Devotions

“Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you” (John 14:19-20). We are now living in “that day” Jesus speaks of; in short, we are to understand our heavenly position in Christ. Of course, most of us know our position in him — that we are seated with him in heavenly places — but only as a theological fact. We know it as an experience.

What is meant by “our position in Christ”? Very simply, position is where one is placed, where one is. God has placed us where we are, which is in Christ. In turn, Christ is in the Father, seated at his right hand. Therefore, if we’re in Christ, then we are actually seated with Jesus in the throne room, where he is. That means we’re sitting in the presence of the Almighty.

This is what Paul refers to when he says we are made to “sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). This isn’t something you can attain, it’s what God says of you. If you’re in Christ, then in the Father’s eyes you’re seated near him, at his right hand.

The moment you place your trust in Jesus, you’re taken into Christ by faith. God acknowledges you in his Son and seats you with him in the heavenlies. This isn’t merely some theological point but a truth, a factual position. Of course, being “in Christ” doesn’t mean you leave this earth. You can’t manufacture some emotion or feeling that takes you up into a literal heaven. No, heaven has come down to you. Christ the Son and God the Father came into your heart and made their abode there: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).

Yes, Jesus is in paradise, and his Spirit moves over all the earth. But the Lord himself abides in you and me specifically. He has made us his temple on the earth, his dwelling place, which means we have unimpeded access to the heavenly Father. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “We have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (3:12).

Your heavenly Father rejoices over you, so leave your worldly pursuits behind and take your position in Christ today!

At times, you may find yourself asking, “Why am I so discouraged? Why do I have all these fears?” You must know that is always a Holy Spirit issue. Isaiah says that the Holy Spirit portions out peace and there can be no peace without righteousness. “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:17-18).

When the Holy Spirit is poured out, peace is the result. And if that effect isn’t present — if there is still turmoil — then we must take a look into our own hearts. Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit is given only to those who ask in faith. Do you live, walk and move in the Spirit? It doesn’t matter how successful your life appears; your supply of the Spirit always has to be renewed. Paul speaks of his own “supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” and asks the Philippians for “your prayer” (Philippians 1:19).

Praise God for all the men and women of God who have not lost the Spirit and are aflame with the Holy Spirit. Isaiah gives us this good news: “Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on our descendants, and My blessing on your offspring’” (Isaiah 44:2-3).

Jude assures us, “Beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 17-21).

Pray this prayer today: “Holy Spirit, stir my soul! Draw me to the secret closet of prayer with you. Discipline me to wait on you, to cry out, to not give up until you fill me to the full. Supply me with your quiet rest and assurance that you will see me through whatever comes.”

Of all people, God’s saints should be shining examples of what it means to live in peace and triumph in these fearful days. He has given us an ironclad promise for life on this earth, especially when the enemy of our soul tries to walk over us. “My people shall know My name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I’” (Isaiah 52:6).

In other words, God is saying, “When you’re in your darkest trial, I will come and speak a word to you. You’ll hear me say, ‘It is I, don’t be afraid.’”

In the New Testament, Jesus reiterated this promise on many occasions, one of the most familiar instances being when he spoke to the disciples who were out on the boat in an awful storm. As the boat was being tossed about by wind and waves, the panicked men saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. Scripture says, “When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’” (Matthew 14:26).

Jesus immediately spoke to them, eager to ease their fears: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid” (14:27). The word cheer means to be happy, relieved. And here, in the disciples’ time of distress, Jesus tied the word to his identity. Remember, these men knew him personally and he expected them to act on his word by faith. He was saying, “The Father has promised that I’ll come to you in your storm, and now I’ve come. Yes, it’s me, Jesus, here with you in the midst of it all. So, cheer up!”

The Lord expects the same faith reaction from us in our distressing times. Think about it. Our Lord has never once failed his people. He urges us to look back and remember how he has delivered us time after time, in every instance. He has never allowed the enemy to destroy those who trust him.

The Lord longs for us to find our fulfillment in him and trust him completely. King David said, “All my springs are in you” (Psalm 87:7), meaning, “All my satisfaction is found in you, Lord. You alone are the wellspring of my fulfillment and you are all I need to be complete, joyful, happy and at peace.”

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).

We all know that Christians in the first century faced great tribulations. They endured severe testings, hard times, persecutions that were life-and-death. But they didn’t break down under the stress. Paul says the church in Thessalonica endured the loss of everything they owned, yet these believers were not rocked by the experience.

Paul attributes their strength to the power of the Holy Spirit: “Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power; and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance … And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6).

These believers had been “much afflicted,” yet they possessed true joy. They didn’t complain about their circumstances and they didn’t question God. Instead there was rejoicing among that body of believers. And Paul told them, “You became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth … Your faith toward God has gone out” (1:7-8).

In America, the greatest problem is stress. There is widespread anxiety about the future, about job security. Some families are on the verge of losing everything and are succumbing to despair. Multitudes of elderly people are in pain because they cannot pay for their medications and it is heartbreaking.

In the midst of this chaos, there is hope! You see, there is living in us the Spirit of Almighty God and his Christ. The Holy Spirit is working in us in great power … at this very moment! His power is released as we receive him as our burden bearer. The Holy Spirit was given to us for this very reason, to bear our cares and worries.

Beloved, God allowed every one of Paul’s trials and it forced the apostle not to rely on himself, but to fully trust the Holy Spirit to deliver him. Scripture says, “And having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Let God do it all and he will accomplish your deliverance.

In his epistle to Titus, Paul left behind powerful instructions for us regarding Christ’s Great Commission to preach the gospel. He had just left the island of Crete, where he had encountered persecution, and when he departed to evangelize in other cities, he left behind Titus and some other leaders.  

Crete was a wicked city, overrun with sensuality, and the young leaders’ hearts told them to leave. But Paul instructed them to stay, explaining to them that it was for good reasons: “This is why I left you in Crete” (Titus 1:5). He then stressed the necessary, practical working out of salvation in the daily lives of both the elders and the congregation.

The dilemma in Crete parallels ours today. America has seen a vast decline in religious faith in the last few decades; in fact, our nation’s transformation has been dramatic. We are no longer a Christian society that has moved to secularism, but a secular society moving rapidly toward paganism.

These young leaders in Crete had gone there to raise up a church, appoint elders, and establish a Christian presence, all of which they accomplished, but only with great difficulty. Paul trained them and acknowledged their hardship: “One of the [prophets] of their own said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons’” (Titus 1:12). Why would Paul leave them in a culture so dark and evil? To display the life and light of Jesus Christ.  

God always has a remnant people in a darkened culture. Even in the worst of times, he continually raises up a testimony of light amid darkness. As Jesus says, we are to be salt, an agent that preserves life in a decaying environment. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matthew 5:13).

We are the ones God has appointed to be lights in a darkened place and time. You may not want to live in a sin-filled culture like America’s or bring up your children in a society that rages more and more against God, but Jesus has a design for your life in this time and place. You are here right now for a divine purpose: to show forth the glory of God to this generation.