Holy Spirit

Tell Your Storm: BE STILL

2023 seemed to come in like a storm. 

As if the previous years had not been hard enough from both a personal stance and in the earth, this new year came in like a hornet’s nest that had just been knocked to the ground. And you know how violent hornets can be when disturbed.

Destruction buzzed furiously as it crept out of hiding.

I felt like it didn’t matter that the few years before seemed intolerable and unrealistic. This year’s relentless assaults appeared immediately and with such determination that the previous years seemed like a baby’s lullaby in comparison.

Just look around you at the disasters, the deaths, the political madness that have been shouting throughout the earth, not to mention the personal woes that may have been trying to knock on your door. I have heard them try to knock on mine.

BUT…..YES, there is a but to this story!

If ANYONE has read the stories from the Gospels, you will recall the story of Jesus sleeping in a boat during a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, as the disciples reacted in fear.

“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”   Matthew 28:4-26

The words that seemed to slip off the page and into my spirit were: “he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”

Often we talk about we have little faith and/or how we must rest during a storm. These are great principles to live by. We should rise up in faith and rest in the Lord despite what we see, despite the storms raging in our midst.

But what was highlighted to me this time, was the concept to rise up and tell the winds and the waves – (the storms) – that are ravishing our lives: BE STILL.

How can we do that?

Jesus stated in John 14:12, “I can guarantee this truth: those who believe in me will do the things that I am doing. They will do even greater things because I am going to the Father.”  (GWT)

So how can we do greater things? He said we’d do greater things because when he went to the Father the Holy Spirit would come to the earth and fill his followers (and that includes you and me) with his power. (Acts 1:8)

But like Jesus we can do nothing on our own.  Jesus stated in John 5:19,20 that he could do nothing but what he sees his Father doing. He had spent a lot of quiet time, praying and learning to listen to his Father’s voice. (And we should follow that example. John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice…”)

With that in mind, each miracle of healing that Jesus performed was different. For some he only gave a word at a distance, others he touched, some he sought after, and in other circumstances people sought after him. Each event was directed by his Heavenly Father.

Like the healings, the seasons in his life differed, as well. While in the boat, during the storm, he rested. But in the garden before his crucifixion, he prayed and he asked his disciples, as they slumbered, “couldn’t you stay awake with me for an hour?”  He later suffered unimaginably on the cross, though because of that, he triumphed in victory!

There were seasons to rest, seasons to war, seasons to suffer and seasons to conquer. He perceived the times and heard the Father.

I say all this to say that there are times and seasons for everything as Solomon had expressed in Ecclesiastes . God is always on the move. He is not stagnant. He is alive and his words are alive. There are times the Lord may ask you to pray for a particular person and other times he will want you to remain quiet.

In this season of time (at least in my life) I believe the Lord is saying: “Tell the raging storms that are surrounding you: BE STILL.”

So today, I thought about the storms in my life and in the lives of my loved ones, and said, with authority: BE STILL.

A calm and a peace has followed.

I believe there is great victory on the horizon for God’s people. That is why the darkness seems to be invading and why wickedness seems to prevail and why the voices of evil are screaming so violently.

It is the last screams of the dying giants that used to mock you. It is the last scream of the lies that tormented your soul. It is the last scream of defeat and hopelessness anxiously calling your name.

Don’t be afraid of what you hear or what you see because the Lord is saying to the giants in the land: BE STILL. He is encouraging each of us to slay the giants and quiet the storms that taunt us (and the God we serve) just as David did when he slayed Goliath. God has given each of us the authority in HIM to rise up in prayer and declare to the giants and say to the storms that rage war against our souls: BE STILL!

What are your storms? Rise up and tell your storms: BE STILL!

Storms will come
They can be strong and fierce
They scream and twirl
And like a sword, they can pierce

Where can you find freedom
From a storm that rages?
Is there a hidden place
From the war it wages?

There is a place of rest
In the one who spoke peace
Who with words of authority
Made that violent storm cease.

I pray for peace in your midst
During the storms you may face
But also for great victory
So stillness can take its place.

Be still and know that HE is God. God bless.

The Spirit of God is Hovering Over the Earth Today.

The Spirit of God is powerful and creative and alive!

He is hovering over the face of the earth, TODAY, as he was in the beginning.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV)

The Spirit of God was hovering. The earth was formless. It was empty. There was only darkness. But the Spirit of God hovered. He brooded, like a bird that sits on its nest waiting for its young to be born.

As the children of Israel traveled in the desert from the land of Egypt to the promise land, they followed a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. They were following the Spirit of God. 

“As they moved each day the cloud of the Lord hovered over them.” Numbers 10:34 (NLV)

He brooded over them. He hovered over them.

Though there is more evidence of the Spirit of God throughout the Old Testament, let’s fast forward to the New Testament.

In the book of Luke we see that Mary is visited by the angel Michael. He says to her, ” The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God) will come on you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1)

He brooded, he hovered, he overshadowed. He created. And Christ was born.

When Nicodemus asked Jesus how one can be born again, Jesus replied,  “You must be born of the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit.” John 3:6

The Spirit of God again creates. He creates a new life in those who ask. It isn’t just a cleaned up life. It is altogether new.

“Anyone who is joined with Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (GNT)

When Jesus was baptized the heavens opened and the Spirit of God came down in the form of a dove and RESTED on Jesus. A voice was heard from the heavens. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” ( John 1)

The Spirit of God hovered, he brooded, he rested – to give birth to life, to give power to the powerless.

In the book of Acts we see the promised Holy Sprit, that Jesus foretold the disciples. He came like a mighty wind to give them power to preach the Gospel.

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to REST on each of them.” Acts 2:2-3 (NIV)

Remember the pillar of fire that led the people out of Egypt? I found that interesting that there was a fire that came down from heaven and separated into tongues of fire. Same Spirit. Of course, John the Baptist did explain that Jesus would come and baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)

Again the Spirit of God hovered, brooded, rested and new life began.

The Bible states that The SAME Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. LIVES in US. Think about that for a moment. The Spirit of God, that created this world, that led the children of Israel while in the desert, that created the Son of the living God in the flesh, that rested on Jesus as he was baptized, that makes us into a new creation, that was revealed to the disciples to give them power to spread the Gospel, and raised Christ from the dead…

…LIVES IN US! That is pretty amazing and powerful!

As I was praying one day, I saw a vapor, a midst, or a cloud resting on the earth. I now realize that it is the Spirit of the Lord. He is hovering, brooding and resting  on the earth. He is wooing those who will come to Jesus. He is pouring himself out with power to those who are desiring him. He is so powerful, so strong, so intense, so full of creativity, so full of life, that if you don’t watch out, you WILL get caught up in his glory.

I promise you!

If someone is praying, those answers are coming. Do not grow weary. If someone is praying for your salvation. You will get saved.

“In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 (NIV)

The Spirit of God is hovering, like in the beginning of time. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. He is brooding. He is waiting to created new life in you. He wants to give you power to live victorious and to spread the Gospel of life to others.

Get ready and expect his glory.

God Bless.

In the Image of my Father

The last couple years I have had the privilege of having my parents live with me. It has taught me so many things about myself; who I am and why I react the way I do. When my parents have different views regarding something, I have discovered that I can agree with both of them, even when their views or opinions are different.

You see I have inherited DNA from both of them, perhaps not equally, but enough that causes me to understand most of their viewpoints equally. Likewise I have noticed that my children have inherited a lot of my traits but they also have many traits like their father.

As believers have we inherited the traits of our Heavenly Father? Have we inherited his DNA? I know when we get “saved” or “born again” we are renewed in our spirit man. In the book of  John, chapter 3, Jesus explains to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, that in order to enter the kingdom of heaven he must be born again. Then in Romans 8, the author states that we, who belong to Christ, have the Spirit of Christ LIVING in us. And though our bodies are subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

FLESH VS SPIRIT
We become a new creation when we ask the Lord into our lives, yet we are still living in our human bodies. So it makes sense that we wrestle doing what God desires vs what our flesh wants to do. Part of us is renewed. Yet our old thoughts argue because our flesh likes the easy way and doesn’t want to grow up. Paul explains this in more detail in Romans 7. He says that though we want to do what our spiritual nature tells us to do, our physical nature is always fighting with us.

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:17 (ESV)

But the more we desire the Lord’s will in our lives and choose to live for him, the less hold the enemy has in our lives.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

BLOOD OF CHRIST
Jesus was human, yet he was the son of God. Though he was human, he didn’t sin. Jesus was able to condemn sin because he overcame sin while living, like us, in human form.

Yet his blood had the DNA of the Spirit of God which is pure.  So his sinless blood can heal us AND cleanse us from our sins. His sacrificial sinless blood had to be shed to cover darkness and sin. Once we ask Jesus into our lives, that same sinless blood that was shed–covers all our sins — past, present and future.  I believe God sees us without spot or wrinkle because he sees Jesus in us.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

MIND OF CHRIST
Our mind bosses us around and tells us many things, true or false, and our body follows suit, which is why many people stay in bondage. They believe their old mind-set, old thoughts, instead of the mind of Christ. They believe they are defeated. They believe they are unworthy. They believe there is absolutely NO hope. Or quite the opposite, they think they do not need the wisdom of the Lord.

But as believers we have the mind of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 2 the author states that no one can know another person’s thoughts except their own spirit. In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Then he ends by stating, “But we have the mind of Christ” 1 Corn.2:15 (NIV)

It is amazing how powerful our mind is. I remember running in cross-country in high school. I kept wanting to give up, but I would tell my body to stop complaining and complete the race. My body then did what my mind commanded.

If my own mind has power over my body, can you imagine the wisdom that could filter from heaven if we would submit to the voice of the Lord Almighty?

Paul writes: “Do not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Remember when Jesus said that he only did what the Father told him to do? Well we can do what the Father asks us to do also. As believers we can hear how he thinks. He reminds us of truth, tells us when to pray, or when to speak hope into another individual’s life. You and I have the mind of Christ! BUT it is up to us to listen.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER
The Bible states that as a believer we have become children of God. Just as a child receives his/her parents traits and personality, we each have a part of the Lord’s traits and personality. If we are His children we should work together in harmony, showing grace and love towards one another. He understands us individually, just as I understand each of my parent’s view points.

In the book of John, Jesus states: “…May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23 (NLT)

ACTING LIKE MY FATHER
So if I have the DNA of my Heavenly Father, I should act like him, right? A baby grows one step at a time. When they become adults they often look and act like their parents. As we grow in Christ we go from glory to glory. It is a process and can include trials, suffering and mistakes, but develops into deliverance, victory, peace and hope.

My prayer is that I will become more and more like my heavenly Father. May each of us grow into the image of our Father.

God bless.

 

What are your plans?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I love plans. I thrive off plans. They give me peace and a sense of direction.  I am not really a “spur of the moment” type of person. Now my husband is completely the opposite.  He floats through life, catching the wind as it blows, excited for where he might land.

Let me give you an example: on our honeymoon I made “plans” and got us into the bridal suite. We stayed there the first night but my husband thought it would be fun to take a ferry to the nearby islands the next day. It was fun. But since he didn’t get a motel reservation we ended up spending the night in our car on the ferry because there were zero rooms available. A convention was in the area. That went over well.

It is also the same with directions. I use to constantly have to do everything exactly by the book. As the years have slipped by I have realized that not everything has to be done according to some unseen book. Yet, general directions are given for a purpose. Without reading the directions my husband decided to build a swing set in the backyard. After he was done he realized that a couple of pieces were not connected properly and that there were extra parts he wasn’t sure what to do with. He looked at me with a sheepish grin and said, “Perhaps I should have read the directions.”

Throughout the adventures of our lives together we have seen the importance of both aspects. And we have changed some viewpoints that we thought were cemented in our personalities.

When I was a little girl my parents moved many times. I didn’t question their purpose or decisions; I just went for the ride. I never knew that there were occasions when they didn’t have definite plans or that they were not always sure about the future. I was just a happy child and simply trusted that whatever they decided to do would be in my best interest. (Of course I didn’t analyze it at the time.) Later in life I discovered that there were times that their only option was to trust God and not themselves, as they entered into the next chapter of their lives.

Unfortunately we are not given a map for every choice we make in life. We are not told to go here for 2 years, then take this job, marry this person, put your kids in this school and perhaps go on a mission trip during this season…blah, blah, blah…

In fact James 4: 13-15 states, ” Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you out to say, “If the Lord WILLS we will live and do this or that.” (ESV)

We often ask “Lord what is your will?” God says that HE has a plan for us. HE holds the plans for each of our lives. And he states that HIS plans are for our good. There are times I have mentioned to God that I just wish he would hand over those plans. It would be so much easier to navigate through my life if I could simply look at the plans.

Instead he desires for us to trust him and relax in his goodness just like I trusted my parents. I didn’t have a care in the world, except maybe what my new school would be like or who my new friends would be.

He doesn’t always give us a complete picture regarding our future. Sometimes it might start as a desire that begins to stir in our hearts, a thought that crosses our mind, a dream that we had the night before or a longing that cannot be quenched. As soon as we pray about a decision and take a step in that direction, the stirring becomes more evident and doors of opportunity begin to open to make the desire a reality.

The Psalmist states, ” The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take.” Psalm 37:23 (TLB) 

He delights in OUR steps! It is like parents that watches their toddler take his first step. They watch him with eagerness and anticipation. And when the child falls they pick him back up and encourage him in his next step.

If God gave us everything at once we wouldn’t need his hand of guidance. We would become self-sufficient and may not seek his advise for direction. We would lose communication with the one that loves us more than anyone can. He created us in his image. He desires that we seek him. He desires that we commune with him. He desires that we dig into his Word (the directions for this life) and get to know him, personally.

He doesn’t give us a bunch of dos and don’ts. He gives us relationship and guidance and comfort and peace and direction. And as much as he delights in our steps he asks us to learn to delight in him. Like I mentioned earlier, he created us in his image. He wants a two-way relationship with us.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord: trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37: 4-5 (ESV)

Do you recall the game, Marco Polo? One person closes his eyes and says, “Marco”.  The others say, “Polo”. Even though the person who is “it” cannot see the other players he follows the voices until he is able to tag another player.

Though not completely the same, it is what we are doing. We may have a blindfold on in life, yet we listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow his lead. When we come to the place where the Holy Spirit leads doors begin to open for us. As we fellowship with the Lord we learn the sound of his voice. He may call us down another path as we enter our next chapter in life.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)

It is similar to the children of Israel that wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The spirit of God led them by a pillar of cloud during the day and fire by night. (Exodus 13:21) That same God leads each of us in our lives, as well.

Listen. What is the Holy Spirit saying to you? Is he calling your name? Is he leading you in a new direction? You can trust that what he starts in you he will surely complete. (Philippians 1:6)

One day as we look into our past we will see the many doors we traveled through that led us directly into God’s arms. We will be thankful for the doors the Lord opened and the doors that sometimes felt slammed in our faces. We will be grateful that the Lord in his goodness, ordered our steps and grateful that we obeyed his calling; and extremely grateful that he picked us up when we fell.

God Bless.

 

 

 

 

A Blogger’s Testimony

We all have a testimony to share and I thought a fellow bloggers was worth passing on to others. He speaks from his heart. Too often we forget the joy we discovered when we became a follower of Christ. Hearing the revelation from another believer is inspiring. And the video that follows was uplifting as well. Be blessed.

I’m going through a season of growth at the moment and have been asking God to reveal those things that I lack spiritually when it comes to salvation and embracing everything He has for me in Christ. I’ve been a little confused in the area of Holy Spirit baptism, because although I often feel ‘filled with […]

via My Holy Spirit Baptism — Perfect Chaos