26 DAYS TO PENTECOST

26 DAYS TO PENTECOST

SCRIPTURE TEXT: Galatians 5:16-26

¹⁶This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 ¹⁷For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 ¹⁸But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 ¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

 ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

 ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 ²⁴And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

 ²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 ²⁶Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

KEY TEXT: Galatians 5:22 “…But the fruit of the Spirit is …joy…”

REFLECTION:  Where is the joy? 

The world can whip up some fun for a few moments but when the music stops, when the buzz has faded, when the lights are out, their empty souls are left longing, craving a solid happiness, and yearning for joy.

The discontented run from party to party, from partner to partner, from pleasure to pleasure, hoping that someone or something will bring joy to their longing hearts. 

The disillusioned are convinced that joy is an impossible dream—unattainable in this life.  They surrender to the drudgery of daily life and trudge on without God and without hope.

But Disciples of Christ, who know the pardon of sin, peace with God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, the thrill of Spirit-driven living, and the assurance of heaven, rejoice with “joy unspeakable!” (1 Peter 1:8).

On the first Christian Pentecost, when the disciples were baptized with the Spirit, Peter testified that he was full of the Spirit, and “full of joy!” (Acts 2:28).

The joy of those first Christians was a holy contagion. When the Spirit was poured out in Samaria the Scriptures tell us there was “great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8).

Their joy was undiminished in the midst of persecution.  In Antioch they were attacked, yet “the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 13:52).  They sang while imprisoned, prayed while opposed, persisted though threatened, rejoiced though beaten, and continued to celebrate as multitudes were born of the Spirit. (Acts 15:3). 

When the Apostle Paul was warned that he was about to face the ire of men who were determined to kill him, he said, “None of these things move me,.. I… [intend] to finish my course with joy!” (Acts 20:24).

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Romans, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17).

John wanted the world to know the joy of the Lord.  “These things have I written unto you that your joy may be full.”  (1 John 1:4).

Jude prayed confidently, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 24,25)

Wherever we find the fruit of the Spirit we always find joy!  The same Spirit that fills the believer with love, fills us with joy and peace.  “Rejoice, and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Here are some questions for those who are longing for Joy in the Spirit. Those who truthfully answer “Yes” will certainly know the “Joy” of the Lord.

1.     Have you completely repented of your sins and do you totally trust in Christ—and Christ alone for salvation?

2.     Have you surrendered your life to God’s absolute authority?

3.     Are you obeying the Lord?

4.     Are your relationships pleasing to the Lord?

5.     Have you made or are you making restitution for all the things you have taken that are not rightfully yours?

6.     Have you invited the Holy Spirit to fill your heart?

7.     Do you treat your body like it is the Temple of the Holy Ghost?

8.     Are you spending time with the Lord—praying and thinking of His Word daily?

9.     Are you walking in the Spirit?

10.  Are you led by the Spirit?

11.  Are you listening to the Spirit?

12.  Are you Spirit-driven?

13.  Are you diligent to not grieve the Holy Spirit by your actions, your language, your styles and lifestyles, and your attitudes?

14.  Does the Spirit witness with your spirit that you are the child of God?

15.  Do you know that when you leave this life you will live forever with the Lord in heaven?

PRAYER: Our Father which art in Heaven, We are deeply grateful for the joy of the Lord. How thankful we are for the day that you sent forth your Spirit into our hearts crying Abba Father.  We pray that as we turn with our whole hearts to thee, that you would “restore unto us the joy of our salvation.”  May the Joy of thy Spirit be seen in us.  May the witness of our lives and the testimony of our mouths be so winsome that others will follow us, as we follow you, into the joys of our Lord!  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. “Our Father, &c”