Christianity Oasis Forum

[Show Forth the Praises]

Today I began Day 1 of "The Spirit of Truth" study.

I find it overwhelming. So much information!

I'm both fascinated and very confused.

In my bookcase, I have several books about the Holy Spirit. I have read one book, partially.

I have never understood deep spiritual matters. I find my ignorance frustrating, to the point of wanting not to study much of anything from the Bible at times.

And----I don't study---I just read. I don't look up center-column references. Studying is for scholars and pastors. I've gotten lazy.

With an attitude like mine, I won't get much---if anything---out of the study.

However, I did find it very interesting in the Scriptures:

That the WATER represents the BODY since the body is mostly composed of water.

And that BLOOD represents the SOUL---DNA in blood identifies a specific person.

I'm going to try reading one of my books on the Holy Spirit first. Then I MIGHT come back to this online study.

Your confused, frustrated, overwhelmed sister in Christ----------

PAMELA

[Mackenaw]

Hello Pamela

God bless you this day.

Awwwwww, it's ok, Pamela. At first, it can be hard to understand -- but actually, you already do something now, that gets in touch with The Holy Spirit. When you play, as a child, with those children in the neighborhood, you allow the child within you to come out. The Holy Spirit communicates with that child, with you, in that place of peace and joy.

Think about it. A group of young children. They don't look at how much knowledge someone has, they look at the sweetness and the joy of a heart.

A very small child trusts that things will be good. They trust that their needs will be met, so they don't sit in worry over how -- they just trust. We must trust God in the same way. Trust Him that He loves us, that He'll lead us, and that He'll not leave us alone.

The Holy Spirit is our Guide and our Comforter. He'll teach us the ways of Jesus, and share with us where God wants us to go. It is good for us to get to know Him.

God bless you, Pamela.
In His love,
Mack

[Show Forth the Praises]

Thanks for the explanation, Mack.

This situation can be compared to the group of neighborhood children---excellent example!

Like a child, I need to trust, which will enable me to have a TEACHABLE spirit.

Having a teachable spirit will enable me to LEARN what God intends for me to learn.

We are all at different places spiritually, and in life.

Those who are the most EMPTY can be the most FILLED.

I'll continue the Holy Spirit study, and now I look forward to it.

I was in a bit of a panic at how much I DIDN'T understand.

Now, like a child, I am simply free to learn. To take from the study that which I DO understand and can apply to my life.

It is GOD who is teaching all of us.

Your sister in Christ----------

PAMELA

[Timothy]

Yes Pamela,

Every time I've read the Trinity Study, my eyes went cross eyed!
I got some...um...tutoring, and moved on to the 2nd study.
WOW! It blew me away! I, like bigred, could so identify with it.
Bigred said it, "Dejavu" . Like Pine, its so hard to put it down.
This is awesome, awesome, awesome!

I'm not much on studying either, but this just grabs me by the collar and pulls me in! Keep pluggin' Pamela!

Timothy

[Show Forth the Praises]

I read the second day study tonight.

All this information is amazing and overwhelming.

God's Holy Spirit indwells each of us when we become believers/Christians.

For me, that was September 1972.

I remember my most incredible encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, it was during one of the WORST times in my life:

It was 1990. After suffering through increasing depression, I began to feel intensely suicidal. Also, I was hearing angry, snarling, inhuman voices commanding me to die.

I drove to the ocean, arriving at the Pacific Coast about 1:00 am.

Not knowing how to swim, I ran into the ocean. The water was ice cold, yet I felt so hot.

It was a moon-less night, on a very cold night in November.

Once I had reached a point where I could no longer touch bottom, I cried out:

"God---please forgive me for this---the sin of suicide!"

Inside my head, I heard a still, small voice which said:

"Forgiveness takes place in this life, Pam---not in the next. Go back to shore."

I was exhausted from battling wave after wave. Again I cried out: "I can't! Help me!"

I'd been diagnosed with severe depression and a certain mental illness when I was 25, in 1981.

This was my first of two severe relapses. The second occurred in 1996. I pray to God I never relapse again. I take my Abilify regularly, and do my best to avoid severe, sustained stress.

God in His mercy and love has given me 13 consecutive years of REMISSION from the illness, except I occasionally experience deep depression, which gets debilitating. I see a doctor for this medical condition. My biological father had the same illness, which I inherited.

Although my half-brothers have rejected and abandoned me because of the illness ----God does not reject me.

I have not seen or heard from my half-brothers since 1990. They are not Christians.

God's Holy Spirit is REAL---I know that. He protects His children.

I appreciate this study, even though I don't come close to understanding all of it.

With love from your sister in Christ----------

PAMELA

[Mackenaw]

Hello Pamela

God bless you this day.

I was so very moved by your testimony. The Holy Spirit heard your cries, and He answered you.

Wow, I can hardly see through the tears to write this. God is so very Good and He loves us so very much.

Wow, Wow, Wow!!! Thank you for sharing, Pamela, it has blessed me so very much.

I'm so happy you have continued with the Study. It is truly an awesome Study. I'm looking forward to reading your posts.

In His love,
Mack

[Dora]

Wow. Amazing.
Sometimes it's in those loneliest, rock bottom times when we finally are able to hear his voice.

The first time I heard his voice was on the edge of suicide as well. I had two voices though. One encouraging me to commit. The other allowing me to choose, yet showing me the truth. I'm so very thankful I chose to follow the truth.

I am so grateful you also chose to follow his voice.

Any little bit you gleem from the study will help you understand who the Holy Spirit is. I am anxious for the day when you feel so totally wrapped in his warmth.

luv ya

[Show Forth the Praises]

DAY THREE --- Spirit of Truth Study

Wow! Such incredible things I read this evening in Day 3!

That the Holy Spirit working IN us is for the benefit of our soul.

The Holy Spirit working THROUGH us --- for the glory of God and for other souls!

This is finally beginning to make sense!

And the question: "How can the Holy Spirit work through you?"

---- the gift of writing is mentioned!

I have loved to write since I was a small child. I mean---I love to write!

I went to a Wednesday night Bible study at church, way back on March 5, 2006. Part of Pastor John's teaching that night was: "give your gifts and talents to God, and WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!"

So that night in prayer, I gave to God the gift of writing talent and ability noticed by others, but not by me at the time.

I let Pastor John's wife Robin read a short story I'd written, entitled "Naming Horses." She said she had cried while reading it, and told me she feels I have a unique and powerful writing style.

The writing talent and ability is God's gift to me, and others, if I use it wisely, in accordance with His will for me and the gift He bestowed!

A year and a half later, I submitted my manuscript online to a Christian publisher for the first time ever.

And I waited for the rejection letter.

Instead, I received TWO ACCEPTANCE letters via DHL!

I still have a hard time believing it!

So now I'm wondering-----if my book does well, how am I to invest the royalty funds to honor and glorify God, and help His children? Would it be a sin for me to buy a new car? Move to a better neighborhood? I must pray about these matters.

In the Day 3 Study also we are admonished to share our spiritual gifts with lots of love.

According to the study and Scripture, I'm merely a vessel by which He is distributing His gift.

And in the study, I especially like: "The fact that God created you is evidence He has a plan for you."

Also: "You are a gift to others."

Wow!

So-----I surrender back to God the gift He has so wisely bestowed upon me, to be used for HIS glory, praise and honor.

I don't know what else to say!!!!

Love from your amazed sister in Christ----------

PAMELA

[Mackenaw]

Hello Pamela

God bless you.

Wow, step 3 -- really good, huh? Yeah!!! I liked it too.

Pamela, I just love how you are sharing the impact this study is having on you. The Truth of God and all His ways, does have a blessed impact on us. It's invigorating.

The Holy Spirit brings songs to my remembrance throughout the day -- relating to the experiences I'm going through. As I read your post, I was again reminded of the song "Getting To Know You" from the movie (appropriately entitled) "The King and I". Here are some of the lyrics to a portion of the song.

Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy.
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

God bless you, Pamela. Please continue to share.
In His love,
Mack

[Show Forth the Praises]

DAY 4 --- Holy Spirit Working IN You


I truly enjoyed today's study.

The truths which impressed me most:

The Holy Spirit gives us SPIRITUAL LIFE. This life enables us to be vibrant, lively, zealous, inspired, passionate, enthusiastic and earnest.

I don't see a whole lot of this in myself. Basically I am almost constantly battling or feeling a low grade of depression, even since I was a child.

I'm not complaining---just stating a fact.

My tendency is more toward solitude and introversion, where I am most comfortable and happy. Get me in a room with 10 or more friends or strangers, and I hit the front door and I'm outside in the fresh air. Also, noise bothers me A LOT. The sound of many people talking and laughing and I need to go outside. I crave solitude and silence the way an extrovert craves being with people.

I DO know fellow Christians who are vibrant and lively, and I often envy these traits in them. It seems more of a personality trait.

I'm interested in what was mentioned in the study about praying for God's plan in your life. Ask God for things that make Him happy, and you'll be happy.

Recently I've been looking at apartments online. I've seen some expensive, impressive beautiful places. I find myself longing just to live the HIGH LIFE only for a few years before I pass on to Heaven.

This is not God's will for me. I am now amongst the people where God wants me to be: people who knock on my door, asking if they can borrow a cheese grater, a pair of scissors, 50 cents, use my phone for a local call, a ride to the pharmacy, etc. I belong amongst those who struggle from day to day. This is where God placed me in late 2001, and this is where He uses me. I pray to be content, which I am, more often than not.

Wanting what is NOT God's will for me is futile and would bring despair, were it given by God.

I also found it interesting how the study speaks of the Holy Spirit being part of the armor of God---our defense against anything spiritually harmful. One time, I accompanied a fellow Christian friend to see a movie. Some guy in the movie started talking in a demon voice. I literally got up and left the theater. That stuff scares me so much. I never watch scary movies.

Also----the Holy Spirit gives us the power to forgive. How true---I've asked Him to enable me to forgive a number of people, and He has given me the ability. He is working with me on others, currently.

Lastly, the point made that the Holy Spirit is the only One who can read our mind. I'm glad the enemy can't hear or know what I pray to God for and about.

Just a few notes and observations from------

Your sister in Christ----------

PAMELA

[bigred29]

Hey Pamela. I can see this study helping you. I can see His Spirit working some magic in you. Let Him stay with you. All is possible through Him.

Big

[Show Forth the Praises]

Day 5 --- Renewed in Spirit

RENEW YOUR MIND

I enjoyed this evening's study.

What I found interesting:

Each time God forgives me, my mind is renewed.

To maintain a renewed mind, serve God with your mind.

The human MIND is the SOUL.

Strengthen your MIND (SOUL) with knowledge of the TRUTH.

The MIND (SOUL) controls the body.

I've been a Christian since 1972. I've witnessed verbally to about 12 people in all that time. It should be a much higher number that I've witnessed to. Failure Number One.

The year 2008 was a spiritual disaster for me. It was the year I gradually---then totally---lost interest in going to my local church. I've been attending a local Calvary Chapel for 5 years, and I used to LOVE going to Wednesday night Bible Study. I used to read the Bible almost daily. Now it's a few verses a month.

For some reason, my idea of Christianity has gotten narrower and narrower. To the point now where I think sitting in an uncomfortable straightback chair and reading the Bible for a few minutes is about as exciting and meaningful as it gets.

No wonder I've lost interest! It has become so dull that I have stopped trying.

This dry spiritual wilderness is something I MUST get out of!

Honestly, I don't know how to do the Miracle Grow chart. It looks so COMPLICATED!

So, instead, I will make it a daily checklist, and I won't grade myself because if I get less than an "A" I will get very frustrated and throw it in the trash and forget it.

My motto has always been: EXCEL----OR ELSE.

May God have mercy on me and help me do this. It seems like just what I need at this time in my life.

After I get the hang of the lists, doing the responsibilities will be a part of my days, and I probably won't have to even go according to a list.

Perhaps I'll get out paper and a ruler and try the charts. It can't be that difficult.

Your sister in Christ----------

PAMELA