FBC Daily Devotions

Week 3: The Holy Spirit

Jesus said the Holy Spirit was given to fill a need in our lives. With Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, continuing His work would be a task far too great for mere man. The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in our lives both to grow in our relationship with God – our ability to love Him – and our relationship with others – our ability to love our neighbor. There is much to learn about this much neglected subject, and this week’s devotions really only scratch the surface. My hope is at the very least, you will come to appreciate the necessity and power of the Spirit in our lives.
–Pastor Mike

Small Group Questions for Week of 9/28/08

1. Opening: How have you seen God work this week?
2. As applicable, what stood out to you this week as you spent time with God in the devotionals?
3. The Holy Spirit’s role to guide and teach us truth is key to building a healthy relationship with the Father. What have you learned lately from the Word about God that has impacted your love for Him?
4. Being filled with the Spirit produces an inner joy and peace (Col. 3:15) that results in, among other things, a thankful heart. Paul says in Ephesians to give thanks to God for everything; in Colossians he says whatever we do, whether in word or deed, give thanks to God. If a thankful heart is a product of being filled with the Spirit, how are you doing in your walk with the Spirit? Are you quarter full, half full, completely full of the Spirit’s influence? Do you see any correlation between time spent meditating on His Word and a thankful attitude?
5. Living by the Spirit means setting our minds on what the Spirit desires (Rom. 8:5). Gal. 5:19-23 reveals the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. In looking at the list of fleshly acts, are there any areas that you struggle with? In those struggles, what do you believe “setting our minds on what the Spirit desires” looks like practically in relation to that struggle?
6. Gal. 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit. Here, they are not given as goals to pursue, but the product of a Spirit-led life. Looking at the list of fruit, how is your Spirit-led life progressing?
7. It is encouraging to know that as we share the gospel, we are not alone. How does knowing the Holy Spirit works in collaboration with our efforts affect your attitude and approach to sharing Christ? In hindsight, how have you seen the Spirit work behind-the-scenes in your efforts to share Christ?

As you go into your prayer time, consider the following questions:

• How have you struggled this week?
• How can the others in the group help you?

Look over your notes from the past week. What one or two things did God impress upon you this week?

We can be impatient people, don’t you agree? So much of life is easily and quickly accessible. From drive through coffee to next-day air to google answers, life is designed for instant gratification. That same impatience can creep into our prayers as well. In our impatience, we want God to answer our prayers “right now!”

But sometimes God is orchestrating something immeasurable more than we could ever ask or imagine. Consider Lazarus:

Read John 11:17-43. While this is a longer passage, don’t let that deter you. As you read, notice what both Martha (11:21-22) and Mary (11:32) wanted from Jesus.

To consider:
Have you ever felt the same way about a situation? In hindsight, can you see how God had so much more in mind?

Two reasons for Jesus’ delay surface from the reading: Jn. 11:4, 40 and 11:14, 42. The first is to reveal the glory of God; the second to help the people believe Jesus is the Son of God. Sometimes God makes us wait because He wants to reveal His goodness and power in ways that stretch our conceptions (or misconceptions) of Him. He wants to stretch our faith in Him and cause us to see Him as truly the One whom God sent (v. 42).

If your motivations are pure, your relationship with God and others is in order, consider if maybe God wants to do so much more in your life. Sometimes God says “not yet” and in those times, persist in your prayer.

Other reading:
John 9:1-5 – the man blind from birth was healed to display the glory of God. Sometimes God wants to include others in the blessing of our prayers.

1 Peter 4:12-13 – our present difficulties will only bring greater joy when Christ is revealed at His return. Sometimes God wants to remind us of that glorious day – to keep us focused on our future hope – through the trials we suffer now.

More than what we do, more than what we attain, character stands out as most important. It is the one thing that accompanies everything we do in our lives. God wants to develop our character. And when our prayers are not aligned with our spiritual maturity, God says “grow” up first. Sometimes our relationship with God is struggling – we must remember that God is more interested in our relationship with Him than giving us what we ask for. Consider the following areas where growth might be needed:

• Unconfessed sin – read Isaiah 59:12
• Unresolved conflict – read Matt. 5:23-24; 1 Peter 3:7
• Uncaring attitudes – read Prov. 21:13; Isaiah 58:3-9

God is interested in developing people who will reflect His character in this world, and His character always expresses concern and compassion for the afflicted. When God says “grow,” we have to look at our walk and ask how things are really going. James 5 says the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.

To consider:
Take a moment and examine your life. Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Is there a pattern of sin that needs to end? Are there unhealthy, neglected, and damaged relationships that are hindering your prayers? Are there people in your life that you have turned a blind eye to? Pray that God would soften your heart and help you grow in these areas.

If you saw your prayers answered more often, would you pray more? Perhaps one of the biggest problems people have with prayer is they don’t see their prayers making any difference. They struggle to see a connection between their prayers and reality. Some people give up because they think God has something else in mind. Others begin to believe God is going to do whatever He wants despite their prayers.

God answers prayers in so many different ways that it can be difficult, if not frustrating, to figure out what God is doing. Pretty soon instead of the bold confidence the Bible speaks of, our prayers are uncertain and timid. As one person I was talking with said, “our prayers become more like wishes than prayers of confident faith.”

How can we develop confidence in our prayers? Perhaps looking at how God responds to our prayers can help.

Sometimes God says, “no.”
Read James 4:3. Why does God say, “No” in this instance?

If you struggle in this area, you’re not alone! Read these examples from Scripture:

• James and John (Mark 10:35-40; Luke 9:51-56)
• Jonah (Jonah 4:1-4)

While God wants to say “yes” to His children, He wants what is best for us. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of our own desires. Sometimes we are selfish and/or less concerned about God’s love of others. When God says “no”, sometimes it is because we are not seeking His glory. Our prayers can be subtly self-glorifying. A preacher wants to be popular. A musician wants to steal the show. We want to do well, but for the wrong reasons.

To consider:
Have there been times in your life when God answered “no” to a prayer? Looking back, was there a problem with your motivation? If a prayer seems to have “no” for an answer (where God shuts the door over and over again), consider your motivation. Take a deep, honest look at your prayer and ask: Why do I want this?

*Note: Credit goes to Bill Hybel’s book, “Too Busy Not to Pray” from which much of the background material for this and the next few days come.