Facets of Faith

The Holy Spirit’s Role in the Story of Christmas

12.08.2018 by Tracy Stella //

The Story of Christmas: Holy Spirit (T. Stella)

Welcome to Christmas, a magical time of year because we celebrate Christ. I know this season can stir up feelings that don’t feel like celebration for some. If you find yourself in a hard place this Christmas, I pray you feel God’s closeness even more. I pray the presence of Immanuel (God with us) overwhelm you with His love, hope, joy, peace, and goodness. I pray He ministers to you through the power of His Spirit.

And if you find yourself on top of life’s mountains, I pray you take time to thank Jesus for all the beauty He has brought into your life. I pray you are generous with your love and blessings out of the overflow of His goodness to you. May you bring light, hope, and love to those whom God brings across your path this Christmas season.

The Light of the World did that for us, so too should we for others.

But these things don’t happen of our own accord. Love, hope, joy, peace, goodness, and light come as a result of the power of the Holy Spirit. Generosity is a mindset He breeds in us. Courage is an attribute He calls out in us. It is through His deposit that we can carry out our high calling to love one another well.

The Holy Spirit prompts Christmas love. He always did. He always will.

He is evidenced in the story of Christ from the very beginning. Angels reassured Mary of His coming.

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month.For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 NLT (Emphasis Mine)

Imagine being greeted by an angel (frightening enough in and of itself) and then being told you were going to birth the Son of God through the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High.

Think of Mary’s courage. Christmas not possible without it. An ordinary young woman made a difference in each of our eternal destiny, because she allowed the Holy Spirit to guide her.

One of the beautiful things I have found as I walk with Christ is the harder and higher our calling, the sweeter the intimacy with Him. And through that intimacy He speaks. When our calling is of extreme significance, I believe God goes out of His way to confirm for us that we are on the right track. The good news of following Christ is we can’t make a mistake. Notice I said following Christ. He won’t lead us astray, even if He has us traverse some difficult terrain from time to time.

If we’re not following the leading of the Holy Spirit, we’re bound to make mistakes.

Even as we follow, God knows we need reassurance. And He shows up, even as He’s always there. However, sometimes in His all-knowing way, God decides to turn up the volume of His presence. He gives Christmas reassurance in unexpected places.

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the townwhere Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth.At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:39-45 NLT (Emphasis Mine)

Baby John (the Baptist) was the fulfillment of prophecy. He would be the one to go in advance to proclaim Christ. John recognized divinity while still in his mother’s womb. And the Holy Spirit continued to fill His role in the Christmas story by providing encouragement to a virgin girl named Mary, 3 months pregnant, and likely afraid even as she was courageous. The Lord knew exactly the words Mary needed to hear and the Holy Spirit divinely inspired Elizabeth to speak words of encouragement and acknowledgement of Christ Jesus to her.

Notice the Holy Spirit’s words to Mary, that she was blessed because she believed.

When situations seem unusual they do require an extra measure of belief.

Faith in the Christmas story requires an extra measure of belief.

God blesses those who do.

Yes, with eternal life (John 3:16). But blessings here on earth too in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13). One of the biggest blessings we have been given as believers is the deposit of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT

Just as Mary was encouraged by the Holy Spirit, we can be too. We can have the promise of Christmas – God alive inside of us that leads and guides us into His presence and into His love. Out of that overflow, we are empowered to extend Christmas love to others. The Holy Spirit enables us to do all things that God calls us to, even the hard things.

Without the hard things Mary cooperated with God for, we wouldn’t have Christmas.

The Holy Spirit birthed the beauty of Christmas in Mary. What does He desire to birth in you this Christmas season? After all, His story is our story.

Remember, favored woman! The Lord is with you!

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

And don’t forget to check back with us to see what Jennifer and Kim have to say about the Story of Christmas.

A Purifying Perspective on Fire, God, and Life

11.30.2018 by Kim Findlay //

This month at Facets of Faith we’ve been taking a look at what we believe to be God’s most precious attribute. You will want to check out Tracy and Jen’s posts as well as our guest this month, Erin.

I have to be honest, this topic gave me a run for my money. I’m a week late and wrestling with each word I’m about to share. Not just because I struggle to narrow it down to one aspect of his vast character, but because of this season of life I find myself in right now.

Hard. Lonely. Intense.

It ranks up there with the death of my daughter and the slow decay of my first marriage. I feel like I’m in the furnace of struggle and God is burning off the excess, separating the impurities of my life with what is precious and most valuable.

Perspective

As I sat with the idea of identifying His most precious attribute, I was surprised when the words refiner’s fire came to mind.

I don’t like fire. I’ve seen its destructive power firsthand when fire destroyed my home in 2005. I know the suffocating effects it leaves in its path as my daughter, Emma, died in its wake.

But you don’t have to have firsthand experience with your own fire these days to glimpse fire’s power. Just turn on the news and you’ll see the destruction in places like Paradise, California and through the path of the Camp fire.

So it’s curious to me that as I pondered this month’s question that I didn’t choose his peace, his hope, or his faithfulness —all of which are true. I circled this other answer, words I’m almost fearful to whisper but have been buried in my soul for years.

Refiner’s fire

My heart’s one desire

is to be holy

Set apart for you, Lord

I choose to be holy

Set apart for your my Master

Ready to do your will

I first heard this song by Brian Doerkson back in the early 2000s. Before fire destroyed our home. Before my daughter took her final breath. Before life as I knew it smoldered with suffering. I remember singing the words and longing for them to be true in my life, I just didn’t realize the cost.

Remembering

I remember the moment my heart, my soul, and my mind converged in longing to see God move in a mighty way through my life. I witnessed the devastation of a former co-worker’s life. His story impacted me greatly as he stood before our staff and shared not only the destruction, but the hope and the intimacy he experienced as God restored his life.

I want that. I remember thinking. I want to know Jesus the way I see he knows Jesus now. Then I prayed, Lord, do whatever it takes so I might know you better, so I might live and long for you as my one desire.

to him who led his people through the wilderness; His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:16

The Furnace

The very next day, fire broke out in my home and everything changed as I plunged into the furnace of suffering. I had no idea what I was supposed to do or how I would survive. My worst nightmare had become my reality as the heat of sorrow and grief suffocated me. I felt alone and afraid and so very lost.

I see now that I wasn’t lost. Not really. Nor was I alone. God sent reinforcements from the moment smoke began to billow in the sky through the gift of a neighbor. He reminded me through my daughter’s funeral director of a very different yet slightly similar story I’ve know since I was a child.

There were these three guys, maybe you’ve heard of them? Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, three guys who made a decision to not worship King Nebuchadnezzar despite his declaration that all must bow down before the image of gold he had set up. You can read more of their story here (Daniel 3:1-30). But their decision to stand firm and worship the one true God had dire consequences: “Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” Daniel 3:6

Into the furnace they went, bound and tied.

This kind funeral director didn’t leave me standing in the flames alone, he led me straight to the truth. “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?’ ‘Yes, your Majesty, we certainly did,’ they replied. ‘Look!’ Nebuchadnezzar shouted. ‘I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!’” Daniel 3:24-25

Jesus was with these three men, and this gentle man reminded me that Jesus was with me as well.

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisors crowded around them ands that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their head was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!” Daniel 3:26b-27

The Ashes

I wish I didn’t carry the scars of the fire, but I do. Deep scars of loss and grief and suffering beyond what I ever imagined possible. But just like these three men, I’ve stepped out of the fire and survived. But I’ve not only survived, I’m being refined to resemble Jesus. I still have a ways to go, but it’s happening. And others see it, too, as I shared thoughts and experiences that could only be offered through the gift of Jesus’ presence.

I’m learning to be grateful for all of the hardship that’s happened. I’m not a fan of it, let’s just set that record straight. But I see what He’s doing in me, and through me. I see how He’s been transforming me and how I’ve learned more about Him over the past 13 years than I ever thought possible.

He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:23

Purifying Perspective

A refiner’s fire purifies. It separates the precious from the impure. Because of the fire, I’ve learned that God’s mercy has no limits and His grace never runs out. Because of the fire I’ve experienced the depth of His love, true and everlasting love from which I can never be separated no matter what happens or what I do.

Because of the fire I faced my biggest fears and, by His strength, I survived. And I’ve not only survived, I’m living and breathing and enjoying this life He’s entrusted to me.

Because of the fire I can say with certainty that God is good no matter what. His goodness has absolutely nothing to do with me or the circumstances that happen to me. They have everything to do with Him —His character, His essence, simply put —His is good.

Because of the fire my desire for God’s kingdom to come has grown exponentially. I long to see Him now, not just the hope or wish of heaven in the future. I experience the gift of His Spirit now. But I also have the promise of heaven, knowing that all of this pain and suffering and sorrow and tears will end. I will see my sweet girl and I will see Jesus!

Because of the fire I learned to see the battle —the very real battle that is happening between the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of darkness and I know, without a doubt, that Jesus is victorious. I tasted that victory in the darkness of grief. I tasted hope that defies my circumstances.

Because of the fire I learned to see beyond myself, my selfish desires, and my eyes have grown accustomed to see God throughout my every day. I learned to recognize His voice, His promptings, His gifts —so much of what I could not see before.

No, while fire is certainly not the most precious thing, it has led me to all that is precious. It led me to Him. And while I still long to see my girls grow up together, to celebrate the 13 birthdays I’ve missed, to not feel the stabbing pain as my precious girl danced into heaven, I can’t help but see the tenderness as God heal my heart and restores my soul.

And just like Shadrach, Mischeck, and Abednigo, I walked with Jesus through the fire and there is nothing more precious than that.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:26

What attribute of God is most precious to you? Join the conversation by posting below or jump over to our Facebook page to share.

Reckless Love Endures. Receive It.

11.27.2018 by Erin Thompson //

This month FACETS of Faith continues its exploration of God’s most enduring attributes, inspired by Psalm 136. This week, we invite our friend and guest contributor Erin Nicole Thompson to share what she finds most enduring about God. Erin is the founder of Be Brilliant Ministries and the author of Daughters: Your Identity Rescued, Your Value Restored. For more information about her ministry or Bible study, check out her website.

And for more inspiration of God’s enduring attributes, check out Tracy’s piece on God’s faithfulness and Jennifer’s piece about God’s graciousness.

Without further ado, let Erin’s words wash over you, revealing God’s heart for each of you precious readers. We pray you are changed because God met you in and through it.

What is your best attribute? Your most enduring, inherent quality? What do others count on you for? Mercy? Wisdom? Kindness? Are you stumped? It can be a hard question to answer for ourselves.

Well, how about your spouse? Your parents? Or what about God?

What attribute of God do you just love? Appreciate most? Which is most precious to you?

For me?

It’s nice you asked.

My initial response was goodness. God’s goodness. That must be it.

But no.

Sometimes I struggle to understand His goodness in a situation, at least due to my limited perspective. Sometimes His goodness feels far off. Maybe you can relate.

So what is my most constant, consistent conviction of who God is to me?

Love.

Reckless love. Relentless love.

Ever-present. Ever-reaching. Ever-lasting. Never–ending.

God’s love – the reality of it, my experience of it, and my response to it – has to be His most precious inherent attribute to me.

It is more than an attribute. It is a reality. “God is love” (1 John 4:16). His very essence. His being. Love. He doesn’t just give it. He is it.

And because of that, His love is unlike any that has been experienced or existed on earth.

His love is unfailing. It is described as such a whopping 141 times in the Bible. I think that deserves a mic-drop.

We all can sing, “Jesus loves me.” But it seems more often we struggle to be satisfied by God’s love.

If that is you, I understand. Because for more years than I would like to acknowledge, I knew God loved me but I struggled to feel His love. To receive it.

So if you’re like me, here is a five-step-start down the road to be satisfied by the love of God.

“For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Each line of Zephaniah 3:17 is like the guidance of a GPS. Each line shows us where to start and where to turn next. It guides us into an experience of the love of the Father.

“For the Lord your God is living among you.”

First, recognize God’s presence. We need to acknowledge it. When we rise in the morning and moan, “must have coffee,” realize God is with you. As you stumble to the coffee maker say, “Good Morning.”

“He is a mighty savior.”

As your fingers feel the reality of the heat through the mug, request God to fight for you in the day’s battles. Lay your worries at His feet. And realize that He is a mighty savior and no match for what faces you that day. Our second turn is to request God to fight for you and realize He will prevail.

“He will take delight in you with gladness.”

After we invite the Lord into our worries, we can allow our eyes to be lifted to His face. And let’s not stare at the floor but look into His eyes. Deep into His eyes and see how He feels about us. What He thinks of us. Because He calls us beloved. Chosen. His. Adored. Sought out. If that is what He thinks of you, what is His gaze like? May those realities allow you to feel His delight. Receive it.

“With his love, he will calm all your fears.”

Next, we rest in God’s love. “Perfect love expels all fear” (1 John 4:18). Do you have any fears? I do. But when I stand in God’s perfect love, it is the closest I come to being fearless. To rest in that love maybe you need to sit. Or kneel with your face to the floor. As He sings over you because…

“He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

God serenades you. Loudly. Boldly. Proudly. You are His, He is yours and He wants everyone to know it. He rejoices over you. You bring Him joy. Let that sink in and then respond. Show Him how you feel about that. Respond to God’s adoration and see if you feel blessed. Free. Forgiven. Released from the burdens of this world and the baggage you have been dragging around. And then run, run into His arms and allow your soul to be surrounded in His embrace.

His reckless love is present. It is pursing you. Fighting for you. Delighting in you. Calming you. Rejoicing over you.

We must receive it. Respond. And soon God’s enduring essence will become our defining feature. Reckless love.

Take a moment to receive. Enjoy and receive.

What enduring attribute of God’s do you value most? Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.