Living the Spirit Filled Life

[Jay]

December 17

Gifts of Song

You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

“Deliverance” is one of the giant words of the Scriptures. It is a broadly inclusive term which describes: (1) forgiveness of sin; (2) redemption from eternal death; (3) recovery of physical health; (4) release from spiritual bondage; and (5) rescue from difficult situations. As our Savior, Jesus has become our Deliverer, for the essence of the meaning of salvation is deliverance.

So when we read of “songs of deliverance,” we well may tune our souls to the promise and potential of such power being put on human lips. David sang and Saul was relieved of demonic oppression; Jehoshaphat’s choir sang and their enemies were conquered; Paul and Silas sang and an earthquake shook their bonds free and their captor into God’s kingdom. Songs of deliverance are real instruments of divine grace.

As the carols of Christmas fill the air, let each one be more than a ritual. Lift these testimonies of the King who has come, and let the Holy Spirit fill your praise until they become songs of deliverance—for the King is here!


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

December 18

Christmas Kings

Herod the king… was troubled. Matthew 2:3


We should not be surprised at the dynamic tension Christmas creates. On the one hand, out world fills its stores in commercial pursuit, while on the other it argues our right to put nativity scenes in public squares. It is the way of the world spirit to want the profit and resist the prophecies.

When Herod met the regal wise men who seemed to promise commerce from the East, he was ready to assist their journey. It was good business to cooperate with wealthy men travelling through his territory. But when he discovered their journey had been prompted by prophecies of another king, Herod was troubled.

Don’t be distracted by the misconceptions or distortions of the world spirit at Christmastime. And may we never become embittered by that spirit’s protests—its being “troubled” by our pursuit of the King and by our desire to worship Him.
Simply stay on course. The pathway to Bethlehem may be doubted by the world, but it is still the pathway to hope and salvation for all who believe.


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

December 19

Christmas Kings

When they had come into the house, they… fell down and worshiped Him. Matthew 2:11

The term “kings” is not actually used concerning the magi—the wise men—who were actually counsellors from the court of ancient kings. But their royal role, and the possibility that they were formal representatives of a distant throne, gives allowance for our tradition of calling them kings.

Out frequent note of their gifts might overlook the most notable fact about them. Before mentioning their gifts, the Bible says that when they saw Jesus, they “fell down and worshiped Him.” It is after that that they “opened their treasures.”

When the precise wording is read and the sequence studied—falling down, worshiping, giving—don’t you wonder what really happened? This was no casual issue—not was it merely a pageant–like, formal moment. These men were overwhelmed, doubtless encountering a presence they did not expect.

May that same presence overwhelm us this Christmastime.


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

December 20

Christmas Kings

Of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:33

From the time of Jesus’ conception a stream of promise begins to flow: a new government is coming to the souls of men! The issue was not political, but spiritual. The King Himself verifies this: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
But He is King, a king like no other. Look at the descriptions of His kingly role in God’s Word:

• “The King eternal” (1 Tim. 1:17)—as such, the endlessness, the unchanging durability of His rule is declared.
• “A king will reign in righteousness” (Is. 32:1)—as such, His completely just, even–handed, considerate and life–releasing method is forecast.
• “King of peace” (Heb. 7:2)—as typified in Melchizedek and fulfilled through His rising to His first throne, the cross, where He secured out peace (Eph. 2:14–18).
• “King of the saints” and “King of kings” (Rev. 15:3; 19:16)—forever praised as our saving King, and all history’s ultimate Ruler!



Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

December 30

New Year’s Countdown

Receive with meekness the implanted word. James 1:21


God’s Word is the source of wisdom for living, the standard of holiness for character, and the strength of the human spirit as truth. This Book, breathed by the Holy Spirit, is the foundation for our building, the fortress for our defense, and the food for our sustenance. Too much cannot be said about God’s Word.
But too little can be done.

Only as I feed daily, and only as I receive in humility what the Word says about me, does this divine masterpiece take effect. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were experts in knowing the Word but failures in receiving it. So, on the brink of a New Year, lay plans for reading through the Word. But also plan to let it read through you too. Its saving power, which saves us from confusion, error, and failure just as surely as its truth saves our eternal souls, depends on such reception.


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

March 27

Kingdom Power—Part 1

Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting. Psalm 93:2

When Jesus first commissioned His disciples, He said, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). As emissaries of His kingdom (that is, His role intended to release from sin and to evict all evil powers) we have been commissioned to receive the same power by the same Spirit. To move freely in the power of the Holy Spirit, we first need to be filled, then we need to remain focused. This “fullness” comes at the feet of Jesus, while clear “focus” is sustained at the foot of the Father’s Throne.

Psalm 93 brings us to God’s Throne with an announcement of His universe–wide reign, declaring the mightiness of “the Lord on high” (v. 4). How like Isaiah’s words: “I saw the Lord, high and lifted up” (Is. 6:1) are those of the Lord’s Prayer: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen!” (Matt. 6:13).

Such passages as these join to today’s text to call us before God’s throne with appropriate worship, humility and dependency. It is from this posture of praise that true “kingdom power” generates and endures, for our focus is kept on Him as the fountain head of kingdom power.


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

March 28

Kingdom Power—Part 2

And with great power the apostles gave witness… and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33


Spirit–filled living is power–filled living. Kingdom power is that enablement given us through the anointing of the Holy Spirit who has been given to transmit the Kings love and grace, works and wonders, through us as His servants and ministers—all of us!
But there is a common vulnerability we all sham. Like Simon of Samaria, we may fall prey to a human hunger for power for its own sake, instead of understanding that God’s power has been given to us for the sake of others. (See Simon’s error in Acts 8:14–25.)

To block the entrance of such erroneous misunderstanding, two rules are to be remembered:
First, power for today requires fresh fullness for today. Ephesians 5:18, 19 points the way: “Keep on being filled with the Spirit.”
Second, God’s power is always attended by His grace. As our text shows, a graciousness will be present in the manner kingdom power is ministered. Further, because it is God’s doing—by grace, not human works—only He will be glorified. Here are kingdom people at their best!


Jack W. Hayford

 

[Jay]

March 29

Kingdom Duty

Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. Matthew 18:23


These words are among the most important any of us will study as potential candidates for kingdom living and for the exercise of kingdom power. They open one of the most penetrating parables Jesus ever taught, for the truth it contains crowds to the center of our souls and forces us to confront an inescapable priority: forgiveness.

Jesus relates all responsible citizenship in His kingdom to our readiness and willingness to relay to others the same spirit of forgiveness God has shown us. As He has taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12), so this parable elaborates the point. It is shockingly clear.

This passage (Matt. 18:23–35) essentially says, “I’m holding you accountable to forgive just as completely as you have been forgiven.” And then the message punches home even more forcibly, bringing this conclusion. If we don’t settle our accounts by being forgiving, God is going to settle a rough account with us!

How much more blessed—how simple and joyous—to simply forgive. How can I do otherwise? He’s shown such mercy to me!


Jack W. Hayford