Holy Spirit Archives - Joy Margetts

Bearing Fruit, Bible, Connected to God, Faith, Holy Spirit, Rooted in Christ, The Word of God

ROOTS THAT KEEP GROWING

May 27, 2023May 26, 2023 joymargetts

ROOTED

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

I read these verses a few days ago, and it got me thinking about roots. Plant roots. The word ‘rooted’ in this scripture comes from the Greek word ‘rhiza’ or root. The same word from which we get ‘rhizome’ – the underground ‘stem’ of a plant, the main part of the root which sends out root shoots. Just as the above ground stem of the plant which shoots out leaves and flowers, branches and fruit. Plant roots keep growing.

Image contains a diagram of a plant root system — Image courtesy of earth.com

LOOKING BACK

I love looking back, and I guess reading this verse made me do that. Thinking about the people and things that established my faith in Jesus. My parents, the faithful Sunday School Leaders and Bible Teachers. The stories and truths of the Bible. I can look back at the roots or origins of my faith and be so grateful. I’m sure we can all look back to where our faith journeys began and be thankful for the things that established us.

Ultimately it is Jesus our faith is rooted in, of course. Our belief in Him, His death and resurrection, His mercy and grace, His forgiveness and His gift of eternal life.

ROOTS IN THE PAST

This last week our church came together to give thanks to God for the journey our church has been on in the 18 years since we began meeting together. It was part of a celebration as our founding pastors step back and a new couple takes on the reins of leadership. I was honoured to write a potted history of the church and to present that, with contributions from others who have walked the journey with us. It was so good to look back at our ‘roots’, the things that became established as God revealed to us what sort of church He had called us to be. Those things are now foundational to our identity as church. Things that we can build on going forward.

But I really felt God say – don’t neglect your roots!

ROOTS IN THE PRESENT

Roots don’t stop growing. From my limited understanding of botany, as long as the plant keeps growing the roots keep spreading. New root shoots are sent out looking for water and nutrients in the soil as the plant grows. These also provide stability for the plant as it increases in size. This is why tree roots can actually grow considerably wider and deeper than the tree itself.

If we want to continue to grow and flourish in our faith. If we want to be strong to withstand the storms thrown at us. If we want to produce fruit that is of lasting worth, we can’t just see our roots as the things of the past! We have to keep our roots healthy and growing. We need to ‘walk in Him’. To keep pursuing Him. The nutrients of His living word, the Bible. The water of His Spirit. We have to keep going deeper. This is true for us as individuals as much as it was a truth for our church as it enters a new season.

Photo of ripe cherries hanging from a tree branch — Image courtesy of Canva.com

ROOTS DON’T STOP GROWING

It’s tempting to look back and say ‘wasn’t that great’, ‘didn’t we start well’. Our roots are strong now and we can let them be.

But ROOTS DO NOT STOP GROWING, whilst the plant stays alive and thriving. They demand our attention. So we can be thankful for all we have received but must always be yearning for more. It will make as strong and keep us fruitful.

“But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13: 23

Joy Margetts is a published author and blogger. Her books are works of Christian Historical fiction. Set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, they tell stories of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

advent, Bible, Christian Writer, Holy Spirit, Jesus

ADVENT 4 : JESUS- FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

December 4, 2022November 30, 2022 joymargetts

CLEANSING FOUNTAIN

The little book of Zechariah is full of Messianic prophecies. One of these in Zech 13:1 promises a ‘fountain’ for the house of David. The explicit purpose for this fountain is for cleansing from sin. Psalm 36:9 describes God Himself as a ‘fountain of life’.

Text of Psalm 36:9, on a background of a image of Christmas tree baubles

Now when we read the word ‘fountain’ we might automatically think of an ornamental fountain in a grand garden. This is something completely different. The word ‘fountain’ could be translated as ‘spring’ but that is not enough if we picture a trickling spring on a rocky mountainside. This fountain is more, much more – it is water of life and cleansing springing up and flowing over in torrents, a well of never ending water, a wellspring.

FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

Jesus met the Samaritan women at a well and began a discussion with her about water and life. In John 4:13-14 He tells her that He is the source of water that will satisfy her thirst forever and will become like a fountain of life within her.

Text of John 4 v 13-14, on a background of a image of Christmas tree baubles

In Rev 21:6 the glorified Jesus offers the fountain of life to any that thirst for it. In the natural, water is necessary for life. As human beings we have the blessing of being able to turn a tap on at any time and access a clean, constant water source for drinking and cleansing.

In the Spiritual, Jesus is that water source. He is the source of all spiritual life, creating life within is and sustaining that life. He offers cleansing – because He shed His blood we can be washed, made white as snow (Isaiah 1:18) if we come to Him repentant.

So next time you turn on the tap for water, take a moment to connect with the One who is the ever-flowing fountain of life and thank Him for your life in Him.

Fast flowing torrent of water pouring over rocks

^‘Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned … God. I am so sorry. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for the cross. Wash me. Make me clean, God. I submit myself to You, and lay my burden at Your feet.

‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation … Stay here with me, God. Let me feel Your grace. Change me, restore me, forgive me. I am Yours.

Hywel felt inexplicable peace descend and wash over him, until the very air around him seemed to be saturated with it. ‘It is finished’. God’s voice, not his.

THE PILGRIM p 225

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Bible, Christian Writer, Faith, Holy Spirit, Revelation, Seeing as God sees, The Word of God

THE PRISM OF HOLY SPIRIT

November 12, 2022November 11, 2022 joymargetts

Last month I had to visit the optician. It was only a routine visit, but as suspected my eyesight had deteriorated, in line with my age, and I was going to need new glasses. This time however, the optician noted that my eyes focussed slightly differently from each other, so he suggested adding a prism to the lens of my glasses. He said it wasn’t essential to have it, but that I would notice the difference. He was right. My new glasses make things a lot clearer, and my eyes are less tired.

My experience of prisms in school was playing with a solid piece of glass, in the shape of a pyramid, shining a ray of light through it and creating a rainbow. Prisms split, bend and redirect light, or so I believe. I am not sure exactly how prisms in reading glasses work, but I guess they help bend light to reach the retina more efficiently. Help make the image clearer to see.

Image of a prism - a solid clear glass pyramid, with a single ray of white light being split into all the colours of the spectrum

Revelation like reading glasses

When I read my Bible, I can now see the words ultra clearly! But I also trust Holy Spirit to help me see beyond the words, to reveal to me the things He wants to teach my heart and spirit. I think revelation works a bit like reading glasses. Just like my prescription is personalised to me, so the things that God reveals from His Word are the things that He needs me to take hold of personally. Truths to help me understand who I am in Him, who He is to me, and how to navigate the season I am in.

It might be that many others have the same revelation as me. There are fundamental truths that all believers need to have an understanding of – the Father heart of God, the completeness of our salvation, the power of the cross, how deeply we are loved. But there are sometimes nuances within those revelations that are definitely personalised. Just like the addition of that prism to my lens. There are sometimes things that God needs to highlight with pinpoint precision, so that we really get a truth into our souls. The prism of Holy Spirit perhaps.

An open Bible with a pair of reading glasses resting on the pages

Pinpoint Precision

I know that God loves me, but recently I have been drawn to reread SONG OF SOLOMON again. It is a love song. Some say it is just about Solomon and his bride, most commentators agree it is a picture of Jesus and His bride, the church. But just recently I have been reading it as if it is a personal love letter from God to me. I read that I ravish His heart.

You have ravished my heart, My sister, my spouse; You have ravished my heart With one look of your eyes

Song of Solomon 4: 9

I can just read that – oh yes, He loves me, loves the way I love Him – but then I have to stop and refocus. The way I look at Him (my worship) ravishes His heart? He is besotted by me? That is an extraordinary truth to comprehend. In the season that I am in, I need the prism of Holy Spirit to focus that truth, to amplify it and direct it straight to my heart.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Bible, Christian Writer, Connected to God, God speaks, Holy Spirit, Medieval Fiction, pilgrimage, The Word of God

GOD SPEAKS, DOORS OPEN

September 21, 2022September 20, 2022 joymargetts

Last weekend we had the absolute ‘joy’ of being able to spend time with some lovely friends. Joy (yes she shares my name) and I met online around 18 months or so ago, connected by our writing and our heart to share kingdom truth through fiction. It was so good to finally meet face to face. And to spend hours, yes hours, talking about our writing, plans, ideas and dreams. It was good to meet Joy’s Ukrainian husband. And to get the smallest of insights into the reality of what the conflict means for his people, and for God’s people in Ukraine. To pray for them and with them.

Image of a couple standing together on a headland, with the sea, sky and a small island behind them

For part of the weekend we offered a tour of some of the places the pilgrims visited in my recently released novel, The Pilgrim. We had a wonderful day, retracing the steps of Brother Hywel, albeit in reverse. The day was punctuated with exclamations of, ‘This is where Hywel raised his hands to heaven in praise,’ ‘This is where Hywel took the boat to Bardsey Island’, ‘This is where Hywel knelt and encountered Jesus.’ Except of course Hywel was not real! We had to keep reminding ourselves of the fact. It still felt very much like we were walking in the footsteps of many, many pilgrims.

GOD SPEAKS

In both of my books, The Healing and The Pilgrim, I try to demonstrate how much God wants to speak to us personally. That might be through other people, it might be through things we experience or observe, it might be through dreams or prophetic words, it is always through the filter of His Word. This last weekend God spoke to me really clearly.

The day before our pilgrim tour, Joy had been challenging me about how I saw my writing. How did I weigh it against other things I believed God had gifted and called me to do? She spoke about my published novels as perhaps being the means of God opening up other things for me, like ‘handles on a door’ perhaps. The following day, as we progressed around our tour, something began to happen that was really quite strange.

DOORS OPEN

Outside of a small stone church with door ajar

I have visited the little ancient stone church at Pistyll many times, and it has always been locked. I have had to peer through cloudy windows to get a glimpse of the interior, and based my descriptions of it in my book on similar churches I had seen. On this day, however, we found the door unlocked, and stepped inside to find sweet smelling rushes on the floor and a simple altar, just as I had imagined it.

inside of a small simple stone church, with rushes on the floor and a simple altar table with a wooden cross.

Then we visited the great church of St Bueno at Clynnog Fawr. The church that stands on that site is a 15^th century pilgrim church, but part of it was built over a much more ancient church – dating back to the 6^th century. Whenever I have visited before, that part of the church has been behind locked doors – three of them! Now I think you are going to guess where I am going with this.

When we first entered the church the first door was indeed locked, but at some part during our visit we suddenly realised it had been unlocked. And the next one, and the one after that! We stepped through each open doorway in growing excitement, until we were standing in the very spot where pilgrims had worshipped for centuries. As I stood taking it all it, just so thankful for God’s goodness, some words came to my mind and I spoke them out,

‘Whatever door I open remains open, and whatever door I close remains closed’

I knew it was scripture, if in paraphrase, and later I found it in Rev 3:7-8

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ‘

Man walking through open church doorway into a whitewashed chapel

GOD SPEAKS AND MAKES IT PERSONAL

Now I know that those words were written to the church in Philadelphia, but taking into consideration what Joy had already said to me, and the strange co-incidences of finding doors opening everywhere we went, I knew in my spirit that God was speaking to me. A new excitement has filled me since; I know He is about to open up doors for me that I thought were shut. I don’t know exactly what that looks like, but I have an idea, and I think it might well involve collaboration with my friend Joy.

What made it even more special was that God spoke to me in the very same places as He spoke to my imaginary 13^th Century pilgrim, Brother Hywel. God speaks! And I have no doubt that He will find the right time, the right place and the right way to speak to you too. Be ready!

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, was published by Instant Apostle on 22 July 2022

More information on Joy, and her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Book Review, Books, Christian Writer, Connected to God, Faith, God speaks, God's faithfulness, Holy Spirit, words of comfort

Blog Book Review: God Speaks: 40 letters from the Father’s Heart

March 2, 2022April 1, 2022 joymargetts

GOD SPEAKS?

For too many years I believed that God only spoke to special people. Like the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles. Of course I was taught that God speaks through the Bible, and through the words of those preaching His word. But I could not expect Him to actually speak to me personally. Not in a heart whisper, not in a thought, not in a dream or vision, and definitely not in an audible voice. After all, how could I trust that what I was hearing was actually from God?

Fast forward to my forties, and to the radical work of the Holy Spirit in my life. As I opened my heart and life to the gifts and anointing of Holy Spirit, and began experiencing Him in a fresh way, I discovered that actually I had been hearing Him for years. Not just in the written Word, but in my heart also. He had used the words of others, lyrics of songs, and even creation to speak to me, and He still does. But what about if I actually wanted a two way conversation with Him? Isn’t that what prayer is supposed to be?

LETTERS FROM GOD

I then discovered journaling. Encouraged by others, I began to not just write down my thoughts and prayers, but to also ask God what He thought. And I began to write down what I believed He was saying to me. And do you know it was always loving, always encouraging and always biblical! This kind of journaling has seen me through some of the toughest times, and is still part of my regular prayer life. Which is why I was thrilled to be asked to review Ruth O’Reilly Smith’s Devotional Journal, ’God Speaks: 40 letters from the Father’s Heart’*.

The minute the book arrived I knew I was going to love it. It comes as a handy- sized hardback, printed in two beautiful colours. Inside there are forty ‘letters’ from God. Each is accompanied by scriptures, prayer prompting questions, and space to write down your response. These personal ‘letters’ are indeed straight from the Father’s heart, and as I have discovered, are loving, encouraging, comforting, and completely scriptural:

Image of inside pages of book showing prayer questions and space for writing

Image of inside of book, showing one of the letters and a verse from the Psalms

Day 10:

‘When your heart faints, I will sustain you. When you think you’ve failed, know that, in me, you are victorious. Let the voices of doubt and despair be stilled. Hear only my voice. I am with you until the end of the ages.’ Deuteronomy 31:8

FOR LENT OR FOR ANY TIME

Ruth began asking God to speak at the beginning of Lent 2020, just before that first scary lockdown set in. Writing her letters from God daily for forty days sustained her through those weeks and now she has chosen to share them with us, in a time that is just as uncertain and fear -filled. That there are forty devotions means it lends itself to being used for Lent, but it could as easily be used at any other time. I cannot recommend it enough, if you need encouragement and comfort, or to just discover what it means to truly hear God’s voice for yourself.

I am going to use the devotional myself this Lent, starting today. I can’t wait to go deeper, and I know it will be a blessing. What an absolute privilege to be gifted with this resource, and what an absolute joy to know that the Father is speaking. To us, His beloved ones:

Day 29:

‘As certain as the rising sun, so certain is my love for you morning by morning…

As vast as the heavens that stretch out before you as far as the eyes can see, so are my care and compassion for you. Not one star is out of place. I see all. I know all. And I love you completely…’

Psalm 57:10.

*Ruth O’Reilly Smith currently hosts a radio show with United Christian Broadcasters on UCB2 called ‘This Is My Story’. The Bible has been key to Ruth’s growth as a Christian and she is passionate about communicating God’s heart through His word. Ruth’s website can be found at www.ruthoreillysmith.com.

‘God Speaks’ by Ruth O’Reilly Smith is published by Authentic Media, ISBN 9781788932226.

Joy Margetts is new to blogging, and new to being published. Her debut novel ‘The Healing‘ was published by Instant Apostle on 19 March 2021. A work of historic fiction, set in medieval Wales against the backdrop of Cistercian abbey life, it is also a story of faith, hope and God’s redemptive power. Joy has also self- published a short novella, ‘The Beloved‘ as both a companion to ‘The Healing‘, and as an easy to read standalone story, which is available to buy on Amazon Kindle.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle in July 2022

More information on Joy and her writing, and links to purchase her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

Books, Christian Writer, Faith, God in control, Grief, Healing, Holy Spirit, Medieval Fiction, New Author, pilgrimage, Seasons of life, The Word of God

A Heart Set on Pilgrimage

January 20, 2022January 19, 2022 joymargetts

image of a path across a headland, with the island of Bardsey on the horizon

As I write this, I really should be doing something else. I am supposed to be editing my manuscript for my second full length novel, The Pilgrim. The editing has been taking up most of my time and energy for the last few days. I know it has to be done, but I am finding it both exciting and exhausting. It is with mixed feelings that I read and re-read, and correct the words that I have written. And always the questions… is it going to be good enough? Are people actually going to want to read this?

Heart pilgrimage

At the end of each chapter, as I did in my first book, I have inserted a verse or two of scripture. In The Pilgrim these are taken from the Psalms. Each one is chosen for how it speaks into what is happening in the life of the central character, Brother Hywel, as he walks his own spiritual journey. But many of them have personal meaning to me too, like this one:

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
Psalm 84: 5-7 NKJV

I have chosen to write about a real pilgrimage in the book, hence the title. But it isn’t just the physical path of pilgrimage that is Hywel’s journey to grace. It is also the inclination of his heart, to truly seek after God.

Image of a valley path with the text of Psalm 84 :5

Tears bringing life

On my own journey I have been through some dark valley times, when it really feels like the Valley of Baca (‘Baca’ means ‘weeping’). I have struggled to understand why, but it isn’t always for me to understand. I only have to keep my heart set on Him. My ‘pilgrimage’ is to step by step walk the path that leads me closer to His heart. And it isn’t always easy to stay on that path, especially when blinded by tears.

But what if the very tears that I weep actually help to water the dry ground around me and turn it into springs of life? My strength to keep going actually comes from Him, if I ask for it! And He will increase that strength as I keep walking, make me even more resilient and fruitful. Nothing is wasted in Him. I might walk through the Valley of Weeping, but my very presence turns it into a place of blessing!

Image of the front cover of The Pilgrim. The title of The Pilgrim is in black font against a white background that looks like manuscript paper. The 'P ' is illuminated. Beneath this is a brightly coloured stained glass image of a group of pilgrims.

The Pilgrim: a pool of blessing

My tears have fed into the story I have written in The Pilgrim. My prayer is that the book becomes a pool of blessing for many. I am blown away that God has chosen to use the things that I have gone through, in my own pilgrimage journey, to create books that might just do that. I’ll remember that as I continue the sometimes painful editing process!

At least the book already has the most beautiful of cover designs. I pray that the words inside will be just as beautiful.

(The Pilgrim is due to be published in July 2022, but you can pre-order your copy now, by commenting on this blog post)

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle in July 2022

More information on Joy and her writing, and links to purchase her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com

advent, Christian Writer, christmas, Connected to God, Faith, Holy Spirit

ADVENT 3 : STAYING CONNECTED

December 8, 2021December 9, 2021 joymargetts

What do we do while we are waiting?

‘You must be kidding!’ I hear you say. ‘It’s full on busy over here. We have presents to buy, food to hoard, decorations and lights to put up, special church services and nativities to plan for, work parties and Secret Santas to endure. Not to mention trying to keep up with the everyday things that demand our time and attention. Didn’t you know Christmas is coming?

Yep. But what are we doing to try and maintain a sense of anticipation and expectation as Christmas approaches? And how are we waiting well for all that God has promised us?

Simeon

Luke 2 v 25-38 tells us the story of Simeon and Anna, two of my favourite characters from the Christmas story. Both demonstrated how to wait well. Simeon had waited all his life, believing and expecting to see the One God had promised would come. As an old man he held the Christ child in His arms and his joy and wonder are palpable – He had lived to see God’s salvation and it overwhelmed him.

“For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of you people Israel” (Luke 2 v 30-32 NKJV)

The old man, Simeon holding the baby Jesus, his parents watching on

Attuned to the Holy Spirit

What really struck me as I read the story again, was the way that Simeon was so attuned to the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit rested on him. That he had already heard the Holy Spirit promise him he would see the Messiah before he died. And on that very day had responded to the direction of the Holy Spirit to make sure he was in exactly the right place in the Temple at the right time to encounter Jesus with His parents. In addition, he recognised the child by the Holy Spirit and then prophesied over Him and His mother by the same Holy Spirit.

I believe Simeon was so attuned to the Holy Spirit because He had stayed connected. It tells us he was just (lived in a God honouring way) and devout (loved and feared God). He let nothing distract him from his close connection with God, and as a result got to experience the fulfilment of The Promise when so many missed it.

Staying Connected

We can learn from him, if we are in that waiting period. Staying in close connection with God is key to waiting with hope and expectation. Dishonouring Him by our thoughts, words or actions, or letting distractions disconnect us from Him, means we can miss what He is saying, miss His guidance and direction, and miss out on the experiences He wants us to have of His goodness. While we wait.

‘The Pilgrim‘, her second full length novel, will be published by Instant Apostle in July 2022

More information on Joy and her writing, and links to purchase her books can be found here www.joymargetts.com