Coffee With The Lord

Anyone who knows me is aware I place great value on what I refer to as “LIVING BY THE NUDGE!”

And what is “the nudge?” I define it as: “The sweet, sensitive and significant impressions of the Holy Spirit within the Christian’s life, that guide him/her to act, speak, behave and serve in keeping with the redemptive purposes and will of God.”

Now my experience is that the Holy Spirit’s “nudge” is most often “sweet, sensitive – but also significant” … but there are other times… (and I’d perhaps describe those times as “the nudge on steroids!”) that they are powerful, strong, urges – almost overwhelming!

Today during my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I read an account of that kind of “nudge” … I happened to Elizabeth who was with child and bearing John the Baptist in her womb. Mary, the cousin (“kinswoman”) of Elizabeth, who was also pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth… And here is what happened when the two women met:

“Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, THE BABY LEAPED IN HER WOMB. And ELIZABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND SHE EXCLAIMED WITH A LOUD CRY, “BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN, AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB! Why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, WHEN THE SOUND OF YOUR GREETING CAME TO MY EARS, THE BABY IN MY WOMB LEAPED FOR JOY. Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (From Luke 1:40–45 ESV)

Now I’d call that “a nudge on steroids!” Can you picture it – can you imagine what Elizabeth experienced – can you imagine hearing Elizabeth’s prophetic proclamation? (I wonder if the neighbors heard it?)

Listen, the Holy Spirit is active in a believer’s life – He is NOT passive! The prompting we sense should be weighed and evaluated for their genuineness, appropriateness and “edifying value.” Most often they are “sweet and sensitive” – but sometimes (as in the case of Elizabeth) they are powerful, strong and almost overwhelming! Here’s my point… Learn to “live by the Holy Spirit’s nudge!” … In your personal life, out in the “marketplace” and when you are gathered together with fellow Christians! (Hey, were still reading, being blessed by and profiting from Elizabeth’s experience!)