MISSIONS UPDATE: Isabella and the Missions team arrived safely in Dominica on Friday. This weekend they worked at the Roseau Infirmary (a Nursing Home for the elderly). They planted flowers, painted, and shared the love of God. Here is a link to some of the pictures: https://goo.gl/5QVdyF.
Yesterday the Lord opened the door for Isabella preach the Gospel. This was not originally planned, but God knew. Isabella preached at People’s Pentecostal Family Church in Goodwill, Dominica. The Father confirmed His Word at the altar. Praise God. Today the team is going to go back to the Roseau Infirmary to minister to the residents. Let’s keep them in prayer.
Here are a few ways to stay updated:
Missions page on the website: http://ripministries.org/missions/missions.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickpina/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ripministries/
Now let’s get into the Word.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Focusing on Dying To Self”. This morning, as I prayed over what to share, I could not stop thinking about the greatness God places INSIDE of us. The Lord takes up residence IN us when we are Born-Again. Last week I preached a message entitled, “The outpouring of the internal”. My point was that God has placed everything we need INSIDE of us and as we die to self, we allow God’s greatness to pour out. This morning, as I meditated along those lines, I could not help but think about the fact that most believers don’t realize they have GOD living inside of them. The God of the Universe lives inside every believer. For the next couple of days I will minister in this vein. Let’s look at some scriptures this morning that will help me set the stage for the next few messages.
The Father is IN You:
Paul said, “There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God and Father of us all, who rules over everyone. He works through all of us and in all of us.” (Eph 4:5,6).
Jesus is IN You:
Jesus said, “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:19, 20).
Paul said, “I became a servant of the church because God gave me a special work to do. This work helps you. My work is to tell the complete message of God. This message is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. It was hidden from everyone for ages, but now it has been made known to God’s holy people. God decided to let his people know just how rich and glorious that truth is. That secret truth, which is for all people, is that Christ lives in you, his people. He is our hope for glory.” (Col 1:25-27)
The Holy Spirit is IN You:
Jesus said, “The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.” (John 14:17).
Paul said, “You heard the true message, the Good News about the way God saves you. When you heard that Good News, you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he promised.” (Eph 1:13)
So what does this mean to you today? A few quick things for today as we lay the foundation for this week.
- If you are Born-Again, the fulness of the Godhead lives inside of you. The day you embrace that reality will be the day you die to limits.
- If you live “God-inside” minded, knowing God Himself has taken up residence IN you, you get to see every challenge from a different perspective.
- God has taken up residence IN you so you don’t have to face challenges on your own, or attempt to “Do Life” with your own strength.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016 by dying to self. You are the Father of all, You rule over all, and You have chosen to live in us all, as Born-Again believers. I am IN Christ and Christ is IN me. I am IN the Kingdom and the Kingdom is IN me. Christ is IN me and He gives me the hope of glory. Further, the day I was Born-Again Your precious Holy Spirit took up residence INSIDE of me. He is with me everywhere I go. I am never hopeless, because I am never helpless. You are always WITH me and more importantly, You are IN me. I enter this day and this week knowing my God is on the INSIDE of me! Therefore, I am not afraid, I am not concerned, I am not worried, and I do not fear. With You Father, on the INSIDE of me, I live with fearless confidence. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
