Got Questions?

There's a topic that I continue to wrestle with in my daily life with Christ. I still do not have a clear understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the decisions and actions of the believer. Perhaps that comes of admitting my many daily failures, but it still seems to me that God's work is primarily external rather than internal.

It seems, at least in my life, that God changes circumstances and other external factors on my behalf, but I continue to feel that internal power to change is missing. I guess I'm saying "How do we turn on the switch that brings all that power everyone talks about?" I acknowledge the spiritual immaturity of the question, but the struggle is real. Thanks for listening.

It seems, at least in my life, that God changes circumstances and other external factors on my behalf, but I continue to feel that internal power to change is missing. I guess I'm saying "How do we turn on the switch that brings all that power everyone talks about?" I acknowledge the spiritual immaturity of the question, but the struggle is real. Thanks for listening.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. ~Luke 11

11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” ~Luke 11

10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. ~Psalm 51

13b“…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” ~Luke 11 (Like most life-giving habits, this is not hard to do, it’s hard to sustain.)

51“You stiff-necked people 51“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ~Acts 7

51“You stiff-necked people 51“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ~Acts 7

God established the created order in such a way that His Spirit is not irresistible.

God established the created order in such a way that His Spirit is not irresistible. Resistance may be futile for the Borg, but it’s very, very effective when you’re resisting God’s Spirit.

God established the created order in such a way that His Spirit is not irresistible. I like the idea of being led by God’s Spirit, I just don’t like what He’s asking me to do.

19Do not quench the Spirit. ~I Thessalonians 5

19Do not quench the Spirit. ~I Thessalonians 5 The point at which our resistance begins is the point at which the Spirit’s power ends.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ~Ephesians 4

Just as the quenched Spirit can not empower you, so the grieved Spirit can not empower you…

Just as the quenched Spirit can not empower you, so the grieved Spirit can not empower you… (The only thing a grieved Spirit can empower you to do is grieve yourself.)

"How do we turn on the switch that brings all that power everyone talks about?” We’re learning to ask for and invite God’s Spirit into our lives through prayer… 2) And when we quench His Spirit, we ask God for forgiveness and pray for help not to put the fire out. 3) And when we grieve God’s Spirit, we grieve along with Him, and turn away from whatever words or deeds brought that sadness.

6So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. 7“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” ~Zechariah 4

6So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. 7“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” ~Zechariah 4

6So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. 7“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” ~Zechariah 4

6So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. 7“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’” ~Zechariah 4

27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. ~I Corinthians 1

10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. ~II Corinthians 12