We have been discussing the characteristics of a Spirit-filled life. We have talked about how a Spirit-filled life is expressed through song, an increasing desire to live a holy life, and putting our spiritual gifts to work. Another mark I want to talk about today is that a Spirit-filled life will experience and touch the supernatural. In other words, everyday miracles will be evident. You will recognize God at work more and more on an ongoing basis.
We experience coincidences in life. But if we look close enough we will recognize that they are not coincidences but God-incidences. I have seen how when you seek to honor God with a certain part of your life, he will prosper it. He opens doors that you could not have imagined or thought possible. Maybe it’s a check in the mail at just the right time. Maybe it is an unexpected phone call with especially good news. Maybe it is an unexplainable healing. God seems to come through at just the right time and in just the right way.
It may not be that God works any harder in your life, but when the Spirit fills us you are better able to recognize him in your life. You stop trying to make things happen, which allows God to take over. When you stop trying it creates an awareness that was not present in the past.
With the Spirit at work, we are better attuned to hear what God is speaking. We better recognize his direction in our life. When we hear and when we follow we will see the doors he opens. When we don’t hear the Spirit speaking it is hard to follow. When we are not going down the path God has set for us, it is hard to see a door open up.
It was a little less than two years ago that I sensed God was telling me to write and to share what I was writing. I was already writing in my personal journal, but I felt a strong sense that he was telling me to share what I was writing. So I made the commitment to write on my blog every day during the season of Lent. I thought I may only have one or two people reading, but I was going to honor that commitment.
So I started writing. Two days after I made that commitment, I wrote the blog post 20 Things to Give up for Lent. It went viral on the Internet, and we had more than a million people come to our church website in less than a week. It was through that post I had more than 10,000 Subscribe to my mailing list and developed 40 Things to Give up for Lent which became a #1 best-seller on Amazon in the category Christian Devotions.
It would be easy to take the credit for all of it. But I recognize that God made it happen. I am grateful to him for the opportunity he provided. I am blessed to have heard from so many people in so many places that have been encouraged and helped through what I have been able to share. If this is not a God thing, then I don’t know what is.
Honor God. Live faithful. Step aside and let God do his thing. Then watch him show up and do what he will. Stand in Awe. Then give him thanks. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
“Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Questions for Reflection
- What miracles have you experienced in your life?
- What are some reasons we might fail to see God at work?
- Have you ever been disappointed and felt that God let you down? (We will talk more about that tomorrow).
- Share your comments.
Sibylle Palmer says
I love your daily posts and look forward to them, Pastor Ressler, and I often share them with friends on Facebook. I save each one, which gets to be a bit cumbersome, and was wondering if you are considering publishing a collection of them in a book. I would definitely purchase one, and several others as gifts. Just a thought . . . Thank you so much for your words of wisdom and inspiration. God is indeed good all of the time!
Phil Ressler says
Thanks Sibylle – I am going to be compiling a few that I will be making available. As of right now the only one I have is 40 Things to Give up for Lent. But keep an eye out.
Cheri says
Hurray…I was wondering the same thing and am glad to hear there will be another book to purchase. I, too, have set up a Phil Ressler folder to save those that have been especially meaningful to me. Thank you, thank you.
Don Kruger says
Thanks, Phil, for your insights into the Spirit filled life. I’m excited for this chance to be connected with you again through your writing. I remember with thanksgiving the opportunity to minister with you at Bethany in Waynesboro, VA.
Phil Ressler says
Don- It’s always good to connect. Many fond memories of those days back in Virginia.
Joan Warwick says
when you ask about miracles in our lives I could write a book too”! Fell 9 feet off a roof and suffered only minor injury when landing on bricks, had a car cross from the other side of a road in a snowstorm and I stepped on the gas instead of the brake-I would have been killed if my car had been hit in the drivers door, the list is endless; then there is the everyday miracles when we don’t even pay attention to all God does for us-when people say why is this happening to ME I think why not YOU; what about the future when God turns what happened into the best for that person. God is ALWAYS good; we just don’t stay tuned long enough. Trials make us better people (the gold refined deal) I love reading your messages and have your book about 40 To For Lent; plan to read it each year-then try to apply at least some of the items to my life(all are worth doing)
Phil Ressler says
Thank God he protected you in those situations. Know that he has still got you here for a reason.
Danielle says
I can name a bunch,but one i always tell everyone,.. and it fits perfectly into the lesson here.. about two years ago, things were really bad financially for me .. thete were times id had to choose between paying a bill or buying groceries..and times there litetally was nothing in tje house.. anyway..while online at the store one day, the gentleman in front of me fell short for what he was purchasing and was pleading with the cashier to please let him slide,it was wifes birthday,she was sick and he wanted to buy her flowers and cake .. it was only 7 dollars, and even tho my money was low,i still felt the need to hand the cashier the 7 dollars…fast forward 2 weeks..its dinner time,i literally had no food or no money to buy anything..the 3 kids were hungry and i was at a loss.. i leaned on the kitchen counter in tears,and prayed for a way to feed my kids..a moment later,a knock on the door, its the pizza man..holding 2 large pies and bottle of soda.and he said, this is from a man named jim. He said thanks for helping his wife enjoy her birthday, dinner is on him.. .
Turned out he was my neighbor and saw me outside with kids thats how he knew where to send it..
Point is ,exactly what i needed when i needed it most 🙂
Danielle byrnes says
It was that exact moment i realized and truly believed and still to this day believe God is always there,and will provide everything we need.. my faith was confirmed and restored from that day 🙂
Phil Ressler says
Danielle – Thanks for sharing that story. That is an amazing testimony to how God honors our faithfulness. It reminds me of what another pastor always said: Do God’s work, God’s way, and trust in his supply.