Invitation to Holy Spirit

Over the summer I was blessed to attend a women's conference at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. During the conference, I heard Eric Johnson share a message about "creating a space and a place" where you can encounter the presence of God.  It spoke to me and I thought about it yesterday morning when I was sitting on my back porch. I turned on some music, opened my bible and prayed for God to speak to me through His word.  I created a space and a place to encounter Him.  Sure enough, I felt Him begin to speak to me and remind me of things I needed to remember.  His Word flashed through my mind and entered my heart with precision only He could deliver. 

Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and full of power - making it operative, energizing, and effective. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit, the completeness of a person, and of both joints and marrow - the deepest parts of our nature - exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart."

He spoke to a void in my heart...a place I have lost a little hope of late. There was no condemnation for my weakened state. Just loving kindness. He was filling me with hope again for something I was starting to give up on. The specifics are not really important - I'm sure you can think of your own times you've felt a void or a hunger for something more. The part I feel He wants me to share is how He filled the void.  By me 'creating a space and a place', I invited Him to have His way. I invited Him to access the areas of my heart that were in need.  There's no magic formula. It's just simply being still for a moment and inviting Him in.  When my children ask me for advice or help on something, I'm honored and glad-hearted to help. It thrills me to see them humbly ask for direction, knowing I will sit down with them and share what I have to offer.  Just think how much more willing our God is to sit down with us! 

Luke 11:11-13 "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you, then, being evil that is, sinful by nature, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!” 

Asking the Father for the Holy Spirit is not necessarily a one-time thing. We have an opportunity to ask daily. There's more of Him to discover.  Ephesians 1:13 "In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and as a result believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, the One promised by Christ, as owned and protected by God."  We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe and are marked by Christ as His...but perhaps there are more levels of power and presence He wants to unlock in us.  Ephesians 1:17-23 "I always pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight into the true knowledge of Him, for we know the Father through the Son. And I pray that the eyes of your heart -the very center and core of your being - may be enlightened, flooded with light by the Holy Spirit, so that you will know and cherish the hope, the divine guarantee, the confident expectation to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (God’s people), and so that you will begin to know what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His active, spiritual power is in us who believe."   When I became a Christian, I wasn't necessarily "done". I am not perfected.  I still need Him desperately.  I still need to be taught, nurtured, held, filled and refilled.  And thankfully, I think He's happy to do so!  And so yesterday (and again this morning) I asked for His Holy Spirit. I asked for Him to speak to my heart. To uncover my voids/wounds/weaknesses and meet me where I was.  He came.  He healed.  He filled.  He refreshed me.  He showed me truth in the word.  He uncovered and revealed what was hidden, and He brought it into the light of His presence.  

Create a space and a place to encounter Him today.  Ask the Father for the Holy Spirit.  Continuously ask.  He is only one invitation away from doing a work in your heart.  Ask for Him to teach You about things you read in His word.  Perhaps He will unveil and reveal things beyond what our human minds can understand.  Maybe He will reveal mysteries we never could have imagined!  Or maybe He will just speak to the void in your heart that desperately wants to be filled and the brokenness that He has healing balm for.  "For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding] 1 Corinthians 2:10 (AMP)

Come Away, Come Alive

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being (and not for disaster) to give you a future and a hope. 

I love the Word of God - always current, always powerful, always applicable. This verse above is one that I've known a long time. But in this very moment it means more to me than ever before.  Right now it feels so full of promise. A promise of a faithful Father that stands the test of time.  It speaks to this very moment I'm breathing in and out. It's like water to my thirsty soul. 

His Word never fails...to delight, to impart, to strengthen, to nourish.  His Word brings hope.  Life. When things look bleak, these ancient words inspire me to believe and to hope. I find peace in them. Rest. I read of His faithfulness. I read of His heart of goodness. I read of His sovereignty. His miracles. And I'm reminded how much I need His word to walk through my life.  Rain or shine.  

"I want to know You, Lord, like I know a friend." (United Pursuit, Simple Gospel). This has been a desire of my heart since I was first saved - to know Him intimately.  And isn't this a great way to get to know Him?  By being in His very Word?  To listen to Him speak to the very heart?  A current yet ancient promise for us to find hope in and to feel connected to His heart.  The Word is overflowing with promises and love!  Reading them helps us cultivate a deep friendship with our Creator and Father, our Savior and Friend, our Comforter and Teacher.  And through this relationship, we are able to live!  Really live!  Thrive, even. 

As I sit on my porch soaking in the sunshine and cool, autumn breeze, I am moved by how He meets me here.  Right where I am. He speaks straight to my heart. Truth. Promise. All with a tender love that makes me feel gathered up in His arms.  Covered and held together.  I feel like He's been waiting for me to meet Him here, in the pages of His heart.  I am experiencing His glorious presence and peace in this moment. While I often am running around doing, today I'm instead resting and enjoying His presence. I think it delights Him.  It surely delights me. Peace and joy are invading my spirit. I'm thankful He called me to come away with Him this morning. Thankful He's reminding me how much I need Him and how beautiful time with Him truly is. 

"And He calls each one of us by our name to come away. And He whispers to your heart to let it go and to be alive!  Come alive!  You’re full of life now and full of passion!  It’s how He made you. Just let it happen..." (United Pursuit, Let it Happen)

Thank You, God, for meeting me here. For speaking forth Your word to heal me. Thank You for Your faithfulness. For Your goodness towards me. Thank You for the plans you have for me...for allowing me to partner with You in them.  Thank you for restoring my hope. Thank You for refreshing my spirit. I'm honored You care for me so...and humbled...and so in love with You!  I pray for any who read these words to be blessed with an encounter with You.  To dive into Your book of life and breathe in and out, receiving from Your heart.  Let it happen...

Changing Seasons…God is My Known

Change is not always easy. I find myself in a place of change, shifting into a new season. I wish I could say I've breezed through this with grace but actually it's been a little ugly.  A mere mention of change caused me to immediately dig my heels in and live in a place of avoidance - the cost of this change just seemed too high. A sacrifice too great for my heart to handle at the time.  But the Lord has so tenderly and patiently pursued my heart, that I cannot help but soften my stance.  He spoke through so many avenues that I could no longer remain in a state of avoidance, but moved into acceptance.  Perhaps soon I'll move into a place of embracing it with joy! 

As we know in life, change is inevitable. It just is.  We change physically - we grow up, grow old.... We change schools. We change jobs. We change paint colors.  It's natural to go through many changes throughout our lifetime. Some are happy changes, some are extremely challenging, and some bring sadness.  Losing my father twelve years ago was an unwelcome change that brought sadness.  But just as God is famous for, He ministered to my heart and brought comfort.  That comfort carried me through the change and helped me come to a place of peace.  

Thankfully, God's always teaching and preparing us for changes that may come.  No matter what season we're in, God is equipping us for every good work He's prepared in advance for us.  He's downloading all we need into our spirit to be used when the time is right. He is always trying to show us how faithful He is and how present He is so that we can trust Him through the changes.  They may seem too hard or too big, but with Him all things are possible. 

I've been listening to Kristene Dimarco's CD called "Mighty". They are powerful, powerful lyrics when you are in a transitional stage. God is using it to prepare my heart for my new season and I know will continue to encourage me with it once I transition. It's like He knew the words I needed to be repeating to myself and sent me these songs to get my heart right. I have "Mighty" on repeat and every song is rocking me.  The more I listen and sing the words, the more steadfast I feel.  The more excited I become at the possibilities...

Sometimes we need all the help we can get and all the courage we can muster. God is so trustworthy. But sometimes when He's changing things up in our life and shaking things out, it feels a little scary.  It's like I'm driving in my car and the familiar begins to disappear in the rearview mirror and I start down a road that's simply - new. I run into "fear of the unknown" and "what ifs" that threaten to cloud my vision.   I have nothing to go on but my trust in Him, my faith in His guidance and goodness.  He is still familiar. He is my known. He hasn't, nor will ever, change His nature. He's always trustworthy. Always present. Always loving. Always good. 

"So let go my soul and trust in Him!"  (It is Well/Kristene Dimarco).  Even if the road gets bumpy, I can call His name and He stretches out His arm to steady me.  "He lifts me off the ground" (Be Still).  My attention is pulled to His face, His perspective. He makes my courage and confidence rise up. "My heart is steadfast oh God and I won't be led astray by the things that simply will fade before Your face.  I will follow You. I'm wrapped up in You. I belong to You.  I have decided and I have resolved in my heart that I will go anywhere just to see Your face.  Moments may come where I feel so afraid but I rest in the promise You've made that You will remain forever faithful!" (I Will Follow).  "I am not alone. You're with me every step. Seasons come and go, but You have never left." (Be Still).  

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].  Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP