In the book of Revelation, we have described to us two witnesses. Now, this reference may be symbolic, it may be literal, it may be both. Either way, I think that we can apply this concept to our own personal walk, too. Recently the Lord has been speaking to us about what I'll call the 'outer witness' of the Holy Spirit.
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
We all know about the inner witness that God gives us. It may come as a still, small voice. It may come as a strong unction, or a supernatural knowing. It may come as a conviction. Now, keep in mind that God confirms Himself by two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1). So then, what about external witnesses? What about confirmations and promptings outside of ourselves? That's where the outer witness comes in.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8
Remember that the Holy Spirit can be likened to a strong wind--a ruach (Hebrew). And I find that the wind is a medium through which God's Spirit often shows Himself. Many times, I'll be outside and God will use the natural wind to speak to me. I'll get the inner witness--the Lord will prompt me to head inside, for example. Then, just a few seconds later, the wind direction will change, and gently push me towards where God's word already had me headed. This is an external confirmation, and it establishes what God has already set into motion. It's the outer witness.
Other times, the Holy Spirit may manifest as wind--inside! This is more rare (at least in my experience).
But sometimes, there comes into a room a supernatural and completely unexplainable wind. What is it? It's a sign! It's a sign that the presence of the Spirit has come in. I've noticed this happens must often in church. But the Lord may do this anywhere!
Beyond wind, there are many other ways that God speaks through nature. All creation serves to praise Him! And beyond that, there are many other ways that He gives an outer witness. He my confirm Himself through another Christian, through a close friend, or even through something that an unsaved stranger says. He may 'establish a matter' through a billboard's message, through a license plate, or through a street sign. The possibilities are endless! And all of these things are gifts from above, sent down from the Father to confirm His word.
We who are near God are commanded to acknowledge His power (Isaiah 33:13). As believers, God wants us to have out faith built up by His outer witness. He wants His Spirit within us to be communing, to be one, with His Spirit's working around us. He wants us to grow from faith to faith. The Lord wants to accomplish in us what He's already done among us. He wants to have us walk into the establishment of His word.
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
We all know about the inner witness that God gives us. It may come as a still, small voice. It may come as a strong unction, or a supernatural knowing. It may come as a conviction. Now, keep in mind that God confirms Himself by two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1). So then, what about external witnesses? What about confirmations and promptings outside of ourselves? That's where the outer witness comes in.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8
Remember that the Holy Spirit can be likened to a strong wind--a ruach (Hebrew). And I find that the wind is a medium through which God's Spirit often shows Himself. Many times, I'll be outside and God will use the natural wind to speak to me. I'll get the inner witness--the Lord will prompt me to head inside, for example. Then, just a few seconds later, the wind direction will change, and gently push me towards where God's word already had me headed. This is an external confirmation, and it establishes what God has already set into motion. It's the outer witness.
Other times, the Holy Spirit may manifest as wind--inside! This is more rare (at least in my experience).
But sometimes, there comes into a room a supernatural and completely unexplainable wind. What is it? It's a sign! It's a sign that the presence of the Spirit has come in. I've noticed this happens must often in church. But the Lord may do this anywhere!
Beyond wind, there are many other ways that God speaks through nature. All creation serves to praise Him! And beyond that, there are many other ways that He gives an outer witness. He my confirm Himself through another Christian, through a close friend, or even through something that an unsaved stranger says. He may 'establish a matter' through a billboard's message, through a license plate, or through a street sign. The possibilities are endless! And all of these things are gifts from above, sent down from the Father to confirm His word.
We who are near God are commanded to acknowledge His power (Isaiah 33:13). As believers, God wants us to have out faith built up by His outer witness. He wants His Spirit within us to be communing, to be one, with His Spirit's working around us. He wants us to grow from faith to faith. The Lord wants to accomplish in us what He's already done among us. He wants to have us walk into the establishment of His word.
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