Remember getting a gift so precious, so special, that you kept playing the unwrapping of your gift over and over in your mind. The unexpected surprise followed by the joy of receiving something you had longed for for weeks, months, maybe even for years. Now you have your gift and you begin to take it out of its package. You play with it, work with it; basically, you use it for what it was designed for.
Let’s say you didn’t take it out of the packaging, but left it in its wrapper. A year or two has passed, and your gift-giver has decided to pay a special visit; carrying another gift. He sees the unwrapped present from past times, and develops a disappointed look upon his face. When you ask him why he is so disheartened, his reply is such, “I was hoping you would have used your gift and become accustomed to the way it works. I have brought you another gift today; unfortunately, in order to use it properly, you need to know how to use the first gift correctly. I guess I can bring it back another time, once you have learned and understood the first gift. WOW! You just missed out on something that could have been incredible. Another gift that used the first gift and actually expanded upon its use.
This scenario is very similar to the gift of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. This incredible gift has been given to us by God. The first time you experience it, you are completely overwhelmed and blown away—you have just been given a glimpse into The Throne Room. The next question is simple, but extremely noteworthy—“What do you plan to do with your gift?” Are you going to savor the first time you received it and remember the experience only? Or are you going to use your gift daily, study it, and learn how it works? Ultimately, developing your gift as best as possible, so that God is glorified and further blessings handed down by Him flow seamlessly together.
If you have decided to use your gift, then you will please the heart of God. Early development of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit involves daily praying in your prayer language (speaking in tongues) by submission to the Holy Spirit, and studying about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible (Acts chp. 2; I Corinthians chps. 12 and 14). It also involves giving your gift back to God for Him to use through you. It is your gift, but it is His Holy Spirit. If we allow ourselves to be used by God for His divine will, in regards to the gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11), there is nothing that we cannot accomplish for God. So, take your gift, rip the packaging open, and start using it. After all, it is what God wants.
However, to receive this gift there is one necessary prerequisite—you must be saved. You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died and rose from the grave. If you believe this, refer to the section on the right-hand side of the blog entitled “A Life-Changing Prayer”. Once you have given your heart over to Jesus Christ, you are free to ask God for the Baptist in the Holy Spirit. In order to receive the Holy Spirit Baptism, you must let God have control of you. Use your gift wisely, and use it for the Kingdom of God.
Eastpoint Now
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Drawing Near
Our second midweek service focused on our hunger and thirst for God. We were challenged through Scripture to examine our spiritual diet. Are we feasting on the things of the world or are we feasting on the things of God? Do we spend more time watching TV, reading books, magazines, going to the movies, or watching DVDs more than spending time in prayer and the bible?
The group was challenged to take a short test. Each person was asked to think about a Sunday morning service. Do we find ourselves squirming in our pews if the message goes past the "scheduled time", or are we constantly checking our watch to see what time it is because we know we have things to get done that afternoon? Each person was then asked to think about the number of times he or she looks at the time when they sit in the movie theatre during a movie. The answers to that test showed each of us what we are feeding on.
David wrote in Psalm 86:1 "Bend down your ear, O Lord, for I am poor and needy." David was one of the richest people in the bible, but he understood how poor his spirit was. We may look good and put together on the outside, but on the inside we need to have a broken and humble spirit to draw near to God.
James 4:8 "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." We determine the level of our relationship with God, not Him. But, God is passionate about us. Remember, God ransomed Jesus for us at the cross. If God valued Jesus just one cent more than He values us, He would not have sent us His Son. We encourage you to be with us at 6:50 next Thursday as we explore experiencing God's true presence with John Bevere.
The group was challenged to take a short test. Each person was asked to think about a Sunday morning service. Do we find ourselves squirming in our pews if the message goes past the "scheduled time", or are we constantly checking our watch to see what time it is because we know we have things to get done that afternoon? Each person was then asked to think about the number of times he or she looks at the time when they sit in the movie theatre during a movie. The answers to that test showed each of us what we are feeding on.
David wrote in Psalm 86:1 "Bend down your ear, O Lord, for I am poor and needy." David was one of the richest people in the bible, but he understood how poor his spirit was. We may look good and put together on the outside, but on the inside we need to have a broken and humble spirit to draw near to God.
James 4:8 "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." We determine the level of our relationship with God, not Him. But, God is passionate about us. Remember, God ransomed Jesus for us at the cross. If God valued Jesus just one cent more than He values us, He would not have sent us His Son. We encourage you to be with us at 6:50 next Thursday as we explore experiencing God's true presence with John Bevere.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Drawing Near
The evening of Thursday, November 6, 2008 brought another first to Eastpoint Family Church--the beginning of our midweek service. With praise on our lips and worship in our hearts, we began a six week study on John Bevere's book Drawing Near. The challenge of the evening came when we were encouraged to study those issues and habits that keep us from true intimacy with God. As Christians, we carry worldly "baggage" around that can weigh us down and distract us. We get so caught up in our daily issues, that we forget to let God "check our bags".
In addition, we learned how valued we are as one of God's children and how He passionately wants a relationship with us. The bible gives numerous examples of people God has drawn near to, people like Moses, Enoch, and Samuel. In the book Drawing Near, John Bevere makes a profound statement that really brought the evening's teachings home. If we were worth one cent less to God than Jesus, He would not have ransomed Jesus for us. God does not make bad investments.
As the service came to an end, each of us were encouraged to pray and ask God to take the "baggage" we carry that is keeping us from true intimacy with Him. As we prayed, we were instructed not to pick that "bag" back up, but instead ask the Holy Spirit to help us if were are tempted to grab and run with that "carry-on" during the week. Next Thursday looks to be another wonderful service as we learn how to protect our hunger for the Lord. We look forward to seeing you at 6:50.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The One Thing
What is it that makes people of the Bible different from us? How are David, Mary, Paul, Samuel, Isaiah, Martha, Abraham, Moses…..different than what God has created in this day and age? What is it about them that made them special enough to be so used of God in their earthly lives? It is an answer that may be unexpected and difficult to digest, but here it is—Nothing.
Nothing about these individuals was extraordinary, nothing was extravagant, and nothing was regal. Nothing is the one physical characteristic that sets these people apart from us. We are no different than they are. We breath the same air as of their time, we consume food and water as they did for nourishment, we walk the same dirt that was present when they were alive, and we watch the same sun and moon trade places in the sky every day, just as they did.
The one spiritual characteristic that they, in the Bible, all share is the recognition of God’s calling upon their lives, and the full-hearted devotion they gave Him afterwards. They led lives that followed this commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Deut 6:5, Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30). Today, this begins with the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If you haven’t received Jesus as your savior, please refer to the section on the right entitled, “A Life-Changing Prayer”.
If you heed the call God has placed upon your life (and He calls on everyone—John 3:16) and give Him your life, there is nothing you cannot do. This is something else characteristic of these folks. Through the power, strength, and wisdom of God, they were able to accomplish impossible tasks and feats. Nothing was outside the realm of possibilities for them. God is awesome; only He can take people who have Nothing in common, and give them abilities such that Nothing is impossible.
Nothing about these individuals was extraordinary, nothing was extravagant, and nothing was regal. Nothing is the one physical characteristic that sets these people apart from us. We are no different than they are. We breath the same air as of their time, we consume food and water as they did for nourishment, we walk the same dirt that was present when they were alive, and we watch the same sun and moon trade places in the sky every day, just as they did.
The one spiritual characteristic that they, in the Bible, all share is the recognition of God’s calling upon their lives, and the full-hearted devotion they gave Him afterwards. They led lives that followed this commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Deut 6:5, Matt. 22:37, Mark 12:30). Today, this begins with the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If you haven’t received Jesus as your savior, please refer to the section on the right entitled, “A Life-Changing Prayer”.
If you heed the call God has placed upon your life (and He calls on everyone—John 3:16) and give Him your life, there is nothing you cannot do. This is something else characteristic of these folks. Through the power, strength, and wisdom of God, they were able to accomplish impossible tasks and feats. Nothing was outside the realm of possibilities for them. God is awesome; only He can take people who have Nothing in common, and give them abilities such that Nothing is impossible.
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