Christians Unite!

[VioletButterfly]

Today's devotional entry is about trust and being aware of His presence. I really like the verse suggestions: Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 62:5-6. I know in my heart that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the presence of God in my life, and that I wouldn't be able to forge on day after day, year after year.

I was thinking yesterday as I drove to Walmart that I wasn't going to really consider SI as a viable solution any longer. That when I say to myself that I don't want to do this life anymore or when I tell God that I want to come home or to make it all stop, it really is about wanting the life I've had thus far to die. That I want to die to this experience and not that I want to end my life; that I want a better life than the one I've been existing through. I am very thankful for the promises and for my faith, and for His strength, patience, and love.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Thinking on this one today: Zephaniah 3:17.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Today's entry is about looking to God instead of fretting over what's going on all around me and becoming overwhelmed by it. That He is aware and He is all around me during this time.

Psalm 23: 1-4

I could've used this yesterday! I let everything cave in on me. Wings are dragging again, but I'm walking through this verse in my mind and Chris Tomlin's song "Whom Shall I Fear." Have a blessed day. VB

 

[VioletButterfly]

Psalm 143:8 Trusting and putting one foot in front of the other in faith.

 

[VioletButterfly]

Hugging Philippians 4:13 this morning. I need to get past this move. It feels like I'm involved in a very slow moving collision where I can watch reruns of elapsed minutes waiting for the next segment. Ugh! My colors feel like they're fading. Praying.

 

[Mach123]

I've got so much to say on this but.

The Holy Ghost was in the sanctuary this morning. It's happened before, but not like this morning.

I was afraid if I raised my hands and started getting into it I'd bug out and start yelling about God or something crazy like that. (Crazy during the service anyway.)

We aren't so charismatic. People raise their hands during worship and so forth but no speaking in tounges or getting slain in the spirit.

I don't like the church but we've been there 25 years or whatever and our kids grew up there. Can't seem to quit them.

But the hills spirit thing this morning just blew me away? So, when I asked my wife if we should tell them I have cancer and she just passed it off.

After I said "The reason I don't want to go to that church is because they should have been the first people we told I had cancer."

The church is like everything else sadly meaning everything else between us.

My wife's not submitted, another subject.

I don't want any advice? I'm curious though about any opinions.

I wonder that the Holy Ghost seems so apparent sometimes and not others.

If you believe in that sort of thing not the Holy Ghost but how it's manifested today.

 

[hithere]

Thinking on this one today: Zephaniah 3:17.

One of my big time favs! I like to use my imagination to it's full capaciity with this scripture and visualize the mighty warrior singing over me. Thanks for the reminder of this beautiful passage!

 

[VioletButterfly]

I wonder that the Holy Ghost seems so apparent sometimes and not others.

If you believe in that sort of thing not the Holy Ghost but how it's manifested today.

Hi @Mach123 - I'm wondering if you could clarify what you mean by the Holy Ghost. I ask because in my faith the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit is indwelling and is always with me. After reading what you wrote, I thought perhaps you were speaking of my concept of God or Jesus as being apparent and manifested? I'm not sure so wanted to ask.

I am sorry for your illness, btw, and wishing you well in that regard. Saying a prayer for you. VB

 

[Mach123]

Yes that's correct the Holy Spirit is always with us and indwelling.

But God is triune and I wouldn't know how to start to explain it without knowing what you know.

Like you wouldn't expect someone to understand calculus who hadn't taken algebra.

Only the charismatics experience the kind of thing I'm talking about. The more conservative or Calvanistic don't go in for this stuff (they think it emotionalism) but understand (most of them) it's still within the pale of orthodoxy.

So maybe I was speaking about what would add up to your concept of God or Jesus? IDK.

All I know is when the Holy Ghost manifests things happen.

The first thing I noticed yesterday when we walked in the sanctuary late (as always society arrives late) was everyone mostly was standing.

This was a little unusual because it wasn't the last song, the service starts with worship, and he usually asks everyone to stand for the last song.

Then I felt it and I sobbed and had to cover my face with my hands and I stood up and whispered to my wife "be careful, the Holy Ghost is here," which is a kind of joke between us but she felt it too.

So that's probably way more than you wanted to know but, you asked. : ). It was very emotional and lasted most of the rest of the day.

 

[VioletButterfly]

I'm with you on the trinity, but I think I separate them in my mind. i.e. God (my father), Jesus (my savior and helper), and the Holy Spirit (the one who indwells, and teaches and directs me). There is a lot of overlap for me, so well, that's my general idea of how it all hangs together.

Like you, I have had experiences in my church where I knew God was present. It's always was kind of electric and all-encompassing for me, and very deeply felt. One time, we were singing "Whom Shall I Fear" with the band/choir when the band stopped playing and all of us were singing a capella. I, too, had tears running down my face. I still get shivers when I think about it and I feel deeply moved. Going to church is usually very emotional for me. The music touches me on a very deep level.

I go to a really big church and there all kinds of hands raised and singing as we have a great band, but no speaking in tongues or anything of that nature. If I were to give it a label, it seems to me we're all kind of Charismatic meets Methodist of a sort at my church. :) Some fall toward Calvinism, others are more liberal. I tend to not get hung up on religious semantics, but instead focus on my relationship with Christ, so I guess I'm just a believer without a label.

I have had many experiences with God as well. I had one the other day when I went to Walmart. A lady approached me from behind and asked if I was a Christian. Hmmm, I was talking to God when she approached, asking Him to help me through this horrible apartment move I have going on. So, I said "yes" and she told me that He wanted me to know that He loved me deeply." It was a bit shocking, but I think it was Heaven sent. We both looked at each other a little stunned and then hugged.

Not sure this is what you're looking for, but it's how I experience God daily on every level of my life. I hope someone else can add more to this for you if I'm off track. VB

 

[Lionheart]

I wanted to share an experience I had at church when I was young. The Reverend asked everyone to turn to their hymnal to the song "Stand up for Jesus" and all I heard was Stand up for Jesus..so I stood up!!! Everyone laughed. I was so embarrassed by their laughter, I mean I was humiliated. When I grew up though it became a healing experience that reminds me of the purity and innocence of a child. I think the Holy Spirit was with me that day and I just didn't know it.

Anyways thanks for letting me share.

 

[VioletButterfly]

@Lionheart777 - What I thought when I read about your encounter was: "What a sweet, precious child."