A short story that amplifies the goodness of walking in the spirit. On Wednesday an orthopedic doctor examined my knee. On the way home a stunning rainbo crossed over the lake. Our neighbors Jurgen and RosaEna brought over a couple who live in our small pueblo. David and Kimberly are considering building a casa. Inspecting Jurgen’s design, David noticed the wooden Mezuzah Scroll at our front door. He then announced “I was raised in a traditional Jewish home. Aware that something was missing in the traditions of men…

At age 60, I had an epiphany and realized that Jesus is Lord, therefore I am a Messianic Jew.” This opened up a grand conversation. I praised God for my bum knee, which God used to slow me down enough to read Watchman Nee. David replied “I too had a torn meniscus, got repaired and I’m back riding my bike.”

Advance 3 days, and on Saturday I was walking towards  Scandinavian Cafe when a smiling woman commented on my necklace. “Where did you get it?” Touching the gemstone “At the Monday market from a vendor who distributes info on stone significance. This is Lapis Lazuli, the stone that many scholars believe that God used His finger to blaze upon the stone tablets, the Ten Commandments.”

The woman then gestured for me to join her. She said “I love God and His Word, you see I was raised Jewish, but now I believe that Jesus is the Messiah. I love the book of Isaiah, my Hebrew name is Shoshanah, which means Lily.” It is entirely remarkable that this week God has introduced me to two Jewish believers. I replied, “My name is Barbara, I should know the meaning of my name.” Quickly Shoshanah looked up the meaning of my name.

“Ah, Barbara means foreigner or stranger.” Laughing I replied “Well I am certainly not of this world!” Then asked “So was it Isaiah 53 that got you thinking that Yeshua, Jesus is the Messiah?” With a huge smile, “Yes, exactly!” Shoshanah recited her amazing testimony, and the Spirit led me to speak about Hebrews 4:12-13. And the importance of how the Word of God is living and active, dividing the soul from spirit. Then how God brought Ruth, a Moabite foreigner to Bethlehem to meet Boaz. Shoshonah then said, “Rahab, another foreigner was the mother of Boaz.” We exchanged phone numbers for an interesting future coffee conversation.

“It was not an accident that you met a woman named Barbara, a strange foreigner today with a bum knee, reading Watchman Nee.” This short version of the last 2 days is evidence that the Spirit leads me to encounter more of Him in amazing ways.  Speaking the truth to strangers that He arranges for me to meet. Walking in the Spirit is so very, very cool! Watchman Nee

God bestows His grace upon us the day we believe Jesus is our Lord. When we pray and listen to messages, we draw near to God and begin receiving His grace. The greatest means of grace is the caring discipline of the Holy Spirit. Nothing compares to this divine ‘means of grace’. By this holy means I can look in my rearview mirror and see how I have profited by His discipline. Sermons have fed my spirit, prayer boosts my faith, Gods word always refreshes me, fellowship ignites me, and being of service enables me to use my gifts. However, when people recognize my zeal, they also view my soulish, self ambition. Henceforth, I submit to the Holy Spirit as I deny my fleshy soul. As Nee advises, “do NOT ignore thy affinity for certain things.” Writing and food. July 16, 2024, I have an emergency knee surgery. I praise God for His swift move in this.