We can't contain the Spirit

"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom

This quote reminds me so much of our need of the Holy Spirit. Many of us try to be self-sufficient in all areas of our lives, including our faith. However, this is not what God planned for us. The gift of the Holy Spirit is so that we may do the work of God, empowered by God. 

Romans 5:3-5 - There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Living in Grace

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Don't fall into the trap

Many of us fall into the trap of trying to do things in our own strength. As followers of Jesus, we are equally tempted to do the same. Very slowly our pilgrimage of faith becomes an exercise in human achievement and effort, and we forget the power of God's Spirit. 

"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom

Zechariah 4:6 - It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Response: Take a moment to ask God to grant you his strength for the tasks that lie ahead. 

Living in Grace

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Pentecost

 

I realise that there many different teachings on the Holy Spirit in the larger church, but I still remain convinced that the gift of the Spirit is for us to do the work that Jesus left for us to do. Of course, we enjoy the greater benefits of the Spirit in other areas of our lives (that is just the gracious nature of God spilling over), but the Spirit's main agenda is surely to equip the church for sharing the Gospel, living Christ-like lives and changing the hearts of people. 

Perhaps these words will help us reflect on this in a deeper way:

"Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." - Charles Surgeon

"Trying to do the Lord's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you." - Corrie Ten Boom

"The Holy Spirit's main ministry is not to give thrills but to create in us Christlike character." - J.I. Packer

John 15:26-27 (The Message) - “When the Friend I plan to send you from the Father comes—the Spirit of Truth issuing from the Father—he will confirm everything about me. You, too, from your side must give your confirming evidence, since you are in this with me from the start.”

Living in Grace

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Worrying what others think

How many times have you stopped yourself from doing something because you are worried what others may think of you? I know I have done this on a few occasions and I think I have lived to regret worrying too much about the opinions of others. Of course, there is also a positive to this whole scenario - we can save ourselves some trouble by thinking through some silly decisions, by wondering what our family or friends would think. However, in general, we worry too much about other people's opinions.

"The fear of human opinion disables;  trusting in God protects you from that." - Proverbs 29:25 (Message)

I think that the word Eugene Peterson chooses in this paraphrase is quite striking - he uses the word 'disables'. When we are fearful of what people think of us, we are not able to live out of a place of joy, but rather from a place of fear. It is that emotion that disables us.

What do you feel?

“You probably wouldn’t worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.”
― Olin Miller

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie Ten Boom

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Searchlight

"The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive." - Proverbs 20:27

What image comes to your mind when you think of a searchlight? 

I have in my mind a massive bright light, scanning the surrounding countryside, revealing anything that may be hidden in the darkness. I guess a Lighthouse is a kind of searchlight, except it's function is mainly to reveal itself and thus warn ships of where the coastline is. A searchlight has a different function - it is to reveal and find.

Now, I want to ask us: what emotion comes to your mind when you think about a searchlight? 

Yes, it is a strange question perhaps, but let me expand. When the writer of Proverbs suggests that the Spirit acts like a searchlight for our hearts, this picture can do one of two things. It can either fill you with anxiety - oh man, what is God going to find in my heart? 

OR

It can fill you with relief and hope. Many of our hearts are feeling the weight and strain of Covid-19, and some of us are feeling lost. Our emotions are like a frightened animal hiding in the shadows, afraid of what is out there. The searchlight of God's spirit FINDS us again and reminds us that we are God's chosen and beloved. 

The Father sends the Spirit to bring comfort to the lost and bewildered.

Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. ~Malcolm Muggeridge

Living in Grace

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What worry does to you

You have to stop and take notice of your diary when the quote on the bottom of the page says this:

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow;
it empties today of its strength." - Corrie Ten Boom

What are you worrying about today that is draining you and stopping you from enjoying God's blessings? I know that it is sometimes easier said than done, but we do need to take all our worries to God in prayer. Jesus invited us to come to Him with all our trials and struggles.

Luke 12:22 -  [ Do Not Worry ] Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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Give me an Island

Many years ago Corrie Ten Boom was arranging flights for her next speaking engagement. In those days there was no direct flight from Sydney to Cape Town, so the travel agent booked a stop over for the plane to refuel. Unfortunately the stop over was going to delay Corrie's plans and was going to make her miss some speaking engagements. She called the agent and asked why this was the case and the answer came back: "I am sorry, but there are no refuelling spots in the middle of the Indian Ocean."

Corrie was adamant she needed to arrive on the correct date and so she responded with these words: "Well, I cannot change my plans at this late notice. I will just have to pray for an ISLAND, so we can land there."

A few hours later she got another call from the Travel agent saying that they had just managed to arrange a fuel stop on the Cocos Islands - God gave her the ISLAND she prayed for!

Sometimes God answers prayers in ways and means that we could never imagine.

Acts 19:11 - "God did extraordinary miracles through Paul..."

Living in Grace
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Born in us

"If Jesus were born a thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost." - Corrie Ten Boom

To acknowledge that Jesus lived and died is one thing - to invite Jesus into our lives and to allow him to be born within us is something entirely different.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
But has he been born in You?!

John 3:3 - Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

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Taking part

“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.” -Corrie ten Boom

When we are invited to pray for someone or something, we are not called to be a casual by-stander, but rather to play an active role on the life of another. We will probably not be able to change the circumstances of that person, but we could well be called upon to partner God in helping them out.  

When you pray for someone today, listen to the prompting of the Spirit as God may give you fresh insight into that situation or person's life. Believe that God wants to be involved and that your prayers are making a difference.

James 5:16 - Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Living in Grace

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Don't be afraid

Today's message for us is simple:

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a KNOWN God." - Corrie Ten Boom

We don't know what tomorrow brings - how can we know?
However, we know that whatever happens.... GOD IS ALREADY there.

Ephesians 2:7 - So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Living in Grace
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