It is important to remember the admonition in Luke "help me with my unbelief" ( Mark 9:24). There is too much emphasis these days as I am sure you are aware of emotion in regard to worship. That being said; there needs at some point in are walk a recognition that the Spirit is living inside us. Hebrews 12:6 indicates that "He chastises all He loves". Recognition of the BENEFITS of this makes us live as Peter did rather than Judas Iscariot who Christ never took the time to rebuke. Iron sharpens iron ( Prov. 27:17). Exhortation; along with encouragement among the saints seems to be a forgotten trait; but nonetheless is helpful in building up the church.
It is certain from the Prophets and their encounters with the Living God that when we stand before our judge; there is no lack of sensing His Holiness. Another problem today is the lack of fear of God. Numerous verses indicate that the "fear of God is the beginning of understanding ( Prov. 9:10).
Clearly there are two things that stand in the way of sensing the Spirit of God if we are truly saved. Before this; the "god of this world" has blinded man to the truth. ( 2 Cor. 4:4). The first issue is the old nature; which is continually contending with the Spirit; and vice versa. Our minds are saturated with all sorts of imaginations due to our fallen nature; and the way it has been marred with past patterns of sin. In tandem with this; of course is Satan and his minions which work with the world system to keep men in subjection. There is certainly the issue of spiritual oppression even if a believer can't be possessed directly (a debatable issue). We need to evaluate if there is any wicked way in us; and realize that "obedience is better than sacrifice". ( 1 Samuel 15:22). Other N.T. verses indicate that before offering a sacrifice; forgiveness with an estranged brother is needed. We are also commanded to love the brethren; and esteem others as higher than ourselves. I hope this helps somewhat.
Desiring All That God Has For Us - In Reply - 2 years ago
When Jesus was traveling with his disciples and others who were following him to hear his words;
Jesus would withdraw a ways from the group to pray and fellowship with the Father.
We have to do that too. Make quiet time to spend it with Jesus. And through Him, the gift he gave us; the Holy Spirit.
Chaos is a name of Satan. It takes effort to maintain peaceful moments in our every day lives. If you desire more of Jesus (through Holy Spirit) apart from regular church fellowship; you can create other ways to sit in his presence and listen.
Turn off the tv and phone for an hour. Open your Bible and read from Psalms and Proverbs. Read slow to pick up on the hidden pieces of gold that the Holy Spirit will show you.
The more scripture you take into your heart, the more the Holy Spirit has, to bring to your conscious mind, as He ministers to you. Holy Spirit joins you Jesus's mind. That's how it works. It is a moment of WOW, you might want to keep a journal on that for later.
I use praise music other times to bring me into His presence. God inhabits our praise. Angels hearken to the spoken or sung, Words of God. Malachi 3:16-18, an angel records our spoken praise of God in a Book.
With some shame, I'll say The Lord had ti wean me off of hard rock, disco, country beer music, etc. Praise music was hard. Someone gave me a tape of John Michael Talbot, "Troubadour of the Great King." I learned that everything in creation gives its praise to the Lord. Only man has choice to praise, or Not praise.
It depends on us. Do we desire to sit before the Lord and just praise Him; in quoting a Psalm, or in singing along in song. The more we are aware of the Living God in our lives, the more our joy grows. When our mind agrees with the Word, in meaning and and in song:
We move from glory to glory.
We are Not Limited on how much we love Jesus, or How to love Jesus. Everybody loves differently.
Rich has given you a great reply. I urge you to heed what he has spoken.
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. He remains in us regardless of whether we "feel" Him or "see" His working in our life. WE believe this by faith, not by our senses. But, as Rich said, there can be a number of reasons for this seemingly "dry" time. Going to the Word often with expectancy to learn from God will aid in bringing about the growth the Spirit is working in us as He continues to mature us and fill us with everything God has for us to receive.
Congratulations on being a Christian long enough to not feel the Spirit. Read the Psalms and you will find that feeling that God has gone silent or stopped hearing us is not unusual for the saints. Psalm 13, Psalm 28. Psalm 44, Psalm 83, Psalm 109.
The Spirit's fruit of patience comes when we thirst and hunger for God, but must continue to sow to the Spirit in trust that at the proper time we will reap the fruits of joy and peace. There is always a span of time that must pass between sowing and reaping, when the Spirit is at work causing growth that is not exciting to watch or easy to see on a moment by moment basis. Sowing in tears and reaping in joy after a much longer span of time has passed than we like is often the life of godly Christians. Psalm 126:5-6
Of course, if the Spirit is convicting you of unrepented sin, confess it and repent. God sons all must learn from the unpleasantness of His discipline and chastisement, which shows that He loves us and does not want to see us condemned with the world. Those trained by it reap peace. Hebrews 12:5-11 and James 1:2-4
Without knowing anything about the length of time you have been a Christian, what life you came out of before becoming a Christian, or how much of the pure milk of the word you have tasted it is hard to know what you most need to hear. So I will let you consider what I have written first to see if you gain anything from this or want to provide a little more context for your post.
The Spirit is within every believer whether we 'feel" the spirit or not. We believe this on faith, not by sight or other senses.
And, yes, the spirit leads us through "dry, wilderness" times for the very reasons you mentioned. These times should drive us to His Word for "living water and food" to sustain and grow us up in Christ.
Please fine you u get to try the Lord on and in His word. In peace I tell you to go out to the whole creation and preach the gospel of Jesus. And you and your house will be saved. Him and see if the Word of God lives in you beloved.
Thank you for mentioning this to me today. I needed this word to remember in the darkness of this world. May we just trust God.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Love u in Christ friend and never give up in Jesus Holy name.
It is certain from the Prophets and their encounters with the Living God that when we stand before our judge; there is no lack of sensing His Holiness. Another problem today is the lack of fear of God. Numerous verses indicate that the "fear of God is the beginning of understanding ( Prov. 9:10).
Clearly there are two things that stand in the way of sensing the Spirit of God if we are truly saved. Before this; the "god of this world" has blinded man to the truth. ( 2 Cor. 4:4). The first issue is the old nature; which is continually contending with the Spirit; and vice versa. Our minds are saturated with all sorts of imaginations due to our fallen nature; and the way it has been marred with past patterns of sin. In tandem with this; of course is Satan and his minions which work with the world system to keep men in subjection. There is certainly the issue of spiritual oppression even if a believer can't be possessed directly (a debatable issue). We need to evaluate if there is any wicked way in us; and realize that "obedience is better than sacrifice". ( 1 Samuel 15:22). Other N.T. verses indicate that before offering a sacrifice; forgiveness with an estranged brother is needed. We are also commanded to love the brethren; and esteem others as higher than ourselves. I hope this helps somewhat.
Jesus would withdraw a ways from the group to pray and fellowship with the Father.
We have to do that too. Make quiet time to spend it with Jesus. And through Him, the gift he gave us; the Holy Spirit.
Chaos is a name of Satan. It takes effort to maintain peaceful moments in our every day lives. If you desire more of Jesus (through Holy Spirit) apart from regular church fellowship; you can create other ways to sit in his presence and listen.
Turn off the tv and phone for an hour. Open your Bible and read from Psalms and Proverbs. Read slow to pick up on the hidden pieces of gold that the Holy Spirit will show you.
The more scripture you take into your heart, the more the Holy Spirit has, to bring to your conscious mind, as He ministers to you. Holy Spirit joins you Jesus's mind. That's how it works. It is a moment of WOW, you might want to keep a journal on that for later.
I use praise music other times to bring me into His presence. God inhabits our praise. Angels hearken to the spoken or sung, Words of God. Malachi 3:16-18, an angel records our spoken praise of God in a Book.
With some shame, I'll say The Lord had ti wean me off of hard rock, disco, country beer music, etc. Praise music was hard. Someone gave me a tape of John Michael Talbot, "Troubadour of the Great King." I learned that everything in creation gives its praise to the Lord. Only man has choice to praise, or Not praise.
It depends on us. Do we desire to sit before the Lord and just praise Him; in quoting a Psalm, or in singing along in song. The more we are aware of the Living God in our lives, the more our joy grows. When our mind agrees with the Word, in meaning and and in song:
We move from glory to glory.
We are Not Limited on how much we love Jesus, or How to love Jesus. Everybody loves differently.
I chose full bore, head on. God bless you.
Glad to meet you.
Rich has given you a great reply. I urge you to heed what he has spoken.
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer. He remains in us regardless of whether we "feel" Him or "see" His working in our life. WE believe this by faith, not by our senses. But, as Rich said, there can be a number of reasons for this seemingly "dry" time. Going to the Word often with expectancy to learn from God will aid in bringing about the growth the Spirit is working in us as He continues to mature us and fill us with everything God has for us to receive.
Congratulations on being a Christian long enough to not feel the Spirit. Read the Psalms and you will find that feeling that God has gone silent or stopped hearing us is not unusual for the saints. Psalm 13, Psalm 28. Psalm 44, Psalm 83, Psalm 109.
The Spirit's fruit of patience comes when we thirst and hunger for God, but must continue to sow to the Spirit in trust that at the proper time we will reap the fruits of joy and peace. There is always a span of time that must pass between sowing and reaping, when the Spirit is at work causing growth that is not exciting to watch or easy to see on a moment by moment basis. Sowing in tears and reaping in joy after a much longer span of time has passed than we like is often the life of godly Christians. Psalm 126:5-6
Of course, if the Spirit is convicting you of unrepented sin, confess it and repent. God sons all must learn from the unpleasantness of His discipline and chastisement, which shows that He loves us and does not want to see us condemned with the world. Those trained by it reap peace. Hebrews 12:5-11 and James 1:2-4
Without knowing anything about the length of time you have been a Christian, what life you came out of before becoming a Christian, or how much of the pure milk of the word you have tasted it is hard to know what you most need to hear. So I will let you consider what I have written first to see if you gain anything from this or want to provide a little more context for your post.
God bless you.
Well said.
The Spirit is within every believer whether we 'feel" the spirit or not. We believe this on faith, not by sight or other senses.
And, yes, the spirit leads us through "dry, wilderness" times for the very reasons you mentioned. These times should drive us to His Word for "living water and food" to sustain and grow us up in Christ.
Thank you for mentioning this to me today. I needed this word to remember in the darkness of this world. May we just trust God.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Love u in Christ friend and never give up in Jesus Holy name.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?