December/Vision

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit from whom come every comfort and every counsel to the church of the Old and New Testaments, is the Spirit who has illuminated the gifts and mysteries of the divine laws for the Christian church throughout the whole world, the Spirit who inspired these words uttered by the royal prophet, David son of Jesse, so that he said" "Great is our Lord." Great and vast is our Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ.

  - Adomnan, Fis Adomnain (Irish, 7th-8th century)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

  - 2 Corinthians 1.3, 4

Paul says that God is at work within us to make us willing and able to do His good pleasure, and that the power within us is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think (Phil. 2.13; Eph. 3.20).

He is referring to the Holy Spirit, of course. But we cannot know the benefit of that inward and so-powerful work unless we first understand and submit to the Spirit's agenda and way of working within and through us.

First, He drives us to Jesus and reveals Jesus to us so that, increasingly, we know Him as our great and vast Lord. Second, He teaches us the laws of God so that we might know how we are to live before our King (cf. Exek. 36.26, 27). Third, He counsels us by God's Word and comforts us with God's presence, thus equipping us to counsel and comfort others with that which the Spirit has given to us.

The Spirit also imparts gifts for ministry, brings forth fruit consistent with the character of Jesus Christ, and empowers us to be living witnesses for the Savior by our lives and words. The Holy Spirit, that vast, unseen power within, is thus transforming true believers, from glory to glory, into the image of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3.12-18).

But is this really happening? Is it happening in you? Are you finding yourself taught and strengthened, increasingly each day, so that you are moved to minister grace and truth to those around you? To bear bold and consistent witness for Christ? The Spirit of God within strives mightily to get us to live beyond our present comfort zone, so that we step into unknown and unfamiliar arenas of service in the full assurance that He will never fail us nor forsake us.

Is the Spirit of God really at work in you, willing and doing of God's good pleasure, exceeding abundantly above all that you have ever dared to ask or think?

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

Well, whatsay? Shall we rename the country? Today's ReVision thinks so.

Here's something to ponder: There are more precepts, statutes, and rules attached to the eighth commandment (no stealing) than all the others. In the Gates begins a closer look at this commandment this week.

Start the New Year by refocusing on the Christian walk and what it requires. You and your Bible study group or Sunday school class would benefit greatly by working together through one of our new Paruchia Studies in the Christian life. Check them out today at our online bookstore.

And you can still enroll for a personalized mentoring course in evangelism, the Kingship of Jesus, or shepherding God's flock, or one of our upcoming courses on writing or Christian worldview. Visit the website for more information.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.