Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Opening Heaven

Regarding Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke we read, "… as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him …" (vv. 21, 22).

This passage reveals clearly that Jesus' prayer life was intimate and effective. As he prayed, the connection with the Holy Spirit was evident. However, that did not mean that he always received what he asked for in prayer, it only meant that his prayer was always answered.  Do you recall Mark 14:36, where he prayed to have "this cup" (crucifixion) removed?  Was it?  Not.

Intimacy with the Spirit of God doesn't mean just one-way communication, it means listening as well as talking in prayer. More than just listening, it suggests being in alignment with the Spirit or accepting the answer given,  even embracing an answer that is counter to your personal wishes and desires. 

Opening Heaven in prayer opens us to the Spirit of God, not to a heavenly goody bag.  Sometimes what we ask is in alignment with His will and, therefore, what is right and good, and we will receive that (1 Jn 5:13, 14).  However, don't confuse right and good with warm and fuzzy.

Opening Heaven requires opening our heart, mind and soul to the will of the Father. In so doing, we will be drawn closer to Him and greatly blessed, which may require setting aside our idea of what being blessed looks likes. 

Jus' Sayn. 

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