Living the New Life- 4/24/21

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 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. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:15-19

“I get to surrender my “self” and receive the Spirit as pilot of my mind to live the New Life!”

Questions for Reflection:

At some point most people struggle with thoughts like, "God has abandoned me" or "He is not there for me as He seems to be for others". Have you had similar thoughts or experiences - especially at times of loss or crisis? What does that feel like?

What difference does it make in your heart and mind knowing that Jesus intentionally has asked the Father to give you His Spirit so He can say and we can believe with confidence, "I will not leave you as orphans..."?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Living the New Life- 4/23/21

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:26-28

“I get to surrender my “self” and receive the Spirit as pilot of my mind to live the New Life!”

Questions for Reflection:

1. What freedom does it give your prayer life to know that the Holy Spirit is interceding for you in prayer?

2. What sort of "new life living" does this enable for you?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Living the New Life- 4/22/21

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,

Romans 8:14-17

“I get to surrender my “self” and receive the Spirit as pilot of my mind to live the New Life!”

Questions for Reflection:

When someone is adopted they are chosen to become a child in the family. How does it feel to know that you were chosen by God to be His child - adopted by the Holy Spirit's work?

What would it look like for you and I to relate to God in the closest most intimate way reflected in the cry "Abba, Father"? How does it feel to know that God does not want "fear" to be the motivator but rather love?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Living the New Life- 4/21/21

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:16-23

“I get to surrender my “self” and receive the Spirit as pilot of my mind to live the New Life!”

Questions for Reflection:

When you look at the "acts of the flesh" list which one or two on the list are you more vulnerable to manifesting in your life?

When you look at the "fruit of the Spirit" list, which one or two fruits are more maturely represented in your life? Which one or two would you love to grow and ripen in your life?

How does it feel knowing that more "love, joy, peace etc." in our lives is a result of a growing connection with the Holy Spirit and not just trying harder?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Living the New Life- 4/20/21

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.

Romans 8:9-12

Questions for Reflection:

Which line from the song resonates with you the most?

What part of letting Jesus be the pilot is the hardest?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Song Lyrics:

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Over life's tempestuous sea

Unknown waves before me roll

Hiding rock and treacherous shoal

Chart and compass come from Thee

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Chart and compass come from Thee

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me

As a mother stills her child

You can hush the oceans wild

Boisterous waves obey Thy will

When You say to them, be still

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea

Jesus, Savior, pilot me

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me

When at last I near the shore

And the fearful breakers roar

Grant me long and peaceful rest

Then, while leaning on Your chest

May I hear You say to me:

"Fear not, I will pilot thee"

May I hear You say to me:

"Fear not, I will pilot thee"

Chart and compass come from Thee

Wondrous Sovereign of the sea

May I hear You say to me

Chart and compass come from Thee

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me

Oh, pilot me

Living the New Life- 4/19/21

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:1-2 & 5-8

Questions for Reflection:

How does it feel to know that Jesus has done the impossible for you!?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me.

Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever.

Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Living the New Life- 4/17/21

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, Lord;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

for false witnesses rise up against me,

spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:7-14

Questions for Reflection:

1. What "goodness of the Lord" have you seen this week?

2. A posture of "waiting on the Lord" acknowledges that Jesus is the answer. What migiht be a new way you can adopt that posture of waiting.

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven, thank you for your deep and abiding love for me and for all people. Thank you for Your gracious provision in all areas of my life. You are a good, good Father. I renounce the enemy’s lies that seek to create doubt in Your goodness to me. I receive You now as my Father in heaven who loves me very much.

Jesus I sincerely receive all the work and triumph of Your cross, death, blood and sacrifice for me through which I am atoned for and ransomed by your blood. I now receive your complete and total forgiveness of all my sins and I take my place in your kingdom as a child of God who is completely reconciled to my Father in heaven.

Jesus, I also receive all the work and triumph of Your resurrection. I receive Your Resurrection Life as my new life to live every day. I renounce all lies of the enemy tempting me to doubt whether the full benefits of Your life, death and resurrection apply to me. I now receive all the blessings and benefits you paid so dearly for me to have.

I confess, God, at times I am all too ready to agree with the lies about Your goodness, love and truth. I have coddled doubt in my mind and heart about You and Your intentions toward me as well as doubt about me, who You say I am and what my true worth and value is according to Your truth. I repent of believing untruth and receive Your complete and total forgiveness.

Holy Spirit, I receive You as the very presence of living God in me, my counselor, comforter, strength and guide. I honor You as my sovereign and yield every dimension, category or part of my life totally and completely to You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, anoint me for my life today, my walk today and my calling. Lead me deeper and deeper into union with the Father and the Son --- closing the gap created by fear and doubt.

I love being loved and rescued by You Jesus and I will enjoy this day as a child of the Living God. Amen.

Living the New Life- 4/16/21

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 17:41-47

Questions for Reflection:

What accounts for the difference in how Goliath viewed David's might as a warrior and how David viewed David's might as a warrior?

What would it look like to approach everyday challenges "in the name of the Lord Almighty"? What is one thing you could do today which would move you into that faith position for living the New life today?

Prayer of the Week:

Father in Heaven, thank you for your deep and abiding love for me and for all people. Thank you for Your gracious provision in all areas of my life. You are a good, good Father. I renounce the enemy’s lies that seek to create doubt in Your goodness to me. I receive You now as my Father in heaven who loves me very much.

Jesus I sincerely receive all the work and triumph of Your cross, death, blood and sacrifice for me through which I am atoned for and ransomed by your blood. I now receive your complete and total forgiveness of all my sins and I take my place in your kingdom as a child of God who is completely reconciled to my Father in heaven.

Jesus, I also receive all the work and triumph of Your resurrection. I receive Your Resurrection Life as my new life to live every day. I renounce all lies of the enemy tempting me to doubt whether the full benefits of Your life, death and resurrection apply to me. I now receive all the blessings and benefits you paid so dearly for me to have.

I confess, God, at times I am all too ready to agree with the lies about Your goodness, love and truth. I have coddled doubt in my mind and heart about You and Your intentions toward me as well as doubt about me, who You say I am and what my true worth and value is according to Your truth. I repent of believing untruth and receive Your complete and total forgiveness.

Holy Spirit, I receive You as the very presence of living God in me, my counselor, comforter, strength and guide. I honor You as my sovereign and yield every dimension, category or part of my life totally and completely to You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, anoint me for my life today, my walk today and my calling. Lead me deeper and deeper into union with the Father and the Son --- closing the gap created by fear and doubt.

I love being loved and rescued by You Jesus and I will enjoy this day as a child of the Living God. Amen.