SYNC UP

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—John 14:16 (NIV)

And who is that advocate?

The Holy Spirit.

And how are we to connect, collaborate, and convene with this advocate, this Spirit?

…walk with the Spirit, let’s keep each step in perfect sync with God’s Spirit. – Galatians 5:25 (V)

These were some thoughts QUICKLY shared by my dear friend Anna B. yesterday as she delivered her yearly “Mother’s Day” talk/sermon with my home congregation.

And while time didn’t permit her to expand on all the “ways” to stay in sync with this amazing gift, this advocate, this leader, this adviser, this director, this comforter, and this friend I thought I would take her lead and use today’s OFH to first remind us that we INDEED DO have this “helper” on board 24/7 365, as well as expand on a few ways HE (the SPIRIT) and we can sync up.

Whitney Hopler of crosswalk.com penned a little “guide” on this topic sometime back.  

And so, I thought I would pull and adapt a few nuggets from that today for all us!

So, let’s do a little SYNCING up!

·        Decide that you truly want to go where the Spirit leads you. If you're struggling with fear, remember that God's love and wisdom will always cause Him to act in your best interests.

·        Make worship a priority. Conserve your time and energy to devote to His purposes. Commit to offering your entire life to God as an act of worship.

·        Be prepared to be surprised. (Ephesians 3:20) - GOD may allow some unexpected situations in your life, and you'll be transformed in ways that change the core of who you are as a person. As you follow the Holy Spirit, you may take a path that's far different than the one you would have chosen yourself.

·        Lastly, GRASP THIS GIFT!  Claim your identity in Christ granted to you via the HOLY SPIRIT.  Ask God to show you how He sees you, then have confidence in Him to help you stay focused on His purposes for your life.

Simple enough huh?

Isn’t it great to know you are not alone today my friends? 

He (the SPIRIT) will encourage you. 

He will enlighten you. 

He will embolden you.

And He will enrich you!

SO NOW…

I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13 (ERV)

Have a blessed day!

I love you all!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE