Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Then Moses and the priests, the Levites, spoke to all Israel, saying “Take heed and listen, O Israel: This day you have become the people of the Lord your God. Therefore you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God, and observe His commandments and His statutes which I command you today.” Deuteronomy 27-9-10
One of my friends in seminary, Justin, told me about how a visiting speaker in one of his classes mentioned his thoughts on spiritual development. One of the things he spoke on was simply taking time each day to sit down with nothing but a pen, a blank piece of paper and a bible… to write. You can write anything – letters to God, prayers, specific issues, responses to scripture verses or simply take time to listen – just let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts. He argued that this was the single most important act in which to grow closer to your Lord – to spend time allowing the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor.
This is the beauty of a relationship with Christ: you don’t need an expensive seminary education, religion, a library of books (although my personal book addiction suggests I believe otherwise) or an elaborate training program. You’ve already been given everything you need at the moment of conversion – the Holy Spirit and an open relationship with God through Christ. Now, like any relationship, you must invest time and effort for it to grow. And, if you’ve ever experienced this relationship, you know of the intoxicating love and irresistible grace that springs from an intimate encounter with the Almighty Creator of the universe. It’s all you need.
I’ve found this amazingly true in my own life – especially in the past five months as I have spent a lot more time alone, listening and writing. God has revealed things to me through his word and voice -- all the while becoming more and more my sole source of worth -- simply because I listened. At times God seems distant; other times it’s as if I am one of his disciples, sitting around the campfire discussing the Kingdom of Heaven. Joan of Arc was once asked by someone why God seems to speak only to her. She replied, “Sir, you are wrong. God speaks to everyone. I just listen.” And to listen, you have to stop talking. (What a hard concept for me to put into practice!)
Behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it. 1 Kings 19:11-13
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
One of my friends in seminary, Justin, told me about how a visiting speaker in one of his classes mentioned his thoughts on spiritual development. One of the things he spoke on was simply taking time each day to sit down with nothing but a pen, a blank piece of paper and a bible… to write. You can write anything – letters to God, prayers, specific issues, responses to scripture verses or simply take time to listen – just let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts. He argued that this was the single most important act in which to grow closer to your Lord – to spend time allowing the Holy Spirit to be your Counselor.
This is the beauty of a relationship with Christ: you don’t need an expensive seminary education, religion, a library of books (although my personal book addiction suggests I believe otherwise) or an elaborate training program. You’ve already been given everything you need at the moment of conversion – the Holy Spirit and an open relationship with God through Christ. Now, like any relationship, you must invest time and effort for it to grow. And, if you’ve ever experienced this relationship, you know of the intoxicating love and irresistible grace that springs from an intimate encounter with the Almighty Creator of the universe. It’s all you need.
I’ve found this amazingly true in my own life – especially in the past five months as I have spent a lot more time alone, listening and writing. God has revealed things to me through his word and voice -- all the while becoming more and more my sole source of worth -- simply because I listened. At times God seems distant; other times it’s as if I am one of his disciples, sitting around the campfire discussing the Kingdom of Heaven. Joan of Arc was once asked by someone why God seems to speak only to her. She replied, “Sir, you are wrong. God speaks to everyone. I just listen.” And to listen, you have to stop talking. (What a hard concept for me to put into practice!)
Behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it. 1 Kings 19:11-13
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
posted by Brad at 9:22 PM
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