A New Set of Eyes

Our second meeting of the "Forgotten God" small group went really well last night. One of the things we discovered pretty quickly was that most of what we could identify as what we believe about the Holy Spirit was based on what other people told us was true or by the actions of denominations or churches. Not a whole lot of what we believed was tracked back to the study of what God's Word says about the Spirit and what He does.

That's quite sobering, don't you think?

As we read the Scriptures last night that testify to the power of the Spirit and what His God given tasks are in the life of every believer, a question came to mind. Given the Spirit's power, why don't we see more Christians living bold lives and being transformed into joyful, compassionate, loving, faithful followers of Jesus?

Frankly,there are only two answers to that question.

And I think God let me see that through a new pair of eyes as I read Scripture after Scripture that told of the amazing potential inherent in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God to change EVERYTHING.

Either there are far fewer Christians than we think there are (meaning they do not have the Holy Spirit living in them),

Or they do have Him, but refuse to let Him do His transforming work in their lives. They prefer to live life on their own.

Can you see that?

Take your Bible and turn to the New Testament and start reading about the Holy Spirit. Let God lead you deeper into a knowledge of Who the Spirit is. Ask God to give you the courage to let the Spirit have control of your life.

Then get ready to see what the real Christian life is all about.

Don't Look At Me

"I don't want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know I couldn't be doing this without by my own power. I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through. That if He doesn't come through, I am screwed. (I probably shouldn't write that word here, but that is truly how I feel about it.)"

-Francis Chan, pg. 142

Francis is ahead of most every Christian I have ever known in this to the point of our shrugging and telling ourselves that he's a freak.

We don't pray to be that way.

Is that because we think God isn't capable or because we are acutely aware of our sins?

Or is it something else?

Have we been worn down after years of just getting by in our relationship with God to the point that our settled life has become the new normal, and anything above that level causes us to recoil in terror?

Francis isn't a freak. He's a fully actuated follower of Jesus.

From heaven's point of view, we're the freaks.

Think about it.

Our "Forgotten God" Journey Begins

"The light of the American church is flickering and nearly extinguished, having largely sold out to the kingdoms and values of this world….We are not all we were made to be when everything in our lives and churches can be explained apart from the work and presence of the Spirit of God….shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her and the person who does not?” - Francis Chan, "The Forgotten God"

We met Sunday night here in our home, a not so small - small group of people who want to know more of God - more of the Holy Spirit's power and influence over our lives. I was blown away by the turn-out and the spirit we shared together. There's something happening among us -among Christians all over the world - a Holy Discontent with how things are and what our part in maintaining the status quo has led us to.

We're at the point a little child in a department store arrives at when in looking at this or that from display to display, amazed and intrigued by what we are seeing, we suddenly awaken to the shocking and frightening realization that our parents are nowhere to be seen. Our confident adventure the moment before has become a dangerous stray away from where we belong and with Who we belong.

So I am praying each and every day for the people who came seeking Sunday night. Praying that God will find us ready - not as cocksure of ourselves and our present condition as we were. Somewhat unsettled at where we have arrived. Hungry for more of God that we have ever had before. Willing to run to God.

The journey begins.