RENEWING YOUR

SPIRITUAL PASSION

Getting Spiritually Fit In The New Year # 4

　






And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory! And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! (Isaiah 6:3-5)
Yesterday we saw that God is a holy God and therefore He does not mess with sin. However, holiness is not just about the avoidance of sin. Holiness is about living our lives set apart for God. It has to do with belonging exclusively to Him.

Following Christ is not just an add on to our lives. It is an exclusive domain. Christ demands that He be first in all things. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent (Col 1:18). Holiness then is about living our lives totally under His Lordship. When we live fully separated unto Him we will reflect Him and His character in the world. Therefore our question for today directs our attention to how that holiness is being lived out in our daily lives.

Am I Demonstrating Genuine Holiness?

The opposite of sin is Holiness. Holiness is not a list of do’s and don’ts.    It is genuine separation of our lives for God. Your life is not about your comfort and your fun.    It’s about God’s glory and anything outside of the character of God and not for His glory is unholy.

As you seek to renew your spiritual passion you will want to ask yourself questions that will get below the surface to the things that may be an impediment to your living the kind of holy life fully separated unto God that you want to be living.

• Does God have any rivals, any competitors in my life?

• Is there anything that is drawing me away from Him.

• What’s my consuming passion?

• Is, is Jesus Christ my all consuming passion?

　

Prayer: Lord, may my consuming passion be You. Please remove all rivals.

RENEWING YOUR SPIRITUAL PASSION

Getting Spiritually Fit In The New Year # 3

　
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)
We live in a world that does not know how to be ashamed of our sin.   It is a world where sin is proudly displayed on TV and lived out before our eyes.    According to surveys by George Barna and others the lifestyles of professing believers in North America is not significantly different than that of unbelievers.

In contrast, our God is a holy God. He is very sensitive to sin. Sin is completely contrary to His character. John says, " This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth (1 John 1:5-6).

A holy God calls His people to be a holy people, set apart for Him.    He says, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)

When we walk close to God we will be sensitive to sin even as He is.    One of the ways you can evaluate your spiritual passion is by examining your sensitivity to sin.    Today’s questions is designed to help you do that.

Am I Sensitive To Sin In My Life ?

When the Holy Spirit is in control, we will be sensitive to sin in our lives. Psalm 51 is David’s prayer of repentance when he realized his sin.   We live in a culture that is very insensitive to sin. God’s people are people of holiness.

• Am I sensitive to sin in my life or have I allowed yourself to be desensitized by the culture around me?

• Do I keep short accounts with God and regularly confess my sin by name?

• Are my words, thoughts, deeds and entertainment honouring and pleasing to God

• Am I willing to give up all sin for God?

 
Prayer: Lord, I confess my sin of .... Make me sensitive to your Spirit. Deliver me from temptation.

Take some time to think about this.    Ask the Holy Spirit to be your guide.    You need His help lest you become so introspective that you produce artificial guilt and discourage yourself.

At the other end, some of us have been so influenced by the culture around us that we don’t easily see our own sin.    If you have a trusted friend or accountability partner you might want to ask them what they see in your life that might not be pleasing to God.    Be careful though not to be defensive and write off what they might say.    If they point to something, honestly go before God and ask Him to show you His mind on the thing.

When you become aware of some specific sin then confess it before God specifically and by name.   Don't be general and say, "Lord I confess my sin to you," rather say "Lord, I confess my sin of ....... to you."     Confess it and recognize His forgiveness.   Trust Him when He promises,  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness "(1 John 1:9).  
You are not looking to be a legalist here of just keeping rules.    Sin in our lives indicates there is something wrong with our relationship with our Holy God.    Our goal in renewing our spiritual passion is to maximize our walk with and enjoyment of God.     Such holy lives brings Him great glory.

　

RENEWING YOUR

SPIRITUAL PASSION

Getting Spiritually Fit In The New Year # 2

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Just like you have to work hard at getting your body in shape so you have to work hard at getting your soul in shape as well.     I know from experience that it takes real discipline to get up and get to the gym and once there it takes lots of hard work and perspiration.    At first the progress seems slow and discouraging because you wonder if all that hard work is doing any good.    Is it going to pay off.    You may not notice any difference in a week or two or even three, but in time you not only notice the pounds are coming off but you have more energy, more muscle strength and your body is just generally healthier.    The same is true with being spiritually fit.    It takes time and effort but over time you really notice the difference.

There is no shortcut to spiritual growth and vitality.    It takes discipline, hard work and commitment but it results in a vital and joyful spiritual life walking in an exciting adventure with God.    That’s what you want.    Too many Christians settle for a mundane, joyless and less than authentic experience.    The Apostle Paul spoke of those who had "the appearance of godliness, but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:5).  That’s not what you want. You want something real, vital and exciting.

This week we’re looking at five questions which will help us evaluate our spiritual condition. Yesterday we asked "Am I keenly aware of God’s manifest presence."    Today our question has to do with our response to God’s Word.    It is through the Word of God, the Bible that God speaks to His people and directs our lives.    How we respond to the Word is vitally important for God demands that we walk in obedience to Him.    Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments "(John 14:15).

AM I DELIBERATELY RESPONSIVE TO GOD’S WORD ?

 It is possible to become so accustomed to reading and hearing the Word of God that we become tone deaf to it – to not allow it to pierce our soul and transform our life?


We can become so accustomed to reading and hearing the Word of God that we become tone deaf to it – to not allow it to pierce our soul and transform our life?

• When was the last time I heard from God as He spoke deep into my heart through His word?

• Am I sensitive to allow the Word to convict and transform my life?

• Do I love to read and meditate on God’s Word?

• Are my devotions consistent and meaningful?

• Do I intentionally walk in obedience to God’s Word?

If there is to be revival in our own hearts, in our church, and in our land then it is God’s people who must have this deliberate responsiveness to God’s Word.    One thing you will need to do is to make sure you have a consistent intake of God’s Word into your life.    I remember the old Navigator’s diagram indicating 5 ways to intake the Word.

     1) Hear it.     2) Read It.     3) Study It.     4) Meditate Upon It.     5) Memorize It.

Make sure you go to church on Sundays and listen carefully to your Pastor’s message.    He has spent hours preparing a spiritual feast and God intends to feed you through it.    Have a daily Bible reading program and stick to it.    Read through books of the Bible.    Take time at least once a week to dig deep into the Word through study.    The difference between reading and study is a pen and paper.    In study, you slow down to ask questions, find answers and record them.    Meditate daily on the word.    Pick one short passage or verse and think about it during idle moments through the day.    Finally memorize at least one verse a week.    Don’t use the excuse you’re too old or you can’t memorize.    It takes discipline but you can do it and you’ll be delighted when you can recall these verses at appropriate times.

Prayer: "Lord, make my heart sensitive to your Word. Do not let me grow cold and indifferent. Help me to walk in obedience to Your Word"

James told us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22).    Remember, the purpose of in-taking the Word is to respond to it and allow it transform our lives.    In order for it to do that our hearts have to be ready to make a deliberate response to the Word.


God Bless you as you allow His Word to transform your life.
Pastor Rick

Renewing Your Spiritual Passion

  Getting Fit In The New Year     # 1

Well we are into a New Year and that means a fresh new start.   Its this time of the year when many people decide that its time to go back to the gym or get involved in some kind of physical activity so that they can maintain a healthier lifestyle.   Personally, I didn’t do so good last year so I’m determined to go at it again with more success.

I’m reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul,  " For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Tim 4:8 NKJV).   Getting to the gym is important but what about your soul care.   The New Year is a perfect time to pay attention to what’s happening on the inside because what’s on the inside will eventually show up on the outside.

The New Year is a good time to take spiritual inventory of just where you are at in your Journey with God.   Even if you are a sincere follow of Jesus its possible to get slightly off course and miss out on all the incredible blessings that intimacy with God brings.   There is nothing as exciting as walking in deep fellowship with God and growing more like Jesus.

To that end, let me give you a challenge.   For the next five days I’m going to post a blog that asks a new penetrating question that will help you evaluate your spiritual fitness and perhaps stimulate you to renew or affirm your spiritual passion.   Only you have control of your spiritual journey so these questions don’t have any magical powers but if you use them under direction of the Holy Spirit, I believe He will use them to rekindle the spiritual passion in your heart.   As you use them each day, I would encourage you to leave a response in the response area below.   Your response and interaction will be a tremendous encouragement to those from many parts of the world who read Pastor Rick’s Study.

So, are you ready for the challenge. Here’s the first question.

Am I Keenly Aware Of God’s Manifest Presence?

Every great revival in history has been characterized by a dynamic manifestation of the presence of God.   In revival, you know when God shows up.

Someone has said that if the Holy Spirit was removed from the North American church we’d hardly notice the difference.   We can accomplish much with our planning and our money and our organization.

There is what we call the General Presence of God.    We know that God is everywhere and therefore we are never out of His presence.    However, we don’t always know or experience what is often called God’s Manifest Presence.    This is the special and very real presence of God available for all His people. You know you are in God's presence.

When was the last time either in private devotion or in church when you just knew God was there in a powerful way and you exalted His name.

Ask Yourself:

• Am I keenly aware of God’s presence in my life?

• Am I experiencing Him in a real and personal way?

• Do I see His supernatural activity in my life?

• Am I as in love with Jesus as I ever was?

Prayer: Lord, cleanse my heart of all that would interfere with our fellowship

Honestly ask yourself these questions to evaluate how spiritually healthy you are.    Don’t just read them, reflect on them.    Take a good 15-30 minutes and talk them over with God.    Be honest with yourself.    Perfection is not the target but spiritual growth and health is.    You may be relatively healthy and find you are experiencing the presence of God on a regular basis but your spiritual muscles can get stronger so keep moving forward.

Some of us may find the answer to these questions discouraging because we find ourselves spiritual unfit.    Do not be discourage.    God wants to build an exciting relationship with you and He wants you to know His presence.

Just like people start going to the gym in the new year to get physically fit, so you too can begin the journey of spiritual fitness anew.    If you’re not experiencing His presence like you ought out to and like you’d like to, then begin to get back in shape.    Start doing the things that will build you up spiritually.    Spend time everyday with God.    Get into your Bible and pray on a daily basis.    Get out to church and worship with other Christians and let them challenge you and hold you accountable.    Tell God how much you want to know His presence in your life and be willing to walk in obedience to Him.

God bless you as you seek God Himself with all your heart and enjoy His presence in your life daily.

Pastor Rick