Category Archives: Operating in the Holy Spirit

Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Why Are You Offended?” by Dr.J.

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I told God on someone who said something to me that offended me. The Holy Spirit told me I needed to stay humble and understand that offense is rooted in pride. He had me to reflect deeply on why I was offended. He showed me why the comment had such a sting. He reminded me that He is still my vindicator but I didn’t need to get offended by things people say or do. “God, what about the person who made that heartless comment to me?” God said, “I know the motives of her heart but let me handle her.”

This walk isn’t fleshly at all. We have to stay in the spirit and operate in the fruit of the spirit. People will knowingly and unknowingly be used by Satan to say and do offensive things to you. God just wants to know how you will respond. Offense is in the demonic family of pride. Renounce the spirit of offense in Jesus’s name. Let people say and do what they want and let God handle them. Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Praising Under the Influence” by Dr.J.

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God doesn’t want believers under the influence of anything but the Holy Spirit. God is calling us to be Holy, set apart. You can’t consume any and everything without being influenced by what you take in. What do you drink, eat, smoke, view, and hear? How does it influence your life, your attitude, and your praise? How does what you consume affect what God is trying to birth on the inside of you? Are you contaminating the fetus of your gift, your promotion, your ministry, or your dream? Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice is our reasonable service. We were created to praise God. Praise Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit and nothing else. Dr.J.

#PUI #praisingundertheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit

Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Stay Behind the Force Field” by Dr.J.

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It doesn’t faze me if anyone “comes for” me or my child. When those who are “coming” arrive, God and His angels have already created a force field around us. Our natural opponents can’t see the Force Field so they keep coming. They can’t figure out why they can’t get to us. They hurl attacks, slick comments, disrespect, and even conspiracies and they can’t figure out why the weapons won’t prosper. This Force Field can’t be penetrated.

See some of us peer out from behind our force field and see people on the outside cussing at us, not teaching our children in the classroom, being unfair to us or our family, trying to get over on us, stealing from us, talking about us, conspiring against us on the job, trying to intrude in our relationships and our marriages, and innumerable other attacks. The enemy plants seeds of anxiety and even discord in us. We start to think, I‘m not weak. I don’t have to take this. And then you, from inside the force field, allow those thoughts to penetrate your heart and you step outside the boundaries of the force field to go after your natural opponents. Huh? You came out of the safety and protection of the force field to act in the flesh and get your “natural” opponents back? Pride. See the devil and his demons can see the shield but they know there is a chance in our flesh that we may step from behind the shield and that’s when he can get us- in our flesh. That’s when we become vulnerable – in our flesh. If we could only remember, our weapons are always spiritual and never carnal. Never.

Yesterday, a grown man at a three way stop ‘shot a bird’ at me and Jaylen. I didn’t see it. Jay quickly turned his body around and then quickly faced forward again. I looked in the rear view to see what Jay saw. The man shot a bird at me too. I looked forward. I asked Jay, ‘Did he “shoot a bird at you?” Jay replied, ‘Yea.’ I said, ‘Jay that man is being used by the devil.’ He said, ‘I know mama, that’s why I just turned back around and didn’t do anything back to him.’

That was a victory over our flesh. Both of us literally had to “die to flesh” in that moment. Now we may not win every battle but the victory is so sweet, knowing that Jesus’s example was seen in us. See, through the power of the Holy Spirit (I can’t do it by myself), I’m trying to teach my son that God is our Vindicator. We can never repay evil for evil, no matter how severe the natural circumstances appear. We don’t ever need to come from behind the Force Field. We have to stay in the Spirit. God doesn’t need us to fight these petty battles for Him; He’s too big to need our assistance. If He tells us to fight, it certainly won’t be in our flesh.

Keep coming Satan and his helpers, and you’ll keep bouncing back off us because we’re protected with a Force Field so strong that nothing you do, no matter who you use shall prosper. Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Are Grumbling and Arguing Spiritual Gifts?” by Dr.J.

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Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬ “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”‭‭

As much as we grumble and argue one would think that Paul identified the two as part of the five fold ministry or at least the gifts of the Spirit. But he didn’t. As a matter of fact, according to scripture, grumbling and arguing shouldn’t be a part of our “fruit” at all.

When you consider the word “everything,” that means in all that we do at home, at work, at church in everything we do, we must not grumble or argue. Can you imagine how marriages, relationships with our children, churches and job environments would change if we changed?

Grumbling and arguing come from a contrite heart which reveals the impurity and malfunctioning of our hearts. If we are stricken with the disease of grumbling and arguing, we must pray for healing now. Only the Holy Spirit can transform our hearts through a deepened and more surrendered relationship with Christ.

Our grumbling and arguing are blotting out our shine, our Godly glow. The shine comes from the glow of the Holy Spirit, from belonging to Christ. He can’t shine in the darkness of our grumbling and arguing because it purposefully blots out His light.

Not only do grumbling and complaining come from a bad heart, those are bad spirits that have infiltrated our beings. Grumbling and arguing are harmonious in the devil’s heavenly symphony in the air. Stop giving him a foothold by singing his tune right now in Jesus’s name.

The cure for grumbling and -arguing is this- hold on to the Word of life. God’s can help us to blot out grumbling and arguing. What are we grumbling and arguing about? Why? Don’t we trust God’s Word. Don’t we know God won’t withhold anything good from us? Don’t we know that God can cause all things to work for our good?

Remember the quintessential example of grumbling and arguing was the Israelites in the wilderness. Please remember the consequences. What is keeping us from maximizing our true spiritual gifts? Why aren’t we growing in the grace of God in our ministry, marriage, jobs, and relationships? Why haven’t we reached our promised land here on earth? Perhaps it is because we treat grumbling and arguing as if they are spiritual gifts. They are not. Dr.J.

Faith, Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Spiritual Funambulism” by Dr.J. 

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You’ve been trusting God this long. Don’t start doubting Him now. 

You’ve been thinking, “How will God make this happen if I don’t do ‘something’?” If you need to do anything, the Holy Spirit will prompt you and lead you. This is truth. He speaks to us. He will tell us what to do and when. The works that bring life to our faith can be as simple as “obey” and God will line up everything else without your help. Let God be God.

Your child is acting contrarily to what God has shown you about his life. Her grades, behavior, attitude, habits, and even organization contradict everything you’ve taught her in the natural. That’s why you must rely on, cling to, and grab ahold to the promises God showed you. Stop measuring your child by the world’s standards. Our faith gets shaken when we look at what’s going on in the natural with our child. If he is going through it, God ordained it. All these unpleasant natural occurrences will work for your child’s supernatural purpose. 

Our trust and faith cannot fluctuate as our circumstances, situations, and feelings dictate. We have to believe even when the attacks come. We have to trust God when things look crazy. Husbands and wives are not on one accord. Trust God. Bank account is low. Trust God. Big vision head but no provision in sight. Trust God. 

As a believer, you’re always walking a tightrope. You have to know when to advance, retreat, or be still. You have to be able to balance living in the world yet operating in the Spirit. You have to step out on faith. Don’t let the tightrope walk cause you to take your eyes off God. You’ve been trusting God this long. Don’t start doubting Him now. Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

“Stop Explaining Yourself” by Dr.J.

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STOP EXPLAINING YOURSELF! Has anyone ever said any of this to you? “Why didn’t you just cuss her out? That couldn’t be me!” or “Are you going to let your supervisor bully you and you just sit there and take it?” or “How can you love her after what she did to you? You are a fool!” or “You better stand up for yourself!” or “Didn’t you just mess up and backslide this weekend?” Yes, they’ve said it to me too! 

In my study with one of my study partners, the Holy Spirit gave us powerful revelation! We do not have to explain ourselves to people! Some of us are explaining and justifying why we are “now, all of a sudden” giving God all the glory, loving like Christ said to love, fasting, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. Stop explaining yourself right now! Why? Because when people look at things, other people, or situations in the “natural,” people will never understand the things of the “spirit.” So why are we explaining ourselves? 

As we “daily” develop our relationship with Christ, He reveals to us how we are to act, what we are to say, how we are to love, and how He forgives us when we mess up! But people who aren’t developing their relationship with Christ won’t understand why you ‘do what you do,’ even if you try to explain it, post it, debate it, or argue it! 

I Corinthians 2:15-16 “But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Now the spiritual person discerns all things, but he himself is judged by no one.”

You keep discerning how the Spirit wants you to handle your kids, your job, your relationship, your marriage, your money. God judges you! Act, say, respond in a way that pleases Him, not people. There is no explanation needed! Dr.J.

2016 Daniel Fast, Operating in the Holy Spirit

“I Can’t Control Myself” by Dr.J. 2016 Fast Post 16

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Have you struggled with sin in one particular area or several areas of your life? Do you try to control your mouth but always blurt out something inappropriate and sinful? Do you have sexual urges and lusts that you feel can’t be controlled? Pornography and masturbation? Homosexuality? Gambling? Anger? Bitterness? Greed? Jealousy and envy? Having multiple partners? Overeating? Lying and manipulation? Weed or other drugs? Do you find yourself thinking or saying, “I can’t control myself?” If your answer is yes to one or more of these questions, don’t fret, we’ve been praying and fasting for the Holy Spirit to develop the fruit of the spirit “self-control” in us all week all over the world.

How is the fruit of the spirit produced in our lives? The fruit of spirit is produced in our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives. If we’re not in relationship with God through reading and studying His Word, praying, fasting, tithing, giving to others, and serving, we’re quenching the Holy Spirit. We have to make a decision to get closer to God in order for God to draw near to us. Sin and the Holy Spirit can’t indwell you simultaneously. So, do you resolve not to defile yourself?

The same way the Holy Spirit has given you the power of self-control over your eating this week is how the Holy Spirit can give you the power of self-control each and every day. But first, you had to decide. You decided you would fast. You decided you would sacrifice food for a deeper relationship with God. Because of your decision to walk in the Spirit, you’ve been able to control your eating.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (Amplified)  but just as it is written [in Scripture], “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]. For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].

When you love God, obey God, and gratefully recognize His benefits, God will unveil things to you through the Holy Spirit. Then the fruit of the spirit will be produced in your life.

Galatians 5:16-21 (Amplified) But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].  For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Have you decided to control yourself in the area of sin? Have you chosen God’s will over your flesh? Make the decision over and over again each day and you will begin to see not only the fruit of self-control, but also “love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness.” The fruit of the spirit is evidence that God is in you. Will you let Him in? Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

Stop Airing Dirty Laundry On Social Media by Dr.J.

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How do I avoid posting all my feelings, thoughts, and actions that the Holy Spirit did not tell me to post on social media?

How do I refrain from using social media in the manner the devil predicted by making subliminal posts that target and hurt specific people who I’m afraid to confront PRIVATELY in the spirit of love?

How do I stop blurting out my emotions all over the timeline as if the book is a virtual couch belonging to virtual psychologists and psychiatrists?

How can I yield NOT to the temptation to flood the book with pictures of myself in an effort to promote and increase me, get attention or evoke jealousy in someone else?

How do I suppress the urge to communicate my relationship issues through memes, quotes, pictures, and slick comments on social media to hurt the same one I supposedly love?

How can I be emotionally and mentally stable and consistently spiritual  instead of the display of double mindedness through my up-and-spiritual-one-moment down-and-carnal-the-next posts and comments on social media?

The answer to each question is the same – the fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we stay off the book and out of the flesh and get in the Book in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit begins to transform us. He stabilizes us. He counsels us. He teaches us. He helps us to heal. Then we begin to produce spiritual fruit such as gentleness, love, and self control.

Please recognize how the enemy uses social media THROUGH US. We have to be led by the Holy Spirit in all that we do. In order to be convicted by the Holy Spirit,  we have to be in relationship with God.  I know when I’m having a flesh moment. I don’t go near devices during those moments. Stay off the book airing your dirty laundry when you’re in the flesh. The book can’t be evil without our evil intentions. It’s purging season. Some stuff we can’t take into the next season. God wants to heal us and make us whole. Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

Is It the Pride In Me? by Dr.J.

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God has a way of revealing pride in us so that we will allow Him to purge us before pride destroys us.

What is that uncomfortable feeling when see someone doing what I do but I think I can do it better? Is it the pride in me?

It is difficult to complete the assignments God has for you when you have residue of pride. Does it get under your skin if someone in authority doesn’t call your name in recognition? Does it bother you if you do all the work but someone else gets the credit? Does it agitate you that you have a gift but God hasn’t released you to operate in it yet? Does it make you feel “some kind of way” that someone in your same position is doing better than you and getting more attention? Does it irk you if someone calls on others to do something that you feel you’re better qualified to do? Pride. Pride. Pride. Pride. Pride.

We can’t pretend we don’t have these feelings. We can’t be delivered from pride if we allow pride to prevent us from admitting that pride is a stronghold. One important step to our healing is confessing the sin of pride. If you’re wondering what’s holding you back from your next assignment, ask God to show you the motives of your heart. Then let the Holy Spirit purge you from the spirit of pride. We have too much kingdom work to do to be held back by sin. Dr.J.

Operating in the Holy Spirit

I’m Not Disappointed, I’m Content by Dr.J.

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How do I deal with disappointments? When I focus on my wants and my will and my desires my hearts gets a sickened feeling. I can make myself miserable thinking of all the things I want and by staying in my feelings about not having those things.

OR

I can pray about those things and make my requests known to God. Then, I have to take my mind completely off those things. Moment by moment because the flesh keeps pushing those thoughts in our heads.

Then I have to pray for the Holy Spirit to help me set my mind on heavenly things. See my focus has to be about getting to heaven and helping others get to heaven at all times. Yes, all times. Even when I take care of my son, work, take classes, and write, my focus has to be on heavenly things.

Then, I have to pray for peace about being in God’s will. What if the promotion, the wealth, the marriage are not in His will? I have to pray for contentment. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have faith in what God can and will do. It means that even if He doesn’t do it, I’m content. The blessings aren’t the focus, the relationship with God is.

About those disappointments…The enemy can’t use disappointments against me now because I am content. To stay here in my spiritual state of contentment I have to stay in the spirit. Moment by moment I say, “Lord give me peace, joy, and contentment in my current circumstances.” We are not disappointed, we are content. Dr.J.