Introduction: Because of you being a Bible-believing Christian, have you ever been called a fanatic? Or Mad? Out of touch? Paul was accused of being “MAD”! Insane! Why? Because he believed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which had radically changed his life.

“24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” (Acts 26:24)

1. His Testimony of the Past!

“My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” (Acts 26:1- 18)

Paul was a “BAD MAN”! Paul was changed by the power of God!

2. His Testimony of the Present!

“18 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”(Acts 26:18-23)

Jesus makes a difference. Paul became a GLAD MAN!

Conclusion: King Agrippa thought Paul was “MENTALLY ILL”!

Introduction: Are you a healthy CHRISTian? Have you been growing in your faith in Jesus Christ? Do you feel stuck?
Are you taking in but not giving out? How can we measure our spiritual growth? Do you have a plan in place for spiritual growth? Are you resting on your feelings instead of faith? Are you responding to circumstances based on the flesh or the Spirit?

1. In order to be Spiritually Healthy, we must TAKE IN! 

” 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1Pet 2:2)

“4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt 4:4)

“7So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2Tim 2:15)

Be sure to “TAKE IN” the Word of God daily.

2. In order to be Spiritually Healthy we must GIVE OUT!

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Rom 12:4-12)

“GIVING OUT” by Serving Jesus through His Church is His plan.

3. In order to be Spiritually Healthy, we must be COME UNDER!

“7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Unless we are willing to submit to God’s rule and reign in our life, we will never grow as a Christian.

4. In order to be Spiritually Healthy, we must be BE OVER!

“15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1John 2:15-17; 4:4)

“4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil by the power of the Holy Spirit is the key to growing spiritually.

5. In order to be Spiritually Healthy, we must WALK WITH!

“7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1John 1:7; Gal 5:16)

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

Our walk must match our talk.

6. In order to be Spiritually Healthy, we must SPEAK OUT!

“8And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt 28:18-20)

This is the GOOD NEWS! Tell it!!

7. In order to be Spiritually Healthy we must be LOOK UP!

“11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Remembering our accountability at the Judgement Seat of Christ will help keep us growing spiritually until we see Him face to face!

“1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Bible scholars John Walvoord, Harry Ironside and others concur that the Jewish WEDDING consisted of several parts.
First, there was the betrothal period ( Deut 20:7), which would last a year before the actual wedding. This part was called the marriage contract or covenant and was paid by the parents or the groom.

Introduction: What are you thinking? Is your thinking affecting your praying? How are you thinking? Why are you thinking that way? Do you need to change your thinking? But how? This devotion will share some biblical insights on how the Holy Spirit changes our thinking.

1. Jesus starts with the HEART!

“Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” (Matt 15:17-20)

“20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Do you need a “change of heart”?

To attempt to change our thinking and praying without allowing Jesus Christ to change our heart will cause us to end up having a double mind. Why not ask Jesus right now for a change of heart by His Holy Spirit?

….Change from ingratitude to gratefulness…from lustful thoughts to biblical truth…from anger and bitterness to love & forgiveness.

2. Jesus starts with the HEART then goes to the HEAD!
Paul, while in prison, writes the following:

“8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Phil 4:8)

Solomon, the man who asked for wisdom from God writes,

“7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Prov 23:7)

The best way to change our “STINKING THINKING” into JOYFUL LIVING is through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Introduction: How close are we to seeing Jesus coming in the clouds of glory? Does it seem like things are shaping up for His imminent return? What should be our “Focus”?

According to Jesus, our focus needs to be Upward, Inward, and Outward.

Let’s see:

“27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:27-28)

Instead of looking down, look up! Look to the heavens!!

According to the Psalmist, that is where our help comes.

(Psa 121:1,2) 

1. Upward Focus!

“25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.” (Luke 21:25)

The heavenly bodies are going to experience some cataclysmic changes. Watch and see.

2. Inward Focus!

“6Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)

Today people are burdened down with numerous cares and plenty of troubles. Is victory possible? But how?

The “in look” helps give believers the proper perspective. As we look inward, we cry outward to God for cleansing and help!

3. Outward!

“4And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)

God is at work in our world. But in order to see His mighty hand of power we must look around with the eye of faith.

Are you looking around? 

Conclusion: Are you “looking Up, In, and Out”? Living in a world with multiple distractions, as believers in the living God, our “Focus” is critical. Take a moment to “Refocus.”

Where is your focus?

Introduction: Things change. People change. But Jesus remains the same! That is why it is so vital to have a relationship with Him. Because living in a changing culture, feeling insecure is a temptation for every believer. Are you secure?

1. Secure in your IDENTITY?

“6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Eph 1:6)

Rather than having our “Identity” wrapped up in our jobs, and even our family or relationships, which is often the case, and usually leads to a heartbreaking disappointment, our Identity needs to be found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Is yours? Really? How can you tell? Be honest. What do you need to do in order to make the changes?

2. Secure in your FAMILY?

“4According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” (Eph 1:4,5)

I love the song, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God…”! Are you?

3. Secure in your DESTINY?

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Eph 1:7-15)

Heaven is our eternal home, promised and prepared by Jesus. Are you going there? Have you made reservations through His redeeming blood? Are you sealed by the Holy Spirit?

Introduction: Are you ready to share the gospel of Jesus Christ? Think about it. Did Jesus die for you? What does that mean to you? Is it His will for us to share His great Love & forgiveness through a relationship with Him? I love this passage of Scripture. By the grace of God, Paul understood these life changing principles. It is what motivated him to live and die.

1. We are DEBTORS because of Jesus’ sacrifice!

“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” (Rom 1:14)

Truthfully, we owe our Lord Jesus everything. Why? Because He gave His all that we might have all in Him, i.e., Heaven. Eternal life. Joy. Peace. Victory. Obviously, we cannot pay Jesus back. Yet we can dedicate our life to Him. He deserves it!
Right?

2. We are to be READY to share the good news!

“15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” (Rom 1:15)

Are you ready? Willing? Able? Time is running out. People are perishing without hope. Opportunities are all around us. There is good news for a bad news world. Jesus saves!

3. We are not to be ASHAMED of being a follower of Jesus Christ!

“16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Rom 1:16)

Are we ashamed? Why aren’t we telling everybody? Did Jesus say He would deny us if we deny Him? (Matt 10:32)
Only Jesus Christ can change a life so that a sinful man can go to a sin-free heaven. Through His redeeming blood, all of our sins are washed away!

Introduction: How would you answer that question? Hopefully, after reading and studying this devotion, you will have a better grasp on the subject.

Comments:
1. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some preachers/teachers leave off an extremely important SCRIPTURE verse in discussing this subject – “The BAPTISM of the Holy given by JESUS.

“18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

What some call “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” is better understood as the “filling of the Holy Spirit.”

“πληροῦσθε (plērousthe)”
Which means under the control – influence.

Conclusion: The New Testament’s description of the ROLE of the HOLY Spirit is found after the book of Acts to the Churches, etc, which Jesus promised to the early Church.

{The book of Acts is not necessarily a pattern for every Christian or Church today – because in John’s day they had not received the Holy Spirit – his message Acts 2,10,19, etc. but the book of Acts is an HISTORICAL record of what happened after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during that time – Acts 2 – Day of Pentecost, etc. and how those early believers who had not received the Holy Spirit but believed in Jesus got the Holy Spirit. }

Argument against this terminology “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit”:

It needs to be pointed out that the Scripture reference which states the wording “Baptized” or “baptism of the Holy Spirit” (1Cor 12:13) is interpreted as at the moment of one being saved (born again) when we are immersed into the body of Christ.

“13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” The word “baptized” is in aorist tense in the GREEK which means **PAST **TENSE…in other words at the moment of conversion we are baptized into the body of Christ.

But when studying Ephesians 5:18, the words “Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit” are in the **PRESENT TENSE, which means ongoing, continuously…not once and for all – unlike “BAPTISM” which means once and for all!

Bottom Line: This is written with all due respect to my charismatic friends (I have a lot of them whom I love dearly, and have preached in probably close to 100 Churches). But if this terminology “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” instead of being “Filled by the Holy Spirit” enables others to serve our Lord better.. well hallelujah! Anyway, meanwhile I am (we are) still learning about God’s inexhaustible TRUTH of His Word fleshed out by the Power of the Holy Spirit and for the Glory of our Lord JESUS CHRIST!

Introduction: Do you ever feel heavy – hearted? Maybe over the condition of our nation? Families? Culture? Church? Personal life? Relationships? 

What can you do? 

I love how Moses got HELP! Although you may be familiar with Exodus 17, it always encourages my heart when reading it.

WATCH OUT for the ENEMY!

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.” (Exo 17:8)

1. Realize we all go through Battles!

“9And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” (Exo 17:12)

Are you being attacked right now? Do you realize we have an enemy? What are you doing about it?

2. Recognize there are some Battles we cannot win!

“12But Moses’ hands were heavy.” (Exo 17:12)

Perhaps you feel defeated. What can you do?

Pray and ask our Lord to raise up or send in another to join you in prayer. Be sure your motives are pure. 

3. Rejoice over the Victory over the enemy while praying together!

“….and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” (Exo 17:12,13)

There’s extraordinary power released when we step back – let go – and allow our Lord to orchestrate and demonstrate His will….all for His glory!

Conclusion: When we join together there is Victory! Why? Because there is UNITY!!

Jesus gave us this principle in Matthew 18:19, 20 when He said, 

“19Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

1. When you “give out” all the time, then you need to “take in”!

“29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Col 1:29)

2. How do we take in?

“29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Col 1:29)

Did you notice the words “his works”? It is His WORK! The word used for “work” speaks of energy.

ἐνέργεια,: (en-erg’-i-ah), which means working, action, productive work, activity; confined to superhuman activity.