Encouragement

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Ask a builder and he will tell you the value of a solid and lasting
foundation. When it comes to beginning a pure and uniquely
individual relationship with God, a solid and lasting foundation is
imperative.

Becoming a direct student of the Holy Spirit is necessary to insure
we have an unyielding foundation. Contrary to popular belief, this
type of relationship does not evolve from what we learn through
other people, but is gained through revelation by the Holy Spirit to
you (Joel 2:28-29). A gift from God, by His design, to each
individual.

How do we receive this gift and become a student of the Holy Spirit?
Allow the Holy Spirit to be responsible for your complete
construction, from foundation to your destiny, resulting in your
self becoming a complete product of the Holy Spirit.
Give up relying on the influences, views, opinions, and traditions
of others. Instead, follow the Holy Spirit fully, allowing him to
create in you what he wants.
Recognize how easily we underestimate the influence of others and
how we let the Holy Spirit’s guidance become secondary. We are
truly free when the Holy Spirit has the full authority to
establish his teachings
first.

Unfortunately, our distrust of the Holy Spirits' ability to carry
out this task single-handedly becomes an obstacle. We must
recognize that serious "reconstruction" by the Holy Spirit is
necessary to repair the faulty foundations we have allowed others to
build.

Things that we are taught, directly and indirectly, through other
influences can be different from what God intends for us to know and
understand. God's will is to be in control of forming us in every
way, both spiritual and natural. His instruction provides us with
the tools we need to think and process information and manage our
feelings. God desires us to utilize our gifts from him, personally
tailored for us.

God desires to be in control of how we understand him, understand
ourselves, and understand issues relevant to our lives. He wants us
to dwell in the safe, open environment of His indescribable love and
support.
Why are we so reluctant to trust the Holy Spirit to be solely
responsible for everything we learn and become? There are several
reasons that we fear being independent of earthly influences:

Maintaining individuality is looked down upon and even dismissed
as "wrong". The popular mentality is that if everyone is
following, it must be safe, right, and suitable for everyone. Not
true at all. Each person's unique connection to God is like a set
of human finger prints. Generally, fingerprints look the same.
However, when closely examined, each set is distinctive. One way
of connection to God does not fit all in this sense!

People often reject individual learning because it is viewed as
God "changing,” which is never true. God does not change. He
does not have to. Perfection needs no adjustment. We on the other
hand do require change as doctrine and teaching become tainted
over time, leaving us in bondage.

It is through us that imperfect perceptions of God are formed,
which makes it necessary for God to reveal His truth by ongoing
renewal and purification through the Holy Spirit to increase our
understanding of him.

Though God does not change, he does grant new understanding of
what already exists! Therefore it is our understanding that is
renewed and therefore becomes more pure and free of distortion of
accumulated imperfections.

Our teachings, understandings, ideas, and views tend to become
distorted over time, leading people onto the path of destruction.
One person’s imperfection, no matter how small, can create bondage
and damage to another, similar to a genetic disease.

The survival of wrong guidance and teaching is also passed from
person to person, creating more damage to ourselves, and to the
perceptions that we hold about God. Only the Great Holy Spirit has
the ability to stop and correct such a cycle. He creates, for
each individual, the right teaching, appropriate for whom we are.

How can the Holy Spirit do these things? We must first understand
the design of the Holy Spirit. He was designated by God to be our
Teacher/Guide "to teach us all things.” He was first and foremost
ordained to carry out this function (John 14:26). No mere person is
more qualified.

The Holy Sprit will lead us into all truth, so we have absolute
assurance that he will not allow us to be led in the wrong direction
(John 16:13). What human influence can promise that?
As for our fear that we will get it all wrong, consider to whose
version of "right" we have in mind. God's "right" for each
individual can never be matched, and most certainly, can never be
wrong. God shapes us through what is right for each of us, matched
to who we are - our individuality, experiences, and life. God's will
is for us to be complete in him, exclusively shaped by Him.

We often harbor the belief that God makes us in order for us to go
out and "shape" others. However, God does not want us shaping
anyone, including ourselves. We can not build anyone's relationship
with God, though we may certainly offer support and encouragement.
Individual Godly relationships must be built between the individual
and God.

Therefore God reserves this "work" so he can produce pure results,
which will reflect who the individual is supposed to be. Only God
can teach us to become all that he designed us to be. He provides
each of us with a foundation worthy of being built upon, which will
be effective for each individual as God sees fit. Absolutely no one
can train/teach you like God himself. Be encouraged to look to God
for any and every understanding that you need. It is his desire to
answer you personally.
*****

I cannot tell you how your personal journey with God will go. But I
can tell you that your personal journey with the Holy Spirit will be
the best experience you will ever have.
I have picked up some tips in my personal journey that may help you
begin to build a great foundation and insure your ground remains
fertile and pure, as you and the Holy Spirit begin a life long
partnership.

The foundation of all foundations is LOVE.
God’s love is always open to you, is always good for you, and he
always has your best interests in mind.

God is not difficult to hear, feel or understand. You will know
when he speaks, and you will feel his love in a way unique to you.
He will manifest his love for you in some way that you will
understand.

You are his creation, and the Creator always has the ability to
connect with his creation. He is waiting for you.

Start with honesty. Be open. You have not ever done anything that
would make God feel differently toward you. God does not dwell on, nor is he preoccupied with the concept of sin. God's focus is not your sin, his focus and concern is for you. He loves you unconditionally.

God cares about all of the paths you have experienced and wants to
bring meaning, understanding and truth to them for you. Your past
is part of who you are. He loves ALL of you. Expect him to
connect to every element of you.
His desire is to make you a
complete person.

Respect others, but stay grounded where the Holy Spirit has placed
you, and never move. Despite accusation, judgment, persecution,
pressure, or loss, your peace and new understanding will be worth
it.

Study the Bible with the Holy Spirit as your guide. He will make
sure that you are not led astray.

Build your relationship with the Holy Spirit through interaction
with him. Learn him through your spirit and by experiencing Him
with every part of you. As you become to know the Holy Spirit,
your experiences with Him will guide you.

Use the Bible as confirmation of what the Holy Spirit teaches you.
Study it in the way that He leads.
God Bless You
Copyright 2004 - Samantha Cole

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