Yesterday is past, today is a new day, and your life is hid in Christ in God. Listen this morning and rejoice! “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” Then he expounds more specifically. “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid in Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” So many spend so much time dealing with this life here on earth, and little time with learning who they are in Christ, like it says in Ephesians 4:13-14, “Til we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: The we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Our adversary, goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, so what do we do. Learn of God, discern the spirit, whether it be of God, and walk in the light of the glorious gospel of grace and be not deceived. What a glorious way to live. Paul actually wrote in 2^nd Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” For many that is foreign today.

         It was interesting that the disciples walked with God daily for 3 years plus, and often they did not understand Him, or what he was saying, and I believe that is true today also. But after Christ arose and ascended, in Acts 2:3 , he sent the Holy Ghost, and in verse 4 we read, “And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Their speaking in languages that were different then their own, gave people opportunity, in verse 6, to hear in his own language.” The beginning of the new era in Christ was upon them, and God was no respecter of persons, for every man heard in his own language, and they were amazed in verse 12, and yes, in doubt, saying, what is the meaning of this. Peter replies quoting from Joel 2:28. “And it shall come to pass in afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams , and your young men shall see visions.” Many of the prophesies of the Old Testament were for the time of Christ and for the church age. God did not only send the Holy Spirit into men that believed, but he empowered them with gifts severally as he would. The preaching of the Word of God, is for your benefit. It is God who empowers those who bring forth the counsel of God, and it is to glorify God, not the man who brings forth the truth. We too often today, make the deliverer of God’s truth a god instead of learning to come to God by faith, receiving with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. The work of the pastor or evangelist is to glorify God, and not themselves. Unfortunately today, some get filled with themselves, and they become proud, and in doing so they err, and yes, some get swept away in their pride. But the scripture is true, and God brings to light the hidden things of darkness.” Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but walk in the light, and let your light shine forth, and let the words of your mouth glorify God, staying humble as you live before Him who called you.

        Everyday is an opportunity for God to use you in this world for others. God does not just save us, but he also empowers us by faith to walk in the light as He is in the light, and to speak the truth in love, with compassion and mercy upon the lips of godly people, using the wisdom from God and the unction of the Holy Spirit, so that some are lead to Christ. If Christianity is all about what we get, and not about what God wants to do, so that others come to Christ, we may be deceived, or so occupied with self, so we must bring ourselves back to the Word of God that will quicken us to truth. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 Have a glorious weekend and enjoy walking in truth, for the truth sets us free, and we shall be free in deed.