Sunday, June 1, 2008

Following the Spirit

If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Gal 5:25

Spirit Filled Living......

What is it???? I have spent the last ten years asking God that question. He has taught me so much but I still feel like I am 40% spirit-controlled and 60% flesh-controlled in my daily life. I have been full of the Spirit and I have been controlled by the Spirit, sometimes I didn't even realize it until later, but I still don't know how to describe it. I don't know how I got there. By prayer, a lot of times, but not always. The one thing I know for sure is it always requires doing things His way and not mine.

I know some of the things living by the Spirit is not: It is not willpower, it is not beating ourselves until we bleed, it is not acting the martyr, or having a pretty, put-together life. I wasted too much time chasing after those things, thinking that is what God wanted me to do.

Another question I have asked God for years is,"Where is our power Lord?" Why are Christians so much like the world? Why don't we see the the things we see in the Book of Acts? Why are we so defeated by ourselves, whether we recognize it or not?"

He has shown me that His power only comes through His Spirit, and it is usually "faith expressing itself through love". It is not to wow us and make us to believe. It is to do His will. To further His kingdom. To show someone the love and power that He makes available to them. His power is ALWAYS about Him. Never about us.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why are we so defeated by ourselves

There you go, we don't believe big. We think those "big" things of the bible are in the past, and don't pertain to us today.
What is bigger than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins? To save us? We believe that is for us. So why can't we think He will move that mountain - literally and figuratively in our lives.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I necessarily believe that...that the big things are in the past. I have seen some pretty incredible miracles here. But I do know that my own faith has wondered off a little, pertaining to me. I suck at dreaming big for myself and allowing God to administer Himself in whatever form He wants in my own life. It is easier to believe them in others.

Tawny said...

God has asked me to give up my dreams for myself. But I know it is because His dreams for me are better. I am such a daydreamer, that I was wasting time and energy that I need to be using to live. And then if things didn't happen the way I had invisioned I would be disappointed.

I think He will use us to do big things for other people and the change in us is usually like all growth, slow and painful. How is that for encouragement, Kristi? :)

Heidi said...

He has shown me that His power only comes through His Spirit, and it is usually "faith expressing itself through love". It is not to wow us and make us to believe. It is to do His will. To further His kingdom. To show someone the love and power that He makes available to them. His power is ALWAYS about Him. Never about us.


This paragraph just blew me away!!
I needed this this morning.
Thank you

Tawny said...

Thank you, Heidi. :)