I am currently reading a book called The Forgotten God, by Francis Chan. It is a living changing book! The memory of walking through the airport in California after crossing the border from Mexico... from my June mission trip is in my mind as I think about the gift of our Holy Spirit. While walking with all my stuff... looking into the faces.. and eyes of all the beautiful people God created.. I began to cry... talking to Jesus "they don't know you.. they don't know how much that you love them.. they don't know your sweet touch... your healing." It sadden me so very much! I was reading the following verses last night.
Galatians 5: 16-25
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
I have to be honest... I feel my savior calling me to give it all... with no worries. It is hard.. my PRIDE, FLESH, SELFISHNESS and FEAR get in the way. What would we be if we came humbily to God and wasn't afraid to live our lives lead by HIM and his Holy Spirit for his Glory! I want it JESUS!
Romans 5:1-5
Peace and Joy 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Praise God for his HOPE through his HOLY SPIRIT! Let us press into our savior through faith.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
