Over the last few days Mark and I have been in the extraordinary situation of waiting on two different daughters for phone calls from two very different hospital situations.
One to give us news of our son in law who has contracted corona virus and was needing oxygen to help his breathing , and the other to give us the news that our new granddaughter had been born and had taking her first breath. Life is in the breath.
I believe the Lord is saying that through this virus the enemy has wanted to take away the breath not just from individuals but from society itself and also from us in the church. John 10 vs 10 The wonderful Holy Spirit has other plans however. He is wanting to use this situation to breathe fresh life into His people and into the church.
Our buildings, the public face of the church, may be closed, but behind our closed doors and in our isolation the Holy Spirit is brooding, hovering (vibrating) over His people waiting to breathe new life into each one of us as He did at creation. (Genesis 1 vs 2: God’s Spirit brooded or gently vibrated over the face of the waters. Genesis 2 vs 7 and God breathed life into Adam)
I believe the Lord is saying that as we receive Him In this day, when we are all being challenged in so many different ways, the Holy Spirit is coming with fresh power to be our comforter, our strengthener, our counselor, our helper, our advocate, our intercessor and our indwelling helper, He is wanting to shepherd us through this time in a way we have rarely experienced before and the Holy Spirit, as He breathes His life into us is going to make us a people who carry, manifest and release His presence into every situation in which we find ourselves.
He saying that the church, His body, are going to come out of this time in a new place of power and authority as we learn to receive the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, in a new way, not just in our church services but in all the different situations in which we find ourselves.
This in itself is not a new phenomena, over the centuries, many generations of Christians have sung inviting the Holy Spirit to come -like the wind-upon His people.
This one was written in at the turn of the 20th century over 100 years ago.
O breath of God come sweeping through us, Revive thy church with life and power.
O breath of Life come, cleanse, renew us, And fit thy church to meet this hour.
More recently we have had the beautiful Vineyard song.
This is the air I breathe, your Holy presence, living in me
The Lord is wanting all His people to receive the Holy Spirit afresh at this time. We do that in the same way we receive any gift and the same way we received Jesus by faith John 1 vs 12
1) We believe it is for us – we don’t do it ‘the English way’… – no really? Are you sure? I don’t deserve this?
2) We don’t need to beg or plead see Luke 11 vs 13 our Heavenly father gives willingly when we ask.
3) We expect and receive as we thank Him for His wonderful gift.
4) Enjoy! 🙂
