Spirit of the Lord

Spirit of the Lord

The congregation is singing quite well this morning I thought to myself, as I bellowed out the words to that praise chorus “Everlasting God”; the Sanctuary was about our normal Sunday morning crowd of about three or four hundred, so yes, I didn’t have to worry about people thinking about the old guy making an “awful”  noise to the Lord. 

Being a retired Pastor, I always expect the Holy Spirit to show up, and perhaps in my expectancy it is easy for me to feel the presence of the Lord.  It has been that way since joining almost a year ago.  We have a church that allows the Pastor to preach the word, and many times it is what one may call “the state of the community”, and I like that because I know that all the problems we are having in our nation, and in the world will only be made easier with the yoke of Jesus.

Mt. 11: 28—30 tells us about it… v.28)” Come to Me all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest”… v.29) “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”… v.30) “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Christians should gather together in worship as their local church, (the people are the church), expecting the Holy Spirit to overflow, get a knot in your throat, and wipe a tear from the eye, as the children’s choir gives a sample of their upcoming concert.  On the other hand, the choir gives a special selected hymn, perhaps there is a “special music” when one of the members sings out a wonderful song, or plays an instrument; sometimes there are mistakes but your heart hears a flawless recital to the glory of God.  It is all made possible by the Holy Spirit.

Sunday last, the preacher gave his sermon “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is,” and it comes from 2Cor. 3:4—18, and verse 17…  “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  We study the Old Testament, the letter of the Law, and we study the New Testament (covenant of Grace), and the covenant of Grace is our salvation in Christ Jesus.  

If we just wake up one Sunday morning and decide that today I am going to be a Christian, start attending a church, baptized, and even became involved in some of the groups, I would simply ask, “was you actually broken of heart and the measure of faith that you may first believe; was that ignited by the Holy Spirit?  Nevertheless, if we were not drawn by the Spirit of the Lord in all humility and brokenness of heart; we may want to consider a real sincere self-examination. Several areas of such an examination would require the utmost integrity, control, and commitment to the faith.  

Over the years, I have learned to look at motive; what motivates someone’s decision?  Regardless of what the genre is prompting a decision, why do I choose what I choose?  A multitude of people have studied that simple question, with measurable failure, nonetheless, it has to be a decision instigated by the Holy Spirit.; it takes Him to get there. 

What has been found (clinical studies) the human is motivated very strongly by money, sexual appetite, power, and last by God the Holy Spirit.  The popularity of liberalism, which has gained in popular thought, has actually become a tool of the enemy.  The hearts of God’s people need, by necessity, to stay focused on the Savior, not other appetites of the human nature nor political correctness.  

Christian liberalism, has lost its first love, compromised the Word of God, and put, what God calls sin front and center of the various church denominations.  Focus has turned to the progressive world, and not the Savior, they thought and decided to follow the way of the world, and like water, the path of less resistance; what, do they suggest that Christianity and God, needs to keep up with the progressiveness of the world?  Only two answers to that question; God has always been, is now, and forever will be, he changes not, 

Christianity needs the conviction of the Spirit, to follow Jesus, if you are making decisions, no matter how small or large, the first requisite should be to invoke God and God’s will through the Holy Spirit.  If Christianity continues to go in the direction of the world we will not go to church and be overwhelmed by the Spirit of the Lord, there will be neither peace nor liberty, without the Spirit of the Lord.

When was the last time you truly experienced the Spirit of the Lord?  

         Thank you for reading my post today.

                     

                  R.S.Helms