When the Spirit Surges

Prodigal: Sometimes I feel confused.

Me: We all feel confused sometimes.

Prodigal: Yes, just pray for me.

Me: God’s spirit, and word will lift the confusion.

This is from the book This is my Story, This is Our Song by Norman Fl. Blosat with Elva W. Blosat

Then the Spirit Surges

Be Open: If you are upset by changes in your church, try looking at it from God’s point of view. His world has deteriorated in recent years. His church has often been ineffective. There has been an appalling upsurge of immorality. Might not the action of His Spirit bring a worldwide cleansing process?
Strive for Balance: One could easily become experience-centered, seeking a repeat of an original “high” and, often without realizing it, begin to worship the experience rather than the Lord Himself. The importance of understanding the Trinitarian basis of the Christian faith must be stressed.
The Holy Spirit is not Divisive: As someone once said, “The Holy Spirit is not divisive, but people divide over the Holy Spirit.” It is our frail humanity that causes us to be divisive–people with closed minds on both sides of an issue. Learn to evaluate other believers by the fruit of the Spirit evident in their lives (Ephesians 5:9). Focus first and foremost on “The Giver”–then on “The Gifts.”
Seek Content: There is a need for spiritual discipline in order that we might have growth in understanding God’s Word.
Have a Sense of Wonder: Don’t be a spiritual “legalist” attempting to neatly box and catalog the works of the Holy Spirit. “His ways are not our ways.” The Surging Spirit is changing people and changing our world. These are incredible times.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org