Motivations Ministries


Oh, Lord, to hear your voice and know what You would have me do.













Saturday, May 15, 2010

Week Nine ~ Bible Study Blog


Week Nine ~ Growing in Clarity
Who is the Holy Spirit?  I grew up attending a small southern Baptist church in California.  When I accepted Jesus as my savior when I was eight-years-old, He became my best friend.  From the Bible stories I read, He was so attainable, so friendly, so loving.  Unfortunately, there wasn't much talk about the Holy Spirit, so I spent a lot of time stammering through my prayers.  Although I gave it my all, there were times when I'm sure those stammerings didn't reach any higher than the ceiling.  In my twenties I attended a church that talked about the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit.  Romans 8:26 describes the Holy Spirit as a messenger.
Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness.  We do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain.
For the first time I began enjoying getting to know the Holy Spirit.  He is a messenger.  He comforts us.  He teaches.  The Holy Spirit connects our spirit with the Father.  To accept Jesus Christ as Savior and then to ignore the Holy Spirit makes no sense.
~ We are God's servants.  How can a servant work without hearing his daily instructions from his master?  This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.  The signs and evidence of God's Voice usually comes with three types of confirmation.  Physical (which may include goose bumps), mental (thoughts that aren't normally our thoughts, but almost Biblical in wording), and emotional (a feeling of peace, joy, and/or pleasure that comes from a perfect solution in the matter-at-hand).
     Through the years, I find that the closer I stay to the Lord, the clearer I hear His Voice and follow His calling.  When God spoke to Rob and I to attend Bible school in Sweden, there was no loud voice from heaven (it would have been much easier if it happened that way!)  We both felt a strong impression from within, accompanied by a streak of fear every hour, on the hour!  But we couldn't deny the fact that God was asking us to take a leap of faith.  I wanted to pray, "Okay, Lord, you give us the money, and then we'll say yes to Sweden."  But no, God works just the opposite.  So we said, "Yes, we'll go."  From that moment, our every need was met, in His timing.  As our family and friends watched us walk out our journey of faith, their faith increased too.  Isn't it funny how our faith can encourage others?
     With the large task of preparing to live in a foreign country, to leave family, ministry, and home, we had to take time to listen to God.  As we listened, and waited, God showed up in His perfect timing.  Just think, if we did this in our every day walk, how much easier our journey would be.
~ In order to see God work in our behalf, we must sometimes ask of Him.  We had a list a mile long for our year in Bible school.  We learned quickly to ask in faith.  When the answers came, we didn't hisitate to share them with those around us.  We bragged on God--He loves it when we brag on Him!
     Answered prayers aren't because of us, but because of Who we are praying to.  It involves two parties, you and God.  So begin now to hear what God is telling you.  Act in faith, then share with those around you.  May we always give God the glory.
Oceans of blessings, Sharron
You may purchase Jane Boston's Bible study book, The Longer You Wait, the Bigger the Miracle at: http://www.womensinet.com/

3 comments:

  1. I love the way you talk about relationship with the Holy Spirit. It's been a long time since I thought of Him as a messenger....whispering sweet somethings in our ears. I'm thankful for the reminder today, Sharron. Thank you, Holy Spirit!!!

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  2. The Holy Spirit is so gentle, leading us to all truth. May we draw closer to Him in the days to come. Thanks Jennifer!

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  3. In Psalms God says, "Come to me in your times of trouble, I'll rescue you and you will give Me the glory". Giving Him the glory...I gotta remember to "brag on God".
    Love ya, debbie k.

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