Day 18, 2011 Daniel Fast_Speak by the Spirit_Derek Cook and Kyle Van Kirk

 Speak by the Spirit 

Mark 13:11 “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” 

Have you ever experienced a time when you felt like it wasn’t you who was speaking, but rather the Holy Spirit was giving you utterance beyond your own abilities? I (Derek) remember sitting in study hall one afternoon when I was in high school, and suddenly an announcement came over the intercom, 

“At this time, all student organization Presidents please report to the auditorium for the incoming freshman assembly.” 

I sat there a few moments wrestling with my thoughts, “I don’t know if I am technically the President of Club121… (our Christian fellowship on campus) besides, what will I say? I wish I had known about this in advance…” But I sensed it was God so I headed down to the auditorium. Just off stage was a short line of student organization Presidents, representing everything from Student Council, the Math Club, and National Honor Society to Spanish Club, AFS, and others. Seated in the auditorium was next year’s crop of freshman, hundreds of 8^th graders getting their first taste of high school at this orientation. Standing in line, I was nervous and scared- I had never spoken to so many people at once. But as my turn came to step into the stage lights and tell them what Club121 was all about, a strong confidence came over me. I can’t remember exactly what I said, but I remember being shocked how boldly the message came out, and I remember many cheering when they heard the name of Jesus Christ declared. It was an amazing privilege to know The Lord had used me that day.

A few weeks ago when I (K-Y) was about to leave the D-house for Kingdom Family night, Julia (the wife of the drywaller) started talking to me. She asked me questions about living around here and then she asked if I was a Christian. It was crazy. Crazy because the transition from small talk to some deep, careful, full of care conversation did not effect its steady flow. The more I talked, it was like the wider her heart opened and the more she wanted to receive the goodness of a God of love and mercy opposed to the God of “go to church to get saved” (the only God she knew before). I was reciting truth I thought was long gone and speaking words with eloquency I cannot recall knowing. His presence was pulsing through me and there was no extra hype or nonsense about it.

Not only did the Holy Spirit give me the words to speak, but He gave eloquency -at no extra charge!” 

The danger with times and memories like these is that we tend to frame them and put them on a wall and say, “Wasn’t that great?” But like the manna in the wilderness, we must bear in mind that we can’t live off of yesterday’s bread. Today is a new day. Is your Christian life like Uncle Rico’s football career in Napoleon Dynamite? Do you sit around remembering and bragging about the glory days, when the reality right now is you are totally undisciplined and unfruitful? 

In this new year, let’s take a corporate step of faith by inviting the Holy Spirit to sanctify our lips afresh. First we must offer God our hearts, for as Jesus said, “…out of the abundance of the heart (your) mouth speaks”-Luke 6:45. The words that come out of our mouths are a big deal to God. If you ever wonder where your heart is truly at, begin to take inventory of the words that you speak- do you notice a trend of complaining, or giving thanks? Of praising idols or praising the living God? James exhorts us that out of the same mouth should not come both blessing and cursing. Is the reason our praise feels inhibited when we gather together because the rest of the week we have been using our tongues to slander, gossip, or speak idly? 

Once we have submitted our hearts and our mouths to God, we can walk in a joyful, confident expectation; knowing that we are not alone in our mission of proclaiming the good news to those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “…we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.” 

The Lord is not looking for someone with all the answers who has it all together. The Lord is looking for a willing and sanctified vessel. The Holy Spirit will give you boldness and wisdom to proclaim the mysteries of God far better than you could ever hope to on your own. Will you trust Him for that? Purpose in your heart to not let fear keep you from opening your mouth in faith at an opportune time. 

Be of good courage.

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