DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY August 31, 2022
The Power of the Holy Spirit
No matter how hard we try to follow God in our own strength, we’ll succeed only when we surrender and depend fully on Him.
Now He said to them, ``These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, ``Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ``You are witnesses of these things. ``And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:44-49
Today is my birthday! God has so blessed me with His Spirit, I celebrate on this day that He allowed me to experience physical life all those years ago. I am extremely grateful for both physical and spiritual life.
Do you remember the book The Little Engine That Could? A small engine keeps repeating the words “I think I can. I think I can.” By using sheer willpower, she pulls an entire train over the mountain. That’s a nice children’s story, but the truth of the Christian life is very different. In the real world, our efforts and determination often fall short. Only by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit can we live a godly life.
In the Old Testament, God’s Spirit would temporarily come upon saints for a particular work. However, after Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent the Spirit to dwell within each believer (Luke 24:49). Consider what this means: If you’re a Christian, God is living inside you, available to help throughout life by providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment.
Obedience to Christ is impossible for anyone relying on his or her own strength. For some reason, though, Christians often try to live life by depending on themselves. Defeat and failure are unavoidable without divine power in our life.
Do you recognize your need for God? Begin each day confessing your dependence on Him. Ask to be filled with His Spirit so that all you think, do, and say will be an overflow from Him. Then trust Him to work in mighty ways through you.
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August 202208/31/2022
As Pastor Wesley reflects on his birthday, he emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God's power, highlighting how relying solely on one's own strength leads to defeat and failure. By acknowledging our need for divine guidance and empowerment, Christians can experience a life of obedience to Christ, filled with guidance, comfort, and mighty works through the Holy Spirit.
08/30/2022
Prayer is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and transformation, as demonstrated by Paul's model prayer in Colossians 1:9-14, which asks God to fill believers with His will, enabling them to live worthy lives that bear fruit for the kingdom. By praying on behalf of others, we not only seek their spiritual growth but also experience our own transformation, as we ask God to make clear His perfect and precise will in every decision.
08/29/2022
As believers struggle with sin, Pastor Wesley reminds us that confession is key to drawing closer to God, offering a path to cleansing and holiness through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. By seeing sin as God sees it, taking responsibility for it, and confessing it, we can walk in obedience to Him and experience true freedom from its grip.
08/26/2022
Repentance is a crucial aspect of our relationship with God, yet many struggle with the process due to feelings of guilt and shame. By acknowledging God's presence and compassion in every step of repentance, we can find the courage to confront our sin and turn towards Him, ultimately experiencing mercy and forgiveness.
08/25/2022
As Jesus' ambassadors, Christians are called to reflect His love and grace, but only if their lives remain "salted" with godly habits and illuminated by the light of Christ. By living out our faith in a way that influences others for their spiritual good, we can make a lasting impact on those around us.
08/24/2022
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross ensures that God's judgment is not based on human actions, but rather on humanity's sinful state, making good works irrelevant for salvation. Through faith in Jesus, individuals are transformed into new creatures, surrendering their nature to God's will, and are brought to life spiritually.
08/23/2022
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is often overlooked, but it's essential to remember that He endured physical pain, took upon Himself our sins, experienced abandonment from God, and faced divine judgment so we can become children of God. By understanding the true cost of His salvation, believers can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the gift of forgiveness and respond with love and gratitude.
08/22/2022
A woman's desperate confession of faith to Jesus, and a man's heartfelt expression of doubt, reveal the power of acknowledging our true beliefs as an anchor for hope during hardship. By confessing what we really believe, we can find assurance and grounding in our relationship with God, even when uncertainty surrounds us.
08/19/2022
When Moses trusted God and followed His direction, He accomplished great things through him, demonstrating the power of yielding to the Lord's path. Through Moses' story, we see how God can rescue and deliver people without relying on human strength or pride, and that our weaknesses are actually what make us useful in His plan.
08/18/2022
Moses' impulsive actions in Exodus 2:11-25 serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on human strength and logic, rather than trusting God's way. By examining Moses' mistakes and God's subsequent refining of his character, we can learn valuable lessons about humility, obedience, and the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of challenge.
08/17/2022
God's unconditional love can be difficult to grasp, but it is not based on our merit or worthiness, but rather on His grace and redemption through Jesus Christ. By embracing this truth and letting go of conditional expectations, we can experience the fullness of God's love in our lives.
08/16/2022
As we navigate life's challenges, the distinction between hearing and doing God's Word becomes increasingly crucial, for it is through obedience that true personal growth and righteousness are achieved. By applying Scripture in our daily lives, we can avoid foolish pursuits and follow the guidance of our Good Shepherd, ultimately experiencing blessing and fulfillment.
08/15/2022
Daniel's unwavering commitment to God in the face of adversity is a powerful reminder that consistency is key to unlocking spiritual breakthroughs. By embracing a consistent quiet time with the Lord and refusing to compromise on faith, believers can tap into the transformative power of their relationship with Him.
08/12/2022
As the Hebrew people's cry for help rose up to God, He listened and delivered them from slavery, demonstrating that grieving with Him can be a powerful way to connect with His presence. By sharing our disappointments and frustrations with God, we can keep the dialogue open and let Him into our sorrow, ultimately staying connected to Him in the midst of life's challenges.
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This is Dr. Michael Wesley, Sr.'s latest book on the subject of marriage. As a Pastor he has counseled many couples before, during, and after marriage so this has given him keen insight into the marital relationship. He himself has been married to the same woman for over 40 years so he has a wealth of knowledge on this subject. In this book Dr. Wesley covers that marriage comes from God, the keys to compatibility, the keys to staying in love, and even what to do if you feel you have married the wrong person. This is an excellent read if you are considering marriage in the future or even if you are currently married.
