Putting Up Your Sails by John Belt
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=224052&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
By John Belt
The wind of the Holy Spirit is always blowing, but there needs to be something for that wind to "blow into." God looks for us to put up our sails that His wind might blow into our sails to take us where He wants us. When we step out in new ways it is like putting up our sails for the winds of His Presence. It takes some effort on our part to find out just how to put up those sails. In our times with God the light of revelation gives us guidance on just what to do. God inspires us to do things that His wind might find something to blow upon.
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"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8
The wind of the Holy Spirit is always blowing, but there needs to be something for that wind to "blow into." God looks for us to put up our sails that His wind might blow into our sails to take us where He wants us. When we step out in new ways it is like putting up our sails for the winds of His Presence. It takes some effort on our part to find out just how to put up those sails. In our times with God the light of revelation gives us guidance on just what to do. God inspires us to do things that His wind might find something to blow upon.
Sometimes it may seem like we are putting up our sails but the wind is not blowing. Persistence is necessary to find His wind, discovering what works and where the wind is blowing. We keep seeking His face, putting up our sails and eventually the wind will catch those sails and take us on a journey that requires much less effort on our part.
"But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31
He becomes our strength blowing us right into His perfect will and plans. It is not enough to seek His face. We are seeking Him to hear from Him, to follow Him and become an extension of His Kingdom plans and solutions. Because of this it requires action on our part that is the expression and steps of our faith, bringing pleasure to God.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
When we put up our sails we are expecting God to blow with His wind, taking us on His journey. Our actions make our faith complete. His response makes our joy complete. There are small ways we can put up our sails everyday to give God an opportunity to fill them. We may already feel the wind of God's Spirit knowing we need to do something to be a part of where He is blowing. The important thing is for us to seek the Lord, feel His winds and put up our sails to go where we've never gone before.
Set your sails for the wind of the Spirit and get ready to go deeper in God's Presence!
John Belt
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Finding-Your-Focus-with-God-by-John-Belt-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=Fire-on-the-Altar-Encounter-by-John-Belt-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings. A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. Leviticus 6:12-13 Recently I had a dream encounter where the Lord spoke to me that there is a greater need for more "fire on the altar." In this it was apparent that there was a need for prayer to permeate and infiltrate the atmosphere of the region. I could literally sense that the atmosphere was not what it needed to be - more prayer was needed.
http://www.identitynetwork.net/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&url=10&view=post&articleid=A-Fresh-Wind-is-Blowing-by-John-Belt-&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
God is blowing a fresh wind right now! His Spirit is being poured out as a new wave of His glory is stirring hunger, drawing people into living encounters with Him. Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden. And eat its pleasant fruits. The Beloved Song of Songs 4:16 The Lord is invading and interrupting the flow of the spirit of this world, breaking in as He has plans for these upcoming generations. He has a longing to draw all men to Him. What we are seeing right now, more and more, are people being caught up in the simplicity of worship in the Spirit.