May 19 GRACIOUS SPIRIT, DWELL WITH ME Thomas T. Lynch, 1818–1871 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you … and I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees. (Ezekiel 36:26, 27) An awareness and knowledge of the Holy Spirit’s ministries is most important for every believer. Note briefly these ten specific ministries: • Teaches truths about God and reveals Christ (John 16:12–15). • Convicts us of wrong doing (John 16:8–11). • Regenerates and renews us (Titus 3:5). • Baptizes or places us into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). • Gives assurance of our salvation (Romans 8:16). • Indwells and guides our lives (Romans 8:14; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20). • Prays for us (Romans 8:26). • Fills our lives with joy and power (Ephesians 5:18). • Seals and guarantees our eternal promise (Ephesians 4:30). • Distributes gifts to the church (1 Corinthians 12:1–11). In spite of a renewed awareness and appreciation of the Holy Spirit’s ministries within recent years, these is also much theological difference between various groups of believers regarding terminologies and specifics. May we not become so engrossed with our theological differences about the Holy Spirit that we forfeit the practical benefits of living and walking in the Spirit and demonstrating the fruit of a Spirit-filled life to a lost world—“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22). “Gracious Spirit, Dwell Within Me” also reminds us that the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit should make us “gracious,” “truthful,” “mighty,” and “holy.” Gracious Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would gracious be; and with words that help and heal would Thy life in mine reveal; and with actions bold and meek would for Christ my Savior speak. Truthful Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would truthful be; and with wisdom kind and clear let Thy life in mine appear; and with actions brotherly speak my Lord’s sincerity. Mighty Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would mighty be; mighty so as to prevail where unaided man must fail: ever by a mighty hope pressing on and bearing up. Holy Spirit, dwell with me: I myself would holy be; separate from sin, I would choose and cherish all things good, and whatever I can be, give to Him who gave me Thee!
For Today: Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:25; 1 Peter 1:22
Since the Holy Spirit is the most neglected and least understood Person of the Godhead, what can you do to help your church bring more attention to the importance of the Holy Spirit and His specific ministries?
May 18 SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART George Croly, 1780–1860 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6) Although it is always thrilling at Christmas to recall the events of our Savior’s birth, or at Easter to celebrate His triumph over death, we must not forget Ascension or Pentecost. If Christ had never ascended to make intercession for us or had never sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and guide us, our relationship with the heavenly Father would be most incomplete. One of the finest of all hymns for the Pentecost season is “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart.” It was written by Anglican minister George Croly, who was known among his associates as a “fundamentalist in theology, a fierce conservative in politics, and intensely opposed to all forms of liberalism.” The hymn first appeared in 1854 in Croly’s own hymnal, Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship. It was originally titled “Holiness Desired.” Each stanza contributes an important truth for our spiritual benefit: Stanza One— A desire to change the focus of one’s life from things temporal to things spiritual. Spirit of God, descend upon my heart: Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, and make me love Thee as I ought to love. Stanza Two— The total dedication of one’s self to God. Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King? All, all Thine own—soul, heart and strength and mind. I see Thy cross—there teach my heart to cling: O let me seek Thee, and O let me find. Stanza Three— A prayerful concern for knowing fully the Spirit’s abiding presence. Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; teach me the struggles of the soul to bear—to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh; teach me the patience of unanswered prayer. Stanza Four— A most beautiful metaphor of a Spirit-filled life: “my heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.” Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, one holy passion filling all my frame: The baptism of the heav’n descended Dove—my heart an altar and Thy love the flame.
For Today: Psalm 51:10, 11; John 15:26; Romans 5:5; 8:1–4; Ephesians 4:29, 30
Pray even now that the Holy Spirit will give you a greater love and devotion for Christ and will teach and personalize more fully the truths of this hymn. Carry this musical prayer as you go—
May 17 THE COMFORTER HAS COME Frank Bottome, 1823–1894 And I will ask the Father. and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. (John 14:16) One of the important days worthy of every Christian’s recognition is Pentecost Sunday—an observance of the advent of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter. The church color for this season is red, and the symbol is generally that of the dove. Other symbols for the Holy Spirit include: Oil—It is the Holy Spirit that anoints and sets a believer apart for service. Water—It is the Holy Spirit that cleanses us from the power of sin. Light—It is the Holy Spirit that guides us in steps of truth and righteousness. Fire— It is the Holy Spirit that purges and sets our devotion for God ablaze. Wind—It is the Holy Spirit that refreshes our often parched hearts. Jesus also referred to the Holy Spirit as the counselor—the Comforter—the “paraclete”—the one who would reside in each believer and always be ready to help and guide in times of need. Following Christ’s resurrection, the disciples’ awareness of the Holy Spirit in their lives changed them from fearful, discouraged disciples into powerful proclaimers of the good news. This same awareness and appropriation of the Holy Spirit’s enabling power is still a most necessary ingredient for effective representation of our Lord. The text for this hymn, written by Frank Bottome, an American Methodist pastor, first appeared in the hymnal Precious Times of Refreshing and Revival in 1890. O spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found, wherever human hearts and human woes abound; let ev’ry Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come! The long, long night is past; the morning breaks at last, and hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast, as o’er the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come! O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine to wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—that I, a child of hell, should in His image shine! The Comforter has come! Chorus: The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come! The Holy Ghost from heav’n—the Father’s promise giv’n; O spread the tidings round, wherever man is found—The Comforter has come!
For Today: John 7:39; John 15:26; Acts 2:1, 4, 38; 1 Thessalonians 4:8
Live in the conscious awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Ask Him to lead you as you witness to someone about Christ. Remember this truth as you go—
May 16 REJOICE—THE LORD IS KING! Charles Wesley, 1707–1788 After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3) This text by Charles Wesley is another of the more than 6,500 hymns written by the “Sweet Bard of Methodism.” Wesley wrote on hundreds of scriptural passages as well as on every conceivable phase of Christian experience and doctrine. This text was developed by Wesley to encourage his followers to have a more spontaneous joy in their lives as they became aware that Christ reigns victorious in heaven. It was based on the apostle Paul’s instruction to the Christians at Philippi: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) It is important to remember that this instruction was written while Paul was a prisoner of Emperor Nero in Rome. The teaching of the entire Philippian letter is that it is possible to be a victor in life—regardless of the circumstances—when our faith is in an ascended, reigning Lord. There are twelve references to rejoicing in this one short book. “Rejoice—the Lord is King!” first appeared in John Wesley’s Moral and Sacred Poems in 1744, and two years later in Charles Wesley’s collection, Hymns for our Lord’s Resurrection. Rejoice—the Lord is King! Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing and triumph evermore! Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Jesus the Savior reigns, the God of truth and love; when He had purged our stains He took His seat above: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! His kingdom cannot fail—He rules o’er earth and heav’n; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus giv’n: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! He all His foes shall quell, shall all our sins destroy; and every bosom swell with pure seraphic joy: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord the Judge shall come and take His servants up to their eternal home: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
For Today: Philippians 4:4–9; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 2:9
“Rejoice in the Lord always” is easy to quote but difficult to practice. Yet we must remember that this attitude of joy is not an option for the Christian but a scriptural command—the result of an intimate relationship with our reigning Lord. Carry this musical reminder as a help—
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:10–11).Use every resource God has provided to wage spiritual warfare.
Overview
Paul examines mutual responsibilities of children and parents (6:1–4), and of slaves and masters (vv. 5–9). Paul reviewed the teaching of this letter, picturing the resources God has provided as a soldier’s armor (vv. 10–20), and closes with brief greetings (vv. 21–24).
Understanding the Text
“Honor your father and mother” Eph. 6:1–3. Paul further developed the thought of mutual submission introduced in 5:21, and applied to husband/wife relationships in verses 22–33. A child’s submission is expressed by obedience to his or her parents. We might well place a comma in the saying, “Which is the first commandment, with a promise.” Psychologically this is the first commandment that a person experiences: We learn to obey our parents long before we learn about stealing, or murder, or adultery. If we learn to obey our parents as they try to bring us up in the Lord, then the rest will be so much easier. If we are rebellious all the others will be more difficult, even as it will be more difficult to submit to God. No wonder this commandment has a promise attached. The child who learns to respond to parental guidance will avoid those destructive and harmful behaviors that tend to shorten life. “That it may go well with you” reminds us again. God gives us His commandments for our benefit. As we live in harmony with what God says is right, we truly are blessed. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” Eph. 6:4. One English version has it, “Don’t overcontrol your children.” The thought is expressed in a number of enlightening synonyms: aggravate, provoke, hassle, rile. As children submit to parents by obeying, so parents must submit to children by being sensitive, by listening to their point of view, by being fair. The important thing to remember in any relationship is that the person with the greatest social power—here, Mom and Dad—have the greatest responsibility to use that power lovingly and wisely. “Slaves, obey your earthly masters” Eph. 6:5–8. In the Roman Empire slaves were property with no right to direct their own lives. As the Gospel spread, many slaves became Christians. Several of the epistles give guidance to slaves, in each case counseling submission to their masters. Paul went beyond the other passages here, for he emphasized an inner attitude with which the slaves’ service is to be rendered. For slaves “submission” was not grudging compliance, but wholehearted commitment to doing the master’s will. Today I suppose Paul’s words would be directed to employee/employer relationships. Surely the advice would be the same. We are to do our work honestly, “with sincerity of heart” at all times. We may not have a supervisor’s eye on us. But God’s eye is. Ultimately the reward for an honest day’s work isn’t to be found in our paycheck, but in God’s “well done.” “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way” Eph. 6:9. Again “submission” is reciprocal for Christians. The employee submits by giving an honest day’s work. The employer submits by treating employees fairly, with an honest concern for their well-being. Reciprocal submission is one of the most important principles of Christian living. In every relationship we have, whether personal or professional, you and I are to consider the welfare of others, and act accordingly. “Take your stand against the devil’s schemes” Eph. 6:10–11. Ephesians is a book about the church. In it Paul presented Christ’s church as a body, a family, and a holy temple. Each of these images calls for Christians to live together in love and unity. It is this dominant theme of the book that helps us understand the nature of the devil’s schemes, and the armor God has provided us to use in withstanding them. Simply, the devil’s schemes in Ephesians are his strategies for disrupting the unity of the church. And the armor of God is God’s resource for maintaining unity. Living together in love as the living church of Jesus Christ isn’t optional. It’s essential! The heavily armed Roman legionnaire stands in full armor, equipped for battle. Paul summed up his teaching in Ephesians by linking major themes to different parts of the infantryman’s equipment. “The belt of truth buckled around your waist” Eph. 6:14. Paul had written, “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (4:25). Openness and honesty will ultimately create a climate of trust and unity. Attempts to hide our motives, or deceive others, will create a climate of misunderstanding that makes unity impossible. That “little white lie” that seems so innocent is one of the devil’s messengers intended to disrupt fellowship in Christ’s church. “The breastplate of righteousness” Eph. 6:14. Paul had written, “Among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (5:3). Personal holiness and purity are essential to unity, and to corporate holiness in Christ’s church. “Your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace” Eph. 6:15. Paul had frequently stressed the fact that the Gospel brings peace, not only reconciling us to God but also to one another (cf. 2:11–22). In Ephesians, “peace” is that quality of full acceptance which maintains the bond of unity created by the Spirit, enabling the church to move, responsively, to the marching orders of Christ our Head. Without peace, the work of Christ on earth is crippled. “Take up the shield of faith” Eph. 6:16. Paul has shown us a God who is “able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (3:20). If we keep our eyes on this God, all Satan’s fiery darts of doubt will be extinguished. “Take the helmet of salvation” Eph. 6:17. Paul described who we were in Ephesians 2. And there too he affirmed who we are: persons who are alive in Christ, who are God’s workmanship. Together we Christians need to keep this identity foremost in our thoughts. Let’s not see others in the church in the light of what they were, or even what they are now. Let’s see them in all their potential, in what we are together becoming. If this perception of our fellow Christians shapes our attitude toward them, one of Satan’s most effective schemes—to make us critical, hostile, or rejecting—will be defeated indeed. “The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” Eph. 6:17. This is the only piece of armor that Paul explained. Why? Because the themes represented by the other parts of the soldier’s equipment were explored in Ephesians, but Paul had not earlier touched on the Word of God. The other parts of the armor are for our defense against the devil’s disruptive schemes. This, the Word of God, enables us to take the offensive. When we teach and live God’s Word, Satan will increasingly be revealed to be a defeated foe. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions” Eph. 6:18–20. God has provided us with the resources we need to fight our spiritual battles. But we cannot use them without prayer. For these are spiritual resources, and we must rely on God as we use them.
DEVOTIONAL
Workplace Imitation(Eph. 6:1–9)
Paul’s challenging call, “Be imitators of God” (Eph. 5:1), has long captured the fancy of Christians. From Thomas a Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ to Sheldon’s In His Steps, believers have tried to imagine what it would be like to truly imitate God in daily life. What many miss is that Paul went on in Ephesians to describe the life of imitation as a life of mutual submission in every relationship. Husbands love their wives and put their needs first, and wives gladly respond to husbands. Children obey parents, and parents are sensitive to their children’s feelings and needs. Slaves serve their masters wholeheartedly, and masters consider the needs of their slaves. It’s perhaps a little pedestrian, but the fact is that the imitation of Christ is perhaps most clearly seen where an employee arrives on time, works hard during the day, and does his best to contribute to the profitability of his boss’ business. And where an employer pays a fair wage, makes sure his employees have medical insurance, makes sure working conditions are safe, and is satisfied with a reasonable profit, even though he could make more by taking advantage of his employees. But then again, maybe the mundane and commonplace expressions of Christian faith are the most important. After all, we’re to imitate God, and God in Christ entered the world as a human being. He lived with ordinary people, did ordinary work, and only during the last tenth of His 30-year life on earth taught or performed miracles. You and I may not be able to imitate Christ in the last, spectacular 10 percent of His life on earth. But we surely can imitate Him in the 90 percent He lived as an ordinary man. And, in the ordinary things of our life—in the home, in the workplace—we can display in our submission to others something of the hidden glory of our God.
Personal Application
Imitate God tomorrow. Do an honest day’s work!
Quotable
“He became what we are that He might make us what He is.”—Athanasius of Alexandria The Variety Reading Plan continues with PHILEMON
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 