The Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. ~ John 14:26 NLT
I don’t claim to know everything. I am learning along the way. One fact I know is Jesus is alive today in you and me. The Holy Spirit resides in us. Have you made yourself aware, are you available to hear our God’s promptings? Are you listening? I know there is a higher power watching over the comings and goings of you and me. And that higher power is the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you and me as Romans 8:11 reminds us. Over 2000 years ago Pentecost Sunday brought the promise that we, too can live with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, comfort, and power.
And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, he will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you. ~ Romans 8:11 TLB
The Spirit also comes to help us, weak as we are. For we do not know how we ought to pray; the Spirit himself pleads with God for us in groans that words cannot express. ~ Romans 20:26 GNT
Some days I feel weak, I feel my hands are tied, my brain fried trying to figure it out, running at full speed, then brake just before hitting a brick wall. When I stop my motions long enough, pray, and listen to our Father God, and do what Jesus would do, then the fruits of the Spirit are evident.
“The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control …” ~ Galatians 5:22 – 23.
“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” ~ Exodus 14:14
Do you ever feel like you are fighting against a mighty current? Not getting anywhere fast? You might see some progress, but if you don’t hold your jaw right, all goes to ruin. Much depends on another person’s faithfulness, or it seems anyway. Do you speak the truth in love with this other person?
The issues that bother me, the unfairness and unfaithfulness of others, most I have spoken to the persons involved. Now at this season, God requires me to be quiet, be calm, be still, hold my peace. This is difficult when I get my eyes focused on the offense. When I keep my eyes focused on God, being quiet is much easier.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7 tells us “there is a time for everything … time to be silent, and a time to speak.” Wisdom is knowing which is best at this present moment. In the online article Zachary Groff states “There is power in holding your peace. For the Christian, ‘holding your peace’ means more than just being quiet. It means to combine restraint with expressions of awe at God’s majesty, and to replace outrage with joy at God’s goodness.”
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
Trust is a big word, because it induces big faith with big action. While I read the Word of God, Psalms says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord, our God.” Chariots and horses are not what most of us deal with in our everyday lives. But what or who do you put trust in for protection, comfort, and provision as you battle everyday life? Our talents, intellect, job, bank account, personality, heritage, health, and people we associate with can all change at any moment’s notice. Another version of this Bible verse says it like this: “Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.” What or who do you take pride in?
“Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, Lord God.” ~ Psalm 20:7 CEV
Here is a Pray The Word podcast where pastor and author David Platt goes into depth about this scripture. Platt summarizes this Bible verse, “our God is the only one who is worthy of all of our trust, all of our hopes, all of our plans, all of our dreams can be trusted with God. All of our lives, our family, our work, everything we have, everything we are, we can trust God with them.” Trust in our God, who is worthy of trust.
“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord.” ~ Proverbs 21:31
I need You, my God, my Father, my Jesus, my Guiding Spirit. Hear my heart, oh God! Without You, I drift into downward spiral thoughts. Then anxiety and fear sets in. I lack trust, faith, hope, and love when I live outside of You. Philippians 4:13 tells me “I can do all things which He has called me to do through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.” ~Amplified Bible. The key is “self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”. And Jesus Christ is sufficient. He fulfilled all that our Father required. He gave all. Jesus gave His life for you and me. “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” ~ 1 Peter 5:7. Outside of Jesus, you and I have nothing. Period. I turn to Jesus. Turn to Jesus.
There’s a place where mercy reigns And never dies There’s a place where streams of grace Flow deep and wide
Where all the love I’ve ever found Comes like a flood Comes flowing down
At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life I’m in awe of You I’m in awe of You Where Your love ran red And my sin washed white I owe all to You I owe all to You, Jesus
There’s a place where sin and shame Are powerless Where my heart has peace with God And forgiveness
Where all the love I’ve ever found Comes like a flood Comes flowing down
At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life I’m in awe of You I’m in awe of You Where Your love ran red And my sin washed white I owe all to You I owe all to You
Here my hope is found Here on holy ground Here I bow down Here I bow down
Here arms open wide Here You save my life Here I bow down Here I bow
At the cross, at the cross I surrender my life I’m in awe of You I’m in awe of You Where Your love ran red And my sin washed white I owe all to You I owe all to You
I owe all to You I owe all to You, Jesus, Jesus
Your love ran red Your love ran red
At the Cross (Love Ran Red) by Songwriters: Matt Armstrong / Ed Cash / Chris Tomlin / Matt Redman / Jonas Myrin
… visualize, meditate, and know… “God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” Acts 2:24 New American Standard. Thank you, Father! Thank you, Jesus!
Woman Warrior 