| Clay In The Master's Hand |
 "The Torment and Cruelty of Guilt"
I want to ask you a very personal and direct question today. What do you experience when you have feelings of guilt? It's quite possibly that we could ask many of you reading this devotional and get a variety of answers. There are some that guilt affects them so emotionally that they feel as if something bad is about to happen to them. And for others it may be an overwhelming, unexplainable dread deep inside that robs them of any potential desire or excitement for life. And to another it may bring about the emotions of being unworthy; and some other person may feel a sense of being dirty inside. There are those among us that guilt tragically creates within them a perspective of being a failure.
So as you can see, there are many feelings that people have when they are experiencing guilt. Therefore, I want us to look at the truth concerning how guilt most generally becomes one of the cruelest emotions; and how it is often spiritually misunderstood by so many. There are three stages or types of guilt that must be defined separately or we will just lump them as meaning the very same thing. Because most do this, it becomes a never ending cycle that replays over and over again. Paralyzing their relationship with God, and even causes the individual to become introverted and unsociable. If you desire to break free once and for all of this tormenting, harassing and out of control emotion. Then I would encourage you to click the read more tab and discover the freedom that Jesus Christ came to this Earth to bring to every person. Are you ready? Freedom's yours, because Jesus gave it to those who desire it.
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 "Will You Trust Him"
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Leaning has the sense of putting your whole weight on something, resting on and trusting in that person or thing. When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can't trust anyone - not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than even we are! We must trust him completely in every choice we make. We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God's Word and wise counselors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; and then follow God's leading. He will make your paths straight by both guiding and protecting you.
It is important to understand that when we put our trust in God He never fails us no matter what situation we may find ourselves in. He is faithful, His love endures forever. God has given us His Word to bring hope, peace, healing, strength and direction to all of our lives.
Jesus said I must go so that the comforter will come. We need to come to know the comfort of the Holy Spirit that speaks to our hearts everyday. The issues in life that we will face are nothing new to God, although for us we may feel like the only person on earth experiencing the pain. Whatever season of life you may find yourself in today, remember you are not alone. The God of heaven and earth dwells within you. Listen to that still small voice and be encouraged today. Pray for God's wisdom in everything that you do.
When you don't know what to do, don't do anything until you find peace in your own heart about the matter. We tend to make rash decisions that later on we regret. We want everything our way and in our own time. The word say's to wait on the Lord and he will renew your strength. I encourage you today to take time to make the best decisions you could possibly make for your life. Put your trust in God, pray, read the Word and wait. Remember we can't do anything to change the decisions that we made yesterday, but we can change the course of today by making right choices for our lives and those around us. |
My Prayer For Today...
Lord, it is with great comfort and peace to know that You carefully and wonderfully watch over me. I am truly thankful that You have lifted me from my error filled past and have given me a new life. Thank You for a sound mind and a heart that does not feel condemned. You Lord, take my guilt and cause it to melt away from Your very presence. Therefore, my hope is in You my Lord! Therefore, what You started You would finish concerning Your purpose and plans for my life.
I am the righteousness of Christ whom has made it possible for me to say that this is who I am. I will therefore, confess that I am just like You no matter how ackward that may sound to my ears. Yet, Your Word declares that I am one with You and I believe it based on Your declaration over me from Your Word. My identity is in You and no other shall mold my view of me but You. No matter what negative word has been spoken over me I will rise up and declare who I am in You. I am my Father's child and I fully acknowledge that I am loved by You.
Thank You! My blessed King! |
Question: Is Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost the same experience?
Answer: Some people maintain that you receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost when you are saved. They contend that there is not a separate experience and that you receive all of the Holy Ghost that is possible to receive when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. (Let the reader note: I can have a talent but never release its potential).
Its true that we don't get just part of the Holy Ghost at salvation; we get all of Him. However, we must experience the infilling so as to see the Holy Ghost being released in power from out of our lives.
There is no scripture to support the claim that has been derived in our proposed question. Usually, the people who hold this position have not remained hungry and thirsty for what God offers. They are satisfied with what they have and deny there is something more. John 20:22 (KJV) 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 14:15-17 (KJV)
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John tells us that Jesus breathed on the disciples after His resurrection. They received the Holy Ghost, were born again, and became a new creation at that very moment.
Jesus was not confused in the first chapter of Acts when He commanded the apostles to wait for the promise of the Father, which He called a baptism in the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:4-5 (KJV) 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Approximately 47 days prior to Acts 1:4-5, Jesus had said to His disciples, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
He was telling them not to leave until they were baptized with the Holy Ghost.
It would seem that Jesus' thinking is messed up, but notice verse 8. Acts 1:8 (KJV) 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Obviously, when Jesus breathed on them for salvation, they did not receive all the Holy Ghost had to offer them.
The question is not on whether you get all the Holy Ghost or not. The Holy Ghost is not two people. However, He does have more than one function.
It is true that we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost when we get saved. However, the infilling of the Holy Ghost carries with it the evidence of speaking in tongues. Acts 2:1-4 (KJV) 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
If they had already received all that was available to them, Jesus would not have instructed them to wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost. This is supported later on when Paul ask some disciples: Acts 19:2 (KJV) 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Earlier in the book of John, Jesus referred to the infilling of the Holy Ghost: John 7:37-38 (KJV) 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
The distinctions between the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit received at the moment of salvation and the infilling of the Holy Ghost accompanied by speaking in other tongues, are supported by numerous scriptural examples. If you are interested in submitting a spiritual question that you would like to have answered please click here. | |
