Power Source

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 25, 26, 27

Numbers 27:18-21 (NIV)
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Good morning!

Every time I read a passage in the Old Testament about a man or woman who is identified by the Spirit living in their hearts, I am so totally overjoyed! We know that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were there, the three in one, even before the beginning of the Cosmos. We know that the Holy Trinity will be there throughout all time and eternity, even to the end of the age. Jahweh identifies and raises up His children, not necessarily based upon their unique skill sets or physical or intellectual attributes. God looks upon their hearts and gifts them with the power and presence of His Holy Spirit to lead them through life. It is an extension of His grace, given freely to the ones who know and respect Him. They seek to obey and follow the Lord by faith, even when they do not understand why or how. They trust the Lord to provide whatever they may need to face each new day in His presence. Being in His holy presence is more important to the spirit-filled child than living life according to the set expectations of culture or society. No matter what the struggle, their love for Him sets the tone in how they will choose to live out their lives. These people are not flawless. They live within His grace and mercy. When they mess up, they repent. When they succeed, they give the glory to God. When they serve, they look to Him for direction. When they love, they share the Lord with those whose lives they touch. When they worship, they raise His holy name high in prayer and praise. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His people is contagious. Wherever the Lord is, people will be drawn to Him. Can you see the power of the Holy Spirit actively at work in the people God has placed in your life?

Next to the gift of forgiveness of sin, redemption and eternal life, the gifting of the Holy Spirit is a miraculous extension of God’s grace to those who fear and obey Him. Have you ever walked into church and were immediately drawn to someone there? Maybe this person is sitting quietly, praying, or maybe it is their contagious smile that catches your eye. A warm personality, eager to welcome you to worship, invites you to sit with them during the service. It could be the handshake of an usher or greeter at the front door that sparks something in your heart. Maybe you felt the Holy Spirit touch you when the person sitting next to you in worship takes your hand while praying the Lord’s Prayer. Someone lays a hand on your shoulder, and you immediately know that you have been touched by the Holy Spirit of God through them. The presence of the Holy Spirit may manifest itself through the people you do not meet, the ones who are kneeling down in a prayer room across the hall, begging God to move and touch lives, heal hearts and draw people to Him during the worship experience.

We can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to us through the words of our pastors and teachers. Our hearts beat just a little faster as we listen to a spirit-filled choir singing praises to God, lifting the name of Jesus Christ higher and higher. We see the presence of the Holy Spirit in the eyes of our wee ones, our children and grandchildren, as they praise God. Their prayers, exceptionally simple and sincere, draw us to a greater understanding of what it means to totally trust in His love.

When Moses asked the Lord to provide a successor, someone who could lead the next generation into the Promised Land, God selected Joshua, son of Nun, by the spirit that lives within his heart. When Moses commissioned Joshua before the people, they saw what God already knew. This man had a heart for Him, and a desire to serve and please the Lord. He was willing to step up in faith.

If God called your name today, would you be willing to step up faith for Him? Where would you find the courage and grace needed to do what He calls you to do? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit this morning. When we humble our hearts, seek forgiveness for our sin, and turn around, desiring to obey and honor Him with our lives, He will give us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that we are equipped to do the work He calls us to. Do you know what it feels like to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the Holy Spirit to become the power source of your life, as you seek to love, honor and obey the Lord. Will you step up today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus Christ our Lord?

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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