"And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago." Ephesians 1:13
FROM MY HEART
I had the opportunity to close out our women's Bible Study last night in prayer. Someone came up to me afterwards to speak a word of encouragement to me. She said in effect that she loved to hear me prayer because she could tell I was filled with the Holy Spirit. She almost brought me to tears because it was such high praise. It wasn't that she was lifting me up, it was that she was saying she could see Christ in me, and what higher praise could there ever be to a believer?
But what also struck me about that was though yes, I recognize the Holy Spirit working in me at those times, I don't know that I have ever prayed any other way. That is to say from the time I became a believer when I was 18, I have always talked to God as my Daddy. Whether I am praying in a crowd, or in my car, or prostrate in the privacy of my home, I talk to Him the same.
So as I was praying this morning, I was so overwhelmed with gratefulness that God's power is at work in me. And I was reminded that not so long ago, I was at a revival. I was standing there in a sea of folks with hearts desiring to experience God at a deeper level. And like many of those around me, I was asking for God to fall fresh on me, to fill me with His Spirit, to give me more.
Later, in the service, a young lady came to me, she hugged me and whispered in my ear, "God told me to tell you, He has already given you what you asked for. You already have it." In that moment, I felt that God was just telling me that He had answered my prayer. But since that time, separated from the emotion and desperation of the moment, I believe God was speaking something else to me. I believe He was trying to remind me to walk in His Truth. The moment I believed, when I was 18, He filled me with His Spirit. I was begging and pleading for something that He gave me completely long ago.
A few months later, someone else was praying over me, and he leaned in and whispered to me, "God says cease striving." Striving means to "make great efforts to achieve or obtain something, to struggle or fight vigorously" for something. I believe God's second reminder was much like the first. I needed to be reminded of the truth of God's Word. I already had the power of His Holy Spirit in me to do the work He has assigned for me.
So God's presence lives in me to do His Will, to speak His Truth, to impact where I live and the people I encounter. I am wasting time asking God for what He already so freely gave me at the moment of confession and repentance. I can't be sidetracked. I must be about my Father's business.
So I am grateful for the reminder last night. I need to pursue God wholeheartedly and He will shine through. I don't have to "work" to show God, when we spend time in His presence, He shows up, He comes out, He overflows. My heart is hungry for God. I see a lot of folks who are pursuing Him. Just spend time with Him. It is not a mystery. What we are desperately seeking after, He has already freely given. Now, walk in it.
I pray these words encourage you today.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How have you seen the Holy Spirit move in your life? Share your story by posting a comment below.
