a child of god
this is the way, run in it
What happens when we enter a room? I'm reading in Psalm 89 this morning, and it says of God, "lovingkindness and truth go before You" (v.14). When God enters a room (yes, ok, I know He is already there - but!, hang in there with me with this metaphor), when His presence reveals itself to us - His lovingkindness (loyal love that never lets us down) and truth precede Him. That is what people experience when God "walks in a room." And then the psalmist says, "how blessed/happy are the people who know that joyful sound!" People rejoice when they hear God and experience the effect of His presence enter a room (reveal more of Himself to us). What happens when we enter a room? What precedes us? What effect do we have on a room? What we carry in our hearts changes the spiritual atmosphere in physical places. We should be carrying the Spirit of God in our hearts wherever we go, and if we are allowing Him to lead us, be in charge (our Resident Boss), and affect our heart attitudes and thoughts, then His presence is what is felt when we enter a room. That means peace, joy and righteousness. That means the fruit of the Spirit: love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We know that list. But does that list live in our hearts? Do we live it out day by day? What if we enter a room and it isn't the Holy Spirit who is in charge? What if we haven't practiced self-control, and aren't living and moving and having our being in God, what does that look like? All too often, it means we are allowing negative spirits to influence our thoughts, attitudes and behavior. And we may think that those things are hidden, in our hearts, with no one else to see, but that is not the truth! Those negative spirits and attitudes are felt - they are what precede us into the room - and it changes the spiritual atmosphere in the room, and not for good. If we have a critical spirit, a judgmental spirit, a spirit of offense, or self-righteousness (and the funny thing about this one is you can fall prey to it even when you think you are standing against it!), or if we are allowing negative emotions to control us - we aren't living like children of God. He set us free from those things! What precedes us into a room? I have said "we" the whole way through this blog because I need to practice being aware of what I'm allowing heart space, head space, in my life, and what I'm bringing into a room. (Love it that God knows we need to practice these things! That's one of my favorite words in the Bible. It gives me hope.) I know I often don't get this right and I'm thankful for the Lord showing this to me today. So, just think (with me), what if, when we enter a room, people feel the love of God, people sense peace, people can see the joy of the Holy Spirit in us, people say - there's someone with a child-like faith - happy to be in the presence of the Lord. What would that look like? We can't manufacture these things. We have to allow the Spirit of God to have His way in our hearts - then He allows these things to grow, and the fragrance of Jesus begins to flow from us and permeate the room (2 Corinthians 2:14-16), touch people's hearts, set people free - including ourselves. What would that look like? How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted. For our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel. Psalm 89:15-18 "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
1 Comment
Anna Whitehouse
2/2/2019 11:46:48
Fab blog Franci! x
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Franci Ballwatching and working for the kingdom of God in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham - UK Archives
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