The Word of God Will Not Return Void

If the Holy Spirit is God and the Holy Spirit lives in all believers, then there should be a defined difference between the way believers walk in suffering compared to unbelievers. Yet, many who claim to be believers live as if the Holy Spirit doesn’t exist. We have 24/7 access to the living God through the Holy Spirit inside of us, but we don’t pray. We have the power of the resurrection dwelling inside of us, yet we cower in fear. We have impossible love inside of us, yet we speak hate and create injustice. We have the peace of God inside of us, yet we are wrapped with anxiety. We live like we are alone—without the Holy Spirit and without the community of other believers. Jesus, before he died, did all that he could to help his disciples understand the companionship of one another and of the Holy Spirit. We know they lived in this companionship if we read the book of Acts and see the church thriving under intense persecution. Acts 4:32-34a says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them” (NIV). The Holy Spirit is no different then than he is now. He hasn’t been diluted by being present in more people today than he was back then. So, what is different? The early church always needed the Holy Spirit. Today, most of us have money, possessions, shelter, friends, jobs, family, and freedoms. We can live a seemingly happy life without the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s only when we face unexpected suffering that we see our need for the Holy Spirit. By the time we see our need, we’ve already practiced relying on everything besides the Holy Spirit that we have no idea how to rely on the Spirit in our time of need. When we realize that the Holy Spirit is our constant companion—in both times of success and suffering—we can create a daily practice of leaning on the Spirit at all times, in all situations. We are never alone. It’s time we live like it. Reflection/Discussion Question: What does it look like to have the Holy Spirit as our constant companion?

Today is the day to ask for help. The longer you wait, the worse your situation will get and the more calloused, angry, bitter, and apathetic you will become. God will meet you with love, kindness, patience, peace, and comfort through himself and the people he has put in your life when you humble yourself and ask for help. And when you ask for help from the people around you, be honest about how you are doing. Our default is to only ask one another how we are doing in passing: “Hey! How are ya?” “Good! How are you?” “Better than I deserve!” It’s difficult to share how we are really doing because we feel the pressure of needing to have it all together. Go to someone who loves you and share all of the details about how you are really doing. The more we do this with one another, the more we can learn how to listen to one another and offer empathy, compassion, and healing. Lastly, reject the lies that will immediately flood into your mind the minute you decide to ask for help: “No one will really care.” “Remember the last time you shared and people just dismissed you?” “No one wants to be burdened with your stuff. They have enough on their plates already.” “You don’t even have the kind of relationship that shares hard stuff. It will be weird.” “Don’t do that. People will think you are weak.” All of these are lies from the enemy as he tries to get you to continue in your own strength. The enemy’s goal is for you to be lonely, in the dark, far away from God. One of the best ways to get you to this place is to keep you from asking for help when you are in need. But when you do ask for help, you are inviting the strength of God to enter your life and the enemy loses the battle for your soul.  Reflection/Discussion Question: What lies does the enemy whisper to you when you want to ask for help?

I have made it a desire to speak to God before I leave my bed. Before I pop on the news, before I have my coffee/ I praise him! Sing in my head a praise song, or open my app to begin to read his word - all of this I do scattered as it may be to begin my thoughts with him. Never fails he gives me a name, a need, or simply a Godly hug - but I know I am filled and will make it another morning because of him. Sometimes there is simply silence and with that there is amazing peace.

Praying before the day starts sets the tone for the day. I now listen for the opportunities God places before me daily that I may have missed prior to morning prayers. God has given me the privilege of encouraging a friend, leaving a higher tip for a single mom who is struggling to provide for her child. Opportunities I would have missed had God not moved me to be more intentional in listening to those around me.