My Apologies

This week has turned out to be a very hectic schedule. My Beloved Husband’s fistula surgery was sort of inserted into the surgeon’s schedule (one doctor delayed the request for a few weeks, necessitating a bunch of rescheduling for everyone involved!) We got it all done - with the help of my SiL Mike.

I am maintaining my scheduled Bible reading – YouVersion’s Major Beliefs. My problem is a lack of time to do the verses justice in a blog, but here goes on a couple of items – I offer my apologies for the lack of depth! Please take time to read these two chapters on your own.

Wednesday and today’s readings were on the Holy Spirit – Wednesday was Romans 8, Thursday’s 1 Corinthians 12. Both of these were read within the last few months during the Chronological Bible Reading, but I’ve always found new thoughts with each reading.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6 KJV)

While reading about the Holy Spirit, we come face to face with what happens to us when we become spiritual – when we spend more time with God – we leave some things behind and fill that space with new. We think differently. If we don’t, we’re missing a connection along the way.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV)

Paul wants his readers to understand that no one containing the Spirit can curse Jesus, and those of us who believe He is the Lord, the promised Messiah, does so through the Holy Spirit. That’s truth. Factual.
Strange as it seems, it’s almost impossible to explain that peace. Paul knew that, too:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

That peace comes through understanding that God truly is in control, not only interested in our lives but actively responding to our prayers. However, our prayers need to be seeking His will. We lose our peace when we doubt His abilities – I think of it as quenching the Spirit.

And, that returns me to how best to live each day:

Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 KJV)

Hmmmm. No one said it was easy. Just that it can be done, and done with peace in our heart and soul.