Tag: trust

Jesus is Leaving Us?

But I tell you that I am going to do what is best for you. That is why I am going away. The Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. But after I am gone, I will send the Spirit to you.

John 16:7, CEV

Someone is thinking.  Jesus has an awareness of exactly how it’s going to unfold.  He understood that by departing from the disciples, He would open up the Ministry of the Holy Spirit to common people.  Jesus is thinking about what is best.  He isn’t vacillating.  It seems very opposite, but He must leave in order to bless.  IDK, but in my mind, for me– give me Jesus!

But there is a grace which definitely inundates us.  We stand with each other, soaked to the skin by mercy and love.  But this is what Jesus promised.  This sudden cloudburst of ‘goodness’ on us drenches us thoroughly.  We must learn to accept the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit.  His presence ‘enriches’ us beyond human comprehension.  He brings ‘gifts’ that astound us.

I know we figured otherwise.  But the ministry of the Holy Spirit more than doubles the work of Grace in our hearts.  But we don’t say this to diminish Jesus’ work in any way.  Rather, we understand the economy of God, and we know the common currency of the spiritual moment.  And the Holy Spirit is golden.

Jesus declares ‘what is best for you’.  But within me, after studying the Gospels, I want Jesus.  But He contends that there is something even better. Now who am I to dispute that?  Jesus declares that a ‘Helper’ or ‘Advocate” will come to us, and lead and then bless us.  We have never knew a helper; what does He do?  He is an advocate–what is that?

The Holy Spirit has been officially assigned to us. 

I remember the TV of my youth.  ‘I Dream of Jeannie“,  about 1966, (Now that goes way back).  You see Jeannie was assigned to Larry Hagman .  She lives to meet all his needs.  She is there to do all that the situation requires.  Now this is a trifle bit ‘reaching’, but she is there to help, strengthen, and watch over Larry.

The Holy Spirit is there for us.  He directs and completes us.  Life without His influence we would not recognize.  We would be stripped of any goodness and grace.  It is good that Jesus left to send the Spirit.  Our lives would be ‘hollowed’ and vacant without Him.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,who will never leave you.”

John 14:16

bry-signat (2)

cropped-christiangraffiti1.jpg

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Dream_of_Jeannie

You Are Just a Prayer Away [Witness]

 

kyrie-eleison-2

An ‘open letter’ to my friend:

As believers in Him who passionately loves the world, we are on our knees asking that the Father would bring you salvation.  We lift you up in our prayers, so that you will have an immediate and definite contact with the Holy Spirit.  We have consecrated you to Him.  You are now marked and set apart, as we await further instructions from our Father. 

There is no happiness, no real satisfaction apart from Him.  Just stop trying, you are getting nowhere.  The pain and guilt are real, aren’t they?  There is in you a deep sadness–a grief.  But the Lord sees it, and absorbs it for you.  He sets you free, not for you to duplicate the sin, but to set you free from it.  His action on your life is meant to liberate you.

Dear one, you struggle so intensely and have so many issues.  We know this, but we have prayed, and we gathered you up to Him.  (You are now a real target, thanks to us.)  All of the issues you face from now on, have been initiated by God, and us who pray. I hope they won’t be too many. That you’ll respond to them, and turn to Him.

You are welcome to join us, we are indeed waiting just for you.

So enter into the grim arena.  Already we have stepped into its ugly locales.  You can meet us there.  We know that there is no one who can keep us from His Spirit.  You will find us standing against gladiator, and lion and sin.  You are welcome to join us, we are indeed waiting just for you.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:6

bry-signat (2)

 

 

cropped-christiangraffiti1-3-1

Here I Am Once Again, [Again]

O Lord here I am again

Just plain old me, coming to you

As I’ve come a thousand times–

And this is what always happens:

Your response is immediate

You open your arms unhesitantly

You draw me to yourself

You clasp me to your father-heart

Then reaffirm my position:

 

I am a child of the King

And all that is yours is mine

When I begin my stammering account— of gross unworthiness

Your gentle smile hushes me.

With endless patience

You remind me once more –that my value never determines Your love.

Rather your love determines my value.

–Ruth Harms Calkins

” And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”                            

Philippians 1:6, NLT

 “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:9

 cropped-christiangraffiti1-3-1
Related articles

Gold Fears No Fire, [Comfort]

Things fall apart

“He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.”

-2 Cor. 1:4, NCV

“The sinners in Zion are afraid;
    trembling has seized the godless:
“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?
    Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Isaiah 33:14, ESV

There has to be some sort of confusion here. Some discrepancy, some incongruity, something overlooked. But things are never what they seem, and that is accentuated when we are in real pain. We think that whatever trouble we get enmeshed in, can’t have any real redeeming value. Or does it?

After a period of time walking with God, whose presence is true fire, we should process this prominent thought. Suffering is part of God’s idea. He has plans that hinge on our pain. It has been deliberately placed into our lives.

A competent pharmacist will be extremely aware of the drug he is filling for a patient. Never too much, nor too little. God is even more meticulous and acutely alert when it comes to suffering and pain. He has an intense love for you through it all. He drops in the proper amount needed for that moment.  It is confined and designed to heal, grow, and strengthen. Never to harm or destroy. He is not punishing you.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

Helen Keller

Keller understood. She was both deaf and blind, since infancy. From this dark and complete isolation, she broke through. Helen Keller became a potent and significant woman. She would graduate from college and became a famed public speaker of international renown.

“God never allows pain without a purpose in the lives of His children. He never allows Satan, nor circumstances, nor any ill-intending person to afflict us unless He uses that affliction for our good. God never wastes pain. He always causes it to work together for our ultimate good, the good of conforming us more to the likeness of His Son” (see Romans 8:28-29).

Jerry Bridges

Gold fears no fire.

We must believe pain has purposes. Life teaches us how to love. Some seem to go through life “charmed”, they are really not hurt in any substantial way. If that is the case, reach out and help someone else, for there’s certainly enough pain and evil to go around. (We should find ourselves actively sharing in the trials of others.)

I think that when a believer finally arrives in heaven, they will be ushered in limping, wounded, leaning on an angel for support. They will bring it all to Jesus, their scars remembered, and their sins forgiven. And we will be transformed, fit for heaven.

aabryscript

cropped-cropped-christiangraffiti1.jpg