Just imagine. . .
Imagine that Jesus comes to you and he holds out a gift. He tells you that this gift will offer wisdom beyond your own insight. It will take you into deep waters of faith when it feels like yours is stuck in the shallow end. This gift will show you what to say and when to take a step, and will put a big “STOP” sign in your soul when necessary.
This gift will empower you to do what you cannot do on your own.
Then. . . imagine that someone took that gift out of Jesus’ hands. They wrapped it in rolls of duct tape. But first, the original gift was placed in a layer of boxes. You open one, only to find another. Finally, when you pull the gift out there’s a tag on it. In fact, several.
One says, “This isn’t for you.”
Another says, “This gift isn’t relevant anymore.”
Another says, “This gift isn’t as important as others Jesus gave.”
There you stand, holding a gift that Jesus said was for you.
What is real? Why is this so complicated? Did Jesus really mean it?
In today’s conversation with Christina Patterson on her podcast, Beloved Women, Christina and I talk about that gift of the Holy Spirit. We strip off all the duct tape, all the layers, all the labels, and take a second look at the simple promise Jesus made.
If you can’t see this, watch on YouTube
We were never intended to live our faith in our own strength.
In this conversation, we discover that the Holy Spirit:
- Has a distinctive role in our faith
- Will help us discern the difference between truth and a lie
- Gives us boldness that breaks down barriers
- Offers faith that is bigger than what we have in the natural
- Comforts us when we don’t know where to turn
- Empowers us to do what Jesus calls us to do
- Fights for us — to us
- Helps us change the world together
[bctt tweet=”Jesus gave us a gift, but do we say yes to it? When you want to understand (and live) in the power of the Holy Spirit. #SpiritLedHeart https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4GB” username=”suzanneeller”]
Let’s acknowledge this beautiful gift in our faith-view, and discover this beautiful gift for ourselves.
Suzie
Related Resource
The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a Life of Love and Faith Without Borders
I am on my SECOND read-through of The Spirit-Led Heart by Suzanne Eller and I’m seeing things I didn’t see the first time. Stephanie Adams, Real Women Ministries
What an incredible read! I’ve purchased 12 more copies to give to friends and co-workers. Suzie will bring you to a space that becomes very personal in understanding the power of the Holy Spirit, which then has the potential to bring you to a place of Holy Confidence…making us dangerous for the kingdom! Becky Shaffer, Saving Grace Ministries
dear suzie.. thank you for this wonderful message… as I ‘started’ to read about the ‘gift ‘ I thought it was going to be about speaking in tongues… which is ‘the’ gift that I recently have been ‘using’.. it’s never been natural for me..and still “it’ seems a bit weird but I kept getting messages about speaking in tongues… so I know it’s of the Holy Spirit.. and so
I’ve found that i can’t talk in tongues (yet) but I can chant.and sing in tongues very effortless… and for me..it’s been a deal breaker’….. even for the insomnia …. I just ‘in my mind’
start to sing or chant in the unknown prayer language…and I”m off to dreamland..
.. I used to be so t’s ‘not for me’ attitude re: tongues.. but when I’ve tried everything else.. and left with yet one more thing that I ”’refused to give credence ‘ to.. I ‘had to give it a try…and now after only a few weeks.. I find.. I’m humming or singing under my breathe in the prayer language.. truth be told. in most things..I don’t even really know ‘how or what to pray for……………so the Holy Spirit takes over… praying in tongues.. (singing or chanting) takes me out of the ‘realm of my mind and thinking ).. it takes me to a new,,higher .. different level…………………
thanks for sharing your strength in walking in the Spirit.
blessings.. Joy H
Acts 4:13 has been my verse too. Background formative years, unsettled, as you said once Jesus took ahold of me, opened my heart to become pure for his spirit to live in…the rest is living out this gift.
The simplicity, eloquence of your sweet dialogue w/Christina…was a Sunday treat for this weary heart, a bit of shattered dream moment and yet reminded today that his sovereign plan, ways are what is best.
I don’t face book or Twitter or Instagram…but I loved the analogy that you used re: your six grandkids who could run for the gifts but hold onto, instead press the doorbell to run and embrace the gift giver.
Grandma of 1 and 2 on the way and all out of state, my prayer, dream is its in the Fathers will for us to move towards them, then we are all in, meanwhile I bow and kneel and wait for his best. Refreshed.
I really enjoyed this podcast conversation. This is perfect timing, as The Lord goes before me:). He puts people (even via blogs and podcasts) to guide me in the right direction. God is good all the time!
Blessings to both Suzanne and Christina
I listened to the podcast in tears yesterday, and wanted to comment while the words were fresh on my tongue, but lost connection. I have learned the truth that “We were never intended to live our faith in our own strength” in a major way over the past several months. I think I tried to do it alone, but not intentionally, you know? I have isolated myself in a manner which had never been anywhere within my character. I don’t know where it came from, how it got there, why I allowed it… I just do not know. I know that I don’t like it, but struggle to find my way out of the cloud. Not only have I isolated myself, but also the gift that lies underneath all of the duct tape with His note saying, “This one is yours babe… time to receive it… time to do something with it.” I’ve tried for so long to make the other packages my gift, ignoring the note screaming “THIS ONE IS NOT FOR YOU!”, but sometimes it’s easier to ignore what we know He really wants us to do for Him. Or is it just me?!
Thank you for this post, for the podcast. Beautiful, inspiring, encouraging, humbling. All of it.
The truth is we cannot resist the devil or do anything in our own strength, we need the gift of the Spirit, He is the power, love and sound mind that rrplaces worry and fear and everything else. Tongues is also a gift I didn’t understand and was afraid of, but it is a gift for believers to use as as often as necessary.
I have been sick for the last week and not able to really concentrate on anything so this morning I was finally able to sit outside, undistracted, and listen to this amazing podcast. I know God has a call on my life, yet I sit afraid to even open the gift he has for me. The lies of the enemy have been pretty loud lately as I get more determined to open the gift he has for me. That gift? All the tools he has waiting for me to equip me in my calling. If I don’t try, I can’t fail-right? Wrong!! Not tying only prevents God from using me and my message for his glory. Not only am I missing out but the women that might relate to my past and see hope in my transformation are missing out. I am robbing them of truth that can possibly set them free. Thank you for these words of wisdom that are gently pushing me forward!
Dear Nancy.. your story struck a chord in my heart that’s been ‘silent’.. and all because I’ve chosen to believe and to play the old-age-card.. seems to me the younger folks lean to new-and improved ways to ‘live the Christian life…and yet… who better to share how ‘we’ve stayed married for 59 years… we’ve lived thru life seasons- that would benefit our younger generation… … on this past Father’s Day I invited our married children (2 boys) and their families (3 grandsons).. to share in a ‘roast & toast of their father/grandfather & my husband. My plan was to share his life with them……….b/c soon we’ll be gone… and ‘what do our kids or grandkids or great-grand-kids (now we’ve got one of those..PTL)
and in that sharing how their lives & ours have been blessed by this ‘man’ who was faithful to his family…he worked hard.. he gave what he could .but was in no way perfect.. but
the most important thing is.. was..and was also like my dad and mostly our older generations.. it was THEY STAYED… how many families have married parents.. let alone one set of parents instead of.. 2 step moms.. &’who’s you’re daddy?”
Sad to say……….not all of them showed up.. not to mention this was the ‘third try’ .. that saddens me.. that some of them..never even came to my parent funerals…
so………………Nancy I thank you for your message especially the part of ‘those who are missing out.. if we don’t share our past good & bad.. and see the transformation that only CHRIST can perform………………….. \doesn’t it say somewhere in Titus… ‘older women teaching younger women”??
As a 78 older women and a Christian since I was 33… I am saddened and sometimes angered that the divorce rate of Christian is no different than the world.and that can be said
of other problems as well.. ”’drugs… pron…abuse of many kinds..etc..
IF we — who have the HOLY SPIRIT dwelling within us….why are we not different???…………………why do we continue to seek the world ..live as this culture.. listen to the courts tell us.. what is and what
isn’t a marriage…who can live and who’s not necessary…
I say this (probably) at almost every church meeting or Bible study .when appropriate … ”” the Holy Spirit isn’t taught enough ……………..and that’s why Suzy’s book is so great.
.. blessings. Joyce