"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
—2 Corinthians 5:17
"GENUINE SALVATION is always transformative. It radically changes the whole man! He was once at enmity with God, and hated Him. Now he is a friend of God, and loves Him. His condition before God, his moral tone, his nature, his state of mind, are made radically different from what they were before salvation.
*Genuine salvation changes the PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH HE LIVES. He once lived for self, he now lives to please God.
*His OBJECTS IN LIFE are changed. He once lived for money, or the flesh, or the world. Now he lives for the glory of God.
*His COMFORTS are changed. The pleasures of the world and sin are now nothing to him. He finds comfort in the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Spirit.
*His DESIRES are changed. That which he once panted and pined for, he is now content to do without. That which he once despised, he now longs after as the deer pants after the water brooks.
*His FEARS are different. He fears man no more, but fears his God.
*His HOPES are also altered. His expectations fly beyond the stars.
He now confidently looks forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God! The saved man has begun a new life! A convert once said, "Either the world is altered or else I am!" The saved man feels that the things which are seen are shadows, and the things which he hears are but voices out of dreamland. He now knows that unseen spiritual realities are substantial. He lives by faith, not by sight."
—Charles H. Spurgeon
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THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
—Acts 2:42
OUR TEXT reveals that a Spirit-filled church is one devoted to fellowship. The word fellowship could also be translated “communion” because the basic idea of fellowship or communion is unity. In other words, there is something held in common that brings people together, and believers have something in common –their fellowship in Jesus Christ. The early church devoted itself to fellowship. They were united in true brotherly love, and they demonstrated this by taking care of one another. Those who had more gave of their wealth to those who had less. There were no needy people among them. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack” (2 Corinthians 8:15).
IT’S BECAUSE of this fellowship we have in Christ that we call one another brothers and sisters in the Lord. Whether we are from Central America, Africa, Asia, Canada, or the U.S.A., every believer has been adopted into the family of God. And just as those in a family need to take care of each other and have fellowship with one another, so the members of the church need to take care of one another and have fellowship with each other. We call this "the communion of the saints." We use the gifts Christ has given us for the benefit and well-being of the other members of the body. Too many people think that flesh and blood is a stronger bond than the spiritual bond believers have with each other in Christ, but the spiritual bond is eternal, whereas the flesh and blood bond is temporal. Many believers will have countless flesh and blood relatives in hell.
THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM, Q&A 55: “What do you understand by the "communion of saints"? First, that believers, one and all, as members of the Lord Jesus Christ, are partakers with Him in all His treasures and gifts; second, that each one must feel himself bound to use his gifts readily and cheerfully for the advantage and welfare of other members.”
DO YOU DESIRE fellowship with other members of Christ’s Church, or do you try to avoid contact with other believers? Do you go out of your way to serve and care for other believers, or do you try to avoid those who are in need? Do you long for Sunday so you can fellowship with other Christians and use your gifts to minister to them? The portrait of the Spirit-filled church is one where members have great concern for each other and a desire to fellowship as often as possible. The believers in the early church didn’t merely worship together on the Lord’s Day and then go their separate ways. Rather, they shared meals in each other’s homes and would go out of their way to help one another in the congregation –whatever the cost may be. A Spirit-filled church is a fellowshipping church where the communion of saints is alive and well. It’s a church where the members are actively, zealously, and faithfully participating in this fellowship. Does this describe your church?
Friday Devotional: May 16, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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"DEAR PASTOR, DO NOT BE SURPRISED BY TROUBLEMAKERS IN THE CONGREGATION"
"The pastor need not be surprised if he finds "troublers" in his church. The discovery of such persons among the professed people of God sometimes shocks ministers, especially inexperienced ones, and discourages them, and sometimes leads them unwisely to give up their charges. But it should be understood as a lamentable fact that such persons are most likely to be found in every church, that the pastor will almost certainly encounter them, and that he ought to be prepared for the discovery, and not to be too much cast down by it. It is well for the pastor to be forewarned on this subject, and to be undismayed if he encounters many dispositions which are calculated to disturb the peace of the church. He will find that some are sadly inconsistent, bringing constant reproach upon the cause; some are complainers and fault-finders, acute at finding or inventing things to annoy; some take pleasure in criticizing and opposing everything that is done or said by the pastor; some are so utterly unreasonable that they will listen to neither argument nor entreaty; some are restless, always finding something to agitate and distract; some are quarrelsome, as if they found their greatest satisfaction in strife; and others again there are whose business it seems to be to pull down, never to extend a helping hand even to the cause which they profess to love. The injustice and the cruelty of such persons toward him and that, too, when he is conscious of doing the very best in his power—will sometimes almost break the minister’s heart. We would recommend as the sovereign remedy for such troublers in the church simply to let them alone. Our advice would be, Do not notice them; do not speak of them; do not oppose them; if possible, do not think of them; and they are disarmed for evil. If they cannot excite any commotion, they soon become weary of their fruitless efforts to annoy."
—Thomas Murphy
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THE WONDROUS WORD OF GOD
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
—Psalm 119:105
WHAT GUIDES your decision making? Is it your feelings, personal preferences, or maybe the popular opinion in our culture? Many who profess to be Christians make decisions in this manner, but neither feelings, preferences, nor popular opinion are reliable in making decisions because they err and constantly change. We need something sure, dependable, unchanging, and constant –we need something that will guide us infallibly. What we need is God’s Word as the psalmist wrote, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). And again, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). And so, the psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). The idea of a pathway through a dark forest helps us understand our need for a lamp that brings light. You see, we face many dangers walking down a dark pathway. There’s the danger of being disoriented and losing our sense of direction, especially if the path is not familiar. So, without a light to guide us, we will get lost.
THIS ALSO applies to our spiritual walk. There is a lot of spiritual darkness in this life because our pathway is in the midst of an evil, sinful, fallen world. All around us are threats to our faith. The world, the flesh, and the Devil continually tempt us to depart from the path of righteousness and serve our own lusts. We are constantly in danger of becoming disoriented spiritually and stumbling into the pit of sin by disobeying God. Therefore, it’s important to have a light to guide us in our pilgrimage, and the only light which can give us guidance is the Word of God. God’s Word is necessary because it alone can teach us how to live and how to be saved (1 Cor. 2:6-13). God’s Word is sufficient in that it tells us all we need to know for life and godliness in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14-17). Scripture is clear, which means the saving message of God’s redemption can be understood by all who hear it (Deut. 30:11-14). Scripture is authoritative, which means God’s Word stands above all earthly powers (Psalm 138:2). On every matter in which the Bible speaks, the last word always goes to Scripture, not to councils, catechisms, science, human experience, feelings, or preference, but to the Word of God.
LOOK TO the light of God’s Word this day and always because, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8). God’s Word alone is a trustworthy guide because, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6). And Proverbs 30:5 declares, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Only Scripture can direct the believer to clean living. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). Only Scripture can teach us how to avoid sinning against God. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Only Scripture can give us sure footing in this dark world as Habakkuk wrote, “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills” (Hab. 3:19). God’s Word is needed, necessary, enough, understandable, and final. So, do you declare with the psalmist, “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word” (Psalm 119:16).
Tuesday Encouragement: May 13, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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A CHRISTIAN'S SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
My Father and My God,
You are the Sovereign One: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
You alone rule in Heaven above, the earth below, the sea, and even in the abode of Hell, You are the Sovereign Ruler.
You control all the kingdom's of men for Your glory and the good of Your church.
O LORD: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, You are omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, immense, and eternal.
You are loving, gracious, merciful, kind, long-suffering, forgiving, and at the same time holy, just, and righteous!
You have always existed! You are the Ancient of Days! You are the Eternal One!
This knowledge is too wonderful for me to grasp. It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
However, I can apprehend it because it is revealed in Scripture.
But no mortal man can comprehend such depths of Your glory, splendor, holiness, and wonder.
O LORD, You are the zenith of purity, but I am so sinful in thought, word, and deed.
Who am I or what am I that You, O Lord, are mindful of me, that You should care for me, that You should redeem me?
I have violated all Your holy commandments! I have kept none of them!
I am worthy and deserving of damnation! Of myself, I am vile, corrupt, and unclean in Your sight!
But in a wonder of Your grace, You have redeemed me, body and soul, to be Your own.
You have cleansed me with Christ's blood! You have covered me with Christ's righteous robes!
I am humbled to the ground "that You would give Your only Son to make this wretch (me) His treasure."
I have no words to fully express Your gracious, wondrous, awesome redemption.
But, nevertheless, I praise Your name!
I praise You, Father! I praise You, Jesus! I praise You, Holy Spirit!
One God in divine essence yet three distinct Persons.
O Holy Spirit, continue Your transforming work within me.
Make me think and live like my Savior Jesus, Who always did those things that please the Father!
O Jesus, humble me when I obey; chasten me when I rebel against You!
Retrieve me when I go astray; keep me within Your sheepfold, O Great Shepherd of the Sheep!
Never loosen Your grip upon me lest I return to the broad road that leads to destruction!
My trust for redemption, from justification to glorification, is You, Lord Jesus!
Use me for Your glory, even though I am sinful, weak, and feeble!
Use me up for Your glory! Fill me with Your Spirit and Word.
Holy Spirit, bring my mind captive to the obedience of Christ!
I know I am a sinful vessel, but please, O Father, I plead with You, use me for Your glory and the good of Your church!
As the hymn writer penned:
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more;
feed me till I want no more.
In Jesus’ Name!
Amen!
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A PORTRAIT OF THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
—Acts 2:42
BEFORE JESUS ascended into heaven He said to His disciples, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19). The apostles preached and taught the people so often that it was said they “filled Jerusalem with their doctrine” (Acts 5:28). And the believers never tired of hearing the Apostles’ doctrine because they loved to hear the Gospel of their salvation. One of the marks of a true believer is a person who loves the truth of the Gospel, joins the visible church, and desires to learn all he can from the Word of God. A true believer wants to be instructed in the Scriptures, and he wants to tell others the things he learns.
IS THIS THE desire of your heart? Do you go to worship on Sunday morning because you can’t get enough of the Word of Christ? The church of Jesus Christ is a teaching and learning church. It’s a church that is steadfastly devoted to the Apostles’ teaching –the sound doctrine that proclaims the Lord Jesus Christ and what God has done for sinners through Christ –that is the heart and soul of the church. You take away the Apostles’ doctrine, and the church will die. Wherever the faithful preaching of the Apostles’ doctrine is heard, and where people continue to profess that doctrine, there the true church lives and thrives. And it’s there that you have a portrait of the Spirit-filled church.
BUT OUR TEXT also reveals that a Spirit-filled church is one devoted to fellowship. The word fellowship could also be translated communion because the basic idea of fellowship or communion is unity with another. You have something in common that brings you together. And believers have something in common –their union in Jesus Christ. The early church was devoted to fellowship. They were united in true brotherly love, and they demonstrated this by taking care of each other. Those who had more gave of their wealth to those who had less. There were no needy people among them.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? How do you view your possessions? We have so many things today that we don’t even use certain items. Just think of some of the clothes in your closet that you haven’t seen in years. Do you see your possessions as a gift from God to be stewarded for His glory and the benefit of the church, or do you just keep them to yourself? Do you have more of a desire to hoard things you don’t need or give them to those who could use them?
THE EARLY CHURCH was very enthusiastic in showing the common bond they had with one another, and their fellowship was based upon the union they have with God and the Lord Jesus Christ. We read in 1 John 1:3, “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Fellowship in the church is no less than fellowship with God Himself. That’s the covenant life of the church. That’s the true unity that believers have in Jesus Christ.
Friday Devotional: May 9, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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TRANSFORMED NOT CONFORMED
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
—Romans 12:2
CONFORMITY TO the world is the sin of many professing Christians. Many think they have found a way to serve both God and money. However, Scripture calls the redeemed of Christ to resist conformity to the spirit of this age. As the Apostle John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16). And James tells us, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
AS BELIEVERS, we are strangers and pilgrims on this earth (Heb. 11:13). Heaven is our country (Phil. 3:20) and the Lord Jesus is our Sovereign King (Rev. 15:3). What does a believer have to do with people, places, and things that promote a spirit of unrighteousness and irreverence towards our holy God? (2 Cor. 6:14-18). What conformity does a believer have to a world where things are purposely designed to indulge sinful passions and eliminate all thoughts of God? The redeemed are those who have been translated from the realm of darkness and death into the realm of light and life in Jesus Christ (Col. 1:13). Therefore, the Apostle Paul declares to every believer, “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
THEREFORE, WE are commanded not to adopt the sinful customs, desires, ideologies, philosophies, psychology, attitudes, actions, or thoughts of the rebellious people in the land where we sojourn. It’s the duty of every believer to redeem the time, to walk with God, evangelize the lost, and to do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31). In this way, we are truly living as salt and light amidst a dark world.
Tuesday Encouragement: May 6, 2025
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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