Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

Choosing God

God firstEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 8, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Acts 19:1-7

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ — Acts 19:1-4

I had the joy of visiting Ephesus last summer. I remember feeling like I was walking with Paul through the book of Acts as I wondered with my group among the ruins. Christians did not have their mighty cathedrals when the story of Acts was being played out. The grand artifacts were in celebration of Greek and Roman gods. There were only small hints here and there of even the existence of the Christian faith. It is no wonder that the new converts were trying to get a handle on what baptism was and who all the new characters—John and Jesus and the Holy Spirit—were. They were also more acquainted with gods that could be etched or carved in stone in larger than life forms not a sole God that only wanted to love to be loved in return, and for God’s followers to love each other.

While our world has changed greatly in 2000 years, much is still the same for people. We do not call them gods but we worship things like money and power that enchant us with their trappings but are in the end as worthless as the once grand, but now broken, eroding statues that I saw in Ephesus. Albeit these items of art do have worth in that they illustrate well how great empires can rise and fall, and teach us that we need to seek what is truly valuable.

God’s love is truly valuable. God’s plan of love being inclusive among all God’s children is valuable. Living life in relationship with God the Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Advocate is actually all that really matters. Everything else falls into proper alignment when we make that choice.

Prayer: Lord, today I renew the choice I made to live in relationship with you. When I am tempted to move away from your love, help me not to stray. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Encouragement

Breathe of GodChristmas
December 28, 2014

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:22-40

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
   a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’ — Luke 2:25-32

If Mary and Joseph had not had enough to ponder up to the point of Jesus’ dedication at the temple, Simeon added to the mystery that had encased their lives for at least nine months. Perhaps though Simeon was sent by God as further verification of the special nature of this child. Simeon, Anna too, were encouragers of the faith.

We are all called to the role of being encouragers of the faith even though we often need encouragement ourselves. We should never underestimate the importance of God’s plan of Oneness for all God’s followers. We do need each other. We also need that mysterious gift of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes I wonder how much I frustrate the Holy Spirit. I can be pretty cynical at times and none too trusting in myself as well as in still small voices that occasionally whisper in my ear. I probably have seen too much evil in the world and seen the results of people trusting the wrong voices. Some time ago I started following what I call the test of love. Does what I am sensing pass the test of love? Is it of God? Does it want the very best for others and me?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, breathe on me,
 My stubborn will subdue;
 Teach me in words of living flame
 What Christ would have me do.* Amen.

*Verse 2 of Holy Spirit Breathe on Me, words by B. B. McKinney, Full text can be viewed at http://www.namethathymn.com/christian-hymns/breathe-on-me-lyrics.html

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Peace

PeaceAdvent
December 7, 2014

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:1-8

[John the Baptist] proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ — Mark 1:7-8

It always seems ironic to me when the Sunday identified as Peace Sunday in some traditions occurs on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jesus has been identified as the Prince of Peace and yet war has been a constant in our lives that has ebbed and flowed ever since he was born.

What is this power that John the Baptist identified as a primary trait of Jesus and what does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? What is the power of peace?

My regular Tuesday yoga teacher was out of town recently and a substitute who was new to me subbed. We normally start the class when some general stretching and close with a time of quite meditation. The sub said she would like to start with a meditative period, if we didn’t mind. She instructed us how to sit for this part and exactly at the moment our quiet time began, the song, What Wondrous Love is This (Author Unknown) was played. It was a very simple arrangement sung by a beautiful voice. It was a surprise and it was peace.

The ultimate love of God is the power to which John the Baptist is referring and to be baptized by the Holy Spirit means to enter into a partnership with God through Jesus Christ to be a conduit for God’s love even through our fragile and sometimes broken bodies made of clay. It is a trust beyond our ability to trust and a strength beyond our own power. While it is shared with us as individuals, it is provided in such a manner that it creates the synergy of Christ when two or more of us gather together in Christ name. When that all comes together for all of God’s children we will know the peace of God.

Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

  O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.* Amen.

*By Saint Francis of Assissi, See at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Binding and Loosing

 bindingloosingLiving in the Spirit
September 7, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20 

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ —Matthew 18:18-20

The above saying should scare the daylights out of us. Do we realize the responsibility it entails? Read it again and think about it. When I was a little girl, and thus my memory may be somewhat limited, my dad brought home a new cow. I think he had bought her from a relative. We milked several cows every day and sold milk and cream so it was not unusual to get a new cow now and then. I seem to remember somebody saying something about the cow being wild, maybe the word untamable may have even been used. My brother and my dad got her unloaded from the truck without a lot of difficulty but that marked the end of any appropriate cow behavior. She ran zigzagging all over the pasture, swam the pond, and may have jumped a fence before her first nightfall with us. I really don’t remember what happened to that cow. I don’t think she lived with us for very long. For a while though she was definitely “loosed on earth” and I don’t think anybody would want to spend a single day with her in heaven. Binding could have equally distressful results. We have passed some pretty crazy laws that we are now bound to follow.

What I glean from this is that we better be getting our act together loving God and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves right now and take as much advantage as we can of having the Holy Spirit with us to guide us for we are right now living into our eternity.

Prayer:  Creator God, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove guide us in all that we bind and in all that we loose so that your Kingdom comes and your will is done. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Confidence

Living in the Spirit
                               August 10, 2014Jesus walking on water

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 

Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’ — Matthew 14:28-33

At first, the disciples thought they were seeing things. Peter in all of his bravado challenges the apparition, “Prove yourself!” and Jesus did. Even then Peter’s fear got the better of him.

 

When listening to sportscasters talking about rookies, they will often say, “He is an amazing athlete, has a great work ethic, but lacks the confidence to trust himself to use his talents and his training.” Peter lacked the confidence to take the winning shot and thus he passed the ball back to Jesus. The problem with that is there might not be enough seconds left in the game for the star to take the shot.

 

Jesus was preparing his disciples for life after his death. They needed to be able to sail through wind and waves, if the good news he was asking them to spread to the ends of the earth reached its destination. He was transitioning them from being dependent on his physical presence and preparing them for the coming of the Holy Spirit as their guide, comforter, and advocate.

 

We now live in the age of this Advocate as we face the winds and waves of the world beating against the way that Jesus taught and lived. Our confidence rest in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ as manifested in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is saying “I’ve got your back, take the shot.”

Prayer: Holy Spirit breathe on me
Till I am all Thine own
Until my will is lost in Thine
To live for Thee alone.* Amen.

From Hymn: Holy Spirit breathe on me by Edwin Hatch and B.B. McKinney
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Fear Begets Fear

Living in the Spirit
July 24, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-39 

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. — Romans 8:26-27

Who knew that all that memorization I did in school would still impact me or that Rudyard Kipling’s poem, If for Boys*, would pop into my head when considering the trials of our times? Here is the first verse. I would encourage you to read the full poem.

If you can keep your head when all about you
 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
 But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
 Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
 And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

Fear is permeating the very fiber of our beings across the world. There are, in fact, some things out there about which fear is a most appropriate response. But fear seems to beget fear and when we are facing very real threats we also tend to imaginee ones that are not present. Such fear can make us do things that we would never do under normal circumstances. A plane was destroyed over war torn Ukraine. Some 300 people heading for the south pacific, many on vacation, were killed. The cause is not fully known, but it was most likely a byproduct of war or terrorism. Do we never get on another plane because of this incident? Good friends apparently returned from a trip through Israel just in time to miss the start of warfare again there. Do we no longer seek peace in the Middle East? Murder is becoming routine here in Oklahoma City. Do we stop loving our neighbors and welcoming strangers? God never said the world wouldn’t be scary. God said “Fear not”.

I have not the words to pray regarding seeking solutions to the dangers that face us every day but I take great heart in our scripture today for I know the Spirit is praying with me and knows exactly what to say.

Prayer: Spirit of the Living God, thank you for your indwelling presence. Please pray the words I cannot form. Amen.

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if/

 

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

But Some Doubted

Living in the Spirit
June 15, 2014

  Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’–Matthew 28:16-20

My Dad’s father died suddenly, unexpectedly when my Dad was ten years old. His father had contracted blood poisoning from a boil that a doctor had lanced with an apparently unsterilized instrument.  My grandfather has always been bigger than life to me because he was bigger than life to my father. By all measures he was a successful farmer and businessman and well respected in the community. He died in 1928 and in 1970 or so I met with an older, local attorney about something to do with my work. When he heard my name he asked, if I were related to Emery Knott and I said that he was my grandfather. The lawyer said “Emery Knott was one of the finest men I have ever known.”

My grandfather’s death came at a very bad time in the history of the world but particularly in Oklahoma. Within the next few years after he died, his farms had turned to dust and the top soil had blown away. The entire world was in an economic depression and my father had essentially become the primary bread winner of his family at the age of 12 in a world turned upside down. I cannot image the emotions my Dad experienced losing his Dad, eventually dropping out of school to work, trying to hold things together the best he and his siblings could. I am sure that some mornings when he awoke or some evenings when he fell into bed exhausted, fear and doubt were with him.

The eleven remaining disciples were just as human as my Dad and they, too, experienced the full range of emotions that goes with sudden loss and increased responsibility. But just like my Dad, they had the choice of letting their fears defeat them or using them as catalyst for change. Those eleven men, with the teachings of Jesus fresh in their minds and the power of the Holy Spirit literally changed the world.

God gives us that same opportunity today.

Prayer: Lord, transform our doubts and our fears into energy powering our service to you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.