A Textbook Christian

​Throughout my life, I was raised in faith. I've gone to church, read my devotionals, participated in Her Life Speaks, served, and did all the 'right' things. While I had always seen God at work in my life, I was what you would consider a 'textbook Christian'. I knew all the right answers, but beyond that I categorized church and God as one part of my life as opposed to permeating and being the ruler over EVERY area of my life.
 
It wasn't until the pandemic that my faith took a 180. I realized the one thing I wasn't listening for or tapping into was the Holy Spirit. Through a study on the book of Ephesians in the New Testament, I felt for the first time the true understanding of what it means to abide in God's word and let it sink into my soul. The Holy Spirit totally convicted me with this study.
 
Ephesians focuses on who we are as daughters of Christ. A few highlights for me were:

• We were chosen long ago and created for purpose (Ephesians 1:4)
• We were sealed with the Holy Spirit and promised that God never leaves us (Ephesians 1:13)
• He dwells inside our hearts (Ephesians 4:17)
• We are adopted into God's family (Ephesians 1:5)
• We were bought at the price of Jesus' sacrifice (Ephesians 2:8)
• We are valued, loved, and cared for by God in ways above and beyond we'd ever have imagined (Ephesians 3:20)

 
I couldn't get enough of this study. I felt like it had unlocked the power of the Holy Spirit in my life in ways I didn't know were possible. My faith went from being that textbook Christian to a true believer and servant of the Lord. Once I started listening and abiding in God's word, The Holy Spirit was taking over every area of my life: tithing, prayer, relationships, etc.
 
When we pause, hear the Holy Spirit, and actually obey - this is where the blessing happens. Our obedience is testimony to our trust in God's plan for our life. This is where we receive the promises of God:

• The blessings
• The wisdom
• The fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
• Unexpected encouragement from a friend
• An 'out of the blue' financial gift
• Discernment to say 'no' in a situation, or leave a relationship we know is wrong for us
• Closed doors that would have been bad for us
• Opened doors that are perfect and from above
• Peace. When we are within God's will and obey what He wants us to do and what our purpose is in a particular season, we can find the true Peace of letting go and resting in Him

 
I want to encourage you to find that quiet time to read God's word, let it sink in, pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to you, listen, and then OBEY what God is convicting you of. When you obey, start noticing how the blessings unfold in every area of your life.
 
What are some ways the Holy Spirit communicates with you?
Have you seen any new blessings in your life from your obedience?