Day 3 - Week 58 - Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Note that the verse says "This is the day...be glad in it!"

A popular phrase is "live in the moment."  Abraham Lincoln said, "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."

I believe our verse is emphasizing living each day as it comes...being joyful in today.  We can't know what is coming tomorrow, but we know that today, this day, is here - God has given it to us, and we can rejoice. 

Whether you have the tendency to spend too much of your life dwelling on the days of the past...either thinking of the regrets that they may bring, or the joys that can no longer be relived; or if you are a person who is constantly thinking of the days to come...either with frantic worry or unrealistic expectations of happiness that you are sure is just around that elusive corner, God is telling you to start living today, right now, while today is here.

James 4:13-15 tells us that we are silly to make plans for our future that we feel are so certain...he tells us... Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

So the Psalmist is good to remind us that this is the day...today...right now...this day God has made for us, because we are here.  Let's rejoice in that!  Let's live this day so joyfully, and so mindful of God's provision for us and graciousness to us, that tomorrow we will be even more aware of our reasons to sing His praises - to exhibit God's kind of happiness...joy!

I'll leave you with another quote from an anonymous source that I just know is going to stick with you...."If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you're going to be cockeyed today." 

Day 2 - Week 58 - Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

How was your day?  Did you consciously think through this day, "God made this day"? 

When we remember that God is the giver of each day of our life, that each day bears His mark on it, that He has determined that we will live this day, doesn't it change our perspective?  It should.

Acts 17:24-26, "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."

Rather than "getting through" the day, we look for God's hand in it.  We look for people that He is guiding us to, we see the adventure in each new day, knowing that when we remember that God has purposed us to live this day, we will be ready to join Him in His work. 

Ephesians 2:1  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

How much more exciting can life get than to realize that we have been given the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the Creator of the universe in the accomplishment of His work.  Wow! 

Why would we not be joyful when we understand that God is sovereign in His rule, that He has a perfect plan in place that will come to fruition, that we have been redeemed and that we can live in confidence of our salvation and life eternal? 

1 Timothy 6:13-16    I charge you--as in the presence of God who gives life to all creatures, and of Christ Jesus who at the bar of Pontius Pilate made a noble profession of faith-- that you keep God's commandments stainlessly and without reproach till the Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.   For, as its appointed time, this will be brought about by the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, and whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be eternal honour and power! Amen.  

Ephesians 1:7-10  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.   And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,  to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

When we reflect on the truth of God, when we know that every day is in His hands and in His plan, there is no room for anything but joy in our hearts.

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Day 1 - Week 58 - Moving on!

I almost hate to leave our most recent section because I know I still have so much to learn regarding the Holy Spirit.  I know I loaded you down with all the reference Scriptures, but I just think it is so important to discover Scriptures that explain Scripture!  We must learn of the Holy Spirit through His inspired Word...let's keep learning more and more of Him and experiencing more and more of His power living within us.

But tonight it's time to move on.  We've lingered a little while at our present "campsite" and now it's time to load our backpack up and head on toward our goal!  Are you wondering where we are on the Appalachian Trail by now?  Well, let's see...we have traveled approximately 1,300 of the 2,160 miles of the trail.  We started in Georgia and we're headed to Maine.  Right now we should be entering the Sterling Forest in New York state.  Within an hour's drive of New York City...an unexpected area of natural beauty and hiking trails.  The pictures I've included below just made me realize how many people probably hike these trails every year...people of all types and people of all ages.  But the pictures below, I think, express something about these hikers...don't they look like they're having fun?  Don't they look joyful?

                          

Just like "life in the city" sometimes causes us to forget the joy that being surrounded by nature can bring to us, sometimes we also forget to express in our day-to-day lives the joy that being surrounded by God's Spirit brings.  We learned in our past section that joy is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit...and joy is the subject of our next section of 12 verses...as Robert J. Morgan titles this section, "Joy: God's Kind of Happiness."

Let's review our previous sections...

Promises of God (10)

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14  "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy:God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24  "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

This day, wherever you are on the trail, rejoice!  God has given each of us this day.  It is a day to be joyful.  Look at the pictures of the people on the trail...they are joyful because of where they are.  But we can be joyful because no matter where we are, we know that God is with us, every day, every step of the way!

If you would do me a huge favor...I recently was told that it was very difficult, or nearly impossible, to leave a comment on this blog.  I have revamped the comment section, and I hope that it is now much easier to comment.  I would LOVE to hear what many of you have to say in response to my posts.  If you would, please leave me a comment via the new system just so I can see if it is now working better!  Just click on the link below that currently shows "0 comments" and a pop-up screen should appear allowing you to enter your thoughts....
In His Amazing Love - Janice Hodges

Day 5 - Week 57 - 2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

While I've been away for a few days, have you had a chance to review any of the many NT Scriptures that reference the Holy Spirit?  I hope so, because I'm going to share more with you tonight before we move into Week 58 and a new verse!

Here are the remaining NT Scriptures that tell us more about the Holy Spirit, who, as for us as Christians, lives in us.

Acts 15:8 NIV - the Holy Spirit proves God's acceptance of a forgiven believer

 

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

Acts 15:28 NIV - the Holy Spirit defines the requirements for Christian living

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

Acts 16:6 NIV - the attentive believer is directed by the Holy Spirit

[Paul's Vision of the Man of Macedonia] Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

Acts 19:2 NIV - we need to be taught and to teach others of the Holy Spirit

and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Acts 19:6 NIV - on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit brought the gift to speak in others languages so that the Gospel could be preached at a opportune time...this verse uses the same word for "tongues" - glossa - languages...but 1 Corinthians 14 also  uses the same word to describe an unknown tongue.

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Acts 20:23 NIV - the Holy Spirit warns us and prepares us for hard times.

I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

Acts 20:28 NIV - the Holy Spirit appoints leaders.

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Acts 21:11 NIV - the Holy Spirit prophesies....

Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "

Acts 28:25 NIV ---....in both the Old and New Testaments.

They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

Romans 5:5 NIV - the Holy Spirit brings God's love to us.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 9:1 NIV - the Holy Spirit confirms truth.

[God's Sovereign Choice] I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--

Romans 14:17 NIV - the Holy Spirit brings the kingdom of God to us - it is a spiritual awareness of supernaturally good living, supernatural peace and supernatural joy.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Romans 15:13 NIV - have always loved this verse...God bring us hope, fills us with joy and peace through the process of trusting Him, and because of this we overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:16 NIV - the Holy Spirit is our sanctifier, making us acceptable to God.

to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV - He lives in us!  We are His temple!

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

1 Corinthians 12:3 NIV - the Holy Spirit is the enabler of our faith...without the Holy Spirit living within us, we cannot truly express faith in Christ.

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:6 NIV - the Holy Spirit is the source of sincerity.

in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;

2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV - the Trinity...the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit...they are all three available to us.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Ephesians 1:13 NIV - the Holy Spirit marks us as sealed believers; we bear the seal of God, marking us as His children.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 4:30 NIV - we grieve the Holy Spirit through sin of all kinds...we are called to a new way of life.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 NIV - the Holy Spirit brings power and conviction with the words of the Gospel.

because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV - the Holy Spirit gives joy!

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 NIV - when we reject God's very clear instructions to us as how to live a pure life, we are actually rejecting God and His gift of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14 NIV - now this one sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Titus 3:5 NIV - through baptism and the dwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are able to live lives of rebirth and renewal...not because we are great or wonerful, just because of His mercy.

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 2:4 NIV - the Holy Spirit is a gift to us by God, but the Holy Spirit also brings gifts to us...the gifts of the Holy Spirit are identified in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 3:7 NIV - the Holy Spirit urges, cautions and warns...

[Warning Against Unbelief] So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice,

Hebrews 6:4 NIV - the Holy Spirit enlightens us, and is our heavenly gift.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 9:8 NIV - the Holy Spirit explains...

The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.

Hebrews 10:15 NIV - the Holy Spirit testifies....

The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:

1 Peter 1:12 NIV - the Holy Spirit teaches...

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

2 Peter 1:21 NIV - the Holy Spirit is the source of all prophecy.

For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Jude 1:20 NIV - last verse...don't read this as just "pray in the Holy Spirit", for it should be read, "build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is what allows us to build our faith stronger and stronger.  Don't think you can become a more faithful person without relying more and more on the power of the Holy Spirit living within you.  The Holy Spirit is the giver of faith, and He is the grower of faith.  Pray to Him for more, allow Him to do His work unrestrained within you. 

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.

I really want to allow the Holy Spirit full reign in my life.  I want to learn more of His role in my life and in all believers' lives.  He is living within me and I want to fully experience His life within mine.