Get Through Hard Times: Live in the Spirit

Know the Spirit of Truth

The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17 (NIV)

Talk it! The world doesn’t look for God. It doesn’t recognize that God exists. Jesus wasn’t accepted by the world in the same way that the Spirit is not accepted. But we, as believers, know Him because “he lives with [us] and will be in [us]”. Anyone who sincerely and humbly reaches out, in faith, to Jesus, can experience the gift of the Spirit.

Live it! Anyone who sincerely and humbly reaches out, in faith, to Jesus, can experience God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Stay in prayer and reading scripture daily to grow in your knowledge of the extent of His love and His will for you. God, His love, His desire to have a relationship with you and help you live in this world through the good times and the bad is clear. When things get tough pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you, comfort you, and give you peace.

Pray it! “Heavenly Father, help me live in Your Spirit. Renew my heart. Fill it with more faith, hope and love to help me live according to your will. Thank you for daily transforming me. Help me be aware of the attitudes and choices I make, that I may bring honor and glory to you. [Continue praying in your own words.]
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Get Through Hard Times: Live in the Spirit

Let the Spirit Guide you

[Life by the Spirit] “So I say, live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Galatians 5:16 (NIV)

Talk it! Living “by the spirit” should be a daily undertaking by Christians. We should be in touch with Him and focus on His guidance, direction and correction daily. When we do this, we do not “gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” We, as sinners are transformed when we are under the control of the Holy Spirit. Our success in overcoming our sinful selves depends on how much we are willing to “live by the spirit.” This involves many decisions throughout your day.

Live it! During difficult times do you seek God’s direction for your life? Are you as willing to “live by the spirit” during the difficult times as you are in the good times? Check your life. Do you need to remove things in your life that are taking you in a direction God doesn’t want you to go? Have you developed attitudes that negatively affect your life, your relationships with family and friends, and your sense of hope? Draw close to God through prayer, reading, and studying His Word each day. Make time with God more important than anything else everyday during difficult times. Take action to assure you are following the Spirit’s leading and direction in your attitudes, choices, and decisions.

Pray it! Thank God for His blessings and His continued presence in your life. Ask Him to strengthen your faith, to help you grow in relying on Him to provide what you need when you feel overwhelmed and uncertain. Pray that your attitudes, words and actions show your gratitude for what Jesus did for you on the cross! Ask Him to help you forgive others as you have been forgiven. Pray for a life lived in faith, hope and love; a heart that desires to live under the control of the Spirit within you whatever your circumstances.

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Get Through Hard Times: Live in the Spirit

Guard the Truth

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 1:14

Talk it! Paul told Timothy to guard the truth that had been entrusted to him. Timothy was to teach it to others who would teach it to others and on and on. Centuries later we have the true gospel because Timothy and others guarded the truth. We are likewise commanded to entrust the truth to others. Only “with the help of the Holy Spirit” is the truth passed on and protected.

Live it! How do you handle your life when you go through hard times? Does your life reflect the same joy and hope God has given you in good times? Do you hold on to the truth that God is with you in good and bad times? Do you remain with Him whatever your circumstances or do hard times cause you to wander from His care? You are to “guard the good deposit that is entrusted to you” during ALL times, good times and bad. During difficult times, look for what is “good” in your life. You need to focus on it. Hold on to what is good in your life. God gives you hope, comfort and strength through His blessings which helps you move through difficult times. Take every opportunity to share your stories of God’s loving care with others. As others see the peace and comfort you have in Him, during your hard times, it will draw them to Him. Share the hope you have especially with those in your own family. Make every effort to spend more time with God in prayer and in studying His Word. This will renew your heart and mind with His love and His constant presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take steps to live your life as God asks as you pass on the truth to others!

Pray it! Praise the Lord for who He is and what He continues to do each day in your life. Pray that the Spirit will open your eyes, ears and heart to the opportunities God sets before you to share and pass on the faith and trust you have in Him. Ask Him to equip you with what you need to step out in faith and obedience even when times are tough. Ask Him to help you through your experiences to grow and change in ways you can be more useful to Him. Ask Him to help the desire on your heart to be a reflection of more of Him in your life each day in a way that brings honor to Him.

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Get Through Hard Times: Live in the Spirit

We have been looking at attitudes to live by. We know what God expects of us. This week we will be looking at how the Spirit can help us grow and develop attitudes to live as God expects.

The Holy Spirit is with us. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer and this should show in our character, our attitudes, and the way we live our lives. Good character and good attitudes take time to grow in our lives. They require our constant attention to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Walking with the Holy Spirit means asking and allowing the Holy Spirit to strengthen and direct us in what we need. We stay in touch with the Holy Spirit through prayer, daily reading of scripture, and a heart’s desire to follow God’s will for us. We know what God expects of us. We know we need and have the Holy Spirit to help us meet His expectations.

Tuesday – The Holy Spirit Lives in You

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Sprit lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Talk it! Paul was talking about the character of the church or Christian community. Corinth had pagan temples but Corinthian Christians, themselves, were the only temple for God. Every believer is a temple for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer and this should show in our character, our attitudes, and the way we live our lives.

Live it! Are you growing more Christlike in your attitudes or have your circumstances caused you to slip onto a different path? Who or what is guiding your life? Are you allowing your circumstances to crowd God out of your day? Where can you pay more attention toward giving more time to God? Choose to spend more time in prayer and studying scripture to get to know God and the Spirit that lives in you.

Pray it! Thank God for His Holy Spirit. Especially during hard times, ask for the Sprit to give you guidance and strength. Ask Him to renew your mind and heart each day. Ask Him to help you strengthen your desire to hang on to the hope that comes through walking in the Spirit through any of life circumstances.

Memorial Day - May 25, 2009

Pray: Today we honor our military.

As we have our picnics and parades, let us pause to remember those who have given their lives throughout history for our country, for us.

Pray for those who are returning home now and having to adjust to wounds and/or the many changes that have happened while they have been gone.

Pray for those who continue to fight in our military, for our military leaders, and for the families waiting at home.

Remember to say, “Thank you” to the military people you see today and every day.