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6/29/2020

Take a Moment to be In the Spirit

12 Comments

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I was thinking this morning about my morning time with God. I've been doing it for 28 years. Sometimes I refer to it as my "devotions," but the truth is, I struggle to devote myself to it.

I do it. But I struggle to do it.

There are so many distractions. So many things I have to do. So many things that want me to pay attention to them. Some of them are worthwhile, like adding to my to do list, or responding to a text, or writing a blog or sermon. But some are worthless. (How can pulling up my phone to study a word from the biblical text turn into 15 minutes of watching videos?!) 

I grab my coffee, I pull out my Bible, open it up on my lap, and read my phone. What's with that?

I don't believe faithfulness is measured by having a morning devotion. But I do believe spending time with God every morning increases faithfulness. In fact, I would say that my best experiences with God have been connected to this habit of getting alone with him, and devoting my attention to him.

When we spend time looking into the heart and mind of God through a prayerful reading of scripture, where we examine ourselves by it, it changes how we see God, how we see ourselves, and how we see the day itself. We become more grateful, more penitent, more sensitive, more caring, more loving, more patient, all those things. We fill up with love joy and peace!

But then we fill up our minds with the news, videos, memes, grams, snaps, tweets, and TikToks. Sigh.

This morning my reading had me in Revelation 1, where John said, "On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit," and then he describes a vision in which he hears from Jesus. It reminded me of Acts 10 where Peter was in a time of prayer and "fell into a trance" and saw a vision of Jesus. And that reminded me of Acts 22 where Paul described one time that he "fell into a trance" and saw a vision of Jesus.

I think I've always related to those things as a mystical grace that just sorta happened onto them. Maybe it was. And I don't think we're supposed to chase "trances" and "visions." But I do believe we're supposed to chase being in the Spirit.

To be "in the Spirit" is a choice that we make. It's something God invites us to, but he doesn't force us into it, or it into us. And sure, being "in the Spirit" can generally describe the life of someone who is surrendered to the Lord. We can talk about living a "Spirit-filled" life. But apparently, according to scripture, it can also describe a moment in that person's life that is uniquely "in the Spirit."

Peter, Paul, and John apparently set aside time to be "in the Spirit." I wonder if you do? Or if you will?

Today I am challenging you to do that, and I mean it in a very practical and yet spiritual way. Take time to be "in the Spirit."

  1. Get alone for five minutes without distractions (set your phone down).
  2. Close your eyes and quiet your heart.
  3. Slow down your breathing and settle your mind.
  4. If you are aware of sins, confess them and renew your love for Jesus.
  5. And then, just be in God's presence. You're not there to entertain him. You're not there to say your prayers or even read your Bible. You're simply there to enjoy his presence. And to make yourself available to him for whatever he does or doesn't want to do. If he speaks you'll be okay with it. If he doesn't you'll be okay with it. Your goal isn't to get something from him, or to give anything to him. You're there to simply be "in the Spirit."

When Wendy and I were dating as long-distance high school sweethearts, we got to know each other by letters, and then by phone calls. And in the phone call stage we would just sit on the phone together, sometimes not even talking to each other, just being together. And, if I can say it this way, we were simply being "into each other."

Will you take time to do that with God each day?
Take time to be "in the Spirit" today.
I did, and it is good.
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12 Comments
Liz Lane
6/29/2020 11:46:58 am

Great encouragement this morning! Thank you!

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Sandra A. Liechty
6/29/2020 12:07:32 pm

Thank you for sharing about "being in the spirit". We attend the Sarasota Church whenever we are in Florida. Our new interim pastor is Jeff Boehr. Pastor Jeff and Beth were at Camp Friedenswald as worship leaders for 2 years. We live in Bluffton, OH now but have attended Lima Mennonite Church since 1986. Pastor Jeff preached via Zoom last Sunday on practicing being contemplative. May I share your list of ways to practice being "in the spirit" with our church? Thank you Roger! Keep up the regular online connection online with the flock!

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Pastor Roger
6/29/2020 02:36:09 pm

Absolutely! Share away. :)

Pastor Roger
6/29/2020 02:36:50 pm

Thanks Liz.

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Marlene
6/30/2020 01:14:31 pm

I just got on my phone and it is afternoon. I am going to try to save this so I can do this every morning

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Pastor Roger
6/30/2020 02:56:28 pm

Wonderful idea.

Donna
7/12/2020 01:09:57 pm

A little late but in clearing out endless e mails, I come upon this from you. How did I miss it?
This was a pearl amid my numerous boring mail.
I stopped and read and read again. Then I turned away from my computer.
Thank you Roger again for helping me always reset my compass.

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Pastor Roger
7/14/2020 04:53:44 pm

Thanks Donna. :)

Nancy I. Yoder
6/29/2020 02:36:47 pm

I too cherish my alone time with God. Time to read scriptures, & thoughts from my favorite devotional writers.. Thinking on my thoughts & how Word speaks to me Taking notes & recording scriptures. But as I now receive so much of my devotions on line, I find it challenging when so many other items also crowd my space. Discipline is definitely needed as so many of these items can crowd out what I have started. I have to prioritize so that conveniences of electronics don’t take over. I enjoy quietness & stillness of morning light as I sit in my special corner & spend my time with God as it prepares me for day.

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Pastor Roger
6/30/2020 02:59:42 pm

So true Nancy. You're an inspiration.

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Margo Bohaty
7/1/2020 08:33:26 am

I have practiced "quiet meditation time"in the early morning for quite a few years. I sometimes struggle to NOT look at my phone to see which client needs something and/or needs a response from me. I used to think it was my "good work ethic" that made me responsible to react promptly! Recently I have become aware that I have a responsibility to myself to go within and be with God's spirit.

During these difficult times, I see that being quiet is more important than ever before. It grounds me to listen to the birds, watch my kitty just be in the now ....I learn from animals who instinctually know how to be in the present moment.

Thank you Pastor Roger for confirming the value to be with God's spirit.

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Pastor Roger
7/14/2020 04:55:41 pm

Thanks Margo. Yes, to know the Lord in silence and to be present to him in stillness is a wonderful gift.

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    Author

    Pastor of Sarasota Community Church since 2009.
    Husband to Wendy since 1986; Dad to Micah (and Kailey), Josiah (and Anna), Jenn, and Bekah. Pop-pop to Malakai, Titus, Shiloh, and Kaiden. 
    Author of One Together: A vision for ending division (2019), Untapped: Five transformations of the Spirit-filled life (2018), and Counting the Cost of Faith: Straight talk about deciding to follow Jesus (2013), all available on Amazon or at the church Info Desk. 
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