{"id":1688,"date":"2010-06-22T15:34:59","date_gmt":"2010-06-22T23:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oxgoad.ca\/2010\/06\/22\/what-we-should-ask-of-the-spirit\/"},"modified":"2010-06-22T15:34:59","modified_gmt":"2010-06-22T23:34:59","slug":"what-we-should-ask-of-the-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxgoad.ca\/2010\/06\/22\/what-we-should-ask-of-the-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"what we should ask of the Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"
On Sundays we have condensed our service times so that we are finished with all three services by about 2:15 pm. Occasionally we take the opportunity to drive up-island to Courtenay BC where my brother pastors Grace Baptist Church of the Comox Valley and take in his service at 6:30 pm. It makes it a long day, but that way my wife and kids (and me) get to hear some good<\/em> preaching for a change!<\/p>\n This last Sunday night was one of those occasions. (I was also heading up to pick up my beloved pickup truck which had been repaired by a man up there. A perfect Father\u2019s Day, getting one\u2019s truck back!) My brother preached a fine sermon from Daniel 9 (but ran out of time to finish everything \u2013 rats!)<\/p>\n The service included a number of favorites requested by the people. One of them especially ministered to my heart, a hymn we don\u2019t have in our hymnal, but one well worth our consideration. To me, it encapsulates everything a believer should ask of the Holy Spirit, and one people so often miss in this age.<\/p>\n Note especially the second stanza: we aren\u2019t asking for an experience, a vision, a sign, but rather that we might see and know our God better. And also note the line about unanswered prayer. Even in that there is a spiritual blessing we need from the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King? Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love, \n
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art;
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.<\/p>\n
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.<\/p>\n
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.<\/p>\n
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!<\/p>\n
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n