Within Us

Have you ever watched an instructional video, attended a seminar, or read something interesting and decided that you wanted to try that? After trying it for a while, have you wished that the instructor was near you to figure out some of the details, or fill in with more instructions? God has done something even better for those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. God sends His Spirit to dwell within the believer to lead and empower us to walk in the way that He desires.

In John 14:16-17 Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” God gives His Holy Spirit to those who through faith in Jesus Christ are saved by grace. The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, helps, encourages, and teaches the believer. It is no longer a matter of trying to obey laws, but rather it is a matter of knowing God and becoming more like Jesus through the power of His indwelling Spirit.

Abound in Hope

Hope is something that we rarely specifically think about, but without hope, it is difficult to endure life and impossible to enjoy life. God is the author of hope and the power to believe. With hope, God gives us peace and joy.

Paul’s prayer for the church in Rome is my prayer for you: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13, ESV)

What God Has Done

So much of the worship and teaching in the church is about what God has done for us. While that is good and true, very little is spoken or sung about who God is. Yet, eternal life is in knowing God and worship should include praises for who He is.

Let me illustrate my point. I once worked for a Christian mission organization that had daily gatherings. In one such gathering, there was a discussion about encouraging one another. Post It notes were given out so that people could write a note about the attributes that they admired about another person in the organization and them post that note in their work area. I got a note that declared their appreciation for the things that I had done. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. It is one thing to be praised for the things that you have done, but far more encouraging to be thanked for the positive attributes that you exhibit.

Romans 1:19-20 says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” We must offer praises and thanksgiving to God for who He is, and not just for what He does for us.

What is Known?

Our knowledge base is pretty limited, despite how educated we might be. We have learned some things by experience, but our experiences are limited by time and opportunity. We learn some things by reading and through education, but we can not read all recorded and written knowledge. Yet, there remain many truths that we would like to know.

Jeremiah 33:2-3 says, “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it, the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” We know the things that we can see, observe, hear, read, and experience, but beyond our senses, our knowledge is very limited. God, who has formed all things, knows all things. He promises to disclose greater things to us if we will only ask Him.

Invest Wisely

Most people want to invest their money wisely to be able to pay for current and future needs. Investing wisely requires research to determine which investments will bring the desired gains with some degree of risk and certainty. Why wouldn’t we also do the required due diligence to determine how we invest our own thoughts and actions to bring about the desired gains for our lives and for eternity?

Ecclesiastes 2:13 says, “Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.” Invest your life in the  thoughts and actions that bring eternal profits.  Seek God’s wisdom and light so that your investment may grow and bear eternal fruit.