| Clay In The Master's Hand |
 "Preserving My God Given Future"
When you and I find ourselves tempted or moving in a certain direction that is opposing to the will of God for our lives; God is going to send a signal. He is going to impress upon our hearts, "Don't do that; don't touch that; don't go there; don't build that relationship." The reason for this is because if you and I are controlled by what we feel, what we see, what we want or what we hear. Then these desires within us will get out of control and we will find ourselves making some very foolish decisions. The outcome therefore, will be long lasting consequences that are sure to be more than you want to bear.
God teaches us from His Word that He desires to supply all our needs. However, if we try to meet those needs apart from God then we will find our way difficult and our lives headed in the wrong direction. Let me ask you this question. What is the biggest mistake you ever made in your life? That may be a bit difficult to pen down as there are many kinds of mistakes. Some of our mistakes have little or no affect at all on our lives. Whereas, there are others that seem to have very long lasting consequences. We all make them. Some of these mistakes we can simply say we are sorry and move on or we can fortunately correct them. However, some of these mistakes cannot be retrieved or they can't be made right once they have happened.
So one of the mistakes that I want us to look at in this devotional, is where a person sacrifices their future for a moment of pleasure.
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 "What Were You Thinking?"
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to program our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.
Philippians tells us to fix our thoughts on what is true. I can honestly say easier said than done. Sometimes I find myself thinking way too much and worrying needlessly. I am learning everyday how to capture my thoughts and put my faith into action. We are constantly growing and learning how to work through every situation that life may bring. With everything that is going on around us today it becomes difficult at times to discern what is true. We allow our minds to bring fear and confusion and that often times cause us to make the wrong choices. God's word holds the answers to every question that I could ever have about life. It reminds me that perfect love cast out fear that Jesus came that we might have an abundant life, and that we would know peace.
In the business of life we many times do not stop and think about what we are doing. Our time is valuable; it is up to us how we spend it. Whether you are a husband, wife, parent, minister, professional or retired, the way you spend your time is important. It will determine the decisions you are making for yourself and your family. Have you ever made a decision and later regretted it and wondered why you made that particular choice? Have not some of our choices been for self and not thinking of anyone else? Where you spend your time will determine how you make your choices in life. Begin today to think about the direction of your life. Meditate on what God say's about you and change the areas that need to be changed. Think about things that are worth giving your time to. Make changes in the way you spend your time. Think about the loved ones around you and make the best choice for them and for yourself. Tomorrow will be a better day because of the decisions you made today. |
My Prayer For Today...
Lord, I thank You for being my strength in every situation that I may find myself in. You alone are the One who I can totally trust with my life and all that it holds. Today I give You my passions, my thoughts, my desires and all that I hold valuable. And I ask for Your divine guidance to know the difference in what it is that I am in pursuance of. I will not be in a hurry to get what I want in this life at the expense of my glorious future in You.
Be still my heart and know the voice of your Father above. For it is He that defines my path in righteousness and He alone knows the outcome of my goings. Thank You Lord, that I am seated today in the place that observes life wisely. It is Your counsel that I will heed to and no other will I follow. You are my sustaining comforter that I fully can rest in. Thank You my Lord for holding me in Your arms of safety where none can harm me. It's You that I love above all others, no, it is You that never fails to love me.
Thank You! My blessed King! |
Question: Spirit-filled With No Evidence of Speaking in Tongues?
Answer : Some believers argue, "I am filled with the Holy Ghost and I do not speak in other tongues. I don't care what anybody says, I know I am filled with the Holy Ghost." If you identify with this objection, consider 2 Timothy 3:16.
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
With this scripture in mind let's look again in the book of Acts.
Acts 2:4 (KJV)
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44-47 (KJV)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 19:6 (KJV)
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
There are five recorded instances in the Bible of people being filled with the Holy Ghost. In each of these cases, the way that people knew they were filled with the Holy Ghost was the evidence of speaking in tongues. In Acts 8:14-24, there is no mention of tongues when the disciples prayed for the people. But there was something obvious as a sign which caused Simon the sorcerer to take notice that he would offer to have that power.
Acts 8:14-19 (KJV)
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
In 1 Corinthians 14:18 Paul gives testimony to the fact that, "I thank God I speak with tongues more than ye all," as he was teaching on God's will for speaking in tongues within the church.
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