I Used to Wonder…
I used to wonder how we know that it is the Holy Spirit talking to us and not just ourselves (or the enemy). I now believe that if the voice is consistent with scripture, is positive and loving…it is most likely not our own voice. The enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy, but John 16:13 says
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.
When Jesus ascended, He said that He was sending a helper, the Holy Spirit, and I feel Him in my soul.
That’s also what faith is…believing what you cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 and then verse 6 says
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
I believe. I’m getting teary eyed writing this…I am just so forever grateful that He loves us as much as He does. It is almost overwhelming when you think about it because we do NOT deserve it…yet He gives it freely to us.
I was thinking about what to write next, and I opened my Bible app and prayed, “Holy Spirit, what would You like for me to learn today?” and immediately…the word perseverance came to my mind, and I choose to believe it was a divine answer.
Although my relationship with Jesus is infinitely better than it used to be, I still have my struggles. We are all born sinners, and we have to pick up our cross DAILY and follow Jesus…and it is not easy. I am constantly thinking about my future, and how I am not where I want to be in my life, and about a million other things…but I know that Jesus told us that worrying would not add a single hour to our lives.
So, what are we supposed to do in the meantime? PERSERVERE.
James 1:1-8 says
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
We are meant to keep going. We are meant to focus on our heavenly reward, not what we are going through on this temporary earth. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will never pass away. If you close your eyes and point to any verse in the Bible, and actually study it, it WILL help you. God knew we would have trials here. We have to be the light in this world and show everyone that we are His by how we respond to our trials and by our fruit (that might be my next entry).
James goes on to say in verse 12
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
That’s all folks. I want the crown of life when this is all over. I have to keep going. We only have two choices- spend eternity in the new heaven and earth WITH God, or in hell completely SEPARATED from God. I want Him while I’m here and I want Him when I’m gone.
Keep going and fighting the good fight.