Daily Devotional
Would you see any difference?
“Do not cast me away from Your presence; and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me”
Psalm 51:11
July 19, 2020
Ponder This
When a person dies, his spirit departs. And I’m afraid that’s what’s happened to many churches: the Holy Spirit has departed.
The organism has become an organization.
Dr. Carl Bates said years ago something that shook me to my foundation: “If the Holy Spirit were to suddenly die [now, of course, you know that's impossible. He cannot die, but…] “if the Holy Spirit were to suddenly die, most of our churches would meet next Sunday, go right on, and never know the difference.”
I wonder if that’s not true about many churches, especially today, where “The Bible says…” has been switched out for “Well, in my opinion…”
The Holy Spirit hasn’t died, but He has departed. I've been in some churches where you’d think that Hallelujahs and Amens cost $100 apiece. You just can't find them. There’s a sort of barren stillness. But I believe there's something contagious about the Holy Spirit of God.
Practice This
The Bible says “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Don’t fry in fanaticism or freeze in formalism. Have a burning, passionate love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
