Faith and Transformation

January 28, 2024 Background Scripture: Romans 12:3 - 8 Lesson Passage: Romans 12:3 - 8 The word of God states very plainly that every Christian has a spiritual gift. These gifts are available for the benefit of the body of Christ in this world. However, spiritual gifts are not likely to be evident—or perhaps not even available to a person who has not been mentally transformed. The first three verses of this chapter are needed to properly understand our lesson. Salvation in Jesus Christ causes a spiritual birth within a person. It is an obvious change to the person who has been born again. One important aspect of spiritual growth for a saved person is the renewing of the mind. This renewal causes Christians to be different from unsaved people. Christians begin to think, talk, and act differently than non-Christians. We are motivated to do so by the word of God. The renewal of the mind helps us to learn more about Christ and God. Consequently, we become more comfortable with who we are in Christ. In other words, we don't mind being different from others when we understand how salvation has made us different. Christians who fail to make this transition struggle between backsliding and repentance without ever being useful to the body of Christ. This struggle can happen when we want to be like unsaved people. Peer pressure causes us to want to fit in with the world. Peer pressure is not limited to children and youth. Mental transformation makes us more comfortable being different than the world. This happens when our minds are renewed with the word of God. Comfortable Christians want to do God's will. When we act on that desire, then spiritual gifts become apparent. We see a capacity to do something we could not do before. We see the power of God released when we do some things under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts are evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. What was once considered ordinary, becomes extraordinary. Giving liberally, serving others who cannot return the favor, or delighting in showing mercy stirs up an indescribable joy within. Who knew that liberal giving could do such a thing? The Holy Spirit works all these things within believers as we submit ourselves to worship and serve God. Spiritual gifts are not so much to be counted as they are to be appreciated. Through the power of God, ordinary things can become powerful gifts to the body of Christ. Sadly, too many Christians look for the "shock and awe" of being saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Sometimes, it requires the power of God for one to show mercy to an undeserving person. Sometimes, it requires the power of God to overcome personal greed and give liberally to others. Serving, liberal giving, and showing mercy are just as powerful as leading, prophesying, teaching, and speaking a word of exhortation when the Holy Spirit is the motivation for doing so. Christians could miss the joy of these ministries if we fail to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Actions tend to be more difficult than words. That is because our flesh, our worldly mindset and affections, cause us to be very selfish. We must humble ourselves before God and pray that He will lead us as He desires. It requires faith to release that which is comfortable and "normal" for us and to embrace unfamiliar godliness. We must really trust God to do things His way when His way goes against all we understand. Showing mercy can be easy when the person has not offended us. Giving liberally can be easy when we have more than enough left over. What if giving liberally requires having nothing left over? Serving others can be easy when they show appreciation for our service. We need faith to embrace the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit has equipped us with. Through spiritual transformation, we can witness the power of God flowing through us as we submit ourselves to Him in faith. Robert C. Hudson January 17, 2024

Faith and Encouragement

January 21, 2024 Background Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:5 - 20 Lesson Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:13 - 20 The nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms after the death of King Solomon. Two tribes composed the southern kingdom of Judah, and ten tribes composed the northern kingdom of Israeli Israel was ruled by a line of wicked kings and Judah was ruled primarily by a line of God-fearing kings. Today's lesson begins and ends with King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoshaphat was one of the God-fearing kings of Judah. Israel was once a formidable force in Palestine. However, the people of God became more vulnerable after the nation was divided. This lesson reveals some of that vulnerability. The Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites united in a confederacy and went up to Judah to make war. The three groups were kinsmen of Israel because they descended from Lot and Esau. As a result of their kinship, God would not allow Israel to fight them or take possession of their land after God delivered Israel out of Egypt. God had given their land to them as a blessing because of Lot and Esau. Because those three nations were afraid of Israel, God forbade Israel from traveling through their land. Now that Israel was divided as a people, those nations no longer feared fighting them. When that confederacy of nations marched towards Judah, King Jehoshaphat was warned of their approach. Jehoshaphat became afraid and immediately prayed to God and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. Jews from throughout Judah gathered in Jerusalem at the temple to seek God. Their leader, Jehoshaphat was there to lead them in petitioning God through prayer. King Jehoshaphat prayed aloud to God in the presence of the people, He cried out to God concerning the history of Israel's relationship with God that began with Abraham. Abraham was known as the friend of God. That history included Israel not being allowed to destroy those nations when they were afraid of Israel. The king acknowledged to God that Judah could not fight that confederacy and prevail on their own strength, but rather, they were looking to God for help. Then the Spirit of the Lord anointed one of the Levites and he spoke a word of prophecy to them. God ensured them that this would be His fight. However, God told them to go to the place where their enemy would advance on them tomorrow. They were encouraged twice to not be afraid to go out against them. David had written that the Lord prepares a table before His people in the presence of their enemy. Therefore, the people of God are required to show up for the battle so the enemy would be in their presence. God prepares the table which is the blessing they will receive in that setting. With that prophecy, King Jehoshaphat humbled himself and bowed his head in submission to God. The others followed suit by bowing and worshiping God. The Levitical singers began to praise God in advance of the battle through loud singing. God told them to go out tomorrow against that multitude. The people rose early the next morning and went as the Lord had instructed them. The early departure is an indication that they did not procrastinate in being obedient to God's instructions. King Jehoshaphat set a great example and the people followed his leadership. As they were going out, King Jehoshaphat continued to encourage the people to believe in the Lord and to believe the Lord's prophets. God could speak to all the people Himself if He chose to, but He had demonstrated to their ancestors in the days of Moses that most people of God cannot bear to hear His voice. By believing in the Lord, they could remain steadfast. By believing God's prophets, they acknowledged that God used prophets to speak on His behalf. As a result, God would cause them to prosper. Jehoshaphat was a man of faith and because of it, he encouraged the people. Robert C Hudson December 29, 2023