I too want to start the new year off well. I want an exciting, different year. I've been saying that the last few years which hasn't come to pass, so I think I'm due one!

I usually write about things I am personally struggling with. My focus this time is on the power of the Holy Spirit. It has been brought to my attention that I haven't a clue of HIs power. To be a believer and not know one of the most important attributes of the King is just about a felony.

I confess to you that I am actually afraid to get fired up for Jesus. It was so easy in college. I had no inhibitions. Probably because I had very few responsibilities, I was young in my faith, and I had no fear in believing the impossible. (We are talking about God, right?!) Now, I have much more that I am responsible for, I've been hurt by fellow believers, and God hasn't answered my prayers according to my plan. So, I need to regroup. I need to try something new.

God tells us to "Boast in the Lord." So, I am going to attempt to do just that. I want to be in the middle of miracles, God ordained miracles. Miracles happen when the Holy Spirit is free to move because we have not put him in a box. A box makes him square with sharp edges. In a box, we get to control God.

The Holy Spirit is not tame! Why would he be? He's God! If we cannot fathom the ways of God, we also cannot fathom the ways of the Holy Spirit. We have not tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is right here with us-waiting for us to call on him-waiting for us to believe-to expect big things-things that don't make sense especially to the human mind.

Why do we think the works of the Holy Spirit have to make sense?

• God coming down to earth in the form of man doesn't make sense!
• The virgin birth doesn't make sense!
• Jesus' resurrection doesn't make sense!
• Jesus one day returning to the earth decending from a cloud doesn't make sense!
• Jesus will destroy this world and make a new and better one doesn't make sense!
• The fact that there is Satan who hates man and wants to destroy us doesn't make sense!
• Satan tempts us to do evil convincing us that it is our right to do so doesn't make sense!
• There is a spiritual battle going on around us that we choose not to see doesn't make sense!
• There are angels fighting demons on our behalf doesn't make sense!

No, it doesn't make sense to the human mind. We are incapable of making sense of it! But our doubt doesn't prevent God's sovereign plan. Some of us do believe all of this, but the buck stops there. When we choose to not be involved in the battle for Jesus, we stiffle the Holy Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit manifest in you? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? What does this really mean?

If the Holy Spirit is manifest in you, he is materialized. He is obvious. He is active. He is visible. You know the next question! Is the Holy Spirit obvious in you to others? What is he actively doing in you right at this moment? What is he saying? Are you listening to him? Do you know his voice? For him to be active in you, there has to be some sort of change going on. Growth needs to be taking place. I don't even know if I am doing this justice. My little mind cannot fathom his ways. God doesn't call us to be perfect and sinless (for only Jesus can make us sinless).  He calls us to try and not give up, to keep fighting the fight.

As far as being filled with the Holy Spirit, picture a glass of water being filled to the brim. There is no room for Coke to be added. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no room for  sin.

Are we afraid to allow the Holy Spirit his way with our lives, afraid he might make us sell off all of our belongings and go join the Peace Corps! Or be a missionary in Africa? Or Israel for that matter! This fear, Satan loves. That little seed of doubt can prevent the Holy Spirit from being active in our lives and prevent miracles. It prevents God from

• creating something out of the ordinary
• creating something we have never seen before
• creating beautiful hope for others
• creating joy and peace money can't buy

Is it possible that the Holy Spirit is bored? A strong statement, I know...But if not now, when? Whether we like it or not, we are in a spiritual battle. We can be on the front lines, we can be in the back row, or we can be in our "safety zone/comfort zone" denying Christ's calling. This choice is your choice. Yep! God can't make you choose one way or the other. We are to be careful that we are not believing Satan's lies detouring us away from God's many blessings for our lives, our children's lives, the people around us, and for generations to come.

Life is short and Heaven is forever.