How does one see in the Spirit?
Imagine Covid 19 social distancing without the internet? For many people their only connection to the world, their family and friends is through social media. Once your mobile phone is connected to a reliable wi-fi network, it can update software, and apps. You can now also connect to the world with Whatsapp, e-mail, and social media. You can upload and download, and share memories, photos, documents, and valuable information. The connection is the vital link.
However, we are also spiritual beings. How does one connect in the Spirit? God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:24) Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Cor 3:15-18) “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Cor 2:9-11
The reality is, in today’s modern world mankind is becoming more and more spiritually disconnected. The result is, that we’re not getting the new divine spiritual updates, and power apps/gifts to enable us cope with the complexity of daily living. God wants to give us divine spiritual direction and a kingdom roadmap to mitigate the obstacles of our times. We need a connection!
JESUS IS THE CONNECTION!
The Bible
For me to be spiritually ALIVE I need to busy my mind with spiritual things like regular bible study, prayer, praying in tongues. Also, engaging in spiritual deep discussions in fellowship and listening to an audio-bible. I also recommend attending bible-school, and weekly receiving my spiritual brother’s input in men’s group where we share kingdom perspectives, defend the faith and refer to and read spiritual books.
An important component of being spiritually alive is to regularly attend church where we build one another up, receive prophecy, teaching and testimonies. During such precious moments, we are sharing our faith, discipling others while being discipled. We engage in intercessory prayer for another, “laying on of hands”, and praying for the sick. We are also contemplating truths to meditate on from a sermon perspective. We discuss Kingdom blueprints for the economy, community, education, safety and health of our cities and towns.
From these meetings we aim apply Kingdom acts of kindness: serving the poor, being a “good Samaritan”, while defending the faith and making peace. We minister counseling, mediate healing in relationships, encourage someone with a scripture and testimony and care for someone in need like feeding the poor.
We make sure that we are doing this in a manner pleasing to God: with a heart of forgiveness and grace while listening to discern God’s voice and obeying His instructions!
What are you feeding on?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:5-6)
Living With God
We are temple of the Holy Spirit. you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Cor. 3:16); the temple of God is holy. Which temple are you? (1 Cor. 3:17); Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19); we are the temple of the living God (2 Cor. 6:16).
Be God-inside minded. Christ within the hope of Glory. (Col 1:27) Live a seamless spiritual life, conscious that everything is spiritual. [1]
Talking To God
MATTHEW 6:5–13
Like any conversation there are many different ways, of communicating your thoughts and heart to someone. The same applies to prayer, thanksgiving, praise, confession, supplication, petition, intercession, travail etc. But no prayer is one-directional. It is simple good manners, to not do all the talking, there should also be listening, reflecting and mirroring.
Discovering God in the Bible
Studying the scriptures is like studying the mind of God. We get to know Him through the scripture by discovering His heart, motives and intention, and in obedience we discover His ways.
The Word is a light to our path. It teaches us to begin to think like God, so we can begin to act like God. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:12-14)
Sensing God in Creation
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made (Rom 1:20) See Ps 19! Nature has an ability to bring me peace in a way nothing else does. Sure I get annoyed by bugs or get tired from hiking. But seeing the beauty, creativity, and complexity of what God has made has had a profound effect on my spiritual life.
Recognizing God In People
When man decided to rather be filled with the instant gratification of a desirable beautiful experience than remain loyal to divine family; he alienated himself from the only way to acquire godly maturity and divine wisdom. A team of researchers “factor analyzed” all of the different treatment outcomes in order to understand what it was that really produced change, growth, and healing in a person. The researchers looked at each technique’s style, interventions on thinking and feelings, dynamics, and the like. While all of that was important, a professor explained, there was something else, some other factor that had really produced the curative force across each of these modalities: it is relationship. Not just any relationship, but the kind of meaningful, constructive, discipling that produces maturity in Christ. [2]
Finding God In Circumstances
GENESIS 45:4–15; 50:19–20
He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons.
Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. God used the famine, and in these circumstances delivered His people.
Discovering God In Silence
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. (1 KINGS 19:1–16). “For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him” (Ps 62:5).
God Revealed In Visions & Dreams
(ACTS 2:17, JOEL 2:28)
“Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6)
Sensing God’s Presence
Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road (Luk 24:31-32). Many times one read of one being in God’s presence and not being aware. Awareness and focus is thus the problem. We need to tune in.
Encountering His Messengers
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Rom 10:14-15 Paul needed Ananias.
Wrestling With God
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”
And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen 32:25-28
Walking With God
Genesis 5:24, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. (Gen 6:9-22) Walking with God entails servanthood obedience. [3]
[1] https://robbell.com/portfolio/everything-is-spiritual-2016-tour-film/
[2] Excerpt from: “The Power of the Other: The startling effect other people have on you, from the boardroom to the bedroom and beyond-and what to do about it” by Henry Cloud. Read this book on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/308264926
[3] Connecting with God: A spiritual formation guide. (Renovare resource) by Renovare, Lynda L. Graybeal, Julia L. Roller, Richard J. Foster https://a.co/8jbUmf8
