Reading: John 20:19-22
Has your family ever been in the state where they just need to be renewed? That is when you know it is time for a family vacation. Last Friday, our family left on our first camping trip for the season. My husband and I couldn't wait to get the camper refreshed and ready to go again. It had been over five months since our last camping trip and we were both longing for another enjoyable camping experience. The girls, as always, were excited and the preparations for the trip just seem to be taking way too long - for them and us. But finally we were ready to go. When we arrived at the campsite it was beginning to get dark. So the urgency continued as we set up camp. We slept hard that night. All the work to get us there had drawn us all to a state of exhaustion. However, the breaking through of the sunrise the next morning was the long awaited renewal. It spoke to my soul and refreshed my spirit.Lately, I have been in a state where I feel like I need the fresh renewal of the Holy Spirit. This morning I awoke with the song, Spirit of the Living God by Daniel Iverson running through my mind. Usually when I awake with a Scripture or song in mind I wonder what the Lord is trying to tell me. However, I couldn't remember the full chorus. So off I went to find my hymnal. That is when I saw the message from the Lord. The part I couldn't remember was, "Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me." The submission part of the song. My heart had been longing for the renewal of the Holy Spirit, yet I had forgotten my part - to submit.
I started thinking of the disciples and how they were hiding in the upper room after the crucifixion. So I looked up John 20:19-22. The Scripture states that as the disciples sat there afraid of the Jewish leaders, suddenly Jesus appeared. As I read the words Jesus spoke to the disciples I envisioned Him saying them directly to me. “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you . . . Receive the Holy Spirit.” That is when it hit me. God all of a sudden putting the song in my mind this morning was just like the sudden appearing of Jesus. The Father wanted to remind me that the Holy Spirit is always with me, always awaiting to renew me, I just have to receive Him. I have to submit. Submit so that He can melt, mold, and fill me. Submit so I can be used.
One interesting thing about any trip you may take, you have to make preparations. Just like the camping trip preparations seem to have taken forever , so will preparations to do God's work. We may become exhausted. Yet, the morning will come and suddenly He will renew our spirit in Him. We long for the Holy Spirit to renew us. Yet, the Holy Spirit is with us always – we just have to recognize His presence and receive Him.
Are you feeling like you need a spiritual renewal? Then I invite you to join me in recognizing the presence of the Perfect Spirit, the Holy Spirit, and receive Him today.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to recognize the ever dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, Who dwells with me. Help me to seek You and submit to Your Holy Spirit. Show me how I can allow you to melt me, mold me, fill me, and use me. Amen.
Spirit of The Living God
(by Daniel Iverson)
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
