CJ Penn's Online Writing Hangout

The reason I write: To promote Christian truth and help Jesus get His Christianity back.

Tag Archives: Holy Spirit


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Do You Long to FEEL the Holy Spirit in Your Life?

I believe what many Christians hunger for is an undeniable sense of the reality of the Holy Spirit in their lives. You believe, but you may not feel… the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I really want to FEEL His presence in my life.

Look, life is hard and sometimes painful for all of us. We can’t handle it alone. Other people can only partially help us, as they have their own problems to deal with. So we look to the Spirit of Jesus, for somewhere deep inside we know that He is our only hope.

Do you feel this longing too? Even if you don’t consider yourself fully Christian (whatever that means), does your gut tell you that your true hope in dealing with this messed up world lies in some kind of relationship with God? Maybe you can’t name what you’re longing for, but you know something is missing, and you’re hungry to fill the void.

Could it be that the hunger you feel is coming from the Spirit of Jesus Himself? He may be within you now, living deep inside where your soul lives, feeding your hunger for life with Him. Do you feel it? That’s the presence of the Holy Spirit within you.


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Beyond Church

Church is a great place to learn about God and Jesus, strengthen your faith, and establish long lasting relationships with new friends. But when it comes to your most important relationship, church can sometimes be a distraction. You’re relationship with Jesus is not established and strengthened in the midst of a crowd. You will find and feel your relationship with Jesus in your quiet time with Him.

In His instructions for how we should pray, Jesus said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matthew 6:6) That’s where we will find Jesus, in the quiet and solitude of our own private place.

Do you hunger for a stronger relationship with Jesus? Then look beyond church. Look to the quiet and solitude within your heart, for that is where the Spirit of Jesus lives.


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Imagine… Jesus at Your Side

Imagine what your life would be like with Jesus at your side. He’s there by your bed when you get up in the morning. He offers His hand and helps you out of bed – if you’re like me, you’re grateful for the help. He’s softly talking to you as you make your coffee, eat your breakfast, and brush your teeth.

He’s sitting next to you in the car as you drive to work. And He mentions His sorrow over the person who just cut you off, because He knows of all the grief that person is suffering. Though your can see Jesus sitting next to you, others cannot. So sorry, you cannot drive in the carpool lane.

Jesus is with you at work, never leaving your side. You chat about whatever comes to mind. He answers your questions and He gives you advice. And He warns you when your thinking starts to head in the wrong direction. And when your mind does go to the dark side, and you get in an argument with a co-worker, imagine Jesus there to help you let go of those dark thoughts. He comforts you, and if you feel you need forgiveness, He forgives you… always. And when you get distracted by other things and lose sight of Jesus, when you turn back, He’s always there, right beside you. All day. Every day.

Imagine Jesus with you as you go home. He sits with you as you eat your dinner. He lounges with you as you watch TV. And when you go to sleep, He pulls up a chair and sits down right beside your bed. He’s holding your hand as you drift off to sleep.

Now believe that this is real. For this is the relationship Jesus hopes we have with His Holy Spirit. Yet closer than by your side, Jesus’ Spirit is here to live within you.

So today, imagine… Jesus at your side.

 

(And maybe come back here later and leave a comment about how your day went.)


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The Voice of God – Really

Look, I’m real, okay. I’m not a thing. I’m not a symbol. I’m not a myth. I’m real. I am the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus Christ. Though I’m often ignored, that doesn’t make me less real.

If you wish, you can think of me as the voice of God. I am the voice of God, speaking to you. Okay, I didn’t write this blog post, though I did ask CJ to write it. But my hope is that these words CJ is writing will inspire you to quiet your mind, look deep inside yourself, and listen for my voice. That’s where you will truly hear me. For I’m here, within you… if you believe and let me in.

Please, listen for my voice, the voice of God, within you.

(Note from CJ: I used to call this series of posts “The Spirit Speaks…”. But now I like “The Voice of God…” better. So that’s what these posts will be, unless I find something I like even better.)


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What is Christianity?

Being good, loving others, going to church, having faith in Jesus. These are all good pieces of the Christianity puzzle. And then, being hypocritical and judgmental … oops, I wandered off into people’s perceptions rather than the truth.

But what is the core truth of what it means to be a Christian? The Apostle Paul might summarize it as having faith, hope and love. I like this answer. But for me, the core answer goes even deeper … to trust.

It’s my trust in Jesus that allows me to have faith, hope and love. Christianity is trusting what Jesus said and promised as recorded in the Bible. It’s trusting that Jesus alone will save us, rather than our own efforts. And it’s trusting in the presence of the Holy Spirit of God and Jesus, here within each of us who believe. And to believe requires trust.

Christianity is trust.


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Self Control? That’s a Laugh

My mind loves to go places where I don’t want to. I’ll try to tackle my mind and keep it from going on a rocky path, and sometimes I wrestle it down and win control. But other times I just follow my mind down that path… too many times, actually.

Oh, at work it’s not too difficult to keep my mind focused on whatever task I’m doing. And at home after work, the TV helps me keep my mind focused on “Downton Abby” or “The Bachelor,” or whatever I’m watching while trying to keep my eyes open as my body melts into the couch.

Are you like me in that it’s hard to control where your mind goes? And is it sometimes hard to control your actions, and often what comes out of your mouth?

If you crave self control, then give up. Instead of trying to gain control, give control of your mind to the Holy Spirit. Focus your thoughts on the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who lives within you. He’s there, sharing your mind with you. Now give Him a bigger share. Let Him control your “self.” That’s where true self control comes from.


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Looking for Peace of Mind?

Well, maybe you need to give up and let go of your mind in order to find the peace you seek. My mind is usually consumed by all the stuff going on around me – there’s no peace there. So I try to let go and give control of my mind to God.

How do I give control of my mind to the Spirit of God and Jesus? It seems like most of the time, it’s turning my back on all the worldly stuff that screams for my attention, and letting my mind focus on nothing but Jesus, here within me, within my mind and with my soul.

And in those moments where there’s nothing and no one in my mind but God and Jesus, that’s when I feel the promised peace, the peace that comes from letting God control my mind. Just at the Apostle Paul promised, “… the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Are you looking for peace of mind? Then please, give yourself as much time as you need to let go of all the worldly stuff that screams for your attention. And as your mind empties of the noise, let God come in and fill the vacancy. And He will bring His peace.


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Wreckage?

I’m floating in a sea,

surrounded by debris and wreckage.

The wreckage of this broken world;

the wreckage of my life.

Surrounded,

unable to clearly see the horizon

for all the wreckage.

I search the horizon for Jesus.

I look for Father God.

I know they are here;

something inside me feels their presence.

But the wreckage crowds my view.

Without God, there is only wreckage.

…

And finally, the wreckage breaks up.

And God opens a way, from Him to me.

And now He’s here;

His Spirit is within me, floating here with me.

And the wreckage pulls away from God,

unable to touch Him.

With the Spirit of God and Jesus within me,

the wreckage of my life floats off,

and I feel peace.

———————-

This is a typical morning for me, quietly sitting with coffee mug in hand, surrounded by the wreckage that fills my mind. And then God appears. Oh Lord! Dear Jesus! I love you as much as I am able. And I live because you live within me.


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The Spirit Speaks – I Cherish Your Love, As It Is

I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, am with you always. My love flows through you always. My love for you never changes. Yet does your love for me rise and fall, like the tide? Is your love for me sometimes full, sometimes empty, and often in between? Do you see your love for me as imperfect?

Well, that’s okay. Sometimes you may not feel it, especially when your love is weak. But I feel your love, even when you don’t. And I cherish your love for me, as imperfect as it is. I don’t demand perfect love, for that’s impossible for flawed humanity. But I do cherish whatever you can give me.

Now close your eyes. Look inside yourself, to me here within you. Do you see me smiling at you? I smile because every time you look my way, that’s an act of love. I love you too.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Being a Peacemaker

Are there people in your life who suffer from the burdens of this world, from conflicts and strife? Silly question, I know, for everyone suffers. But are there people you love whom you sincerely want to help find peace in this life?

If so, then look to me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, living within you. There is no better peacemaker than me. There is no better relationship healer than me, no better diplomat than me, the Holy Spirit of God. And there is no better evangelist than me.

Please, let go and let me make peace, through you. Let me heal relationships through you. Let me resolve conflicts through you. Let me evangelize through you. And by doing so, you will feel the thrill of witnessing me living through you.


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Living in the Moment

Like a lot of people, I tend to live for the future. I have goals and dreams I hope to achieve. Often I project myself into the future, imagining I’ve living my goal. And my imagination can get pretty focused and detailed. But this imagining of the future almost always ends in disappointment.

The disappointment is usually bred from my impatience… I want to bring tomorrow’s dreams into today. I want to reach my goals NOW. But I guess the disappointment is good, because that’s when I tend to step back, fall down, and pray.

And this is what comes to me in those times when I quiet my mind, damp down my active imagination, and listen for the Spirit of Jesus: by focusing on tomorrow, I’m missing the chance to live in the moment, which is where the Holy Spirit lives.

But then I wondered what it means to live in the moment. Well, for me it means to live WITH the Holy Spirit, sharing the moment with Him, and with His guidance look for things I can do now, for Him. For example, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, there’s always an opportunity to have a relationship with someone, to interact with whomever I’m with, aided by the presence of Jesus. And for those times when I’m alone, I can focus on my relationship with the Holy Spirit of Jesus, who is always with me.

There’s no disappointment there.

But my imagination still likes to run ahead into the future. I wish I could sling a lasso around that rambunctious boy and keep him here with me, and Jesus. Oh well… it’s who I am.


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Feeling Surrounded by God

Redwood trees

I went for a hike in a redwood forest yesterday. I admire redwood trees; so tall, so old, so strong. My mind drifted away from my life and wondered at the lives of the trees. Most of them are hundreds of years old, and some are over a thousand.

And then I felt it – the majesty of God. Surrounded by trees that had witnessed hundreds of years of God’s creation, I also felt surrounded by God. Oh, I feel the presence of God’s Spirit within me almost every day. But most days, God and I are surrounded by the chaos of the world, and I don’t often see God in the midst of that chaos.

But yesterday, in the midst of that majestic redwood forest, there was no chaos – only God. And it felt great.

Thank you Lord.


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Don’t be Afraid; Just Believe

Job interview today. I really want this job. Nervousness keeps trying to drown me in fear. I feel the waves of anxiety crashing over me whenever I think about the interview. I try to run from the waves; sometimes I stumble and the wave knocks me down. But I look up and there’s Jesus, reaching down to help me get back on my feet again.

I was reading chapter 5 of the gospel of Mark this morning. A synagogue ruler’s daughter was sick, and then she died. At that, Jesus looked at the ruler and said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” And of course, Jesus then brought the little girl back to life.

Today I hear, and feel, Jesus saying that to me… don’t be afraid, just believe. As long as I focus on what I believe – that the Spirit of Jesus is within me, even during the interview – the waves of fear recede and vanish. I won’t be alone in that interview; the Spirit of Jesus will be with me. And I’m so grateful.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Heaven

Heaven is for real

People are hungry for heaven. They want proof of heaven; they want to know that this life isn’t the end. They want to know that heaven is for real. IS heaven for real? The answer is waiting inside of you.

Heaven is not only real; it’s here, right within your grasp. I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, am heaven within you. You don’t need to physically die to see heaven. Just close your eyes and look inside your soul to me. I’m here, bringing heaven to you.

When you look to me living here with your spirit, you will know with certainty that heaven is for real, and that this life is not the end, it’s the beginning.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Living in the Future

The future is worry. The future is planning. When your mind lives in the future, you either worry about what might happen, or you plan for things you hope will happen.

But I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, am not in the future, not in a way you can understand. Oh yes, I am not constrained by the dimension of time, like you are. But my concern in my relationship with you is now. This instant is what matters. The present is what’s real – the future is imaginary.

So I ask you to live for the reality of now, to live in the present. When you worry about your future, you’re not trusting me. Please, let me take care of the future. Trust me with your future.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Baptism by My Spirit

In speaking of me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist said, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8)

Many people, while on their journey of faith, immerse themselves in the river of John’s water baptism. Stepping into that river is a beautiful act of faith, and John intended it as a way to prepare you for my baptism.

Whether you have immersed yourself in John’s baptism or not, immerse yourself in me. Let my Spirit flow over you, surrounding you with my love, and filling you with my presence. And where you cannot live and breathe under water, not so with my Spirit. Submerge yourself in me, open up your self and breathe me in. With each breath, you fill yourself with my Holy Spirit. And together, we will live a new life, a truly full life.


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My letter of Thanks

Dear God,

Thank you for saving my father. Yesterday my dad had open heart surgery, where with your help the doctors performed a double bypass and replaced the faulty heart valve. And my dad is 88 years old! And he survived! And the surgery was without any complications!

As you know from my prayers yesterday, and as I’m sorry to say, I had my doubts at times. I doubted my dad would survive. But I hope my doubts were not because of my sometimes weak faith, but because I trust you. I trusted you to do your will, and I accept that your will may have been to bring my dad to be home with you, in heaven. But by your love for all who love my dad, you gave him back to us, to be with us a bit longer. Thank you.

I believe we witnessed your miracle yesterday. I believe when we looked into my dad’s eyes as he began to wake up again, that we saw the miracle of your love and presence and hand in the surgery. For in addition to whatever part you had in the surgery itself, you gave my dad the will to live. And you helped him see your love and the love of his family.

This is beginning to feel like a rambling letter. But I just wanted to publically thank you for your love in our lives, and the new life you’ve given my dad.

And dear Jesus, thank you for being there with all of us, in that waiting room. Some of us felt the presence of your Spirit. Waiting with you sure made the waiting easier.


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The Spirit Speaks – of My Love for You

My love for you has brought me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all the way from heaven to earth, to live with you. I’ve always loved you. Long ago, my love for you held me fast to the cross – it’s wasn’t nails that kept me there. And now, my love holds me tightly to you.

Please, think about what my love means to you. Look inside yourself. If you can’t feel my presence, then imagine me there, within you. See and accept my presence as fact. Now focus on the fact of my love; my love that loves you from the inside. See me in your minds eye; see my face, my eyes, my smile – all an overflowing expression of my love. Relax your mind and spirit and let my love flow through you, enveloping you in my warm caress of true love. How does the fact of my love make you feel?


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The Spirit Speaks – of Resolutions

The New Year has begun and I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, would like to ask you to make a decision today. I ask you to resolve to know me better.

Resolve to spend more time each day looking for me within you. Today, give yourself five extra minutes, alone with me, isolated from the distractions of life. Next week, add five more minutes on top of that.

My point is not to add a specific amount of minutes to our one-on-one time. I’m asking you to gradually, as this year progresses, give yourself more time with me, as much time as you can. The more time you spend with me, the better you will know me, and the more you will have my peace in your life.

And that will make for a truly Happy New Year.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Looking for Christmas, Inside of You

Are you looking for the meaning of Christmas? Are you looking for a feeling and a true sense of the presence of the meaning of Christmas in your life? Well, as you may know, all you need do is look inside of you. Look deep inside, to your soul, your spirit; that’s where I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, live.

Find a quiet place, tune out the world’s noise about Christmas, and look inside to me within you. And we will have a Merry Christmas together. And the joy and peace that comes from finding Christmas (that is, me) inside of you, will bubble to the surface and begin to splash out on the people around you. And in this way, we – you and me – can share the true meaning of Christmas with others.

May we all have a very Merry Christmas together.