The Wind of the Holy Spirit

When we first become new Christians our decision making process is beginning to change, but we are still dealing with our "old man" and the "flesh". We begin to recognize that we need to change our actions, words, and behaviors, but it's still hard. Alot of the time we end up still making those poor choices. As we mature in our Christian walk the easier it is to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide our decision making process. The more time we spend in prayer and Bible Study, the more likely that we will allow the Holy Spirit to manage our thought processes which in turn, makes decision making easier and more Christlike. This is all part of what we call "Walking in the Holy Spirit".

John 3:8
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."


Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

The interesting thing about wind is that it comes in many forms or strengths. It is soft and sweet and gentle. Then again, it can come with great power and noise. I have experienced both. And both in the Spirit realm.
I want my life to be like a sailboat. I put up the sail and then the Holy Spirit moves. His Presence takes me where He desires that I go. I want to be available to be directed by Him.

As Neil Anderson writes in our book, Victory Over the Darkness:

"There is a degree of mystery to walking in the Spirit which cannot be captured in an equation. In fact, the moment you think you have reduced the Spirit-filled walk to a formula, it probably isn't Spirit-filled anymore."

Using a "formula" for some things is helpful in the beginning. Like prayer, there are several acrostics that are helpful in remembering to include certain elements. Such as "ACTS". Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

We may use a formula in the beginning for many situations, but like marriage, friendships, or any relationship, while rules and regulations can help us with boundaries and maintaining healthy parameters, they are not meant to be the norm or the mature way of approaching situations and life in general. I do have a few little "habits" and daily customs that I look forward to and enjoy, but what if we did the same thing day after day without thought of spontaneity, or impulse? Safe, but boring. So it is with our relationship with the Holy Spirit. It cannot be "pinned down" or standardized. 

One thing to know and be aware of is that the Holy Spirit is a "person". He is not a thing or it. He has a personality. He is the essence of God the Father, and Jesus the Son. He is our Comforter, our Helper, He is the one who "comes along side" and holds us up. Like a person who is limping and needs someone to give him strength for the journey. That's us...the one limping, and the Holy Spirit comes to us to strengthen, encourage, and help us in life.

In the following scripture Matthew is recounting what John the Baptist is speaking concerning Jesus and His ministry:

Matthew 3:11
"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

And then Matthew's account of Jesus' baptism by John and how the Holy Spirit came upon Him.

Matthew 3:16-17
16. And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, [and] coming upon Him, 17. and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

Jesus came to earth as God's Son. He always knew who He was. He was not confused, and walked in an earthly anointing as such. But if you think about it, Jesus did no miracles until after His baptism when the Holy Spirit indwelt Him. His baptism by water and then by the Holy Spirit is part of the pattern that God shows us throughout scripture. Salvation and then Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is not a requirement for salvation, but it is something God says for us to do. "Be Filled".

Quite a while back, before I had been baptised in the Holy Spirit, during the time that I was intently seeking Him, I had a dream that God fully impressed upon me as the daylight came. I was in a huge mansion. Magnificent and sumptuous. Room after room of beauty and delight. I could see the successive rooms filled with opulence and blessing, yet I was standing in the entry hall. I could not proceed into the rest of the mansion. God spoke to me and said. "This is all waiting for you but you can't leave the entry hall until you make the next step."

That's how way too many Christians live their lives. Stuck in the entry without ever moving into the abundance and blessing of knowing a life filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

I'd love to hear your comments, questions,

 or experiences if you'd like to share them!

love in Jesus,

Debra

Undercover

Reading from John 3

"Nicodemus comes to Jesus at Night"

For the next several days let's look at a scholarly man who was bound by many laws and traditions. Let's see how he risked it all to get down to the truth of the matter. Let's take a look at how he stepped out of his comfort zone and went to see Jesus "undercover".

Today I'm using the New American Standard Translation. It's close to the NIV, but there are copyrights involved in the NIV, that I wasn't aware of. Since I am using scripture from a Bible Website, I'll just use this version for the text. If I refer to some other wording I'll try to remember and reference the NIV, so we won't be confused.

Version: NAS (New American Standard)



John 3:1-8

1. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2. this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God [as] a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3. Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4. Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" 5. Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8. "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

I don't think any of us have truly found these scriptures easily understood in this passage. It seems to elude alot of us when we start talking about being "born again", and the references to baptism. I'd like to share with you what I have felt the Lord was saying to me concerning this passage in John 3, where Nicodemus, a Pharisee and learned Bible teacher, comes to Jesus at night for some "one on one" time...


 Now in the days that Jesus was living, a lot of controversy was brewing concerning His claims to be the Son of God. A man in the position of Nicodemus was highly esteemed. He was a true godly man and held his position of being a Pharisee with honor. There were two main religious groups of the Jews at that time who were in teaching authority, the "wise elders and statesmen", so to speak of the Jewish people: The Sadducees and the Pharisees.

Nicodemus was a "Pharisee" and was the epitome of the learned class. He was instructed in all the ways of the Talmud, (Jewish Bible) Jewish traditions, and maintained his detailed and meticulous study and godly lifestyle. The Pharisees were the authority on all aspects of Jewish life and were part of the ruling sect. So of course, when Jesus started speaking and teaching in the Synagogues and speaking and ministering publicly, the Pharisees were on guard and watched Him closely. They were the religious and spiritual "police" of their day.

Nicodemus was part of the group. They talked, discussed news of the day, lived closely with one another, and really did not think too much as individuals, they had the "group mentality" going on and considered themselves "the in crowd". They had to get their individual ideas and opinions co-ordinated and okayed by the rest of the "group".

This brings me to a point I want to discuss, "group mentality". This could cover a lot of ground, but I'd like to say, it can be great to be in a group. There is comfort, acceptance and likemindedness. If we are here today reading this blog, well, I guess you could say that we are part of a group.
Let's just not get to the place where we are intimidated by what the "group's" opinion might be, or whether or not you might be excluded if your opinion is contrary.

Don't be afraid to voice your opinion or look at a situation from a fresh perspective. Don't let "the group" influence you to do, act, or feel a way that you are not comfortable with. This concept can infiltrate many aspects of our daily lives. Whether it's being in a "mom's group", a business club, a social sorority, a couple's clique or even a group at church, just to name a few.

I've been a part of "groups" many times in my life. Some of them were wonderful experiences, other times I found myself eventually slipping out, because I was dominated by others, and found "free thinking" to be something that was frowned upon. Pray about it and then let God lead and guide you to the people and places that offer you an outlet for free thinking and voicing of your own opinions. Don't be afraid to spend time by yourself for clearing the mind. Get to know yourself for who you are, and trust your own thoughts and self. Be like Nicodemus who, by the light of day was part of the crowd, but had the nerve to seek out the "Truth" even if it was at night and "undercover". Don't let the "spiritual police" dictate your thoughts and beliefs.

Nicodemus calls Jesus, "Rabbi" which shows he respects Jesus and acknowledges that He is hearing from God. He says that he knows Jesus is from God otherwise He would not be able to do the miracles that He had been doing. Yet Nicodemus doesn't really understand Jesus and he is on a fact finding mission. He has a lot of questions, and at this Jesus says that really unless you are open to what He is saying; unless your heart and mind and spirit are "open" to what God is wanting to say and show you, then you really will not be able to understand.

The same goes for today. I have had so many questions for God. But I have found that I really wasn't able to understand and absorb the concepts until I was ready to be open to what He was wanting to show me. When I had an attitude of "well, that's not what I've been taught" then I really didn't get very far in the "revelation" department with God.

Nicodemus had questions, but he was open to what Jesus was saying. He came to Him of his own free will and said, I don't understand but I need to. You are from God. And I need to know who you are. I'm willing to listen.

In verse 3 Jesus says no one can see the "kingdom of heaven" unless He is born again.

We think of the phrase "kingdom of heaven" as being the place we go to when we pass from this earth, but I also want us to realize that "the kingdom" is our Christian life here on earth. It is God's way of doing things. His concepts, and our living within the parameters He has for us. Just like a physical "kingdom" with a king and his subjects, we live in a place where God is the "king" and we are His people. He has rules and laws and we are "citizens" with rights and protection. We look to Him, and He watches over and provides for us.

Toward the end of this passage Jesus talks about "wind" and I will allow the Holy Spirit to blow, He's not to be controlled, well, we do try at times, but when that happens He ceases to be felt. In the case of the wind, you do not always know from where it is coming, nor do you know exactly where it's going, so since I'm wanting to allow God to access this Bible Study time, I have to be willing to be like a little boat, raise my sail, and let the Holy Spirit's "wind to blow" and let Him take me where He desires. Having said that next time let's look at the scripture verse that talks about salvation and being "born again".

If you don't know Jesus, then be like Nicodemus. Come to Him and say, "I don't know you, but I'm interested in finding out about You. Please show me who you are. I want to find out." He will do that for you. That's who He is. He doesn't want to make it hard for us. It's easy to start on the journey. He's right there waiting to hear you ask.

If you would like to read these verses in your own Bible, ask God to reveal Himself to you through His Word, John 3:1-8. This is a rich and detailed chapter. I'm looking forward to see what God has on His heart and mind for us.

Be Blessed, 

Debra