Chapter 3

Experiencing God & The Holy Spirit

One of the most profound statements in the Bible is contained in the Lord's prayer , "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-13). We are to ask for God's will to be done on earth, and it is made very clear that God's will is done in heaven.

If earth is a training ground for God to teach us his will, there are two groups of us: those willing to learn and those who turn a deaf ear, insisting things be done their own way.

If one were forced to abide by God's will, would it not fill one with animosity? If animosity is not allowed in heaven, then those in attendance are likely to desire God's will.

Some have it in the back of their minds in that small chance that God exists, then salvation can be obtained by "being good." When our human nature promotes failure in such an effort, one can become dismayed, and angrily reject God. So why does the failure occur? Those individuals depend upon themselves rather than realizing that God is alive.

A relationship with God is a gift. God has given us the freedom to choose. The gift is not forced upon us. One must ask for it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) This gift is not given lightly for it was paid through God's son, Christ Jesus, who went to the cross. For those who accept this gift, he offers us moments within the presence of the Holy Spirit (John14:15-21), and to be in the eventual presence of God for eternity.

Experiencing God requires a step into the unknown beyond simply asking for forgiveness. It requires repentance, which includes the desire to turn away from sin.

If your heart does not yet to know Jesus, this can be your moment. He is waiting for your consent to come into your life. Bow your head and fold your hands in humility. Praying the following prayer is submitting your heart before a God who loves you.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I ask your forgiveness through Jesus to be forgiven of my sin where I have placed my self-centeredness ahead of your will. I give to you my entire existence, my hopes, my dreams, and my ambitions. Please be my “Lord” so that I may submit to your desires ahead of my own. Allow “your will” to become my motivator for the remainder of my life.

Amen

Each day is no longer about you. This prayer is the first step in opening up to a new world of learning. God has the patience to rebuild your life, however it requires that you first allow Him in. He does not force, it is your choice.

*****

Some having been "born again" (John 3:3-21), at a young age have expressed no recollections of the moment being profound, that they have always known God.

The other end of the spectrum is that the experience of being born again, is one's most personal and private moment within his or her life. This moment may include physically experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit for the first time (Acts 8:14-17). For many, it is the moment they went from God just being a theory to knowing God does exist.

Ephesians 2:8-9 states: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (in context)

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