Posts Tagged ‘Holy Spirit’

10 Ways to Draw Attention to Yourself

Friday, January 20th, 2012
Wanna stand out from the crowd? Here are 10 ways to do so:
* Stand on Wall Street during rush hour and shout, “Hey, everyone, thanks for doing what you do!”
* Commit a front-page crime.
* Try to smuggle a banned substance through airport security.
* Scream, “It’s not my fault! You’ve got the wrong guy!” when airport security drags you into a little room for questioning.
* Threaten the US President on FB and Twitter.
* Dye your hair pink and wear polyester paisley prints to work.
* Write a NYT bestseller.
* Become Mother Teresa #2.
* Clone yourself to look like Pippa Middleton.
* Predict doomsday and then spread the warning worldwide like the guy did last year.
If you’re sick and tired of blending into the crowd, then try one or all of the above.  I guarantee doing so will cause others to notice you. You might even become a household name.

However, you might prefer to play it safer than sorry. If so, here’s another suggestion: Let the Holy Spirit completely fill and control you. It worked for Joseph; it’ll probably work for you, too.

Genesis tells the story of Joseph’s life. He’d been shipped off to Egypt, sold as a slave by his own flesh and blood.  After 13 years of character development, he got his big break when Pharaoh asked him to interpret a couple of disturbing dreams.

Joseph did something that Egypt’s wise men could not do—he told the boss what his dreams meant. Here’s what happened next: “So Pharaoh asked his officials, ‘Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are’” (Genesis 41:37-39).

Joseph turned heads. He stood out from the crowd not because he, being full of himself, forced others to take notice. On the contrary, he was empty of self and full of the Holy Spirit. His yielded heart made it possible for God to do extraordinary things through him.

You and I might never do something as earth-shattering as Joseph did, but we can still turn heads in our own homes and communities. We can respond with patience and kindness when our kids and spouse irritate us. We can give generously to those in need even though our monthly budget already feels stretched. We can get involved in community affairs and share wise words to help resolve negative issues.

God wants His people to be different than the society in which we live. That difference starts with our being filled and controlled by His Holy Spirit and results in others taking notice. Hopefully it leads to their saying, “There’s something different about you. I want what you have.”

Here’s a prayer for today: “Dear God, empty me of anything that grieves You, and then fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit so that others will see a difference in my life. Set me apart for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”

Your thoughts?

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The Holy Spirit and Real Life

Friday, October 28th, 2011

The same message has been hittin’ home for the past few weeks. That is, God’s presence and power reside within me in the form of the Holy Spirit…and not just a little. Titus 3:5,6 says, “He (God) washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

I’ve known about the Holy Spirit for my entire faith journey, but it seems the practical reality of His indwelling is finally sinking in. And boy, oh boy, that growing understanding is making a difference in me.

For instance, earlier this year I sensed God nudging me to host a weekend retreat for professional business women, designed especially for women beyond my church circles. The mere thought scared me for months, but then I began pondering the truth about the Holy Spirit living in me. Imagine—the God of the universe dwelling in me, filling me with His presence and power, promising wisdom and clear guidance. Why, then, was I afraid to say yes to this new assignment?

Problem was, I knew the theory about the Spirit’s indwelling but had belittled the practical reality. Recognizing room for change and growth in this department, I began thanking God for the Spirit and His giving me all the resources needed for this task. I rented a facility, hired an event planner, have started taking registrations, and can hardly contain my excitement now. I stand in awe as the plans for this event are beginning to gel.

Besides recognizing the Spirit’s indwelling for the big stuff, I’ve been acknowledging Him on a moment-by-moment basis. When I meet acquaintances or strangers on the street, I immediately ask Him to help me understand their heart-needs and give me the right words to say. When I speak with people who are hurting, I ask Him to give me the answers to their tough questions. Often He brings appropriate Scripture to mind, and I’m able to encourage those folks with the Word. I’m becoming more keenly aware of His quiet whispers and finding great joy in doing what He says.

Frankly, I believe I have a lot more to learn about the Holy Spirit’s role in my life. Someone in our small group recently suggested we study Francis Chan’s book, The Forgotten God. I haven’t read it yet, but I want to because it addresses this topic. I long to be as effective as possible in building God’s kingdom on earth, and the Spirit’s control over every aspect of my life is key to making this happen.

How about you? Any insights about the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and how it impacts your daily life?

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The Supernatural Life

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Simeon was an old fellow living in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s birth. Scripture describes him as “righteous” and “devout,” eagerly awaiting the Messiah’s arrival. It also says that the Holy Spirit was upon him. That, it seems, was the key to his living a supernatural life.  

Simeon was so filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit that his daily activities were governed by His direction. His meeting the infant Jesus was one such example: “That day (the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple according to the law), the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there” (Luke 2:25-27).

I have no clue how many years Simeon waited to meet the Messiah. And I doubt that he expected Him to show up as a baby. Nevertheless, he was at the right place at the right time and he recognized the Messiah because the Holy Spirit filled and controlled him.

My husband has been reading the book God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. The author tells stories of the Holy Spirit prompting him to travel thousands of miles to deliver Bibles to locations within the Communist bloc. He knew the destination but not the specific person with whom he was to connect there. If he connected with the wrong person, he risked imprisonment. Time after time, he relied on the Spirit to show him the correct person, and he was never disappointed. That’s a supernatural life!

A supernatural life—that’s what I want. I want to be so in tune with the Spirit that I hear His whispers and recognize His nudges. “Go there…greet that senior lady in the white sweater. Ask if you can help carry her groceries.”  “Phone so-and-so. Tell her you’ve been thinking about her and ask what’s happening in her life.” “Write a cheque for that woman at church who’s struggling to pay her bills.” I long to be at the right place at the right time, recognizing the people who need encouragement or who need to be challenged in some way, and knowing exactly what to say.

High hopes, perhaps? Yes, especially knowing my human limitations. But I also know that God is able to perform this as I allow His Spirit to control me fully. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every believer moved in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s lead at all times?

Question: Have you experienced a situation in which the Holy Spirit obviously led? If so, tell us about it!

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Marks of Ownership

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Once upon a long time ago, I attended a conference at which the speaker said something like, “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” He gave an analogy about how children often bear a resemblance to their parents – their eyes are the same color or their ears are the same shape. Maybe they even demonstrate the same mannerisms.

In my case, I thought about my nose. By no means is it dainty. It has a bump on the bridge and a bulb at the bottom, and wouldn’t ya know it? It looks just like my dad’s. In fact, the older I get, the more it resembles his. It’s obvious that I’m Henry’s daughter; the shape of my nose is his mark of ownership on me.

In the spiritual realm, God has placed His mark of ownership on us by giving us His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 says, “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” And when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He produces character qualities in us such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). These characteristics demonstrate to a watching world that we belong to Jesus. They are His mark of ownership on His children.

The speaker’s question – “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” – is the only thing I remember from that conference. It challenged me then and it challenges me now. I’m sure there are days when those who know me best would hesitate before answering positively, but my prayer is that, overall,  the answer comes back as “Yes!”

How about you? When people look at you, can they see Jesus’ mark of ownership on you? If so, that’s wonderful! If not, what needs to change?

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Love Tank

Friday, July 24th, 2009

 I’m holed up in a university dormitory in Gdansk, Poland, as I write this. Am refining a parenting workshop about the five love languages, based on Gary Chapman’s book by that title.

The premise of the workshop is that God has created us with an inner “love tank” that longs to be filled. As parents, one of our key responsibilities is to fill our kids’ tanks by communicating to them in their love language – either affirming words, quality time, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch. When we do so, they are reassured of our love and this impacts their emotional well-being.

God, our heavenly Father, does the same thing for those who are His children. Romans 5:5 says, “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5).

 

The Holy Spirit has been given to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ – what an amazing, ongoing way for the Father to fill His kids’ love tanks! This ought to serve as a permanent reminder of His love, enough to erase any doubt of whether or not He cares for us. How should that impact us?

 

Well, it ought to give us the confidence to believe that God will keep His promises to us. It should give us the freedom to share our innermost thoughts with Him, telling Him our desires and fears. It should grant us the joy of knowing we’re loved unconditionally and forever, and it should give us the courage to face the future knowing He’s with us. Add these things together, and the sum is emotional health and well-being.

 

If we profess to be God’s children but doubt whether or not He truly loves us, then we need to ask why those doubts are present. Is it because God has failed to fill our love tank? Or is it because we simply don’t understand Him and His ways? Chances are, it’s the latter. And that can be remedied with a prayer: “God, cleanse my heart from doubt so Your love may dwell there unhindered. I invite You to fill my love tank to overflowing!”

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