Remain in His Newness

The pastor touches on the different ways that the Spirit manifests itself: quick and sensationally transforming, or slow and quiet. No matter what the manifestation looks like, the sense of newness that the Holy Spirit provides is constant. Throughout my faith journey, comparing where I'm at in my walk with Christ to that of others around me has been an issue that comes up every now and again. I've associated the sensationally transforming experience with a 'better' or 'stronger' faith.

I think the idea that Jesus baptizes — present tense — is profound. Like the pastor states, I've run on this assumption that Jesus only graces us with the Holy Spirit at one big moment (or a few big moments). A baptism with water. Saying YES to Christ. A "Jesus experience." But Jesus continues to ask us to abide in Him. To be baptized by the Spirit. I think my faith has felt strongest in the big moments of "single baptisms." But Christ is not a feeling. After that feeling is gone, the vitality of Jesus remains. He continues to wrap us up in His grace and invite us to strive to be more like Him everyday.

Jesus, specially through these confusing times, let me continually be immersed in and overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit. Guide me in accepting your invitation everyday.

Let's remain His newness, His light, and His grace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Is Jesus - Spring 2020

Who is Jesus - Spring 2020 Hello Leadership team!  The next 9 weeks we will be asking the most critical question any human in any era of history can ask - "Who is Jesus?" This blog is a platform for us to share our discoveries of who Jesus is and how He is working in our lives through the sermon series "Who is Jesus?" Please use this blog and these sermons as a way to grow in Relationship with Christ, and relationship with each other. It is a joy to be discipled together. The sermons and blog are meant to supplement your regular bible reading / study and are not meant to be a "stand alone" discipline.  My hope and prayer is that you are digging into the love and knowledge of God through regular bible reading and other resources. Participation in this blog will allow you to encourage your fellow team mates and be encouraged by them as well.  Feel free to comment on each others posts as much as you want! Your posts do not have to be long, how...
Read more

Bread of Life

To be reminded of the story of the Israelites and God’s offering of the manna as they were wandering in the wilderness allows me to reflect on a few ideas and themes in my own relationship with Him: 1.       Discipline/ Devotion : Am I going out every day to receive the bread of life? Noticing a deep desire to be in relationship with God is a good measure to point out a habit of coming. Those who keep coming to the bread of life understand the nourishment and goodness, which makes us want to come back. 2.       Trust : Am I trusting that God will provide? Taking more bread than told like the Israelites, shows that I am more concerned with how I want to satisfy myself rather than letting God satisfy me. 3.         Recognizing God : Am I recognizing a greater reality that God is near? Seeing signs (such as the raining down of manna) but not noticing them as ways in which God extends His love on us m...
Read more

Baptized In and With

I was first baptized when I was only a few days old, so I have no recollection of the event at all. It wasn't until my freshman year of high school that I truly came to experience Jesus. When this happened I had very little biblical knowledge and I had no idea about salvation or the true meaning of baptism at the time. Later, I learned the evangelist way of baptism, so I figured that was my peak Jesus moment. It is encouraging to hear, however, that this was not my only moment and that Jesus will continuously baptize me with the Holy Spirit as long as I trust in him. Another encouraging thing to hear is that there is no graduating from Jesus school. I think so much I fall into the trap of comparing my biblical knowledge to that of other Christians. I see others as having it all figured out but in reality, they are still, and will always be, learning more and more about Christ. Thank you Jesus for continuously pouring into me, and I pray that you use me despite how uncomfortable the...
Read more