Tag: Spirit-filled living
“Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT) I’ve been thinking about the Holy Spirit and the dynamic nature of this God-gift in the life of the believer. Paul places this instruction amidst some other Spirit-fostering habits: be joyful, faithful in prayer, be…
While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit made her pregnant.” (Matthew 1:20-21 MSG) While we will not…
“Let us throw off everything that hinders…” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) Five years ago I had a dream. I was standing on the edge of an open field, hanging on to the fence with both hands. The field was beautiful but dangerous. The golden grass waved…
“Look at what I’e done for you: I’ve placed in front of you Life and Good Death and Evil.” (Deuteronomy 30:15 MSG) I still visit Israel daily in my mind. The Old Testament and the gospels all made so much sense there. I’m very much…
“Can you picture Me without reducing Me?” (Isaiah 46:5 MSG) Our strong tendency is to box God up into manageable proportions so we can cart Him around, make demands and stash Him in a closet when needed. We make Him just small enough to fit…
“I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stoney, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees…
“Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days He was tested by the devil. He at nothing during those days, and when the time was up, He was hungry. (Luke…
“Banish lies from my lips and lies from my presence.” (Prov. 30:8 MSG) This morning, collector of wisdom hands us a solid gold prayer. ‘Banish lies from me and for me.’ It’s as though he had figured out just how hard we struggle with uncovering…