Spirit-led Work

Do you ever question your calling and purpose? Do you wonder and think there is more that you should be doing? Do you rush around trying to do something so you can look at the accomplishment and somehow feel fulfilled? In studying the early church in the book of Acts, I am convinced that in our society we are so conformed to being productive that we forget to wait for instructions.

How many of you have bought anything, whether a child's toy or a dresser, that needed to be put together, but didn't take the time to read the instructions first? Sometimes you can get away with it and sometimes...it doesn't go so well. The same thing happens when we run ahead of the Lord and try to do His work on our own without spiritual instruction. The early church leaders were focused so much on doing the will of God that they didn't move before seeking Him.

In Acts 1, we see the disciples staying in the Upper Room praying together awaiting the promise. Remember, they didn't know how long they would have to wait. We know it was 10 days, but when they started praying and didn't see anything happen day after day, they continued to trust in the promise that God would send a Helper, but they had to wait for Him (Luke 24:49).

Are you willing to wait 10 days for the Holy Spirit to lead you? What if it takes 10 weeks, 10 months, or 10 years? God's timing isn't the same as ours (2 Peter 3:8). When we look back at the early church, they prayed expectantly and continued steadfastly until something happened. The first time the Holy Spirit came upon them, there were "divided tongues of fire and a mighty rushing wind," (Acts 2:2-3).

The second time they prayed earnestly and steadfastly waiting for empowerment, the "place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit," (Acts 4:31). Isn't this the empowerment you desire to do God's work? It is what I desire, yet the waiting is hard. Trusting Him is demonstrating faith. He is able to overcome all obstacles and sees so much more than we can possibly imagine. Each time the disciples prayed and were filled, miraculous things happened. God poured out His Spirit and did wonderful things.

I want to encourage you today to read Acts - if it seems like too much, start with Chapters 1-4. It is an exciting read. We serve the same God and come to Him through the same Jesus that was present on the day these pages were penned and the days in which these events occurred. God pours out the same Holy Spirit today and the power is available.

Do you believe Him? Do you have faith that He is able? Will you seek Him and His will no matter how long it takes? Will you mobilize yourself the moment He empowers you and do all that He has called you to? He has promised "Never to leave nor forsake you," (Heb. 13:5). Are you ready to pray, pray, and pray some more until He reveals His will for you to you? It's up to you. Take hold and trust in Him. I am praying for you dear one, knowing that God wants to work through each one who has called on His name. He loves you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today begins a brand-new year. A time to look back and see from where you've come and a time to look ahead and see where you want to be. This is the perfect time of year to determine how you want to live your life. Have you been satisfied with your life: joyful, content, peaceful, patient, filled with kindness for others and that type of thing? Or are you lacking joy, contentment, peacefulness, and filled with resentment and anger toward others?

 

 

I encourage you to take time today and reflect on these things. This assessment begs the question: what are you going to do about it if you are sliding toward the negative side of things? Taking time on a daily basis to study God's Word is the prescription I would recommend for whatever is ailing you. Take time to sit down for 15 minutes a day and read from His Word. Pray and allow the Words to soak in and change you. Ask for His Holy Spirit to assist you in this endeavour. Do not try to do this alone. He is right there with you. Allow Him to be your sufficiency and to cover you with His grace and mercy.

 

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray for each precious one who reads this post and takes it to task. Lord, strengthen them as they take on the challenge of reading and soaking in Your Word each and every day. Father, give them the discipline needed to get the job done. I pray Your Spirit would fill them - each one - and reveal the truths of the Scriptures You have chosen for them to read each day. May You work in their lives daily to shape them into the likeness of Jesus Christ Your One and Only Son. In His precious and Holy name I pray, Amen

Overcoming Temptation

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

What a promise! Do you hear God's voice speaking to you through this passage of Scripture, recorded so long ago? We serve the same God today as He was yesterday, and so He will be tomorrow. That excites me and I hope it excites you too!!

Have you ever been tempted and fallen, knowing it was wrong? If so, you are not alone. However, this is not a pattern we need to continue falling into. We can pray and God can heal and cleanse us from our faults and sins. We have hope in overcoming temptations. This passage is our promise from our eternal, loving Father who wants more and better for us than we can begin to imagine.

Realize that temptation is not sin. Acting on the temptation is the sinful behaviour. Remember God's promise to always provide a way out. Will it always be easy to see and follow through? No, maybe not, but we will always have a choice. Sometimes in the midst of temptation, our emotions and feelings cloud our judgement and thoughts. It is then we need to call on the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to make the truth clear and audible. When we know the truth - that there is a way out - it is easier to find it if we will take the time to listen to the voice and nudgings of the Spirit in our hearts.

If you are struggling with temptation, take the time to memorize this Scripture verse. Write it down, put it in your phone, put it on your desktop, mirror, the dash of your car, your refrigerator. Put it in front of you, over and over until it is rooted deeply in your heart and mind. Trust in the Word of God to be your anchor in the storm. Cry out to Him when you feel the temptation coming on. Allow Him to fill the spaces in your heart and longings. He is there. His presence is what we are all searching for.

Let's pray together:

Dear glorious and gracious Father,
Thank you for Your promises that draw us nearer to You. Thank You for Your presence, for Jesus Your Son, and for the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Lord forgive us when we fall. Forgive us for giving into our temptations. Lord, come fill us with Your presence and cleanse us of the sinfulness we fall into. Lord, we pray for Your strength to overcome temptation. We pray for Your wisdom and discernment to see the way out You will provide. Father, help us to be more like Jesus, trusting completely in Your will for our lives. We love You and wait expectantly, In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

By HIS Spirit

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." These words are recorded in the book of Zechariah chapter 4 verse 6. I have been getting back into the routine of things just like everyone else out there. Summer comes and there are more things to do. Expectations run high and we all want to get in as much as is humanly possible. For some of us the weather didn't cooperate as much as we would have liked but fall is coming in just a few short days anyway. In the comfort and familiarity of routine, I have been struggling with wondering if I am doing enough. As a person who feels the need to be productive, that always seems to be the question.

It amazed me how God spoke to me. Feeling this way and spending time in prayer with Him, these are the words He quietly spoke to me. I knew I had heard them or seen them before, but I wasn't sure where. I wondered if maybe it was on a flyer or written in a Christian Living book I had read. I needed to know so I went to the Source and pulled out my Bible. I found it in Zechariah. Though in the Scriptures, God did not say, "Natalie, not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," I know I can claim this promise as can anyone who claims Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.

What a wonderful peace we have, resting in His Word and His promises. We have available to us, the inspired Word of God, true and reliable. This promise, along with so many others, gives me strength when I'm not sure which way to go. There are times we can get so busy working for the Lord, we forget to spend time with the Lord. This verse reminded me there is nothing I can do to earn my salvation. Jesus did that at the cross. When I am unsure or when you are unsure, the best thing for us to do is reach out in prayer, read the Word of God-the Bible-and trust, having faith that He is and always will be. The more time we spend with Him, the better we will know Him, the better line of communication we will have and we will be able to hear from Him when we are doubting and unsure.

Let's pray together:

Heavenly and gracious Father,
Thank You Lord for who You are. Thank You for Your Spirit, Your power and Your might. Lord, forgive us when we struggle or think the things we do will draw us nearer to You. Lord, help us to spend more time in Your presence, drawing nearer to You and having an open and clear line of communication. Thank You for Your Son Jesus, whose shed blood on the cross has cleansed us from sin. Thank You for eternal life and the Spirit that dwells within us. May we learn to lean on You, trusting You to know the answers for our lives and the direction we need to go. May our eyes remain focused on heaven and an eternity in Your presence. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

Higher Thinking

Has your heart ever been burdened not knowing what to do next? Have you experienced pain and the frustration of indecision when it seemed a decision needed to be made promptly? I wish I could tell you that I have a quick three-step process to cure what ails you but I don't. What I have discovered is the truth of the Scriptures which brings me much assurance and peace. "For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ," (1 Corinthians 2:16 NKJV).

God's promises to His followers are all within the covers of the Bible waiting to be discovered. Let me try to demonstrate what I mean. For most children-and some adults-Christmas comes with much expectation and anticipation. The thought of a tree dressed in majesty and beauty, gifts piled underneath, displaying wrappings of red, blue, green and silver. Bows and ribbons flow gracefully from the rich tapestry of colour. The anticipation comes to a peak on Christmas morning when everyone eagerly waits to dive right in, peeling and pulling back the wrappings to see what lies inside. Once all is revealed, then the play can begin. Games and toys are played with. New cookware is used to prepare a feast. Those special items received are treasured deeply.

This is a picture of God's promises to us. Once we hear and understand the gifts and treasures in the Bible, we can begin to claim them and apply them to our lives. This particular passage from 1 Corinthians is exciting because we can have the  mind of Christ. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the awesome privilege of being the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can take our thoughts captive to Him (2 Corinthians 10:5) and wait on His timing and answers to our concerns and questions.
May you find your strength and power in Him,
Natalie

Dear glorious and gracious heavenly Father,
Thank You for the promises in the Bible. Lord, in Jesus name, I pray You will open up the truths as they apply to me and give me the mind of Christ. Lead me O Lord and teach me Your way. Thank You for Your leading and guiding. Forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness that I may be Your shining light in this world where You have placed me. May everything I do bring You glory and honour. In the mighty and powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.