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TechnoratiDon’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
What I’m saying here is ask me to fill and control your life. Ask me to guide and direct you … shield and protect you. Ask me to deepen our friendship. Ask. Ask. Ask … then ask again. Keep on asking, because every time you sin, you make a choice to “unplug” from my power and presence … which leads me to the next step:
Breathe
I know you don’t need to be reminded to breathe; that sort of comes naturally for air breathing people. What I’m talking about is spiritual breathing. Here’s how it works:
When you know you’ve messed up, exhale what you’ve done by confessing (admitting) it – Again, from my Book:
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (I John 1:9)
The moment you realize that you have sinned, simply tell the Father about it and admit that you were wrong. It's not like He (and me too) don’t know about it already, and the longer you wait to exhale, the less you'll be living in my power.
After you exhale, it's time to ... you guessed it ... inhale! Ask me to fill you again, and be on your way living in my power and deepening our friendship.
That is until you sin again. Then you need to breathe again. Breathe in. Breathe out. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
One more letter – and this is key:
Communicate
Just like any other friendship, we need to talk. So talk to me early and often. Tell me what’s good, what’s bad, what’s confusing you. I’m never too busy to listen, and I’ll never grow tired of your voice … I made you, remember?
Oh yeah, and let me talk to you through the Bible. The words of the Bible are not the words of men … they are mine. They are living and active, and I will make them come alive and active in your life.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to deepening our friendship. In fact, I’m going to stop writing so we can start living the awesome life God the Father designed for you, Jesus purchased for you, and I guide for you!
Love,
Your Friend, The Holy Spirit.
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Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energize and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org.
