What did you think of today's study?
Can you imagine what the Israelites must have felt like awaiting their first glimpse into the Holy Place? Think of the anticipation and excitement...how many had nervous butterflies flitting around in their stomachs! Finally they were going to be able to push aside the curtain and cross the threshold into a Place that was beyond their wildest dreams. And there, right in front of them as they entered, the source of the most dazzling display of brilliance and beauty they'd ever seen, was...The Lampstand. God's evidence of Himself in the Holy Place!
This is even more apparent when we see exactly what the Lampstand actually represented: the sevenfold spirit of God - wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear - with the main shaft stemming from the "root" of the Lampstand representing The Spirit of the Lord. Amazing, right?
And what did you think about the comparison of the buds and branches to the pruning Christ does in our lives in order to help us bear "fruit"? Very interesting, I think.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful....Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself: it must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:2, 4-6 (NIV)
I think there are many times in my life where it seems God has had to prune me down to almost the bare ground! These are obviously the times when I've been the farthest away from Him. When I've turned away and let my relationship grow cold, when I've not "remained in Him". These have been some of the most miserable and fruitLESS moments of my life! Matthew 12:33 say that,"...a tree is recognized by its fruit." (NIV) Yikes!
I'm definitely learning - at times very painfully and slowly - to cling to the Vine. If I want to lead a fruitFUL life I must hold on as tight as I can to Jesus - I must remain in Him!
How has the Holy Spirit recently made himself known in your life?
I think there are many times in my life where it seems God has had to prune me down to almost the bare ground! These are obviously the times when I've been the farthest away from Him. When I've turned away and let my relationship grow cold, when I've not "remained in Him". These have been some of the most miserable and fruitLESS moments of my life! Matthew 12:33 say that,"...a tree is recognized by its fruit." (NIV) Yikes!
I'm definitely learning - at times very painfully and slowly - to cling to the Vine. If I want to lead a fruitFUL life I must hold on as tight as I can to Jesus - I must remain in Him!
How has the Holy Spirit recently made himself known in your life?
4 comments:
today's study was just awesome!!!... the more we study the intricacies of the tabernacle, the more i am blown away with how awesome our God is--that now, today, He chooses to make His dwelling in our lives!... i have been challenged lately... well, for a while now, actually... to literally sit back and watch God do His work in my life. to watch Him provide for all of my needs, to watch Him take care of each and every situation. to have the mindset that He is in control, and that He is guiding me in every step i take. (i'm not saying this is where everyone needs to be... but i have truly felt the Lord calling me to this for the past several months!) so, the way the Holy Spirit has made His presence known in my life is in all the situations that were beyond my control, where i wasn't sure what to do or how things would turn out--and yet, everything is always taken care of. sometimes, maybe even oftentimes, it is differently than i expect, but nonetheless His provision! truly, when i have felt at the end of my rope, the Spirit has brought me through (sometimes dragged me, i'm sure) to the other side! it's amazing to me!... also, i have definitely felt the Spirit's conviction in my life lately as well. which is something we may not think about or speak much of. but i, for one, have certainly heard His voice in my mind and heart reminding me that my attitude should be the same as that of Christ (philippians 2). i think that's been the worst thing for me lately--my attitude! the Spirit is good about humbling me when i simply refuse to listen too! whether it's through an innocent (yet powerful) comment from one of my sweet children or through my husband or a friend, i have witnessed the Holy Spirit convicting me lately! i praise God for it (even when it's hard) because it certainly makes us better people and makes our lives better when we're walking in truth!
It's funny that you mention feeling the Holy Spirit's conviction. I've been feeling/thinking about it for a looong time now. I've been feeling convicted regarding some things that happened in my past before Todd and I were married. Things I'm not proud of....things he needed to know but didn't...things that were preventing me from fully giving myself to him emotionally and mentally and physically. I've been hearing the Holy Spirit whisper in my ear for quite some time now telling me that I needed to go to Todd and talk with him and ask for forgiveness, but I've ignored that voice out of fear...and shame...and well, so many, many silly reasons really. However, by ignoring that voice in my ear, by refusing to repent and make things right, I've also been forfeiting the ability to grow closer with the Lord AND my husband whom I love more than anything on this earth. It's a funny, funny thing - I decided to listen to that voice finally this past weekend, and can I just say that forgiveness came sweetly and swiftly and was all-encompassing. How long have I held on to this because I felt like there could not possibly BE forgiveness! I have been redeemed and the feeling...it's indescribable! What I'm learning is that when the Holy Spirit convicts us of something - when He is telling us we need to go and make things right, that we need to repent...whatever He's convicting us of at the moment...He doesn't leave us alone to go through it! When we are obedient and listen, He is right there loving us and holding our hand and smoothing the path before us. It's an experience truly beyond words! So, I agree wholeheartedly with you, Sara! I praise God for the Holy Spirit's conviction - yes, even when it's hard - because it really does make us and our lives better when we're walking in truth!
Sara & Meghan,
Your comments astounded me. I love the honesty and openness. I'm the one who usually says that I'm an "Open Book!" Sara, I know you're pretty similar, but Meghan - you've blown me away! This is so out of character for you, but can I just say how proud I am for the step that you have taken. Not just in telling us, but sumbitting to your partner in which God chose you to walk this life with.
I have been convicted lately with the way I discipline my children. My son is about to turn 3, and sometimes I feel that he is completely our of control. For example, twice in the past week he has run from me in public. Once he ran from me in Target and hid. Upon finding him I literally dumped everything out of the cart and threw him in the back, but not after spanking him. I was furious and scared out of my mind. The second time was at a pumpkin patch. It one of the volunteers, who saw me running after him, wouldn't have stepped in front of him he would have been hit by a car. I feel like I've been spanking a TON, and I've also been literally dragging him by an arm into wherever I need him to go, because obviously he won't go willingly. I am only telling you guys my worst moments with him. He really is a blessing, and so so sensitive. I just want to correct the behavior before it gets any worse or before his little sister picks up on some of it.
But here is where I feel convicted... I feel like I'm totally out of line and that I'm being way too physical with him. There are times, like dragging him by his arm, that I've sat in the other room and cried. Once he saw me he then proceeded to bring me his blankie and said, "Mommy it's all better now!" - And then of course I cry even harder. (I'm even crying now thinking about it!)
Due to my history and how I was raised I almost feel like my frustration and temper are ingrained in me - that it's a viscous cycle that needs to be broken. I've prayed and talked to my husband about how I feel about this. I DO NOT want to be physical with my children. I only want to spank for MAJOR things - not everything.
I feel completely guilty and convicted by this on a daily basis.
Sara, like you said it's all about the attitude, and my attitude desperately needs adjusting.
I feel the Holy Spirit in every one of the situations, and it truly a blessing and an amazing gift. I know God is helping me with this struggle of mine, but it's not always easy and even hurts sometimes.
meghan,i praise God for your honesty and your testimony to following the Spirit's conviction! how awesome! literally, i'm sitting here crying for you--tears of joy and conviction!...
sarah, i know exactly how you feel! i feel the same way too! i tend to get physical in order to get my point across sometimes--funny, because i also claim to be a pacifist--how does that work?? well, i was raised similarly--if someone doesn't listen, MAKE them listen or bully them until they do. it never worked then, but i guess i don't know any other way.. or at least, i haven't trained myself to know another way. i KNOW there are other, better ways of doing things, but i find myself (esp. when i'm tired, frustrated, distracted) resorting to what really doesn't work and what ends up harming my relationship with my children, my emotional stability, and what i fear will end up being a bitterness in my children toward me!... i don't really think that either of us are probably totally out of control-- and little ones can be tough!! but i do think it's wise for us to take this VERY seriously!!!!! i hate even admitting that i struggle with this!!! but i do! thanks for bringing it up, because i don't think i was really thinking about this in particular at the moment. but it is definitely a struggle for me as well...
sisters, i just LOVE all of this! the way the Spirit is opening our hearts to His conviction, to His community... thanks for making this a safe place to share. thanks for being so honest and raw--it is humbling and awesome!!! i love you guys!!!!
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