extreme, become adulterous in the eyes of the Lord. Only He knows how to balance us, but we have to open our hearts and our spiritual ears to listen to His counsel. That’s why it’s so crucial to set aside time to spend with Him every day.

So don’t tell yourself that you have too much to do to spend time with the Lord each day. When it comes right down to it, you basically do what you want to do. If having communion with the Holy Spirit is a priority, you’ll make time for Him. If it’s not a priority, you won’t make that time. It’s that simple.

Perhaps you’re reading this today and thinking, I have so much to learn about the Holy Spirit. I didn’t know I was supposed to intentionally have communion with Him. I didn’t know I could depend on Him as my Comforter. I didn’t know I could grieve Him with my attitudes. I didn’t realize how important it is for me to develop a closer fellowship with the Holy Spirit!

If that is you, you’re in a great position today — standing at the threshold of a whole new realm of God in your life! His Word promises that if you draw closer to Him, He will draw closer to you (see James 4:8). I can’t help but wonder how many Christians die and go to Heaven — and then find out how much they missed because they never experience a real partnership with the Holy Spirit. Don’t let that be your story!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Holy Spirit, there is so much for me to learn about You I never knew before. Today I open my heart — as wide as I know how — and I ask You to teach me about You and Your ministry to my life. I want to be a vessel You work through, so please help me become that vessel. Jesus sent You to be with me and to indwell me. You are preoccupied with me, and You passionately and rightfully desire my affection to also be set on You. I repent for the times I allowed the cares of life or desire for other things to steal my attention and affection away from You. For each and every time I’ve violated my relationship with You in any way, please forgive me and know that from this day forward, I am turning toward You with my whole heart and soul.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I boldly confess that I am going to pursue a deep, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, and I will not stop until I’ve attained it. He already lives inside me, but I want to know Him and the power He continually makes available to me. I’ve lived my Christian life largely in my own power, but from this point forward, I want to live it fully in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Before you read today’s Sparkling Gem, did you know the Holy Spirit is envious and jealous over His relationship with you? How does that realization affect your understanding of His ministry to your life? In what ways will it change how You respond to the Holy Spirit in the future?
2. Is there an area of your life to which you’re more committed than to your relationship with the Holy Spirit? If so, just know He is going to go after that area and bring it back into balance. So why don’t you get started by making a list of those areas that fit in that category, and then invite the Holy Spirit to help you get those areas realigned according to His priorities?
3. Godly jealousy is a good thing — but have you ever considered that there is such a thing as godly malice that the Holy Spirit feels? What “reasons” have you used to justify giving more of your attention to those other things at the expense of your communion with Him? How will you begin to eliminate those excuses, starting today?

Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
— James 4:5

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, we looked at the word “dwelleth” in James 4:5. It says, “Do you think that the scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?” The next word in this verse that we must consider is the word “lusteth.”

For the most part, the word lust has a very bad connotation in our minds. We think of sexual lust, for example, as something that must be eradicated from our lives. We think of a greedy kind of lust as an excessive desire for material possessions. Lust is something we don’t want to admit exists in our lives. On the contrary, we think of lust as something we want to get rid of.

But James tells us that the Holy Spirit has lust — and because He is the Spirit of holiness (see Romans 1:4), we know that the lust of the Holy Spirit must be a healthy, godly kind. Understanding this point is so important that we must stop and see exactly what James is trying to say to us here.

The word “lusteth” is taken from the Greek word epipothei, which is a compound of two Greek words — epi and pothei. The word epi adds force to the word, and the word pothei means an intense desire or yearning. When compounded, the new word describes an intense, excessive yearning for something. Usually this word is used to indicate something that is morally wrong or sinful.

For example, this word could be used to picture a drug addict who daily requires a new “fix”— enough drugs to carry him into the next day. When the last fix wears off and his body is desperately crying out for a new infusion of chemicals, the drug addict nearly doubles over in pain, yearning for the next injection. Everything in him is focused on getting those chemicals. He is consumed with his need for more. The word epipothei could describe that kind of desperate yearning.

The word epipothei could also be used to describe the behavior of a sexual addict. Going from one sexual experience to the next, he is driven to keep going and going. In this case, the desire is so abnormal that enough is never enough. The desire can never be satisfied. People with such an addiction are raging with lust to have more and more sexual encounters of some type.

It is interesting that James would use the word epipothei — translated “lusteth” — to describe the Holy Spirit in this verse. Why would James do this? Does the Holy Spirit truly lust? Why would James use such a word?

It’s important to understand that this word “lust” doesn’t refer to something bad unless it is used in a bad connotation. It can be used in a good way. James 4:5 demonstrates this truth by telling us that the Holy Spirit Himself “lusteth.” In other words, there is something that the Holy Spirit is yearning after — something He passionately longs to possess. One expositor has translated this verse to read, “The Spirit that dwelleth in us has an intense yearning.…” But what does the Holy Spirit yearn for so strongly?

After all the Holy Spirit has done in us, it should be no great shock to discover that He is in love with each believer He indwells. The fact that the Spirit of God views our mixing and mingling with the world as adultery should alert us to the intense love and affection He has for us.

The Holy Spirit was sent to be our Helper and Comforter. Although He does many other things, His primary job is to help us find Jesus Christ, help us grow as Christians, help us witness, help us worship, help us understand God’s Word, and so on.

Everything the Holy Spirit is to us — our Indweller, our Sealer, our Sanctifier, and the Power of our new life in Christ — is encompassed in His deep love for us. His work, His attention, His gifts, His power, and His Word are all directed toward us. We are the objects of His love and affection. As a Divine Lover who lives on the inside of us, His love and affection are single-heartedly focused on us. He passionately yearns to fulfill His responsibility to the Father to help, to teach, to guide, and to empower us.

James used the word epipothei to describe the Holy Spirit’s intense desire to possess us and fill us. This word emphatically means the Holy Spirit wants more and more of us. When it comes to you and me, He can never get enough!

I have walked with God for many decades. Over the years, I have learned one important thing about my relationship with God: It doesn’t matter how much I surrender to His sanctifying power today, by tomorrow He will be asking me to surrender more. Every second, every minute, every day, every week, and every year that passes by, my eyes are illuminated to new areas of my life that have never been surrendered, and each time the Holy Spirit asks me to yield those areas to His control.

During the altar call when I was saved, the congregation was singing the famous song “I Surrender All.” Ever since that time, I’ve been surrendering all as the Holy Spirit convicts me and shows me areas where I’ve never fully surrendered. I first called Jesus “Lord” decades ago, but I’m still learning to accept His Lordship in various areas of my life. It doesn’t matter how much I think I’ve surrendered or how yielded I think I’ve become, there is always more to surrender and more He desires to possess of my life.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit desires to possess you — all of you. This desire is so intense that it almost appears excessive compared to natural, human lust. He is absolutely focused on changing you, empowering you, conforming you to the image of Jesus Christ, and helping you fulfill God’s plan for your life.

The amazing thing is that the Holy Spirit dwells within each of us as believers, thinking of and concentrating on each of us all at the same time! He is always looking for ways to help us in our walk with God. The Holy Spirit is consumed with a flaming, passionate desire to fill us up with His love and affection and to possess ever more of us.

Let the Holy Spirit love you! Let Him control you! Let Him exercise His authority in your life! Let Him flood you with His divine desire! Every intention He has for you is good, holy, and pure. How can you go wrong by surrendering your life, your mind, your family, your spouse, your children, your business, your ministry, your actions, and your behavior — everything that you are and everything you have — to the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit “dwelleth” in us, and He “lusteth” for us. Meditate deeply on these two truths, and you will come to understand in a more profound way than you ever have before what it means to have the Spirit of Almighty God Himself permanently abiding within you and passionately yearning for you.

The Holy Spirit will never be satisfied with a shallow fellowship; He is in constant pursuit of true communion with you. So make a decision today that from this day forward, you will start satisfying the Holy Spirit’s passionate yearning for you to know Him intimately on a deeper, more sustained level than you ever have before!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You that the Holy Spirit is absolutely focused on changing me, empowering me, and conforming me to the image of Jesus Christ as He helps me fulfill God’s plan for my life. I am amazed by the Holy Spirit’s ability to think of and concentrate on each of us all the time as He continually looks for ways to help each of us in our walk with God. I surrender every area of my life to You today, even areas I’ve never surrendered before. And tomorrow when You reveal other areas I need to surrender, I’ll surrender those areas as well. I know the Holy Spirit wants to fully occupy my heart and my life — and I am ready to yield!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that I am surrendering more and more of my life to the Holy Spirit every day I live. Every day I am seeing new areas that need to be surrendered, and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, I am surrendering those areas. I will not stop surrendering as long as I live on this earth, because I know that every day, the Holy Spirit will show me another area I need to yield to Him. With His help, I will give Him greater access to every part of my life and being so He can have full, unhindered expression through my life to the glory of God the Father!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Can you think of areas you’ve never surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying power? What are those areas? Wouldn’t it be wise for you to make a list so you could begin to pray over those areas of your life in which you know the Holy Spirit is asking you to more fully surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?
2. What did you learn about the “lust” of the Holy Spirit by reading this Sparkling Gem? Please take a few minutes to think through this question. It’s important, because it will help you identify what the Holy Spirit really wants.
3. I don’t know about you, but every day I am becoming more aware of areas I’ve never surrendered. I thought I had surrendered all to Jesus when I got saved. But the older I get and the more mature I become, I realize there is so much more to surrender. What about you? What areas has the Holy Spirit pinpointed in your life over the past months that He has asked you to more fully surrender to God?

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
— James 4:5

According to James 4:5, the Holy Spirit came into our hearts as a Permanent Indweller. It says, “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”

The Greek word for “dwelleth” is katoikidzo, a compound of the words kata and oikos. The word kata carries the idea of settling down, and the word oikos is the word for a house. Taken together, the new word means to take up residency or to dwell in a house. This word carries the idea of residing permanently. In other words, this word would never describe a transient or one who came to live in a place only temporarily. This is the picture of a person who has settled into a home with no intention of ever leaving.

In other words, when the Holy Spirit came to live in you, it wasn’t for a short period of time. When He came, He came to stay. From the moment you made Jesus your Savior and Lord, the Holy Spirit made your heart His permanent home. He has, so to speak, hung His own pictures on the walls, moved His furniture in, and settled down into a nice, big comfortable chair. He has no intention of ever moving out to leave your heart vacant while He finds somewhere else to live.

Think of that! The Holy Spirit doesn’t come only to visit occasionally. Your heart is His home. Meditate on this truth, and determine to live each moment of the day with a deep sense of awareness of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Welcome His fellowship; talk to Him; and yield to Him as He prays through you and gives you guidance and direction. A deeper realization of the Permanent Indweller who lives on the inside of you will help you stay on track and continually move forward in your walk in Christ!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Holy Spirit, I am so thankful that my heart is Your home! I worship You for taking up residency inside of me! The thought is almost too glorious for my mind to comprehend! I welcome Your fellowship. Teach me how to talk with You, yield to You, and cooperate with You as You pray through me, giving me guidance and direction every day. I ask You to please open my understanding to a deeper realization of Your permanent indwelling so I stay on track spiritually and continually move forward in my walk in Christ!

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I am thankful to declare that the Holy Spirit is not a guest who occasionally comes to visit me. He moved into my recreated spirit to permanently abide with me. He regenerated and renovated me, and He brought His power and glory along with Him when He moved inside me. I am the permanent home for the Spirit of God.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

1. Since your heart is the home of the Holy Spirit, what do you need to do to make Him feel more comfortable there? What changes do you need to make to accommodate His holy presence?
2. So many times I’ve heard songs that invite the Holy Spirit to come and visit us, but that isn’t even scriptural! He lives inside us. We are not a temporary place He comes to visit. Can you think of songs that might be unscriptural along these lines that we sang with all of our hearts in the past, not realizing we were singing unscriptural songs?
3. A guest in a hotel doesn’t have many rights, but when you live in a house permanently, it becomes your home and you have rights there. What kind of rights does the Holy Spirit have as a Permanent Indweller in your heart?