| Considering the topic of this devotional, I thought it appropriate to use this selection from Bonaventura who lived between 1217 and 1274. Bonaventura served as the leader of the Franciscans after the death of their founder. He settled many internal disputes and gave theological form to the teachings of Saint Francis. Despite his learning and political skill, his spirituality was infused with the same warm and intimate love of Jesus that had inspired Francis. He saw the Christian life as the direct reflection of the passion and resurrection of Christ. |
| For The Seven Gifts Of The Spirit Lord Jesus, as God's Spirit came down and rested upon you, may the same Spirit rest upon us, bestowing his sevenfold gifts. First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which your precepts may enlighten our minds. Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow in your footsteps on the path of righteousness. Third, grant us courage, by which we may ward off the Enemy's attacks. Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish good from evil. Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts. Sixth, grant us fear, by which we may draw back from evil and submit to what is good. Seventh, grant us wisdom, that we may taste fully the life giving sweetness of your love. |
| One of the benefits that I find in using the prescribed lectionary readings as a devotional text guide is that it helps me avoid getting stuck in a topical rut where I am constantly spinning my wheels and splattering my pet peeves and preferences on innocent bystanders. It insists, as well, that I approach the Biblical scriptures with intellectual and spiritual honesty. And, having said that, I have to remember that these devotional musings are attended by a mixed audience with an assortment of church and non-church backgrounds. It is always my continual prayer that these devotionals serve as a unifying source of inspiration, encouragement, and challenge. All of us, regardless of our church background or the depth of our spiritual understanding, are pilgrims on a journey being cultivated by the grace of God. We are the sheep that He shepherds and the planting that He tends. Our devotional text comes from Mark 1:4-11 and our focus is upon the work of the Holy Spirit.. 4. And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 9. At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." John had an important calling and ministry. The vocation wherein he walked caused quite a stir in Israel, so much of a stir that it cost him his head. Though he realized the importance and timeliness of his ministry, he also realized the boundaries and limitations of his ministry. He called people to repentance and announced publically that the long awaited Messiah was soon to make His debut. Verse eight of our text says, "I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Talking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit sets the feet of some "a' dancin'" and the feet of others "a' runnin'". Over the years of my Christian life and ministry (working on my twenty fifth year) I've lived in both the fundamental "no tongues" camp and the charismatic "yes tongues" camp. In this journey the greatest conclusion that I've drawn from the "no/yes" tongues argument is that there is more to the baptism of the Holy Spirit than is often experienced in the fundamental camp and, where the Renewal Movement began as a good thing, the modern charismatic camp needs to move closer to the right of center in its theology of the Holy Spirit. The central and key truth of the matter is that Jesus came not only to serve as our source of salvation and eternal life but also to impart to us, baptize us, with the Holy Spirit. He, the Holy Spirit, is the overshadowing and abiding presence of God in our lives as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:22 says, "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Furthering this thought in Romans 8:11 the Apostle Paul says, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." Over the past quarter of a century a lot of writing and teaching has been done on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and sources differ on how many gifts there are and how they operate. Some insist that the gift of tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and essential in understanding how the Spirit operates while others insist that the gift of tongues ceased as the evidence of the Baptism following the first century. Both camps have a defined list of scripture references that they use to validate their point. An honest evaluation of the represented camps is that both have their strengths and weaknesses and both have a significant contribution to make. Equally, both have done their part in perpetuating divisiveness in the Body of Christ. Our identity as believers is not determined by which camp we sit in. Our doctrines don't make us believers in Jesus Christ. Nor do doctrines particularly lead us to the place where we yield our lives into His care and keeping. All of us owe our yieldedness, our conversion to the Gospel, and our ongoing relationship with the Lord to one source. That source is the prevenient and subsequent working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He brought us to where we are in our understanding of the Lord and He leads us throughout the days of our journey until we meet the Lord face to face. We are correctly instructed to desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) and there are several lists of spiritual gifts found in the writings of the New Testament. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a definite part of the Christian life and have been in operation throughout the history of the Church. Of much more importance than desiring any of the listed gifts is desiring the character of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His gifts will always follow His character and He will apportion them as He sees fit. (1 Corinthians 12:11) Bonaventura understood that in desiring the Giver that the gifts would take care of themselves. Thus, his focuses on the character of the Spirit of God in his prayer. Every one of us has a life to live, a work to do, and a potential to meet. Our life is richer, our vocation clearer, and our potential nearer when we desire and embrace the character of the Holy Spirit in our day to day living. Fit us, Lord, with your character that we might be in our day such examples of your grace that your presence in us illumines the darkened corners and corridors of the world in which we live. May our eyes remain steadfastly fixed on visions of your presence which is your greatest gift. Immerse us, Lord, in the deep waters of knowing where your holy character becomes incarnately melded into our human character. May we too taste fully the life giving sweetness of your love. Amen. |
| ©David Kralik Ministries, Inc.2002 Email: matthewfivesix@hotmail.com |
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| "TheWork of the Holy Spirit" Mark 1:4-11 |
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