DO YOU KNOW HIM?

I would like to introduce you to an old friend of mine. Many years ago He came into my life and totally rocked my world. He is that  friend that makes you feel larger than life. You know the kind that when you are with him it seems that you have no need of anyone else. He is that person who constantly pours wisdom into your life and is able to correct you without wounding you.  His words are like a healing balm soothing the soul.  The fruit of joy, peace and love are byproducts of our relationship.  Yes, He is the beloved Holy Spirit.

Several weeks ago I was sitting in my living room and our family was having a conversation about the importance of the Holy Spirit and His infilling.  As I was listening I asked this question, do you make an effort to commune with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis? I know we all pray and have relationship with the Triune God but I mean do you intentionally pray in the Spirit? The answers varied some said not as much as I use too, or no I don’t but I should.  The consensus was we should have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and like every relationship it should be cultivated.

After the conversation I started to go down memory lane and pondered on the day the Holy Spirit filled me to overflow. I was bound, weak and troubled and in an instance I was free, joyful and walking in a power I had never experienced before.  My spirit man was alive my prayer life excelled and walking in HIM was just easier than it had been before. 

Before you start running to conclusions and say she is one of those tongue  talking women I want you to know I am not necessarily talking about praying in tongues. We need to get out of our minds the baptism of the Holy Spirit equals tongues that is just an all to common misunderstanding. However, I will tell you I believe in the gift of tongues and I believe it is for today and I believe it’s for everyone.

The questions that I had to ask myself as I pondered on the day of my infilling were these:

1.    If the filling of the Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father then why not receive it.  (Luke 11: 11-13Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a -snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

2.    If it’s a specific event as scripture is clear in telling us then I need to experience it.  (See Act 19 1-7, and that is just one of many)

3.    If being filled with the Holy Spirit thrusts us into relationship with Him then I must continue it.

This third point is what I want to emphasize if the infilling of the Spirit  thrusts us into relationship with Him then we must nurture it until we see Him face to face.

If you, like myself and some of the members of my family may have in one sense or the other neglected the relationship I want to encourage you to reignite the flame.  Or if you are reading this blog and you have no idea what I am talking about and need a life changing experience then ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill you.

Let’s pray and stand on the truth of the WORD of God,

“Fill me know afresh. Lord, wake up in me that which has grown faint. Revive my being with your refreshing power. In Jesus Name.”

I leave you with these beautiful words from CH Sprugeon :

Common, too common is the sin of forgetting the Holy Spirit. This is folly and ingratitude. He deserves well at our hands, for he is good, supremely good. As God, he is good essentially. He shares in the threefold ascription of Holy, holy, holy, which ascends to the Triune Jehovah. Unmixed purity and truth, and grace is he. He is good benevolently, tenderly bearing with our waywardness, striving with our rebellious wills; quickening us from our death in sin, and then training us for the skies as a loving nurse fosters her child. How generous, forgiving, and tender is this patient Spirit of God. He is good operatively. All his works are good in the most eminent degree: he suggests good thoughts, prompts good actions, reveals good truths, applies good promises, assists in good attainments, and leads to good results. There is no spiritual good in all the world of which he is not the author and sustainer, and heaven itself will owe the perfect character of its redeemed inhabitants to his work. He is good officially; whether as Comforter, Instructor, Guide, Sanctifier, Quickener, or Intercessor, he fulfils his office well, and each work is fraught with the highest good to the church of God. They who yield to his influences become good, they who obey his impulses do good, they who live under his power receive good. Let us then act towards so good a person according to the dictates of gratitude. Let us revere his person, and adore him as God over all, blessed for ever; let us own his power, and our need of him by waiting upon him in all our holy enterprises; let us hourly seek his aid, and never grieve him; and let us speak to his praise whenever occasion occurs. The church will never prosper until more reverently it believes in the Holy Ghost. He is so good and kind, that it is sad indeed that he should be grieved by slights and negligences. ^[1]

Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.).

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Anonymity

Has anyone ever tried to hurt you with words? I am pretty confident in answering this question for anyone who is reading this blog, YES! There are times in life when words are purposeful, calculated and meant to sting.  Such a word was spoken to my husband this week and the word was anonymity.  I was curious to know the complete meaning of the word so I did a quick Google search and this is what I found-

“Anonymity is derived from the greek word ἀνωνυμία, anonymia, meaning "without a name" or "namelessness". In colloquial use, anonymity typically refers to the state of an individual's personal identity, or being publicly unknown.”

My husband is the pastor of a small church in Franklin TN. I have intentionally highlighted the word small to make a point. It appears that pastoring a small church makes you a failure or at least that is what we have heard from many who have crossed our paths and felt the liberty to speak into our life and remind us we are nobodies doing nothing. I say this not because I am bitter or offended I am simply giving you a glimpse into my life.

Anonymity would have stung us a year ago and lingered at our tent door but what was meant for harm actually showed us the Lord has done a beautiful work in our lives.  There is no desire left in us for fame or glory, our goal and hearts cry is to preach the WORD of GOD and see others live by HIM and in HIM. If that means being a tiny light that can light up an entire room of darkness then we are walking in Gods purpose.

Shortly after the anonymity encounter during my early morning time with the Lord He reminded me of a program I watched when I was a little girl. Anyone remember, the show Romper Room.  For the sake of those who don’t it was a pre-school learning show and at the end of the program the teacher would take her magical mirror out and she would say, “I see John,I see Mary, I see, Michael, I see Kathy.” I stared at the TV with expectation waiting to hear my name and then one day I heard it, she saw me, she said I see Jeannette.  This was the Lord’s way of reminding me we may seem hidden from the eyes of man but not the eyes of the LORD.

If you have ever struggled with the thought that you are anonymous let me remind you the Bible is full of unknown and unnamed disciples, prophets, laborers, artisans, helpers, apostles and warriors.  Since the Bible is the lense of reality let’s get real. Here’s a very short list of unknowns:

·      The nameless prophet. (1 Kings 13: 1-3)

·      The 7,000 who did not bow to Baal. (1 Kings 19:18)

·      The men who dealt faithfully with money for the temple repairs.

·      (2 Kings 12:5)

·      Gideon’s 300 (Judges 7)

·      The unnamed 120 disciples (Acts 1:15)

·      The women with the alabaster box (Luke 7: 37)

·      The women who received their dead (Hebrews 11: 35)

·      The other who were stoned, sawn in two and slain by the sword.

(Hebrews 11:37)

The Lord will always have His generals (which I am grateful for) as well as His unknowns but as King Solomon said, the end of the matter is fear God and keep His commandments. These words of wisdom are the only path to having HIS NAME.

As for me and my house Jesus is the only name we desire…………

*******************************************************************

Perspective: The WORD of the Lord in Revelation 3: 11-13

I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may rob you and deprive you of your crown. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God; he shall never be put out of it or go out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends from My God out of heaven, and My own new name. 

EMMAUS

Luke: 24 : 13-32

  

One of my favorite stories in the bible is when the two on the road to Emmaus encounter Jesus along the way without even realizing it.  Suddenly, I see a picture of my husband and I conversing about the recent events on the same road. Similar to the two on the road we experience this host of emotions that go from lack of hope, failure, to encountering a stranger along the way that may be a source of encouragement to finally realizing it was Jesus Himself burning our hearts with HIS TRUTH. 

They like us had such anticipation that Jesus was the one that was going to deliver them. Before the two could understand what was happening and who this stranger was they needed to be prepared.  What was the problem? Why couldn’t they see it was Him? Could it be that they like us  were reading the scriptures from the wrong point of view? Could it be that we are reading the scriptures through the pink lenses of post-modern Christianity and neglect to expound in order to understand where true deliverance comes from?  

When the Bible says Jesus interpreted to them the things about Himself he didn’t do it from a few verses or one or two books. What Jesus did was reveal the entire story from Moses to the Prophets. The bible says He expounded to them ALL the things concerning Himself.

 Could it have been that they initially didn’t recognize their deliverance because it came through suffering? Certainly, God would not deliver them through suffering or would He?

To me the story of Emmaus is an exhortation to pray that His presence invade us whenever we study the WORD. In turn we need to be prepared to receive revelation from Him and only with Him, on the road, will our hearts burn within us.

Can you remember the last time your heart burned within you when the scriptures where revealed to you?  If not I am inviting you come to the table of the Lord open the most wonderful book ever written and believe HE will burn your heart with refreshing truths and set you ABLAZE………

Timeless Words that Challenge US today.

 

I have been studying the book of Luke for the past several weeks.  As I reached the 13^th chapter I suddenly realized its tone takes a turn as Jesus gets closer and closer to Jerusalem.  Luke starts telling his audience about the miracle birth of Christ, the announcement of the Kingdom, instruction on loving our neighbors, grace and forgiveness.  Then suddenly, we start to hear a series of warnings that sound like this:

   Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees

   Watch out whatever you say in darkness will be heard in the light

   Make sure your dressed and ready with your lamps alight

   Beware there will be divisions amongst you

   Don’t’ be anxious for food, drink and clothing

   Fear the one who than can kill you and cast you into hell. ( in other words recognize the enemy)

   Narrow is the gate

I asked myself, what was Jesus doing as He was approaching Jerusalem? He was preparing his disciples for the journey ahead of them. We all have traveled and know preparation is essential for a successful journey.

Clearly, Jesus was preparing His disciples, as well as us, with a message of grace and love. However, he warned His disciples of what was to come and what would be required.

You can feel Luke’s sense of urgency; it’s as if Luke is repeating Christ’s WORDS of LOYALTY in the face of opposition. Just like Luke we the people of God need to proclaim LOYALTY to the KING and HIS WORD. I am not implying we walk around clothed in legalism. No, absolutely not! However, in a time when words matter we must be balanced in our teaching and understanding of the WORD of God.  There is a battle in our culture and faith to steal, kill and destroy all who desire to live and obey the WORD of GOD.  As true and loyal believers of Jesus Christ the warning is as clear today as it was in the days Luke was sharing the story.

Though we may be in the midst of the battle with trust in God and devotion to His WORD we can remain alert to the schemes of the enemy. Like Luke and the Apostles we the followers of Christ must stand and be loyal to the WORD. The WORD (Logos) is not an abstract concept. The WORD was with GOD and the WORD is GOD.

HE STILL VISITS

King David said, “What is man that you are mindful of Him and the son of man that YOU visit him?

On Friday, December 21, 2012 I had dream. In this dream there were several of my colleges friends. I looked around I saw two particular ladies conversing, as I glanced at them I heard the Lord say, one of them is barren go pray for her. My response was Lord I can’t tell her she is barren that would be devastating. Once I uttered those words I woke up and wondered what does this mean? I went to my facebook list of friends and there she was I had not seen nor spoken to this person in 20 years.

On December 24, 2012 after several days of pondering on the dream I decided I would message her. This is what I said:

Merry Christmas and I pray you have a blessed Christmas!

You may find this email a little strange and I would say to you read it and if you feel like it's a message for you receive it fully and if it's not then disregard it.

 

This past Friday night I had a very short dream. In the dream there were several of our college friends. As I looked around I saw you conversing with *****. When I saw you in the dream the Lord spoke to my heart saying that I should pray for you, and He said she is barren, so I responded Lord you know I can't say that to her. As soon as I said those words I woke up. I went about my day asking the Lord what it meant and if I should even write you. (I did pray for you!)

I know from just living life we can have barrenness in any area work, marriage, soul, spirit, finances, whatever it may be.

I want to encourage you if there is any area of barrenness, the Lord see's all things and He does concern HIMSELF with your affairs even if at times you may not feel nor see it in totality.

My prayer for you is that in this coming year the Lord will rain on any barrenness and that this coming year be a year of great productivity that you prosper spiritually and naturally. That from within your being the promises of God will resound, knowing that He is Faithful and He is the one who makes a way where there seems to be no way.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

The Lord Bless, The Lord  keep you and the Lord Shine His countenance upon you, and the LORD grant  you peace.

Merry Christmas,
Jeannette

On December 31, 2012 eight days later I received an email reminding me HE STILL VISITS.

Dear Jeannette –

I haven’t written you since I could not find the words to write. In this moment that I am writing you I saw a group of doves which I understand are a sign of peace and love. God knew how much I needed a sign that He has heard my prayers and that I am of value to Him.  For this reason I was paralyzed when I received your email.

This year in particular has been extremely difficult with many trails.

On Friday night the 21st I drifted to sleep, totally exhausted, after asking God to send me encouragement. I felt devoid of hope, will, spiritual strength and much more. Barren, as you said. So, I requested a sign – a message – from Him. I told Him I was afraid that for a while now I’d been missing or misunderstanding His messages and His direction for my life. I needed to hear from Him in a peculiar way. I begged Him to speak to me, to let His message be known in a way I would know it could only come from Him.

Then, I received your message on Christmas Eve. What a great gift, Jeannette! God answered me through you. I couldn’t think of a more peculiar way, at this time, to receive His message.

Your words touched my heart deeply. It felt as if you were God’s angel delivering his specific message to me. I felt that I mattered to Him – that he hasn’t forgotten about me.

Thank you for listening to God’s voice and following His direction. It made a difference in my Christmas as I face a new year filled with unknowns and challenges.

Of particular comfort was the bible passage you included. I have read Isaiah 43:19 over and over again since I received your message. It comforts me every time.

Thank you, Jeannette. God bless you and the work your family does for the Lord.

****************************************************************

Amazing, the same night she prays is the same night I receive the dream.  He is the LIVING GOD, who NEVER FORGETS AND STILL VISITS HIS PEOPLE.

Conflict, Humility and Peace in the Wilderness

Just like Israel rest assured when in the wilderness you will encounter conflict and hostility.  This is the time to remember we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities and the rulers of darkness of this age (Ephesians 6: 12).  When we encounter such hostilities these battles are only to be fought in obedience to God.   As I have mentioned in previous posts this wilderness experience is intimate and extremely personal and those looking from the outside will feel compelled to assess your situation.   

The journey truly has it’s peaks of fragility of mind therefore I learned to say to myself, “I can’t trust people since they don’t know what is in my heart, I can’t trust myself since I don’t know what’s in my heart, but I can trust the LORD and HIS WORD since HE alone knows what is in my heart.

Looking back to the beginning of my wanderings I have had many good intentioned people whom I love play the role of Job’s friends. Once you have had several close encounters with a “Job’s friend” your ears and heart learn to recognize them, it sounds like this:

Job 33:1-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

 Be that as it may, Job (Jeannette) I beg of you to hear what I have to say and give heed to all my words.

Behold, here I am with open mouth; here is my tongue talking.

My words shall express the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity.

 [It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me].

 Answer me now, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

Behold, I am toward God and before Him even as you are; I also am formed out of the clay [though I speak with abnormal wisdom because of a divine illumination].

⁷ See my terror [for I am only a fellow mortal, not God]; I shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon you.

Did you notice how many I’s, my’s and me’s are in these verses? This is the first warning you are having an encounter with a Job’s friend.

By no means, am I implying I am perfect or that during this whole experience I reacted to every conflict in the most appropriate fashion. I am simply trying to share some of the lessons I learned during this time of testing.

 What I want to emphasize is that we must allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. Why is it that we find ourselves compelled to play the role of Holy Spirit?  Believe me, from someone who has gone through a God administered wilderness HE is more than capable of doing the job. 

Dr. RT Kendall wrote in his book Total Forgiveness when you speak to another person ask yourself if what you have to say will meet their need.

Necessary- Is it necessary to say this?

Encourage- Will this encourage?

Edify- Will it make them stronger?

Dignify-Will it dignify that person?

 

Even if what we have to say is true, it does not necessarily mean we have to say it.  We may not realize what we intend for healing may cause harm.

When conflict comes knocking at the door of our hearts we can either decide to take on the banner of offense or walk in forgiveness.  Forgiveness is an act of the will and it does not come easy but offenses carry their own punishments.  

  

We don’t realize how much self reigns in our hearts until these times of testing. It all goes back to the fact that the wilderness experience is God’s process to humble us so that we may know what is in our hearts.  As we humble ourselves before the Lord peace appears in the wilderness like an oasis in the desert.  

PS: The external circumstances may not change but these testings are a matter of the heart, so don’t be discouraged and weary of soul.

TRUSTING IN THE TESTING

 

In the beginning stages of the wilderness experience we may not even be aware that we have been lead into the desert. Just like Israel God calls us out of captivity and all of a sudden what should be a quick journey to the promise land turns into a detour that tests every fiber of our being.

The book of Deuteronomy tells us that the Lord led His people into the wilderness to humble and test them that they would know what was in their hearts and whether or not they would keep His commandments. (Duet 8:2).

Lesson I- Trusting in the Testing

Frankly, easier said than done. It’s not that I had not trusted Him before it’s just this time it was different, very different.   As believers we really think we trust the Lord but when the rubber meets the road does our heart proclaim it. Before you say, my heart does………… let me remind you what Proverbs 21:2 says “every way of the a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

 Many times during this process I pulled a Sarah making plans to get myself to the promise land quicker than God’s desired timetable. Plan after plan there was no relief of soul. You see, the wilderness experience is administered by GOD and He alone can say IT’S OVER.   In the meantime you are there and there is no escape. You never know what is next but just remember if His own Son was lead into the wilderness HE must think there is something very GOOD to get out of it.

The Lord will start to reveal your heart and you will be very surprised at what comes forth.  Deception has one way of entering into our life and it’s through PRIDE. The pride of life is truly our desire to be independent from God. Isn’t that how Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness? Jesus refused to show His power independent of the Father.

I encourage you if you are in the midst of the wilderness that you sing with the Psalmist David;

Psalm 51 6-8

Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones  which You have broken rejoice

 
Keep trusting for you are HIS workmanship!