truth is power

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  -John 8:31-32

A while back I wrote about this verse, too, about how we often hear verse 32 out of its context:  You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
But first, we must 1. hold to Jesus' teaching  and 2. be his true disciples (living and growing in becoming more like him).

Last night, we had a special time of worship and fellowship with the ministry team.  Bibi and Julio's church often sends short-term missions teams, and right now part of the worship team is here for two weeks, helping in different areas of the ministry, painting the Oaks House, and last night, facilitating this space for us to connect with God and with each other out of our routine.
As the words of songs familiar and not washed over me, I started declaring my belief:  that I can, and will see the Spirit at work in and through me.  That, to those who believe in Jeses, rivers of living water will flow out from within.  ... Even if I mess it up? (yes)  Despite my mistakes (yes) and losing my temper (yes) and not living in the Spirit (yes) and by the Spirit's fruit in my life?  YES.
Because I've been giving my natural self more power than what I've been giving to the Spirit and to Jesus' blood.  And in so doing, I was giving the devil a foothold, more power than he deserves!

One of our teens has recently experienced a lot of fear: not being able to sleep, waking up at night feeling like someone is in her room... Fear paralyzes us, and gives our spiritual enemy power over us.  But holding to Jesus, and claiming the truth of the power of His blood, frees us to live fully.

Jesus was our ultimate example of living in the Spirit.  Let's not believe the lie that "it was easy for him because he's God!" -- because he willingly put off his Godhood and took on the form of a man, and became obedient to all that affects mankind.  And yet, Jesus learned to live completely dependent on His Father, and to live in the Spirit... that mysterious "living in the Spirit"... Jesus knew that he needed God and that he couldn't live in a way to please God without utterly depending on Him, and staying in constant contact with the Father, listening to the Spirit.

...I long for that.