As I slept last night I was suddenly awoken by the sound of strong surging winds outside my window. It was thunderous and I immediately sat up in bed and looked at my clock. I don’t know why I always look at the clock, probably because I took the Citizen’s Police Academy a few years back and they told us it was always important to notice what time something happens. It was 1:11 am. Now hopefully you know from my other blogs that when I see 11, 111 or 1111 I feel God’s presence. Then it dawned on me. The strong wind and 1:11 quickly reminded me of the time Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in the Bible. It is one of my favorite passages. A passage I can so relate to! The wind is the Holy Spirit.
John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
This resonates with me because there are so many times I feel the wind of the Holy Spirit blow through me. Times of fear when I need comforted, times of joy sending me contentment, times of illness blowing in healing. I feel the wind swirling within me. That wind Jesus says is the Holy Spirit.
Last night was profound for me. The wind and the time signaled to me that God was hearing my prayers and responding strongly to let me know He is ever present in my ministry. The wind alone or the time alone would not have had this meaning for me. That is why God gave me both at the exact same time.
What about the time? 111 does that correlate to the Bible and my ministry? I have been praying constantly lately about my ministry and where God has been leading me. I pray to have the knowledge of how to grow my ministry to reach more people and share more gratitude hearts. Let’s see.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
God is reminding me to keep my faith that He will guide me and show His plan when it is time. I have learned the art of patience over the last few year knowing God was in control. I breathe and stand in faith and He is always good! Faith always makes life better. Knowing we have a protector that will never turn His back on us or ignore us.
Matthew 11:1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
This verse really interests me. Is my Father teaching me and instructing me on my ministry as I am His disciple? I spend many hours in study every week on learning and understanding the Bible more fully. Is God saying He seeing my studies and I am heading in the right direction? Is He saying He trusts me to know and share His word properly? Am I His good disciple?
This next verse is the most powerful one for me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
As I read this verse my heart jumps. I am following the example of Christ in my life the best I can at this point. I pray God is telling me that He sees that. Paul suffered and never lost faith no matter what! This year with COVID, riots, a parent with aggressive cancer, a friend on life support for 31 days and the world in turmoil I am working to stay kind, in faith and speaking the Truth as an example of Christ. I want to be that example. I want people to say, about me “I see God and His word through her!”
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
I pray you are feeling God’s presence in your life and when you sleep. Look for His guidance in your life. It takes time and study but He speaks to you too. My love and gratitude-LoLo
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