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Wouldn't you agree that after a long day, there's nothing quite as relaxing as a warm bath? Even in just a few short minutes, the warmth begins to melt away any tension and negative feelings… And lost in that moment, all the troubles of our day are forgotten. Just thinking about it feels good, doesn't it? What if I told you that you don't have to wait until the end of your day to experience that kind of comfort? And beyond a bath that soothes your physical body, you can experience one that renews and refreshes you from the inside out!
Many years ago, Jesus went up on a mountain, sat down, and spoke to the group he was with: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:14-16). We were never meant to be hidden but seen for who we truly are and what we have to give.
My life was transformed many years ago when I was filled with the Holy Spirit as a young man. I had read in the book of Acts about people who were baptized in the Spirit, and I noticed that they always spoke in tongues—whether it was the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Gentile believers who met in the house of Cornelius in Acts 10 or the 12 Ephesian disciples who prayed with the apostle Paul in Acts 19. It intrigued me that Paul, an intellectual guy who was trained as a rabbi, told the Corinthians: "I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all" (1 Cor. 14:18).
The letter to the Romans is usually regarded as the great New Testament document on the subject of justification by faith. I suppose that anyone who has considered the messages of the different books will immediately state that the letter to the Romans was justification by faith. But that is not all. If it is the main thing, this letter goes a long way beyond justification by faith. It really embraces something of everything. Its range goes back a long way before ever the need for justification by faith arose, and it goes a long way beyond the redemptive program. Its range is from eternity to eternity.
Years ago, I found myself in an interesting place. I was a Christian who was living for God and I even had my own ministry, but I wasn't really enjoying my life. As I sought God about it, He began showing me that joy is a major part of His plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy "when"—when Friday gets here...when it's time for a vacation...when people do what we want. God wants us to live with His joy—it's part of His will for our daily lives!
The phrase "love the unlovable" is often used to encourage acts of kindness and compassion toward those society finds difficult to accept. While its intention is noble, the wording subtly reinforces a problematic idea: that some people are inherently unworthy of love. Let's challenge this notion. Labeling someone as "unlovable" reflects a subjective judgment, often shaped by cultural biases, personal grievances, or superficial characteristics.
We've all been disappointed at one time or another. Disappointment is that gut-level feeling of just being sick over what might have been … what could have been … what should have been. "We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom. 5:3-5, NASB).
Such excitement stirs within us when we allow ourselves to think about plunging into the deep and glorious realm of the Spirit. Our imaginations visualize great spiritual adventures of the supernatural kind such as dreams, visions, healings, heavenly visitations, and creative miracles. And yes, all of these and so much more await us as we plunge into the deep with the Spirit.
Turn Your Health Around! Does it sound impossible? Are you facing a negative diagnosis from your doctor? Or even a devastating diagnosis? Maybe your body is the one that is giving you a bad report!? James, the half-brother of Jesus had great insight into the source of many of our problems. He says: "Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
The Bible is filled with examples of God communicating through dreams. One particularly powerful passage that highlights this truth is found in the book of Job: "In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword."— Job 33:15-18
