The Holy Spirit Within

Jesus promised that His Father would send His followers the Holy Spirit once He left the earth: “He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; …He abides with you and will be in you” (John 14:16). The Bible proclaims that we are, “sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). What does it actually mean to have the Holy Spirit living within us?

Just imagine it! The Holy Spirit is a Person, a divine member of the Godhead. And God has given Him to us. He is always there, “guiding us into all truth” and comforting us” (John 16:13), at the very core of our being. We need to fully appreciate this precious gift God has bestowed on us. He always glorifies Jesus and will be our constant companion. Our part is to continuously pursue intimacy with Him.

Come to the table

My child, I created all of this for you. I chose you from the foundation of the world to be Mine. I desire relationship. I long for your attention. Come to the table and enjoy the banquet I have prepared for you.

Choosing God’s Best

Jeremiah 6:16 proclaims, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Have you chosen God’s path? Great! But there’s a fork in the trail which demands another decision. One route is a leisurely walk along a gently flowing stream. The other leads you straight up into the high country.

     The easy path is pleasant and needs little attention. The higher trail is rigorous and requires time, perseverance and vigilance. The temptation is always there to choose the meandering path along the picturesque river. But God has an even better way! Those who take the high road experience vistas that are impossible without His direction—not to mention exceptionally rich eternal rewards. Paul says it well, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Not Home Yet

My child, My love for you is great. I gave My life for you so we could be together forever. I desire you to be wholly Mine. I chose you and set you apart to live in the world, but not of it. This earth is not your home. It is a temporary dwelling place where I am training you to rule and reign in the midst of your enemies. Set your heart and mind on the things above. Don’t go after the earthly prize. I have so much more for you. Seek first the Kingdom and all the other things will be added. Seek first the earthly and your plans will be frustrated. You will miss out on what I have for you. Choose Me above all else and live the life I have destined for you. 

Fulfillment through Suffering

Psalm 84 declares: “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” In Romans 8:28 Paul goes even a step further: “God causes all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So, what’s God up to when everything seems to be going haywire in life? As difficult as it may be to believe, He’s up to good.

Jesus sees the big pig picture. He knows what you truly need. He allows suffering in your life that you might grow into the child of God He designed you for from the very beginning—one who is bent on pursuing Him with all your heart rather than merely chasing your own desires. Jesus came that we might be conformed to His very own image (Romans 8:29). We are children of God, and we need His discipline to experience His finest.

Waiting

My child, I am waiting to pour out all My blessings that I have for you. Waiting until you are ready to receive. You think you know what will satisfy you and bring fulfillment, but until you fully release all of your plans and all of your desires into My hands, you will be unable to receive all that I desire for you, which are above and beyond all you could ever as for think. 

Yourself, or Your “Cell-F”?

The Bible describes our place in Christ’s body like being that of our own body—an eye or a hand, for example. The idea is how crucial it is to function together as a whole. But what if we change the perspective a little? Think about reducing yourself to the level of a cell. Immediately your sense of self-importance diminishes a bit, doesn’t it.

            Yet consider how vital each cell is to a healthy organism. If that cell dies or becomes malignant it ceases to be useful, or may even become destructive. So it is with us as members of the body of Christ. Though you may not think of yourself as much, you are essential to the wellbeing of the whole. How could the eye or the hand even exist without all those cells working together? Every component is critical. Where would Christ’s church be without a healthy and vibrant you?

Intimacy

My child, I am doing a new thing in you. You will see a shift in the way you operate. I will give you eyes to see and ears to hear. You will glimpse into the supernatural which is really reality. I give you My heart for the hurting. You will observe the need and I will show you how to fill it. Keep your eyes focused on Me. Keep seeking the things above, not the things of this world. Intimacy with Me is more important than anything you can attain here on earth. Share My intimacy with others. It’s the best give you can give. 

The “Jesus APP”

Our smart phones have become indispensable, both for communication and for information. When we find a great APP we immediately download it; the most important ones go right on our front page. We tend to do the same with Jesus. We know that relationship with God is super important, and therefore give Him priority over most other things. Still, we demote Him to sort of an “APP” status—we tend to neglect Him until we have a serious need.

    It’s not surprising that we’re a bit confused. The idea of inviting Christ into our life has become the centerpiece of modern evangelism, while pursuing intimacy with Him often takes a backseat. Look at it from God’s perspective: accepting Jesus into our life is indeed important, but even more vital is that He has allowed us to share in His life. He needs to be more than something merely added to our life. Jesus is more than an APP; He’s the operating system itself!

As God Reveals Himself…

While in captivity, Paul recorded several prayers in his letters to three different churches. What’s remarkable is their perfect agreement with one another, which all the more emphasizes their importance for us. Each prayer begins with the necessity of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will. Paul knows this can only happen by means of revelation—God speaking His truth straight into our heart. There is no other way to gain true understanding!

We lean heavily on our knowledge of the Bible for God’s truth. Yet while the Bible is indeed the primary means of grasping His reality, it means very little if our understanding is merely intellectual. Rather, we must keep in mind what is at the forefront of Paul’s exhortation. God Himself must be the one to impart His truth as we read and meditate. Open yourself up to His leading. He will speak if we truly listen.