Embracing Transformation and Enrichment in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Transformative Presence of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's presence is not just a comforting force but a transformative one that brings joy and restoration to those who have experienced loss or attack. In moments of despair, the Spirit moves to reestablish God's presence and glory in our lives, encouraging us to shift our focus from what has been lost to what God is adding and multiplying. This divine shift in seasons is a reminder that God is actively working to bring His joy and healing into our lives, even when we feel overwhelmed by grief or challenges. Embracing this transformation means opening our hearts to the Spirit's work and allowing God's joy to fill the spaces once occupied by sorrow. [53:37]

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: Think of a recent loss or challenge in your life. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to transform this area with His joy and presence today?

Day 2: Faithfulness in Mission

Kevin and Mary Salisbury's dedication to translating the Bible into the Pukapukan language exemplifies steadfast faithfulness to God's call. Their monumental achievement highlights the importance of having the Bible in one's native language, which brings deeper understanding and connection to God's Word. This act of faithfulness not only enriches the Pukapukan community but also serves as an inspiration for others to pursue their God-given missions with perseverance and dedication. By honoring their commitment, we are reminded of the power of God's Word to transform lives and the importance of making it accessible to all. [01:21:31]

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Reflection: Consider a mission or calling God has placed on your heart. What steps can you take today to faithfully pursue this calling, even in the face of challenges?

Day 3: Enriched in Christ

As believers, we are enriched in Christ, having been granted everything necessary for life and godliness. This enrichment affects our speech, knowledge, and gifting, making us more capable and intelligent than we were before knowing Christ. By embracing this divine enrichment, we are empowered to live out our faith with confidence and purpose, knowing that God has equipped us with all we need to thrive. This enrichment is not just for personal gain but for the edification of the body of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom. [01:54:02]

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you feel lacking. How can you rely on the enrichment you have in Christ to address this area today?

Day 4: Adoption into God's Family

Being adopted into God's family grants us the right of inheritance and access to all the resources God has for us. This adoption means we have the right to call God "Abba, Father" and share in His riches. As children of God, we are not only heirs to His promises but also participants in His divine nature. This identity as God's children should shape how we view ourselves and our relationship with God, leading us to live with confidence and assurance in His love and provision. [01:56:42]

Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV): "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Reflection: How does knowing you are adopted into God's family change the way you approach your daily challenges and decisions? What specific action can you take today to live out this identity?

Day 5: Embracing Change and Growth

To fully embrace our enrichment in Christ, we must accept God's desire to change us, adopt the mind of Christ, be open to good counsel, and speak in tongues to build ourselves up in faith. This process of transformation leads to a life of fruitfulness and thriving in God's presence. By allowing God to reshape us, we become like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in every season. This ongoing growth requires a willingness to be molded by God and a commitment to spiritual disciplines that nurture our faith. [02:22:23]

Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God is calling you to change or grow? How can you actively participate in this transformation process today?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we experienced a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, reminiscent of the early church in Acts 2, where believers were filled with the Spirit, leading to joy and transformation. This is what true church should look like—an encounter with God's presence that leaves us changed. We witnessed the Holy Spirit touching lives, bringing healing, and restoring joy where there was once grief. God is in the business of shifting seasons and bringing His joy to those who have been in a season of loss or attack. We are reminded that God is reestablishing His presence and glory in our lives, encouraging us not to focus on what has been lost but to anticipate what God is adding and multiplying in our lives.

We also celebrated the incredible dedication of Kevin and Mary Salisbury, who have translated the New Testament and Psalms into the Pukapukan language. This monumental achievement is a testament to their steadfastness and faithfulness to God's call. Having the Bible in one's native language brings greater meaning and understanding, and we honor their commitment to this mission.

Furthermore, we explored the theme of being enriched in Christ, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. As believers, we are enriched in all speech and knowledge, and God has conferred upon us everything necessary for life and godliness. This enrichment affects our speech, knowledge, and gifting, making us more capable and intelligent than we were before knowing Christ. We are reminded that we have been adopted into God's family, granting us the right of inheritance and access to all the resources God has for us.

To fully embrace this enrichment, we must accept that God wants to change us, adopt the mind of Christ, be open to good counsel, and speak in tongues to build ourselves up in faith. By doing so, we become like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in every season and thriving in the richness of God's presence.

Key Takeaways

1. The presence of the Holy Spirit is transformative, bringing joy and restoration to those who have experienced loss or attack. God is reestablishing His presence and glory in our lives, encouraging us to focus on what He is adding and multiplying. [53:37]
2. Kevin and Mary Salisbury's dedication to translating the Bible into the Pukapukan language is a powerful example of faithfulness to God's call. Having the Bible in one's native language brings deeper understanding and connection to God's Word. [81:31]
3. As believers, we are enriched in Christ, having been granted everything necessary for life and godliness. This enrichment affects our speech, knowledge, and gifting, making us more capable and intelligent. [114:02]
4. We are adopted into God's family, granting us the right of inheritance and access to all the resources God has for us. This adoption means we have the right to call God "Abba, Father" and share in His riches. [116:42]
5. To fully embrace our enrichment in Christ, we must accept God's desire to change us, adopt the mind of Christ, be open to good counsel, and speak in tongues to build ourselves up in faith. This leads to a life of fruitfulness and thriving in God's presence. [02:22:23]
** [142:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[46:18] - Invaded by the Holy Spirit
[48:12] - Filled with the Spirit
[50:22] - True Church Experience
[51:36] - Joy Restored
[53:37] - Shifting Seasons
[55:15] - Healing and Restoration
[57:19] - Miraculous Healings
[59:30] - Testimonies of Healing
[61:40] - Overcoming Pain
[63:10] - God's Healing Power
[64:45] - Enriched in Christ
[66:17] - Adopted into God's Family
[67:17] - The Right of Inheritance
[68:35] - Embracing Change
[69:35] - Speaking in Tongues
[75:07] - Honoring Kevin and Mary
[81:31] - Pukapukan Bible Translation
[85:15] - Prayer and Dedication
[95:34] - Enriched in Him
[111:27] - Spiritual Enrichment
[126:48] - Psalm 1: A Life by the River
[133:29] - Prayer for Enrichment
[135:22] - Reshaped by God
[139:02] - Embracing God's Change
[142:23] - Speaking in Tongues for Growth
[144:48] - Ready in Season
[145:44] - Enriched in Christ's Riches

Sermon Clips

"But I tell you, God is reestablishing his presence, his glory, and even some of the encounters that you once had but seem to become so elusive to you. I see the Lord blowing fresh winds of the Holy Spirit all over you." [00:54:29] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And I think it's an absolutely phenomenal thing that they have done. And I well remember the struggles that they had, they had financially to do it." [01:21:31] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"And as anyone knows, whether you're Maori, Pacific Island, Asian or whatever, having the Bible in your language brings greater meaning, right? Because it's got all the cultural idiosyncrasies that every culture's got in it." [01:23:29] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Enriched in him, given to us in Jesus Christ. Affecting our speech, affecting our knowledge, affecting our gifting. I don't know if you've ever noticed this, but when people become Christians, there's a strange thing that happens." [01:51:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Divine power has granted to us everything, everything, everything. I mean, everything means everything. You don't need to go to the Greek." [01:53:48] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Adopted. You and I are adopted. Adopted into God's family. Now, my children have, as a result of being my children, the right of inheritance, right?" [01:56:42] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"That's why you've got to be in relationships with people. That's why you've got to be under authority. That's why you've got to be under leadership because they will then, hopefully, they'll be honest with you and tell you, you've got a problem." [02:21:10] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"You've got to speak in tongues a lot because he that speaks in an unknown language. He that speaks in an unknown language edifies or builds himself up in the most holy faith." [02:22:23] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Tree planted by the river, bearing its fruit all the time. In and out of season. No drought. No drought. No sir. That's the privilege of being enriched in him." [02:25:44] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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