I have studied and written about the Holy Spirit being provided as a watcher in this world until the return of Christ. This morning I was reminded that the Holy Spirit was given, not just provided.

“⁵and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” — Romans 5:5 (ESV)

God “gave” the Holy Spirit with love to dwell among us until the return of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is here moving along with me as I traverse through all that I find in my path to doing the will of Christ. I have a “helper” in the Holy Spirit to lift me up and dust me off when I need it.

What I forget sometimes is that the Holy Spirit was given and I should accept that gift. I am in need and where God may not provide for all of my wants, I can rest assured that my needs will be met, including those of the internal intrinsic nature that require more comfort than those that I may feel or see in the physical. Those needs are met through the Holy Spirit who was given to pour love into my heart and provide for those internal intrinsic needs.

What are your understandings around the given Holy Spirit? Are you even aware that the Holy Spirit was given as a gift from God? How would your life or approach be different knowing that the Holy Spirit was “given” from God for the purpose of pouring love into your heart?

“²⁶John answered them, ‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, ²⁷even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.’” — John 1:26-27 (ESV)

John the Baptist was not shy in giving glory to Jesus as Christ. He was sure to let all know that he was only here to carry out the work of Christ and give way to Him once he arrived.

“³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30 (ESV)

John knew that he was only there for the short time to prepare the way for Christ and once Christ began His work, John would fade into the background and continue to do the work assigned him through Christ. What an example of the servant part being played out, doing the work for the master, and when the master arrives, fade into doing other work.

John knew that all that he received was given to Him from God. His disciples came to him with questions about Jesus’ work if baptism and how it might be undermining the work of John.

“²⁷John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.” ²⁹The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.’” — John 3:27-29 (ESV)

John received all that he had from God. As such, he was grateful for the opportunity to be there doing the work of Christ and was living in joy because of it. John was given the chance to glorify God and in return was granted life everlasting.

“³⁶Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” — John 3:36 (ESV)

What is your approach to the receipt of everlasting life? Are you seeking it here in this world through your works and the rewards you have here? What if you gave glory to God and received it from Him as it is given to you for the work you have done for Him?

It should go without saying, Jesus was given for me. Jesus was sent to this world as a replacement to receive the consequences of sin. I am just one of those that are sinners (all of us are by the way). Jesus was the substitute for my punishment, and that punishment is great.

The compassion and unconditional love of God is shown in His giving of Jesus to be that substitute for me. I am certainly not deserving of it, but God gives anyway. Even before He was to be sacrificed for my sin, Jesus knew and accepted it. He went so far as to tell others it was going to happen and where He had the authority to stop it, Jesus willingly accepted His role in saving all of the sinners of this world. And, in His last hours, he only asked that we remember Him in His sacrifice and for that which was given.

“¹⁹And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁰And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” — Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)

I can see here in the above verses that Jesus was fully committed to the act of sacrificing Himself for me. He did not shy away, and was confident in letting everyone know it was to happen and there was no stopping it. Jesus was given for me.

I have to remember that Jesus did this. Every day, I have to remember. I have to live in confidence that I will not have to suffer because He suffered for me. I have to know that whatever I consider persecution here in this world pales in comparison to what Jesus endured for me. Each morning as I study His word, I have to dive in and learn to honor Him and bring glory to His name as I owe Him for saving my life through His sacrifice. I have to accept the fact that Jesus was given for me. He willingly was given and gave His body, blood, and physical life for me.

What is your approach to the life you have? Are you aware that someone sacrificed for you? What if you accepted that Jesus was given and gave Himself for you as a substitute for your sin?

In my role as a corporate training professional I engage with adult learners each and every day. One of the things that I stress to them is to be sure and ask any questions that are “burning a hole in your skull”. I want them to feel comfortable with asking for answers to ensure that they have taken charge of their learning and that they are not hampered by the anxiety of not knowing something. I read this morning in Matthew and found where it was I get that concept to stress.

“⁷Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)

Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught many things to the people and to me even these many years later. This one, title in my ESV bible: “Ask, and It Will Be Given”, centers around inquiring for that which is in need. Now I have to be careful and know that just asking for something is not how it all works. I have to ask in Jesus’ name and that will be given (John 15:16). But, this passage gives encouragement to ask, seek, and knock for those things which one finds are worth inquiring about.

I have to remember what it is that I teach (asking for those things that are burning a hole in the skull) and living it out in my own life. There are things that I feel are worth inquiring about and who better to ask than the only one that can supply for all of my needs, GOD.

I have to get out of my own way and seek from God for the things that He knows I need and allow Him to provide. I know what I “want”, like most everyone else in the world, but I may not know exactly what I “need” nor will I exactly recognize it when I see it. God does though and I have to remember to seek His counsel and guidance to be made aware of my needs and how it is He is supplying for them. This will assist me in asking, seeking, and knocking more for the things I need, in His Name, and therefore, I will recognize when they have been given to me.

What are some of the things that you have asked for, sought for, or knocked for? Are you looking to find those things that are “needed” or those that you are “wanting”? What if you looked to God for guidance in the area of your needs to ensure that what you were indeed asking for in His Name fell in line with “needs”?

“⁶For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

This morning as I was reading in Isaiah, I was reminded that Jesus was given to me. God gave His son to take on all for my sake.

I look at the verse above and when really breaking it down I can shift things around to show the breadth of Jesus’ role. I can remove the word “child” in the beginning of the verse and replace it with the last part of the verse to be like this: “For to us a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder.” And now I see the breadth of His role in this world and in my life.

I often wonder when I will be given to. I feel as though I am the one giving to others on a constant basis, with little to no appreciation for the work that I have done. I am questioned as to the reason for doing and even what seems to be put off until later and that person then introduces what I have given as their item and, not only takes the credit for it, but is rewarded and celebrated for giving such a “great” idea.

I have to remember that I am only here to do the will of God and sow the seeds He would have me sow. In this world I may not be given much in the way of monetary support, but I will and have been given Jesus to carry me through every circumstance that is presented. Jesus is given to take on the difficulties so that I do not have to. He was given to me as my “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Jesus is my all in all.

When you look into the world and your role in it, what are you expecting? Are you hoping to be given something grand to hang on to? What if you were to hang on to Jesus who is/was given for you?

“¹⁶The heavens are the LORD’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.” Psalm 115:16 (ESV)

I read this verse this morning and was instantly reminded of that which the LORD has given. He has given the earth and this world to the children of man and to His children, He has give heaven.

But, aren’t we one and the same. I have an earthly and heavenly father. I am a child of man and of the LORD. Shouldn’t I have the benefit of both, the earth and heaven?

Well, whereas it is true that I am of this earth and am a child of God, I am given that to which I have worked to lead a life of. I have the choice to live a life of and for God, or I can choose to live a life of and for this earth. I cannot have both. Even Adam and Eve had a choice to live the life of greatness in the Garden and was given by the LORD or, as they did choose, to live a life of this earth and miss out on that which the LORD had given them.

There is a conflict that I have to get past when it comes to living of/for this earth or of/for God. The conflict is in the reward timing. Yes, when living of/for this earth I may receive reward right now and be able to enjoy the sweetness that comes with it whereas the reward from God comes much later when I arrive in heaven at the appointed time. The thing is, the reward here and now is fleeting. Here today and gone tomorrow. I find myself not satisfied for very long and tend to live for the chance to get more. I am chasing the carrot that seems to always be alluding me. When live of/for the LORD, I know that my reward is to come as given by the LORD and therefore will/can continue looking forward to it and know that I have the opportunity to experience that reward soon enough.

Fifteen minutes of fame or a forever of glory. That is what I am speaking of here. The LORD has given to that which we seek, and our reward is in line with our desire. If I desire the fifteen minutes, God will allow us to have it, but that very well may be where it ends. When we desire the forever glory and live our lives as such, God gives to us that glory in heaven at the appointed time.

Which that the LORD has given are you seeking after? Are you looking to achieve the fifteen minutes? What if your desire were for the forever glory in heaven and proceeded through life bringing glory to God to receive that forever glory?

God gave Jesus to be sacrificed for my sins so that I would not have to endure the death that comes with it. I am able to simply work to do the work of God knowing that my debt has been paid for the sins I have and will commit as I am in this world. But even before Jesus, God was given offerings on the behalf of His people.

“¹⁴Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. ¹⁵And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering. ¹⁶For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself.” — Numbers 8:14-16 (ESV)

The Levites were given by the Israelite people as offering to God. They were given as a “wave offering” to be used by God for the completion of His work. The “wave offering” was one where the offering, usually meat, was waved before the Lord by the priests and then eaten for their own use. In the verses above, the Levites were the “wave offering” and therefore were for the use of God and Aaron and his sons for their use in the “tent of meeting”. They were offered and accepted instead of the more customary sacrifice.

God was able to use the Levites as opposed to taking of the Israelite first born to serve Him. God had already taken the first born of those in Egypt through the Passover and would not do that again as He was dedicated to His people the Israelites.

God always provides the way for His people. He provided for Abraham with Isaac, He provided for the Israelite people out of Egypt, and now He provided for the “tent of meeting”. God has given time and time again and it is up to me to accept that which He gives.

What have you been given that you may not recognize as a gift from God? Are you looking for the monetary giving from Him? What if you were to look for that which He has given as an alternative to what we deserve and accept that gift?

God has given to me over time, before I was here and continues even after I am gone. Provision and salvation are specifically what I am talking about. Before He gave salvation, He gave provision. This is noted in the very first book of the bible, His word.

“²⁹And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.’” — Genesis 1:29 (ESV)

In the above verse, God demonstrates to Adam and Eve that everything they would need, has been given to them. He provided for their sustenance with the plants and fruits and berries there in the garden. God gave to them all that they would need to live prosperously there in the place He created.

I admit that as a man, I am not satisfied with just having what is needed. I have things and will continue to secure things for myself that would not be considered provisions. Where that is not wrong for me to collect things that I “want” I have to remember that when it comes to what I “need” God has provided and He always will. God has given to me that which I require to live in this world and all that I require when I am called to Him at that appointed time.

There is not much that I “need” in this world, and all of it God has provided. Food, shelter, safety, those He has provided for me, just as He provided them for the first of me, Adam and Eve. The garden was that place where God’s provision abound for Adam and Eve. Yes, they were not able to remain there due to sin, but God demonstrated His provision for them there. He continues to do so now, only sin is still in the way of me being able to see it and accept it always. I have to consult God’s word and study it and absorb it to know and understand that all I need, He has provided, and that began at the beginning of time with His giving of provision for my life and survival.

What awareness do you have of the provisions God has for you? Are you continuing to seek out that which you want in thoughts that somehow it is needed? What if you were to simply look at provision and salvation as those things that God has already given you?

This morning my understanding of God’s Word was again in question. I had to look to many different areas to get at the meaning for me. I want to first of all encourage you to do the same. Just because you do not understand something the first time you read it, don’t give up. God will reveal what it is He wants you to know, it just may take a bit of time and study, and is that really a bad thing, to spend time in His Word studying and learning?

“²⁶He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” — Hebrews 11:26 (ESV)

Here is where I got caught up in the words and created the questions driving me to study deeper. Reproach is: “Disgrace; shame” (biblestudytools.com/dictionary/reproach/). So disgrace in front of Christ is the greater reward? No, that is not really it.

As I continued to study the Word of God and the different commentaries, I was reminded that context is everything. The before and after of the verse in question brings it all together. You see, Moses was more interested in pleasing God and doing His work than accepting the reward of man, Pharaoh. He was offered the opportunity to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and he refused. He was able to take part of and claim ownership in the riches of the Egyptians and He refused. He was driven to avoid reproach of Christ and that is where his reward came.

“²⁴By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” — Hebrews 11:24-25 (ESV)

The reward found with God is greater than any reward found in this world. God’s disappointment in us should be the driver to follow Him and do the work He has tasked us with in our lives. We are to bring glory to Him by spreading the gospel to the world so as to please Him and avoid his reproach. My reward as give by God is where I should be focusing my attention and not on those rewards that might be found here in this world for the short, and I mean short, time we are here.

What rewards are you concerned with in life? Are you searching for and seeking out the rewards that are given here in this world? What if you were to work at avoiding the reproach of Christ and do the work of Him so as to receive the reward in heaven at whatever cost here in this world?

I hear that in taking action, “confidence is key”. This is very true in all that we do. I know that in taking action on the job, I have to go into it with the confidence of knowing that I have what it takes to do the job. In approaching a problem, confidence in knowing that the problem can/will be solved is a recipe for success. In my faith and with Christ, “confidence is key” in knowing that God will/does protect and guide me along the way.

“¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” — Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

In the above passage, the writer of Hebrews is speaking of “The Full Assurance of Faith”. Indicating that the confidence to progress by the blood of Jesus is what gives us strength to do so. Jesus paid the price so that I do not have to go through the same sort of persecution in my life and can proceed with bringing glory to Him through my actions. I can accept that the debt has been paid and I am free to continue in the world with the task of doing the work of Christ without fear. I have the ability to draw on the confidence that God will/does protect and guide me along the way.

“³⁵Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” — Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV)

Jesus gives me confidence and as seen in the verses just above, the writer of Hebrews encourages the embracing of that confidence in our work for Christ. That confidence breeds rewards that begin with endurance. Endurance is what is needed to continue in the pursuit of the work for Christ in this world that has so many societal pitfalls to trip me up. Even with Christ in my corner, I am still human and susceptible to the draw into this world and all that is promised by the evil one for doing so. I have to endure in those instances and draw on the confidence in Christ and that which He provides for me, endurance.

I know that I cannot make it alone and thankfully I do not have to. I have Christ in my corner and the confidence to do His will know that He will provide that which I need to persevere in the face of adversity. That confidence leads to my reward.

What are you fearful of in this world that you might be able to overcome with confidence in Christ? Are you allowing the world to influence your approach to it? What if you were to draw on Christ and the confidence in your faith for the reward of endurance to make it through?