The Upper Room Experience
May 29, 2009
The next 10-14 days (May 31-June 14) we will gather in this room to encourage one another as we submit to the Spirit of God in our lives. Please sign in and let us know whom we will be praying with and then let us know, as often as you can, how things are going. Remember we want the Spirit to help, teach and guide us as Jesus said he would (John 14-16). It is okay to post your failings as well as your victories. In your struggles others may want to encourage and the Spirit’s victories in your life will be and encouragement to others.
Thank you for joing us in the Upper Room and letting the Holy Spirit work in your life. Remember the fruits of the Spirit are: love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Kris
Richard
I am technically challenged, and, therefore, this computer experience will be a stretch for me.
I just returned from church, and I wonder how many others feel as I do (after having just spent time in the presence of the Holy Spirit)the feeling of physical and emotional exhaustion. This happens to me each time that I am being convicted by the HS, and I have often wondered if it is common.
A good friend reminded me once that pride is the root of all sin. I deal with a prideful nature and often want to do things in my own strength. I ask for prayer in dealing with this.
God bless all of you, and may we each be strengthened by the HS.
Sandy Dost
Sandy, welcome to the Upper Room. I am looking forward with great anticipation to see what God will do as we pray, encourage and submit together.
I am right there with you on the pride issue. I will be praying for you. Please pray for me as well.
I was so blessed an encouraged today and am looking forward to learning more about the Holy Spirit. I sincerely want to learn to yield my life totally to Him.
Lori, good to see in the Upper Room. I am anxious to grow with you.
I read the following verse today in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)”Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
Blessings!
I appreciate the call/invitation to seek God together in prayer. Today, I am thankful for the promise that God is pleased by genuine faith (even if it’s small), and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. And perhaps my favorite verse in the Bible is appopriate at a time like this also: Pr. 1:23 – “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” May God find among us a heart willing to turn at His correction, and may He be pleased to pour out His Spirit upon us and teach us His word/ways.
For His glory, Dave.
Dave I agree we all need to begin with repentance. David realized this as he prayed Ps. 51. Verse 17 says it all, “The scarifices of God are a broken sprit; a broken and contrite heart”. Contrition maybe the starting point for all who are joining our Upper Room experience. My prayer is aboslute cleansing for us all as we begin and continued cleansing as we proceed.
We should all remember we have the presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)”Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
After Sunday’s 10:30 service I had at least one person approach me and state they wanted the handout I made available after service listing the fruits of the sinfilled and Spirit-filled nature. If you didn’t receive a copy and would like one please email me and I will attempt to send it to you or I will run off a few more and have them available by Wednesday. Thanks.
The words to this old hymn kept going through my mind on Sunday. Then today while I stuggled all day with a spirit of discontent I kept repeating it. Perhaps it will encourage someone else too.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me,
Fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God
Fall fresh on me.
Soul of Heaven, heart of God,
Wash over me.
Cleanse me, teach me,
Hold me, reach me.
Holy presence, love divine,
Cast out my fear.
Shield me, free me,
Call me, lead me.
Amen Lord may it be so.
Great song and welcome to the Upper Room. Let us join our hearts together in prayer for the words of that song to come true in each of our lives.
I also was so excited with the word sunday. Thank God we have a Pastor who speaks the WORD. It is the WORD that has brought me thru every situation of life. The Lord’s prayer and the prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10 is how i start everyday, also i ask God to make me usable, and i always Thank God for the air i breath & good lungs to breath.
Welcome DeAnna and good to hear from you. The Holy Spirit is our breath of life. As we physically breath in and out, so we need to breath spritually during our day. Breath out the bad and breath in the Spirit of God. Keep Him on the throne.
TUESDAY – DAY 3
Today’s word is much like yesterday’s. 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 (NIV)”For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
The only way I have found to swallow up the mortal is through the life giving force of the Holy Spirit.
I had the opportunity to hold and talk to and then to discipline a couple of my children today. As I was talking to one of them and calling upon God for wisdom and mercy with this child, He (God) seemed to be saying to me that we too as His very own children need to respond to His correction and not to fight His discipline. I am so grateful for teachable moments with my children. I truly desire to be a teachable child of our dear Father in heaven. I am praying for all of you as you post here in the upper room.
Lori,
I love those moments too. I had a moment with one of my dear ones yesterday too to talk about being teachable and how it requires a certain attitude from the “student”. It made me think of this Upper room and checking my attitudes as I “come in”. Praise God for teaching us through every aspect of our days. (And thanks for being an example of humility and a teachable spirit who is sentive to His presence)
Do you feel it? Can you hear it?
NO, I don’t mean the Spirit – in this case I mean the enemy. As may be expected, when God’s people take action the enemy gets moving too. The enemy wants to protect “his” ground and the Spirit is pointing us to the truth that the enemy has no ground in us. As I am intentionally making choices to call on the Spirit and to keep moving toward Christlikeness, I’m finding that truly this is not a battle against flesh and blood but against spirits and principalities. I’m feeling a little like the enemy has made me his special project and he is concentrating his efforts on me. He has been relentless in his lies and attempts to discourage. But the Spirit has been faithful to fight this battle along with me (or at times for me). I know there’s a pretty good chance that all who have entered this room will be or are already feeling this battle in themselves as well. Today my prayers are directed specifically to this issue in my own life and in yours. May we all be blessed as we see the Spirit work and indeed overcome the enemy. Hang in there…with His help we can do it!!
Philp. 4:13, Isa. 41:10, Rom. 8:31-34,37
After reading today’s comments I was reminded that God has given us a helper to guide and teach us. Many times when I have sensed the movement of God in my life or in the life of the church I have felt a hindering spirit. It is helpful to remind ourselves that God has given us His armor. Paul stated at the end of that great passage in Eph. 6 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. An pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and request.” We do not fight the battle alone. We have the Holy Spirit’s help and one another.
This morning as I read Oswald Chambers he made an interesting observation. He wrote, “What is the sign of a friend? That he tells you secret sorrows? No, that he tells you secret joys. Many will confide to you their secret sorrows, but the last mark of intimacy is to confied secret joys. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys, or are we telling God our secrets so continually that we leave no room for Him to talk to us?”
What a reflection on our prayer life. What are we focusing on? Do we listen and what are we listening for. One of the things I felt this morning was the joy God takes in us.
I am in prayer for all of you. PTL! Stay in His presence.
I can remember the first time I heard of the Holy Spirit. It was in 1980. We had a small study group of newbees (new believers). What is this thing the Bible talks about in Acts. The AG’s (Assembly of God) were very active in the presents of the Holy Spirit. Our Group would travel from AG Church to Church to learn more about this Holy Spirit thing. We saw things that would blow your mind. People would fall down (in the Holy Spirit) right next to me. Others would start talking in this unknown language. Yet others would start laughing with pure Joy. A few in our group started talking in this unknown language. I would ask them what it was like. They could not put the experience in human words. For years I would ask the Lord to let me experience this. Whenever they had a call for people to come forward to receive the Holy Spirit, I would go. But time after time, nothing would happen. I would keep asking why not me, Lord. Onetime my wife and I went forward. They came down the line to Mary, who was standing right next to me. She was slain in the Spirit and fell to the floor. It was my turn next. Surly God would do this for me. It was my time. But nothing happened. Nothing. God what did I do to make you keep this from me.
Garry,
I think there are many Believers out there in your shoes. I have a book, whose name I can’t recall, that really helped me come to grips with this topic. I will see if I can find it and have Pastor check it out. He’s probably familiar with it. If I can find it and see if Pastor says its “kosher.”
Angela
Garry,
What you wrote really touched me, I have also felt this way many times. I have also taken the events of my life over the last several years and try to find an answer to the question WHY? I feel that just as we all have special gifts and talents we are also touched by the Holy Spirit in different ways. I know it is hard not to compare yourself to others but keep the faith that you are filled by the Holy Spirit just not in the way you expect to experience it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Garry,
I found the book and gave it to Pastor to check out on Sunday. I really got a lot out of it and I’m hopeful that Pastor is ok with it, so that I can share with you. In fact, I think I need to read it again.
Angela
Reply to Carolyn Peters: I completely agree with what you said about the enemy this week. He is doing double time. The HS continues to convict me of my failings, and I acknowledge, and confess each time I fall. However, each time I repent, I find I have to start the process all over again! We will keep praying and believing in His power. Sandy
I still live in the land of Dial Up, so I’m not sure how this will go, but I was so encouraged on Sunday that I had to check it out.
In particular, the example of getting on and off the throne and Pastor’s comment about “is it better to come down off the throne 100 times a day or not come down off it at all?” I don’t know how many times I have been an open listener to the Accuser who tells me that based on my track record (with whatever, today, the last ten minutes or the last 10 years) there is no point.
I was so encouraged by this comment that it doesn’t matter. I just need to keep seeking the Lord and he will perfect “it” in His time.
Angela
Day Five
First of all, let me encourage everyone of you. Your honesty is refreshing and your struggles are real. I have them in my walk as well. However, remember to follow the Holy Spirit’s advice given through the Apostle Paul, Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Satan wants you to focus on the wrong things to keep you defeated in your walk. Our fallen nature quickly points out our failings and the failings in others and then we are not focused on the good.
It is good that awareness has increased in your lives. It will cause maturity in us no matter how many times we fall. If we are not aware of our short comings or sins or who controls our lives, we cannot address or submit them to the Holy Spirit. Remember Satan wants you defeated and ineffective. God wants you victorious and sharing His fruits. Every great victory comes with losses. The singular battle isn’t as important as who is winning the war. If we learn from our defeats, then we will not be defeated the same way in the future. As Paul said, “I die daily”. Thank the Lord and rejoice every time you become aware that you have taken the throne and have the privilege of surrendering it again.
I continually pray with and for my Upper Room prayer partners. Pray for me.
Thank you. I have been filled with hope and so encouraged this week.
“…think on these things” “focus”
You’re right ( should I say God is right) when you point out the importance of our thoughts and our minds in the work of the Spirit in our lives.
Over and over this week I’ve met the enemy and each time I’ve found the Spirit right there to bring a song or hymn or scripture to my mind and when I take just a minute to think on the truth that He brings to mind I find victory. (And He is patient when I have to repeat this process multiple times on the same subject or idea) Taking captive every thought is not a new concept for me but somehow this week it has come alive for me. I’ve seen HIm touch me with a verse one day only to find myself clinging to that truth the next day. Truely He knows me better than I know myself and He has proved anew that I can trust Him and His unfailing love for me.
Good Morning prayer warriors, I thank God for brothers & sisters who choose to believe God at His WORD, He siad pray one another that you would be healed. James 5:16 God’s WORD is true, He cannot not lie, I was saved mar 15 1973, I also went to the Assembly of God and heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues, I seeked the Lord, prayed, read every book I could get my hands on, prayed every prayer the books said to pray, went forward every alter call, I finally gave up and felt as tho I would never be worthy to receive and finally someone ask me what I was praying for, I said tongues and was told to make love to Jesus and I would receive, I did and sure enough, I received 1 year to from the day I was born again. Thank you Jesus. My prayer today is this will help. DeAnna Livernois
DeAnna,
I am so happy for you, that you received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (with the gift of speaking in tongues). For me, well let’s just say, I don’t seek it anymore. I think about the Holy Spirit every day. When I have up front playing, my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would indwell everyone in the Congregation. That He would lead all of us in to true worship. There is nothing like being in the presents of the Holy Spirit and waiting to see what He is going to do.
Garry, I am pleased to read that you think of the Holy Spirit every day and your desire to see the congregation indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Our God is a God of surprises.
Why do I obey the Spirit’s leading, guiding, prompting?
At the end of last week, I was once again asking the Lord about meeting a need in my life. We’d had this conversation before because this need hasn’t yet been met for my family so we continue to seek His will in it. I admit I was a little frustrated at His timing and the seemingly impossible nature of the need but was trying to relieve that frustration by recalling all the times that He has been faithful to go so far beyond our needs.
In the midst of that time, I felt the Spirit gently ask the above question. Right away I answered with the “right” answer – “Because God commands us to obey and because He promises great blessings for His obedient chldren and because obedience shows our love for Him” The Spirit kept prompting me to think about the three parts of my answer.
…because God commands it… Have ever heard yourself say to your children “Do it because I said so?” I have but I find that I’m not as pleased with their “obedience” because their heart is not in it. God has absolute sovereign authority to order all of creation to do as He pleases. After all, it was created for His pleasure. But does He delight in obedience that recognizes His authority but does not really bring a cheerful heart?
How about…because He promises great blessings…does obedience on that basis delight God? This summer we taught one of our children how to use the lawn mower for the first time. Because it’s new, it’s fun but to encourage her to keep it up my husband offered her $5 to finising a portion of the yard. A few weeks later the novelty wore off. I asked her if she’d like try her hand at it again and she immediately asked if she’d get $5 for doing it. When I said no she joyfully said, “no thanks” and went on her way. Oh how my heart would have delighted if she had said that she would love to help out in this way even without payment. How much more delight would come from her volunteering without my prompting? So, I have a little more teaching and training to do with her. God used this little encounter to teach me that He has a little more teaching and training to do with me. If I obey because I expect to get something in return, does it somehow take away from my obedience? If I make all the right choices and do the right things and God does not provide the return that I’m expecting do I accept what He does provide in His perfect time? Even more do I embrace it and delight in it believing it is His good and pleasing and perfect will for me?
That brings me to the third part of my “right” answer…obedience shows our love for Him. Have you ever wondered how you could ever possibly show God your love for Him? Jesus says, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, He is the one who loves me…If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”(Matthew 14:15-26)
I’m still considering these things in my heart and asking the Spirit for wisdom and discernment to check my motives. Oh, how I desire to obey simply for the joy of knowing I have delighted my Father. May my obedience delight Him because it recognizes that he is God and I am not and I will allow Him to sit on the throne. While man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart. Spirit, help me make my heart a place where You delight to dwell.
I’m praying for you, my upper room friends, as you seek to know Him better and love Him more.
Carolyn, I was so blessed when I read your entry yesterday. Our motives are so important. Many people are seeking sign gifts with the wrong motives. Others are doing the same in approaching God with prayer request. The list can go on and on. We simply need to learn how to love God in word and deed. I too desire to obey simply for the joy of knowing I have delighted my Father.
Day 10
I am so pleased to read the words you are sharing with those who are seeking God over these fourteen days. I read in Oswald Chambers this morning, “The Holy Spirit is the One Who makes real in you all that Jesus did for you.” This was certainly true for the disciples gathered in the Upper Room 2,000 years ago. It is true today as well. I want to really know God. I want the reality of God to dominate my life. Not a facsimile of Him or the God who I have formulated in my mind. I want to know the real God who lives in me.
Many times over the past 10 days I have reached in my pocket and momentarily took out the sponge and thought of God, prayed and re-surrendered the throne. Some days it has been rougher than others, but I want to learn to pray without ceasing. I want to be soaked with the Holy Spirit.
I am praying for all who have taken the time to write on this blog and for those who are out there endeavoring to be filled on their own. The Upper Room has really helped me. The encouragement of knowing that I am not alone has been tremendous.
Submitting and letting the Holy Spirit rule my life.