Trust

Wednesdays are our free nights to go out and have some fun, normally for group dates. Last night about 20 of us went to go see the Eclipse movie. Yes I am a Twilight fan and was extremely excited to go. Natalie and I both really enjoyed the movie. It is nice to have a night off and do things like this. Especially when there are 20 of us scattered around the theater screaming each others names before the previews start. It was a good night. Yesterday I spent a very long time in the Word reading more about the Holy Spirit. I read John 15:26-27, and did some cross referencing. The Holy Spirit is referred to as a counselor. He was sent from the Father to help counsel us and help guide us to the truth, and we are suppose to testify to this truth. This is where faith and trust come into play. I am a newly practicing Christian. This is the first time in my life I have really spent time in the word, made a true effort to build my relationship with Him, and put my full trust in Christ Jesus. So, I am like a child compared to many others here who have been doing this much longer than I have. I want to feel the Holy Spirit all the time, I want to hear Gods call clear in my life, I want it to be extremely real to me. It is, but I need a lot of growth first. It is just like any other relationship we have here on earth. I talked to my room leader Graham about this and I told Him how I know for a fact that this is real and I have seen God work in my life and change my heart, but I don't feel as connected to the Holy Spirit as others or as much as I want to be. This is where he counseled me through the Holy Spirit. He explained to me that I am a new creation in Christ and the longer I spend longing for Him and His help and counsel He will reveal himself to me. He used Natalie as an example. He said when yall first started dating things were new and you guys weren't as close. You both didn't have the same bond and relationship that you do now. It is the same with the Lord. I don't know why I didn't think this, but I needed him to reveal this to me. In time my relationship will grow stronger and stronger in Him. He will develop me and in me and our relationship will grow. In verses 1-2 is says how God is our Gardner, and he knows what is best. He knows what to cut off in order to help me grow. It may hurt, and I will suffer, but it is so that I will grow more fruitful. Verse 4 says that I can't do it alone and I must remain in Him. Once you become a Christian and you start to develop your relationship, like I am, you cannot expect God to use huge flashing neon lights to tell you what to do and influence your daily life, at least not all the time. Verse 5, you must stay in Him and get extremely fruitful because apart you can do nothing. Verse 6, If you don't you will be cast down into the fire, HELL. This isn't threatening or scary for me at all, actually more encouraging. I love how much encouragement is in the scriptures. All of this is for the Fathers Glory. He explains in verse 9 that we must remain in love and obey His commands in order to be more Christ like. This should not be for pain, but for JOY. Verse 16, God chose us, how lucky are we? To be able to bear everlasting fruit. It will not be an easy walk, at all, we will be hated by the world and persecuted. We now have no excuse for our sin, but what we do have is grace, Thank God! This is where the trust comes into play. The chapter before John 15, chapter 14, explains again how the Spirit sent down from the Father is here to have us build this relationship for an eternal relationship. This takes a whole lot of faith. John 14:16-17 says the Holy Spirit is here to counsel us forever, and that the world does not see because they don't believe, we do because he lives with you and is in you. I explained to Graham that I really really trust and believe that the Holy Spirit is in me, but that I don't always feel His presence. In time Daniel, he said. I need to have faith and let the relationship build. John 14:26, The Holy Spirit is here to teach and remind you. He definitely is. I need to be patient and let God do work in me. My faith and trust is stronger than ever, I just needed the encouragement from my brother and Gods word. I am thankful for what God is doing in my life and I have given Him the keys to my life. It will be painful and I will suffer. This is all necessary in order for me to grow stronger in Him and be more fruitful. Keep praying because it is working and God is working in my life.

Serving Him,

Daniel