And the Wind Blows

Jesus replied, “ I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” …So don’t be surprised when I say ‘you must be born again’. The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”  John 3:3, 7-8

I received a phone call this week from a new friend in Athens--home of the University of Georgia. In preliminary small talk I joked that her Georgia Bulldogs were pretty rough on my Nebraska Cornhuskers in college football this season! She had initially emailed me through our website. She was traveling and a friend showed her a copy of our first book Come Rest. During her brief stay she read the first one-third of the book and was so deeply moved she wanted to order several copies for people in her church and city. The Lord had touched her so deeply she began quoting passages from the book to me! Wow! She then told me she believed my book carries the Lord’s word for His people at this hour in history. I thanked her for being His further answer to our prayer that He will take our books all over the world like seeds on His winds. How encouraging is our Risen Lord through the Holy Spirit! Isn’t it great when He taps you on the shoulder and reminds you He is alive, in control, and with you! You never know just when and how He is going to move; but always moving He is indeed.

In John 3,Nicodemus, an elder Pharisee, came to Jesus by cover of night. He called Jesus, “Rabbi” showing he came sincerely to be taught. Jesus told him he must be born again by the Spirit, basically blowing Nicodemus’ mind with a truth that could only be realized after Jesus was falsely arrested, cruelly beaten, and unjustly condemned. Nicodemus even stood up and protested the rigged trial that fateful night. But nothing could stop the travesty of human sin and rebellion from playing out because it was all actually the Father’s will. For in that conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus there was no preliminary small talk. After He told Nicodemus the Holy Spirit brings rebirth like the wind, He then said, “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” 

In our murderous, lustful world which so often mocks our holy God--there is not one of us without sin. But, thank you Father for sending Your Son to suffer and die for us all. Thank you Jesus for agreeing to sacrifice Yourself for the sins of the whole world—even me. Thank you for your Blood Covering which dispels all darkness. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to propel the bold preaching of Your Gospel; for inspiring people to pray for me, witness to me, love me toward the day You helped me receive You in my heart—the day you saved me as a youth from a destiny of hell. That day You began patiently and mercifully leading me until the day as a pastor at age 42 I realized my religious striving in the flesh and repented of the man-pleasing ways of the worldly church. That night, under cover of night and the radiant light of Your merciful patience I submitted myself like a child to Your Word; I came and rested at Your feet, and the Winds of Your Spirit have been blowing me away ever since.

Thank you Jesus! You are Risen and Returning soon. We hear You repeating Your last call to the earth before Your return, “ Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  Lord help us keep speaking and living more fully your Great Invitation to all the earth, one person at a time. Lord, forgive the small talk of my sin nature and actions. Holy Spirit propel me like the wind to declare your big talk—your Gospel.. Help the corrupt to come to you and be grow in Your generous stature like Zacchaeus. Help the sexually immoral receive your forgiveness and freedom from sin's bondage like the woman caught in adultery. Help the religious leaders seek you like Nicodemus and see and serve you like Paul. Help me and everyone else more deeply and continually rest from sin and bear Your real fruit.

Come Holy Spirit. Come quickly Lord Jesus.

Come Rest in His Love,

Dick Speight