He knows the way that I take

Job 23: 10 - But he knows the way that I take. 

Have you ever felt like a stranger? I remember my first impression of Honduras. I arrived in the country late in the day and by the time I was in the Missionary's vehicle it was completely dark. The streets seemed so narrow and I had the feeling of landing on a foreign planet. Though he was probably driving normally, I felt like the missionary was flying and I didn't know how we could avoid an accident before getting where we were going. It was exhilarating because I was living my dream of spending a year abroad but terrifying because I felt so lost. The idea of being in a place where I didn't know anyone and didn't know my way around was overwhelming at first. I didn't know it at the time, but I was feeling the first waves of culture shock.

As Christians we can feel the same way at times about life itself. The world we live in is such a big place and people do not always share our values for the things of God. We can feel like we are navigating the streets of life in the dark, without knowing how to get where we need to go. That first night in Honduras I was totally dependent on the missionary and I was glad that I could trust him to take me where I needed to go. In the same way, we can trust God to take us where we need to go in this life. We may not always know the way, but the good news is we don't have to. God always knows what we need and he always knows how to get us there.

Lord, I thank you today that though I don't always know my way through this life you are always with me and always provide what I need. Even as David prayed in Psalm 23, you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. I trust you today to keep me safe and provide for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Clean Heart

Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in me.

Since I was a small child Psalm 51 has  been on my favorite portions of the scripture. It is a psalm of repentance and of turning from self. The psalmist pleads for God's forgiveness and mercy.  Some say that it was written by David after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. In some ways it is a psalm of grief for things that can not be undone.

I pray verse 10 of Psalm 51 often but not necessarily because I have sinned some great sin. I recognize that are so many reasons that I need my heart cleansed. I find myself distracted from the pursuit of God's Spirit by a love for material things. It is in my human nature to become greedy and dissatisfied with life. I can become proud and short-tempered. A host of other sins await to pounce upon me when I least expect it. Yes, I need God to continually cleanse my heart so that my motives are pure before him.

The next part says, "renew a right spirit in me." This is a right attitude. I often find that, if I search carefully, there are traces of a wrong attitude in me. Perhaps I feel that someone has slighted me when that really wasn't their intention. I feel that what I am asked to do at work is not fair. Maybe my boss is too demanding or my co-workers do not respect me. (Note: I have a great boss and great co-workers at both my secular and ministerial jobs.) If I search my heart I will find that the problem truly lies with me. Perhaps I have not prayed enough so my flesh is showing rather than my God's Spirit. Yes, my attitude and my spirit need continual renewing.

All of us are on a path toward perfection but none of us has arrived yet. We need the daily presence of the Holy Spirit to work in us and keep our spirits humble. We need the wisdom of the Scriptures to guide the way and we need fellowship with people who will encourage us to do the right thing. I can identify with David in his prayer for a clean heart and a renewed spirit; can't you?

Prayer: Lord, help me today to have a right spirit and attitude. Forgive me for the times when I have had a wrong attitude to my fellow man and help me to show your love to everyone I meet today. Amen!  

Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit

Have you ever wondered about the difference between Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit?  I was raised in the Pentecostal church and we have most often used Holy Ghost. By contrast, many other denominations use the term Holy Spirit. Is there a difference? Not really.

At the time of the King James Bible both Ghost and Spirit were used interchangeably. The Greek word in the New Testament is Pneuma. There are two English words that that can translate the one Greek word: Ghost and Spirit. Ghost is from English, which is a Germanic language. Compare the German Geist and the Dutch geest. Spirit comes to us from Latin spiritus via French esprit which both mean the same as Ghost. So Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are two ways of talking about the presence of God.

The important thing to understand is not the term involved but who the Holy Spirit is. He is not a thing. He is the presence of the creator in action and especially as he involves himself with man. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of Genesis One. The Spirit of God talked with Abraham and moved on the prophets. The Spirit of God hovered over the Tabernacle of Moses, etc. In the New Testament the Spirit of God lives within the hearts of those who have been born again. According to Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19 those who were filled with the Holy Spirit spoke in tongues as the Spirit spoke through them.

The Spirit of God living in the heart of a believer gives guidance, wisdom, understanding, and direction. He is a comforter is times of loss and courage in times of fear. He will be whatever we need him to be because He is God.

A friend of mine taught me to pray, "Holy Ghost, show me such and such when I am in a place of decision." In addition to big prayers, I have said "Holy Ghost show me where my keys are", etc and it has worked. This is not to minimize the Holy Ghost to trivial things but I believe God cares about everything that bothers me. If you need strength, direction, wisdom, or anything else you can pray for the Holy Spirit to be the light and He will light the way.

Prayer for the guidance of God's Spirit:

Lord, I pray that you would let your Holy Spirit guide and give me wisdom today. Give me strength over temptation and to accomplish the tasks I must do throughout this day. Help me to be sensitive to your voice and be obedient to you. Let your Spirit illuminate your word that I may understand it. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!