TRANSFORMATION FORUM

Jesus and the Holy Spirit Unity of Purpose “Joy of the Holy Spirit” Breaking the Barriers What is it about the burdens of life that can destroy our peace?   What is it about the unknown that can drive us to despair?   What is it about the “unknown” that can cause us worry, fear, anxiousness, etc.?   It can be very difficult to hear, to engage the Word of God when we are so oppressed by afflictions. In response to this significant problem, Christians need to work towards a greater level maturity.   That is right I said “work towards.”   I do not mean works of salvation.   I am speaking directly to works of faith!   We need to learn to trust more in God.   There is an effort on our part that is necessary, and that effort is to arrest our panic, seize our fears and focus on God.   I want us to live by the words of the prophet Zephaniah: Zeph. 3:17 17 The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you

Jesus and the Holy Spirit Unity of Purpose “Driven by the Spirit” Breaking Barriers Sometimes it is hard to hear the Word of God because of the weight that we carry.   The weight of struggles, of sin, of temptations; there can be a deep sense of spiritual hopelessness, even depression as we prepare to receive the Word of God.   Intellectually, we can sense a spirit of defeat, of condemnation.   We might even say, “Look at me God, I am a failure”, or “God, it is too much”, or “God, I just want to quit.”   So how do I hear when I feel so inadequate to be in God’s presence? What if I was to tell you, “You are the ark of His glory?”   Would you believe me?   Why do we only believe the things that speak to our sin nature and never the things that speak to glorified nature?   Why do we look to the things to come and endure the present?   Why do we “slug” our way through the present in drudgery and never sing the song of our present glory? John 17:22-23 “…And the glory w