I can not believe it!
Yesterday morning I finished my last poem from the Book of Jude. In that poem I wrote, “The Holy Spirit has illuminated the Word in such a way that I have also touched, tasted and heard.” This morning while praying to God, and asking Him what to write on, He brought to mind the letter of 1 John. It does not surprise me because in the New Year of 2022 I am starting a deep study on the Revelation of Jesus according to John. I struggled a bit and said, “Lord are you sure? Should I be reading John’s gospel instead of 1 John?” Everything in me said “No. Not right now.” That is how I heard. So - with confirmation, I opened my Book, and eagerly approached 1 John Chapter 1. And this is when I was stunned. It should not surprise me because that is what God does. He always keeps us in awe! The Title that is given to 1 John Chapter 1 is “What Was Heard, Seen and Touched.” How could it be the same words that I just wrote the days before? I dropped my jaw! I am telling you - Nothing in life is better than this! The more I dig in, and the more that I pray, the more that I listen - the more of the Gift of the Holy Spirit! God is so good! “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 I love when I ask Him what He wants me to minister on next, and He gives me the answer to my request! I know - I should not doubt! I should be used to it by now, but I am not! When the Holy Spirit reveals I’m always perplexed! I am always left in awe! How in the world do I matter that much? How in the world does the Creator of the Universe love a sinner like me who constantly lets Him down? Then I believe. My faith is strong! It truly is my spiritual gift! I believe in what God’s Word says, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17 I stand on the Word of God - even when I feel like a fool myself! Jesus said to his disciples, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you (his disciples- his friends). For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened; If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone; If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-11,13 You see, a true ministry - one that serves the Lord - is fully dependent on Father God. It can not come from ourselves. We are not good, but He is! I have come to the realization that my ministry is NOT in building a building, or making a statue of gold - my ministry is simple - it’s expressing God’s heart - which means crushing mine. I am a grape that is constantly crushed. Every time I try to build a statue of gold, the Lord puts His foot down and makes me die to self! And it always hurts! He makes me swallow my pride and give up the desires of my selfish heart. Sometimes I can be like the Israelites. Freed from bondage, yet still complaining. It’s the slave mentality, I surely know it! Over 400 years in Egypt, being told over and over again that they were worthless! How could they ever believe that they were worthy? How could they ever believe what God promised? They were stuck in the slave mentality. The term is called Learned helplessness. Escaping was possible, but they did not believe it was so. But just like them, the chosen and called, God continues to work on me. His promise is more than my deceitful belief. Crushed In Spirit, Dying to Self, Letting go and giving it to God - This is how I learn. He gives me rope to hang on. Being last instead of first - this is devout. This is when the gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out. I know I am not the only one because grapes are bunched - they do not grow alone. A puffed up grape will only explode when he is acting all on his own. That is not good! The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 Brethren, Let us show love. I pour out to you the words of John, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life - the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us - that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” I John 1:1-4 Jesus is always the reason, Despite the season.
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