Proverbs 18:14 - Spirit Sustains

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

Today, the words "will to live" came to mind strongly.

I had heard a few things recently in conversation on having a defeated mindset. As I looked up scriptures on this topic, I came across Proverbs 18:14 on the spirit of a man.

This is where I began my prayer time today, friends. Let's begin.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Proverbs 18:14 - The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

After reading the scripture three times, I deferred from my usual practice as instructed by the Holy Spirit. Friends, it is crucial that I remain obedient and understand I am not in charge of what I write or what is spoken to me over my heart during this prayer time.

As Jesus so eloquently pointed out in his encounter with the Pharisees, let us not be so religious we forget to obey the Father and do his will.

If you ever feel the Holy Spirit leading you in a direction, please always stay true to your instruction, as these devotionals are merely a guide and fellowship for us to work together and know through our faith and belief God is always present.

That said, I have been instructed that every word is perfect and needs to be taken in precisely as it is.

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the scripture perfect as is, I have only added my name today for personalization before I meditate further on the word:

• Jennifer, The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?

Step 4: Visualize

As I sit here saying the words repeatedly, I realize the point is quite clear. If we rely on spirit through sickness or any other obstacle we encounter, we can endure anything within this world.

First, we were solely spirit. We were spirits before coming into this world.

At birth, to survive in our new atmosphere, God has to breathe the spirit of life into our lungs to live in the flesh. At this point, we are already knitted together in our mother's womb, with our flesh wrapping around our spirit ready to come out.

And then finally, here we are! Perfect creation and manifestation of God's spirit and body as one.

As we travel through the days and nights of life on earth, only witnessing time through the earth's rotation, counting the days until the flesh is no longer needed, when we will eventually travel back by spirit to our Heavenly Father, who waits to welcome us with open arms.

If we take a moment to admire the constant throughout the process, it is the spirit.

If we rely on the power and the authority of the spirit living within us and understand this power through the sacrifice of Jesus, then we know the spirit has the strength to endure anything.

If we take our focus off of the spirit within us, we open ourselves up for separation from the spirit, and we begin to create cracks or crevices for darkness to be filled with brokenness. Broken thoughts, dreams, self-esteem, and so on. These things leave us weary and waiting for life to eventually end. Bidding time, if you will. Hoping one day, for God (if you still believe at that point) to put you back together.

The Holy Spirit prompts me to return to the story of the talents in Matthew. First, he brings to mind Matthew 25:26: "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. Then immediately following as I read onward, Matthew 25:30 stuck out - 'And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

A question arises I need to ask the Holy Spirit. So, I continue to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The words that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what is the key to investing in your Kingdom while on earth?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"Think of how you spend your time. Be careful of wicked thoughts that lead to fear, as demonstrated in the parable of the Talents. If you understand that spirit conquers all things, then who shall be afraid. There is no death. If you wait upon something such as death, you wait to fall into the void of darkness. You are useless as the man at the gate called beautiful (see Acts 3:1-11 for reference), which in a moment of being called by his faith, he got up and walked after being commanded to "get up." He didn't have to suffer all those years. The power of the spirit was within him at all times. Do not waste the gift of time swallowed by the mind and its intrusive thoughts that go against your Father's instruction; live excitedly to hear a word and be called to action. If God is for you, then who can be against you. Give time with gratitude at the opportunity to be obedient, which will, in turn, return with interest. If you find voices of fear, anger, frustration, or anything other than the loving nature of God's voice, for His sheep know his voice, then take the time to make a prayer deposit, and your time will return to you with interest."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

This is where I will stop today, pray, and contemplate this very poignant instruction of investing time into the Father’s Kingdom with joy, thanksgiving, and expectation of increase anything I give back to my Master.

Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me to understand how to live more on spirit than flesh. Thank you for continually expanding my thoughts and imprinting your word on my soul.

Today, let me use my time to deposit into praying, people, situations, and circumstances, knowing if I give the gift of time, graciously, lovingly, and joyously to all things you call me to, it will be returned to me with interest, strengthening my spirit, as I stay close to your nature and away from the pit; avoiding being cast away and out of your covering or grace and glory.

Thank you for entrusting me with your wisdom. Let me go forward, encouraged and able to grow as a reflection of what you have entrusted me with. Thank you for your gift of time which you have spent with me this morning.

In Jesus’ mighty name - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

If you find voices of fear, anger, frustration, or anything other than the loving nature of God's voice, then take the time to make a prayer deposit, and your time will return to you with interest.

Avoid sitting and waiting for the end and for God to lift you up and bring you home; get up and walk as an active believer and react to the sound of your Father's voice in the here and now.

Today, fill all the dark places with the light of the spirit. This constant brought us here, will carry us through, and call us home.

Be strong and take time to deposit into the Kingdom today, friends. Through time spent on prayer, know it will not return in the void.

God bless you!