Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity and the work of G*d in this world – it is the Holy Spirit that builds faith

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 14, 2015
Tags: , Holy Spirit   

The Holy Spirit is Calling, Will You Answer? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

image

August 14, 2015

“He said to me: O mortal, stand up on your feet, and I will speak with you. And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me;” Ezekiel 2:1-3a

“Have you ever felt God calling or leading you to something that you weren’t sure how you were going to do? Perhaps it’s to start a food bank at your church or to share your faith story. It can be terrifying when God calls us to come and follow. That’s what God did to Ezekiel. “Stand up on your feet. I am sending you.” But here’s the interesting part. Ezekiel didn’t stand on his feet by his own volition. The Spirit entered him and set him on his feet. I find courage and strength in knowing that even as God calls me, I do not go alone. God will always send the Spirit to lead me.”   Luther Seminary devotions, June 29, 2015
Jennifer Beil — St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore.

There are many people in the church who often feel that trying to start something new at the church is so impossible that they quit before they even begin. They don’t try for several reasons usually including, but not limited to: push back from those who say “we tried that before and it just didn’t work”; others who say “we don’t have the money to do that”; and still others who say “we don’t want “those” people in our church”.

It is a daunting task to take on a new ministry, to volunteer for something you are scared to try, or to serve on a committee, but remember, when you answer the call “to follow”, you do not go it alone. The Holy Spirit is always there not only to confirm your calling, but to support you when the “nay sayers” begin to throw up road blocks. And there will be those who try to stop you — out of what they believe are “reasonable words of advice”. But, remember, G*d calls us to comfort the afflicted, and to afflict the comfortable. Anything new, a new ministry, a new program, a new group to serve, a new direction will afflict those who do not like change.

Remember, Ezekiel did not stand up on his own, the Holy Spirit entered into him, stood him up, and said “Off you go”. If you have the Holy Spirit, nothing can or will stand in your way. Oh you may get a lot of push back from those who fear change, but trust the Holy Spirit to fight your battles for you.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 8, 2015
Tags: , Holy Spirit,   

I’m Calling Yooooooouuuuuu — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

image

August 8, 2015

This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,
“See, I am setting a plumb line
in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Then Amos answered… “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:7-9, 14-15

Many…individuals played a significant part in (G*d’s) plan to save the Israelites, to warn the Israelites, and to tell them they were in trouble. For example, G*d provided Gideon with 300 men, valiant heroes all, to win the battle — G*d provided Amos, a farmer and dresser of Sycamore trees to prophecy to the people. We are not always told their names, but the bible is filled with examples of obedience.

Today, G*d is still calling ordinary people to do G*d’s work and assuring us that He will be with us as we do. G*d does not only call “Pastor’s Kids” to the ministry, G*d calls all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of perceived barriers along the way. But it is bigger than just calling people to the ministry. G*d calls ordinary people every day to lead ministries, to serve as volunteers, to attend bible study groups, and to visit the lonely, sick and imprisoned. Because we are ordinary people being used by God, it should be obvious to you and me that the power comes from God, and not from us. And when we realize that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can persevere in these ministries, then we will be able to give G*d the glory for all we can achieve.

Pastor Dave