Scripture

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

~John 20:21-22, LSB

Quote

Nothing God calls us to do, can be done efficiently, without the Holy Spirit.

~Calvin Miller

I think I am more conscience now of my need for the filling of the Spirit than at any time in my life. He is my illumination is study and my preacher in the pulpit. I enjoy when He preaches. I can be edified if He is the preacher rather than myself. The OT word for Spirit is ruach {wind} and the NT word is pneuma {breath}. These two metaphors are always connected to the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. Notice Jesus breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God.  Acts two records, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Fire is another common metaphor that describes the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus also used the wind as an illustration when He talked to Nicodemus in John three.

There are so many similarities between the wind, breath and the Spirit. Like the Holy Spirit, both wind and breath are very real yet invisible. Our spiritual birth is metaphysical. You can’t see it but like the wind, it does produce effects. I have never seen wind but I have felt it hit my face and I have seen tree tops dancing under its influence. No one has ever seen wind but it is real. The next times someone tells you they do not believe in what they cannot see, take them to the most recent tornado strike and let them see the power of the invisible. Never trust the flesh to do a spiritual job. If you want to accomplish great things for God, crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit.

Extra

It is good to see daylight of a new day. I do wish we were getting rain but none is forecast in October. Wow, this month and this year have flown by at incredible speed. I want to thank all my prayer partners. I would call yesterday a big success but we did share the gospel and we are tickled to be home. If I understood correctly, Teddy, Deidra and Eddie are flying out today for Guatemala. Please pray for traveling mercies.

I saw the biggest cotton field I’ve ever seen yesterday. It is north of Rogersville on highway 207. It is white unto harvest. I don’t know how many acres but it goes for a mile along the highway. I would love to see the pickers in that field but it is too far and I am getting like June, I don’t like crossing the Dam. David told me last night that the red iron would start tomorrow or Wednesday. They are delivering the equipment today. We should see something by Wednesday night; Sunday at the latest.

I hope you have a great day and a blessed week. Pray that we will be at the right place, at the right time and speak the right words.