Witnes: The Spirit

Witness: The Spirit

by Heather Collver

Oh, how I love weddings! They are so romantic. I am a true romantic at heart. Nothing pulls on my heart strings better than seeing the groom react as he sees his bride for the first time. All dressed to the T. What thoughts are going through his head. Ahhh, how beautiful the union to come. What gets me even more is when he tenderly embraces her and treats her as a queen. As a newly married couple, most brides and grooms offer each other a ring, or a symbol of their love for each other, to keep with them and to carry as a reminder of their commitment to one another.

Just imagine my romantic thoughts as I realized how this connects with our Lord. His love for us is so tender. He pours out gifts and blessings for us and tenderly embraces us with comfort and joy. His expression in his heart must be that of overwhelming joy when he hears our commitment to love and serve him the rest of our days. Just as a newly married couple, he is quick to offer to us a symbol of his love and a reminder of our commitment. It is the Holy Spirit. It's a true love story at it's finest. One who will keep us through sickness and health. Provide for us and comfort us. No wonder he wants to be the third witness in a wedding ceremony, to become one with his creation, as he intended. I believe my Lord is a hopeless romantic like me, for I am wonderfully and fearfully made in his image!

I know, I know, come back to reality, Heather. Truly though, it is reality, he is our Lord, he wants to treat us as his bride. What would our world be like if every Man could reflect that perfect image as a groom? In order for that, I am assuming every Woman would have to reflect the perfect image as a bride. That probably won't happen in our lifetime, but the truth I can hold onto is that there is a perfect relationship, it is that of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In that perfect relationship, we have been invited to partake.

God witnesses to those who believe in Him. He assures us salvation. In that assurance, he provides for us a gift, or symbol of which we are able to carry with us as a reminder of our new union with our Lord and savior, he give us the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God".

I will never forget the moment that I knew that my spirit had received it's perfect union in my life. When the Father had welcomed me into his relationship with the Son and spirit. I could feel it in my soul. I wasn't perfect, I had so much that needed to be done in my life. I still do for God's sake, really, He needs much more from me than I think I am able to give. Oh, but I have a gift that is just mine, a piece of the big picture, and it dwells in me. Praise God.

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a romantic. I like to think you are very much the same. Thank you for painting this picture so clearly for me. How perfect your timing too. I pray for those who are separated from their spouse this week, I know I will be one of them. Care for our spouses and God help us to really care for them as you created us to do. Lord, I thank you for your Spirit that dwells in me. I pray that we are a people who are willing to listen to your Spirit and to be sensitive enough to hear it's guidance in our lives.

Please pray for those who are newly married, soon to be married, or are married and struggling. Don't forget to praise for those pillar marriages that give us something to strive for, that encourage us. Don't forget your own marriage, new truths that God has in store for you and your mate.

Mind, Day 3

Mind, Day 3

Spirit of Mind

Jesus promised us that he would send the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him. What separates us from doing right is our mind. If we allow the Spirit to control our mind and our thoughts, we will be better off than if we were to try to do good on our own.

Romans 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life[a] because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,[b] you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature,[c] you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[d] of God.

The Holy Spirit is sent to us to guard our hearts and minds. Do you know if you are a Christian? Do you have the Holy Spirit living in you? If you are not sure, then you can ask the Spirit to reveal itself to you. You can be assured that if you truly believe that Jesus Christ is your salvation, then he has sent you his Spirit. The Spirit reveals itself in everyone differently. Through dreams, prophecy, the language of tongues and other ways. I will always remember when I truly believed and received the Spirit. Subtle, yet the confirmation I needed. Give yourself a moment to receive him, even if you already have, reunite yourself with the Divine power of our God.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Please pray for Debi.

Lord, I thank you for your Spirit that lives in me. I am so blessed by the relationship I have with you. Please continue to guard my heart and mind. Lord, I ask that you hear those who are reading this. Confirm to them the indwelling of the Spirit in them. I am so thankful for what I am in you and what you are in me. May we turn from the patterns of this world and find strength in our renewal of our minds to overcome the temptations of sin. Amen.