The More You Look…

Morning!

Raises his cup of coffee

1 John 4:1-6

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.  And this is the spirit of the Anti-Christ, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.  You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.  They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.  We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

Isn’t it amazing how once we start paying attention to something, we begin to see more and more of it around us?

Let me give you an example.

A couple of years ago, I had it in my heart that I wanted a dog. So, I began my research.  Initially, I considered Dalmatians—a highly energetic breed that requires extensive exercise and experienced handling. But as I learned more, it became clear that they weren’t the right fit for my family.

I didn’t let that discourage me. I kept researching, kept seeking, and eventually, I found what I was looking for—a Golden Retriever.  This breed was a perfect match—gentle, friendly, great with families, and beautiful. The more I focused on Golden Retrievers, the more I noticed them everywhere—in my neighborhood, at the park, in passing cars.

It wasn’t that they hadn’t been there before.  It was that I hadn’t been looking for them.  I believe the same principle applies to seeking the Holy Spirit.  The more we actively seek Him, the more we begin to recognize Him.  The more we wait upon the Spirit, instead of waiting for the Spirit, the more He will reveal Himself to us.  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  We have been told that the Spirit of Truth has been given to us and that He makes His home with us.

But the question is:

Are we seeking the Holy Spirit?

When He reveals Himself, do we pay attention?

Are we ready to speak about Him to others?

1 John 5:14-15

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”