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building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the tag “Holy Spirit”

09 Apr 2014
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Love Affair

I started a love affair when I was a mere child. I grew up on television. I loved everything about it. I loved the programs and thought they were my constant companion. Much of my time growing up was spent in front of the television. When I woke up in the mornings, I turned it on. When I went to bed, I turned it off. I remember when my Mom went to work part time one of the first purchases was a color television. Was there nothing better than that? I loved the programs so much that when a series finally ended, I cried like a baby. I felt like I lost my friends. As I grew up, I never fell out of love with my television. When I had to have an internship to graduate from my college, I decided to try an internship at a local television station. I was a business major and had no idea what I could do there, but I went asking. I graduated and the station called for me to return. I worked for the next five years in three different television stations. When cable started in the 1980’s, I was on board. I upgraded to a television that could handle the new communication tool.

Over the last few years, my love affair was revealed to me as a hindrance to my relationship with Jesus. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it had a greater role in my life than it should have. I switched from cable to satellite in 2008 when I was cutting my expenses to afford my new schooling. In 2011, I dropped the level of channels that I received to the “family” plan. In 2012, the Holy Spirit started working on me about some of the programs I had been watching. Again, they weren’t all that bad, but it interfered with my desire of being holy in His sight. Soon after, I stopped watching one of my favorite shows. I made a decision that I wouldn’t watch any new programming. All of this was a process. I didn’t go cold turkey, but as the Holy Spirit guided me, I responded in obedience. Up until the last year, the Holy Spirit started working on me to remove the satellite dish totally. I had given up so much already, what’s the harm with watching through the satellite?

The receiver in my bedroom started acting up. I would get half of the channels for weeks at a time. I would call the company, and they would offer their advice on how to fix it. The fixes were only temporary. I struggled with it for over a year. But the real struggle was in my spirit. I knew I needed to let it go, but I just couldn’t pull the plug. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I began to watch less television. Then I did a fast for forty days – fast of television – after the super “event” in February. I think that was the catalyst to finally pull the plug. On March 21, the first full day of spring, I released what was old and began a new thing. I pulled the plug. The satellite operator wasn’t helpful in releasing this burden. They fought to keep me, but I held firmly.

In the end, I had a little anxiety over not having my constant companion. My love affair ended after fifty years. God has called me to another love affair. This one I want to become so constant that the thought of an intrusive television program will be offensive to me. My prayer is to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and no other. It’s only right to keep my mind on the honorable things and not the junk that is offered on television for entertainment purposes.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

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19 Mar 2014

Warnings Pt 2

I finished reading the book “The Harbinger” and wanted to follow-up with last week’s post. The first part of the book – the harbingers – were concentrating on the 9/11 attacks and the aftermath. The second part of the book was on the second warning issued through the financial meltdown in 2008 and beyond. I learned some history of America’s foundation through this book. I was deeply moved as I read through it feeling a bit overwhelmed at how much of the events could not have happened by chance. I could see God’s hand moving through the circumstances as only He could do it. There were too many coincidences that could just be explained away by mere human actions.

So if we are under the warnings before the judgment, what are we to do about it? If this were all true, is judgment inevitable? Many times we see in Scripture that warnings through the prophets were either heeded or ignored. When the warnings were heeded like in Nineveh, the king and the people repented of their sins (for a short period of time). For Sodom, for other nations, even Israel at times the warnings were ignored and destruction was complete. For Sodom, God looked for the righteous people to save the nation but none were found.

At the end of “The Harbinger,” I felt a great conviction come over me. The author (Jonathon Cahn) pointed to the Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT): Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. The author pointed to the statement, “if my people.” That’s me, I am His people. The ones who don’t call upon God or Jesus, they are not under the same authority that we as followers of Jesus are. We are to be imitators of Christ. We are called to be lights in our communities. We are to draw others to Jesus. If we lived like we should, would we be in the same boat we’re in today? Would we be living under a warning to repent or reap the judgment? Food for thought for sure!

In the early church, the followers of Jesus made such a difference in their communities people noticed. They were called “little Christs” (Christians). They were set apart from the normal crowd because they were different in their ways (it was actually called “The Way”). The Way drew people to Jesus. When people were confronted with the truth, they repented and turned back to God (by the thousands). Oh, but that was in the ancient days. That can’t possibly happen today, right? Who knows? For the most part, we don’t live any differently than our neighbors. We want to fit in with the rest of society. We’ll do our good works through our own efforts. What we lack is the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to draw others to Jesus. I don’t know if the events of 9/11 were a warning to us. I do know this, if I am living as I am called to do, then change would be happening around me.

Warnings – the Bible is full of warnings. John the Baptist was sent before Jesus to prepare the way for Him. John warned those who would listen, it’s time to repent. Jesus warned the church of Laodicea to be hot or cold. Jesus said (in Rev 3:16): “So, because you are lukewarm I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” He goes on to say (in Rev 3:19), “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” I believe we’re getting closer to seeing Jesus come back. If God is sending us a warning, we need to heed it. If we are sent warnings, it’s because of His love for us. Warnings are always sent to His people before action is taken against them. We are given an opportunity to repent for our land to be healed. I am convicted, are you?

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12 (ESV)

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05 Feb 2014
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Ouch!

You know when you ask God to reveal things in your heart, He’s going to respond. I asked for God to do that for me. One of the things that God revealed to me lately came through a sermon by Joyce Meyer. She made a statement about one of her kids asking what she (her daughter) could do for her (Joyce) that day. At that moment, I had a flashback to the days of my youth. I would have never come to my Mom to ask how I could help her. Mom always had to ask me to do things for her. I was so self focused that I would not have seen her need in front of me. I wish I could say I grew out my selfish nature, but I am still working on it.

I remember so many times when the family went off to play golf and left my Mom home to cook our supper. My Mom truly had a servant’s heart. She never complained about doing for others. She knew we were off doing what we loved to do. And when we got home, she was always ready for us to sit down and enjoy a good meal. Even in the last few years of her life, when she was hurting she still managed to get through the cooking without a complaint. I was better in the later years with helping out in the kitchen without being asked. But it still makes me sad to think of how I treated my Mom without the gratitude for her caring nature. I know in her last days, I asked her forgiveness for how I treated her in my youth. She had already forgiven me long ago, but I still needed to say it once again.

When God revealed my heart, I saw my selfish nature. I don’t think my Mom had a selfish bone in her body; especially in those later years. She was so giving. I keep asking God to reveal my heart, and sometimes He shows me my Mom’s. I am still so far from perfect. But every time He reveals something, I can choose to accept the challenge. I know I want to become more like my Mom, but even better, I want to be more like Christ. As God reveals each area to surrender, I am one more step closer to living like His Son. I know I can’t do it on my own, which is why He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. It’s through His strength I can do all things. Change doesn’t come easy. I will probably fail more times than not, but that’s okay. God is patient with me and will help me finish the work that has already begun in me. God is at work. I am still in the Master Potter’s hands. I am still being made into a useful vessel. One day God will have me ready for His glory.

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

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15 Jan 2014
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Rebuilding

I have told of my struggles with my eye problem in previous posts. I have done all I have known to do to correct the problem. Recently, I discovered the reason of my eye problem. Dairy has always been a nemesis of mine, but I allowed it to creep back into my diet. When I stopped using my whey protein, I noticed my eye got better. When I was on my mission trip, my eye problem had gotten completely well. Then back at home, it flared up once again. I realized I had been taking probiotics while I was away too. I decided to start back on them; once again, I noticed a difference. So as I start my new year off, I have to put a rebuilding program into place. My temple has broken down, and the walls need to be repaired (intestinal walls that is)! As I was considering this line of thought, I recalled a sermon I heard on New Year’s Eve. The sermon was titled “Count on It” and was spoken by pastor Steven Furtick (Elevation Church). It was a powerful word for this coming year.

God has made some incredible promises in His word. The thing about God is: if He promises something, then He will bring it to pass! One of the promises of God concerned Solomon’s temple. He stated the temple would be rebuilt after it was destroyed by the Babylonians. The first temple was built by Solomon. The second temple (Ezra 3) was built on the old foundation, but it seemed to be less grand than the first (Ezra 3:12). But God said in Haggai 2, it was going to be better than the first. The look on the outside may not look the same, but the temple would be grander than the first because of God’s glory (vs 9). This promise was also fulfilled when Jesus came to earth. He fulfilled many promises in the Bible. Another promise was given that the Holy Spirit would come when Jesus ascended to heaven. The Holy Spirit fulfills the promise too that our temples will be grander when He comes to dwell in us.

My body is the place where the Holy Spirit resides. If my walls are broken down, then I need to rebuild from the foundation that is already in place. I need to shore up my spiritual walls. I want the Holy Spirit to be grander than previously experienced. God has promised me that the Holy Spirit will help me. I can count on it! I can count on His promises to be fulfilled. Awesome! As I am rebuilding, He is working the blessing for the glory of God to be even grander. “‘This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish: a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness.’ Decree of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.”Haggai 2:9 (The Message)

I am so excited to think God is at work. As I am obedient to do the things I know to do, His glory is going to be grander. His seed has already been planted in me. I do not yet see all that He has in store, but His promise is to prosper, not harm. I can count on it!

“‘Now think ahead from this same date—this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Think ahead from when the Temple rebuilding was launched. Has anything in your fields—vine, fig tree, pomegranate, olive tree—failed to flourish? From now on you can count on a blessing.’” Haggai 2:18-19

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25 Sep 2013

Clearing the Land

Recently, I was taking my daily walk. I made my way through the streets of my neighborhood to the new neighborhood adjacent to mine. My heart dropped a bit as I noticed the stately oaks and pines were no more. As each tree fell, I wondered if this was really progress. Does every neighborhood have to be cleared completely of every tree? I was sad to see them fall. As I was homeward bound, I had this thought: every building project has to have groundwork done before the building can rise. Every land has to be cleared; every foundation must be built in order to have a secure footing.

In my season of preparation (as I like to call this time), the groundwork has to be done. The pruning, the fertilizing, the preparation for bearing fruit is essential in order to build a lasting legacy. I don’t have kids so why am I concern with a legacy? There are many people who are watching how God works in my life. Probably ones I don’t even know are watching and those are the ones where the legacy will be planted. My footing has to be secure. My solid rock must be laid before the beauty can rise out of the ashes, so to speak. I don’t know yet the building that is being planned but I know this: Jesus is always building His church. I have felt for many years that Jesus is doing something wonderful in the Body of Christ. There are “dry bones” coming to life. There is an army of Christ’s soldiers preparing for battle. And maybe a woman will be in charge to lead the way – hey, it’s happened before (look at Deborah in Judges 4 and 5).

I’m not saying I will be in charge, but I know God has placed me here in this time, and in this place for a greater purpose than collecting trinkets that will not last. He has a purpose designed for each one of us but the groundwork has to be done. The Breath of God has to be placed in us in order to empower us to do the work we are called to do. We have to surrender to the Holy Spirit as He leads us to make the changes necessary in our hearts. Surrender. I have never liked that word. It sounds so weak. But I have come to realize it takes someone strong and courageous to surrender to another authority greater than our own. It’s hard to do. When we believe we can handle all our own problems, we stand in the way of something greater. God’s plan. It’s the plan that we need to surrender to.

As I finished my walk, the thought of the trees came back to me. I heard a story of the mighty trees of Lebanon being cut for the temple of God in the original building program. The trees were not sad to be cut because they knew they were going to be used to glorify God. They had a greater purpose. I don’t know the fate of the trees from the adjacent neighborhood, but I have a feeling they will be sold for a new purpose. I know many days I sit at a table that was once a tree. I have offered many blessings as I have sat at my table. In a way, I guess the table did have a part in glorifying God.

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

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24 Apr 2013

Proven!

Many years ago, I received the gift of salvation. I was around eleven years old. It was on Easter Sunday. I did not understand everything that occurred that Sunday morning. I didn’t understand the budding relationship that happened. I know Jesus came into my heart. I know I heard the Holy Spirit speak into my heart to “Go!” The trouble is I didn’t change anything. However, I do believe I was covered with the blood of the Lamb. I believe God protected me just as He protected His children in Egypt as the angel of Death moved throughout Egypt. I know there were many times I was not walking as I should. But I had a moment in 1993, where I turned around. I saw I had moved far away from God. I had wandered away. It was not something that I had done intentionally. I just didn’t make wise choices. I never understood I couldn’t change on my own. I had the power of the Living God in me, but I didn’t know what that truly meant.

Since 1993, I started changing. It was a slow progressive step toward Jesus. I began the walk home. Today, I am vastly different from who I was in 1993. I am actually even different from who I was in 2012. I have a progressive growth attitude. It is intentional. I am intentionally seeking. I do not rest in my relationship but seek to be more like Jesus. Oh, I am still far from where God wants me, but I am so much further than I was. It is a process of change that began on the day Jesus came into my heart. I didn’t do what I should have done then, but the fruit is evident today. Jesus says we will know each other by our fruit. It’s a wonderful gift Jesus has given us. I am truly grateful for the new life He has given me. I am no longer a slave to my old sin nature. It’s dead to me – Praise God! When I am faced with the old me, I can simply say “I’m dead to that!”

I know I don’t handle all situations perfectly. But I know today that what happened when I was 11 has been proven in my life. I am changed. And I am still changing. I’m not done yet. God is still at work! The places where I stumble are less frequently on my path. I recognize those old roots and try to avoid them as much as I am able. It’s not by my strength but the One who lives in me. I know I cannot live this life without the Holy Spirit’s power. And it’s because of Jesus that I can say – I am CHANGED!

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

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13 Mar 2013

He Missed It

I have just finished studying the Book of James through Beth Moore’s James Mercy Triumphs. I just love her teachings. One thing she pointed out and has stuck with me; James lived with Jesus. I know that’s understood, but really – HE LIVED WITH JESUS! He didn’t understand who his half brother was. He missed the Glory of God living with him – the “Shekinah” Glory – the abiding presence. Those of us who follow Christ, we too have the Glory of God abiding in us through the Holy Spirit. What a gift we have! But James insists we not miss this fellowship we have with the Holy Spirit. Beth commented in the study of James, there is nothing worth the risk of losing fellowship with the Shekinah Glory. She was commenting on the section of Scripture on how anger can lead us to break fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Any sin which is not confessed can break the fellowship.

I have also just finished reading a small book from Brother Lawrence called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” He was a French monk who lived in the 17th Century. He practiced his focus on God every day no matter what tasks he was involved in. It must have been easy in a monastery living in that century. I mean, he didn’t have the technology that could have distracted him. He didn’t have the fast paced life that we live today. He didn’t have the temptations we experience every day. Yet, I’m sure for his life, he had all the distractions he needed – since Satan was just as hard at work then as he is now.

I want to be able to practice the presence too. I want to experience all I can experience in this earthly existence. We will have an even greater life in the future fellowship after this existence. But I want to know what is to come, don’t you? I want to experience all that I am able in this time, in this place; to practice the presence of God. We will get the full effect in heaven, but we can experience heaven on earth by practicing now – practice makes perfect, right? To live fully aware of our great God; to live with His power working through us; the power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us! How great is God! How awesome is His Name, the great I AM! How awesome that He decided to send the Holy Spirit to us when we first believed so that we could have fellowship with Him now!

This just overwhelms me to know how awesome He truly is. That He consider our sinful nature and knew we couldn’t live the Christian life without a helper. He thought of it all. There is no detail that He hadn’t considered and had an answer for before the earth was formed with His spoken Word. Yes, I stand (or sit) in awe while I am writing these words. I am just overwhelmed to know the presence of God is available to me. I don’t want to miss it!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

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06 Feb 2013

Stirring It Up

I heard a sermon from TD Jakes in November that has stuck with me. In it he gave an illustration of an eagle building a nest for the eaglets to be born. The nest is nicely placed high with little room for error. The nest is made with all the sticks pointing outward. It is made for comfort for the young eaglet. The eagle readies the nest just in time for the arrival of the eaglets. The nest is the comfortable place as long as the eaglet is small. The eagle will begin to stir up the nest so that the sticks are now pointing inward as the eaglet becomes too large for the nest. This creates an environment that is less than suitable for comfort and more likely to cause the eaglet to hop out of the nest. However, once out of the nest, the eaglet is forced to live on the very edge of the cliff or fly.

I was interested in this topic as I began to notice how my life has been much like that of the eaglet. I had been living in my comfortable nest for too many years. Slowly, as I began to grow in my spiritual life, God began to stir up my nest. The first sign of growth was moving to a new city with a message on my heart – God had a plan for me in my new city. I moved to a new place and settled down again. I had another growth spurt, and the nest was stirred even more. Each time, the place of comfort became a place of discontent. The comfortable place was becoming too small for me as I was growing up. Eventually, I was hanging on to the ledge. It was either stay on the edge and eventually die; or take a step of faith and fly.

I chose to fly. One of the great things about eagle’s wings is this: they can travel great distances with little energy being expended. They are carried on the air current. They travel as far as a hummingbird. The hummingbird lives only about 18 months whereas the eagle lives for years. Sometimes I feel like the hummingbird flying with all my strength. I need to remember I have eagle’s wings. The Holy Spirit has provided the current; I am just along for the ride. I can be carried great distances, if I will allow the Holy Spirit to move me. God has stirred up my nest both physically and spiritually. I am no longer content to being as I was. I want more. I want greater distances. I want higher perspectives. I want His vision for my life. I want His wind beneath my wings. I want to soar to greater heights for His glory!

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)

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14 Nov 2012

Going Public

Several months ago I was questioning God. I asked Him – what’s hindering me from moving forward? What’s hindering my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Why am I not working in the power of the Holy Spirit? I started searching in my soul, in the Word, listening to different speakers and reading a few books. One thing kept coming up: baptism. I considered this answer. I had often thought when I saw others being baptized whether I need to be re-baptized. I had received the gift of salvation at the age of 11. I was baptized soon after. Even though I really didn’t understand any of the ramifications of what being “born again” really meant at the time, I believed I had covered all my bases. But as I was considering baptism this time, one of the speakers spoke about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I started questioning that aspect since I knew I was not really working in the power of the Holy Spirit, maybe this is what the answer was. I thought about it, prayed about it, read about it and asked a couple of people about their thoughts on the matter. And then let it go.

A few weeks ago, I started questioning God on the matter again. I heard a few sermons soon after this on the Holy Spirit. Two pastors spoke on the subject in length. Both said “we have all we need already in us if we have the Holy Spirit, if we are born again.” I believe I am born again – my life is living proof of it. So if I have all I need already in me, what’s hindering me? God placed baptism in front of me again. Even though I did it when I was 11, I didn’t really start living my life as a born again follower of Christ until a few years ago. This is the time to fully acknowledge His work in me. This is the time to go public.

I started attending a new church a few weeks ago. They are having a baptism this evening. I will be in that group who are being baptized. It’s a simple obedience to what I believe I am to do next in order to move forward in complete surrender to His will. Whether I receive any deeper anointing or find a new power working through me is irrelevant. I am to follow where God leads me. I am excited to find out what’s next in my life. Each small step of obedience leads to another small step. As I take each one, a true walk of faith is occurring. My journey is not about a destination since I know the ultimate destination, but it’s about the process to getting there. Celebrate with me today for I am alive in Christ!

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)

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11 Jul 2012

Opportunity Knocks

I find it annoying, when going about my business on a Saturday morning, someone knocks on my door. Most of the time it’s the Jehovah Witness’ doing their thing. Most of the time, I ignore those knocks. It happened again on this particular Saturday. I didn’t answer the door. But this time I felt the Holy Spirit disagreeing with that decision. I was convicted this time that I missed an opportunity. I don’t know what that opportunity was at this point. I stopped what I was doing and went to the window to see if there was a car on the street or whatever other indication I could find of what I had missed. No car, no neighbors out and about, no one walking around. Did I miss an angel visiting me? Did I miss someone in need that I could have helped? Did I miss an opportunity to minister to someone who did not know Christ? I will never know now what God wanted to do through me on this particular day. It could have been a divine appointment. Or maybe someone giving me a check for a million dollars (doubtful) – but I’ll never know.

I say I want the power of the Holy Spirit to work through me. In order for that to happen, I have to open the doors of opportunity. The Holy Spirit needs a place to work. If I stay in my nice comfortable place, the Holy Spirit is not needed. Sometimes I feel like I am not ready. But if I ever feel ready, the Holy Spirit is not needed. If this is about me, what good is it anyway? If opportunity comes knocking again, I’ll let the Holy Spirit work as He wants.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6

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