How DOES God’s Spirit Work In Us?
How DOES God’s Spirit Work In Us?
Robert Schaetzle
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 RSV
Our Lord will prove His power and Spirit at work in each one of us, when our hearts are listening to the voice of His Spirit. The opening verse reveals we are branches abiding in Him. Only when we allow the Spirit in us to lead, can we recognize or hear His presence in us. Seasons when we are unsure or struggle, can be our fleshly reasoning getting in the way of God’s presence.
Learning to be a good listener with another person takes practice. So too… wanting to identify ‘The Voice of God’s Spirit’ to lead and speak takes practice. No different when you or I were learning our fractions and multiplication tables as a child in grammar school. Practice makes improvement!
Becoming a ‘doer of God’s word’, (cf. James 1:22) is our challenge in learning to abide in our Lord. Becoming God’s ‘living sacrifice’ is living out our daily experiences, recognizing His presence at work in us.
The Lord who searches the heart, recognizes our motives, and knows if our heart is leaning on His Spiritual Presence. ‘Greater is He who is in us….’ (1 John 4:4) teaches us to become better listeners to the Voice of His Spirit.
Often, we may feel as did Job, experiencing circumstances we don’t understand. Over my own years of growing and learning, I have discovered suffering is a positive tool God allows me to go through to be a better listener, especially in prayer. I discovered prayer is really maybe 10-15 percent dialoging my concerns to the Father; the other 85 percent, becoming a better listener. I have learned apart from His leading, I can do nothing!
Father, thank you for teaching me how to abide in You.
Robert serves in a Sharing and Caring ministry to encourage and strengthen God’s presence in us. Contact