The Spirit of the living God lifts us. Raises us. Enables us and strengthens us to receive the sacred words from a Father’s throne.
Without the Spirit, our posture remains prostrate, heads buried beneath the weight of an Almighty glory that exceeds our capacity for receiving. Coming into unified fellowship with the presence of God requires the strength and understanding of his Spirit alongside.
Without him, we lie as limp. Without him, we live the same.
God hasn’t called us to limp living—to shuffling our way through this world with nothing more than the cravings of our sinful nature to guide us. No, God has called us to an extraordinary existence with his Spirit as our guide and with his thoughts at the helm.
We will never live God’s “extraordinary” without our first entreating the witness of his Spirit.
Ruwach. The wind and breath of the triune God. He was there in the beginning, hovering and bending over the waters of the dark and deep. Waiting; contemplating, gathering steam and energizing Father God’s thoughts into action.
As New Testament believers, we often chronicle his beginnings with Pentecost. In doing so, we short change the truth of the Trinity. Just because his mention is seemingly less frequent in the Old Testament doesn’t mean that he wasn’t there.
He’s there. He’s always been here. Even as God IS, he IS. There is no separation between God and his Spirit. We receive him fully when we accept his Son, Jesus Christ, unto ourselves.
God is a package deal. Most days, however, we don’t live with that understanding. Instead, we settle for less because our hearts and minds refuse to believe that the God “up there” is actually the God “in here”—within our hearts. We are the place where he chooses to make his home despite our confusion in keeping him abroad.
So often we are like the Israelites who gathered at the River Kebar in their exile with their stubborn unbelief in tow. Like them, we can trace our royal bloodlines; we live with the truth that we are, in fact, the children of God. Still and yet, we refuse the fullness of just exactly what that means. In doing so, we wear the same labels as that of our spiritual ancestors.
Rebellious. Obstinate. Stiff-necked. Difficult. Unyielding. Hardened, and ultimately, exiled.
We miss the mark when we miss the fullness of the triune God. Before long, we, too, find ourselves stranded at the river’s edge wondering as to what went wrong and how many steps it will take for us to return to the Promised Land of our yesterdays.
This week, I’ve stood at the River Kebar, looking into the distance and searching for the presence of my Almighty God. I’ve longed for the breath of his Spirit to blow across my arid soul and to speak life into my “limp and lame.” And just this morning, when I finally bowed low enough and long enough, I felt the flutter of a gentle breeze blow across my heart.
Faint at first but louder with every moment that I kept my silence and allowed God his voice. As he spoke, his Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, enabling me to hear some truth I’ve been hoping to hear for a long season.
He reminded me that his Spirit is for me. He’s for you too. Without him, we live as limp. friends. With him, we live extraordinary. Why? Because God’s Spirit gives and lives with all the generosity of heaven. He…
Controls us (Romans 8:6).
Enlivens us (Job 33:4, John 6:63, Romans 8:6).
Teaches us (Nehemiah 9:30, Isaiah 50:4, John 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:13).
Reminds us (John 14:26).
Bears fruit through us (Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 2:4).
Intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27).
Transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:17-19).
Completes us (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Frees us (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Raises us (Ezekiel 2:1-2, 3:24).
Corrects us (Nehemiah 9:30).
Follows us (Psalm 139:7).
Remains on us (Isaiah 44:3, 61:1, Luke 1:35, 4:18).
Leads us (Matthew 4:1).
Counsels us (John 14:26).
Strengthens us (Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 2:4).
Fills us (Acts 4:31, 9:17, Ephesians 5:13).
Reveals to us (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Resides in us (1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 1 John 3:24).
Defends us (Ephesians 6:17).
Speaks for us (1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21).
Identifies us (Romans 8:15-16, 2 Corinthians 3:3, 5:5).
Indeed, the Spirit of God raises us up to live at a higher level than what is customary and expected. When allowed—when anticipated and expected—he transforms our everyday lives into his everlasting purpose that exceeds an existence at the river’s edge to engage the roar and pulse of a river’s ride.
That’s where I want to live with God. Riding the river’s wild in sacred trust rather than limping along the river’s edge in temporal doubt. Perhaps, this day, you want to live the same.
If so, I encourage you to further investigate the role of the Holy Spirit in your life by a deeper examination of the list above. Receive the truth and witness of what you’ve been given through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Walk in that truth, knowing that even as he hovered over his waters in the beginning, he hovers over your heart just now…
waiting; contemplating, gathering steam and energizing Father God’s thoughts into action.
May you feel the breath of God’s good Spirit beneath your feet today. Rise and partake of his extraordinary presence. As always,
PS: The winners DJ Cole’s CD, Your Grace, are Lisa from Sharing Life with Lisa (#9) and Heidi (#22). Congratulations ladies. Please send me your addresses once again.
"No, God has called us to an extraordinary existence with his Spirit as our guide and with his thoughts at the helm."
The Lord and I have been on this topic of an "extraordinary existence" for months now.
That scene from Prince Caspian is one I watch often. Powerful. Such power in the River.
It is the cry of my whole being to "ride the river's wild" – no more tapping the toes in the water to test what lies ahead. I want a full on drenching where each breath that is gulped can only be from lips of God.
Shalom,
Denise
Rev. 22:1-2
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city."
"eternally flowing" 🙂
I have been reading about the Israelits in exile lately, disappointed by their constant complaining and stubborn disbelief. I know I do NOT want to be like them!
Yes. I want to understand Him fully and live fully!
I have loved this post!! There is a Michael W Smith song out and some of the lyrics are:
"the river is rising flowing out me
and I'm coming alive, I'm coming alive
I'm gonna dance and sing and move my feet,
cause the river is rising, flowing out of me
Got to let the world know take it to the streets
Got to dance and sing and add a shout of praise!"
Your post today had me singing that song to myself!! Let the Spirit flow~~~
O Elaine, once again you have awakened my senses, drawn me into a deeper awareness of HIS presence and with that comes a deeper appreciation.
This is a beautiful and powerful message. I'm taking some time off line but am going to spend time meditating on this message again as I spend time alone with the LORD out under the sun with the Son. Aww refreshing.
I so appreciate the openness of your heart in sharing. I love you.
Lisa
*I appreciate your heart of generosity in your giveaways. I thank GOD that I was one selected this time to receive the blessing. I'm sure the CD is awesome! I'll email you…
May GOD continously pour back into you as He has used you to pour into us.
Elaine, I'm so glad the Spirit has refreshed you! God is so good to us, isn't He?!
Thank you so much, Elaine. I read that aloud a couple of times and when my house settles down for the night, I look forward to looking up the scriptures. Thanks for speaking wonderful words to my heart.
Melanie
Wow. This one packs a whallop, and an anointed whallop at that!
It is a precious reminder that we find when we seek, we receive when we ask. Oh may we linger long beneath His gaze; and may we relish that rushing wind to the fullest!
Be blessed,
Kathleen
Beautiful! Your wise words bring such focus and reality.
Many times we live at the edge of the river, fearing to take that step of faith that will plunge us deep into God's rushing waters.
I can't be satisfied with living at the edge or wading in the water. I want all God has for me. But it takes courage and the willingness to leave the safety of land.
Lovely post, dear friend.
Have a wonderful weekend!
With His Love,
Andrea
No limp living wanted here! OOhh!! I want to ride the rapids with the Holy Spirit pulling me right along aside! Elaine, honey girl, when I think your posts just can't get any better-cause they are just stirring my soul big time–they do! God is so working in you my sweet friend! Spend that precious time with Him. I'm off to bed to read with Him now.
Hope Nick gets in safely. Y'all are in my prayers.
Love ya,
Susan
…"That’s where I want to live with God. Riding the river’s wild in sacred trust rather than limping along the river’s edge in temporal doubt. Perhaps, this day, you want to live the same…"
me too, Elaine..thank you from a very tenderized heart..
Sita
thank you, thank you for this post. I must print this one out and keep it in my Bible. I can't wait to get into my Bible with these verses and let them sink into my soul.
The first thing that came to mind after reading your post was the old hymn that I grew up singing in church Breathe On Me, Holy Spirit Breathe on Me.
Immediately your words took me to those words. Just going through the motions and living limp is not how I want to live my life!
Thank you for putting it so beautifully yet so plain and to the point.
Living limp packs a punch and pauses me to think what have done this week to really be alive in the Lord! As always your posts inspire me!
Oh, I feel the breath of His Spirit even now as I read these words, dear Elaine!! His "extraordinary presence" is compelling me to dive deeper into the raging river that flows from His throne! No, we are not called to "limp living"!!
It's time for me to get drenched!
Oh girl, I am so with you on this one!!! This morning I feasted on Romans 8:6. He is life.
I personally would love to see you do a series on the H.S. and practically how we can walk and be filled with Him. Just a thought…
And finally, I won?! Way cool! I can't wait to hear the whole CD! I'll email you!
Oh, and one more thought…supernatural enabling comes only through the H.S., be it loving our spouses or sharing the gospel. So many of us are living on crumbs and not in the fullness of the Spirit. We need more!!! This post only got me going!
"Without him, we lie as limp. Without him, we live the same."
"That’s where I want to live with God. Riding the river’s wild in sacred trust rather than limping along the river’s edge in temporal doubt. Perhaps, this day, you want to live the same."
Yes, my friend, I do.
Hugs,
Joy
PS. It was a year ago today I was "riding the river's wild in sacred trust", stepped out in faith and got on that plane that landed me by your side. Never will forget and am forever thankful. Special hugs to you today!
This IS the day I want to live that way! Thanks Elaine for such an awesome post! I am printing it off right now and I am going to study all of the different verses you listed. When I see all of the things that God's spirit "is" for us, it just humbles me and wants to have even more of the same. I am at times afraid of "riding those rapids" because of the amount of trust it requires, but oh how I want it!!!
Enjoy your day and I hope Nick is home safely and had an amazing journey!!
Much love!!
Thank You Father God for using Elaine to speak to us. I receive Your word Father God. In Jesus' name, amen.
My heart SO resonates with yours, sister. I am with you. The Lord inspired a poem awhile back called "A River Runs Through Me," and sometimes I pull it up to remind me. http://lovinthearts.blogspot.com/search?q=river+runs+through+it
Once again, you have fed my thirsty spirit, friend.
Oh, good stuff, friend! You know I've been living the limp and lame of late and it's the extraordinary I crave. Truly, it's God's extraordinary for which we were born, if we'll be surrender to it.
Thanks for this,
Melinda
I want that extraordinary existence. The Spirit's wisdom, instruction, and comfort.
But lately, I feel so ordinary. So out of touch with Him. Find it hard to focus when I read His word.
I keep telling Him that I'm listening.
Today, I heard Him whisper my name.
Hey Mrs. Elaine!:)
I'm glad I got to talk to you and that you all are coming into town this coming week:):) I am going to cut and paste these references on the Holy Spirit so that I can read the passages of scripture. Thanks for sharing! Talk to you soon:)
katiegfromtennessee
Thank you, Elaine. That is a great list to spend many devotions on. Your writing about the Spirit reminds me of a song "Hover O'er Me, Holy Spirit." (Kim Hill sings a version if it). My favorite verse is:
Thou canst fill me, gracious Spirit,
Though I cannot tell Thee how;
But I need Thee, greatly need Thee,
Come, O come and fill me now
…It truly is a sweet filling.
Beautiful, Elaine. Your words challenge me, comfort me, and encourage me to be the best I can be through Jesus.
Love you,
Beth
Oh my firend, I wish you could read my prayer journal for today, even for this last week…you are always right there with my heart. I so look forward to exploring these scriptures on the Holy Spirit more.
Thanks for stopping by. I understand the infrequency…I haven't been there!! The course I am teaching has kept me very busy at the college. Our community Bible study has taken me away too. However, I hope to catch up in July…maybe. July and august are break time from both. I know I will definitely be catching up here. I'll e-mail you the rest soon.
Love you friend!
In His Graces~Pamela
I plan to look up some of this scripture. Thank you for sharing again something much needed.
Beautiful, Elaine!
I've been waiting for this post Elaine. I knew God was working in your heart and I'm so glad He moved in such a powerful way. My readers will be visiting you this week! Thanks Elaine.
Yes "God has called us to an extraordinary existence with His Spirit as our guide and His thoughts as our helm" What a wonderful dance it is too when we relax and let Him lead.
God has not called us to a tame, easy float on the river…or to view from the shoreline. He wants us all in.
But, it doesn't work without the Spirit's power in our lives, giving us purpose, buffeting the waves and leading the way.
"Ask and you will receive."
My neighbor's son and daughter-in-law will be going to China on a "non-mission" trip (wink), and she shared with me over the fence how peaceful she feels about it all. People keep asking her if she is afraid for them and she is not because she has the right perspective.
It so reminds me of where I am with fears for my own children, which admittedly drown me on certain days. How can I fear if I know God has a plan? How can I wish less for them because that might put them in "safer" territory?
How could they be safer than in God's hands? Why can't I let them go and know they are there?
This is a beautiful and profound post, thank you.
So many times I've wanted to experience the river God, but have not wanted to get in and get my feet wet. I needed this post today.
Oh Elaine, I'm so glad I came back to visit. Life has been busy lately and I haven't visited all of the blogs I love to follow.
This was so good. I love how you wrote "God is a package deal." Yes, I want to have the fullness of His Spirit and to live in Him. Too often I tend to give in to my flesh instead of yielding to the HS. You have a gift for words and explaining things Elaine. I've missed you, my friend.
This is an awesome post! I long for more of His Spirit's work in my life!
Thank you for this!