Knowing Jesus in the Flesh or the Spirit?

 

Matthew 16:13-19

Jesus was gaining fame through His teachings and His claims regarding the Kingdom of God and Himself.  Many speculations were circulating among the people as to who He really was.  He was rumored to be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or perhaps one of the other prophets.  From their answers, many people obviously saw Jesus as a religious person – even as one sent from God, as a prophet (one who speaks for God and interprets God’s will to man [from Bible dictionary]).   No one in the crowds was willing to go so far as to call Him the Son of God, however, as that takes spiritual discernment and revelation from the God the Father. 

“Who do you say I am?” When Peter answered this question posed by Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” Jesus exclaimed, “Blessed are you, Peter, because this has been revealed to you by my Father!”

Peter had been favored by God with the truth of who Jesus really was.  He was a fortunate man indeed for he was able to see through spiritual eyes what the Father revealed to him!  Those in the crowd were only able to know Jesus according to “flesh and blood.” 

I grew up in the church and heard all about Jesus from a very early age.  In college, I began questioning who He was.  I was like one of the people in the crowd, trying to answer that question in my flesh – and coming up short.  In a last-ditch effort to find answers, I attended a class at church on the Christian faith.  During that time, the Holy Spirit gave me spiritual eyes to see, like Peter, that Jesus is the Christ.

Have you been blessed with the revelation that Jesus is the Son of God?  If not, pray that the Holy Spirit will come to you and embed it into your heart and soul.  If you have such truth, pray for someone to share it with soon.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, come with truth into my heart, and spill over from me to another, Amen.

Everybody Loves A Gift

Christmas was just over a month ago, our tree is down and the decorations have been put away since the first of the year.  All the gifts that didn’t fit have been returned and the others are being used.

When I think of Christmas, or anytime we give gifts, I often wonder if the recipient is using the gift.  It is no fun giving a gift that is unwanted or not needed, because it won’t be used.  

The Spirit of God gives us gifts.  Our scripture passage today says that the gifts are given, “for the common good”, or as the New Living Translations says, “so we can help each other.”  We do not get every gift.  The Spirit of God determines which ones he gives and to whom.  The important thing for us to do is USE THE GIFT we have been given.

If you are trusted with the gift of prophesy and don’t share the word God has given you, you won’t help the person God sent you too.  If you can interpret tongues yet keep silent, the message God wanted shared will not be revealed.

When it comes to the gifts of the Spirit, God is a great gift giver.  He will give you the exact right gift.  He does not make mistakes.  Use your gift or gifts.  Don’t be afraid of them.  Use your wisdom or knowledge for his good.  Heal people he sends you to heal.  If you can perform miracles, do it for His glory.

We tend to see the works of the Holy Spirit as taboo in North America, but remember God has not changed. The same God we read about in the pages of scripture is the one we serve today!  So, pretend it’s Christmas morning.  Unwrap your gift and start using it.

Read today's passage here.  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Lean in and Listen

Psalm 119-132-135
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
    as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
    so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
    so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
    teach me the right way to live.

Sometimes the word discernment gets a bad rap. We think we can't get anything done unless we have felt in our spirit or sensed the Word of God confirming or directing our next steps. We are frozen in place and don't move out in faith without discerning what to do.

These four verses were written by a a man who asked God for discernment, something we all should do daily. The reason to open up our Bible each morning is to seek God's Word, His direction. The Word is so alive that it does teach us, and direct us and so much more. God's Word comforts, confirms and carries us though another day with Him at our side.

When we apply Scripture to our daily tasks and concerns our Faith is ignited. Discernment comes into play as we seek to understand the words which lay open at our fingertips. The Life Application Bible Notes puts it this way - The Bible is like medicine: It goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas. As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, or examples that you can put into practice.

Is there something tearing you apart? Are you worried?  Is there unending pain which you don't know how to stop? Are creditors knocking on the door daily? God has a Word for you and me. Open your Bible and ask God to speak; then listen close, for God's Word might be said in a whisper meant only for your heart.

Psalm 119:129-136