pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Holy Spirit


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Works of Faith

Sometimes I feel a little like Cornelius.  I sense the need to be closed to God than I am.  Yet on my own I cannot seem to close that gap that I feel.  Like the centurion, I sometimes need someone to explain and guide me so that I can draw closer.  Perhaps at times you feel this too.

At other points in my faith journey I have ‘randomly’ experienced people and events that drew me closer to God and deeper in my faith.  I was not specifically seeking these out, but God blessed me with them.  The times we encounter God can happen at any moment and in any circumstance.  Perhaps you have experienced these too.

God can meet us both in the expected and in the unexpected.  We can find Him in church and in Bible study.  We can find Him in the repair ship and in line at the grocery store.  It is amazing how many ways the Holy Spirit can move and work in  our lives to draw us closer to God.

At times we too can be instruments of God or of the Holy Spirit.  Those promptings to say just the right thing, the nudges to help someone, the feeling to seek another out for a cup of coffee – all can be works of faith.  Being sensitive to these things is the first step.  Being willing to follow is the second step.  Being willing to take action is the third step.  May we all be willing instruments of God’s hand and the Spirit’s lead this day and every day.

Scripture reference: Acts 10: 44-48


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Life Lived Fully

Jesus says to us, “Come be with me, come spend some time with me.  Be in my love and my love will be in you.  Remain in me and I will remain in you.  Get to know me by being with me and then become like me.”

He calls us to spend time in prayer – both talking and listening.  He calls us to spend time in the Word – both reading and reflecting.  He calls us to take account of our life  and day – both in thanksgiving and in evaluation.  All we do and say should be done to draw us closer to Jesus and to deepen our relationship with Him.

As we get to know Jesus more, two things happen.  First, we begin to recognize then respond to His calls into our life with increasing clarity.  As it really sinks in how Jesus loved and treated others, we come to see that we are called to do the same.  Our ears, eyes, and heart become more attuned to the nudges and voice of the Holy Spirit.  We think less of self and more of how we can come alongside another in the love of Jesus Christ.

Teh second thing is also within but it has more to  do with how we see self.  We question what we once never gave a second thought.  We choose to do this or that (or choose not to) as we seek to imitate more and more the life of Jesus.  Living a life that is holy and pleasing to God takes on new meaning.

As we continue on our journey of faith the line between outward and inward seems to blur.  As this line blurs one comes to see what a life truly lived for Christ looks like.  Be faithful to the journey.

Scripture reference: John 15: 9-11


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Aware of the Spirit

We live in a world that is constantly in change.  Every day people are born while others die.  People lose jobs, people starts new jobs.  People move from one place to another.  Even our relationships with those closest to us change and evolve over time.  In the midst of all of these transitions and changes though, God remains the same.

The call to abide in God in today’s scripture is a call to ground our life in the one thing that always remains rock solid.  Who and what God is and always will be the same.  His love and care for us never wavers.  He loves each of us just as much the day we were born as the day we die and all days in between.

Yet within the call to abide is also found the call to change ourselves.  We never reach the perfection found in God and Jesus, but we are called to seek to draw nearer and nearer to it as we live out our faith.  It is within this context that God seeks to prune us.  In this process of pruning we are shaped to grow more and more like Christ.

Our spiritual pruning is usually self-administered, done with the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  As we reflect on our lives, the Spirit points out things we need to change and things we need to pursue to grow closer to God.  This promoting comes in a wide variety if ways – from the gentle nudge to the quiet whisper to the in-your-face, can’t possibly miss this event.  The Spirit is always seeking to work in our lives.  We must allow it to shape, mold, and guide us to become more and more and more like Jesus.

Scripture reference: John 15: 1-8


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One Step Closer

The good news of Jesus Christ is the greatest and most important news we ever received.  It is the information that forever changed our lives.  The story of who Jesus is, of what He did, and what He continues to do in our lives is a story that should continually be flowing out of each of us.  In order to do this we must know the stories of Jesus told in the Bible and also our own faith story.

In order to share our faith with another we do not need to know everything about Jesus and the Bible.  But we do need to have a solid knowledge base.  The Holy Spirit will prompt and remind us of the words we need at just a certain moment.  For the Spirit to be able to do this we must also do our part, spending time in the Word – reading, studying, reflecting.

We also need to know our own faith story well enough to provide witness to another person.  To stumble and bumble through any presentation is bad.  It is even worse when it is the most important story in our personal story book.

Once we are personally prepared to offer witness, we must be attuned to the Holy Spirit.  Just as Philip was led to a person who was ripe to hear the Word, we too will be led.  Just as Philip trusted the guidance of the Spirit, we too must trust the Spirit.  Lastly, we must have a willing heart.  Are we willing to share what has the power to change another’s life forever?  Do you remember when you were saved?  do you know the power of Jesus Christ in your life?  Help another person one step closer to Christ today.

Acts 8: 26-31


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Led by the Spirit

Philip was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, a place that is usually unsafe, especially alone.  He followed the Spirit’s lead.  In our own journeys of faith how often have we felt the nudge to go somewhere we questioned?  In those times when we allowed our inner fears to trump the nudge, each of us probably missed an opportunity to share our faith.

As Philip drew near to the eunuch, he heard him reading from Isaiah, “.. led like a sheep to the slaughter…”  Again led by the Spirit, Philip engaged the man in conversation.  How many times has God opened our eyes to someone who was wrestling with a passage of scripture or some other challenge life has brought their way?  Here to we each probably felt the nudge or heard the still, small voice saying “Go.”  Again we maybe missed the chance to share our faith or to bear another’s burdens as we chose to flee instead of to go.  We allow all the questions and doubts to again trump the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Philip was not seminary trained, he was just Spirit-led.  He did not have some extra-special connection or pipeline to the Holy Spirit. He had the same connection we have – through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Philip trusted the nudge.  Philip was committed to sharing the good news.  In this instance he forever changed a man’s life.  This week we will all probably have the opportunity to share our faith.  May our faith allow us to make the same decision Philip made: to go where the Spirit leads and to trust in our Lord and Savior.

Scripture reference: Acts 8: 26-40


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The Spirit and the Story

We are all called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him.  Where do I have to go to do this?  What is the cost?  Do I know all I need to know to accomplish this task?  These are probably the three basic questions one asks.

When the risen Jesus sent the disciples out to continue His work, He answered none of these questions.  Many people are called to the task of going forth to another country or city, but most of us are called to be at work right where we are.  By that I do not mean within the walls of our churches but out in the community in which we worship, work, play, and live.

To answer the first question, another question: what is your passion?  It may be among the homeless or it may be among bankers.  It may be at the jail or it may be at the ball park.  The cost.  Financially our God provides.  For example, when one commits to tithe, God faithfully responds by providing for their needs.  There is always money for what is needed after one dedicates the part to God.  We give to others out of love and out of the blessings that God has given us.  When we step out in faith and put our full trust in God, it is good.  He will not fail us.

For the last question, we look to the disciples.  They had the power of the Holy Spirit and the story of their lives.  Each of us also has these two assets in our arsenal.  The Holy Spirit will give us just the right words when we need them.  The Spirit will also lead, guide, protect, and intercede for us.  We all have a faith story.  This story of what Jesus Christ has done in our own lives is where to begin sharing the good news.  Those without need to know why they need Jesus.  Sharing how Jesus makes a difference in our lives is a compelling story.  Go forth, empowered by the Spirit, to share the good news of Jesus with the lost and the least.

Scripture reference: Luke 24: 44-48


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Resurrection Faith

It was said billions of times in churches and posted trillions of times on social media yesterday: “He is Risen!”  And after most times it was said or read, it was followed by, “He is Risen, indeed!” or “Amen.” Easter Sunday is full of celebration and joy over the resurrected Christ.  It is a wonderful day when we celebrate God’s gift of salvation.

On the day after Easter and each day forward the question is: how do I live out my resurrection faith?  Each day how do I experience and share the incarnation of God in Jesus and the resurrection that leads to eternal life?  On the first day of the week, Jesus appeared to His disciples and showed them His hands and side.  He gave them the Holy Spirit and sent them out into the world to continue His work.  In resurrection faith the disciples went out and rocked the world.

We too are empowered by the same Holy Spirit, called to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that all may come to know Him as Lord and Savior.  This is done in mostly small, personal ways: talking with our neighbor, listening to a co-worker at lunch, taking time to get to know the stranger in need.  It is about hearing another’s story and sharing our faith story.  It is all about developing a relationship with another so that we can share the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.

We are called and sent out by the same Christ that called and sent out the disciples.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we too can rock the world.  This day and in the days ahead, may we each find ways to live out our resurrection faith.

Scripture reference: John 20: 19-23


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Warning: Work in Progress – But Not Alone!

Each of us is a work in progress.  Some may be a little further along in their faith journey and some a little less.  But all of us must realize that there is still work to be done , still growth to experience.  All must heed Paul’s words found in Romans 3: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Even though we constantly fall short, God also always pursues us.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are made aware of our sin.  When we confess that we have sinned and made an affront to God, it is the same Spirit that leads us to repentance.  Each time God blots out our transgression and remembers our sin no more.

The unending supply and depth of God’s love and mercy is amazing.  The constant presence of the Holy Spirit seeking to work on us confounds understanding.  It is like God cares for each and every one of us as if we were each His only child.

Each of us is not yet what we will be.  And each is not what we once were either.  Through the constant cycle of sin and repentance we are slowly made more and more into the image of Christ.  Apparently God has a very high level of patience as well.  As we continually say, “Lord, have mercy” we are acknowledging God’s sovereignty.  We cannot succeed on our own.  Only through God can we continue to run the race.  It is in this weakness that He is made strong.  This day, may we each come to fully rely on God, our redeemer and sustainer.

Scripture reference: Psalm 51: 1-5


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With the Spirit

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He was driven into the wilderness by the Spirit.  For forty days, Jesus was tested.  Today this forty day period of testing is represented by Lent, which is under way for us.

Lent began a few days ago with Ash Wednesday – a day when we put ashes on our forehead and acknowledge that we are mortal.  In many places, the ashes were imposed with a prayer to create a pure heart and a steadfast spirit within each child of God as they received the ashes.  This is to prepare us for the journey of Lent.

During Lent we are especially in tune with our faith.  In tune with God as we seek His strength and love as we honestly face the sins we wrestle with.  In tune with Holy Spirit as we accept the conviction of our sins and as we use the Spirit’s guidance away from our sins.  In tune with Jesus as we pursue His example of a holy life and as we accept grace and forgiveness when we fail.

If we delve deeply and reflect honestly, our self-examination during Lent will reveal spaces to grow and will enrich our lives of faith.  Our spiritual disciplines will yield much fruit in this season when we practice them faithfully.  We cannot do this on our own.  May we depend on the Spirit to lead, guide, and empower us to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, yielding a willing heart and mind bent on a better relationship with Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Scripture reference: Mark 1: 8-15


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Perspective

Perspective is an important thing.  As followers of Christ, we believe He will return one day to bring final judgment.  It could be today, next week, or in two thousand years.  From this perspective we live each day prepared for this to be the day.  In a sense we live with one eye always on heaven and our eternity.

Yet we must also keep today in perspective.  We cannot live detached from this world as we await the next.  Even if our lives in this world, though we may live to be hundred, are just a flash in the spectrum of eternity, each day still matters.  Each person and encounter is an opportunity to be Christ’s light and love.  Each is a chance to affect someone else’s eternity.

In the here and now it is our relationships that matter most.  Our relationship with Jesus Christ takes priority because it does reflect and impact the eternal.  And all of our present relationships are also important as each person is a child of God and has worth.  Each person – from our family members to the person we meet on the sidewalk – matters.

How we choose to live in each moment does impact our eternity.  All the choices, decisions, and actions play a role, as does the lack of action…  As we go through our day today, may our eyes be open, may our hearts be willing, and may our ears be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture reference: 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31