The Holy Spirit's Team

 by Macy Johnson

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things

and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

(John 14:26 NIV)

 

The Holy Spirit is a person, an awesome gift of God Himself to me. A recent study of the book by Francis Chan, Forgotten God, reminded me that I often do not treat the Holy Spirit as a person, but as an object. Jesus is God in human form, while the Holy Spirit is God in spirit form. He, like Jesus, emanates from the Father. Understanding the mystery of the Trinity includes understanding the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Divide and Multiply

by Macy Johnson

“Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized,

and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”

(Acts 2:41 NIV)

 

There was a big elephant in the room, and no one wanted to talk about it. The Methodist church had divided and gone separate ways, or so it seemed. More than half of the local congregation became Global Methodists while the remainder stayed with the United Methodist Church.

God's Rainbow

 by Macy Johnson

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds,

and it will be the sign of the covenant

between me and the earth.”

(Genesis 9:13 NIV)

 

I was a local church’s pianist for eleven years, with a three year sabbatical in the middle. Near the end of my tenure I felt the Holy Spirit shift in my heart. I sensed a call to move on and allow God to do something new in the church and in me. Although anxious and afraid of slipping out of the center of His will, I was safely guided through the fog.

Acorns

 by Macy Johnson

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations.”

(Isaiah 61:11 NIV)

 

We had a bumper crop of acorns this year. As my husband, Jeff, and I sat on our porch and looked out over the beds of plants and flowers hugging massive trees, we noticed tiny oaks peeking out above the pine straw and mulch. The tiny saplings had sequestered the beds and provided an unwelcome blanket of ground cover.

Pumping Spiritual Iron

 by Macy Johnson

“We also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance.”

(Romans 5:3 NIV)

 

In Jonathan Cahn’s The Book of Mysteries he provides insight into “The Resistance Secret.” He writes, “When you exercise the qualities of God against resistance, it causes you to grow stronger.”

GOAL

 by Macy Johnson

“This is what the Lord says to me:

‘Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.’”

(Isaiah 21:6 NIV)

 

GOAL is an acronym for Get Out And Look! This expression is used to remind drivers to get out of their truck and look before backing up. My husband, Jeff, and I have a list of procedures to help set up and take down our camper. On the set up list is written: “Pull trailer to site – GOAL – Get Out And Look! Take your time!”

Close Enemies

 by Macy Johnson

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.

Therefore be as shrewd as snakes

and as innocent as doves.”

(Matthew 10:16 NIV)

 

My husband and I watched an episode of Designated Survivor on Netflix. Enemies of the new President of the United States were coming out of the woodwork like roaches. I was surprised when the reluctant leader of the free world selected a new Chief of Staff. He chose the ringleader of politicians who made his life miserable! My thought was, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Then I realized the newly-appointed President probably made a very wise choice.