ABOUND IN HOPE

Yesterday's F.O.C.U.S. verse was Romans 15:13 as I was praying for a Ukrainian gal who is very much in need of the God of all hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so by the power of the Holy spirit you may abound in hope.

I also visited a widow lady at her new assisted living facility and there on her counter was Romans !5:13, in part. 

My Monday meditation had certainly included that but it even went beyond as I applied the F.O.C.U.S. formula. Because of my meditation time, I knew how to "fix my eyes on the unseen" part of the verse. Believing and abounding.

Beyond that it was like a blessing from the Lord...a God wink, of sorts from Bobbie's kitchen counter! Close to skywriting from above.

Needless to say. I am now abounding in hope for an answered prayer from Ukraine.

"complexi-TEA"

   "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26, NASB)

Some passages of Scripture are more difficult for me than others. But God, in His word reminded me that His Spirit can teach me all things. Not only that, but as I reread scripture and meditate on it, God often shows me Truth in a new way---not antithetical, just different. It's usually in a very practical way that meets me right at my point of need on that day. Not truth that contradicts earlier understanding but expounds upon it with refreshing new insight.......because, He will guide you into all the truth; (John 16:13)

 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (1 John 2:27, NASB)

Simply abiding----that's not hard to understand.

Today's Tea with Thee time has provided simplicity of thought from the seeming complexities of His word. All because I had the "right" Teacher! " 

Notes in Mama Davenport's Bible help my understanding, as well.

Sipping "complexi-TEA" with the "best" of them because ultimately we all have the same spiritual teacher.

Hearing God with that Inner Voice

4/4/13 Reportedly, Albert Einstein said, “Any fool can know; the point is to understand.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/) In much the same way, reading the Bible is not a matter of accruing information, but of gaining understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul prays and asks God for such guidance for believers at Ephesus…”give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17b)

We get to know Him better from the spirit within us. Henri J.M. Nouwen calls it “that inner voice that shows you the way.” (Inner Voice of Love, p. 6)

But…..how can we know it’s His voice one might ask? You take it all back to God’s Word. 

Buddy Jones, Bible teacher at First Evan’s men’s group, says it well and succinctly, "Our understanding of and our relationship to Jesus is inextricably linked to our understanding of and our relationship to Scripture. “Understanding of” is head knowledge and "relationship to " has to do with submission.” If you get the Scriptures right, you get Jesus right! (my “loose” translation)

Don’t study the Bible for information alone. Study the Bible to know Him better and to hear His voice. The more we understand His Word, the more clearly we hear that inner voice. The more you know of Him, the more you hear from Him. 

Don’t lose touch with that inner voice.

Holy Drive Thru

5/2/12 ….similar to a Holy Quick Check

Once again, the ever present has been overlooked by me. Hubby said this street, not far from our home, has been there a long time. Last week, going west on Messick, was the first time I had taken notice of this unusual street sign. 

On impulse, I wanted to put on my right blinker and drive up. It was as if I imagined a drive-thru for guidance and direction would be located just at the end of the road. 

Not far from home. Quick and convenient. Answers served up at “will call.”

But God ….has always had a way of bringing me up short. Almost immediately I had a sensation---a cross between a God whisper and a shoulder tap---a sort of throat-clearing God nudge. A God Calling moment.

Ah-hem, Dotsy. This nearby location is 3.3 miles from your house. I’m indwelling. How much closer can I be? Am I not always with you?

Holy Spirit might be the name of the street/drive, but in the life of a believer, God’s Spirit is the enlightened Power within. It is this Spirit who teaches, guides, and instructs----filling us not only with understanding but also with inner peace and joy!

The prophet Isaiah describes the attributes of the Holy Spirit as the spirit of the Lord: ". . . the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD." (Isaiah 11:2)

I have had a lot of questions lately about a decision which I have been considering. Yes? No? If yes, then when? How? I don’t have to turn left on Holy Spirit Drive for the answer. I just need to look within.