If It Moves Your Gut, Move Your Butt

The last few weeks I’ve felt the leading to teach and write about the Holy Spirit. I grew up in a Pentecostal church, so I’m familiar with the Holy Spirit, but in my journey over the last month, I’ve realized how much I’ve underestimated, and even ignored the Holy Spirit in my life.

I expect his presence in a church service, but what about my life? I heard this week, “He isn’t looking for a visitation, but a habitation.” A living breathing place in our lives.

What if, instead of containing him to a church building, we give him the freedom to move in our lives, homes, schools, workplaces, grocery stores, cars, in every interaction. Some people believe the Spirit and His works were just for Bible times, but I can’t believe that, because I know what he’s done in my life.

Jesus sent Him because he knew we would need him. Jesus knew what it was like to live as flesh. He was perfect, but still felt sadness, pain, temptation, anxiety (he sweat blood before being crucified). He sent the Spirit to help us, guide us, comfort us, fill us, strengthen us, teach us, prophesy through us, call us, convict us, free us, renews us, live in us, and transform us.

His presence in our lives produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23. He’s what makes us like Jesus! “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord- who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3: 16-18

He helps us reflect the glory of God! This is my prayer for all of us. What if we allowed the Spirit to have an active part in our lives, and in turn something magnificent happens. We truly become Jesus’ hands and feet to the world. There is so much pain and suffering all around us, but that’s why he came. Not only to heal and free us, but for us to then go and be his light into the world.

We can’t do this life on our own. I know, I’ve tried! As I’ve been praying and studying, He gave me this image of himself. Each of my children has a blanket my grandmother made for them when they were born. They’re a pretty big deal around here. Any time one of my kiddos gets tired, or falls and is hurt, they run for “lovey/snuggie”. I wrap them up in it and lift them up into my lap. I then wrap my arms around them and softly begin to comfort and reassure them.

That’s what the Spirit does for us. He wraps us in his comfort and sits us in the Father’s lap, and because they’re three in one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they wash over us in their amazing completeness. Then, after they’ve healed and restored our broken places, they stand us up, and take us by the hand and say, “Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’m with you, and I’ll lead the way."

Friend, you’re not alone. I know somedays it feels like it, but I promise, you’re not. He’s just waiting for you to call out to him. Maybe you have no idea what I’m talking about, but you have that stirring in your Spirit I’ve mentioned. He’s calling your name. All you have to do is accept Jesus as your savior and he'll come.

Pastor Stevie has said, “The Holy Spirit nudges, but He doesn’t budge.” One of my dear friends also has these fantastic one liners. One of my favorites is, “If it moves your gut, move your butt!” It makes me think of the Holy Spirit every time. If you’re feeling that nudging in your spirit don’t wait. He wants to do something in your life.

And for those of us who have been believers for a while, I feel like he’s saying, “Why are you standing on the sidelines? You’ve been so engrossed watching the game, you haven’t heard me calling your number. We’ve got five minutes left. Now’s your time. I need you to make a play.”

He’s got work for us to do. The shepherd always left the 99 to go after the one. Who are the “ones” in your life he’s calling you to rescue?

“You need his anointing. He needs your obedience.” ~Pastor Justin

“He puts his SUPER on your natural.” ~Pastor Justin

Revelations 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Acts: 1: 8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wonderous things that you could never figure out on your own.”

Make Room/Worthy of It All- Red Rocks Worship