 | Blogs > Noah235 > PLOUGHMAN'S LUNCH > Lakeland Blog 1: Living by the Spirit |
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Before going away to the English Lake District I had been having a personal struggle with a particular issue, and the Lord had given me two scriptures to help me deal with it: John 4v14: "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become IN HIM a spring of water welling up to eternal life" Galatians 5v16: "Live by the Spirit, and you WILL NOT gratify the desires of the sinful nature" However the question that was in my mind was "In practical terms, how do you actually 'live by the Spirit'?" On arrival at the country house in which I and the church were staying, the first thing I decided to do was take a shower. In recent weeks I had been aware that the shower was a place in which I could speak to God and also hear from him, but on this occasion the Lord spoke to me before I actually got in! He used the example of the shower to give me the following advice as regards 'living by the Spirit': 1. I did not need to ask God for the Holy Spirit, I simply had to realise that the Spirit was already in me, just as my shower was 'en suite' i.e. already in the room! 2. Before using the shower I only had to turn it on to get the water flowing. I was a little wary of this point because it implied that the flow of the Spirit was somehow under my control (which I don't believe to be the case). However the Lord then clarified the point by pointing out that water pressure in the pipes meant the shower would always flow UNLESS I SWITCHED IT OFF. So I simply had to make sure that I never did anything to 'switch off' the flow of the Spirit in my life. The Bible gives us at least 4 ways in which we can 'turn the tap off': (i) grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4v30) (ii) quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5v19) (iii) insulting the Spirit (Hebrews 10v29) (iv) blaspheming the Spirit (Mark 3v29) So all we need to do to experience the flow of the Spirit is to avoid doing any of these. 3. The last thing I had to do before getting in the shower was to take my clothes off! This has two meanings: (i) removing smelly clothes represents confession of any known sin (1 John 1v9) (ii) being naked represents being open and vulnerable before God, holding nothing back (any suggestions for a scripture verse to go with this?) As a result of doing these it then becomes possible for God to cleanse me and give me a refreshing spiritual experience! OK, who has spotted what I missed out? The most obvious part of it all: I must GET IN the shower! In other words, I must actually go into God's presence (perhaps with Hebrews 4v16 in mind). And the other thing you might have spotted is that I am mixing my illustrations - drinking the Spirit and washing in the Spirit. I don't think that matters a whole lot. What matters is for me (and I guess for all of us) to live by the Spirit!! More Lakeland Blog material tomorrow. God bless you all. Peter "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2 v 15 |
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 4/17/2008 3:28 pm |
Hi Peter,  I thought I was the only one that prayed in the shower, lol.  It's my fav place to pray in the Spirit, although I never thought about the "nakedness" till now. I love the analogy, yes, living water, flowing through me. I'll never take a shower the same way again, thank you! God bless you!  NOTHING that happens, happens for NOTHING What Does Jesus Want For Christmas? We've Set The Date And You're All Invited! We Need Some "Blogger's Etiquette" Around Here!!! Does God REALLY Promise Not To Allow More Than We Can Bear? New Members at BigChurch, WATCH OUT!!!
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4/17/2008 6:16 pm |
I love parable like analogies - good one Peter! Susan aka Red God gives the very best to those who leave the choices to Him. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...to Him be the glory. Eph 3:20 Find me at my screen name, blogspot and the usual ending. See ya there!
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 4/18/2008 2:03 am |
Wow Peter, What a way with words u have.I too had never thought of it that way.Good one. GOD BLESS, Wendy  Show me the way Sweet JESUS. Lead and i Will follow.   
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