Just over seven years ago on July 21, 2013, I was blessed to be at a small Bible meeting at my dear friend Bonnie Calkins’ house. She had six precious young souls over that day and had called to see if I was free to come over. I am always so blessed to get a chance to be with other believers as I am usually alone.
When I got there, she was sharing on one of her many revelatory messages. Bonnie has such a close relationship with the Holy Spirit as her Teacher. Bonnie’s teaching is born out of the hours she has spent soaking in the presence of the Lord. Her messages are always a great blessing to me and to others.
If you want to teach about being Spirit-led, then you must be Spirit-led in you’re teaching. “We don’t speak about these things with words taught us by human wisdom, but with words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual things to spiritual people.” (1 Corinthians 2:13 ISV).
During the meeting, it became apparent to me that I would not be able to stay. God has seen to it that I was born with a cruel sensory condition that usually keeps me isolated from other people. I love to be with people, but my condition often will not allow it. God’s plans prevail in the lives of His servants.
Never squander suffering knowing all that God can do through it. Joseph told his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).
With great regret I got up and left. I was going down the stairs outside her house when Bonnie came out and stopped me. She wanted to know if I did not agree with her teaching. Oh, no, that was not it! I let her know it was because of the pain that was flowing in through my senses.
We ended up going back in and she stopped the meeting. For the next hour, her and these six precious young souls prophesied and prayed over me, and then I prophesied and prayed over each one of them. There was a spiritual blessing placed on me that day that has yet to stop flowing.
If you want to change your life, let Him. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 RSV).
Because of my sensory condition I grew up without any friends. So when I came to the Lord and began to grow in my faith, I found that there was a Friend for me in the Holy Spirit. I had heard from the Holy Spirit on occasion and felt His presence often.
Don’t try to get back to where you were, but to where the Lord is taking you. “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” (Romans 12:2 TPT).
But on this warm July day at Bonnie’s house, something special happened. I had already been baptized in the Holy Spirit, but on this day, I was soaked in the Spirit. From that day forward, I started to flow in my hearing from the Holy Spirit every day. It has not stopped yet.
You can’t be filled with the Spirit of God and continue as you were before. “For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace” (Romans 8:6 TPT).
I wrote a little bit about this story with Bonnie in my book, The Promise of the Holy Spirit. I would not be writing if it were not for the blessings of hearing the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can bring to you a life that you never could’ve imagined. Stop thinking the promises of God are not for you.
The intentions of God are always good and His promises are always true. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit inside you…I will put my Spirit inside you…” (Ezekiel 36:26-27 CJB).
My prayer is that you would hear the Holy Spirit. My desire is that you would believe and draw near to the Holy Spirit as your Helper and your Friend. My hope is that whatever has hindered you to fulfilling this great blessing in your life, that it would be lifted, and you would be touched by the Spirit of God.
You won’t get anything more until you won’t settle for anything less. “The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.” (2 Corinthians 5:5 MSG).
Perhaps you’re like me and are isolated for some reason. This is a great blessing that God has caused you to be all alone with Himself. Perhaps you do not have close friends. This is a great blessing as then the Holy Spirit can be your best friend. You must open your spiritual eyes to see spiritual truth.
Whenever we’re not strong in a spiritual gift, it’s because we’re not weak before God. “As you yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life” (Galatians 5:16 TPT).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
“The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.” (2 Corinthians 5:5 MSG). I have been bley with this verse thanks Paul always so blessed with your posts Paul you have been a blessing to me I thank God who led me to you.may God keep blessing you and your family.
Thank you so much, Robert! We are so blessed by a God who has placed eternity in our hearts. What a grand thing we can have, when we understand He Himself is dwelling inside us!
Dear Paul as I am reading your last message in Galatians 5:16; cannot stop the flow of tears streaming down my face as I recall that day my life changed. As I learned that my past was my lessons, my future has deep roots, through God’s leading and my present continues to change from glory to glory confident and victorious that God is faithful and never changes. Thank you for all your messages on “hehasyou.org.” that challenge me to speak truth, through the of the Holy Spirit who is still a active source of strength in my life. Still enjoying your book. May God bless you as my prayers are with you always. Thankful to God Almighty who reigns for forever!
Thank you so much, Ruth! You are such a blessing to me and to the kingdom. I am always am so blessed by your wisdom and your encouragement. I know that God is using you to reach many and help them on their way, and I am blessed to be one of them. Blessings to you and His great favor as your serve Christ in your life!
Wow, thanks Paul. I teared up reading this. I’m lost for words. All I can manage to type out is ‘Thank You Holy Spirit.’
I bless the day I started reading your post. You really are a gift to the body of Christ. May God bless and increase you in the knowledge of Him till we behold Him face to face.
Thank you so very much, Dammy! I am equally blessed to have found your blog. You have such a gift with writing and such a heart to be writing from. May God continue to use you in mighty ways for the kingdom!