"The Spirit Controlled Life" Pt 3 - Friday May 15, 2026

“The Spirit Controlled Life” Pt 3:

Many people are discouraged in their spiritual journey. It’s like they take two steps forward and are happy with their progress but then slip three steps backwards. They define their relationship with God as “good at times,” or “I’m trying but have a lot of ups and downs.” Here’s a thought to ponder. Is it possible discouragement in our relationship with God comes because we “unintentionally” try to reshape Jesus into our own image rather than being shaped into His?

 

Maybe we want God to be like us, instead us becoming like Him. There’s a danger in attempting to customize Jesus and an added danger is allowing culture to influence how we interpret Scripture. Don’t put more stock in what people say especially when what they’re saying is contradictory to God’s Word. The question isn’t, “Do you love Jesus?” It’s “Do you love Jesus MORE than everything else?”  (See John 21:15). Is God someone you’re trying to hang onto or one you love and adore?

 

Living the Spirit filled life isn’t a casual comfortable stroll with Jesus. It’s a life that has moved from comfort to surrender. It’s a life that desires God’s will take the place of our will. It’s believing God’s Word trumps everyone else’s. He has the final say in EVERYTHING. This life comes by a thorough dedication and submission to the Lord which includes, “I can’t live the life You want me to live without the power of Your Spirit living within me!”

 

The early disciples loved Jesus and followed Him, but their lives were transformed at Pentecost (Acts 2) after they had prayed and the Holy Spirit filled them. This same Spirit – this same power is available to each one of us today. Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for THEY SHALL BE FILLED”.

 

This is God’s promise. The “IF” isn’t on Him, it’s on us. If we have a hunger and thirst for more of God, He will fill us with His Spirit. He’s faithful and will never break a promise. I’ll send more on this topic next week. Have a great weekend but let me encourage you to find time and read Ephesians 3:14-20 and Ephesians 4:17-32.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"The Spirit Controlled Life" Pt 2 - Thursday May 14, 2026

“The Spirit Controlled Life” Pt 2:

There’s a difference between Jesus being your Savior and Jesus being Lord of your life. He becomes your Savior when you repent of your sins. At that moment, you receive all of God. He becomes Lord when He receives ALL of you – not just your sins – you and everything about you.

 

The idea of giving Jesus full control sounds deeply spiritual, yet the daily practice of it can be one of the greatest challenges of our faith. There are things easily submitted to Him but there are also things we tend to hang onto.  We give God our careers but hold tightly to our relationships. We surrender certain things but fail to let go of the ones we enjoy or that bring personal pleasure to us. We want to trust Him but have this deep-seated desire to be in the driver’s seat, to manage the outcomes and steer our lives in the direction we think best. It’s this instinct to control, while natural, that is the very thing that can keep us from experiencing the fullness of God’s peace and provision.

 

True surrender is not a one-time declaration but a daily, moment by moment decision to trust. It’s the conscious choice to unclench our fists and open our hands, palms down (we hang on to nothing) offering every plan, every desire, and every fear to Him. It’s whispering, “I TRUST YOU,” when our circumstances scream for us to worry.

 

When we stop leaning on our limited understanding and start submitting to His infinite wisdom, something miraculous happens. The burden of carrying the world on our shoulders is lifted. We can now freely walk in the purpose He has designed for us.

 

Letting go can be frightening because we are releasing the known for the unknown. But we aren’t releasing control to some unexplainable force, but to a loving Savior and Father who knows the end from the beginning. He has a plan and purpose for each one of us. We have been uniquely made by a perfect designer. His plans for you are good and His timing is always perfect. Today – at this very moment He may be asking you to put your life, possessions, hopes, and desires in His hands. Don’t struggle or resist. Intentionally say, “God, here I am, I give You ALL OF ME!” And let go!

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"The Spirit Controlled Life" Pt 1 - Wednesday May 13, 2026

“The Spirit Controlled Life” Pt 1:

I’ve met many people through the years who worked really hard at trying to improve themselves. I have to be honest, I was one of those people and most likely, you were too. There are common battles like, fits of anger, jealousy, bad feelings toward certain individuals, or holding grudges. Some desire to break bad habits or addictions.

 

Thoughts of improving oneself is noteworthy, but rarely is it successful. Self-help books give ideas, but not lasting change. One person told me, “This is just who I am and I’ll never change!” It was easier to accept improper behavior than to change. The Bible says, “So be careful how you live. Don’t act like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).

 

Paul continues, “Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 18). The effects of alcohol are obvious. A person under the influence is not the same person they are when sober which is a reason some alcohol beverages are called “spirits”. They cause people to do things often regretted and never would have been done had they been in their right mind. But they weren’t! They lost control of their mind.

 

The Apostle contrasts getting drunk with wine, which produces a temporary “high,” to being filled with the Spirit, which produces lasting joy. Getting drunk is associated with the old way of life and its selfish desires. In Christ, we have a better joy, an indescribable peace, along with a God given drive that leads to hope, a cure for depression, monotony, tension, and self control.

 

We shouldn’t be concerned with how much of the Holy Spirit we have but with how much of us the Holy Spirit has. God saves us at salvation and wants to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He can’t do this until we TOTALLY surrender our lives to Him. This is not a “one and done” experience but something to make a habit of doing every morning. There’s more to say, so come back tomorrow for some noticable characteristics of the Spirit Filled life.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"After its Kind" - Tuesday May 12, 2026

“After its Kind”

“After its kind,” is a phrase repeated in the first chapter of Genesis. It’s used to describe how plants and animals were created. It also indicates that living things were created to reproduce in order to exist according to their own specific species rather than evolving from one type into another.

 

Let me simplify this by saying, “a dog will bark,” a rooster will crow,” “a cow will moo,” and a cat will meow!” If you were out in the darkness of night and heard any one of these animals, you would be able to identify each one by their sound even though you couldn’t see them.

 

As a follower of Christ Jesus, our Lord reproduces Himself through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within us. This doesn’t happen automatically. His Spirit convicts us of sin and draws us close to God, and we become a Born-Again Christian the moment we confess our sins and receive Him as our Savior. That’s the first step toward becoming the person God wants us to be. We are now a Christian, but God wants us to live a life of holiness, for He is holy.

 

At salvation, our sins are forgiven, but how do we become what God wants us to be? How do we develop a Godly influence? Becoming a Christian means the heaven issue is settled, but we will need lots of help to live a life that represents the life Jesus lived. In other words, identifying a dog is one thing, but how will others know or identify us a follower of Christ?

 

These disciples were definitely followers of Jesus, but they had received a commission to spread the Gospel to the world. They were powerless to fulfill such a command. Help was needed! For ten days they prayed and waited. They waited and prayed. Maybe God was testing their obedience. Eventually the room where they were was filled with the sound of a rushing wind. Something happened on the inside of them and that day is known as Pentecost Sunday (Acts 2) and is celebrated as the birthday of the Christian church. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not get drunk with wine…, but be filled with the Spirit.” (This will be explained tomorrow).

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

 

 

"When Jesus Becomes Lord" - Monday May 11, 2026

“When Jesus Becomes Lord”

Amazed – Perplexed – Bewildered – Astonished – Awe – are words the Bible uses to describe the reaction of the people as the disciples left the Upper Room after ten days of prayer. They saw and heard something never before witnessed. The Bible describes this event (Day of Pentecost) as the day the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity (God the Father; God the Son (Jesus); and the Holy Spirit). The Trinity is made of all three. Jesus was God who came to earth in the flesh, born as a baby just like you and me. The difference is He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (making Him perfect) and lived without sin. He died for the sins of all mankind.

 

Many think the Holy Spirit didn’t come into existence until the New Testament, but He existed at the time of creation. “Now the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2). In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit spoke to and led people.

 

At Pentecost (Acts 2) the Holy Spirit didn’t just hover, He actually CAME INTO the hearts of the disciples following their ten days of prayer. One may wonder, do I need the filling of this Spirit in my life and if so, why? Prior to His ascending into Heaven, Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Mark 28:19). The coming of the Holy Spirit which filled the hearts of these disciples, literally transformed their lives. This Spirit drew them closer to God and gave them a spiritual courage and power they had never experienced before. A desire grew within them that Jesus was more than their Savior – He was their Lord!

 

As followers of Christ, we may be ready for heaven, but God wants to fill us with His Spirit and transform our life also. What does this look like? Jesus becomes the center of everything. Pleasing Him is our priority. The presence of the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, discernment, power, and courage to share our faith. There’s a desire to love and forgive others, to get rid of hatred and bitterness toward someone that hurt us. The Holy Spirit helps us become the person God wants us to be. He isn’t just our Savior, but the Lord of our life!

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"Purpose and Function of the Holy Spirit" Pt 2 - Friday May 8, 2026

“Purpose and Function of the Holy Spirit” Pt 2:

NOTE – Today (May 7^th) is the National Day of Prayer. Many of you will open this email before going to bed tonight. If you haven’t already, I urge you to take some time to pray for our country, president, his advisors, all national, state, and local leaders, and the upcoming elections across the land. Pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit upon our land. Revival doesn’t come by accident; it will come when God’s people pray (2 Chronicles 7:14). Revival in your home and perhaps your church, may begin with you. Missed the 7^th? Take time today.

 

Today’s Devotional:

The Bible says when the people heard Peter’s message on Pentecost, “they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). When the Holy Spirit speaks, He calls for action. In this case, the people were being convicted of their sins. Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized!”

 

The Christian life begins at salvation. Our sins are forgiven; the old life is passed away and all things become new because we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. We’re new because we are different. The Spirit of Christ now abides within us, but this isn’t a one and done thing. God isn’t done with us and has so much more for us. He wants to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and make us holy for He is holy (I Peter 1:16).

 

The prayer of repentance brings forgiveness of sins which is God’s requirement for heaven. But He wants to use us to make a difference in an ungodly world. To make a difference in the lives of our loved ones, friends, and work associates. You’re thinking, this is a huge task, and I can’t live that kind of life – AND YOU’RE RIGHT – YOU CAN’T!

 

The best thing that ever happened to me was falling on my face in the middle of the night crying out to God confessing as a pastor, “God – I can’t do this! The church is getting too big and I’m not capable of leading it!” To my surprise an immediate peace came over me as the Lord said, “That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. You can’t do this alone, but I can and will help you!” The Holy Spirit has come to HELP us become what God wants us to be. Let Him into your life.

 

We aren’t expected to limp along trying to be a good Christian. We need help. Jesus ascended to heaven and our HELPER; the Holy Spirit has come! The Helper draws us to God and gives us the power to live as God wants us to live.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"Purpose and Function of the Holy Spirit" Pt 1 - Thursday May 7, 2026

“Purpose and Function of the Holy Spirit” Pt 1:

Trying to explain the Trinity to a single person or group most likely will still leave each person walking away scratching their head. Some things are complicated and maybe somethings aren’t to be entirely understood. At least in this life. My desire is to put practical thoughts that hopefully help you understand the purpose and function of the Holy Spirit.

 

God as our Creator makes sense, as does Jesus, the Son of God who died for our sins on the cross becoming our Savior. The Holy Spirit makes up the third person of the Trinity, and the Bible teaches the three are One. What? Again, some things are complicated. Let me simplify.

 

Jesus ascended into Heaven 40 days after His resurrection. While on earth he was human, but also divine. He was God but also walked among us as a man. He experienced everything you and I experience in life; except he was perfect and never sinned. The only sins Jesus carried was yours and mine and took them to the cross. That’s why we’re to seek forgiveness of sin through Christ who sacrificed His life for ours. He told his disciples, I must go away so the Comforter, the Holy Spirit can come.

 

While on earth, Jesus could only be in one place at a time – remember, at that time He was human. Returning to Heaven and sitting at the right hand of his Father, the Holy Spirit came and filled the hearts and lives of the early disciples (Acts 2). We know and embrace that powerful experience as Pentecost. The Holy Spirt was sent because He CAN BE everywhere, with every believer, at the same time. That’s why we have confidence in praying for a loved one that may be thousands of miles away. The Spirit of God is alive in your life while giving comfort to another person.

 

I’ll give more details on the function of the Holy Spirit tomorrow but let me close with this. The Holy Spirit is God’s voice (communicating) convicting us of our sins. When one is convicted of a crime, there is a formal declaration by a court that someone is guilty of a criminal offense. It’s an unshakable belief implying the person is guilty as charged. The Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and draws us to God. God’s presence provides an opportunity for us to confess our sins.

 

Pastor Carnes