How is your spirit?

​Hey friends… Did you know that you have a spirit? Most of us have heard of the “Holy Spirit” (hint: He’s the good guy in the story). Most people have a vague awareness that some “evil spirits” are messing around out there (the bad guys). But what do you know about your spirit? We all have one. Some are dead within us; some are brilliantly alive. But how steadfast and willing is your spirit? Let’s talk in Deeper Thoughts below… 
 
 BUT first… just a couple of notes to know… 
 

• TEENS: Youth Group this Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Snacks, connection and the Word. Plus, snacks, of course! Let Jess know if your student needs a ride home. 

 

• Ladies: Join us NEXT Saturday, April 25 at 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. for breakfast and a prayer walk at Morven Park in Leesburg. Click here for more info and to RSVP!  

 

• Save the date for Saturday, May 16, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for a women’s self-defense training led by Pastor Samuel Sierra. More details and RSVP to come!! 

 

• Really big deal BAPTISM Sunday, May 17… join us for an amazing Sunday morning worship service where we will be baptizing seven new believers at Mt. Hope! This is going to be a phenomenal experience of celebration and worship! 

 

• Churchwide workday!! Saturday, May 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Come join us to help spruce up the campus for the spring and summer… lots of fellowship, fun, and tasks for all skill level, ages, and energy! Contact Kristie Zoller for questions! 

 

• NEW Daily Six content THIS WEEK!! Join us for six minutes each day, Monday through Friday, as we continue our character-by-character study of how to find the heart of God… click here for our Daily Six webpage to find new content on Monday morning, OR… click here to sign up for our daily email reminders (if you’ve not already done so!).  

 
 
OK… that’s it for today for you email skimmers and those who hate long emails… 
 
BUT…  
 
 
Some Deeper Thoughts 
 
The concept of a “spirit” is a bit vague and mysterious. That’s sort of the point, since a “spirit” is something that operates in dimensions mostly unfamiliar to us. 
 
I just asked Mr. Google “what is the definition of a spirit?” He came back with two things. One matched our topic today; the other was a picture of several bottles of booze. 
 
Human beings have been talking about spirits for as long as history has been recorded. Ancient religions all addressed the presence of spirits, typically with much fear and anxiety. Superstitions abound in various primeval rituals to ward off “evil spirits.” Other religious practices sought to connect us with good spirits who would aid us with the basic necessities of life such as food, water, and warmth. Almost every religion in history has also acknowledged that we all have our own personal spirit within us—a part of us, not something distinctly separate from us. 
 
Here’s how the great Google A.I. Overlord defines it: “A force within a human being thought to give the body life, energy, and power.” 
 
And from the more academically tested Oxford Dictionary: “The non-physical part of a person which is the seat of emotions and character.” 
 
The Bible speaks of three different kinds of spirits: The Holy Spirit; evil or “unclean” spirits; and our spirit. I know you’ve heard of the first two, but have you considered lately both the existence and the condition of your spirit?  
 
When King David was in serious trouble, he was keenly aware that the problem might be rooted somewhere deep within his spirit. Even though he was known as “a man after God’s own heart,” (1 Samuel 13:14), David had crossed just about every conceivable moral boundary known to man. He abused his power, took advantage of a married woman, impregnated her, tried to cover it up through complex deception, and finally murdered her husband so he could marry her and dodge political scandal. It all miserably failed.  
 
When confronted by the prophet Nathan about this great evil, the man who had such love for God broke in weeping repentance. He wrote Psalm 51 right in the middle of his crisis.  
 
(Side note: When God uses an adulterous, lying, murderous thug to write the Holy Word of God right smack in the middle of a moral collapse, this should inspire us that His mercy and love can meet us in the middle of whatever problems or sins we are dealing with. No matter how far gone we might think we are, we are never beyond the reach of our holy and loving God to do amazing things within us.) 
 
David instantly knew what he needed God to do for him. He knew where the problem was and therefore knew exactly what needed to be fixed.  
 
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,” he cried out, “and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). 
 
Did you see it? He needed a changed heart and a renewed spirit. His heart needed to be clean; his spirit needed to be steadfast. Oh… and there was one more thing: “grant me a willing spirit to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12).  
 
Checklist: 1) Pure heart; 2) renewed spirit; 3) steadfast spirit; 4) willing spirit.  
 
How are those things going in your spirit?  
 
Jesus promised radical help with all four. God Almighty promised the same thing centuries before Jesus. 
 
585 B.C. – God speaking: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you… I will put my Spirit within you and move you to follow my decrees…” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). 
 
Pure heart. Renewed spirit. Willing spirit. Check. 
 
33 A.D. – Jesus speaking: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth… [He will] teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you… [and] guide you into all truth” (John 14:17, 26; 16:13).  
 
With us forever = steadfast spirit. Check. 
 
The whole point and the entire promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to place within us a new heart, a new spirit, and the Holy Spirit to be our guide, Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, and friend. David instinctively knew he needed this gift even 1,000 years before Jesus promised and fulfilled this. 
 
So, how is your spirit doing? Is the promise of Jesus being radically fulfilled in you? Or does your spirit need some maintenance?  
 
Let’s talk more about this as we meet for this week’s Resurrection Sunday, 10:00 a.m. sharp… Don’t be late… bring your your Bible and a pen!! 
 
Much love to you all…  
 
Chris Eads 
Mt. Hope Pastor 
Friend 
[email protected]