*As always, check out the disclaimer here.
The following stems from an e-mail I addressed to the pastors at Riverlawn Christian Church, questioning the experience of God, specifically the Holy Spirit, in my daily, privileged life.
...I know we are baptized in the spirit and the Holy Spirit (HS) comes to us and dwells in us; but, I just [had a] thought about this:
I've heard it said, and it makes sense to me, that if we had the chance to talk to [Old Testament] OT Israelites that were led by God via fire and smoke, we might wonder about that; however, they might wonder about the Holy Spirit living in us... so, not to expect a prescription from a descriptive text, I wonder, should we experience a daily awesome presence of the HS (God) outside of our influenced (heart-faith) or self controlled (head-knowledge) lives?
I know on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and when Paul baptized and laid hands on the 12 in Ephesus (Acts 19), it was evident that the HS was present in or at least on them. I don't take this as prescriptive (something that should happen when you receive the HS) because it is not common throughout scripture (other folks were baptized and this didn't happen, that is mentioned anyway).
[Side question: in Acts 19, when they began prophesying, was it an edification or actual prophecy? I'll check my notes, you check yours :) ]
[I think I'm about to answer my own question]
I know I am sometimes prompted to say something that would give glory to God and helped someone out, which would without a doubt be HS inspired, because (truly, without false humility) I couldn't have had something like that in my conversational artillery ready to fire at the right moment.
I also recognize when I am reading the Bible when something is illuminated and I understand it or grasp something I hadn't before.
Finally, I also know how God speaks in a whisper (thanks to Kurt and Devin [and Prairie View Christian Camp] for church camp and 1 Kings 17-19).
I think, maybe we (or I least) have too many distractions to allow us to recognize the awesome power of the HS and His work in our every day lives. I'm sure there are instances where the HS is "miraculously" presenting His power in lands where there aren't so many self-centered distractions. I just wonder, should we be "experiencing" (for lack of better term) the HS in our daily lives as much and in somewhat a way as maybe the OT Israelites experienced the presence of God?
This is not say I don't recognize the fruits of the Spirit in my life; but, I still wonder about recognizing, without a doubt, His presence in and around me, not just head knowledge and heart faith, but inexplicable presence.
I guess I'm kind of reminded about the "quenching of the HS" in 1st Thessalonians 5, in the context to not simply deny spiritual gifts, but to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God in everything, accept and receive what is good and abstaining from evil. Perhaps, if I am completely diligent in holding on to what is good and abstaining from all that is evil, continuously focusing on God throughout everything, I might experience His awesome presence... just curious and not fretting about anything....
Next are responses I received...
From Pastor Kurt:
I do experience the Holy Spirit daily, and so do you. In John 14 and 16, Jesus tells us exactly what the Holy Spirit will do in our lives: comfort us 14:18, 27; teach us all things and remind us what Jesus said 14:26; and guide us daily 16:8. Then in Romans 8:26, Paul tells us the Holy Spirit helps us pray. We would all love to speak in tongues and prophecy and heal, but that is not always what brings glory to God. Actually, by definition, prophesy means, in part, means to speak words of knowledge, you do that. I have been prayed for and healed miraculously... sometimes we miss experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives because we are only looking for the great "miraculous" things and not the simple miracles God shows us each day: talking to others about Christ, understanding His Word, glorifying Him in heartfelt song. Those are my initial thoughts on the subject as I sit watching the sun set on Wilson Lake - a simple thing that I used to take for granted until the Holy Spirit showed me the true beauty of Gods glory.
From Pastor Travis
...First off, when I think of the Holy Spirit I think He is the presence that allows me to become like Jesus. I have no power or ability to “become” like Christ without the HS’s presence. I believe we experience the HS, because of that fact, at different times and in different ways. Some days it is the daily routine and discipline of getting into the Word and prayer that the HS guides me to do. Other days or moments He prompts me to an individual or gives me wisdom beyond my ability to grasp on my own. All of these moments and days are an effort to make me more like Jesus. I think what is normative with the HS is to be sensitive to Him, seeking Him and His kingdom, listening to His promptings and obeying His direction. I don’t think Acts 2 is normative but I do believe it can still happen, all on God’s desire to do so, not on my amount of faith.
Those are some initial thoughts. I’ll get back with you about Acts 19 being prophecy or edification. Initially I would think it would be both. Prophecy, which is proclaiming God’s Word, can be the most edifying thing in the body.
Experience and answers...
So, my original e-mail was sent August 2nd at 8:26 PM CST. As I mentioned, I believe and recognize God (the HS) working in and through me in typically subtle ways. On the 3rd (the next day) The pastors started to reply and, to me, emphasized what I already believe and trust; however, I hadn't read the e-mails until that evening. Not to say that I was doubtful in any way; it was just a curiosity. In the middle of the day on the 3rd of August, I had to run a work-related errand. I usually have my car radio tuned in to BOTT radio network and this day was no different.
It just so happened that "Running To Win" with Dr. Erwin Lutzer was broadcasting and the series was "When the Spirit Has His Way", specifically "Naming the Spirit Part 1". According to part of the sermon description:
"And for those who have believed in Jesus Christ, He is in them and beside them as a Helper, Comforter and Teacher.
So if we let the Spirit have His way, He’ll consume everything in our lives that isn’t holy. He will purify us."
Personally, I found this right timing, right placing of God's intervention hilarious. I am amazed that God (the Holy Spirit) would put it simply, "I'm right here, can't you see?" by way of me having to run a work errand and the program focused on the Holy Spirit playing at that time for me to hear it without searching for it!
Then, there's an e-mail I received from my twice-a-week Men's devotional subscription to Gather Ministries' Wire:
“That was God . . .”
“I felt God nudging me . . .”
“I got the sense that God wants me to . . .”
We hear words like these. Sometimes we say them ourselves. But, how do we know it’s God? Well, rarely can we ever know conclusively; there’s mystery with God. There are times when we intuitively just know, down deep somewhere. And, often, this “just knowing” is enough. Other times, though, things are less clear and we must ask: Was that you, God? Or was that just me? In those situations, we need to be able to recognize his voice—to identify it.
Fortunately, his voice is unique—whether it comes through his still, small voice or through the words of others. It’s something we can come to recognize. So, what we need to learn is to identify the unique characteristics. We do that by reading Scripture. Fortunately, not all methods of hearing God are equal. Scripture, the method by which we hear his voice indirectly through the Biblical authors, sits above all others in importance and authority. As such, we have something against which we can run tests.
On a practical level, therefore, when we try to hear God by any other method, we simply need ask ourselves whether what we think we’ve heard fits within the principles set forth in Scripture. Indeed, that’s exactly what we are listening for when we listen for his voice—thoughts and words that fit within the principles of the Bible—not thoughts, nor words, by contrast, that contradict or add to Scripture.
Okay, so what do we do?
Are you spending enough time reading Scripture, brother? Do you have a reading plan? If not, get one going, today. Do it with friends. For if you come to know him in Scripture, you’ll begin to identify God’s voice in other places too.
Are you kidding me?! Talk about "Seek, and ye shall find" and how abundantly He answers even the slightest curiosity of those He loves.
So (maybe not in closing this subject and curiosity as we should have a firm faith in something that the Bible is clear, but we will always have something to learn and recognize when we consult the Word of God), I am quickly reminded and answered by the Holy Spirit through Godly counsel and sovereign timing of events of how He is present.
*Don't take my experience in this matter as a "prescription" of how soon He answers prayer(s). He is beyond any wisdom we (humanity) can ever obtain and perhaps I was ready to receive an answer, not that I didn't want an answer; but, that I was ready to understand and recognize the answer. I could have had the thought, "Oh, that's just coincidence"; however, I really don't believe in coincidences when it comes to direct experiences such as I hoped to describe. I think, I was just truly seeking an answer; I have been praying and asking God to allow me to recognize His work through and around me, and I was simply ready.
Sometimes, God's response to prayer is: Yes, No, or Not Right Now (wait); and, since God is who He is, His timing and response is perfect and can and should be trusted.
The following stems from an e-mail I addressed to the pastors at Riverlawn Christian Church, questioning the experience of God, specifically the Holy Spirit, in my daily, privileged life.
...I know we are baptized in the spirit and the Holy Spirit (HS) comes to us and dwells in us; but, I just [had a] thought about this:
I've heard it said, and it makes sense to me, that if we had the chance to talk to [Old Testament] OT Israelites that were led by God via fire and smoke, we might wonder about that; however, they might wonder about the Holy Spirit living in us... so, not to expect a prescription from a descriptive text, I wonder, should we experience a daily awesome presence of the HS (God) outside of our influenced (heart-faith) or self controlled (head-knowledge) lives?
I know on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and when Paul baptized and laid hands on the 12 in Ephesus (Acts 19), it was evident that the HS was present in or at least on them. I don't take this as prescriptive (something that should happen when you receive the HS) because it is not common throughout scripture (other folks were baptized and this didn't happen, that is mentioned anyway).
[Side question: in Acts 19, when they began prophesying, was it an edification or actual prophecy? I'll check my notes, you check yours :) ]
[I think I'm about to answer my own question]
I know I am sometimes prompted to say something that would give glory to God and helped someone out, which would without a doubt be HS inspired, because (truly, without false humility) I couldn't have had something like that in my conversational artillery ready to fire at the right moment.
I also recognize when I am reading the Bible when something is illuminated and I understand it or grasp something I hadn't before.
Finally, I also know how God speaks in a whisper (thanks to Kurt and Devin [and Prairie View Christian Camp] for church camp and 1 Kings 17-19).
I think, maybe we (or I least) have too many distractions to allow us to recognize the awesome power of the HS and His work in our every day lives. I'm sure there are instances where the HS is "miraculously" presenting His power in lands where there aren't so many self-centered distractions. I just wonder, should we be "experiencing" (for lack of better term) the HS in our daily lives as much and in somewhat a way as maybe the OT Israelites experienced the presence of God?
This is not say I don't recognize the fruits of the Spirit in my life; but, I still wonder about recognizing, without a doubt, His presence in and around me, not just head knowledge and heart faith, but inexplicable presence.
I guess I'm kind of reminded about the "quenching of the HS" in 1st Thessalonians 5, in the context to not simply deny spiritual gifts, but to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks to God in everything, accept and receive what is good and abstaining from evil. Perhaps, if I am completely diligent in holding on to what is good and abstaining from all that is evil, continuously focusing on God throughout everything, I might experience His awesome presence... just curious and not fretting about anything....
Next are responses I received...
From Pastor Kurt:
I do experience the Holy Spirit daily, and so do you. In John 14 and 16, Jesus tells us exactly what the Holy Spirit will do in our lives: comfort us 14:18, 27; teach us all things and remind us what Jesus said 14:26; and guide us daily 16:8. Then in Romans 8:26, Paul tells us the Holy Spirit helps us pray. We would all love to speak in tongues and prophecy and heal, but that is not always what brings glory to God. Actually, by definition, prophesy means, in part, means to speak words of knowledge, you do that. I have been prayed for and healed miraculously... sometimes we miss experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives because we are only looking for the great "miraculous" things and not the simple miracles God shows us each day: talking to others about Christ, understanding His Word, glorifying Him in heartfelt song. Those are my initial thoughts on the subject as I sit watching the sun set on Wilson Lake - a simple thing that I used to take for granted until the Holy Spirit showed me the true beauty of Gods glory.
From Pastor Travis
...First off, when I think of the Holy Spirit I think He is the presence that allows me to become like Jesus. I have no power or ability to “become” like Christ without the HS’s presence. I believe we experience the HS, because of that fact, at different times and in different ways. Some days it is the daily routine and discipline of getting into the Word and prayer that the HS guides me to do. Other days or moments He prompts me to an individual or gives me wisdom beyond my ability to grasp on my own. All of these moments and days are an effort to make me more like Jesus. I think what is normative with the HS is to be sensitive to Him, seeking Him and His kingdom, listening to His promptings and obeying His direction. I don’t think Acts 2 is normative but I do believe it can still happen, all on God’s desire to do so, not on my amount of faith.
Those are some initial thoughts. I’ll get back with you about Acts 19 being prophecy or edification. Initially I would think it would be both. Prophecy, which is proclaiming God’s Word, can be the most edifying thing in the body.
Experience and answers...
So, my original e-mail was sent August 2nd at 8:26 PM CST. As I mentioned, I believe and recognize God (the HS) working in and through me in typically subtle ways. On the 3rd (the next day) The pastors started to reply and, to me, emphasized what I already believe and trust; however, I hadn't read the e-mails until that evening. Not to say that I was doubtful in any way; it was just a curiosity. In the middle of the day on the 3rd of August, I had to run a work-related errand. I usually have my car radio tuned in to BOTT radio network and this day was no different.
It just so happened that "Running To Win" with Dr. Erwin Lutzer was broadcasting and the series was "When the Spirit Has His Way", specifically "Naming the Spirit Part 1". According to part of the sermon description:
"And for those who have believed in Jesus Christ, He is in them and beside them as a Helper, Comforter and Teacher.
So if we let the Spirit have His way, He’ll consume everything in our lives that isn’t holy. He will purify us."
Personally, I found this right timing, right placing of God's intervention hilarious. I am amazed that God (the Holy Spirit) would put it simply, "I'm right here, can't you see?" by way of me having to run a work errand and the program focused on the Holy Spirit playing at that time for me to hear it without searching for it!
Then, there's an e-mail I received from my twice-a-week Men's devotional subscription to Gather Ministries' Wire:
How the Heck Do We Know?
. . . show me a sign that it is you who speak with me—Judges 6:17“That was God . . .”
“I felt God nudging me . . .”
“I got the sense that God wants me to . . .”
We hear words like these. Sometimes we say them ourselves. But, how do we know it’s God? Well, rarely can we ever know conclusively; there’s mystery with God. There are times when we intuitively just know, down deep somewhere. And, often, this “just knowing” is enough. Other times, though, things are less clear and we must ask: Was that you, God? Or was that just me? In those situations, we need to be able to recognize his voice—to identify it.
Fortunately, his voice is unique—whether it comes through his still, small voice or through the words of others. It’s something we can come to recognize. So, what we need to learn is to identify the unique characteristics. We do that by reading Scripture. Fortunately, not all methods of hearing God are equal. Scripture, the method by which we hear his voice indirectly through the Biblical authors, sits above all others in importance and authority. As such, we have something against which we can run tests.
On a practical level, therefore, when we try to hear God by any other method, we simply need ask ourselves whether what we think we’ve heard fits within the principles set forth in Scripture. Indeed, that’s exactly what we are listening for when we listen for his voice—thoughts and words that fit within the principles of the Bible—not thoughts, nor words, by contrast, that contradict or add to Scripture.
Okay, so what do we do?
Are you spending enough time reading Scripture, brother? Do you have a reading plan? If not, get one going, today. Do it with friends. For if you come to know him in Scripture, you’ll begin to identify God’s voice in other places too.
Are you kidding me?! Talk about "Seek, and ye shall find" and how abundantly He answers even the slightest curiosity of those He loves.
So (maybe not in closing this subject and curiosity as we should have a firm faith in something that the Bible is clear, but we will always have something to learn and recognize when we consult the Word of God), I am quickly reminded and answered by the Holy Spirit through Godly counsel and sovereign timing of events of how He is present.
*Don't take my experience in this matter as a "prescription" of how soon He answers prayer(s). He is beyond any wisdom we (humanity) can ever obtain and perhaps I was ready to receive an answer, not that I didn't want an answer; but, that I was ready to understand and recognize the answer. I could have had the thought, "Oh, that's just coincidence"; however, I really don't believe in coincidences when it comes to direct experiences such as I hoped to describe. I think, I was just truly seeking an answer; I have been praying and asking God to allow me to recognize His work through and around me, and I was simply ready.
Sometimes, God's response to prayer is: Yes, No, or Not Right Now (wait); and, since God is who He is, His timing and response is perfect and can and should be trusted.
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