WE now close this chapter on the Ministry of the Spirit, reading and mediating on the last single paragraph.
THERE are many, many good daily devotional books available for the Hungry Heart. I have several near at hand, one in particular titled Saving Grace by C. John Miller. It is another fine book published by New Growth Press. I’d like to share an opening comment from that book.
Begin a Year of Grace-Filled Living Now! The gospel changes how we live each day. That s the premise of Saving Grace and the legacy of Jack Miller’s ministry. Founder of Serge and the New Life Presbyterian network of churches, Miller believed that Christians need to hear the gospel by faith every day, and he preached what he believed. These 366 gospel-saturated selections from Miller’s pioneering sermons offer a fresh exploration of the everyday life of faith. With topics like forgiveness, relationships, temptation, prayer, joy, and perseverance this daily devotional will help readers to catch Miller’s hope-filled vision for living in light of the gospel.
NOTE some of the above comments there. The gospel changes how we live each day. The gospel is not just a one-time “good news” revelation, it is a good new tale for everyday in that Jesus has not only delivered us from the condemnation of sin once-for-all, but from the power of sin and it sickening influence in our daily experience as well. (Rom 6) Indeed, Christians need to hear the gospel by faith every day!
THEN see the words like forgiveness, relationships, temptation, prayer, joy, and perseverance. This is where we live everyday and truly need to grow in grace.
I HAVE one treasured book on the shelf within reach titled The Transfigured Life by J. R. Miller, 1800’s Presbyterian minister. I love his writings so much, always edifying and always challenging. In the opening chapter a phrase caught my attention that remains lodged in my thoughts as he spoke to the priority of “building souls.” I have never really heard it put quite that way; but it really is what we are doing here as we walk together through this vale of tears, building souls for eternity. I was reminded lately through another writer that it is through conflict that character grows, and this is precisely how our author is going to finish this chapter on the ministry of the Spirit. It’s about growth and change.
AGAIN, today’s reading is short and to the point, but it takes us to the place we must always look to first and foremost, the very Word of God, verses strung together like pearls adorning a necklace of grace. The next Chapter will take one more look at the Spirit’s work in our lives, in His goals and objectives in Christ.
In the inexorable riches of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa 30:15, Jas 1:2; Prov. 21:30
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Chapter 62—The Spirit’s Ministry… conclusion
Both in the natural realm and in the spiritual, healthy growth takes time—the Spirit’s time. “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season” (Ps. 1:3). “And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you … blessed are all they that wait for him” (Isa. 30:18). “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).
