I want to thank Velia from my bible study group since it was her interest that prompted me to attempt this after not wanting to try...perfectionist that I am. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, I have come to the realization that my pride should not stand in the way of spreading God's love and His Word.
This post is about just such a tutorial and conviction from the Holy Spirit. Our bible study
this session is called Intentionally Focused. This is our third week.
It is leading us to become more intentional and passionate in our walk with God. Simultaneously, I am also doing a book study on Courtney Joseph's book "Women Living Well". I find that the two are complimenting each other very well. Check it out...I am learning so much!
This morning I prepared to have my quiet time with God and decided that I wanted the biggest cup of coffee I could have so chose a mug my husband had given me a few years ago with a scripture verse and proceeded upstairs. Before starting though I decided to strip my bed and somehow managed to let the tail end of my quilt knock the cup off my bedside table. Coffee everywhere...my cup chipped and my bed and pillow soaked. I was ANGRY...cursed the devil (for who else would want to disrupt my time with God) and decided to beat him at his own game by putting on some worship music while I cleaned the mess.
As I settled into a worship session with the music my tears fell and I could not understand why...now I know that the Holy Spirit was convicting my heart. I know that I seem to be rambling...I'll get to it...this lot of words is rather painful to type on a kindle let me assure you!
As I read the scripture for today (Romans 8:1-8), this leapt out
"Those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God." Romans 8:8
I had just finished begging God to help me with my weaknesses using those very words! As I read this I reflected on just what are those natural inclinations. Pride, selfishness, envy/greed, self-indulgence, laziness. Oh, the list is never ending! It is most definitely easier to give in to our weak and selfish natures, but scripture tells us that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we CAN control our natural inclinations.
We can conquer our pride with humility, our selfishness and self-indulgence with a desire to serve and give joyfully of ourselves.Through the Spirit we will hunger and thirst for godly rather than earthly things. God can help us to overcome our weariness with the zeal that the Holy Spirit will put into us. Fear will be replaced with boldness in the Spirit. One thing is clear.
WE CANNOT CONQUER OUR SINFUL NATURES WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Yet, we foolishly try. I have been very foolish indeed in forgetting that and it is not surprising that I have felt weary and resentful, beleaguered and discontented. I did not have strength because I have failed to go to the one who is the source of my strength. My thoughts went to Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
and then to 2 Cor. 12:9
"And He said to me 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..."
Yes, Lord, without you I can do nothing!
I ended my session and went about my chores, but when I picked up my poor coffee mug I saw that it is cracked and unusable, whereas I had thought it only chipped. I couldn't help but reflect that this is the sorry state of our souls too. Ah, but through our beloved Lord, we may be cracked and rendered useless to the things that we filled ourselves with before, but we can now be used in a different and better way. Just like my mug, which will now stay on my prayer altar as a reminder of this valuable lesson.
The events of this morning were all His doing, even the coffee spill and my cracked mug. How am I so sure? Well, the scripture verse on my mug is none other than 2 Corinthians 12:9. How's that for Holy Spirit power?
To Him be the glory...FOREVER AND EVER AMEN!!!
