No Strings Attached

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 17:15, 22-18:1 ~~~ Psalm 148 ~~~ John 16:12-15 ~~~

...the Spirit of truth...will guide you to all truth.

The Athenians had many shrines and altars erected.
As Paul noted, they were very religious.
They attempted to cover all of their bases by building an altar
‘To an Unknown God.’

This 'Unknown God' does not need anything made by human hands.
Paul reveals to them the truth about the God they do not know,
but want to know.
Paul is filled with the Spirit of truth.

In my ideal world, the Spirit of truth would not allow lies to be spread.
But since we have a God that gave us free will lies will
continue to be present.
The Spirit of truth reveals to our heart that which is true concerning God.
The Spirit of truth keeps us searching for the truth.

Paul reveals more about our God.
...gives to everyone life and breath and everything.

There is only one true God.
He is patient with his people while having expectations of repentance.
God has given us everything, just as Paul is sharing with the Athenians.

For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’

This is not to imply that we are merely puppets in this world.
God is not up in heaven manipulating strings
 as we move about our daily life.

It is his Spirit that lives in us.
It is the his Spirit this sustains our every breath...
our every step...our every heartbeat.

The Spirit of truth blesses us;
pay attention...do not ignore his messages.
The Spirit does not just bear truth;
the Spirit is truth as given
from the Father to the Son flowing on to the Spirit.

They are one and as such share all things.
No strings attached, there is only love.
We are blessed through each one...
the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
~~~ Peace ~~~

Spirit Speak: My Heart is Ready

 

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 17:15, 22—18:1 ~~~ Psalm 148 ~~~ John 16:12-15 ~~~

 

The Spirit of truth is dwelling with each of us.

Sometimes I wish that telling the truth would easily

be determined by some visible sign.

When I think of how many have lied about crimes committed,

it causes me to long for a fail safe method for determining the truth.

 

Paul reveals the truth to the people of Athens,

yet they seem to be content with their false beliefs.

 

The God who made the world and all that is in it,
the Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands...

Simply appearing to be religious does not imply that you have

 a grasp on the truth about God.

We worship God not in the statues made in his honor,

but we worship God because the truth is that he is the Creator of all

above heaven and earth.

'...it is he who gives to everyone life and breath and everything...'

It is God who has so orchestrated the world...

so that people might seek God,
even perhaps grope for him and find him...

There is a desire deep within our soul longing

for the truth about this entity we call God.

There is a missing piece in our heart

than can only be filled by God himself.

Many search and search in vain because they do not realize

that the void in their life is accepting the truth about God.

The truth that he does exist; that he is real.

 

For ‘In him we live and move and have our being,’

 

...we are the offspring of God...

He created us in his image...we are his adopted children.

 

When Paul proceeded to reveal the truth of the Resurrection

of Jesus from the dead;

this spiritual group of people decided

they had other things

they would rather be doing.

They offered their excuses and turned away.

Many times we actually do not want to hear the truth.

The truth can be painful.

But the truth can also set you free.

“We should like to hear you on this some other time.”

In reality this was just a ploy devised to remain in their current beliefs.

Paul moved on and respected their request.

In order to accept the truth our heats must be primed and ready to receive.

The time was not right the day Paul was preaching in Athens.

These people needed more time but Paul needed to keep moving.

Paul only had so much time to keep the message

of the Lord alive and growing.

 

 

Jesus tells the disciples there is so much more

I want to tell you,

but I cannot at this time.

He promises to reveal more and more of his truths through the Spirit.

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.

The Spirit continues to reveal truths about God even today.

Every time the words of Jesus or verses from the bible

 make more sense to you, that is the work of the Spirit.

 

The Spirit works in each of us as our hearts are opened

and readied to handle more of the Divine Truths.

 

The Blessings of Easter...

the Spirit continues to reveal truths about God.

God is so complex that the Spirit has infinite

possibilities to reveal to us.

I pray to always be open to the revelation of new truths about God.

The Spirit reveals what is of Jesus and declares them to us as needed.

Every Breath You Take

~~~ Acts 17: 15, 22- 18: 1~~~ Psalm 148 ~~~ John 16: 12-15 ~~~

Today the reading form the Acts of the Apostles

gives one of the most beautiful verses...

"For 'In him we live and move and have our being'..."

How can you read those few words and not rejoice?

How can you read those words and not be filled with gratitude?

He sustains us each and every day through his love for us.

I am truly sad for those who try to deny God in their lives.

I am sad for those who want to condemn even God

 instead of giving him praise and thanksgiving

for their very breath.

He, our Lord and God gives life to each and every living thing.

He created us in his image, 'we are the offspring of God'.

As Pentecost approaches let us be aware of the Wonder and Awe of God.

Wonder and Awe is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

More on those in future posts.

Also in Acts today a word of caution...

"We would like to hear you on this some other time"

it might not be such a wise decision to put God on the side until later.

When the Holy Spirit is acting in your life and stirring up your heart

it is time to listen.

It may also be time to take action.

We do have a patient and polite God...

I would invite you to think twice before asking him

to wait until 'some other time'.

Do not put of until tomorrow what God is asking of you today.

He may only make the offer one time...Who knows?

Be open to the Holy Spirit...sent by the Father to be with us

after the Son returned to him.

The Father just keeps on giving us priceless gifts...

first his Son and then the Holy Spirit.

"For 'In him we live and move and have our being'..."

What more could we possibly ask of him?

"Everything that the Father has is mine;

for this reason I told you that he will take

from what is mine and declare it to you."

We humbly stand before the Lord unworthy as we are

to receive his many gifts.

To him we give praise and glory.

Let each breath you take be a reminder that we do indeed

live and move and have our being

in Him.