LORD EACH GOOD DAY IS ONE WE SHARE

YOU TAKE MY WORRIES AND MY WORLDLY CARES

YOU GIVE ME FREEDOM AND A CHOICE

WHEN I LISTEN TO YOUR LOVING VOICE

BE MY HANDS AND BE MY FEET

TEACH ME TO PRAY AND NOT TO GRIEVE

HELP ME TO LIVE AS I BELIEVE

BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN ME 

BE MY HANDS AND BE MY FEET

TEACH ME TO PRAY AND NOT TO GRIEVE

HELP ME TO LIVE AS I BELIEVE

PUT YOUR HEART INSIDE OF ME

SOME DAYS I SPARKLE IN THE LIGHT

LIKE A DIAMOND SHINING SO BRIGHT

BUT SOMETIMES MY LIGHT IS JUST A TRACE

AND I FEEL HIDDEN FROM YOUR HOLY FACE

CHORUS

^BRIDGE

OUR JOURNEY ISN’T OVER YET

AND THERE’S SOME TRUTHS I NEED TO GET

LET ME LOVE AS YOU LOVE LORD

AND GIVE ME PEACE AS I GROW OLD

CHORUS

AND FOR MY CHILDREN PLEASE LET THEM SEE

MORE OF YOU AND LESS OF ME

LET ME BE A TRUE REFLECTION

AND NOT THE SUM OF ALL MY IMPERFECTIONS

CHORUS

BRINGING OUT YOU IN ME

 

COMMUNION WITH HOLY SPIRIT

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit… Eph 5:18                                                                                                                             

So, how does one fill himself with the Holy Spirit?

The Greek word for Spirit in Eph 5:18 is “pneumati” meaning: with the Spirit. It comes from the root word “pneó” and is used as to breathe or blow, as the wind.

Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on his disciples.

And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Jn 20:22

I need to breathe continuously throughout the day in order to survive. The Bible teaches to pray continually. My physical breathing is symbolic to my spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the day, I should be in conversation with the Holy Spirit inquiring about the circumstances that I encounter, the thoughts and feelings that are aroused in my mind.

 ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.   1 Th 5:16-19

The word “continuously” means an action that happens without ceasing, so, I breathe continuously and if I stop participating in this process, I will cease to live. The word “continually” is used in the spiritual context of communing with the Holy Spirit and means an action that occurs frequently or regularly. If I stop participating in this process, I will have quenched the Holy Spirit and will no longer hear His voice.

As I breathe in the Holy Spirit throughout the day, how will I know what He is communicating to me? I need to breathe in the word of God, as it is God breathed.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness… 2 Ti 3:16

Eating physical food sustains my body and the word of God is spiritual food to sustain my soul.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Mt 4:4

I also need to drink water daily, as man can’t last more than three days without water. What is the spiritual counterpart to physical water? The Holy Spirit!

…“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” ³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. Jn 7:37-39 

I began this teaching with Eph 5:18.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit… Eph 5:18

I am not to get drunk on wine which would then control my actions, but need to drink of the Holy Spirit to allow Him control. What is the spiritual counterpart to intoxicating wine? Jesus gave us the answer at the Cana wedding. He turned the water into the best wine ever!

⁹ and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” Jn 2:9,10

Wine in the Bible symbolized joy. The greatest joy came with the death of Christ, as His blood represented the New Covenant of forgiveness and eternal life.

²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Mt 26:27,28

The Ephraimites will become like warriors, and their hearts will be glad as with wine.
Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord. Zec 10:7

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. Ecc 9:7

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants (other people) for people to cultivate (spiritual purpose)—bringing forth food (spiritual food) from the earth: ¹⁵ wine (Holy Spirit) that gladdens human hearts (on my inside), oil (Holy Spirit) to make their faces shine (on my outside), and bread (Word of God) that sustains their hearts (on my inside). Ps 104:14,15

¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food (Word of God) and sweet drinks (Holy Spirit), and send some to those who have nothing prepared (my spiritual purpose). This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord (Holy Spirit) is your strength.” Neh 8:10

¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine (New Covenant) into old wineskins (Old Covenant). If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine (New Covenant) into new wineskins (New Covenant), and both are preserved.” Mt 9:17

The wine we are to drink is Jesus’ new wine that brought Him joy Heb 12:2––His blood that forgave our sins and brings us joy. His wine is intoxicating joy––the things God has given and done for His children. This joy is our strength Neh 8:10 during times of testing.

So, to keep this joy throughout the day, the first action after rising from my sleep is to proclaim to God, five things that I am grateful for, which always sprouts joy in my heart. (Thank You, Lord for the new day with opportunities to serve and love You; thank You for a nice warm bed; good friends that love me; lungs that breathe air in flawlessly; and for Your Son Jesus, who’s sacrifice forgave my sins and gave me eternal life). Whenever Satan steals this joy through negative thoughts or circumstances, I pause and praise God for who He is, or quote some of the wonderful promises He has given us (click on God’s Promise Clock).

God has given each of His children a special gift, not for their own use but for the benefit of the body of Christ.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Co 12:7

Children of God desire to please the Holy Spirit rather than their flesh.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Ro 8:5

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Ro 8:14

In order to please the Holy Spirit one must be able to discern His voice. This inner voice can be a thought from God, yourself or from Satan.

Thought From God

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isa 30:21

¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Jn 16:13

¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 1 Ki 19:12,13

Thought From Satan

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jn 13:2

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Ac 5:3

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chr 21:1

Thought From Self- not knowing who’s voice it is

¹⁷ Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Jdg 6:17

Thought From Self- knowing it’s your thought but hoping God answers the prayer.

² he (David) said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”³ Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, (wanted to build a house for the Lord) for the Lord is with you…” “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: ¹² When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 2 Sa 7:2,3,11-13

²² He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 2 Sa 12:22 

After Receiving Answer- accept answer.

²⁷ “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. ²⁸ Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. ²⁹ Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” 2 Sa 7:27-29

²³ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” 2 Sa 12:23

After Receiving Answer- asking again.

²³ At that time I pleaded with the Lord: ²⁴ “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? ²⁵ Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.” ²⁶ But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. ²⁷ Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. Dt 3:23-27

Once I recognize this ability, I need to seek the Holy Spirit to discover how it can be manifested for the good of the Body. In my case, my spiritual gift is teaching, but it is enhanced by my natural abilities­­––stick-to-itiveness; organization; loyalty; sincerity; and being a disciplined person. I have no extraordinary abilities, in fact my mediocrity is my biggest strength for when I’m weak, then Christ’s power rests on me.

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Co 12:9,10

My latest goal was to finalize my wife’s half-completed novel. After four-and-a-half-years of persevering, I fulfilled the objective. In God’s marvellous timing, the published release date was on Julie’s fifth heavenly birthday. Five being the number of God’s grace––His goodness in helping me complete the work.

Let me use an analogy to describe our partnership with the Holy Spirit.

The Father has given every believer a brand-new powerful racing car (the Holy Spirit). But He exhorts all to read the car manual carefully (God’s Word), before driving the car. Many, can’t bother with cumbersome manuals, which are difficult to decipher and time consuming to discern their truths, so they conduct a quick overview of the book, not comprehending its contents and thus rely on their own understanding. They push the car to the grocery store and place their groceries in the trunk, quite satisfied with not having to carry them back home, only to push the car. After many trips, they come to the conclusion that this gift isn’t helpful or worthy and abandon the car (turn away from God), while the steadfast, who also recognize the laborious work it takes to push the car, remain faithful, accept their fate and continue to persevere.

However, for those, who have obeyed the Father by reading and carefully studying His manual (Bible), they had observed that the driver must enter the car (pray in the Spirit Eph 6:18), turn the key and steer the vehicle to its location (goal) and follow the GPS system (guided by the Holy Spirit’s leadings). The Holy Spirit will not drive the car for the operator, but He will guide the driver and if a wrong turn is made, He will re-calculate the route and although the motorist may think he’s headed in the wrong direction, he will discover with patience that he is back on the right path to his goal. This partnership requires much communication to make sure both are working to be successful in completing their goal. Disobeying traffic rules, such as driving through red lights (disobeying God’s commands) can cause accidents and damage the vehicle (grieve the Holy Spirit) making it non-functioning for future trips (future God purposes). The driver cannot be distracted with the radio or text messaging while driving,  his eyes must be on the road (Christians are to be following God’s will not their own interests 2 Ti 2:4).

SUMMARY:

1. Breathe in the Holy Spirit continually through the studying of God’s Word and communicating with God’s Spirit through daily circumstances and thoughts that spring up in the mind.
   
   
2. Through meditation, enlarge the fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22,23, especially the fruit of joy, by praying thanksgiving thoughts and quoting God’s encouraging promises.

²² But the fruit  of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.

3. Seek the Holy Spirit to discover the next phase in God’s plan for your life. Use your spiritual gift along with all natural and acquired talents. Work in harmony with the Holy Spirit by discerning His Voice and His message through Scripture insights, circumstances and instantaneous thoughts proven to be from the Holy Spirit.

A libation, which was the pouring out of wine as a drink offering to the Lord was required for certain sacrifices.

First Fruits Offering

¹⁰ “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest. ¹¹ He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath. ¹² On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect, ¹³ together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil—a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin of wine. ¹⁴ You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live. Lev 23:10-14 

The Israelites could only offer this sacrifice after entering the Promised Land where they could harvest the grain and grapes for the bread and wine offerings. It is a picture of rest and celebration after the victory God had given them over their enemies. The bread was God’s food and the wine was His drink which He would abstain from until their victory was secured in the Promised Land.

The First Fruits offering was a picture of Jesus’ offering for the people’s sins––a lamb without defect. He is also their sustenance––the grain used to make the unleavened (without sin) bread. It contained fine flour mixed with oil representing that all sacrifices must be worshipped in spirit and in truth.

²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” Jn 4:24

Spirit represented the oil of Holy Spirit.

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Sa 16:13

The flour represented truth.

Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Co 5:8

The bread was eaten but the fermented wine (representing sin which we are to avoid) was poured out on the ground.

⁸ Then the Lord said to Aaron, ⁹ “You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, Lev 10:8,9

¹² Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take the grain offering left over from the food offerings prepared without yeast and presented to the Lord and eat it beside the altar, for it is most holy. Lev 10:12

The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary. Nu 28:7

However, after Jesus paid for our sins, we are to eat His flesh and drink His blood. He is the Living Word, the Bread of Life which we need to feed daily upon Mt 6:11 for our sustenance (the Bible Mt 4:4). We must always remember that Jesus’ blood forgave our sins 1 Co 11:25.

⁵⁵ For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Jn 6:55,56

Test the spirits!

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 Jn 4:1

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;1 Th 5:21

¹¹ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Ac 17:11

These are ten ways that we grieve the Holy Spirit, but the Law never brings life. We must draw near to the Holy Spirit, be intimate with Him, just as we do with our spouses, then we will know when we have grieved Him.  Eph 4:30

Isa 63:10; Ps 78:11; Nu 14:27; Ps 78:10; Ps 78:22; Eph 4:3; Eph 4:12; Lk 18:11; Jn 15:5; 1 Th 5:19,20.