Scary But Awe-Inspiring

Acts 2:17 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.

The pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost must have been something.  I'm guessing it was a little scary and quite awe-inspiring.  I feel like that's kind of how it is now when you feel the Spirit come on you, a little scary but quite awe-inspiring.  Each day I look for the Spirit to see where He is at work in my daily living.  I find Him everyday. I have been looking for Him and have had the opportunities to have everyone from my great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and a sibling to show me how to see Him. It is so important that we take the time to talk through our encounters with the Holy Spirit with those we love.  We can help build the faith of others as we have our own faith built.  There is so much to be seen and heard from God, but I think we are so busy we miss it, or we just aren't even looking for it so it passes us by.  It's a challenge for me to see God, even when things seem to be completely messed up.  He is there. He is working. He's got it when we don't. Heck, He's even got it when we think we've got it.  We just have to seek Him and we will see Him.

My Own Gain

Zechariah 7:4-6 Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?'"

Boy, this hit me right between the eyes today. I have to ponder this for a while. How often do I do things in proclamation of the Lord, but in all reality I am doing it for my own gain? I would like to say it's not that often, but I think I might be embarrassed at was I actually find when I think on it. This is something to consider, for sure. When I am doing something out of duty, I'm probably losing the truth in the action. When I teach Sunday School because I feel like I should, what is really at the heart of that action?  When I meet with a friend because it's the right thing to do, am I really there with the heart of Jesus? When I don't get angry with the waiter because I know it wouldn't look good, what does that say about my heart?  All of the things we say and do are connected to our heart.  Our heart must be connected to Jesus in order to meet the standard he set, if you've hated your brother then you've committed murder. Whoa, that thought stops me.  I have a lot for God to work on in my heart. I'm very thankful for the transformational grace that I'm in need of hourly. Why do you do what you do?

No More Saturdays

I'm not going to post on Saturdays.  I'm finding the weekend break is a necessity for me. You could use them to catch up on the week, if you'd like. 😉

Psalm 70

Today I was led to the words of David in Psalm 70.  I'm walking through the grieving process and these words were a comfort to my spirit today.  I will let them speak to you, rather than me typing to you today.

Hasten, O God, to save me;
O Lord, come quickly to help me.
May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, "Aha!Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay.

Nothing Fancy, Just Grace

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

I'm struggling to focus on God today. I have read multiple scriptures, paused my mind, and prayed, but none of these have helped. This verse is one of very few I have underlined in my Bible, and I came across it today.  It is such a good reminder for me when I start to take back control of things I have given over to God, but haven't seemed to be met to my liking.  I begin to think I can maybe do it better or faster, particularly faster, and then I de-value the cross. Today I simply need to pray for the grace of God.  No fancy words, no fancy thoughts, no fancy me.  Just a simple prayer for the Spirit to penetrate deep into my soul and grant me the grace to relinquish control once again. Alas, the broken human I am. Thanks be to the One who has set me free from the flesh and gives me life in the Spirit!

Love In Jesus

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Love with action and in truth. This is powerful for me to read. I read it with the "in truth" part first.  Jesus said he is the truth, therefore we could substitute his name in that spot.  Love in Jesus.  What does it look like to love in Jesus? It is no condemnation.  It takes no offense. It is others-focused. It is agape love, giving love. It is selfless. It is hopeful. It is gentle. It is compassionate. It is nonjudgemental. It is sacrifice. It is righteous. It is shame free and guilt free. Love in Jesus is freedom. Love in Jesus does not require words or tongue. Jesus showed his love for us through his actions not his words. He said very little when it really came down to it. Not much needed to be said from the cross. It is said, "actions speak louder than words".  Christ was the ultimate example of this phrase.

The Good Way

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

I wanted to leave the last sentence off this verse, but I just couldn't. This is great advice from the Lord to ask for advice when we are standing at a decision point.  Seek wisdom from those around you who have gone before.  None of us experience something entirely unique to ourselves. Someone has always "been there, done that" ahead of us.  Seek the wisdom of those people. Pray for discernment in decision making in order that when the good way is presented to you, you are able to see it and then follow through and walk in it.  As the Word says, you will find rest there.  Unfortunately, I know I am guilty of seeking the wisdom of others, knowing which way I should go, and then I decide to not take that path.  It is so hard to step in faith, even when we have living experience from those around us.  We are creatures of habit and control. Seeking wisdom, using discernment, and walking in the good way all take a level of faith that is found only with the Holy Spirit at your side. My answer today to the Lord is, "I will walk in it, as long as you go with me." 😊