1/10/2009

The Power of the Holy Spirit

The last few years I have always set goals at the beginning of the year to keep me focus. The experts conclude that writing down goals are very powerful and can become a compass to navigate through life. I must say that I concur. I have been investing so much energy lately in a particular area of life the last few months so much that I think and breathe the plans that I have put together. I want to invest the same kind of energy and use it in the arena of my personal relationship with Christ. I am doing something different this year than I have done before and hence the reason for the title ‘Less for More’. In the past, my goals usually contain bible studies, books to read, group studies, discipleship and the likes. I have decided to experience what it truly means to live under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, since I bowed the knees to the Lord, He’s taken residence in me and is there to say forever. I am very familiar with the famous John 10:10 verse:


“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”



Am I truly living life to the fullest? Am I where God would have me to be? These are questions that I have to face and deal with honestly and since for most of life I have been the captain of my own ship and with nothing to show for it – it’s time to let God takes center stage. Of course, I didn’t sit down one day and plan to rule my own life and declare myself God but it can be very subtle – making decisions and plans without consulting the One who numbers my days and holds my life in His hands.



Lord Jesus - I want that kind of life that you came to offer. And I know that the only way to experience it is to crucify the flesh with all its desires. The flesh is the biggest enemy of the Spirit and they are at war but I know who has the victory. I want to life to the fullest on this side of heaven. I want to walk into the good works that God created for me before the world was. Christ in me – the hope of glory. In short, my goal is to live, breathe, move under the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I do want to be on auto-pilot anymore but have a Spirit-awareness be in tuned with what He’s up to in my life.



Beth Moore declares that she wants a Jesus-year and invited her fellow readers of the Living Proof Ministry Blog or siestas as she refers to us to memorize scriptures with her the entire year. What a beautiful challenge. I’ve jumped on the band-wagon and commit to memorize 24 scriptures in 2009. My scriptures will be mostly about the Holy Spirit. It’s safe to assume that many people know a lot about God and Jesus Christ but not so much about the Third Person of the Trinity. I have found something quite telling – many scriptures link the Holy Spirit with power. I would hate to hurt the Apostle Paul’s feelings by giving him an answer like this:



While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you

believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."




Ouch! Not only was He there when the first clock ticked 1.2.3 but He created us according to Job 33:4

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. He was the One who accomplished our Saviour’s birth. The beloved disciple reminds us that He would live inside of us forever. The first scripture that I have been pondering over is very simple and yet very freeing. It is:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor 3:17


I read and re-read the verse and thought about freedom and the fact that the Spirit of the Lord dwells within me. One commentary had this to say “Freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God’s commandments’. And another verse I have memorized in the past came to mind Gal 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”. And one of my all time favorite passages in the bible is when Jesus was handed the scroll to read from the scroll of Isaiah where He basically gave His own job description:


"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed…


The above is one of the

passages I hope to see replay in living color in heaven. When Jesus finished reading the passage, He said: Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". I am at work writing this and I just shouted hallelujah. Plenty is written about freedom and I am forever thankful that my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and free from the penalty of sin – second death but I want to live in total freedom in all areas of life.


I tend to worry a bit when thing are going well and can’t quite take advantage a joyful moment for too long because when it appears to be good, immediately I think to myself ‘something must be wrong’ or I better snap out of it soon because ‘"if anything can go wrong, it will" – the old Murphy’s Law. Gal 5:22 lists the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit when He’s in control and I was soooo happy this week and the scenario mentioned before started to run into my mind and I decided to enjoy the moment as I recall the part of the fruit of the Spirit is joy and peace. I stopped and praised God for His perfect presence and the reminder that He set me free to live and be content. Yes, there will be obstacles, battles, rivers and fires to go through, the world, the flesh, and not to forget the old cunning serpent but He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. Hallelujah!


Holy Spirit - I am game and ready to heed Paul’s advice ‘be filled with the Holy Spirit’.


My dear reader, my prayer is that you are keeping in step with the Spirit.

8 comments:

  1. woohoo, you ARE going to have a Jesus year. there's so much good stuff in this post, i'll need to read it again. He came for freedom, yet we don't accept it. we don't grab onto it. how frustrating that must be to our Lord. it will be great to be learning scripture right along with you this year.

    by they way...i believe tomorrow (sunday) is your birthday. may i be the first to wish you a very happy birthday, enjoy the day...i pray it's the best year yet.

    love to you,
    sheryl

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  2. Hi Sheryl-

    Yes I am ready for a Jesus year with all the siestas.

    Thanks for the birthday wish.

    Myriam

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  3. Wow, I was stopping by to say Happy Birthday and wasn't expecting this. The third paragraph (if you don't mind) I'm going to borrow and then I went to the fourth and fifth and my inner voice said, "girl, just print it"
    (smile) I set out to memorize some scriptures and only got to three before I got side tracked, so to speak. Thanks to you and my new assignment at work, I'm going to get back on track. My job is very stressful and you've given me something to hold on to when I'm at my witts end...

    Love, peace and blessings for a great day and a Spectular Birthday!

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  4. I love what you had to say. That's what I want this year, too......to have Jesus be the captain of my ship, have a Jesus Year, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me.

    This post is such a blessing.

    PS - Happy Birthday and may God bless you with many more!!

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  5. Dear 'Free Spirit Butterfly' and 'Toia' - I am so honored by your visit and the birthday wishes.

    I am grateful for the day and the many phone calls, emails, and forum wishes by such loving people.

    God bless you all.

    Myriam

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  6. Sister Myriam,

    You absolutely correct, we are in a spiritual battle.

    I too am looking forward to great things in year 2009.

    Great Reminder.


    GOD Bless~~~

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  7. Amen! Hallelulah! I am ready for the day we will see our Jesus face to face!

    I have realized lately some things in my life that are battles. I knew we were struggling. But I did not see certain aspects of our struggle as attacks from the enemy. The Lord has since opened my eyes to those and the need to pray even more. Thank you for the reminder that He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world.

    Hallelulah!

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  8. Amen Myriam, Amen! I saw a comment you left on another blog and was intrigued with your name (my blog is By The Lamp Light. And then I was blessed by your awesome testimony that you have on your "about me" page.
    My Spirit just agrees with you shouting Hallelujah after the Isaiah passage. His Word is so personal and I want to apply the Truth to my life. Blessings to you Myriam! So nice to meet you!

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