Transformative Power of God's Spirit and Word

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Through the Spirit and Word

The Spirit and the Word of God are the transformative forces in our lives, changing us from the inside out and making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is not just personal but involves participating in God's work in the world. The Spirit and the Word work together to renew our minds and hearts, aligning us with God's purposes. As we engage with Scripture and remain open to the Spirit's leading, we become more like Christ, reflecting His love and truth in our actions and interactions. This transformation is ongoing, inviting us to continually grow and participate in God's redemptive work in the world. [01:08:42]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you feel God is calling you to transform through His Spirit and Word today? How can you actively participate in this transformation?

Day 2: Standing Firm in Truth and Love

We live in a time where unrighteousness is often called righteous, but we are called to stand firm in the truth and love of God. The Spirit of God is closely aligned with common sense, and righteousness is not far from it. In a world where moral confusion abounds, believers are encouraged to discern truth through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of Scripture. Standing firm in truth requires courage and conviction, as well as a deep love for others that reflects God's heart. By holding fast to God's truth, we become beacons of light in a world that desperately needs His love and righteousness. [01:10:29]

Isaiah 5:20-21 (ESV): "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!"

Reflection: In what ways can you stand firm in God's truth and love in your daily interactions, especially when faced with situations that challenge your values?

Day 3: Moving with the Spirit

God's Spirit moves powerfully, and we are called to move with it, not quench it. This involves being sensitive to the Spirit's leading, responding to burdens, and speaking words of faith and blessing. The Spirit prompts us to act in ways that align with God's will, often nudging us to step out in faith and trust His guidance. By being attentive to the Spirit's voice, we can respond to the needs around us and be instruments of God's grace and love. Our words and actions should reflect the Spirit's influence, bringing encouragement and hope to those we encounter. [01:40:02]

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."

Reflection: How can you be more attentive to the Spirit's leading in your life today? Is there a specific burden or prompting you feel called to respond to?

Day 4: Reflecting God's Image in Our Speech

Our speech should reflect the image of God, lifting others up and glorifying Him. God reveals His plans to those in relationship with Him, and we are encouraged to cultivate that relationship through prayer, seeking, and listening. The words we speak have the power to build up or tear down, and as followers of Christ, we are called to use our speech to bless and encourage others. By aligning our words with God's truth and love, we can reflect His image and bring glory to His name. Cultivating a relationship with God through prayer and listening enables us to speak words that are life-giving and transformative. [01:47:39]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Reflection: Consider your recent conversations. How can you intentionally use your words to reflect God's image and bring encouragement to those around you today?

Day 5: Participating in God's Work

Being sensitive to the Spirit and the Word is crucial for participating in God's work. This involves being part of God's church, reaching out to others with His love and truth, and allowing the Spirit and Word to guide and shape our lives. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to actively engage in the mission of the church, using our gifts and talents to serve others and advance God's kingdom. By staying attuned to the Spirit's leading and grounded in Scripture, we can effectively participate in God's redemptive work, bringing hope and healing to a broken world. [02:03:00]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What specific role or action can you take to participate in God's work through your church or community this week? How can you use your unique gifts to serve others?

Sermon Summary

In our gathering today, we celebrated the incredible work God is doing among us, particularly through the generous pledges made towards our building fund. This is just the beginning of the amazing things God has in store for us, and we are invited to be part of this journey. We are reminded that the Spirit and the Word of God are the transformative forces in our lives. They have the power to change us from the inside out, making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is not just about personal change but also about participating in God's work in the world.

We live in a time where the spirit of iniquity is at work, deceiving many into calling unrighteousness righteous. Yet, we are called to stand firm in the truth and love of God, which saves and transforms. The Spirit of God is closely aligned with common sense, and righteousness is not far from it. We are encouraged to be people who love the truth and seek after God's Spirit and Word, which are the foundations of our faith and life.

God's Spirit moves in powerful ways, and we are called to move with it, not quench it. This means being sensitive to the Spirit's leading, responding to burdens God places on our hearts, and speaking words of faith and blessing. Our speech should reflect the image of God, lifting others up and glorifying Him. We are reminded that God reveals His plans to those who are in relationship with Him, and we are encouraged to cultivate that relationship through prayer, seeking, and listening to God.

As we gather, we are reminded of the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit and the Word, allowing them to guide and shape our lives. This is not just about personal spirituality but about being part of God's work in the world, building His church, and reaching out to others with His love and truth.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit and the Word of God are the transformative forces in our lives, changing us from the inside out and making us new creations in Christ. This transformation is not just personal but involves participating in God's work in the world. [68:42]
2. We live in a time where unrighteousness is often called righteous, but we are called to stand firm in the truth and love of God. The Spirit of God is closely aligned with common sense, and righteousness is not far from it. [70:29]
3. God's Spirit moves powerfully, and we are called to move with it, not quench it. This involves being sensitive to the Spirit's leading, responding to burdens, and speaking words of faith and blessing. [100:02]
4. Our speech should reflect the image of God, lifting others up and glorifying Him. God reveals His plans to those in relationship with Him, and we are encouraged to cultivate that relationship through prayer, seeking, and listening. [107:39]
5. Being sensitive to the Spirit and the Word is crucial for participating in God's work. This involves being part of God's church, reaching out to others with His love and truth, and allowing the Spirit and Word to guide and shape our lives. [02:03:00]
** [123:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[66:09] - The Spirit of Iniquity
[67:24] - Spirit and Truth
[68:42] - Transformation in Christ
[70:29] - Common Sense and Righteousness
[71:39] - God's Divine Orchestration
[73:10] - Burdens and Divine Appointments
[74:44] - God's Building of the Church
[77:33] - Angelic Presence and Guidance
[78:59] - The Power of God's Word
[79:59] - Understanding God's Nature
[80:30] - God as Spirit and Word
[81:43] - The Power of Speech
[83:04] - Created in God's Image
[85:01] - Dominion and Blessing
[88:31] - The Power of God's Word
[89:36] - The Image of God in Us
[91:24] - Perfection and Sin
[92:20] - Dominion Through Speech
[93:15] - The Power of Blessing
[98:29] - The Spirit's Movement
[99:00] - Quenching the Spirit
[100:02] - Moving with the Spirit
[101:40] - Responding to Burdens
[103:32] - Spirit and Truth in Worship
[104:31] - Feeling After God
[105:56] - Submitting to the Spirit
[106:43] - God Reveals to His Prophets
[107:39] - Abraham's Encounter with God
[109:11] - God's Revelation to Us
[113:15] - The Power of God's Word
[114:42] - Prophecy and the Spirit
[117:32] - Spirit and Truth in Preaching
[118:20] - The Importance of One Soul
[120:00] - God's Concern for Us
[121:24] - Hearing God's Voice
[122:14] - Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
[123:00] - Spiritual Maturity
[123:47] - Knowing God's Voice
[124:43] - Relationship with God
[125:49] - Loving God and People
[127:29] - The Glory of God
[129:24] - Invitation to Receive the Spirit
[130:33] - Reaching Out to God

Sermon Clips

1) "Spirit and truth are what's changed you. That's it. That's it. Totally. 100%. And you can say, well, the ministry, well, that's the Word. That's back to the truth. That's back to the Word. Well, somebody taught me the Word. Spirit, the spirit of the Word and the Word changed your whole life. It's why you're here. It's the only reason you're here. Amen. And that's the reason I'm here. It's what changed me. It's what brought me out of darkness into His marvelous light. It is. It's what transformed me. Took me from the guttermost to the uttermost. Took me from a scumbag to a worshiper of Jesus." [01:07:24] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "You want a changed life? You want a different life? I've got the answer. Because God will give you a new life. Amen. Born again. New creature in Christ. New creation. New future. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things become new. Amen. And this is what's available to you today. It's what's available." [01:08:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The will of God is not very far away from common sense. There's a very close relationship between the two. And righteousness is not very far away from good old common sense. As they used to say on the farm horse sense. And if you didn't have it, they'd say you don't have the sense God gave a goose." [01:10:29] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "God is spirit. And God is word. That's what you know. And the rest of the Bible, God is spirit and God is word. In Revelation, when you wrap it all up, God is spirit and God is word. And what saved you was his spirit and his word. And what's keeping you is his spirit and his word. And what you've got to do is you've got to seek after his spirit. You need to know how to pray in the spirit. And you need to open yourself to his word. Because his word and spirit will make you. Keep you. Protect you." [01:21:43] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "A spoken word is the most powerful thing when we understand who we are in Christ. Because it is the one of two things that makes us God-like. That's why it's such a vile thing for someone to curse God. And to curse man. It's such a vile thing. It's why you need to bless. It's why you need to speak blessing. It's why you need to speak faith. It's why you need to speak hope and love. It's why your mouth ought to be declaring the blessings of God and the goodness of God and the greatness of God." [01:33:15] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "The Spirit and truth is so real. And God's Spirit moves. And now we know that. We feel that. We tap into that. And we feel the Spirit moving. And by, you know what, while I'm talking, I feel the Holy Ghost moving through this hand. And you know what I'm talking about. Yeah, but I feel the tingling of the Spirit. It's amazing. And now nobody's touching that hand, but I feel it. Oh, he's got a psychological problem. Got a spiritual problem is what I got. And you got a truth problem if you think that way. But it's so real because the Spirit of God moves." [01:38:29] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "You know what God wants out of you more than anything? Relationship. Let me tell you, all you people, what God wants out of you more than anything is relationship. He wants you to love him and to go after him. And when you truly love God, you'll involve yourself in loving people because as much you've done it, at least these you've done it unto me. It just, they go hand in hand." [02:04:43] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "The more God you get into you, the more love you're going to have in you. It's the fruit of the spirit. It's the first characteristic of God. God is love. You hear me? Oh, I can't stand them. Well, you don't have enough God. You don't have enough God. And you say, well, I want more love. Get more God. Because God is love. Get relationship going. Get after God. Pray, seek, fellowship, spend time with God. You can't have a relationship with someone you don't know. You can't spend time with. You can't have a relationship with someone you don't talk to. And I'm going to tell you something else. You can't have a relationship with someone you don't listen to." [02:05:49] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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