Nougat 15

Hi dear

Blessings to you.

Have you ever intentionally considered today’s Holy Nougat?

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We know this; we’ve read it before, possibly quoted it to others but it’s not always on our radar. Why?

Part of me says that although we are conscious of God’s Spirit living in us, we often take God’s Spirit for granted. Just like we took breathing clean air for granted before the SARS-Covid-19 family of viruses showed up.

We can’t see air, but we know it is here. And, for the most part, we avoid pollutants like smog, smoke from backyard fires and even secondary cigarette smoke. And in most countries, that’s enough. For a few, breathing becomes challenging in pollen season. But on the whole, we don’t really stop to think about what we breathe. And then Covid-19 insists that we pay attention.

For many of us, we are conscious about pleasing God, and we live for Jesus; but we don’t necessarily consider God’s Spirit per se, until a crisis comes along. And for some of us – not even then!

But if we were to have God’s Spirit LIVE within, shouldn’t we try to ensure that our bodies are inhabitable? Or have we developed the mindset that figures, ‘my life, my body; if you’re gonna live IN me, then take me as I am or leave.’ My dears, not to worry, if we keep that attitude long enough, we won’t even hear God’s Spirit or sense her grieving. (So sorry if I offend, I always see God’s Spirit as female). For the Spirit of God not only gifts us to better service in the household of faith; but we are assured of our right relationship with God through the Spirit.

And God’s Spirit also serves as the early warning system when pollutants of sin are approaching our lives, and also fights the infections of spiritual attacks. If we take God’s Spirit for granted,or ignore her; we run the risk of grieving her and not being able to overcome the pollutants and viruses that so often beset us!

It’s not too late. We are still alive.

So there is still hope! Since we have been reminded that God’s Spirit lives Within, then we ought to engage her more concretely. Invite her to be actively involved in our lives. Refer to her in decision making, as we would a mentor or supervisor or trusted friend. Listen for the answer. Respect her presence in our lives and make her welcome by our thought, speech, and action. Watch for the healing that will come.

Tired of grieving God’s Spirit; well so am I. May God’s Spirit be happy with us once again, beginning now.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .