Today’s Scripture: And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, Luke 2:27 ESV
Was Simeon in the Spirit for just this moment or had it been years?
We are not told when the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would see the Messiah but can you imagine? How expectantly would you round each corner? How longingly and deeply would you look into the eyes of those you meet? How richly would you listen to the speech of others to catch a glimpse of the promised ONE? How closely would you listen to God?
I can only relate to this level of expectation as when I kneel before God and try to imagine what Jesus expected to hear when He prayed to the Father. Cleared of all other thoughts and clutter to be still and listen expectantly. It is here that my spiritual senses are heightened and I am expectant of God’s message to me in whatever form it takes.
It is here I want to live. It is here where I want to be expectant of God and His Spirit. It is here I want to peer into the souls of everyone I meet. I want to live here.
Have you felt this expectation of the Spirit?
Today’s Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. What power, what assurance we have there. Thank You for this gift. Help me LORD God to live and walk with You. Only You know our human capacity to live there but I ask You to have me stay in the Spirit and have the Spirit stay in me. I desire to walk with You God in all things and in all ways. Keep me close. Amen.
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
How beautiful, to live cleared of all other thoughts and clutter…
-to take time to kneel and allow God to speak is necessary for my every-day…to get up and carry with me that same expectation-well that is just divine.
thanks again Tom, I pray God continues to open your eyes and ears so you can continue to be His vessel. I’m so encouraged by your words
And I by yours my friend! Divine…lived well and full…let’s stay there. Thanks Robin!
I want to live in His presence…on holy ground.
Kick your shoes off and stay a while! Ha…yes Bill LIVE THERE! Bless you my brother!
Tom, once again your writing speaks to the heart!
Yielding our all to the Spirit, may our will and His become one and the same.
Enthroning the Holy Spirit in our hearts, may we fan ever the holy flame!
May God bless you, and I am praying for your ministry!
Thank you Caroline, praying for yours as well!
Thank you, Tom!! I truly appreciate your prayers!
God bless you, dear brother in Christ! 🙂
God Bless you too Caroline, thank you!
Tom, I love the fact that we can live with expectancy. As Simeon entered the temple he entered with expectancy. I had the honor of leading in worship today in song. Not only when I sang but as my husband let the congregation in song (he is filling in as interim minister of music), people went through the motion of singing but their eyes and expressions were dead. There was no expectancy just formality. So sad. I truly believe that as we walk, study, pray, and believe with expectation that God will surpass anything that we can ever imagine. Tom, I cannot wait till we can sit as brother and sister in Christ at Jesus feet. If I get there first I will wait on you. But until then… stay in the race. Pray that God will use my family to lead these people to seek a new relationship with Jesus.
Thank your Patsy! Father God, You are the Almighty and I pray with my sister Patsy today that you assure her that You are using her and her family to show Your Holy Spirit to all they minister to. May others witness and desire the passion of expectancy and praise that Patsy and her family can not contain in their own hearts. May their joy overflow and may Your Holy Spirit and light abundantly be poured out through them. Father, You know Patsy’s heart better than even she so you know her love and thanksgiving for You. Please use her well so others grow to know You with all of their hearts and come to know Your Holy Spirit intimately. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray with all the Spirit has filled us with. Amen