Just a few thoughts today. I rise early every day to spend time in prayer and bible study. As I wrote this it is only 8 AM. I have already had a ride into the mountains and saw God’s Beauty wherever I went. So many beautiful smiles and the clouds reflecting the sunlight.
It is not my intent to attract attention to myself, but I would like to attract attention to the Holy Spirit. We have Him, The Comforter, The Parakletos or Helper. If we are in Christ we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence to help with everyday life, but He helps us become witnesses.
I recently went to other island areas of the Philippines. On this occasion I traveled to Manila, then to the Island of Panay, flying into the city of Ilo Ilo. Sitting next to me on the airplane was a South Korean girl that I estimate was about 19 years old. As we arrived at flying altitude, the stewardess brought me something to eat. I informed her that I had not ordered anything to eat. Her reply was that someone in the rear of the plane had purchased it for me.
You see, this is how the Holy Spiirt works! Providing us opportunities to share our faith and the Love of Jesus.
We need to relax and let the Holy Spiirt lead. After all, we really cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit. He is the One Who draws people to God. He convicts the world of sin! Joh 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” These are the Words of Jesus concerning the work of the Holy Spirit.
So we need to cooperate with Him! He does the work, we are partners with Him! Colaboring or collaboration with Him. God chooses to work with His People, but the old bible passage, “Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts”.
Back to this precious young lady. I accepted the food and asked this girl if she would like to share my lunch. I actually was not hungry at all, but I recognized the tools I just received and planned to cooperate with God on this. She acted like she was not hungry and was shy to receive, but I insisted. I divided everything and gave her the larger portion. Well it turned out she was famished and she devoured the meal. Plus I had some mangos dipped in chocolate. I believe one of the Cebu specialities. I shared these with her and she made short work of them.
As we ate I told her about Jesus. Her eyes filled with tears and her face, I can still see today as she gave her heart to the only Saviour of mankind. This was the highlight of my trip! What a joy and a privilege to be part of her coming to Jesus. In my estimation, there is no greater joy than this!
I asked her what her name is and I could not possibly repeat it, but in translation her name means Joy!
We think about things too much. We rehearse in our minds how a person is going to react to our message. We think we know and we don’t do it because of this anticipation. But God has called us to be light in a dark place.
Later on this trip I had just had a super breakfast at the buffet at Harolds in Cebu. We were there with about 12 other people and as I waited for them all to come outside, I walked around and went out to the street. I was walking down the sidewalk and noticed in my peripheral vision a person sleeping in the shadows. A homeless man. Very skinny and shoeless homeless man. A precious person for whom Jesus died.
I remembered I had some Oreo cookies in my bag and I knelt down next to him and woke him up.
He sat up and I helped with the package and he began to eat the cookies. I rebuked every demonic force that had overtaken this man. I declared the Name of Jesus over his life. He actually was very nice and was grateful and gave thanks. I remember years ago when I rebuked the enemy,in the same manner, off of a man named Frank. God did a miracle in that man’s life that day. Cooperating with the Holy Spirit.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
I claim Goodmess in Jesus alone. But my take is everyone we meet, is not by a chance as God orders our steps.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
We have authority in the Name of Jesus. Authority not used or excercised is the same as not having said authority. In cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your time.
God bless!
Daddy William