Scripture: John 14:26 NKJV
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.
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So here is what might be a funny story regarding my experience with the Holy Spirit yesterday, 3.2.2024:
I was at my kitchen table eating and I had music playing in the background (WBLS). The song, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” by Jay Z came on. Now, for anyone that knows me – knows that Jay Z is my favorite rapper. Now before I go further with my story/testimony, it is important for me to mention that recently, as I have gotten much closer to God (again) and He has been working on me (with success), I have changed a lot. I have noticed that my appetite for certain things (i.e., television shows, music) have changed (God’s plan/His intention). Also, my spirit is now very sensitive to the things of God/ways of God/God’s expectations of me in terms of what I should be doing and saying (listening to and watching), as well what I should not be doing and saying (listening to and watching). And this growth happened by me constantly and intentionally being in the presence of God, spending time with God, communing with Him, staying prayerful, and being obedient to his Word and the Holy Spirit.
I remember a few weeks ago, Jay Z’s song, “Big Pimpin’” came on. The lyrics start with: “You know I thug em’, f**k em, leave em…”. Now, I, being in Christ, was very conscious of the fact that I can no longer - not only sing along to that song, but that I can no longer listen to that song again (or any other song of that nature from any other artists). So, I went and turned the radio all the way down. I did the same thing the other day when LL Cool Jay’s song, “Doin’ It” came on, where once upon a time, that was my song. But now, today, it is not appropriate for me to listen to it due to the lyrics… and my spirit (me) is not even interested in doing so.
So, getting back to yesterday, and Jay Z’s song, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”. When it came on, I did not turn the radio off because, in my mind, and from what I know about the song (and I could be wrong), it does not have any explicit lyrics (at least the radio version doesn’t), nor is it offensive to woman (or any other group). So, while I did not rap along to the whole song, I definitely kept saying the chorus (while bopping my head), “That’s the anthem, get ya damn hands up”.
Well, let me tell you what happened: Perhaps the third time I said, “That’s the anthem, get ya damn hands up”, the Holy Spirit convicted me (for anyone in Christ, you know what I mean by this), and I immediately stopped rapping. But I was confused, and I even said exactly this to God: “Not this song either?” And obviously the answer was, ‘No’, because if not, the Holy Spirit would not have convicted me. God/the Holy Spirit was telling me at that moment that the song, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.) was not appropriate for me…
This brings me to the title of this blog: The Holy Spirit; It Will Lead You, Guide You, Teach You and Correct You… in order to keep you on the path of righteousness (good standing with God), grow you spiritually (make you spiritually mature), transform you into who God created you to be so that you can do what He called you do (God’s purpose for your life).
Jeremiah 20:11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I do not want to end this blog without mentioning the following:
It is important that you be obedient to what God tells you to do even when you do not understand the reason for his instructions/when you do not see the point of it/when it does not make sense to you. In those moments, you must trust that God knows what He is doing. Also, always believe God's Word (Scripture).
I pray that you have an encounter with God that changes your life. Be encouraged!
God loves you.
Love and peace,
Yolanda Billingslea (Ms. B)
FYI: My Facebook Page name is Yolanda Billingslea (my profile picture has "Unbreakable" across it). Be inspired and encouraged by my daily posts.
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Scriptures:
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?... - 1 Corinthians 6:19
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord. - Isaiah 11:2
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Act 2:38
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Song: Dwell Among Us (Holy Spirit) – Shekinah Glory
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