Copyright 2011 Theresa Harvard Johnson
My pastor has been preaching on the Book of Malachi for the past month and a half. I have been so convicted by the Word and challenged to go as deep as possible in my relationship with the Lord. Today after I arrived home from church, Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) said this to me: Am I really in you?
Father began to remind me of how important it is that WE NEVER take the presence of Holy Spirit in us for granted. I began looking at myself and I realized that I was getting a little to comfortable with my salvation and my walk with the Lord. People of God, this IS NOT good. A holy fear came over me as I considered this. You see, it is easy to assume that “we are on our way to Heaven” and not even realize that we JUST MIGHT BE doing a whole lot of work but neglecting the relationship that must come with that work.
In that message he preached, that is what is REALLY walked away with.
I said to Father, “PLEASE, don’t let this happen to me. I want to stay in relationship with you… never assuming that my WORK equals relationship.” John 16:7-8 came into my spirit STRAIGHT AWAY.
It says, “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].
And when He comes, He will convict and convince the world and bring demonstration to it about sin and about righteousness (uprightness of heart and right standing with God) and about judgment…”
You see, HOLY SPIRIT is on the INSIDE OF EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER — those who have been born of water and of spirit. In that washing, that rebirth, we receive that passion and that push to live our lives INSIDE THE MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST. I literally saw myself seeking to go deeper into the womb of Heaven as Father spoke this to me. All I could think of was HOW DESPERATE I AM to be in His will… and to be used for His Glory. I do not say this arrogantly, but with earnest desire…
I want this for everyone I come in contact with as well. Oh how phenomenal it would be for everyone in our lives to pursue our God with this kind of passion! There is so much suffering in the world and I tell you, our Messiah is the ONLY ANSWER to that suffering…
Father said to me, “If HOLY SPIRIT IS IN YOU… then where ever you go for MY NAME’S SAKE, you will bring HIS PRECIOUS SPIRIT WITH YOU… which is that earnest desire to see men convicted of sin. You will walk in a desire that is STRONG AND DESPERATE to see the world convinced that OUR LORD LIVES. YOU WILL have a burning desire on the inside of you… for righteousness... and to see the judgment of the Lord prevail against SIN.”
I had this knowing in my spirit that the greatest desire I would have for my own soul was to BE SURE that I was constantly seeking to walk IN THIS PLACE myself. Father made it very clear to me that I, THERESA, had not arrived! Oh, how sweet His love is for us…. Oh, how convicting is HIS SPIRIT!
People of God… Father is releasing a convicting question to us in this hour. We know that our HOLY SPIRIT is a comforter, counselor, convictor, etc. BUT DID YOU KNOW… that HE IS WAITING ON CLOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU! He wants to take up that place in your conscious…. and come in union with your new man, fully ARMING US for the work of the ministry.
Today, Father reminded me of HOW EASY IT IS… to do all things in Father’s name, and not even have an active relationship with the very helper sent to teach, guide and direct us in walking out the very ministry placed in our hand. I cannot pinpoint the moment when my pursuit for relationship with God began, but I do know — in pondering this question in my heart – that I desire relationship above works. Why? Because when relationship exists… the work of the ministry, from Father’s perspective, will blow through your life without any forced effort.
I am challenged in my spirit to ask you this: How many people have been CONVICTED OF SIN by the life you live in unison with Holy Spirit? How many people have been convinced of His righteousness through your daily walk? How many are CONVINCED of the reality of judgment when sin is present? How many people have you come in contact with that would say without a doubt that YOUR LIFE AND MINISTRY demonstrates… and convinces people that JESUS CHRIST is indeed alive?
The question posed isn’t about NUMBERS. You’re not really being asked “how many people” …. but it is to cause us to consider our motives, our walk.
OH LORD, just thinking about this draws my spirit into intercession. So many are off focus and don’t even know it. People of God, I pray that this short message blesses your soul today… and causes you to PULL ON THE POWER OF HOLY SPIRIT who is STIRRING and STIRRING on the inside of you …. waiting to be released.
You see, if HE IS IN YOU… and you have TRULY BEEN born again… and these things are not happening through your life then YOU are suppressing or oppressing Holy Spirit. Let go of your will… and let HIM HAVE HIS WAY.
This is what I was led to pray over myself today. I pray that it blesses you and touches your heart as well.
Holy Spirit… I thank you. Have your way in ME today… so that Father may be GLORIFIED. I know that this means further gutting and further rending of my will and my heart, but what lies on the other side of that is WORTH EVERY TEAR. I WANT to walk fully in my purpose and destiny in the earth in this hour… and I’m not afraid to take that stand AS LONG AS YOU are with me. Father promises NEVER to leave me or forsake me. I fully accept your plan for my life…{jcomments on}
