Tag: Holy Spirit

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: October 13, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Titus chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The Gospel changes lives. When God saves, it is not because of any good that we have done, but it’s because of the goodness and mercy of God. When God saves, He forgives our sins and they are washed away. We are given a new birth. Why do we need a second birth? Because our first birth messed us up. The new birth is a spiritual birth. It is a work of God’s grace and a work of God’s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the evidence of our salvation. The fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us is an affirmation that we belong to God. Through the Spirit we become new creatures in Christ Jesus. The Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God. He gives us assurance of our inheritance, and He transforms our lives. Because of the Spirit’s Presence in our lives, we will never be the same again.

Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for Your great kindness and love in providing forgiveness of our sins, thank You for generously pouring out Your Spirit in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The early church had a tremendously powerful ministry and witness, what were some of its characteristics? They unashamedly preached Jesus and Him crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. Their constant concern was to glorify the name of Jesus. Along with that was the intentional way they witnessed about the Gospel. The disciples were willing to suffer and die for the sake of the Gospel. Part of their witness was a willingness to endure suffering. Also, they were marked by the influence of the Holy Spirit. They experienced God’s power as a result of being Spirit filled. The early church knew how to pray and when they called upon the Lord their place was shaken. They saw thousands trust Christ as Lord and Savior. They were marked by unity and a mutual concern for one another. They experienced great grace from the heavenly Father. They were generous and gave sacrificially. Their gatherings were marked by praise as they rejoiced in everything God accomplished. Believers today must get back to the same qualities that marked the early church. The early church turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ. We can do the same today if we will follow their example.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, raise up churches today that resemble the early church in the book of Acts. May we each do our part to seek revival in the church today. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 2

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

In the Bible fire represents the presence if God. Israel was no stranger to God’s fire. Moses met God at a burning bush. The fire of God fell at Mt. Carmel whenever Elijah prayed and called upon the Lord. The children of Israel were led through the wilderness with a cloud by day and fire by night. When Solomon dedicated the temple fire fell on the altar. And when the church gathered for a ten day prayer meeting fire from heaven fell upon the church. Pentecost fulfilled the promise Jesus made to His church that He would send the Comforter. The result of God giving us His Spirit is that we have boldness to proclaim Christ. The coming of the Spirit also resulted in the early church flourishing. Thousands trusted Christ, followed the Lord in believers baptism, and began growing as Christ followers. Spirit filled churches will experience unity, fellowship, growth in God’s Word, and a passion to see people saved. I heard about a church that had a disagreement over what color of shingles to put on the roof. Half of the church wanted black shingles and the other half wanted brown. They decided the only way to settle it was to put black shingles on one side of the church and brown shingles on the other. When Sunday came the church members that voted for black shingles sat on the side of the church that had black shingles on the roof. The members that voted for brown shingles sat on the side of the church with brown shingles. Is there anything about the attitude of that church that resembles the New Testament church in Acts 2? What is there about your church that resembles Pentecost? Pentecost is not the abnormal, it is the norm for God’s church. We can experience the presence and power of God’s Spirit in the church today!

Prayer: “Dear Father, pour out Your revival fire on us today. May we live and worship and serve in the power of Your Spirit! May our churches resemble the New Testament church at Pentecost. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Daily Devotions: May 6, 2014
Today’s Bible reading is Acts chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The last thing Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension was Acts 1:8. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to His church, and through the Spirit we are given power to witness. God’s commission to His church is that we go. The ascension marked the beginning of that commission, and the return of Christ will mark the end. Today, God has opened a door of opportunity for us to share the Gospel with the lost peoples of the world. God is in the saving business, therefore His church ought to be in the soul winning business. Someone once asked the question, “Is there anything better than going to heaven?” Yes, there is something better. It is “taking someone else with you!” The disciples first response to Jesus commission was they started a prayer meeting. Prayer is the starting point of evangelism and the Great Commission. Who have you prayed for today to be saved? Ask God to use you to witness to someone today. Acts 1:8 is for you!

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we believe You to open hearts and give us opportunities to share Christ with someone today. Give us boldness to witness and a burden for lost people.”

Randy J. McPheron

 

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 16

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus gave His disciples a job to do, and He broke the news that He was going away. He said, “Because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.” Jesus going away was for their benefit and ours. God’s plan was for Jesus to ascend back to heaven to the right hand of the throne of God to make intercession for His saints. Another blessing of Jesus going away was His promise to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do God’s work. It is impossible for us to carry the assignment God gave His church without the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls Him the Comforter. We have been given God’s Holy Spirit to ensure the success of God’s church. Everything the church does today should be done in the power of the Spirit. We worship in the Spirit. We preach, pray, witness, give serve, and fellowship in the Spirit. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” We never need to feel inadequate for the task God has given us. The Spirit of Jesus Christ lives within every child of God and He will empower us to fulfill the purpose of God.!

Prayer: “Dear Father we know it is impossible for us to do the work you have given us in the power of our flesh. Forgive us of ever attempting to do the work in our own strength. We need your filling and presence. Glorify your Son Jesus in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is John chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” He spoke these words with passion. His heart yearned and longed for the spiritually impoverished people to turn to Him for life and satisfaction. They were searching in all the wrong places for hope and happiness. He not only spoke these words with passion but also He spoke them prophetically. His words were a fulfillment of the scripture. Not only were His words prophetic, but also they were a promise. He was describing the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit lives in us and gives us life! The witness of God’s Spirit flows from our lives like a river when we belong to God. This is true because God promised it to us.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, our souls are thirsty, we come to You that we may experience Your Holy Spirit flowing like a river from our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron