Summertime is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere of the world. It is during the summer that we usually take time out for family vacations. Some folks travel to distant destinations to find rest and relaxation on a sandy beach. Others plan elaborate activities of camping out, hiking or panning for gold. But others just sit beside the pool in their backyards and dangle their feet in the water, trying to cool off a little from the heat.
When God made water, he made an element that is so versatile. We drink it to stay alive. We pull fish out of it as a sport or as a job, but also to stay alive. It falls from the sky to water crops, that help us stay alive. We use it to clean our bodies, and help us stay alive. We are baptized in it as a symbol of eternal life that we have received through faith in Christ, testifying that we are alive in him. Water is vital to life.
It is also a biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives us life, and is a constant fountain springing up within us that lets us know we are his, and he is ever present within us. He gives us inner strength when we face difficult times. He cools us off emotionally from the heat of spiritual battles. He is our source of rest and relaxation spiritually. He fills us with refreshing, life-giving water that allows us to carry on daily. We should never take a vacation from him.
Surely water is the most common element on the face of the earth. We can dangle our feet in it to refresh us. But the Holy Spirit of God is far more important in our lives. We need his refreshing filling every day. And there is nothing common about the Holy Spirit of God. He is vital to our lives.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."
Acts 1:8
Doug Thompson's InsightsMonday, June 23, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Discerning God's Purpose...by Doug Thompson
"...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45
The rains have come and gone, leaving destruction, distress, and disaster; even death. The sun comes out and shines as if nothing had happen at all. Yet it's rays illuminate the countryside revealing all of the damage that so many folks have suffered, and are still suffering. Some have said that we haven't seen this kind of flooding in nearly 100 years in many parts of the country.
So, where does God fit into all of this? Surely he controls the sky, the clouds, the rains and the winds. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that no evil proceeds from God, nor is he the author of evil. James puts it this way: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:3,4
Wanting nothing, or lacking nothing. The life of Joseph reflects this very idea. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph went through a series of trials, temptations and testings. He never lost hope and his faith in God was rewarded by being elevated from prison to the highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh. What his brothers meant for evil, God used to save Jacob and all his family from the terrible seven years of famine lacking nothing.
When you suffer pain, God can use it to bring something worthwhile into your life through it. When the floods of life produce great loss, God can replace it with something far better. When one of your expectations in life is not realized, God can substitute something of greater value in its place. Truth is, we don't have to understand God; we just have to trust him and let him turn our negatives into positives. Let him fulfill his purpose in your life.
The rains have come and gone, leaving destruction, distress, and disaster; even death. The sun comes out and shines as if nothing had happen at all. Yet it's rays illuminate the countryside revealing all of the damage that so many folks have suffered, and are still suffering. Some have said that we haven't seen this kind of flooding in nearly 100 years in many parts of the country.
So, where does God fit into all of this? Surely he controls the sky, the clouds, the rains and the winds. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that no evil proceeds from God, nor is he the author of evil. James puts it this way: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:3,4
Wanting nothing, or lacking nothing. The life of Joseph reflects this very idea. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph went through a series of trials, temptations and testings. He never lost hope and his faith in God was rewarded by being elevated from prison to the highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh. What his brothers meant for evil, God used to save Jacob and all his family from the terrible seven years of famine lacking nothing.
When you suffer pain, God can use it to bring something worthwhile into your life through it. When the floods of life produce great loss, God can replace it with something far better. When one of your expectations in life is not realized, God can substitute something of greater value in its place. Truth is, we don't have to understand God; we just have to trust him and let him turn our negatives into positives. Let him fulfill his purpose in your life.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Delight To Do The Will Of The Lord...by Doug Thompson
I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8
Why does it seem to be so hard to remain upbeat all the time? I guess what I mean is, how can I maintain a constant, positive attitude in everything I do? Now before you accuse me of being an idealist, let me try to explain from God's Word what I mean.
The first factor we consider is the word "delight". It means to please, or to satisfy, or to find joy. All of those things seem positive to me, which brings up the second factor, "Just where do I find that delight?" The Psalmist indicates that doing the will of God produces "delight". And the way that is accomplished is to know where and how to discover God's will.
The Psalmist goes on to show us the dynamics, or the third factor, of knowing God's will. It is accomplished by searching for and finding the "law" of God written in the heart, or in other words, memorizing God's principles. When faced with any situation, the Spirit of God will prompt us with the Word, allowing us to faced the issue with truth, leaving us free, positive and delighting in God's will.
Memorize the Word where you discover the many facets of God's will. And then when faced with a difficult situation, ask the Lord to remind you what His will is concerning the issue at hand, and you will delight in knowing that God has given you the answer already. What a mighty God we serve!
Why does it seem to be so hard to remain upbeat all the time? I guess what I mean is, how can I maintain a constant, positive attitude in everything I do? Now before you accuse me of being an idealist, let me try to explain from God's Word what I mean.
The first factor we consider is the word "delight". It means to please, or to satisfy, or to find joy. All of those things seem positive to me, which brings up the second factor, "Just where do I find that delight?" The Psalmist indicates that doing the will of God produces "delight". And the way that is accomplished is to know where and how to discover God's will.
The Psalmist goes on to show us the dynamics, or the third factor, of knowing God's will. It is accomplished by searching for and finding the "law" of God written in the heart, or in other words, memorizing God's principles. When faced with any situation, the Spirit of God will prompt us with the Word, allowing us to faced the issue with truth, leaving us free, positive and delighting in God's will.
Memorize the Word where you discover the many facets of God's will. And then when faced with a difficult situation, ask the Lord to remind you what His will is concerning the issue at hand, and you will delight in knowing that God has given you the answer already. What a mighty God we serve!
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