Just getting caught up here=]
So the little devotion book that I spoke of previously (in the long entry about Micah…). It has a turn now =] It is called Experiencing Life by Mark Dowds and Jason Boucher and it is one in a little series of small group devo books. But that’s beside the point
The first section is about loving. And that’s what I’ll talk about-ish…
The first story in the section was about the prodigal son. I reflected on it, “it’s not just that the son sinned—or how he sinned, rather…but the father gave his son his full inheritance—everything he needed…and the son wasted it…” in every essence spitting in his father’s face. To have such a great inheritance and waste it in things that do not matter…this is where I found a new truth applicable to my life. God has blessed me with much—yes, talents, abilities, opportunity, a great family, and friends…but more, he gave me his son…who’s spirit now lives in me.
Today I read from a book that I actually bought for a friend…=] and on the back it paraphrases it well, “POWERFUL. When is the last time someone used that word to describe you?
It doesn’t make sense that Almighty God would have children characterized by fear and insecurity. He put His Spirit in us so we could be known for our power (Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7). Sadly, most believers and churches are known for talent of intellect rather than supernatural power. What’s worse is that we’re okay with it.
Could it be that we’ve forgotten the One who distinguishes us from every religion and cult in the world?
…we were not created and saved merely to survive our time on earth. ..we’ve ignored the Spirit and are reaping the disastrous results.
It’s time for the beloved church of Jesus Christ to reverse the trend of neglect. Let’s pursue the Spirit-filled life of effectiveness God desires and we desire.”
It is a tragedy to have God in me and not act like it. To live in fear and in struggle…rather than living by the Holy Spirit—rather than letting Him live through me. That is why Christ said to his disciples, “It is good for you that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go, I will send him to you” and another time “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever”—‘another’ in the Greek in this verse means another just like, as opposed to another unlike…I cannot count the times I’ve longed for Jesus to be this physical person I can touch and talk to and get a verbal reply and have as a counselor…but that, I realize is the Holy Spirit—who already lives in me! “…none of us could deny the benefit of having Jesus here physically, guiding and enabling us every step of the way. Yet why do we assume that this would be any better than the literal presence of the Holy Spirit? Those of us who believe in Jesus would never deny the truth that we have the Spirit of the living God, the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead, living inside of us. I’m just not convinced we’ve internalized this truth and enjoyed His blessings as He intends. It seems like this is mostly head knowledge to us, and that we have not owned it. It has not really made much of a difference in our lives, to the degree that if we woke up tomorrow and discovered that it is not true the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, most likely our lives wouldn’t look much different.”—Forgotten God, page 34-35.
As I read that again…I’m convinced that the unsettled-ness within me this past week or so has not been me…but the Holy Spirit within me…and reading the first chapter of this book and reading over my old journal and seeing how the HS has worked in and through my life in the past…shows me how much I’m starving him now. I am convinced he is leading me back to him. Every little detail points to Him. To the relationship he wants with me. To the things he wants to do in and through me… it’s beautifully exciting!!
And gah, I keep coming back to this verse, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”—Philippians 3:12
…I’ll post about the other devo’s later…this is enough for now.
Katie, I am glad that you found the little book Jason and I wrote many years ago beneficial. It was great to read something that shows me it is still going around. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteMark Dowds
=]I'm glad this was encouragement to you, brother! It is definitely a different kind of devo book. Though it is meant for small group discussion, I also find it beneficial in my own quiet times. Two things in particular it has challenged me with is the perspective and characteristics of Jesus. I noticed it especially in the second one--about Jesus and the woman who came and annointed him with perfume and washed his feet with her tears. I've always looked at that story and tried to relate myself to the woman, or the other people there, but through the HOly Spirit, it was revealed to me to look through the perspective of Christ--what did all this mean for him, for his reputation...and since He is the one living in me, not the woman or the others there, He is the one whose perspective matters most! I also find challenging that at the end of every entry it says, "list one characteristic of Christ you want to have"...that has challenged me to look even more at the man I call my Savior and allow Him even more to permeate my life and mold it into his likeness!!
ReplyDeleteThe thanks is mutual here=] and this has again demonstrated to me just how the Body of Christ works!
To Him be the glory!!
God bless, brother!
Katie