Praying Pint

 

There is so much in the world to consume our thoughts and interests resulting in less and less time for God’s Word and thinking about things of God. TV – time. Social media – time? Sports – time. Work – time. Family – time. Recreation – time. Scrolling – time.  I get it, our culture has moved further and further away from God and things of God. It permeates every aspect of our lives because it is the culture we live in. The church adopts more and more of this into its being as time and new generations become adults. As it becomes the norm, more and more of “God Time” is replaced by the busyness of what is considered normal.
The more the things of this world occupy our minds and time the more normal it seems to be.  We become complacent and neglectful as it becomes more normal. If you don’t think this is true, look at how hard daily devotions are for families. There always seems to be time for what the world demands of our time and what we translate that into a normal Christian life.
I was blessed to be raised in a time where there were no cell phones, remote TV, internet, personal computers, iPad, thousands of TV options, etc…..  When we got to watch TV there were 3 stations to pic from. There were accepted moral expectations for what was presented on TV. People read books. Kids played outside. People would visit other people in person.  There were very little outside influences into their lives outside of family, church, school, neighborhood, and town. I think about how much this has changed over the last 70 years.

How did it get here?

Technology?

New generation?

Little by little easing into new worldly norms?

Adopting what the world offers for normal activity?

 

I, like you, more than likely, watch how people live. We watch both believers, non-believers, and those we have no clue about their faith. We watch their actions and the what they say. We wonder how they could act that way. How can they be so kind when there was an obvious act that was committed against them and they acted so kind. Likewise, when a person acts so unkind or does or says something that would give us pause to wonder how they could act or speak that way.
Much of the time we are biased in how we see these actions or hear these words.  Our conscious would never allow us to act or speak that way because we have been convicted of those actions/words, or the Holy Spirit has made it clear to our heart and mind that this is wrong, and our intentional choice is to follow and obey the Holy Spirit to honor and glorify Jesus Christ. God’s Word speaks truth. It is sharper than a two-edged sword, able to divide thoughts from intents. God’s Word is opened magnified by the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of believers. That is, if they are seeking and desiring it.

Herein lies the issue. Are we seeking it?

Are we choosing to be close to God?

Do we want to hear the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit directing, leading, convicting, and encouraging us?

Is our goal this side of eternity, to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all of our thoughts, words, and actions?

Are we growing and maturing in our understanding and knowledge of the Word of God and things of God?

Are we consumed with things of this world at the peril of our witness and glory and honor to Jesus?

Are we trusting, relying, obeying, and following more and more each day?

 

 

Acts 10:15  And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Acts 10:28    And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.

Acts 11:9    But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’

Acts 15:9    and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

Matthew 15:11    it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

1 Corinthians 10:25    Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

Galatians 2:12-13    For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.  And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

1 Timothy 4:3-5    who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,  for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Titus 1:15    To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

The Conflict: Spirit Versus Tradition

At the heart of the reflection is Peter’s rhetorical question: “Who was I that I could withstand God?” This question arises after Peter’s actions, guided by the Spirit, are criticized by those in Jerusalem who are deeply rooted in tradition. The passage notes that even Peter, a central apostle, struggled with letting go of established customs, falling “into the same old traditional snare,” which led to Paul confronting him strongly.

The “fixed tradition” not only affected Peter but also characterized the broader community, which was quick to “contend” with any deviation from what was recognized and established. The implication is that tradition, while sometimes rooted in divine origin, can become an obstacle when it resists the fresh movements of God’s Spirit.

The Danger of Withstanding God

The passage warns believers to examine themselves honestly, lest they find themselves “withstanding God” or “limiting the Holy One.” By clinging too tightly to tradition and not leaving room for the sovereignty of the Spirit, believers may inadvertently oppose God’s work, much like the religious authorities who opposed Christ and the Judaizers who hindered Paul’s ministry.

Re-examine the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, questioning how many times new moves of God were misunderstood or resisted because they appeared to violate the accepted “Divine order.” The point is that throughout history, every genuine movement of God has often been met with suspicion, contention, and opposition from those wedded to tradition.

The Call to Openness and Spiritual Enlargement

There is exhortation for believers to make space for God to act in new, unexpected, and even “strange” ways. Spiritual growth and “enlargement” occur when believers do not bind God to their fixed judgments or frameworks. The risk is that by limiting God to what is familiar and traditional, one may miss out on His intention to bring about spiritual increase.

The misuse of scriptural slogans—such as “By their fruits ye shall know them”—is highlighted as a common error, often wielded to resist change rather than discern genuine spiritual fruit. The real challenge is to trust God’s sovereignty enough to allow for diversity in how He leads His children, even when it defies conventional expectations.

Conclusion

This requires genuine humility, discernment, and openness to God’s ongoing work. It urges believers not to confuse their own traditions with God’s unchanging will and to be vigilant against the temptation to oppose new expressions of the Spirit simply because they are unfamiliar. True faith, the passage suggests, requires leaving room for God to surprise us and to lead His people in ways that may challenge, stretch, and ultimately enlarge the community of faith.  (Austin-Sparks)

 

Jhn 3:16-18    “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

 

As Christian believers, we hold dear the profound truth that our lives have been fundamentally changed—regenerated—by faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross. This assurance is not rooted in mere religious observance or in belonging to an institution; rather, it is the living reality of knowing Christ personally and being assured of eternal life through Him.

Where this good news is not known, religion can become a kind of bondage. Without the liberating message of salvation by faith, Christianity risks being reduced to a legalistic system, where the hope of eternal life becomes little more than a distant, uncertain dream. Instead of joy and freedom, there is only obligation and uncertainty.

The reality we experience as believers is not just a set of doctrines or traditions, but an ongoing transformation—a daily renewal by the Spirit of God. This transformation is the evidence of our assurance; it is what marks us as God’s children. It is vital to recognize that God’s work in us did not end the moment we first believed. Rather, He has been shaping and molding us day after day, year after year.

Many of us have been in God’s household for a long time. Sometimes, it is easy to take for granted the subtle, persistent work of the Holy Spirit within us. Yet, God’s purpose extends beyond our initial salvation. He is preparing us, refining our character, and deepening our trust in Him so that we are ready—not only for the challenges of this life but, ultimately, for the glory of heaven.

We are not left to wander aimlessly; God is intentional about our growth and destiny.

Let us be encouraged by the reality of our new life in Christ and the certainty of His promises. Let us remember that God’s work in us is ongoing, purposeful, and rooted in love. He is preparing us for glory, and our daily walk with Him is both the evidence and the means of that preparation.

May we embrace God’s transforming work, confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 3:20     [God] is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think. –

 

Jeremiah 32:17   

‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Jeremiah 32:27    “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Daniel 3:17    If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

Daniel 6:20     As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

Matthew 3:9     And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

John 10:29-30     My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one.”

Romans 4:21     fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Hebrews 7:25     Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

1 Corinthians 2:9    But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

Psalms 36:9   For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

1 Kings 3:13     I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.

 

When Jesus faced an impossible situation–thousands of hungry people with very little food–He responded by praying. And His prayer resulted in God’s supernatural provision. Luke 9:16 says, “He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.”

Yesterday, we began looking at three characteristics of Jesus’s prayer. First, Jesus prayed with gratitude. When facing a need, Jesus began by thanking God for what He had already provided.

Second, Jesus prayed with action. He prayed, but He also had a plan. He divided the crowd into groups of fifty and created a distribution plan for the food. If you have a need, your first response should be to pray about it. But prayer should never be a substitute for action. If you need a job, pray about it and send résumés. If you need healing, pray about it and go to the best doctor you can find. If you’re looking for a godly mate, pray about it and seek places where you can meet other Christians. Does taking action lessen the miracle of answered prayer? Not at all. Remember, God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Third, and perhaps most importantly, Jesus prayed with faith. He did not allow the circumstances to diminish the size of His prayer. If I had been in Jesus’s shoes, I would have prayed, “Lord, please take their appetites away,” or, “Please send a thunderstorm that will scatter the crowd away from here.” We often limit our prayers based on our circumstances. If a loved one is facing an incurable illness, we pray, “Lord, please give them peace,” rather than, “Lord, heal them.” If the church is facing a resource shortage, we pray, “Lord, give us wisdom in cutting the budget,” rather than, “Lord, enlarge the hearts of Your people to be generous in their giving.” When Jesus prayed, He wasn’t looking at the massive crowd or the five loaves and two fish, wondering, How am I going to make this work? Luke 9:16 says Jesus prayed “looking up to heaven.” As He prayed with His eyes on God, He was reminded that God is capable of meeting every need we have–and more. (Jeffress)

 

2 Samuel 7:25   “And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised,

Psalms 119:38     Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.

Psalms 119:42.   then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalms 119:54   Your decrees are the theme of my song   wherever I lodge.

Psalm 119:72     The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Psalm 119:89-90    Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Hebrews 6:17     Because God wanted to make the unchanging   nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,   he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

2 Peter 1:4     Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,   so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,   having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 

Isaiah 41:8-10  But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

God’s promises are given “liberally and upbraideth not,” meaning He bestows them generously and without reproach. Unlike humans, who may grow weary of repeating themselves or feel slighted when their word is doubted, God understands the depth and resilience of unbelief in the human heart. He does not withhold assurances but continues to offer His word—again and again—knowing our need for reassurance.

Just as a single strike cannot reduce a mountain to dust, a single promise may not be enough to overcome entrenched doubt. God, therefore, provides “mighty stores of promise”—an abundance of assurances—so that, over time, even the most stubborn unbelief may be overcome.

Many times believers doubt God despite His clear promises: He says, “I will strengthen thee,” yet we hesitate; “I will help thee,” yet we worry about tomorrow; “I will uphold thee,” yet we shrink from responsibility. Each act of unbelief is not merely a private struggle but an implicit accusation against God’s faithfulness and righteousness.

God’s promise to uphold His people is backed by His own righteousness. He declares that if He were not to uphold us, His very character—His justice, His holiness—would be forfeited. To doubt Him is, in effect, to liken Him to unreliable, unholy idols, rather than the faithful God He is. This is a sobering thought, urging us to recognize the seriousness of our unbelief.

Faith is not only a personal matter but a testimony to others. When believers live in trust, they display God’s reliability and love; when they live in doubt, they obscure His glory and mislead those who observe their lives.

Examine your heart and attitude toward God’s promises. Am I living as if God’s word is true, or am I allowing unbelief to shape my actions and attitudes?

Trust Him fully and represent His faithfulness to a watching world

 

 

Matthew 3:16  And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

Isaiah 11:2    And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 42:1    Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 61:1    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

John 1:31-34     I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

John 3:34   For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

Just as the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus—the head of the Church—so also does the Spirit descend upon each member of His church body. This descent, though given in measure to us, is patterned after the manner in which it was given to our Lord. There is often a peculiar swiftness in the Spirit’s coming; before we are fully aware, we are propelled onward and upward, moved toward heaven beyond our expectations. Yet, unlike the rush of earthly haste, the Spirit’s movement is marked by a gentle quietness—the wings of the dove, soft and swift, carry the presence of God in tranquility.

Many of the Spirit’s operations require a deep quietness. The Holy Spirit speaks in a still, small voice, and, like the dew that falls in silence, Gentleness is a natural result of the Spirit’s transforming power. Hearts touched by His gracious influence become meek and humble, changed forever. Just as the Spirit brooded over the face of the deep to bring forth order and life at creation, He also comes into our hearts to foster new life and light.

Dear heavenly father, may the Holy Spirit’s presence continue to transform us, filling us with purity, peace, gentleness, harmlessness, and divine love, so that our lives reflect the beauty and grace of Christ. (Spurgeon)

 

 

Lamentations 3:26  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Psalms 77:9  Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”

Psalms 31:22  I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.

Psalms 37:7  Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Proverbs 20:22  Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

2Chronicles 20:17  You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”

Luke 18:7-8  And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

Galatians 6:9  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

James 5:7  Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

 

In times of uncertainty and distress, it is natural to question whether God remains attentive and gracious. The passages presented invite us to reflect on the steadfastness of God’s mercy, the assurance of His justice, and the importance of patient trust even when circumstances seem overwhelming. Our cries do not fall on deaf ears; instead, they reach a loving God who responds with compassion. Patience is not passive resignation but active trust in God’s timing and faithfulness. We are to cultivate inner peace and confidence, knowing that God ultimately governs all outcomes.

Sometimes, the greatest act of faith is to refrain from striving and simply observe how God moves on our behalf. Trusting God means releasing control and allowing Him to work in ways beyond our understanding.

Even when we feel cut off or discouraged, we are invited to stand firm, persevere in doing good, and patiently anticipate the harvest that follows faithful waiting. God’s mercy endures, and His salvation is sure for those who trust in Him. (Bagster)

 

Psalms 139:1-24  To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

 

When faith becomes weak or “sags,” there is a temptation to rely on external props—rituals, public opinion, and popularity—to sustain religious life. This reliance is portrayed as a symptom of deeper:  spiritual  unhappiness, restlessness, uneasiness, unease, melancholy, depression, despondency, dejection, disquiet, trouble, anxiety, leading to practices that dilute the authenticity and depth of Christian faith. The passage suggests that this external orientation is a defining characteristic of contemporary Christianity, often overshadowing genuine spiritual commitment.

The antidote to spiritual bloating and moral decay is a spirit of faith and humility. Faith acts as an “antibody,” protecting the heart from the corrosive effects of pride, vanity, and the desire for recognition. Humility enables believers to focus on what truly matters: God’s perspective, rather than the fluctuating opinions of others. This approach fosters spiritual health and resilience, shielding individuals from the moral “bacteria” that distort authentic Christian living. (Tozer)