A Noticeable Difference

Have you ever been forced to do something that you didn't want to do? If you have, in most cases, you were going through the motions without any depth of involvement. When your heart is not in it, there's no investment on your part. There's no real commitment to the outcome of your actions. You are doing it because you're forced to do it.

On the other hand, when you do something and your heart is in it, there's a significant personal investment in it. You focus on it and put all of your worthwhile efforts into it. It's obvious that not only is there an investment in how you're doing it, but there becomes clarity in why you're doing it. And without question, the results are evident, there's a noticeable difference.

 Well, it's the same thing for the believer that really allows the Holy Spirit to take over his or her life. There's a level of submission, control and investment that we give in making sure that we don't grieve the Holy Spirit. We must give Him access in our decision-making, in our relationships, in our involvements, and in our daily living. The Holy Spirit is a perfect gentleman. He doesn't force us to do anything. He guides, encourages and strengthens, but he never demands or forces us to do anything. Why?

 The Holy Spirit understands that when you are forced to do something, your heart will not be in it. He understands that when there is no emotional investment, there's the act of going through the motions. He doesn't want to have that kind of relationship with us. After all, we are His children.

 Unfortunately, it seems that we have reduced the Holy Spirit to a feeling, spooky behavior, and unreasonably radical religion. But in reality, he's so gentle that He doesn't have to be reduced to just a feeling. Having a relationship with Him will alter your faith. He's so powerful that He doesn't have to be spooky. Having a relationship with Him can make your decisions and actions significant. He's so intelligent that your faith doesn't have to just be a radical religion. Having a relationship with Him will be a relevant reminder of how real He is.

 How do you allow the Holy Spirit to make a noticeable difference in your life?

 1. Listen, watch and expect Him to guide you (John 14: 26)

• 2. Lean on Him (Romans 8: 26-27; Ezekiel 36: 27)*
• 3. Receive His instruction and guidance in your everyday living (John 16: 8)*
• 4. Allow Him to utilize your natural God given abilities for supernatural results (1 Cor. 12)*
• 5. Renew your commitment to His leading everyday
  (2 Cor. 5: 17)*  

 When you do these things (and then some...), you can expect to experience a noticeable difference in your living, decisions, results and manifestations. God will give you the ability to stand out in the crowd. You'll become an example of those believers that refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to only move when there's music and an environment that seems right for it. You'll become the kind of believer that invites the Holy Spirit to be the key ingredient in all that you think, say and do. The difference will be noticeable.

Scripture Of The Day: "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" - John 16:8 (NKJV)