Staying Connected: Finding Peace and Power in a Noisy World
In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters. But there's a profound truth that can transform our lives: we have access to an unbreakable connection with the divine, a source of peace and power and purpose - that can guide us through life's storms.
The Holy Spirit: Our Divine Connection
At the heart of this connection is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the god head - that desires to gather us up like a mother hen gathers her chicks. This isn't just a distant, impersonal force – it's an intimate relationship with a person that can bring comfort, guidance, and transformation to our lives.
The Holy Spirit works in us ... in three key ways:
1. Conviction: Gently revealing areas where we've strayed from God's best for us.
2. Surrender: Inviting us to yield control and trust in a higher purpose.
3. Power: Flowing through us to accomplish things beyond our own abilities.
When we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit, we discover a profound peace. Even in a world that can feel chaotic and threatening, we can walk with confidence, knowing we're not alone.
The Choice Before Us
Every day, we face a crucial decision: Will we stay connected to our divine life source, or will we disconnect and try to go it alone? The story of the Prodigal Son beautifully illustrates this choice. The younger son demanded his inheritance early, essentially telling his father, "I don't need you anymore." He set off to make his own way, only to find himself in dire straits, longing for the connection he had carelessly tossed aside.
Like the Prodigal Son, we often think we can handle life on our own terms. We may not be feeding pigs in a far-off country, but we can easily find ourselves making "mud pies in the slums" (as C.S. Lewis put it) when we could be building sandcastles on the beach of God's grace.
The good news? The Father is always waiting, arms open wide, and will even run to us - ready to restore us to full relationship when we turn back to Him.
Practical Ways to Stay Connected
So how do we foster this vital connection in our daily lives? Here are some powerful practices:
1. Fellowship: Don't underestimate the power of gathering with other believers. As scripture reminds us, "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together."
2. Worship: There's something transformative about lifting our voices in praise. It can shift the atmosphere around us and within us.
3. Fasting: This practice helps us humble ourselves and tune our spiritual ears to hear God more clearly.
4. Scripture: If you want to know what God thinks, read what He wrote! The Bible is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and guidance.
5. Prayer: This is perhaps the most direct way to stay connected. Prayer isn't just talking at God – it's a two-way conversation. As Isaiah 1:18 invites us, "Come, let us reason together."
Creating a Prayer Habit
In our noisy world, cultivating a consistent prayer life can be challenging. Here are some tips:
- Set a specific time: Even if it's just 30 minutes, having a designated "appointment" with God can help make prayer a daily habit.
- Keep a prayer journal: Writing down your prayers and revisiting them later can be incredibly encouraging as you see how God has worked.
- Create a prayer space: Whether it's a cozy chair or a spot in your car, having a physical place associated with prayer can help you focus.
- Pray without ceasing: This doesn't mean non-stop verbal prayer, but rather cultivating an ongoing awareness of God's presence throughout your day.
A Powerful Illustration: Following the Voice
I have always enjoyed this video clip from Dr. David Gibbs - "Listen to the Voice/Flying Without a Pilot". (Here's the clip - it's totally worth the watch). Imagine being in a small plane, suddenly finding yourself without a pilot, lost in the clouds. This terrifying scenario actually happened to someone, and it provides a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives.
In this true story, the passengers were completely disoriented, heading straight for a mountain they couldn't see. Their only hope was to trust the voice of an air traffic controller they'd never met. This controller made a profound statement: "My job is to get you home safe. But if you want me to get you home safe, you've got to promise me you'll obey my voice. You can't see me, but I can see you. And if you're not going to obey my voice, you're going to die."
Isn't this exactly how we need to approach our relationship with God? In a world full of conflicting voices and overwhelming circumstances, we have access to the One who sees the big picture. He promises to guide us safely home if we'll trust and obey His voice above all others.
The controller gave a crucial instruction: "I don't want you to look at what's going on outside. I don't want you to pay attention to the storm, just my voice. If you start watching the storm, you will die, but I'll take you through."
How often do we get distracted by the "storms" in our lives, losing sight of God's guiding voice? The key is to stay focused on Him, trusting that He can see what we can't and knows the way through.
As the plane approached the runway, the controller pointed out lights in the shape of a cross, saying, "Don't you forget this. The cross is the way home." What a beautiful reminder that Jesus' sacrifice is our ultimate source of safety and connection with God.
A Challenge to Connect
In a world of constant noise and distraction, we have a choice. Will we allow ourselves to be tossed about by every voice and opinion, or will we tune our hearts to the One who truly sees us and knows the way home?
Today, consider how you can intentionally strengthen your connection with God. Maybe it's setting aside time for prayer, diving into Scripture, or simply pausing throughout your day to acknowledge His presence. Remember, He is always reaching out to you, desiring a deeper relationship.
As you cultivate this connection, you may find a peace that surpasses understanding, a joy that defies circumstances, and a power to live beyond your own limitations. Stay connected to the true source of life, and watch how it transforms your world.
Blessings - Bob
In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from what truly matters. But there's a profound truth that can transform our lives: we have access to an unbreakable connection with the divine, a source of peace and power and purpose - that can guide us through life's storms.
The Holy Spirit: Our Divine Connection
At the heart of this connection is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the god head - that desires to gather us up like a mother hen gathers her chicks. This isn't just a distant, impersonal force – it's an intimate relationship with a person that can bring comfort, guidance, and transformation to our lives.
The Holy Spirit works in us ... in three key ways:
1. Conviction: Gently revealing areas where we've strayed from God's best for us.
2. Surrender: Inviting us to yield control and trust in a higher purpose.
3. Power: Flowing through us to accomplish things beyond our own abilities.
When we align ourselves with the Holy Spirit, we discover a profound peace. Even in a world that can feel chaotic and threatening, we can walk with confidence, knowing we're not alone.
The Choice Before Us
Every day, we face a crucial decision: Will we stay connected to our divine life source, or will we disconnect and try to go it alone? The story of the Prodigal Son beautifully illustrates this choice. The younger son demanded his inheritance early, essentially telling his father, "I don't need you anymore." He set off to make his own way, only to find himself in dire straits, longing for the connection he had carelessly tossed aside.
Like the Prodigal Son, we often think we can handle life on our own terms. We may not be feeding pigs in a far-off country, but we can easily find ourselves making "mud pies in the slums" (as C.S. Lewis put it) when we could be building sandcastles on the beach of God's grace.
The good news? The Father is always waiting, arms open wide, and will even run to us - ready to restore us to full relationship when we turn back to Him.
Practical Ways to Stay Connected
So how do we foster this vital connection in our daily lives? Here are some powerful practices:
1. Fellowship: Don't underestimate the power of gathering with other believers. As scripture reminds us, "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together."
2. Worship: There's something transformative about lifting our voices in praise. It can shift the atmosphere around us and within us.
3. Fasting: This practice helps us humble ourselves and tune our spiritual ears to hear God more clearly.
4. Scripture: If you want to know what God thinks, read what He wrote! The Bible is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and guidance.
5. Prayer: This is perhaps the most direct way to stay connected. Prayer isn't just talking at God – it's a two-way conversation. As Isaiah 1:18 invites us, "Come, let us reason together."
Creating a Prayer Habit
In our noisy world, cultivating a consistent prayer life can be challenging. Here are some tips:
- Set a specific time: Even if it's just 30 minutes, having a designated "appointment" with God can help make prayer a daily habit.
- Keep a prayer journal: Writing down your prayers and revisiting them later can be incredibly encouraging as you see how God has worked.
- Create a prayer space: Whether it's a cozy chair or a spot in your car, having a physical place associated with prayer can help you focus.
- Pray without ceasing: This doesn't mean non-stop verbal prayer, but rather cultivating an ongoing awareness of God's presence throughout your day.
A Powerful Illustration: Following the Voice
I have always enjoyed this video clip from Dr. David Gibbs - "Listen to the Voice/Flying Without a Pilot". (Here's the clip - it's totally worth the watch). Imagine being in a small plane, suddenly finding yourself without a pilot, lost in the clouds. This terrifying scenario actually happened to someone, and it provides a powerful metaphor for our spiritual lives.
In this true story, the passengers were completely disoriented, heading straight for a mountain they couldn't see. Their only hope was to trust the voice of an air traffic controller they'd never met. This controller made a profound statement: "My job is to get you home safe. But if you want me to get you home safe, you've got to promise me you'll obey my voice. You can't see me, but I can see you. And if you're not going to obey my voice, you're going to die."
Isn't this exactly how we need to approach our relationship with God? In a world full of conflicting voices and overwhelming circumstances, we have access to the One who sees the big picture. He promises to guide us safely home if we'll trust and obey His voice above all others.
The controller gave a crucial instruction: "I don't want you to look at what's going on outside. I don't want you to pay attention to the storm, just my voice. If you start watching the storm, you will die, but I'll take you through."
How often do we get distracted by the "storms" in our lives, losing sight of God's guiding voice? The key is to stay focused on Him, trusting that He can see what we can't and knows the way through.
As the plane approached the runway, the controller pointed out lights in the shape of a cross, saying, "Don't you forget this. The cross is the way home." What a beautiful reminder that Jesus' sacrifice is our ultimate source of safety and connection with God.
A Challenge to Connect
In a world of constant noise and distraction, we have a choice. Will we allow ourselves to be tossed about by every voice and opinion, or will we tune our hearts to the One who truly sees us and knows the way home?
Today, consider how you can intentionally strengthen your connection with God. Maybe it's setting aside time for prayer, diving into Scripture, or simply pausing throughout your day to acknowledge His presence. Remember, He is always reaching out to you, desiring a deeper relationship.
As you cultivate this connection, you may find a peace that surpasses understanding, a joy that defies circumstances, and a power to live beyond your own limitations. Stay connected to the true source of life, and watch how it transforms your world.
Blessings - Bob
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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